57. Retrouvailles (Meeting Again)

School had just ended, everyone still buzzing with the news of the arrest of their vice principal. The entire school had been shocked to find out what had happened, it was everywhere, it was on the news, in the paper, all that kind of thing. Obviously they didn't give out any of the names except Slade's due to privacy but everyone at school knew.

Richard had noticed the others were trying pretty hard to be inconspicuous, even Gar who usually was loud and flashy had been pretty subdued.

The teachers seemed to be going pretty easy on them too. Richard saw Miss. Isley pull Vic out of class to speak with him; Richard had no idea that they were close. He'd also noticed that Gizmo, Mammoth, Billy, and Seamore all seemed to cling onto Jinx a little bit more, he may not have liked Jinx's friends but he couldn't deny that they were loyal to each other.

He himself had been shocked at all the events last night (Rachel's mini breakdown being the most) and he almost couldn't forgive Rachel. Then he thought about how hypocritical he would be had he not forgiven her. Richard cared about justice, fairness, and making decisions for himself. Rachel deserved justice, fairness, and she made choices separate from her father. She was not her family. Just like Richard was not Bruce, or a Flying Grayson. He was himself. An imperfect person. So was she.

Richard was waiting at Kori's locker. After Bruce had heard about what had happened he was furious, Not at Richard for once, and proceeded to give Richard's keys for his motorcycle back on the spot.

It was a strange feeling, having Bruce worry for him. His adoptive father was always cold and quiet, this was no exception, but in that moment it seemed like he cared. Bruce had been mad, crime in cities for some reason always made him like that, but when he gave Richard the keys he had muttered something about Richard earning it.

So now Richard was waiting for Kori, to ride her home on his bike. They hadn't been dating long, but it felt like they had been. Richard had never dated anyone and now he knew he had been missing out.

Kori skipped over to him in a happy manner.

"Hello Richard, shall we go?"

Richard smiled,

"Yeah I guess so, do you know what a motorcycle is?"

Kori appeared excited about this. He could tell by her excessive jumping and squealing.

"I have never heard of it before but I should very much like to!"

Richard held his arm out comically and bowed slightly,

"Then follow me to your chariot m'lady."

Kori looked slightly confused but she smiled anyways and hooked her arm to his extended one.

"Tell me Richard, is this 'chariot' a form of motorcycle?" Kori asked.

"You'll see."

The two of them walked down the halls contently,

"So are you OK? Y'know about what happened yesterday." Richard wondered aloud.

Kori paused before answering like she was thinking about it,

"I think I am fine. It's not too much of a problem for me; if I was able to help in some way then I believe I am fine. Galfore was worried, he's my guardian, but I am more concerned for you."

Richard sighed,

"My parents are dead. They have been for a long time, I miss them but I'm not in any sort of grieving anymore. Had I found this out earlier I might have been more angry but it's done and over with. Rachel didn't know and it wasn't her fault."

"You are quite a grown up I think. I wish I could be like that." Kori mumbled pulling herself closer to him.

Richard gave her a quick kiss,

"I like you for who you are Kori, there's only one of you sadly because the world would be a kinder and better place with more people like you. I'm pretty damn lucky to have met you."

Kori smiled lightly, looking a little sad,

"You are only saying that."

"No, actually I'm not." Richard replied firmly, "I'm going to keep saying that until you believe me."

They passed by the hallway where their detentions had been held. It was a little weird not going there for a day's worth of torture as they had the past couple weeks. Slade was gone though and no one was there to enforce the rules on them.

Richard wasn't sad per say but he might miss them a bit. Only a bit though.

He didn't have classes with all of them and he wondered what would happen, would they go on and pretend that nothing occurred between them. He knew that a few of them would be more than happy to do that.

"Richard, is someone sitting at the room of detention?" Kori asked, pointing a manicured finger over at the door.

Richard squinted his eyes slightly, it was.

"I think it's Gar."

"I do wonder what he could be doing," Kori said, sounding concerned, "Is he not aware that we are not required to go?"

Richard shrugged,

"Who knows, that kid's always been weird."

"But weird is good, correct?"

"Yeah, yeah, sure." Richard said brushing her off to approach Gar, "Hey, what are you doing here?"

Gar looked up at them,

"Oh hey dudes, I was just thinking about something."

This kid really was weird,

"Why are you here?"

"Habit? I dunno. There's a lot of memories in that room, even if we only spent eight days in there."

