Finally.

I'm free from THEM.

Knew they'd never feel like family anyway. I mean, fuhgeddaboudit.

They were just control and pain. I fucking EARNED that money I took. That I'm schlepping with my stuff in my favorite backpack.

Well, it's my only one but it's still cool. It's orange, blue and red like fire.

Red like the new hair extensions and iPod with fucking awesome music I bought myself.

Also got myself a hoodie. It's black like my earbuds (also new) and waterproof.

Hey, whaddaya expect? I'm from Brooklyn. It rains, OK?

And maybe rain can wash away the shit that I went through.

Hi, by the way.

The name's Phoenix. Phoenix Storm.

Cool, right?

I gave it to myself. Didn't like Heather Smith.

That's the name my real parents gave me. I don't talk about them much. They abandoned me when I was 10.

You'd think I showed them I killed something but no.

I just showed them my powers.

Yeah, I said powers.

I can heal but I've discovered that the longer what I'm healing takes to heal in real life, the harder it is to heal.

I can teleport but it can't be to a place I haven't been or just don't fucking remember.

Last but not least comes shape-shifting. My favorite power, really.

It's into birds. Any bird. Can't talk while I'm a bird, though.

Hey, I just have the powers, I don't make the fucking rules! I'm 12, for fuck's sake!

Sorry.

As for my physical appearance, well, I'm 5'2''. Good thing I'm tallish cause, hey, I'm on the run. Still will prolly get stares though.

Maybe it's because my eyes don't match. My left one's blue like a fucking perfect-for-flying-in sky and my other's storm gray.

Not that I chose my last name because of that.

No, that I got from Like a Storm. Wearing a T-shirt for them by the way. I like music and they're a band from New Zealand. They're brothers.

Maybe I'll have some...
Focus.

Let's see.

Told you a little about my hoodie.

It's got a coupla of pockets. One with my new iPod, one empty. It's black and I know I already told you that but, other than the red hair extensions (obviously) so's my waist-length hair, jeans and tennis shoes. Got red laces, though.

Yep, I'm Brooklyn casual and have Brooklyn in my voice. Pride!

I'm headed to Gotham though.

Yes, I can handle myself.

I've got one hell of a right hook from time spent at Gleason's Gym and I'm fucking quick on my feet.

Plus there's always my sarcasm.

Just as good as some of my likes.

Maybe not the flying, especially fast, because, fuck yeah, I'm a peregrine falcon but maybe the reading and sleeping in. Maybe as good as candy, even if it's fruit flavored and my glorious Dr Pepper or an egg cream.

Yeah, I'll prolly miss getting the latter but at least I know how to make em.

Okay. Here my stop.

Getting off the bus and...Fuck.

Somebody's hurt. Bad.

"Hey, the name's Phoenix. Phoenix Storm. Looks like you got fucked up just so I can save your ass."

He rolls his eyes.

I ignore him and, finding myself feeling a little nervous, start to heal him.

Healing...
healing...
still fucking healing...
Done.

Whoa.

I finish feeling light-headed.

"Hey, dude, you wanna..."

I nearly pass out.

He catches me and draws all 6 feet of his black haired, blue eyed self up.

"Hey, the name's Jason! Jason Todd. Looks like you saved my ass just so you can come to my place to crash."

I remember asking if I can stay forever, him saying not to push it, me saying my birthday's July 5th and that's soon so, please, please can I stay, I mean, it's not like there's anyone that I'll miss.

Just before I end up falling asleep on his couch, I hear him say "I'll think about it, OK, kid?"