"THERE SHE IS!"
"KILL THE FREAK!"
A shadow ran through the alleys, the dampness settling in her waist-length dark hair as she slid through the shadows.
"WHERE'D SHE GO?"
"SPLIT UP!"
Hiding under a dumpster was an alleycat, dark fur shimmering silver in the faint light and moonlight-pale eyes wide.
Heart hammering against her little chest, she stayed still as footsteps and angry voices wafted around her.
Closing her eyes to gather strength, tension snapped through her as the dumpster was kicked away.
"HERE SHE IS!"
In a flash, the cat transformed into a panther, roaring and knocking over the person holding a pipe over her.
Snarling, she became a cheetah, fur and eyes still the same as she ran away as fast as her legs would allow.
Stones and sharp weapons flew after her, but she was running sixty miles an hour and weaving through alleys, so some only grazed her.
Tiring out, she shifted into a warm-furred husky and slunk into an empty box.
Panting for breath and lowering her head as her sides ached, she curled in on herself.
Ran began to drum on the cardboard, and she whimpered sadly, looking out at the drops with watery eyes.
Hiding her snout under an arm, she settled into fitful slumber as a thundering sky hid her crying…
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A young, dark-furred husky walked slowly through the dank alleys, sunlight leaking through the mouths and making her fur shimmer.
Moonlight eyes were pained, and she limped painfully on her rear right leg.
They'd been looking for her since a week before, but she'd kept fairly hidden, though the long walks had caused her paws to go raw or bleed.
Having lost them a few days ago, she was too frightened to forage for food or clean water, in case they found her.
One of her ears perked, catching sound, and she raised her head to see the source.
Tension crackled through her at the sight of her pursuers blocking the mouth of the alley, lead pipes and stones and bats in their hands as they stepped towards her.
Her lips pulled back, revealing sharp fangs as a warning growl rumbled in her chest.
If they didn't come closer, didn't threaten her, didn't attack, she wouldn't have to hurt them…
She'd been in animal form too long, hadn't reverted to human in so long, that rational thought could be drowned by survival instincts…
A bat swung for her shoulder, but she managed to leap back on three good legs and score the wood with her teeth.
Her rational side was sinking beneath the self-defense of her animal side, intent on survival, and she could hardly fight for control…
The other weapons flew, striking flesh or being met with angry teeth as she fought back.
Of course, being malnourished and tired, she went down first, morphing back to human form in her weakness.
She was pale-skinned and dainty, her dark hair shimmering silver as it fell like a curtain to shield her naked form.
She couldn't be more than fifteen years old, with pale moonlight eyes and pupils the color of faint silver.
Curling up on the dirty floor, lowering her head in case they should aim their weapons at it, she waited for more blows.
A strange roar made her ears ring, and the teenagers above her scattered like dry leaves on an autumn breeze.
Raising her head carefully, she almost bared her teeth in warning at the fellow mutant now towering over her.
She may have been small, but damn it, she wasn't going down without a fight!
"Creed, don't scare the child. She may have a heart attack."
He stepped back, and she raised herself up onto her elbows to see the other two people in the alley.
They were mutants, she could smell it, and powerful at that.
The blue-scaled woman stepped closer, as if to touch her, and she snarled, her skin almost bristling as she threatened to morph.
"Alina Kyle…There is no need to fear your brothers and sisters."
"I HAVE none." She replied, on all fours as feathers carefully came out along her hidden back…
"I am Magneto, and this is my Brotherhood. We heard of your gift, and have come to help you."
"Help?"
There was a scoff in her voice, and Creed bristled.
"Sorry, but I'm not interested. If you don't mind, I'll be going now-."
Creed grabbed hold of her arm as she stood, and her eyes narrowed at the familiar dislike of being touched.
Shifting into a snake, she slithered easily out of his grip before becoming a hawk and swooping into the air.
Something whizzed by her, but she twirled out of the way, diving out of sight behind some buildings.
Breathing out as she shifted into a cat, Alina stayed silent as she slunk through the shadows…
Alina…
Alone…
That's all she'd been for five years…
Pausing, ears cocked, she looked over her shoulder and bristled as Creed jumped onto the rooftop, eyes locked on hers.
'CRAP…'
He lunged for her, and she morphed into a tiger to meet his charge head-on.
Claws and fangs clashed with a sound like metal, snarls and growls and roars electrifying the air as they wrestled around.
Breaking apart, Alina crouched low to the ground, her leg beginning to throb painfully as she became a griffin.
The blue woman had reached them, and Alina flapped her wings powerfully, intent on keeping both at bay.
Rearing on her hind legs, she cawed.
Harsh talons caused both to back up for a moment, and a gust of wind caught her feathers, pulling her out to open air once more.
'Crap-Crap-CRAP!'
Alina wasn't that great at long-distance flying…
A very LARGE pipe nearly hit her head, but she swerved, skimming a rooftop and barely keeping aloft.
'FUCK!'
At least her thoughts weren't in animal mode yet…
Running along the cement to pick up speed, she jumped off the edge and became a swift, an arrow in the sky.
She didn't know exactly where she was going, but it was probably a HELL of a lot better than here…
Maybe somewhere cold…