Some of us are born heroes. Some of us are made into heroes. Very rarely do we ever not use or powers. Not when our powers can help. Me? I couldn't care either way. Humanity hasn't done me any favors. Why should I?

"Hey! Freak! You forgot to pay!"

I stopped at the voice. Okay, had he said something like, "Hey you!" or just, "Stop!" I would have kept walking. Unfortunately, for him, he used that word. I turned a bit. I was a tad bit sensitive to the f word.

"You mean pay for this?" I asked, referring to the apple in my hand.

The store owner looked ready to strangle me.

"Why pay for what I can get off a tree? Are you claiming the rights to nature now?"

I grinned sadistically.

"Excuse me, God. I'll pay. Next time."

With that, I began to walk away.

"No, freak! You'll pay now!"

His meaty hand closed around my hand. Swiftly, I grabbed those disgusting meaty fingers and flipped that SOB over my shoulder. He slammed into the ground heavily. For a second, I thought he was dead til he let out a groan. I leaned down a bit.

"As I said, next time," I said, feeling a little triumphant.

With that, I stepped over him and kept walking.

Few people get me. I could sooo say that. I choose not to. After all, it's an overused saying. Sure, my parents didn't love me. Heck, I didn't even know them. All I knew was that when I was born, they through me off a cliff because of my eyes. Now, what's wrong with my eyes, you ask. Well, for one, they're red. Now I know what you're thinking. So what? Birth defect, huh? WRONG! You know that part of the eye? The white part? Yeah, mine's black. Black as night. When you're baby comes out looking like evil incarnate, you throw it off a cliff. Luckily, I can swim. My thoughts are interrupted by the sounds of car horns and I sigh, kicking the fountain with my boot. Not smart for someone like me to be sitting in plain view eating ice cream. Frankly, I think I want to be in jail. At least then I wouldn't have to take care of myself, food and shelter wise. Not as fun as it sounds. Then again, they probably wouldn't let me keep Sanchez. Before you ask, Sanchez is my staff which goes everywhere with me since I stole him from some thugs. Who knew that thugs carried around more than guns and switchblades?

"Oh Sanchez, why are you the only one who understands me?" I asked.

"Most would see a girl talking to a staff as a sure sign of insanity."

That voice was familiar. And one I really hated hearing.

"What do you want, Canary?"

You may know her? Black Canary. Big time hero. Did I mention I hated heroes and hero wannabes? Aka sidekicks. Canary sat beside me.

"I was ordered to bring you in. Actually, they wanted to send someone else but I insisted I could handle you."

Handle me. That's what everyone tried to do. Except Canary. She didn't scold or lecture. In fact, at the very moment would she should be knockin' me out with her scream, she's sitting next to me, watching people go by. I scoop a spoonful into my mouth. If I had a mom, I'd choose Canary. She gives me my space.

"Do you need some money?" she asked.

"I'm good."

I held up the wallet, still full of money she'd given me the last time she'd caught me. She sighed.

"Well, do you need anything?" she asked.

I needed a life. A family that gave a damn. Maybe a new life because this one had turned out so well so far. I could have said any of those. Instead, I asked for a shower.

Canary had snuck me into Mt. Justice more times than I could count. She wrapped an arm around my shoulders as she led me to her room. I'd been here so often I knew where her room was and where the kitchen was but I'd humor her.

"Wanna help?" I asked.

She sighed.

"You're a big girl," she joked.

With that, she pushed me into her room and closed the door. As always, no one would bother me. If they weren't out on a mission, they weren't home. Probably doing teenage stuff. I banished these thoughts. It wasn't like I cared. I quickly took over Canary's bathroom and focused on soaking myself clean.

"Canary!" I called.

I was done with my shower. As always, Canary had left me a clean pair of clothes. I wondered if she got weird looks when she bought me panties at the store. Not my problem either way. Usually when I used Canary's shower, she'd have a hot meal waiting for me afterwards. Like, I said, I wanted her as my mom. And she treated me like a daughter, always taking care of me. I made my way into the rec room, freezing entirely. Canary was there. So was the entire team, Batman, Green Arrow, Red Tornado and Superman. Now, you know I hate heroes and are probably wondering why I know their names. It's called the news. Anyway, they all seemed to be waiting for something and I realized then it was me.

"Ariel, we've been waiting for you," Batman said.

I may have hated what he was but he had a really sexy voice. My eyes found Canary's.

"Traitor," I growled.

I grabbed her jacket, which was draped over a chair nearby, and turned to go.

"Ariel, you don't go anywhere without Sanchez," Canary said.

I turned. In her hand was Sanchez.

"Give him to me!" I ordered.

"Just, hear us out," she begged.

"I don't want to!"

I already knew where this conversation would go. She'd brought it up a lot. Joining the team. What a horrible idea.

"Ariel," she began.

"I hate you!" I screamed. "Now give me Sanchez!"

I really had to watch my temper. Too mad and… The couch, right then and there, combusted. Too late.

"That's enough."

This time, it was Superman. He was totally ready to square off with me. I could see it in his stance. I've always been a survivor. Was pretty good at it too, despite only being 13. Survivors, we know when to back off. And this was one of those times. If I wanted Sanchez, I'd have to at least listen to them. So I backed off.