Shadow; Wow I have a review and a follower. Who knew? I forgot to say that this was my first story, still going to keep going and if you have an idea tell me. I'm basing croc when he's scaly off of origins design, because he looked awesome. I'm supposed to be writing a paper for college English right now, so...yea. Still don't own anything.

Chapter 2, mind over memory.

She narrowed her eyes at him, watching him devour the cheap pizza. Green eyes glanced down to her small slice and to his 'plate'. Which was not a plate at all but the whole box. Kind of looked like a plate in his hands though. If she wasn't so hungry she would have been disgusted. It was more like grease and cheese than pizza but it's not like she had anything in the fridge. She still wasn't sure if she believed his story, it was awfully convenient to just forget everything. Especially in this town.

Lightning quick she slapped his hand that had been edging towards his bandages. Laura didn't care if they itched, wounds like those could get infected and then he would be back at square one. She had to sew them up twice already because of wondering hands. It didn't help that he looked like he was missing about half a foot of skin from whatever got his chest. Looked like he got in a fist fight with a mountain lion. Anything was possible here, and if it wasn't for the college she would move far far away and never look back. This place was a demolition zone with all those insane goons planting bombs every other week. She needed to look into better schools, even if she couldn't afford-

"Got any more?" she gaped, looking at the empty box and back to her empty plate. The creep stole her pizza, and judging by his smirk he knew it. Scowling she edged back around the table, away from him and his giant sneaky hands. She hadn't gotten a single bite!

"You stole my food! And now you want more? NO and stop scratching!" He looked scandalized at her, shaking the hand she just slapped. Amusement shone in his odd eyes, even as his shoulders tensed, clearly not intimidated by her as she stamped her foot and moved to the phone. He stretched his back wincing when his stiches pulled. Good he deserved it. She didn't care that he got hurt saving her, nope didn't care. Not at all. He left the table, chuckling as he made his way to the beat up couch. It wasn't like she could afford a better one. Not if she was buying another pizza, the asshole. She glared at his retreating back, noticing the paleness. Looks like he lost more blood than she thought, better make the pizza a meat lovers.

Punching in the number she contemplated what she was going to do with the man, if what he said was true, which she doubted. Did he even have a home? Was he homeless? Did he even have any clothes or was he living in a dumpster, and judging by the smell he did. So some homeless poor guy saved her out of the goodness of his sarcastic heart. She placed a hand over her chest, pity growing with every thought. Poor guy. What was she going to do with him? She couldn't just force him out after those thoughts, but she didn't have much money or room. Could she even take care of him on her budget? She frowned and glanced back at him, pity morphing into a glare as he scratched his chest over the bandages.

Soon the overly cheerful tone of some girl answered the phone, which she promptly winched. That had to be fake, no way was it real. Stating the order she hung up and got ready, not wanting the pizza guys to get the wrong idea by delivering to the same place twice. She needed the exercise anyway, yea right. What I need is a nap. Grabbing her ratty coat she slapped the poor guys hand once more and left, hoping he didn't try to steal anything like the couch or the broken TV… or the bed. Not like she had much and most of what she did you needed a truck leave with. Besides he could barely move without being in pain.

Not for the first time she wondered about his name, and if she should give him one. Was that rude? Should she just pick something like naming a new pet or ask him what he preferred. The insane image of him begging with a leash to go outside slipped into her mind and she giggled madly. People eyed her suspiciously from the streets she walked through, unnerved. Not that she could blame them, usually the people that laughed randomly were like Joker or some other mad man. She cut off her laughter and walked faster. When was the last time she slept? It had to be awhile what with finals around the corner. Then she was free to intern for a few more years. She groaned, and walked faster. The sooner she got the food the sooner she could study and play nurse to a big bald man.

llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllline breaklllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

It was cold, not as much as outside, but still cold. He eyed the frilly pink thing that dared call itself a blanket with disgust, refusing the warmth it promised. No matter how cold it was he wasn't going for what the girl gave him. Tension had eased from his shoulders as soon as she left, thankful for the solitude. He was glad she helped him, but her touchiness frustrated him. No matter what reason she gave he felt so wrong at her touch. He was good at covering it he thought, but he still tensed when she was near, as if expecting pain or betrayal. His hand was red already from her 'care'. It didn't help that she was always watching, sneaking around corners to watch as if he was a common thief, which he might be for all he knew.

