It could be argued that stories have no definitive start until someone puts pen to paper and starts writing, choosing which is best for their own spin of the this story however, the best place to start is easy; October 31st, almost sixteen years ago.
Jaqueline Dionnis and husband Markov Dionnis were talking quietly in the living room of their apartment, a small cozy atmosphere that looked like just about every other living room in the city. White walls, dark furniture, a tv and a bookcase standing alone in the corner. The floors were wood, the place was swept and uncluttered. It could have passed for just about anyone's house.
With the exception of a few odd secrets the Dionnis's would rather you didn't find out about.
"She's not going to be normal. There is no way, not with the powers coming from both sides of her family." she pointed out, stifling a yawn, stretching out sore muscles.
"It gives her an advantage. Death is a common factor in our line of work, she needs to be up on her feet as soon as possible. And if it isn't dead it's..."
"A lifetime in jail." she finished, looking gravely at her husband. Suddenly she laughed coldly.
"Look at us talking about this and she doesn't even have a middle name yet."
"A middle name isn't going to matter in the long run. What is going to matter is how we approach this. If she's as smart as you, she'll pick up on this soon." he responds, reclining in his chair with a look of thought on his face.
"We can't just tell her outright though, lord knows the situation that would put us in if she was asked what we do for a living during school."
"I can see that. Damn, she is not going to have an easy life is she?"
"Life is not easy. Her's is just probably going to be a hell of a lot harder."
"Maybe, maybe we should pull back on the harder jobs, try to be there for her."
"And pass up jobs that could put her through college and buy her first house? No way. I was already out of the game for nine months, I'm not going to risk any more time. We put her in the right training, have backups, and if all else fails..."
"We give her up."
"I really, really shouldn't be saying this but I don't want her to end up away from us. We- we could make it as parents.
"Don't worry, we'll do just fine."
"I hope so darling. I hope so."
12 Years Later
"Mom, I'm home!" she called, dropping her blue school bag down on the floor next to the door. Sliding her shoes off, she walked into the living room, where her mother was usually waiting for her, watching Tv or reading a book. She never really got her mother's love for reading, Jacelynn could barely even sit still, let alone sit still and focus on something.
"Mom?" she tried again louder, but there was no response. Sighing, Jacelynn decided to just lie down, her school day had been rather long and tedious, plus she had her martial arts, self-defence and theatre after that. All she wanted to do was nap. She laid down on the couch and shut her eyes...before getting up to grab a pillow. Setting the pillow down, she went and got a blanket. Curled up under the blanket, she yawned and closed her eyes. Minutes later she found herself thirsty and got up again to get a can of Root Beer, a drink she was probably addicted to.
Jacelynn sat down on the couch again, before getting up and walked over to the decorative mirror hanging on the wall, something had been bugging her at school and she had almost forgotten about it. The reflection she saw was a mirror image of her mother staring back. They had practically the same appearance; raven hair, pale skin, thin nose and strikingly bright violet eyes. The only thing she got from her father was his pointy, elf-like ears. That moment, for one reason or another, Jacelynn decided she didn't like her eyebrows. Picturing a different style she concentrated hard, staring at her reflection in the mirror, and in seconds, her eyebrows had changed completely.
She had been able to do this for a little while now and quickly picked up that not everyone was able too. She wasn't quite sure how she got it or even what happens to her old features. as they would come back if she lost concentration. So, she kept it a secret from everyone, including her parents, because she knew everyone else would think she was completely crazy. OR a freak.
Deciding she liked the look of her appearance, she walked back to the couch, having given up on her nap, and decided to just watch some television instead.
The second the tv switched on, it showed what seemed to be a crime show. It must have only just started, as they were showing the officers at the scene of the crime, being given information.
Jacelynn couldn't help but smile. Only a year ago did she find out what her parents did for a living; completing heists and occasionally stealing for higher up criminals. To their surprise, she had been perfectly fine with their job choice, as they had never once been caught. And secretly, Jacelynn thought it was the coolest thing ever, almost like having secret agents for parents.
But she knew it was illegal and didn't like to think about the aftermath of her parent's jobs. But the thrill of danger made her curious. She took after her mother, so that was to be expected, and with their combined traits, as told by hushed conversations she'd overheard, would let her flourish in their business.
Her parents had already been preparing her for a situation caused by their profession that would find its way to her. So for years she'd been acting and fighting. Just in the case, she would need it. But even with all that it didn't stop them from fighting to keep her away from their lifestyle.
By now she is really curious as to where her parents have gone. Normally they'd be here by now. Maybe they got held up? Or they're hiding from the police. Business meeting? No, they would have known that and would have told me, wouldn't they?
Suddenly, the tv was switched from the show to a news report.
"We apologize for the interruption, but we have a warning to those watching this. There is a gunfight on division street underway, and would like anyone in that area to stay inside and lock your doors." the bald man says, his grey suit crisp against the light blue background. Division street? That's not far from where I am now, she thought to herself.
