Chapter 10: A Snippet from the Past

Glynda

I stop in my tracks. No. No, it can't be them. The first time I get into the city, and they're right there. I can't face them, not after those months of torment. There's no way that I'd be able to handle the situation, to opt out of their incessant teasing and torment. I'd have to run or stick around and grit my teeth. I don't think I could be able to take it right now, especially when my life is starting to take a turn for the better.

I look around, trying to listen to the conversation that I started. Dimly, I hear Raven say, "You've asked that at least thirty times now. Could you just give it a rest?"

I try so hard to shake myself out of this nervous and fearful stupor that I seem to have fallen into, but I can't. I look at Raven as she argues with Summer. For a second, I think I could actually smile at them. They look so much like an old married couple, and I'm so happy for them, but right now, my priority is to get away from those bullies as soon as I can without getting seen.

I gasp softly. They seem to have seen me. One of them points to me, and the others look. I panic. I do what my instincts tell me and run. I run away from them. I just take off, no warning. I duck into an alley to avoid them and come across a dead end. Oh god. Oh no. I hear footsteps coming down the alley, and I hide behind a dumpster. I take a deep breath, and even though it smells horrible, I feel safer. The footsteps stop. I strain to listen for anything else. I gasp when I'm suddenly pulled from my hiding spot. "Do you know how long we've been looking for you, mini bitch?"

I tremble in fear before I take a deep breath. "Ever since I left?"

He slaps me across the face. You know, I'm pretty sure that most thirteen year olds don't bitch slap someone younger than them. "Don't be a smart ass. You thought you could just leave, especially after all that time we put in you?"

I cringe, prepared for another smack. The other one, though, steps in. "Yo, boss," did this kid just call him boss? So, he did it. He made top dog after I left. Now he's the leader of the street rats. Brilliant. "Don't you think that it would be a good idea to reinitiate her?" I look up to see an evil gleam in his eye. Shit. Initiation is brutal. I had to go through it when I turned eight. That's where the scar on my shoulder blade came from. They cut you five times, deeply, and see if you survive with only wrapping it to stop the bleeding. It's a horrible ritual from the old days. The gang that took over the orphanage, not the adult gang but the kids, use it to get the strongest members. If you die, it's no skin off their back, but it is skin off of yours.

The boss grins. "You know, have I ever told you that you're a genius?"

"Uh, no boss."

"Good, cause you're not. Now, take and hold her down."

I struggle, but it makes no difference. They have me on the ground, and I can feel the blade, the cold edge, pressing into the opposite shoulder blade from my first initiation. Before it can start, though, a voice rings down the alley. "What the hell!" I look up, and through the tears, I see Raven marching down the alley, furious. Thank god. Thank god, she found me. I didn't even think about the m, really, when I ran. All I wanted to do is get away from them, but I just trapped myself. The boys let go of me to face their newest opponent. In this moment, I could really feel bad for them. I could, but I don't. I stand slowly, hearing a few grunts and metal hitting concrete. I look over to see both of the boys on the ground, unconscious. At least, I hope they're unconscious. I look Raven in the eyes, and suddenly, I'm crying anew.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Raven

That was one of the scariest moments of my life. "You almost gave me a heart attack." I run up to her and pull her into a hug, cradling her to my chest. "Shh. I'm here. I promise to never let anything like that happen to you again."

She looks up at me with tear filled eyes, and I know right then that I'd do just about anything for this girl. I push her hair back from her face and smile. She sniffle a couple of more times before wiping her face with the heel of her palm. "Really?"

"Really." I hug her to me again.

I tighten the hug before a cough makes me let go and look up. I blush as I see Summer staring at me with these eyes. I don't know the emotion behind them, really, but I know that it kind of captivates me. "Don't crush her, Ray." She smiles, and I see an amused twinkle in her eyes, behind that still unidentifiable emotion. "I didn't know you had such an emotional streak there, Raven. Where did that come from?"

