Denise opened up her eyes to the warm voice. A beautiful woman with auburn hair and green eyes smiled down warmly at the 5 year old girl who also had the auburn hair and green eyes. "Wake up Denise. The family picnic is soon", the woman said holding out her hand.
Denise grabbed her mother's hand and the woman playfully pulled Denise out of her bed and to her feet. The girl ran down the stairs followed closely by her mother. She ran right into her father's open arms.
"My 'lil Rogue good morning". Denise's father said hugging the girl.
"Henry don' call Denise dat. Rogue means lowlife criminal", the woman said sternly at her husband.
"The name suits her Cassie. She has a mysterious smile an' eyes", the father said still hugging Denise.
After eating sandwiches, ice cream, juice, and playing tag with her older sisters Macy and Christina, Denise wandered into the savannah by herself. She always enjoyed the peaceful ways of the savannah and watching the butterflies and few animals that lived here. Sometimes if she was quiet enough the animals would come right up to her.
She was sitting in a patch of grass watching a butterfly on her shoulder when she saw a glimpse of movement out of the corner of her left eye. She turned her head to the movement and saw her older sister Macy run behind a tree. She knew it was Macy because unlike Christina and Denise, Macy had their father's black hair and baby blue eyes, Christina and Denise had their mother's auburn hair and green eyes. Denise ran over to the tree thinking Macy was playing hide and seek. Instead Denise saw a blue lady with yellow eyes, red-orange hair, and wearing a white dress. Denise backed up a little from the woman. How'd she get here instead of Macy?
The blue lady walked over to Denise with her arms open and smiling. When she got to Denise she gave her a hug. After the hug was over the woman stood up to look down at Denise. She still had a smile on her face. After a moment of silence Denise finally said, "Who are you?" The woman still had a smile on her face. "You don't remember your aunt Raven?", the blue lady said. Denise shook her head no. The blue lady took Denise's hand and half led, half dragged Denise back towards her family.
Denise's mom stood up alarmed when the blue lady appeared out of the savannah with Denise. Denise's dad backed away. Christina was asleep on the picnic blanket. Denise's mom ran up to the blue lady.
"Raven...you're not supposed to come this early. You're supposed to wait until Denise is ten not five. That's the deal", Denise's mom said nervously.
"I need her sooner than I planned", the blue lady said and then she turned to Denise's dad. "I like the name you gave her Henry. Rogue. It will fit her...soon enough", the blue lady said and led Denise away.
"Raven! No!", Denise's mom said running after the blue lady. The blue lady quickly reacted. She punched Denise's mom in the face knocking her to the ground. All without ever letting go of Denise's hand.
"Mama!", Denise yelled wanting to go to her hurt mother.
"No Rogue. You belong to me now", the blue lady said coldly dragging Denise away.
"Take care of mah baby! Even if yah can't take care of yah own!", Denise's mom yelled after the blue lady still sitting on the ground. Denise's father and Macy ran to comfort Denise's mom.
The blue lady kept dragging Denise through the savannah.
Rogue woke up with a start. She mopped her long auburn hair out of her face and glanced at her alarm clock. 3:15. 2 hours before she was supposed to wake up. She shrugged and got up. Since she only slept in a bra and panties she put on a robe and went out on her patio.
That was the advantage of living in Xavier's mansion. Everybody had their own personal patio.
"Rogue you okay?", Logan's gruff but concerned voice asked from below. He'd obviously been on night watch.
"Had a bad dream sugah", Rogue said looking down over the patio.
" Wanna talk about it?", Logan said after a moment of silence.
" I don' even remember it sugah", Rogue said looking up at the full moon.