Disclaimer: I do not own marvel or these characters….
Chapter Two
Highway US-84
May 1991
She had been staring out the window for almost three hours now. The tape had been pulled off her mouth and the bindings on her wrist and ankles were
removed. She had stopped crying when they passed the Alabama state sign, tears would get her no where but a stuffy nose and headache, she was
never gonna see home again, her parents were gone, and these two strange women were acting as though these traumatic events of only afew hours
ago had never happened. She curled herself up towards her window in the backseat, pressing her forehead on the cold pane of glass and her bloodshot
eyes took in the dark scenery, nothing but empty highway and low hanging trees, a very eerie sight to a child.
"It's ok to go to sleep little one", Irene said, "I know you've had an exhausting day".
Anna glared at the back of the blind woman's head but said nothing, she was exhausted, she felt completely drained of energy and mentally numb.
"I told you that were not going to hurt you so get some rest already" the blue one said while glaring coldly at her in the rearview mirror.
Anna nodded her head in response then replaced it on the cold window, she was sure that these women weren't going to hurt her, so she closed
her bloodshot eyes and let sleep take her little worn out body.
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She awoke with the sun soaked window warming her face and the smell of delicious greasy food assaulting her nose.
"Are you awake dear"? Irene asked her.
Anna jolted up straight in her seat looking around her surroundings confusedly
Oh yea, she thought, so it wasn't a weird dream... shoot
Irene turned in her seat and faced Anna's direction with a warm smile.
"Here you go little one" ,she said, "Orange juice and a chicken biscuit, I hope you like it"
She handed Anna the cup and greasy bag, Anna grabbed for it greedily and was stuffing her little mouth when she managed to squeak out
a little "thank you" to Irene.
"Where are we", she asked after swallowing another mouth full.
"Mississippi", Irene said, "Just outside of Natchez, were almost home".
Anna nodded her head then looked out her window continuing to eat.
"You'll really like it here Anna", Raven said, "We have a nice big house right on the river, you'll have you own room and you can decorate
however you want".
"I liked my old room", Anna said softly.
Raven glared at her through the rearview mirror again, "Well you can learn to like your new one", she said coldly.
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A short time later they pulled on to a little dirt driveway and Anna stared opened mouth at what would be her new home. A two story old plantation
style home, with an upper story wrap around deck, white washed with green shudders, a far cry from her humble beginnings.
"This is where ya'll live"? she asked.
"Yes little one", Irene said, "This is our home".
The car came to a stop, Raven got out and opened Anna's door taking the little girls hand firmly in hers, and started walking her towards the house.
"Are ya'll rich or somthin"? Anna asked.
"Yes", Irene said walking up beside them, "Raven's job keeps us quite comfortable".
"What d'ya do"? Anna asked looking up at Raven.
"Don't worry about it", was Raven's sharp reply. Anna put her head down at the sharp words, and Irene gave Raven's shoulder a little push, Raven
looked at Irene who was giving her a "Be Nice or Else" face.
Raven sighed, "Would you like me to show you around"?, she asked Anna more gently. Anna replied with a soft "yes".
"Please speak up girl", Raven scolded, "You'll be living with us now so there's no need to be meek, got it"!
Irene gave Raven another push, "Raven please", she scolded, "Be gentle with our little one, this is all very new for her".
"Fine", Raven gritted out. She unlocked the door and Anna stepped into her new "home".
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The house was well lit with sunlight and bright white walls, dark hardwood floors gave the home a very old fashioned look along with the old time
country decorations, lots of red, white and blue everywhere. The rooms were spacious yet cozy feeling, you could definitely tell that only women
lived in the home. The two said women were leading Anna upstairs to show her where her room would be. The upstairs had four doors in the open
hallway, three of the bedrooms. Anna was led to the last door on the right. Raven opened the door and the three stepped inside, the only furnishings
in the room were a bed and a night stand, both dark hardwood.
"When you decide what you want to do with the place we will take you out shopping" Irene said.
"Thanks", Anna replied.
"So listen", Raven said, "You'll be staying in your room until I know that you won't try to runaway or bring the authorities here".
Anna gave a shocked look, "Ya mean ah have to stay in here all the time"!
Raven raised her hand to stop the child from continuing, "Just until you come to realize that me and Irene are your family, or when you simply
refer to me as mother, it's up to you".
"But your not my..." Anna was cut off by Raven.
"Now see, I think afew weeks in this room will change your opinion".
"But ah..." Anna looked to Irene for help.
"Sorry little one" ,Irene said, "She's right, you'll have to remain in here until you fully accept us as your family, when we know we can trust you".
Anna's eyes started to water, "Ya'll will never be mah family, ah don care how long ya keep me in here"!, then she turned to look at Raven,
"Ya never be my momma, ya... ya... witch"! ,she yelled lifting her chin up stubbornly.
Raven glared at the child, "Yes, well I expect that if you ever want to feel the light of day again you'll be changing your mind". With that warning
both women left Anna in her room, quietly locking the door behind them.
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sorry about not updating sooner but I was on a sorta-vacation for the past two weeks
these chapters will be coming out alot faster now.......