(still approx. 1 month ago)

She did it. She made it through the day. One day down, now about 17 more to go before summer break. "Oof!" she said as a student bumped into her without looking back. This school was way overcrowded. But before she could follow that train of thought, the boisterous noise of the students dulled to almost a whisper as Angela felt the crowd push outward. She rolled her eyes as she closed her locker. She knew who was walking down the middle of the hall. Bruce Wayne and his latest bimbo. She had to give it to him, the guy was hot. Like…hot, hot. Like, lesbian-feminist-thinking-about-maybe-batting-for-the-other-team hot. It wasn't even fair. Also, what was a rich douche like him doing at a public school like this? He was a billionaire. Shouldn't he be at one of those uppity private schools or was this some sort of walk-on-the-wild-side phase? Also, Wayne Manor wasn't even in this school district. How was he here? But, like every other female with ovaries, Angela stared as he walked by. Because…why not? "What a pretentious twat," she heard from beside her. Angela turned to look up at a gorgeous blonde-haired, green eyed girl. Angela blinked once, wondering if she herself was the one being spoken to. "Walking like he owns the place," the girl continued. She then turned to Angela, stuck her hand out, and introduced herself. "Hi. I'm Ocean. You're Angela, right?" Angela shook the girl's hand. "Yeah," Angela answered a bit put off by this stranger's knowledge of her name.

"Yeah," Ocean continued brightly, "I've seen you around. You're always alone."

"How do you know my name?" Angela asked.

"I asked around," Ocean answered. Oh…oh. Understanding dawned on Angela. "Look," she said to the girl who looked like she was nearing 6 feet and towered over Angela's 5'5" frame. "You're gorgeous, but I don't swing that way." Ocean's eyes lit up as she threw her head back and let out a melodious laugh. "No, no, no," she said shaking her hands, the bangles on her wrists jingling. "Neither do I. You just look so lonely. And I always see you eating lunch by yourself."

"Yeah, well, solitude compliments me."

"Well, I think everyone needs at least one friend in their life," Ocean said, holding up a single digit. "And I have decided that I want to be your friend."

"Why?" Angela asked, staring at Ocean as if she had just said the most insane thing ever. Ocean shrugged. "Because," Ocean answered, "there's a difference between being alone, and being lonely. And, I think you mistake loneliness for being alone." Alright, so this girl wasn't a dunce. "I don't know," Angela said.

"Think about it," Ocean said. "I know. Tomorrow, have lunch with me and my friends." Angela stared at the girl in front of her. She was…weird. But, Angela would consider it. Who knows? It may be nice having lunch with another person for a change.

(Present)

Angela's eyes snapped open. What the heck kind of dream was that? There had been fire and smoke, screams of pain, evil demonic laughter, blood…so much blood. It all felt so real. Wait. Where was she? Angela sat up and released a scream as she came face-to-face with a homeless man. "Who are you!" she screamed as she scrambled backwards. "What did you to me!"

"N-n-nothin'," he said, holding his hands up. "Y-y-you was cryin', and I-I-I" Angela didn't wait to hear the rest of his explanation as she took off running. She ran without knowing where she was going. She ran through people, pushed and shoved them out of their way before coming to another alley. She placed her hands on her knees as she gasped for breath. The adrenaline wore off, and Angela begin to remember bits and pieces of the last 8 hours. Her demented friends had offered her up to the devil on an altar, and then he appeared and proceeded to have sex with her even though she screamed "no" and fought him off. (She refused to use the r word.) She looked down at herself. The over-sized sweatshirt was no longer drenching wet, but it was still damp from the downpour last night. Her feet were muddy and bloody. There were mud and dirt smears on her legs and thighs. And her damp hair clung to her face. She needed help. She couldn't go back home. Her foster parents probably didn't even know she was gone. She definitely wasn't going to go back to her so-called friends. Maybe a woman's shelter. There were tons of those in Gotham. Angela took one step before a wave of pain emanating from her stomach hit her. She immediately doubled over and released the most gut-wrenching scream she had ever heard in her life. The pain kept coming and coming. Angela fell to her knees, using one arm to grip her stomach. Her whole body was on fire. She felt like she was going to throw up or pass out or both. The pain finally subsided, and Angela gasped for air. She looked up. A few people had stopped to stare at her. Many with disdain. No one asked if she was okay. A couple of people shook their heads, mumbling about drugs and the youth in this city. Angela stood up on shaky legs, using the wall for support. She needed water; she needed pain pills to stop whatever that was from happening again; and, she thought with great dismay, she needed morning after pills. She wiped a few more tears from her eyes. Time to keep moving.

(Azarath)

Azar sat eyes closed, legs crossed in peaceful contemplation, enjoying the fresh breeze blowing through the air. Yes, spring had finally reached Azarath. She inhaled deeply before exhaling. Another gift from the Lord of- "Azar?" Azar opened her eyes in slight annoyance. She had come to this exact hill, to this exact spot, for peace and quiet. "Yes," she said not moving a single muscle, closing her eyes again. "What can I do for you, Tabitah?" she asked, her voice masking the annoyance she felt at being interrupted.

"Adrieh and Tamara had a vision," Tabitah paused and Azar shifted in annoyance.

"And?" Azar encouraged the young Azarathian.

"Tri-Tri-Trigon has been awakened," her voice quaked. Azar's eyes snapped open, and she whirled around to stare at the messenger. "What?" Azar asked in disbelief. This was NOT good.