I shrug. "I just… I saw her… and they were… I just didn't want her to get hurt." I hangs my head before looking back at the girl, at Glynda. Her tears are dried, and she smiling sweetly at me.

She looks at me with a very mischievous smirk, like she hadn't just been held down a few minutes ago to be cut to ribbons. I take a deep breath. She's already over it. How? "Hey, Raven, where are we going?"

I blink. No, she didn't. God damnit! "What do you mean, 'where are we going?' You were just held down and almost sliced open. How the hell could you be over it that fast?"

She looks at me like it's the most obvious thing in the world, and I'm just missing everything. She looks at me like I'm an idiot, that's what. Then, she has the audacity to do this weird, puppy dog eyes thing. "Were you lying that you'd never let anything happen to me?"

Shocked, that's what I am. I look down at her with a curious gaze. Of course I didn't lie. Why would I ever lie about something like that? "No." I tell her plainly, though. There's no need to go into a litany of responses and compose them into a fucking musical for a simple answer.

She just nods and starts to walk out of the alley. "Then, I have the luxury to forget this ever happened." This girl is something else, really. I stand there, look back at the two unconscious boys, then start walking after her. I did promise, didn't I? I pass Summer, who is all smiles, and I can't help but plaster one of my own on.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Raven

"Never going shopping with you two ever again. Nope. Never. Again." I punctuate the last five syllables very carefully, earning an eyeroll from both of them. I'm laden with shopping bags, and so is Summer. She's high maintenance, that girl. She wanted everything in specific colors and specific styles, and it scared me. Summer, though, had a blast, talking with her about styles and the like. I couldn't do it for the life of me. She wanted everything in either black, white, or purple. I mean, that's all fine and dandy, but some things just don't add up. Like, where the hell did she get a cape? She even had a ready drawn emblem to put on the back. I really think it suits her, though. A tiara? Yes, yes, that does suit her.

Summer just pokes my shoulder. "You know you had fun."

I scoff. I did, but that's not the point. The point is that there is too much unnecessary crap that she's forcing us to carry. "Fine, yes, I did have fun. After the shopping. When we went out to eat. That was my favorite part."

Summer rolls her eyes again. "Food, huh? Not time with your girlfriend?"

I blush and look away. "No fair. You know that I like hanging out with you."

She laughs, that laugh that always made me want to hear more. "I'm teasing, Ray."

I cough. "I knew that." I did? Well, brain, could you let me know next time?

I hear a cough. "You know, there's still a kid here, right? Don't get all mushy and crap when I'm around." I look down to see Glynda smiling at us warmly. "I'm happy for you, but it's a nuisance."

I roll my eyes. "You know, kid, how about a subject change? Where did you get your emblem?"

I see her take a deep breath. "I came to me in a dream a long time ago." How long ago? I mean, she's ten. It couldn't have been that long ago, right? I just let it go. It seems like a painful memory to bring up. I'd rather not have her cry again. I don't know if I could keep myself from crying if she ever did break down again. I shake my head and continue on. When did I turn all sentimental. Fuck, my life is certainly changing, and really, isn't it for the better?

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

A/N: Oh, that scene. I did promise a little bit more on Glynda, didn't I? Well, to tell you the truth, I have no idea where this came from. She wasn't exactly in the street rat gang for personal reasons. She was selected. The leader before that crual bastard saw something in her, a steely determination that rivaled any he had ever come across. So, there you have it. SHe was forced in, but she never stole, never killed. She was the brains. She planned. Even at such a young age, she was brilliant. I wanted to put all of this in, really, but you have to understand that this isn't her story. It was all just a recap to tell you really why Raven's reaction is what it is. Hmm... Maybe there's a Glynda fic in the future. That's be fun.

I do have a account. The link is on my profile. Feel free to donate. I'd be much appreciative. :)

One question... If I wrote an Adam x Weiss Pseudo-Stockholm Syndrome fic, how well would it be received?

Follow, Favorite, Review!