<span style="font-family: Georgia;">"I am Elliot Dumas, I am not a Monster, I am a Man!" He shouted. His voice trembled <br/><br/><span style="font-size: 150%; line-height: 116%;">"<span style="font-weight: bold">Say it again!</span>" </span> his father bellowed back at him. He gripped him by the front of his shirt and shoved him backwards forcefully. <br/><br/>"I-i'm-" Elliot stammered,<br/><br/><span style="font-size: 150%; line-height: 116%;">"<span style="font-weight: bold"> LOUDER! SAY IT AGAIN!</span></span> his father's voice shook the walls and the cracking paint <span style="font-size: 150%; line-height: 116%;">"<span style="font-weight: bold">WHO ARE YOU!?!</span>"</span><br/><br/>The boy's eyes were terrified but he mustered the strength to keep himself and fill his small lungs with air "I AM ELLIOT DUMAS, I AM NOT A MONSTER, I AM A MAN!" he shouted, his throat hurt and his eyes stung. <br/><br/><div style="text-indent:1em;">His father knelt down on one leg and pulled the boy into a tight hug. Elliot grunted as the air was forced out of him by the sudden and heavy handed force his dad was using. He thought he heard his father sniffle but he knew better, he'd never done anything like that in his life. The man moved back to look Elliot square in the eyes, his gaze was hard and scrutinizing but there was something there, his eyes were bloodshot and sad. He pulled something out of his pocket and placed it on Elliot's neck, uttering something in Creole as he did so. Elliot looked it over, it was a thick onyx pendant; the orb looked large and quite expensive, the bottom was golden and held an engraved drawing of a several pitchforks arranged pointing outward in all directions radially.</div> <br/>"You're on your own now," his father spoke calmly now "I want you to be confident and strong. Don't let anyone define you.," He gripped the charm and displayed it to his son before tucking it into his white dress shirt.  "This was your mother's keep it close to your heart," he said as he stood up and gripped a small leather suitcase from next to the door. <br/>"Whenever you need strength, whenever the enemy is bearing down on you, place your hand on it, Got me?" he pressed the suit case into his son's hands and gave him a hard pat on the top of his head. <br/>"Now get the hell out of here and make us proud, boy." his father said quietly, almost endearingly, in stark contrast to the words. <br/><br/>Elliot gave a wordless nod before walking to the front of the room. He turned to glance at his father who had found something else to focus on. Elliot took in a sharp breath and stepped out the door.<br/><br/><div style="text-indent:1em;">Ignoring everyone around him as best he could in the crowded city, he found his way to a very dark, run down subway entrance. The steps were blocked off by debris but the entrance could still be gotten into with a small drop. With more than a moment of consideration, Elliot finally climbed over the railing and jumped down to be greeted by a very well lit and bustling station. An old man held out a plain black bracelet "Translator bracelet" he said simply. Elliot was wary of accepting things from strangers, especially in the city but the man seemed harmless enough and he didn't want to offend him so he took the bracelet and slipped it under his sleeve with a quick "Merc-...anks" he said, the sound made his eyes widen in surprise "Umm, I mean thanks" he said quietly before shuffling off to find where he needed to go. 'People' were all over the place! There were so many different people here, it was overwhelming. Elliot's eyes wandered continuously and he slowed his pace as he marveled at the sights: Snake-bottomed people, People in tanks, People with flames for hair, One eye, Giant, Horse-halfed, pointy-eared, bird-feathered, it was incredible!.... or it was at first.</div><br/>"Excuse me, oh umm I'm sorry, Sorry, I'm so sorry,"<br/> <br/><div style="text-indent:1em;">He spent most of his time apologizing as many people bumped into him, some purposely and some very aggressively. By the time he managed to reach the doors he felt defeated. His large eyes were glassy and his vision blurred with his tears. He walked carefully towards the back of the subway and took a seat, not paying attention to who was nearby. He wiped his eyes with his sleeve and focused his attention downward. He knew his dad would be upset if he saw him like this but he couldn't help it. He was so scared here and now he was alone....</div><br/><div style="text-indent:1em;">His train of thought was interrupted by the sound of something jingling onto the floor. A very nice looking coin rimmed with letters. It wasn't something he'd ever seen but it looked like it was worth something. Elliot gripped the coin and turned it in his hand in awe. He was so enthralled by the coin that the sudden shadow that came over him spooked him. He looked up to see the imposing figure of a boy standing over him. His eyes were terrifying. Elliot gasped quietly before looking back at the coin in his hand. Elliot held the coin out to him, his heart was pounding in his chest.</div><br/><br/>"I-is this yours?" Elliot said, his eyes were already apologizing for him but he did it anyway "I'm sorry,"</span>