I release the rapist, letting him slump to the ground, sleeping peacefully. Former rapist, I should say, for he has been Rewired.

From the mouth of the alley I hear a gasp and look up. There’s a woman, pretty behind exhaustion and a black eye. She looks from me to the man slumped at my feet and her fingers cover her mouth. Moving closer she asks, “What did you do?” her voice muffled and low.

Pride and sympathy goad me into telling the truth, “I fixed him. He’ll never hurt a woman again.”

“Did you kill him?” Her eyes are wide, and the worry I see there sparks anger.

“No. I broke into his mind and changed his personality.”

“How?” She takes a step back.

I shrug. “I see people’s personalities as wiring, and make changes as I see fit.”

She looks back down at the man at my feet, fear and love tangling in her expression. “But you can’t do that.”

“Why not?”

“Because God gave us free will…” she says, backing away from me.

“Sure he did,” I say, grabbing her by the arm.