Kori caught up with Richard and burst into the conversation,

"Are you doing the 'reminiscing'?"

"What's that?" Gar asked, looking a little stupid.

"What's what?" A new voice spoke, Vic emerged from the detention room causing them both to jump.

"DUDE! You scared me!" Gar cried.

Vic laughed,

"You scared of me little man?"

Gar pouted and didn't reply.

"Friend Victor, why are you in the detention room? I was not aware that we were still under orders to come." Kori inquired.

"We're not." Rachel said from behind Vic. Richard rolled his eyes when Gar and Kori looked shocked. People just kept coming.

"Then why is everyone here?" Richard groaned, still waiting for an answer.

"I'm here because Vic and I were talking. I have no idea why you three are." Rachel said coldly.

"Oh, well we're here cause Gar was sitting against the door."

"Eavesdropping probably," Rachel said dismissively.

"Hey! I wasn't, I didn't even know you were here!" Gar defended.

Rachel raised an eyebrow disbelievingly.

"Are we permitted to come and talk along with you?" Kori smiled.

Rachel walked back in the room shrugging, obviously indifferent.

Vic nodded,

"Don't mind her; y'all can come in if you wanna." Vic invited.

"Am I welcome?" Jinx asked from behind Richard, he almost flinched not realizing she had snuck up behind him.

"Yeah sure." Vic grinned.

"What are you doing here?"

"Geez Dick, I saw a crowd near the door and I wondered what the hell was going on."

Richard glared at her, he wasn't really mad but he hated that nickname.

They all walked in and that was when everyone started talking. And talking openly.

58. Quand Ils se Comprennent (When they Understand Each Other)

Rachel maybe was a little annoyed that everyone else had showed up, she and Vic had been fine talking on their own. She had had enough of Gar at least last night when she stayed at his place… reluctantly that is. Rita was persuasive… and a little bit intimidating. When she ran in into Vic she had been glad. The two had a lot to catch up on and they had barely had a chance to talk.

"Soooo…" Gar said awkwardly, "What's up?"

"Oh my gosh, shut up Gar." Jinx groaned.

"Nope." Gar said smugly, "I won't shut up just to annoy you."

Jinx frowned but didn't reply.

"Thanks Rachel."

Why was Jinx thanking her?

"Why?"

"Because if yesterday hadn't happened we would have spent another two weeks doing this. Man I would have died." Jinx said lazily.

"True, we didn't do any of the stuff we were supposed to do." Vic agreed.

"I still don't know any of the answers on that sheet about you guys." Gar admitted.

Rachel nodded; she had to admit it was true. Sure she had a life altering experience yesterday and her neck had purple hand prints on it, hence the scarf she wore, but she didn't have to waste her time here anymore.

"If you all do not mind," Kori began, "I should like to give the small speech on someone if that is alright. And I would like you all to get to know a little more about me. I consider you all important people to me and I would like you all to know something."

"Sure, go ahead." Vic said.

Rachel remembered the requirements give a speech or a statement on one person and answer questions on them. Was that what Kori was doing?

"I should like to speak about Rachel if that is alright."

Rachel's eyes shot up from looking at the ground.

"Um… feel free." She permitted uncomfortably.

Kori smiled widely,

"Then I shall start."

Everyone stopped fidgeting to listen to Kori talk.

"I do not know Rachel extremely well. We have only known each other for a matter of weeks but I think she is one of the most courageous people I have ever met."

Rachel was confused, by her statement but didn't say anything.

"Rachel faces events alone. Most people cannot do this, me being one of them. She is someone I admire, someone who has treated me honestly and kindly. She doesn't speak much but she listens. Really listens. You can see it in her eyes. Rachel has shown me respect that my own family will not, she has become a person I hold in high esteem. I wish that I could be as smart and should I ever do the 'growing up' I should like to grow up to become a person like her. I will always be me, but I will always look up to Rachel."

Rachel stared at the ground half embarrassed and half sad that Kori thought that she was that good.

"I know that people think she is not kind. I suspect she thinks this as well but she is shy. From what I learned yesterday Rachel is someone I want to befriend. I want her to be happy; because she does not deserve the childhood she grew up with. Rachel I wish that one day you would smile because I'm sure your smile is beautiful."

Rachel was at a loss for words, this had been a trend lately.

"What did you mean by your family not respecting you?" Vic asked gently.

Kori bit her lip,

"You all know what Kaylea is like. She is far better than I am; I am useless to my family."

