Disclaimer: I don't own the x-men whatsoeva. I do own my character tho...evil sniker

------------------
The Pain

Where am I? What happened? I asked myself, feeling helpless in such Darkness, I felt nothing.... Not even the slight thump when I was thrown onto the ground, I could hear...But why not feel? I couldn't explain it, there were so many strange sounds. But no touch...it's like my nerves had shut down when I had blacked out... Slowly I slipped into the oblivion...the endless blackness.

I ran...ran as fast as I could but only found that I was going in circles, I was defying death, or was I made to be like this...to be in this endless oblivion, my mind unconscious and unaware of what was happening to me...around me...or if I was dreaming...I hoped I was...prayed to God, Which was a rare thing I did, I never really believed in God, if I can't see it or touch it, or it can't be proven I don't believe it.

I ran again after my endless mind slumber, determined to see the world again, to see the light, to find out...to believe...to have hope. But no matter how hard I tried I was unable to find it...time and time again...It was hopeless...not worth my time. Does it exist now? In here? Or is it an illusion?

------

The illusion of time passed by. Then, Suddenly I saw it...the light. I sat...or was I standing? Well what ever it was I started running for it.... For the truth...hope swelled up inside me, I'm getting out! I thought cheerfully. But as soon as I came from it....

I clenched my eyes tightly; I tried to fall back into the oblivion, with no avail.

THE PAIN!!!

I tried to scream out, but something was stopping me...I couldn't. My breathing increased and my heart pounded in my ears...where was I? What's happening? I couldn't answer them, the pain drowned out any other thought in my head. Time passed, it seemed like hours...months...from when the pain began, I was sure it was much shorter though. Slowly it began to subsided, but still was unbearable...

I could open my eyes now, I debated wether I'd WANT to see where I was and what was happening, my determination is my enemy, but it's strongest... My eyes parted slowly, at first everything was a blur, it wasn't bright but infact there were little lights on. I then heard a voice...a mans' voice.

"Ah...look who woke up..." the man said, his voice lined with a grin...but not of happiness. No not happiness something else, I couldn't place it...

I tried to look beside me but my head was tied down with something, a strap maybe? I thought. I moaned as I tried to struggle away from this unknown, that was before I felt the same sharp pain...again...though it was concentrated around one area...my arm? No my inside elbow...I syringe of some type, then almost instantly my vision cleared and I no longer felt any pain...as if I was regenerated...by...

"Well project...." The mans voice faded from my ears...I couldn't catch what he said. I only caught some of his words "powerful...capture...kill...X"

Then my Oblivion came again...different this time...much different. I still saw everything, heard nothing...felt nothing.

Blood...

Silent screams...

Gaping mouths...

Wide eyes...

...Then nothing...

---

The warmth of a fire danced over my skin, a moaned softly as a moved, I was stiff...my muscles frozen by the cold...but my blood warm from the fire...

Stray tears rolled down my cheeks as I opened my eyes. An unknown fear hit me in the stomach...I winched slightly and looked forward, A large fire burnt infront of me, only one other sitting across from me.

She looked at me, I looked back, the fire reflected in our eyes...she was human...a normal homeless person I told myself...

I went to talk but shut my mouth before a sound was uttered from my lips...I couldn't remember how to talk and I knew what it does and did to others...I looked down at my self, loose rags hanged from my shoulders and hips, most of my skin exposed. I wrapped my arms around my stomach and began shaking...violently.

The girl stood up when she saw me shaking, walking over slowly, and slightly cautiously, she sat down beside me and wrapped something warm around me.

"There you go," she said kindly with a smile. But I didn't see her smile I was to shaken to think of anything else then...before...

"Lucky no-one else has taken advantage of this beautiful fire..." she said looking at the big fire burning before them, trying to make light conversation...

She sighed "don't talk much for a 20 year old do ya?" she questioned, I could feel her eyes looking at me.

'20? No I'm not! I said in my head.... I ain't 20? I'm 18! This is wrong!' I kept telling myself...

We both sat together until the dawn came, and the homeless girl stood up from beside me and said goodbye waving, then racing off into the distance...I never saw her again.

