Chapter 2
Leslie's POV
6 years later…
Home after home. Foster family after foster family. That's pretty much been my life. No family seems to want me. I swear I was born cursed. And it's not just the fact that no one wants me… it's something else.
I first discovered it a few years ago. I was so angry after being sent back by another foster family that I had punched the wall beside the bathroom mirror. When I looked at the wall, there was a hole in it, but that was nothing compare to when I look at my hand. Claws protruded from my finger. When I looked into the mirror, my eyes were yellow, and my teeth were like those of an animal.
The first time, it horrified me, but now, I guess I'm use to it by now. It's happened a couple of times after that. Sometimes, my eyes just turn yellow. Sometimes, it's the complete transformation. Since the first time, I've been extremely strong, fast, agile, etc. It's crazy.
With this family rejection, I've finally had enough. I sneak out of a window with a broken latch, and I'm out of here. Most of my families I was with lived close to each other, so I made friends in that area. Many of them were homeless. They know how to take care of themselves, so I go to the last place I saw them.
I find one of them there. He's 13, and took care of me while I lived in this area. He guides me to the rest of the group, and I explain why I'm there. I'm welcomed into this little group so that I'm not on the streets by myself. I can sneak out just fine, but surviving by myself would almost be impossible.
I stay here for several weeks. I stay hidden for the most part, because the group home has been looking for me, and I have no intention of going back. Roofs, fire escapes and other places are typically where someone can find me. Since I have super strength, speed, etc, I can get to place that most people can't. I've been staying on one fire escape since I left the group home. It's where I've gone when I want some peace. I stay up here pretty much all day… well until the guy that lives here gets home. The fire escape is right at his window.
Today, I think I've been up here for three hours. I brought a notepad and a few pencils with me. I draw a few things. I also write a few questions that I've wondered my whole life:
Who am I?
What am I?
Will I ever have a family?
Sometimes, it feels better just to write it down, even though my handwriting is terrible. I mean I am six so I just learned to write. These questions have bothered me for a long time. I don't know who or really even what I am. I don't know why my parents didn't want me or if they're even still alive. I also don't know… if anyone will ever take me. I don't know if I'll ever have a family or heck, even a last name to call my own. I'm just Leslie. I don't have a last name. I have no mom. I have no dad. I'm pretty much alone.
I hear the click of the door to the apartment opening. I look to see the man that lives here has come in. Before I can think, I leap off the fire escape and run.
When I get back to our makeshift home, I'm nearly shaking. I'm so scared that he saw me. I will not go back to the-
Oh no…
I reach into my pockets, and my notepad is gone. I realize I left it on the fire escape. The notepad has my name on it, well the piece of a name I have. I know that I have to go back to get it.
When it finally turns dark, I head back to the fire escape. The light is on in the apartment, so I will have to be careful. I make my way up to it, and peak into the open window. I don't see the resident, so I think I'm in the clear. I gently place my feet on the platform, and start to look for the pad. I don't see it. I don't even have time to begin to worry before…
"Well, hello there," I hear a British accent say. I jump back and turn around to come face to face with the guy that owns the apartment. I'm sure there is a look of pure terror on my face.
"Hey, Hey, hey," he says softly. "It's ok. I'm not going to hurt you."
I move backwards slowly. He just shakes his head.
"Who are you, little one?" he asks
I continue to move backwards until I hit the back of the fire escape. I can't move anymore. My eyes go wide. My pulse is racing. I've never been caught before. I don't know this guy. He just sighs, and extends his hand.
"Here," he says. "Why don't you come inside? It's freezing."
I hesitantly accept his hand, and he guides me inside. He takes me into a kitchen and dining room, and I sit down at a bar area.
"Are you hungry?" he asks. I shyly nod my head. He sets out a plate of food in front of me. I start to eat. He just watches me. He's smiling. I look confusedly at him.
"Who are you?" He starts to question.
"Leslie," I respond meekly.
"Well hello, Leslie," he say softly. "I'm Evan. Might I ask where you came from or who your parents are?"
I don't respond for a little bit. How exactly am I supposed to answer this? Finally, I just tell him.
"I… I don't have any…" I tell him.
"No parents?"
"No…"
"Do you have a place to stay?" He asks.
"Not exactly," I tell him.
"Well," he says. "You do now."
"What?" Now I'm really confused.
"Here," he says. "You can stay here."
"Like…" I'm almost scared to ask. "Like a home?"
"Yes," he states somewhat excitedly.
I don't know what came over me, but I jump and wrap my arms around his neck. He seems mildly shocked, but soon gently wraps his arms around me…