Author's Note: I changed the summary because I felt that it was too television. I watched a commercial for That 70s Show and realized the announcer's plot summary sounded a lot like mine.
Disclaimer: Brittany Spears owns the X-men so go bother her. LOL, Brittany Spears own the X-Men, yeah right.
Interesting fact: In the comic book it was not Rogue that decided to leave the confines of her home with Raven, she was under the influence of Mastermind (Source: my comic book stash!)
The Damned, Episode 1
Chapter 7: Freak
Mississippi, 1990
"Marie what do you think?"
"What do Ah think of what?" Marie asked Mica.
Mica rolled her eyes, the two were walking home from school and for the last few minutes Marie had been in her own zone. "What's up girl? I've never seen you this out of it."
Her friend just shrugged. Truth be told, Marie did know what was wrong. Ever since they had started the sixth grade that year she had begun to see an increasing divide herself and her peers. At first it had been subtle things like lifestyle; she had two mothers, everyone else had one mother and one father, even if they were divorced. Then it became more obvious; every time she went to a friend's house to visit, mainly Mica's, she would see that their homes were much smaller than her own. Why was that? What made her so special? And why couldn't she have a father? Sure she had Erik and he tried to fill in, but he wasn't enough. What about her attitude? She was the only eleven year old she knew with the habit of wearing so much clothing. Was it so normal to be ashamed of one's body? Although her parents would never admit it, there was something severely wrong with her. Sure throughout the years she had been seeing a psychiatrist, but that was because it was court ordered, not because her parents thought that she needed one.
Marie shook the thoughts out of her head, "What do Ah think about what?"
"Frankie Samuels."
She made a face, "Ewww!"
"Can I take that as a 'he's not good-looking' Eww?"
"No," Marie corrected, "That was a 'he's good looking but a complete moron,' Eww."
"Hey who cares if they're stupid if they look good?"
Over the years the two had grown to be the best of friends, each knowing the other incredibly well. Marie had even done the unthinkable and invited Mica into her only solace, her house. She showed Mica the river in their backyard, introduced Mica to her family and even brought Mica into her room.
Raven and Irene were surprised. Marie had always secretly thought of the old Victorian house as her sanctuary, where nothing could hurt her. To bring a foreign element into the cleansed atmosphere was out of Marie's character. Of course they had put down ground rules, Marie was not to bring friends over when Raven had her 'business partners' over. Marie had asked why. If Raven was trying to help mutants then why not integrate mutants and regular people? Raven had gotten visibly angry, though she tried to hide it, and Marie did not know why. Instead, she obeyed the rules.
"Mica you are what Ah lahk to call shallow."
"Moi?" Mica looked shocked, "shallow?"
Marie rolled her eyes, "Like ya didn't know."
"Alright so I did," Mica broke out into a grin, "but you're supposed to be my denial, tell me I'm not really shallow and all that junk."
Marie breathed in the crisp fall air before deciding to answer, "Mica tell meh this, is the guy more attractive if he has a 4.0 GPA or if he has the new Converse high-tops?"
Mica mulled this over in her head. "Well let's just say the dumber he is, the newer the high tops better be." They laughed simultaneously.
"Ah love this weather!" Marie announced to no one in particular.
"Yeah, it gives you a reason to go out and spend your mom's money on all those fancy gloves and designer sweaters," Mica teased.
Marie sobered for a moment. Could Mica have figured out….naw.
They walked in silence for a few minutes. Each pretended they were interested in the road. Because this was small town Mississippi there was no sidewalk. Instead, either side of the road lead into the woods.
Instinctively, without discussing it, they turned into the woods to take their shortcut home.
When they came across a clearing Mica spoke, "Marie I didn't mean anything by the comment earlier but you have to admit you do wear a lot of clothing, even in the summer." Marie said nothing. "Why is that Marie? I've heard of people who have this weird disease that makes their body to sensitive to the cold, do you have that?" When Marie didn't answer Mica pressed further, "Or do you have some other disease?" Again, silence, "Marie what is it?"
Marie stopped abruptly in the middle of the clearing, "Mica ah-ah…" Marie struggled with the words. Mica stood patiently. "Forget it." Marie began to walk again.
"Wait Marie," Mica spoke up once they came to the Mississippi River, "I'm not gonna be judgmental, whatever it is."
Her friend sat on the bank of the river, "Mica Ah'm afraid of what ya would think o' me."
"Don't be stupid," Mica crossed her arms over her chest and sat, "I would never think ill of you."
Marie took a deep breath, "Mica there is something ya should know about mah parents, mah biological parents, they weren't normal. They were what you might call criminally insane." Mica looked slightly surprised. "That's why Hillary took meh away from them, to keep meh from becomin' a victim of their insanity." She looked down, "Unfortunately for Hillary and her good intentions, they already had made meh a victim." Marie squeezed her eyes together, trying to cast out a bad memory.
Mica rubbed her back, "It's okay Marie, I'm here now, not them."