"As of this moment, there are six wounded and four dead. Police are attempting to control the situation. Once again, we encourage anyone in the area to take shelter and lock all doors. We'll be right back as soon as we have more information." he finishes, and the tv flashes, returning to the crime program from before.
A gun fight? That is horrible. Maybe that's why they were held up. Didn't want to get caught in the middle, she reasoned as she left the living room to lock the front door. I hope they didn't start it, if they did then they won't be home for dinner and we'll be moving. I wonder where? No, doesn't matter.
Knowing that they weren't going to be home for awhile, she grabbed a couple snacks, settling down on the couch, unwrapping a granola bar and flipping to the news channel. Other stories were playing out, but the updates came on every few minutes, death and injuries racking up, by now it was a known gang against other people. The strange thing was this group was from another town, what they wanted here was a mystery.
She was watching the newscaster avidly when a loud ring sang through the air.
She jumped, racing over to grab the landline, reading the number before picking up.
"Mason?" she asked. Mason was a family friend, genius inventor who made gadgets for her parents after they saved his life, although they never told her the exact story.
"Jacelynn? Thank god they haven't gotten you yet. I'm coming over in a few minutes. Pack everything you can in that backpack your parents gave you for school." he says rapidly.
"W-what is going on?" she asks, worry and confusion seeping into her voice
"I'll explain when I get there. Hurry, pack. And lock the front door too!" he says, clicking off, a dull tone replacing where his voice was coming from.
She was silent. She couldn't move. Inside her mind, thoughts whirled in her head, spinning at a pace she couldn't keep up with. Trying to process the information.
She broke free of the trance, tossed the phone down and sprinted into her room, taking out the bag and pouring the contents out. She went for clothes, stuffing anything practical inside. She hesitated, but grabbed the box of supplies, rapidly putting in the weapons, clothes and ammo. Taking the bag, she ran back out into the hallway, dropping onto her knees, taking out another floorboard and pressing some hidden buttons, revealing a small safe, filled with cash, debit cards and different identification and passports. Rifling through them, she grabbed the simplest looking and stuffed them in the bag.
A knock on the door sends her flying straight up.
On her toes, she crept forward, not making a noise. Her heart pounded in her ears. There was a small glass circle, letting someone look out, but not in. Peering out, she almost cried in relief.
Outside her door, was a short, tan man with dark hair and glasses, his eyes scanning his area with precision, seemingly calculating every variable.
Next to her parents, this was the face she knew and saw the opened the door, almost running into Mason's arms.
"Thank the Lord you are okay. We need to go and pick up your parents. come on, and stay quiet." he said, rushing down the hall, Jacelynn hot on his heels.
"What is going on?" she asked.
His response was a shooshing noise. They raced down the flights the of stairs and out the front doors.
Mason's blue car was parked as hastily and close as he could get it. A key comes out from his pocket, and with a push of the button, the lights came on. Jacelynn slammed herself into the passenger side, and the car pulled out before she even had a chance to get her seatbelt on.
"Mason, what is going on?" she asks, confusion and fear creeping into her voice with every word.
He shook his head, eyes trained on the road. "Your parents have gotten into some trouble. If we don't leave, it could hurt all of us." she couldn't tell if his voice was angry, sad or fearful.
"Where will we go?" she asked quietly, wondering if she should have brought more things.
"I don't know. But somewhere far from here, possibly leaving the country if it comes to it. But we can't go anywhere without your parents." he mumbles, pulling a hard turn to the right.
She could hear yelling at this point and see the helicopters frantically flying through the air. Her heart sank- this was from the earlier news report, meaning her parents had to be involved.
He parks in the shadows of a side street, not too far from the action, but just enough that they wouldn't fall to any stray bullets.
"Stay here, and try to stay down. I'll be back with your parents as soon as I can." He whispered, sliding out of the car and locking cool air of the evening makes it's way into the car before it is promptly cut short by the closing of the driver side door. He quickly made his way down and around the corner, unholstering what looked to be a pistol that had been hidden by his brown a few minutes he was no longer in her range of sight.
And just like that, she was alone.
Her mind was racing, thoughts piling up on top of each other running laps. She can't even stop one long enough to figure out what it is.
Every movement seemed to be a threat. She jumped at every little noise. There was a sinking feeling in her stomach.
She heard it before she saw it. Rocketing into the sky was the ashes of the explosion. Right where the fight was. Where Mason was. Where her parents were.
She bit her tongue to keep from screaming. The yells made all the way to her. Helicopters circled frantically to get a look at the damage.
Bringing her knees up to her chest, she was hoping, praying to anyone one or thing up there that would listen, to see all three of them come running up to the car.
Minutes go by.
She counted the seconds.
More minutes go by.
She stared at her open palms, not quite sure what she was feeling, and could later only describe it as hollow.
Continuing minutes.
Her hands look dry.
And there, she saw movement. Her head snaps up, peering closely at the corner, where she saw movement. Striding quickly, hunched over, Mason walked toward her.
She smiled in eagerness as she waited for her parents to follow him. But then she saw his posture, his eyes red, and the emotion plastered all over his face.
The smile fell.
That was when she knew.