He twitched when a car alarm went off, and frowned. He clenched his fists, watching as the pale skin stretched over his muscles. It looked wrong, not his skin, no matter how it moved with him. Was this what it was like to lose your memories? Feeling like a stranger in your very flesh. He was refusing to look in the mirror, afraid of what he might see. A monster, an ANIMAL. Why? Was he deformed? Curious he felt his face, the feeling of wrongness growing even as he encountered smooth skin. It wasn't HIS face, he just knew it but that made no sense. Drawing away from his hand he looked over to the broken window, taped up to keep the heat in. Not that it did much good. It still was cold.

He didn't like it here, it was too small not enough room. But at the same time HE was too small, steps not getting him where they should. It didn't make sense. Hands moved to his neck, feeling the flesh free and un-collared, which was strange. Why did he think he should be chained? What had he done to make that necessary?

He rubbed his throat, growling when claws encountered metal. Tugging didn't work, only shocked him. It ITCHED! Claws scratched the base of his neck, stretching higher, just barely out of reach of the itch. Suddenly he heard the sound he had been waiting on and he stepped into the cloudy water, swimming to the door, hoping to find some young sap stupid enough to bring him his food directly. He hid under the water just as the door creaked open, and he exploded up wrenching the door open and rushing through straight at the guard on the other side. His lips pulled back in a smirk, grabbing the small man and wrenching his arm out of his torso, soaking in the screams just as the collar went off. He dropped the man in favor of his collar, spasming in pain. Men swarmed their fallen comrade, leaving one man standing back staring with hate, his hand on the button. He growled and snarled as he slammed into the wall, twitching uncontrollably. Inhuman sounds emerged from his throat, eyes rolling into his skull as the shocks increased.

"Take him away," Cash spoke, smug to his pain, never once letting up on the button. He gave one last growl before giving into the blackness.

He gasped and grabbed the wall, shaking and sick. He felt rage to his very core, HOW DARE THEY! He had ripped someone's arm off. And he felt pride trying to bubble up, only to be squashed with nausea. That wasn't normal, he wasn't normal. And all the while he could see the man from before watching with satisfaction at his pain. Hands grabbed his throat, phantom pains demanding attention, screaming in outrage. What was that, had that really happened? What kind of monster was he?

Hands that should have been painted red trembled as he stood straight, feeling bile rise in his throat. He stumbled to the bed, shoving the pink blanket off and curled into a ball, feet barely on the mattress. He was so cold, inside he was cold, frozen. Something was wrong with him, he didn't belong here. What had he done?

A door slammed open, drawing a twitch from his hulking form. His ears rang, and he started coughing. Everything was spinning, even with his eyes closed. His lungs burned, and his brow lowered. The burning spread, drawing a rasping gasp. He shook and tried to move only for the fire to immobilize him.

"Hey, uh.. Guy? Where'd you go? I brought more pizza," he tried calling out, only for his voice to fail, he needed help, something was wrong. "Guy? Where are y- Is that blood? Did you open your stiches again! What did I say about-"she froze in the door way, eyes wide with shock and fear. Then she moved. Out came the cloth, this time cold as his fever spiked. He hissed as the cloth reached his forehead, easing the heat. She shushed him, grabbing the bucket beside the door and bringing it over. Why was she helping him again, he did horrible things.

Suddenly a glass of something cold touched his lips, soothing his throat and calming the fire. She shushed him again and pushed two small things into his mouth before replacing the water. He swallowed. Shuddering he looked over at her, seeing concern on her face. She muttered to him, words inaudible before placing the back of a hand on his cheek. Then she frowned, and raced off only to return with a towel soaking wet and cold before laying it on his skin, hoping to bring down the fever.

"Just rest, soon the medicine will kick in it should help. If you feel sick there is a bucket right by the bed and I'll be right here the whole time," her voice was calming, collected, not showing the panic on her face. He was angry at himself for needing her reassurance, hating that he was brought down so low a second time. He swore that next time he wouldn't need anyone's help, especially some girl. He'd make sure of that. Then his eyes closed and his shame washed away to darkness.

Shadow: so what did you think? Hate it? Like it? And there is a plot, we just haven't gotten into it much yet. Next chapter will be soon, maybe?