Marie nodded before returning to her story, "You see, ever since Ah was a baby they would abuse meh, in every conceivable way. They starved mah two brothers and meh for years and beat us all the time. As a result mah brothers became just as screwed up and began to…abuse meh too." Mica didn't need to be beyond her eleven years to know that Marie meant sexually as well as physically. "Because of the seven years of abuse Ah have several scars that Ah just don't want shown."
Mica hugged Marie tightly. "Marie its okay, I'm sorry for what they did to you, you didn't deserve it."
Tears formed in the corners of Marie's eyes, "Ya don't understand, the scars are so horrible, they remind me of that story we had to read, Hunchback of Notre Dame. Sometahms Ah feel lahk Ah should be up in one of those bell towers with the hunchback, its where freaks belong."
Mica used her sleeves to help dry Marie's tears. "Marie you are not a freak, understand me?" Marie nodded. "I mean it Marie." Her friend sniffled. "Would it help you to show me the scars?"
Marie winced at the thought. "They're really gross."
"I'm your best friend, I will like you no matter what."
Slowly, Marie began to peel off her gloves. Her twisted scars wound their way around her fingers and down into the protective layering of her sweater sleeves. Mica reached over to touch the hand that had remained hidden for the last few years only to find Marie instinctively pulling away. Mica did not say anything, figuring it was best to make Marie feel more comfortable with herself.
Next, Marie pulled off the sweater. Exposed were her arms, the short-sleeved undershirt hid everything else from view. The tangle of scars grew even more evident as they continued up the whitest arms Mica had ever seen. The scars grew thicker, wilder, and more grotesque, especially the ones surrounding Marie's neck in a permanent chokehold.
Hesitating for a just a second, Marie pulled up the back of her shirt, allowing Mica full view of the horror that stayed hidden underneath. To Mica it looked like whips had been taken to the girl's back. Most of the scars were healed incorrectly, causing gashes to seem like they were fused together. There was some redness on Marie's lower back, no doubt stretch marks. As Marie grew the scars had grown with her.
Mica examined Marie's stomach; the softer, fleshier area made the scars look all the more worse. Here the scars were not entwined but this mocked Marie. It was almost as though the scars were trying to make themselves presentable.
Placing her shirt back in place, Marie kicked off her shoes and she swiftly removed her pants. Gashes ran diagonally from both the left and right sides. Even Marie's feet were not safe from the tortures of scarring.
"Do you see why Ah can't wear normal clothes?" Marie asked meekly.
Mica looked her friend in the eyes, "Marie I don't think any differently of you. You're still sweet little Marie I met when we were seven."
"And Ah thank ya foh that," Marie sniffled, putting her clothes back on. "But could ya not tell anyone about my scars?"
"Marie!" Mica exclaimed, shocked, "How can you ask me such a thing? Of course I'll keep it between us, you're my closest friend."
Marie swept her friend into a hug before smiling, "You're the only person Ah've ever shown mah scars to willingly."
"I'm glad you trust me," Mica replied.
Marie pulled out of the hug, "We should probably get to our homes, our mom's will be wondering where we went."
* * *
Marie's house was the first stop. Mica only lived a block away so it really wasn't a big deal but Marie wished Mica could have come over to play, if only to keep her company. Of course she couldn't have her wish, Mica was grounded after having beaten up a girl at school. In Marie's opinion the girl had deserved it, after all she had insulted Mica's mother. Should anyone insult Raven or Irene she would beat him or her up too.
The eleven year old sighed as she hopped onto the porch and unlocked the door.
"There you are!" Came Raven's delightfully familiar voice, "I was beginning to wonder what was keeping you!"
Marie frowned, "Mom why are ya bein' so chippy?"
"You'll see," was Raven's mystic reply before rushing into the kitchen.
Shrugging, Marie found her way to the livingroom, throwing her backpack onto the couch.
"Marie," Erik said crossly, "What have we told you about putting your backpack on the furniture?"
Marie jumped; she hadn't even seen the, now white-haired, mutant sitting on the couch. "Sorry." She picked up her backpack and was about to turn to leave when she was stopped by his voice.
"Don't worry about it today Marie just come here and watch t.v. with me."
She sat next to him, "What are we watching?"
"MacGyver."
"Cool." She yawned.
"Hey it might not be the best show in the world but…"
Marie realized he must have been referring to her yawn. "Oh no," she cut in quickly, "Ah'm just tired is all."
Erik nodded in understanding. "You can take a nap," he told her.
"Ah'm too tired ta move."
"Then nap here."
She nodded before resting her head against his chest; he circled his arms around her in an extremely paternal way and watched her drift off to sleep.
* * *
"Marie," she heard a soft whisper, "its time to wake up."
Groggily, Marie opened her eyes. Erik was gently shaking her awake. "Hmm?"
"We have to go to the airport."
The airport, Marie frowned, we're not goin' anywhere.
Erik sensed her apprehension, "We have to meet some people coming into town."
Marie nodded and sat up, missing the warmth of Erik's body.
"Go get your jacket," Erik ordered, "Winter's started out there."
