Part 73
Marlene

/ I know I said I was gonna wait until January before I upload again, but there's going to be a few 100% fanfiction based chapters before getting back into
canon first for you guys.
This gives me a chance to delve into a few things for Fury, along with Isaah.

Back in either chapter 61 or 62, Fury had a quick memory flashback of a woman named Marlene, who was the last person to take care of her in the Underground, and that memory played on the fact that Fury did something terrible that caused Marlene to send her to the Orphanage.
This chapter is a flashback one, going back to that small memory Fury had and how it led up to the way things went.

Please be aware that there is a moment in this chapter in regards to a younger Fury that some readers may view as disturbing. Though it is not meant to come across as such, as it is misinterpreted by the characters too, still please only read on with your own discretion. /


"She can't stay with us any longer. We look after unwanted babies, and she's not one anymore. Kids down here… They need to learn how to survive as quick as they can. But we're funded by the Noble of this District, we can't have that risk of having a child older than what we're to look after."

"How old is she now?"

"We don't know her actual birth date, but from the lady who brought her to us, she claimed she was still covered in blood from the birthing when she found her. The lady had already looked after her for some time, I'd say she was at least 1 year old when we took her in. And it's been a good 6 or 7 years now since that day.
We were only supposed to look after her until she was 5, but the Orphanage was full. So we took a big risk in keeping a roof over her."

"That age is much too young to be letting them trying to figure life out. I do wish the Noble would fund the Orphanage down here a bit more. Don't we all deserve a chance to live?"

"At times when the Noble of our District paid visits, we had to send her to other Foster's for a short while until he left. You know what the Nobles are like in each District. And if we don't follow the Guidelines, funding will stop, and then there will be no more Orphanage or Foster Families full stop.

Please, Marlene… From a Foster parent to another, can't you take her?"

"I still have 2 others with me, just a little older than her. Two boys. And they have to share the same room as it is, there's just no space.
What's her name?"

"Aya. Well, that's the name on the bracelet she was left anyway."

"What do you mean?"

"The lady that handed her to us, she had already been looking after her for at least a year, but as she handed her to us, she also gave us a silver bracelet, saying it was left by the girl as she was found… Between the legs of a murdered mother."

"Are you sure it's not the mother's name?"

"… Don't you know who it was? Apparently, it was Mia. The one always being so paranoid that she needed to keep her unborn safe before she died?"

"Oh no… Mia, really? Yes, I spoke with her often. She too had asked that, when the time came, if I could look after her child.
So her paranoia was right? She was killed? Well what the hell for? What did that woman do that was so bad that it also risked the life of her unborn child?"

"She must've stayed alive long enough to give birth… An early one, if that, Aya was so small when she was handed to us."

"That girl is more than lucky to be alive, in several ways…"

"Please, Marlene. I wouldn't ask if I wasn't desperate. My husband and I were nearly caught with Aya last month with the Noble. Had to make an excuse that she was just delivering a letter from another family…"

"Mia… Hmm… I'll see what I can do. Even if she shares my own room with me. No child this young should be left out on these damn streets.
Bring her over when you can, and I'll be the one to look after her until she's 18."


4 Years Later
Age : 11 (?)

"Give me it back! Give me it!" Aya screeched, leaping at Klaus, one of the unwanted children still being looked after by Marlene, the Foster who puts up with them on a daily bases.
But he was 18 soon. It wouldn't be long until he would be allowed to be free from the confinement of the Noble in this District.

"Would you stop teasing the kid?" Came Karl, sat reading a book. He was 15, not much older than her, but the one who clearly had his morals set in place.

"You're a kid yourself!" Laughed Klaus, dangling the silver bracelet above his head. Aya was short. And this was cruel.

"Marlene!" Aya cried out, kicking Klaus in his shin, only to be laughed at by him in return.

Marlene hissed from being so distracted at cleaning the dirty dishes. "Oh for goodness sake! Klaus, she's right, don't take what's not yours, how many damn times?!"

"I hate it here!" Aya cried, agitated by the teasing. "Why didn't my own mother want me?!"

Klaus rolled his eyes. "Oh here we go again… Why do you think? Plenty of women down here get pregnant and then decide they don't want the responsibility along with it. We're what you call "unwanted accidents".
You should think yourself lucky that you didn't directly have your own mother tell you she wished she left you in the gutter."

"So you have mother issues?" Karl huffed. "Is that any better than father issues?"

Klaus frowned. "What did you say? You know, for a 15 year old, you have a mouth."