Jinx scoffed,

"Bullshit, what makes you think like that?"

"My parents do not want me. I am what they call, a 'mistake'. That is why they do not visit me. Kaylea does not like me."

"Kaylea is a bitch." Jinx said simply, "And your parents are assholes. You may be a 'mistake' to them, but you were born for a reason. Your family doesn't deserve you, you're perfect. Any parent's wet dream."

"What is a-"

"I'm not going to answer that." Jinx cut in before Kori could ask, "The point is Kori, is that if you affect one person's life for the better then you aren't a mistake. Dick here is proof of that, he's been less of an idiot since you started hanging around him."

Kori blushed. Rachel was touched by Kori and Jinx's speech. She had no idea that Kori's family was like that, she had suspected Kaylea but her parents…

"Thanks." Rachel said quickly, hoping no one heard her but by the stares everyone had.

"You are welcome Friend Rachel."

"Can I say something?" Rachel asked, hesitating a little.

Kori nodded curiously.

"You mentioned growing up. If you're worried about how you haven't yet I'll give you some advice." Rachel offered.

"Yes?"

"Don't."

"I do not understand."

"It's overrated, growing up that is. Stay the way you are. You too Gar."

Gar gave her a look. Rachel knew that if those two tried to get older it would ruin them like it had her. She read in a book once that when people grow up their hearts die. Judging by the way Slade and Trigon ended up, it was true.

"Thank you Rachel." Kori said warmly, "You as well Jinx."

There was a silence for a few minutes before Gar spoke up.

"Do you guys mind if I do mine? I also have something that I think needs to be explained." Gar sent the question to the whole group.

Everyone agreed.

"I'm going to do mine on Richard."

Rachel perked up slightly, Gar and Richard had a weird relationship. It was awkward, Richard had been annoyed with Gar from the beginning and Gar had returned the feelings.

"I know you don't really like me… I'm obnoxious I get it. But I think that we didn't like each other because we're similar. I think we understand each other. Maybe I'm crazy and we don't but I think that if we weren't so stubborn we might have been friends since the beginning. Yesterday I found out your parents died. I'm sorry because I understand… I get it. I'm not good with words and I don't have much to say but… I get it. I can't stand my foster father sometimes either."

Rachel looked at Richard; he seemed like for the first time he was taking Gar seriously.

"I appreciate you saying that." He muttered, Rachel could tell he was feeling surprised by Gar's confession.

"You said you had something else to say?" Vic prompted.

"Oh yeah! I almost forgot!"

Rachel rolled her eyes at his scatterbrained tendencies.

"Rachel kinda knows about this but she didn't wanna hear about it cause she didn't want to tell me anything about herself. Since we know a bit more about her I want you guys to know."

Everyone seemed interested,

"My parents were scientists and they did like studies and smart stuff in Africa. Don't ask me what; you know I'm not that smart. They took me with them, it was really hot and stuff."

"I loved Africa," Kori sighed dreamily.

"You've been? Awesome!" Gar grinned, "Well it was the best. Africa was the coolest place I could have grown up, with all the animals and stuff. When I was about seven I caught some sort of sickness or something. My parents…"

He paused for a moment and studied the floor. Since Rachel was sitting next to him she could tell he was trying not to cry. She wasn't sure what to do so she didn't say anything, but Vic put his hand on Gar's shoulder.

"It's OK man."

Gar wiped his eyes quickly then continued,

"My parents died in a boating accident trying to get me to a doctor. It feels like it was my fault. And I ended up in the foster system cause no one in my family could, or would, take me. Bastards…"

"What happened to the sickness?" Jinx asked quietly.

"Still got it." Gar smiled, but Rachel could see the sadness in his smile, "Docs don't know what I've got or why I'm alive but here I am."

"What does the illness affect?" Richard inquired.

"My liver, and something about blood cell count. I have medicine that prolongs my life, but there isn't a cure or anything. Doc says if I'm careful I should live pretty long."

Kori began tearing up, and Vic was examining his hands sadly.

"So yeah, that's what that pharmacy bag was Rachel."

Rachel avoided his gaze.

"Anyone else wanna go? It's weird having you all like this."

Richard raised his hand.

"I'll go. But I want to talk to Gar for a second."

"What is it dude?"

"Sorry. I'm a jerk. I'm a bitter asshole. You're right though, we are similar. Me and my parents were part of a traveling circus, a trapeze act actually. There was an accident, you all heard about it yesterday I guess. None of my family would take me but Bruce Wayne did. I get it too. Sorry I was… well… y'know. You're not as annoying as I said before."

