Chapter 3: Secret Lives Revealed…Almost

The Dragon Slayers had their first meeting in their new base, New York City, the night of their move. They all moved to a new community area, so they were neighbors, and easy to contact. Their meeting was called to order, and they said their pledge, but Rose barely mumbled it.

"Tonight, clan, we are going to address each of our members, and learn about their pasts." Ken said authoritatively. "I think we should start with a very active member of our group, my wife, Thorn." He stated solemnly, addressing Rose. What? Rose thought, this was not supposed to be the topic tonight! Now getting angry, she realized Ken had done this on purpose. She wouldn't even answer him when he asked her about her past. Now she would have to answer, or else.

"What do you want to know?" she snapped. The Slayermaster smiled wickedly.

"I want to know why you hate New York City, where you lived before Wisconsin, and why you and your uncle moved." He said calmly.

"Remember the consequences of lying."

Rose snarled, but everyone saw her pale. "I hate New York because it is a despicable, grimy city, and I used to live here. My uncle and I moved from here because we felt we could operate better in a smaller town." She said simply, though she knew she was lying, she hoped they didn't. They did.

"Don't ly, Thorn!" Ken boomed. "I'll ask you again, and tell the truth, or be faced with execution!" This angered Rose, and without thinking, she blurted out the truth, in one, awful, regretted, blur, "I hate this city because the American Dragon lives here! I hate it here because he's here! And you want to know why I left? Because I-" She caught herself in the nick of time. Everyone seemed surprised by her outburst, and urged her to continue. "Because I, um, well…I couldn't defeat the dragon…I guess I'm a bit embarrassed by it."

Everyone seemed fooled by her act, and she breathed a sigh of relief. The meeting was adjourned shortly after, and before they left, Member Rotwood whispered (A/N: Yes! Rotwood is back! He joined the group after he had like, NO success on his own! I hate Rotwood, so I'll have a little fun with him later on…bwahahaha! Oh, sorry, back to the story!) "I know you were lying, and I will find out why!" Rose glared at him, and he ran away in fright. That was a close one, she thought. I'm gonna have to watch my fat mouth. She sighed. Looking around, she saw she was the last one to leave. That big oaf, Ken, had probably already left without her. Oh, well, she could always walk home. Before she left, she looked over herself in a mirror. As she brought her hand up to push a loose blonde strand behind her ear, her Huntsclan's mark caught her eye in the reflective glass. It was permanent, now that she had slayed a dragon. Briefly, she wondered how she could kill. In her Slayer uniform, with her weapons and secret identity, she felt powerful. She felt like a rebel who seemed like she was doing something bad, but was really working for the betterment of her community. She felt like Superman, or Batman. She would go to work, hang out with friends, go to the movies; but there was a secret side to her. Sometimes she felt evil, horrible, like some kind of deranged monster. She would never allow herself to believe that she was a murderer. But she knew. It hung in her subconscious, taunting her, never the foremost thing in her mind, yet always there. It was a little voice in her head, constantly whispering in her ear. If she decided to go shopping with her friends, the voice would say, Why? Those new clothes will soon be blood-spattered… She couldn't rid of it, so she just learned to get used to it. Even when she had slain dragons, she could never look them in the eyes as she did it. It felt so…wrong to kill them, but she didn't mind feeling evil when she was Thorn, it was Rose who had troublesome, sleepless nights. It was Rose who felt the consequences, the guilt, not Thorn. As she stared at herself in the mirror, in full warrior outfit, she realized fully who, or what she had become. All the guilt and horror of all she'd done struck her like a punch in the stomach. She had never gotten the full concept. She backed away from the mirror, one hand over her mouth.

"Wha-What have I become?" She stuttered, becoming stricken with panic. She couldn't do this anymore. She couldn't stay a murderer, but how could she get out of her own trap? She decided that-once again-it would be best to run away.

Her ninja training had paid off. She sneaked into her own house, quiet as a mouse. (A/N: hehe, that rhymed! Okay, story time! I think I'll stop now) She grabbed a duffel bag once dhe had made it to her room. She gathered up some of her clothes, throwing some on over her Slayer uniform, and grabbed her purse. She also grabbed the stash of cash (A/N: sorry, couldn't help it) that she and Ken had been saving up for the past year. She didn't feel bad about taking it, even though half of it was his. He was a huge jerk, and she deserved the money for having to put up with him. The last thing she took with her was a picture, hidden far in her mattress. She gave it one last look before she heard footsteps.

Dun-dun-dunnnnnn! What will happen? Who knows? Oh, yeah-I do! Hehehe! Pleeeeeeeaase! REVIEW! Any suggestions are welcome!