She rushed up to her room and grabbed her favorite jacket, a green, flannel, and grunge monstrosity with a hood.
"Oh Marie!" Irene exclaimed when she saw her descend the staircase, "Why must you wear that thing?"
"Ah lahk it," Marie replied, matter of factly.
Irene sighed, "at least we're only going to an air port and not some gala."
Marie shuddered. She had been victim to many galas over the years. Her mother or Irene would have to attend these social events to meet potential clients and of course Marie would be dragged along in a big, fancy dress.
"Into the car," Raven ordered.
"Which one?" Erik asked.
"The Lincoln," Irene told him.
The eleven year old grimaced; she preferred their smaller cars, the Mercedes, the Porche, and even the Mustang. She did not like the Lincoln; it was too big for her taste.
After ushering everyone into her car, Irene got behind the steering wheel. After putting on her glasses she started the engine. This did not go unnoticed by Marie. Irene had gotten the new glasses after complaining about some nearsightedness. For a few months Irene denied her vision issues before getting her eyes checked and getting glasses.
"I'm glad you're wearing the glasses," Raven echoed Marie's thoughts.
Irene grumbled, "I look like an old woman."
"Get contact lenses," Erik said from the back seat.
"I can't, my eyes are too sensitive."
Erik shrugged, "Just a thought."
"You get those?" Irene asked snidely.
"More often than you."
"You two are acting like children, " Raven interrupted their fighting. "Please lets just get to the airport without you two killing each other."
* * *
"Where are they?" Erik asked impatiently.
"Relax Erik, they'll be here," Irene spoke up.
Marie, holding Irene's hand, watched Erik stand on his toes to peer over the increasingly growing crowd. He peered between heads and over shoulders before deciding to simply push through the crowd.
The little girl rolled her eyes. How she hated the airport! She hated the crowds; she shied away from others as they brushed against her. The thing she hated most was the habit she had of leaving the airport with sweat stains that were not hers.
"Over there!" Raven exclaimed.
Before she knew what has happening, Marie was being dragged headfirst through the sea of crowds. When at last they came up for air, a frazzled, southern girl found herself face to face with a brown parka. Slowly she straightened her composure and looked into the face of the parka's owner.
"Marie," Irene started as means of introduction, "you remember Dominic don't you?"
Surprise was evident on Marie's face. She had not even recognized the skinny, stringy haired boy from four years ago. "Hi," she said lamely.
"Hi," he said back, just as lamely.
Looking past the brunette, Marie saw two children in Erik's warm embrace.
"Pietro and Wanda," Dominic told her, noticing her wonder.
"They look so…different."
Dominic nodded, "Pietro's white hair came as a shock to everyone. And Wanda, well, she's just Wanda."
Marie looked Wanda up and down. Gone was the overexcitement of childhood, gone was the bright smile; the being that replaced Wanda was dressed in dark garb, frowning at everything, as if nothing deserved her respect. Pietro looked about the same, the only shock had been the white hair. Marie assumed it had something to do with his mutant abilities but she wasn't sure.
"Come, lets get your belongings from baggage claim," Erik said, grinning from ear to ear.
The girl, exhausted, had no voice in the matter. What she wanted was to return home, or even the car, and sleep. Instead, she obediently followed, her mind completely numb.
Erik's voice made it's way through her fatigue, "You three will have a wonderful time living with us."
Marie snapped to attention. Live with them? No one had said the trio would be invading her life. She looked at the three pre-teens. How was she going to explain this to her friends?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Alright, short chapter but I wanted to get a new one out there as fast as possible.
Reviewers!!!!! You all freakin' rock!
Rogue151: Congrats on those comics! You have now officially joined the dark side! I like the idea of her name being Anna (no doubt after the actress who played her in the movie) but I was a little confused as to whether the Marvel people meant for her real name to be Anna or if they were just giving her another temporary name. Whew, my ranting is crazy. I like that the shock therapy part touched you, it means you are as sensitive as I am! As for Raven's issues and Mastermind…I can't tell you just yet, keep reading and you'll find out.
Ishandahalf: I figured they might see things differently as children so I wanted to add something major, like shock therapy. I'll keep updating, just for you. ;)
LiLRoguE: Yeah, you reviewed! My plan for world domination through reviews is working!
T: I don't know about you but I think that the Rogue in the comics is far more sheltered than she lets on. She doesn't really have friends in the books does she. :(
Panther Nesmith: Hugging huh? I think that sounds good, I'll try to get more hugging action incorporated into my story. Yes, Raven does need to figure out what she wants, before its too late. I love your theory on why Raven should choose Irene by the way. And Irene being blind, I wanted Marie's childhood to be free of abnormalities (minus the mutant and gay marriage thing) so Irene is not blind. Although I was never sure if Irene was blind when she was younger, the comics always implied that she was not born blind. Hmmm….I'll have to look into that. Explain Mystique and Sinister soon? Well, we'll see. ::grins evilly::
Alright, that's the end of all of that, go review, eat some chocolate and meet me back here next time for chapter 8! By the way, I update faster when I get more reviews ::hint hint::