Gar laughed,

"Dude! Yes! Friends?"

"Definitely."

Even though Richard said he didn't hold his parent's death against her but she still felt responsible. She hated that Trigon took away a young boys family, something that haunted him even still.

"Anyways, I don't have much to say but I'd like to talk about Vic."

Vic looked surprised, probably because Richard wasn't talking about his girlfriend.

"I just want to say thanks. You've been really good to Kori, even when I was rude. Thanks for driving her home every night. You don't know how much of a peace of mind that gave me. Also, you're pretty cool. You me and Gar should do something sometime. If you wanted…"

Vic got up and stood next to Richard then smacked him hard on the back, Richard winced, Jinx snorted back laughter.

"You're alright Grayson!" Vic yelled loudly.

When he had sat down and Richard's back had recovered Vic volunteered to go next.

"OK Jinx, I know you're really going to hate me talking about you but imma do it anyways."

"How sweet." Jinx said sarcastically, "I'm honored."

Rachel was a little suspicious of those two, she had gotten over the fact that despite what those two said, they got along. It was strange, there was something there, but there wasn't at the same time. Rachel was tempted to ask Kori, who seemed to know other people's feelings more than they themselves did.

"Jinx… you're pretty damn selfish."

Jinx chocked on the juicebox she suddenly seemed to be drinking,

"Excuse me?" She coughed, "You choose now to be mean? Everyone was being so nice!"

"She's also an expert interrupter apparently," Vic said with a roll of his eyes, "I wasn't finished Jinx. I was going to say that even though you can be selfish and rude, you're a pretty cool person. When you want to be that is. You're not too bad actually. I mean you listened to me when I told you about my garage. You aren't half as big and bad as you pretend to be either. You were just pretty nice to Kori and you saved Rachel's life yesterday… so thanks for saving one of my best friends."

Jinx's face was red and she whipped her head to the side defiantly,

"T-that wasn't anything. Geez, you're such a marshmallow."

Vic smirked,

"You also are terrible at taking compliments… just saying."

"Someone else go, he's too soft I can't listen to it anymore." Jinx insisted.

"Your turn actually." Rachel pointed out.

"Oh." She said, her cheeks turning a brighter shade of red, "I'm gonna talk about Kori… I guess. I hate sappy things so I'm going to keep this nice and short. You're pretty bitchin', don't ask me what that is, it's a compliment. I hope you don't change cause you're pretty funny, and pretty nice. That's it."

Kori dashed across the room suddenly and practically tackled Jinx to the ground in what looked like a spine breaking hug.

"You Jinx, are pretty bitchin' too, as you say."

"Please don't repeat her." Richard sighed, "Or anything she says."

"OK, thanks for the hug Kori but I think I'm about to die. Rachel please just take your turn or my back is going to break."

Rachel accommodated,

"Gar?"

"Yeah Rae? Anything in particular you wanted to ask me?" He asked, wagging his eyebrows.

She ignored it despite how it disgusted her and simply said,

"Don't call me that. My name is Rachel. I have one word to say about you… yes."

Gar looked bewildered for a second but then realized that she was replying to his offer of being friends. Rachel knew she wasn't ready to be friends, but she never would be if she didn't try. She wasn't saying yes because she felt bad that he was sick, there was a part of her that maybe was, but it was mostly because she had given up. A few friends might not be so bad.

His face lit up, he didn't say anything but she could tell it meant something to him.

"Well that wasn't confusing at all." Jinx said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"It doesn't concern you." Rachel said, putting an end to the subject.

"Can I just point something out?" Richard cut in.

"What?"

"Me, Kori, and Gar were pretty honest with ourselves and we still don't really know shit about you three… well not that you've shared voluntarily."

"I have a game!" Gar shouted.

Rachel shuddered, she knew what game.

"QUESTION GAME!"

"OOOOOOO WHAT IS THAT!?" Kori demanded excitedly.

Damn.

"We can ask any questions and you have to answer!"

The group agreed reluctantly and Jinx went to sit next to Rachel before it began and nudged her side,

"You and I have the same question for Vic right?"

Rachel nodded shortly, referring to his limp.

"Alright y'all I'll start! Allow me to ask the question that's on all of our minds. What went on between Jinx and Rachel?"

"Good grief nosey." Jinx said, apparently exasperated. Rachel herself wasn't even sure whether she cared if they knew or not.

