Notes and Reviews:

Courtney Summers: Thanks! Glad you like it.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my ideas and OCs... and hopefully my brain :O

Hopefully I can get two chapters a day out, so hope for two tomorrow!

On to Luna!

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I was gone before Liam woke up the next morning. I rolled out of the bed, opened the door, and slipped out. I found a store, slipped inside, and five minutes later I walked out with brand-new clothes. I had to steal them and I didn't feel good about it, but what could I do? I didn't have any money, I didn't have any family, and I didn't have any friends.

I glanced around, nostrils flaring slightly at the scent of fresh-baked pretzels. They smelled so good, so buttery and covered with just the right amount of salt. I'd had a soft-baked pretzel once in my life, and I had to steal it, so it didn't taste as good as it should have.

I forced myself to walk past the vendor, eyes down, but wary. I caught the faint smell of motorcycle oil and hint of beer, then caught the sound of a female voice.

"I just don't understand it, Logan. The Professor knows he felt something with Cerebro, but it was gone so fast he couldn't pinpoint it."

"I know, Jean. Don't worry about it, I'm sure Chuck will have it figured out soon enough."

I cautiously looked around to the sound of the voices. They were ahead and slightly to the right of me and when I looked up, the man in the cowboy hat and blue jeans looked right at me. He nudged the red-haired girl by the arm and pointed my way, but I had already ducked down into the crowd. I casually walked into a food store, nabbed an apple, and quietly walked out.

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I didn't know it at the time, but that almost-confrontation was my first run-in with the X-Men. I didn't see them again for a few years, or if I did then I didn't recognize or notice them.

I kept to myself, eventually going into an adoption program at around seven or eight years old. I went from foster home to foster home, never really fitting in with any family. I stayed with the Murdocks, the Likas, the Dondas, the Yolandas, three sets of Smiths, two sets of Murrays, and the Rodriguez family. I didn't belong anywhere, so I bailed out. I left the orphanage, though I learned some valuable lessons from the kids there.

Lesson 1: Always guard your food.

Lesson 2: It pays to be mean and heartless sometimes, but you still need friends to make it.

And Lesson 3: Never hurt your own.

I cautiously looked around the grocery store before sliding the peach in my pocket. I casually walked out the door, holding my breath as the clerk looked suspiciously over at me. He glared my way, but didn't stop me, so I walked out of the store with my snack. I silently thanked the young clerk in my mind. He didn't have to let me go.

I ate it as I walked toward the place I called home, an abandoned alleyway complete with old cardboard box and the occasional rat.

A strange noise alerted my ears, so I stopped walking and pressed myself up against the wall.

There was a scrabbling noise, followed by a loud curse. I held my breath as a young teenage girl ran past me, her shirt torn, in tears.

"Damn bitch." the dirty, smelly man said as he got onto his feet. He spotted me and grinned terribly.

"Come here, girly. It's been awhile since I've had someone so young." the man said, coming towards me.

I turned tail and ran, weaving through the crowds. "Go away!" I shouted, causing several people to look at me strangely. I stopped when I saw the man wasn't following me and slowed to a walk, easing my breathing.

I have to find somewhere safe. Somewhere were people will understand me. Not mistake me for an animal. I thought frantically.

There is no such place. I told myself. I straightened my shoulders and walked into the nearest YMCA for a quick shower. I swiped some soap, shampoo, and conditioner from someone's unlocked locker and got the stench of the streets off me as best as I could.

I replaced the 'borrowed' items and put my filthy clothes back on. I'd worn these clothes for two months now, the stores had gotten wise to my little visits.

I stayed inside for the night, hiding in the shower stalls when the night watchman closed up for the night. I slept on the benches in the locker room, using a rolled up towel as a pillow.

***********************

"Hey kid, you alright?"

I jolted awake, mad at myself for sleeping so heavily and allowing someone to sneak up on me.

"Yeah." I mumbled, stretching. "I'm fine, just fell asleep is all."

"Well, your parents are gonna be worried if you don't get home soon." the janitor said as she helped me to my feet.

"No, they won't." I muttered under my breath, turning away. I walked out of the locker room and back onto the streets, where I walked around aimlessly, stealing small bits of food when I could. This continued for the rest of the week and well into the next, before I finally learned of Xavier's.

********************

I was minding my own business, not bothering anyone, when all of a sudden I just lost control.

It was in a deserted alleyway, thank goodness, so no one got hurt. I sneezed and all of a sudden transformed into a tiger cub! I tried to transform back, but I couldn't. I looked around frantically, fighting panic, and spotted a box. I curled up inside it, deciding that if I went to sleep I would be better when I woke up. Sleep is the best medicine, right?

Well, it worked. I woke up an hour later as my old self. My clothes were still intact, luckily, so I stood up and shook myself.

"I have to control this. I have to find help." I said aloud, resolutely. I marched over to the library, appearing more confident than I felt.

I looked cautiously around before heading into the library. I had on a long coat, gloves, long boots, and a hat on my head to hide my ears.

"Excuse me miss?" I said to the librarian working at the time.

"Yes, hon? What can I help you with?" she smiled kindly down at me.

"I was just wondering where the computers were, and if you would please show me how to use them that would be great." I said with a charming smile. I managed to swipe toothpaste and a toothbrush along with a bottle of water at least once every two weeks.

She led me to a row of computers and showed me how to use the search engine. I thanked her and she left me in peace, handing me a piece of blank paper and pencil when I asked.

I typed in my search: 'Mutant Schools'.

I came up with a list about two-thousand pages long, so I clicked on the first one and sighed.

This will work perfectly. I thought, looking at the huge mansion with its manicured lawn and lush hedges. It was beautiful, the perfect place to rob if I was into thievery.

"Maybe I'll finally have a family." I said quietly to myself, writing down the address and phone number. I couldn't decide whether I wanted to find my way there or call first.

I made up my mind when I saw where it was.

There is no way I'm walkin' all the way to New York. I thought, looking for the librarian. I found her and politely asked if there was a phone I could use.

She shook her head. "I'm sorry, dear. This library doesn't have a public phone I'm afraid. But there's a pay phone right down the street." she said.

I again thanked her and walked out the door, swiping two dollars in quarters from the fountain by the door.

I walked to the pay phone, inserted the correct amount, and dialed the number.