Rowen sighed as the next big cart full of groceries pulled up. Her heels were sore even with the gel inserts, her calves throbbed and her back ached. Her fingers had long since gone numb from being slammed between carts, bottles of soda and cases of water. The mid-day rush had only just ended but she felt as if she had been through three. With a short lull, she sat day in the bag holder and relished in the feeling of being off her feet. Working for Keller's Groceries, she was only part time but usually did overtime. This was her second shift because someone had called out and there wasn't time to call anyone in. She was just about to find the M.O.D when a tall slender man with wispy brown hair and a slight gray mustache walked towards her register. Standing up quickly she plastered a bright eager smile on her face. "Hello." Rowen said in her nicest voice. The man looked at her for a moment and straightened his black tie. He held a small basket of food and behind him was a large cart filled to the brim with groceries. "This will be paid in cash," he said gesturing to the basket, "And that will be put on the Worthington account." He finished with a daring look.
Trying not to growl, Rowen took hold of the microphone and called a manager over to her register to show her how to put bills onto special accounts. While she waited, she scanned the first batch of items which consisted of bananas, kiwi, bread, cheese, half a gallon of milk, peanut butter and a box of mustache dye. After the stiff man paid for the items, Rowen tried again to get the manager over to her register. Finally, one came over and spoke to the man. "Mr. Codwell will give you the numbers to enter for the account. As soon as you're done ringing this stuff up I want you to turn off your light and head over to the Worthington estate." Mr. Anderson stated before running off to the office. In shock, Rowen rang up the large order that totaled to over $320. The Worthington estate was on the other side of town and she had to deliver groceries to a man who sent his henchman out to pick out his groceries but not bring them home. But Rowen was grateful to be off her feet.
Taking a taxi, Rowen went on her "mission", she left the groceries with the maid and went back towards the store, but there was a road block. She paid the driver for the distance he had taken her and got out, soon regretting it. Her legs seemed to tremble under her 115lbs and she felt the blisters forming in her sneakers. Passing Worthington Industries, Rowen noticed a line of people and a crowd shouting at the ones in line. "No to the cure! Mutants aren't a disease!" She heard it being shouted over and over again. Looking up the side of the building, she wondered what it was like and if there was such a thing as choosing to be a mutant or human. Just as she was about to turn around and walk the 12 blocks back to work, a window near the top shattered and a body was falling with the shards. But in midair, the body sprouted wings and began to fly towards the crowd. Rowen realized then that it was a man, not much older than her, she watched him fly away. Amazed at what she had just seen, she walked back to work without one wince or grumble.