"You have to answer." Richard pointed out.

"Shut up Dick, we both were fourteen and stupid. I was a snivelling coward and she was a hateful teenager."

"That wasn't an answer!" Gar protested.

"It was the answer I'm going to give." Jinx replied stubbornly.

"Rachel? Care to comment?" Vic prompted.

"Her answer is sufficient."

Gar pouted and crossed his arms.

"Please grow up."

"You told me like 10 minutes ago not to grow up."

"Whatever."

Jinx stepped into their banter,

"Since we had to answer a question we can ask one. Vic,"

"Ask away."

"We were both wondering what that limp is all about."

Vic looked confused, then surprised. Rachel was almost eager to know what he was going to say.

"I hadn't realized you guys didn't know. I guess I didn't talk about it." Vic lifted his leg and Rachel had to force herself not to gasp.

It was a prosthetic leg.

"Dude, what is it?" Gar asked stupidly.

"It's a fake leg idiot!" Jinx snapped.

"Vic did this happen recently?" Rachel asked quietly, referring to the long time that they hadn't spoken to each other.

"Yeah, early April actually." Vic confirmed covering his leg again.

"I would have never guessed. You play football and everything too." Richard marvelled, "I've never seen anything like it."

"My dad made it. Robotics that kind of thing, it works pretty much like a real leg, has the shape of one, but doesn't look like one."

"It's so cool dude, it looks like a robot leg!" Gar admired, "You're like someone out of a videogame!"

"You are so stupid…" Jinx sighed.

"What happened Vic?" Rachel asked seriously.

"There was an accident at my parent's lab. I got caught in it and there was an explosion. It killed my mom and took my leg. My dad saved me though, gave me the leg and stuff."

Rachel was speechless, she felt terrible. She hadn't even noticed that something had gone wrong. She remembered how kind his mom was and how she had taken care of Rachel the one day she'd seen her.

"I-I'm sorry." Rachel muttered, "How's Silas doing?"

"Generally drunk off his ass most of the time. He's living in Gotham now and I live alone. Don't be sorry though, I miss my mom but I'll live on. I miss my old dad, but I can't change him."

Rachel inhaled and exhaled steadily,

"Still…"

"Next question." Vic said suddenly, "Who wants to go?"

"I have a question for Rachel!" Kori said eagerly, "What is your mother like?"

Everyone seemed to wince other than her,

"It's fine." Rachel said blowing them off, "My mother was very kind, but very stupid. Stupid enough to get involved with Trigon that is. She apparently looked like me, which is unfortunate. I don't know where she is now; she disappeared before I started high school. She probably ran away. Please don't say that you're sorry because there isn't a reason to."

"Well if we can't say we're sorry then we may have to give you a hug." Gar teased.

"Don't even think about it." Rachel deadpanned.

"Anyone else wanna ask a question?" Jinx yawned as she picked at her dark nail polish.

"Yeah, Richard did you wear tights when you were in the circus?"

Richard narrowed his eyes,

"You'll never know."

Gar, Jinx and Vic burst into laughter and Rachel was slightly amused by the idea of Richard in spandex… of any kind.

"Y'know, now that I think of it we all know pretty much everything major about each other." Gar thought, then recalled, "Except Jinx. Jinx what was your life like before you came here?"

Rachel met Jinx's eye and Jinx gave her a look that said, may-as-well.

"OK but I'm not going into any detail."

"Deal." Gar agreed.

"I lived in New York." Jinx started, "My mom had me when she was fifteen, dropped out of school and was kicked out of her place. Whoever my father was left, smart guy I'll admit. Y'know except for the fact that he knocked up a fifteen year old when he was nineteen. My mom became the prettiest whore in New York. Literally. Crackhead mom, that kind of thing. It was stupid so I ran away when I was fourteen. And here I am."

"So you're name isn't Jinx?"

"Yes, wasn't this established? Who's named Jinx?" Jinx questioned, seemingly annoyed, "It's Iris."

"I'm guessing how Rachel knows that is between you two." Vic replied.

"Yeah it is." Rachel answered.

There was a silence again, not exactly uncommon with them, Rachel had gotten used to it.

"Y'know what?" Gar said suddenly, usually the one to break the silence.

"What?"

"What are the chances that such screwed up people found each other. I mean we have the daughter of a gang leader, a kid whose parents were murdered at the circus, a girl with genuine assholes for a family, a runaway from New York, an explosion survivor, and a kid with an incurable disease." Gar pointed out, probably taking everyone's situation a little too lightly.