"Works much better than a fist." Karl smirked, watching as Aya snatched her silver bracelet from Klaus, clinging to it like a favoured toy as she wrapped it around her wrist again.

"How old is she anyway, Marlene?" Klaus then asked, leaping over the sofa near to him to then sit upon it.

"Hm?" Marlene muttered, finally onto drying the dishes. "Oh, she's about 11, maybe 12."

"Kid doesn't even know her own birthday?" Klaus closed his eyes. "That's kinda sad…"

Marlene sighed. "Yes, well, there's more important things to focus on when living down here. We all know this. A birthday just becomes another day for us all. And as for you, Klaus, you'll be leaving my care soon. I need you to start focusing on how to maintain a life beyond my door."

He stretched. "Maybe I'll just marry a prostitute and have her bring all the money back. Nobles keep them safe, right? Sounds like a plan."

"Get out of that mind set right now!" Marlene scolded, Aya jumping in the process and deciding to depart to her room, which Marlene had divided to give her space. "I raised you with better morals than that!"

Klaus blinked rapidly. "I was just joking, Marlene… And you're right, you've raised us all the best you can, and I'm grateful to have such a loving mother."

Marlene sighed, allowing Klaus, who jumped up, to place a kiss upon her cheek as a gestured thanks. "Yes, well, your big eyes won't get to me this time, young man. Now go on, both of you, it's late as it is. Get to bed."

(Later that same night)

"Hey… Aya… Come on, would you wake up?" Whispered Klaus through hissed words, prodding at her cheek until she groaned from the disturbance. "Come on! Don't you wanna play? It's time to get up soon again anyway…"

"No…" Aya whined, as Klaus sat down on her bed next to her, "Go away, I wanna sleep."

Klaus leaned forward, his breathy words spoken into her ear. "But I have an idea! Don't you wanna get out of here, away from all the rules? You can come with me. I'll look after you."

Her eyes opened further, though Aya clutched at the covers wrapped around her as she rolled over onto her back, confusion upon her face. "But I like Marlene."

"You said you hated it here earlier on." Klaus reminded, remaining leaned over, a thumb tracing over her cheek. "You know… That bracelet you wear is real silver. Shame it's not Gold, but it will still be worth quite a bit if we take it to the Noble of this District. Money from it could give us a way to live how we want!"

"Why would the Noble want to buy a bracelet with my name on it? Go away, Klaus, you're scaring me…"

The door to Aya's room then swung open, Klaus reacting swiftly as he moved to stand as quick as he could, Aya remaining laid on her back until she hoisted herself to sit up straight, candle light seeping in to her darkened room.

"What in God's name are you doing to her, Klaus?" Barked Marlene, having seen the closeness of him to Aya. "What was it?!"

Aya lifted her covers up to her nose, not truly understanding this situation.

"Nothing like that!" Klaus projected, turning to her. "Tell her!"

Marlene marched forward, grabbing at Klaus's wrist, pulling him away from beside Aya, who began to crumble into a stuttering mess. "W-What's happening?"

"She's underage!" Marlene roared, throwing Klaus out of the room, closing the door slightly, though her voice loud enough to even wake Karl. "She's like a sister to you! Are you sick in the mind?! What were you doing?!"

"Not what you're thinking, how low do you think of me! You want the truth, I was trying to get that bracelet off her to sell. Hell, then at least I have something to start with when I leave here in a few months!"

"You know fine well the incident of what caused Aya to be here with us…" Marlene's voice lowered, as if to keep such information quiet. "That bracelet is all that girl has. Now I know your own mother was unloving to you, but at least she didn't have her throat slit and then having to push a child out of her womb as she slowly died.
But I won't be dropping this Klaus. I hope, for you're sake, that's what you were doing in there with Aya, or so help me, you'll be out tomorrow."


2 Years Later
Age: 13-14 (?)

"Why is he here, Marlene?" Aya asked, her arms folded. A deep glare towards then man her Foster Mother sat with upon her sofa.

Marlene spun around slightly. "Oh? And what are you doing here?" She laughed. "I thought you were out with your new friends?"

"Karl said he saw him coming into the house, so I wanted to come and check on you." Aya huffed, carefully moving closer to sit at the chair next to them.

"Come on, kiddo." The man smiled, uncrossing his leg from the other, taking his hand away from holding Marlene's. "You know my name, it's Lukas."

"Yeah, I know it!" She barked. "Doesn't mean I wanna say it!"

Marlene sighed. "My goodness, your attitude lately, young lady. What's going on?" However, there came no reply. Just another action of her folding her arms and pouting almost. "Sweetheart, Lukas is a good man. I promise you. He's not going to hurt any of us. So I need you to try and set aside why ever it is you don't like him, and get along, for my sake."