I sighed heavily. Where am I? I asked myself hopelessly.

I looked forward after the dying fire and saw a river, looking above me a saw what seemed like a bridge, a small 2 lane bridge, the ground was dirt with small puddles of water and melting snow. The sun was rising quickly and the light showed me the landscape around me, my head turning in every direction scanning the world around...

'Outside' I thought to myself. Slowly and in slight pain I stood up, I was uneasy on my feet first but soon steadied myself on my two bare feet.

Shivering slightly I tightened the warm material around me, I walked forward, slowly..so I didn't fall or trip over something.

I walked for miles and miles. I can't quiet remember how far, or how many people slowed to look at me strangely... 'Fucking humans, always nosy' I thought as one slowed right down and peered through their closed window and looked at me, the humans eyes filled with caution, suspicion...and slight hatred, for they suspected what I really was....

The warmer climate greeted me gratefully, I could see the sun setting, and the amazing colours of purple, orange and yellow of the setting sun, the few clouds where as if painted the colour much like a painting by a famous artist. My eyes finally filling with only slight hope, my heart at a rhythmic pace, and I no longer felt frozen, the opposite actually. More cars appeared down the road, curious I speed up my pace my feet soft on the grassy side walk, then I saw it...a diner, I looked at the sign it read '24 hour diner', I took a deep breath in...and out. I gladly walked toward it feeling my hunger pains grow stronger the more I though of food apon my lips, and my taste buds letting me taste the flavour of any food, I could settle for anything they'd give me...anything...

As I approached the doors of the diner I noticed a small sign; it read "positions vacant NEED more workers for cheap rates" I looked more hopeful as a plan sprung into my head 'I'll get a job, for food and maybe a bed'

I walked in with a slight spring in my step, I opened the door a ding followed promptly as I opened it and let it shut. As I walked slightly cheerfully towards the counter, my glee faded quickly as I felt every pair of eyes on me. I couldn't blame them, I was only in a few rags and some kind of warmish material...but they could atleast give me some respect...'but humans aren't like that. Cruel and heartless beings...NO animals!' I thought hatefully.

I stopped at the counter, my face unreadable, a woman stood behind the counter and looked at me disgustingly...

"Can I help you?" she said rudely placing a napkin in front of my hands.

My eyes shifted and I looked to the napkin and back up to her, she had a tired and impatient look. My gaze moved to her shirt pocket where a pen was placed, quickly I leaned forward and grabbed it.

"Hey!" she said reaching for the pen I took, but stopped halfway when she saw me writing something on the napkin.

I wrote 'I'd like a job...' it was rather messy but readable.

The women looked thoughtful, then motioned for me to go with her...I did, but took the napkin and pen with me. They were sure gonna ask me more questions I told myself while following her.

It was a short distance until she stopped at a door and opened it, motioning for me to walk in...I obeyed and as I walked in the door shut behind me. I jumped slightly and glanced behind me, then quickly looked forward. A man sat in a high chair holding a pen. He eyed me and I looked at his face waiting for him to say something.

For a moment there was an uneasy silence. Then he finally spoke "Yes?" he questioned impatiently.

I promptly walked close and held the napkin up to him. He studied it then told me to sit down, I did quickly not wanting to make a bad impression.

"In exchange for money?" he questioned.

I shook my head, and wrote another thing on the napkin, and held it up to him again. He smirked slightly and relaxed back in his chair.

"You want to be feed and have somewhere to sleep, hey?" he more questioned himself "I'm not too sure about getting you somewhere to sleep...but I can organise ONE meal a day in exchange for you working here"

I smiled and stood up.

He nodded.

I took that as a sign to go, strolling over to the door, as I was about to open the door he spoke again

"Do you speak?" he questioned.

I simply shook my head, though I didn't turn around for I didn't want him to see my tears. I exited the room and was given black pants a blouse and an apron...

"You start now" the person said to me and walked away.

I sighed; I couldn't keep this up for too long...they'd get suspicious... So I put on the work clothes and waited to be given instructions, which came soon for the morning rush had just started and I was there...

-------------

Please review!!!! gets down on hands and knees