"We are pretty depressing people…" Jinx mused.

"I'd drink to that." Richard nodded.

It was true, what were the chances? Not very high. If Rachel believed in the illogical possibility of fate and destiny she might have said it was just that.

But she wasn't that much of an idiot.

59. Une Vie Pas Voulu(A Life Not Wanted)

Eight Years Earlier:

Richard was tired. His eyes were barely open and they felt heavier with every blink. He was having a hard time understanding what was going on. They had been driving for a long time, ever since the limo had picked him up from the airport. After the funeral his grandmother had told him he wouldn't be living with her like he had been told. Something about the court deciding that there was a better guardian for him. The guardian lived far away apparently.

He and his parents had been circus travelers; they never had a permanent home. Now Richard was flying across the country to get one. Richard didn't want to, he liked his parents better, he liked growing up in the circus. He didn't want different people taking care of him, but he knew no one could help it.

He'd seen it happen after all.

Seen his parents fall to their death, landing with a sickening crunch.

Richard knew his parents were dead; everyone who talked to him seemed to think he didn't understand but he did. He may not have been a teenager or an adult, but he saw them die. He knew. He wished he didn't though.

When the car finally stopped Richard saw the place he would be living, or he almost saw it. The car had stopped at a large gate, the man driving, who still hadn't said anything yet, rolled down the car window and said,

"I'm here bringing Richard Grayson."

Richard scowled, he didn't like being talked about like he wasn't there. Or like he was an object they were transporting.

The gate opened and the car continued driving up the long driveway, until Richard saw the biggest house he had seen in his life.

That was where he was living. Pretty different from circus cars and the Holiday Inn.

They pulled up to the manor and the driver got out to open the car door for Richard. Before he could Richard hopped out defiantly, he didn't want to be rich so why should he have to pretend that he was?

An oldish man greeted him at the door. He was dressed all fancy and in a suit and stuff, something his dad would never have been able to afford.

"Good evening Master Grayson. Welcome to Wayne Manor." Even his accent sounded expensive.

Richard glared and walked right past him into the house.

"Lovely child." The man said under his breath, sounding very sarcastic. He then spoke louder saying, "I shall have your bags taken up to your room."

Richard ignored the man's comment and asked rudely,

"Where's the person who's actually supposed to take care of me?"

"Master Wayne is a very busy person. He is working at the moment."

Richard didn't answer him. That was enough for him to figure out what kind of life he was going to have here. He would be left alone in this large house with no one to talk to.

He wasn't sure if that was a good or a bad thing.

All he wanted was his parents. That was all. But they weren't coming back and Richard wasn't going anywhere.

60. Passé et a Déménagé àLong(Long Gone and Moved On)

This little bit with Jinx/Iris may be offensive to those who didn't read the M rated part in the last chapter I wrote. If you don't want to read it, it's nothing you don't already know.

Three Years Earlier:

Iris was pissed. She came home to a man in her bed and her mother, naked, and snorting crack in the bathroom. She was sick of her mother and she was sick of her mother getting her involved in her crap.

After Iris had screamed at her mother enough to make her feel better she set herself in the living room. It was a mess and smelled like beer but Jinx turned on their small T.V. anyways and began watching, only half paying attention.

This wasn't the first time she'd seen her mother like this. No fourteen year old wanted to see her mother naked, or high, or sleeping with someone you didn't know. Why the hell should Iris be any different? If her mom had any sense she would have put her up for adoption. It was a damn miracle her mother hadn't got pregnant again. Iris was fourteen her mother not even thirty. There was something wrong with that picture.

Iris was sick of this, of everything. Sick of cleaning up after her mother, of listening to her cry, watch her hallucinate; watch her screw people in Iris's own bed, sick of everything.

Iris sighed as she watched the television. Her mother could afford to pay for cable but she couldn't buy groceries. That sure was setting her priorities straight. The news was on but Iris wasn't listening. Blurs of people moved but she couldn't bring herself to focus on them. When she finally did she saw a man reporting on a crime committed on the other end of the country. Some gang leader they called Trigon apparently was some kind of shit disturber.

Where was he from?

Jump City?

Sounded a little interesting.

Iris pondered this for a minute, then really thought about it. Doing what she was think would be an impulsive, irresponsible terrifying thing, but what did Iris really have to lose. A one bedroom apartment that smelled like smoke and booze? A screwed up mother? Iris didn't even have a father to lose. May as well.