"You're supposed to be looking after me and Karl!" Aya then barked under a childish tone, that of someone being held over by jealousy. "Why are you putting him first?"

As Lukas moved to say something, Marlene placed her hand upon the man's knee to have him hold back any words, shaking her head at him. "Now that's not the case, Aya. You kids are my world."

"So is that why you had Klaus sent away earlier than he should've been? Because you cared?"

"Klaus didn't need to be here anymore, he was 18, and you know that. It was better for us all that he went, it's what he wanted, remember?" The woman smiled, though it wasn't all the truth.
He spoke until blue in the face that he held no sway over a younger Aya, but Marlene couldn't have that risk under her roof. Klaus lives his own way now. "Now, I need to pop over to the Postage to check for any letters, seeing as how I'm awaiting one from the Noble soon about a home visit. You know how it is, same old proceedings. You two be good, okay?"

Aya remained in her huff, watching as Marlene wrapped a cloth around her, covering her mouth and nose, hiding even her hair, as she picked up a small bag to take with her, as she always did.
Lukas remained sat there, his thumbs twiddling as he knew Aya's eyes were then glared upon him.

"You know she was married once?" Aya abruptly asked.

"Yes, I do."

"And that she had a daughter?"

"What are you doing, kiddo?" Lukas asked the disgruntled Aya.

"Well you know they're both dead, right? They got ill, died of it. She's only using you as a replacement for her dead husband…"

Lukas frowned. "What a vicious thing to say, Aya."

Aya then scuffled forward on the chair she was sat in. "And what about you? Karl said you have dead family too."
The man raised his hand, an indication he wanted to speak no further on it, despite the persistence from Aya. "So you're using Marlene, right?"

"Aya, stop this. You've been trying to get at me since the day I started coming her more often.
Now I like Marlene. She's a lovely woman who goes out of her way to give kids a better start with life. Why can't you accept that me and her are happy with each other?"

She stood. Not even thinking about what viciousness would come from her next. "Because you're not wanted here, Lukas. And if Marlene really does put us first, all it would take is some tears and a lie to have her throw you out or even sent to the MPs!"

Suddenly, hands wrapped around her throat, Aya coughed as she was then thrown over at the wall near to them, hitting it hard that she whelped on impact, the scruff of her collar then being clung to as she was lifted from the floor, her legs left dangling.
"You're a vile little girl, Aya." Lukas hissed, his face intimidatingly close to her own as she struggled in his clutches. "The way you treat Marlene, I'd give you several lashings personally.
Start thinking before you speak, because I'm not going anywhere, young lady."

Lukas then dropped Aya, who looked up to the man in fear, just as the outer door then opened, ushering the return of Marlene herself. Lukas stepped quickly away from Aya, who herself stood quickly to her feet, combing at her hair.

"I'm back!" Marlene spoke happily, walking into the room, oblivious to the atmosphere, though she took notice of the distance between the two.
"What's she said this time, hm?"

Lukas, keeping his eyes over at Aya, truly wondered why it was the girl hadn't lashed out and would begin to start ushering lies about him hitting her. Though it may be true that his temper was lost, he was betting Marlene would know that Aya liked to push his buttons, but would she believe him if Aya spouted abuse?
And yet, the girl said nothing, as she rubbed at her throat.

"Well. No letter from the Noble." Marlene continued, as Aya ushered past Lukas, and ran up the stairs to her room, earning a sigh of confusion to Marlene, as the woman went and sat down.
"I did receive this though." She then waved an unopened letter around. "Fancy paper, must be important. But I don't recognise the waxed sealing…"
Breaking it, the woman cleared her throat as her eyes began to move left and right. Slowly, they grew wider, the look of fear and horror upon her visage as she threw the letter away from her.

"What is it?" Lukas asked in surprise, no longer focused on Aya as he leaned down to pick up the letter. He began to read it, confused by the contents written upon it. "Who is this Stefan that signed it?"

"M-My husband…" Marlene stuttered, shaking as her hand lifted to place some hair behind her ear.

"But… Marlene, I thought your husband was-…"

"… Dead, yes…" Marlene swallowed. "I am certain of it. So who is sick enough to send such a letter?"


Several months later
Age: 13-14 (?)

Marlene held up another letter. They had been constant over the last few months, always signed by her dead husband.
She lived in fear and paranoia. Convinced herself that it was even Lukas who was sending them, and still they continue, even after he was asked to leave her home and her children alone.
The butting of heads between him and Aya, who was the one who convinced Marlene it was Lukas sending them, also a factor of the woman slowly losing any patience.