Iris got up quickly and when she passed the bathroom to see Annabelle passed out on the floor. Perfect. Iris ran into her room quickly snatching up any clothes or anything else she might need. She grabbed the asshole in her room's pants and snatched his wallet. She searched through it. Not bad.

Iris ran quickly towards her mother's drawer and took the money hidden in there as well. She felt bad, but Annabelle could make her own way. That nasty pip she had would be able to get her some extra jobs.

Iris grabbed a sheet of paper and wrote her mom a note, then left the apartment.

As she walked away from the building, with nothing but a knapsack and clothes on her back Iris turned around for one moment. She knew she wouldn't regret this. She gave the building, Annabelle, her life, everything, the middle finger and walked away.

It was comforting knowing that when her mother awoke she'd find a scribbled note on the table with two words.

"I'm gone."

And Iris never looked back.

61. La Première Fois(The First Time)

Kori was sitting alone on a park swing. Her mother had promised to take her here eight months earlier when she had first arrived here yet this was her first time here and she was on her own.

The young five year old wasn't completely alone though. She had created a friend out from her own head. He was a pet silkworm she had named Silkie. He kept her company. Kori still had not learned Chinese very much. She had been able to learn Japanese much easier so it was hard to make any friends. Silkie was perfect though, he was her little baby, he understood her.

Other children looked at her strangely and she wondered why. They would speak about her in Chinese and laugh. Kaylea said it was because of her hair and her skin. Kori didn't see why that should be a problem.

Kori sat and swung on the swings slowly, Silkie was playing in the field while she watched.

All the other kids were playing, but Kori was left to watch them and not understand.

One little boy came up to her and looked at her curiously; Kori had seen him before and knew that he had no friends here either.

He pulls lightly at a strand of her hair,

"Naze anata no kamiha akai desu ka?"

He spoke Japanese! He was asking about her hair color! She could understand him!

"Sore ni umare ta." Kori explained that she was born with red hair.

"Watashi no namae ha Satoshi ha、anata ha nani ka?" He asked. His name was Satoshi.

"watashi no namae ha Kori." She told him her name.

"Saisei shi masu ka。" He asked.

"Hai!" She grinned; of course she wanted to play with him.

So they did. She showed him Silkie and he played with her until it was time for both of them to go home.

Kori felt so happy, she had a friend, finally. Satoshi had asked her to play again. He had said that he was from Japan. There was someone who would understand her language, it was very nice. She wanted to see him again.

But when she got home she found the servants cleaning up her house. When she asked her sister why her sister said that they were leaving. They were moving to a faraway land called Mexico. Kori cried a lot.

And she never saw Satoshi, the first friend she had, again.

63. Trahison(Betrayal)

Gar couldn't believe it. He couldn't believe what he had seen.

Terra.

She had been trying to blow up that building.

Why?

Why would she do something like that? She wasn't that sort of person; she and him told each other everything. Had she been doing things like this behind his back the whole time? Did she even consider him her friend?

He had been played, Gar realized that now. Had she been pretending since she met him? What would make her want to do that?

He was too confused to think straight. There was no way he could look at her the same again, he had thought she was his friend yet there she had been, committing crime like she was from one of the gangs here.

When he confronted her she had acted so strange. It was like he didn't even know her. She was acting like one of them, like he was a freak, like she didn't know him, and like he wasn't worth her time. Then she left as if they hadn't been through anything together.

Terra, his best friend, was the type of person to try and blow up buildings and kill people. Gar couldn't even comprehend it.

A part of him was heartbroken because he knew, and she knew, that he loved her. But a part of him was relieved that he knew what she was and that he wasn't fooled by her anymore. Gar didn't need any more traitors in his life and he was glad he had just lost one.

Gar knew, he just knew, that he couldn't get over her. She was the first person who actually tolerated him since his parents died… or so he had thought. She was his first love and that wouldn't change.

Sitting on his bed, Gar made a choice. He almost threw out the picture of the two of them but he didn't. He kept it there to remind himself to be careful. Be careful about people.

Gar was too trusting and he probably always would be, but the picture was like a big, fat "I told you so!"

64. Image à Brûler (Picture to Burn)

Rachel looked calmly at the empty bed in her mother's room.

Empty.

Her mom wasn't coming back.

It was times like this that Rachel was glad she had shut down her emotions.