"It mentions my daughter, Lina, in this one…" Marlene muttered, her eyes frantically widened.

"You gotta start ignoring them, Marlene." Aya spoke as she trotted past the woman to go and gander at what there was to eat in the cupboards. "I told you, didn't I? That Lukas was weird, and he was no good for you. He's even sick enough to keep sending them."

"Thing is… This letter mentions the birthday of my daughter being today. When the truth of that being Lina's birthday was several weeks ago…" Aya lifted her head. "But Aya… it was you I told in confidence a few days ago that her birthday would be today…"

A cupboard closed. "That doesn't mean anything, Lukas could have-…"

"Would you stop your lies?! For once, Aya, start telling me the damn truth!" Marlene then roared. "It's been you! This entire time, all of these sick letters being signed by my late husband, were sent from you!
All of my sleepless nights, the threat from the Noble wanting to replace me for thinking I was no longer fit to be a Foster Mother, being convinced by you that it was Lukas, you never thought once to stop what it was that you were doing?!"

Aya closed in on herself. It was true. The first letter was a scare tactic, all in plan to get rid of Lukas, but she struggled to stop. Did a part of her want Marlene to suffer? Aya had convinced herself that Marlene only cared for Lukas. He was ruining how things were, and Aya worried that Marlene may have retracted wanting to be a Foster Mother if she now had Lukas in her life, who could've given her another chance at being a real mother again. An act of selfishness from Aya's part? Most defiantly.

"He wasn't good for you, Marlene… He even threw me against the wall once! I was worried he would do that to you! And I can't believe you set me up to find me out!"

"Oh stop it, Aya! Stop being the victim in this!" Marlene then scrunched up the letter in a fit of anger. "You have no idea how much trouble you're in.
What truly possessed you to keep this going?! You didn't think the first one was enough?! Was this a game between you and your vagabond friends?!"

"They're not that bad...-"

"They're criminals, Aya! And look what being among them is shaping you to be! A nasty, viscous, little girl who will end up being a criminal herself! I mean, how long were you going to keep this up?! Do you truly think you would never have been caught?!"

Aya looked away, heart beating fast, head throbbing with ways to try and put words together.
"I-I…didn't mean to keep it going for this long. I just… wanted things to go back how they were. Me, you and Karl…" She then looked over to a now silent Marlene, who leaned forward, resting her arms atop the back of the sofa, clearly thinking. "What are you going to do?"

"I don't know, Aya… Sending you to your room never works. Locking the window in your room never works.
Asking you to stop being among criminals never works. Treating you like my own daughter doesn't seem to work either…
You're only 14, do you have any idea how concerning this work of poison is? I think it's time, Aya… These last few months, I almost lost myself, being led to believe my husband was still alive, somewhere.

I think it's time I take you to the Orphanage…"

Aya sprung to her feet. "No! You can't do that! I'm sorry, Marlene, I didn't mean to keep this going, I just didn't know how to stop it!"

Marlene clicked her fingers with a snap. "Like that, Aya! Just like that, they would've stopped, and I wouldn't have to worry about going to Postage ever again!
Look, dear, I have tried… I have tried with you, above all else, but I simply cannot continue now knowing you did this. What would you be capable of next should you see someone you don't like?
You get so agitated at times that your eyes even go bloodshot! I'm sorry, if you feel I have failed you over these years, but my only hope now is that the Orphanage can resurface the morals I tried giving you."

"2 years after being sent to that Orphanage in the Underground did I decide to make a break for it.
I ran, and I left the District. You never let me down, Marlene. I let myself down. You did the best you could to raise kids that weren't even yours, and my thanks was making your life hell.

Are you still down there, being a Foster parent? How would you feel if you saw me again, if you saw the person I am now? To be told I gave up on the Orphanage at 16, and ended up among criminals, just as you said I would.
To then be dragged on by Kenny Ackerman, a man who murdered for fun.

Bet you wouldn't like finding out it was him who killed my mother, who killed Mia.

I'm sorry, Marlene. Maybe one day, if I'm still alive, I'll come visit you, and tell you everything about my life, about who I am.
And, maybe, that's when I'll be able to say thank you to you as well. Not all morals were erased.
Hell, you even sent Klaus away under the fear he was some pervert, but he was telling the truth.
It was just the bracelet he wanted.

For me to say you never put the kids you raise first was a mistake. Forgive me.
I may not be Aya anymore. But maybe you'll give Fury, you'll give the new me, another chance."