Her mother left. Was either dead or ran away. Rachel couldn't bring herself to be sorry even though she might have had she been a kinder person. The only reason Rachel wished Arella was still here was because Trigon had been especially violent and annoying. She was still recovering from his little beating a week earlier.

Rachel didn't like calling Arella or Trigon Mom and Dad. Every once in a while she would slip out but Rachel made a choice to distance herself as far away from the people who conceived her as possible. That included calling them by their first names.

Now she was about as distanced from Arella as she could be.

Rachel stared at the bed for a while longer. No emotion came to her. The woman who gave birth to her was gone and Rachel couldn't feel anything towards it.

Trigon would say that was a good thing. Rachel had to agree with him on that. Had she not took the time to suppress herself and learn to be cold Rachel would have been devastated. Rachel refused to feel like that again.

Rachel lifted up the photo of her and Arella. It had been taken when Rachel was about six and they were at the park. Arella was pushing her daughter on the swing and Rachel was laughing. Rachel had no memory of this and she had no idea who had taken the photo.

Arella had made copies of the photo for the both of them. Arella's picture was gone; Rachel knew that her mother probably took it with her if she had indeed left them. Normally it would have been in her drawer but it was gone.

Rachel pulled a lighter out of her pocket and lit it. Rachel didn't know the people in that photo. There was no point in keeping it to hinder her progress so she put the flame to the photo and watched as the flames licked up the little girl on the swing and her happy mother.

When she threw out the remains Rachel pushed down the tiny bit of regret she felt down deeper into her soul.

65. Vie Comme Je Savais Que (Life as I Knew It)

Searing pain.

Screaming.

Flames.

Blood.

That was all Vic knew.

He tried to open his eyes but couldn't. He was shrieking for his father and mother and he felt his dad pick him up and lay him on what felt like a lab table.

Vic couldn't bear the pain; it was like a fire that wouldn't go away. He could feel the life seeping out of him. He could only hear the ringing in his ears from the explosions. He kept coughing from the smoke which burned his lungs.

Vic didn't even have time to wonder whether he would die or not. The pain was too prominent and too overwhelming. He could feel the blood pouring out of his leg. He couldn't stop screaming.

And he did until he blacked out.

When he woke up he felt stiff. The only pain he felt was in his leg. He struggled to open his eyes and was horrified when he could. He was in a hospital bed but that wasn't what bothered him.

His leg was gone.

He had a stump. The had cut his leg off above the knee and up the calf. How was he supposed to play sports, or live normally?

When he started to panic the doctors held him down.

"What's going on?!" He demanded.

Silas walked in, his face was somber.

"You lost your leg in the accident."

"Where's Mom?"

Silas didn't anser.

"Where is she?!" He shouted.

"She's dead." His father answered quietly.

Vic didn't reply but started to cry, it was humiliating but he couldn't help it. Silas apparently couldn't stand to see Vic upset because he left the room quickly. He was replaced by Pam.

"Hey, hey, Vic it's fine." She soothed, sounding a little uncomfortable, "You're dad's going to be doing a procedure on your leg and give you a new one. One that will still allow you to play football."

"But Mom…"

"I know, I'll miss her too."

Here's another update. A little on the short side (compared to my other chapters) but none the less important. I actually really don't like how it turned out but I couldn't figure out how exactly to fix it. If there are any typos PLEASE let me know. My english teacher always tells me I need to work on my revising.

Can I just say how absolutely amazing you guys are. I got a crazy response from my last chapter. Why are you all so nice? Your reviews… you all have no idea how much happiness they bring me. My week was terrible and getting your positive feedback really made it better for me. So many people are telling me how much they love this story. It really does make me want to keep going.

I have so many ideas for the sequel. Yes, there will be a sequel! I hope you all will read it as well.

So… I won't be updating again until late December. Chapter 11 takes place on Christmas Eve and Chapter 12 on Christmas Day. The story should be finished on the 25th of December. This should give me time to start the sequel and hopefully have some chapters written by the New Year. Ahhh I'm excited to write it!

If you have any questions about the sequel please ask via review or PM. I'm happy to answer any questions you have.

Until then thank you thank you thank you all of you! You guys blow me away with how incredibly awesome you all are.

POLL:

Who do you feel the most bad for (based on their backstories/flashbacks) and why?

A) Rachel

B) Gar

C) Kori

D) Richard

E) Vic

F) Jinx

I'm curious to see what you all think J

THANK YOU FOR READING!