_Jason's P.O.V

This kid. I'm looking at her.

Trying to figure out why she helped me. Healed me.

She's a fucking Meta!

Phoenix.

Huh.

Sure, it kinda suits her but I don't think it's her real name.

I can tell she's not from here but she kinda makes me think of myself.

What's she hiding?

I find an iPod in one of her jacket pockets. I scroll through it.

Three Days Grace, Linkin Park, Alter Bridge, Shinedown, Breaking Benjamin, Seether, Halestorm, Evans Blue and Like a Storm.

Never heard of the last two but, damn, she's got good fucking taste!

I put the iPod back then roll up her left sleeve and find bruises running up the inside. I curse under my breath when I find out that her other arm's the same way.

That's got to be why she said she won't miss anyone. Wonder who did that though.

Cool pack. Looks like fire.

That's gotta be where she chose the name Phoenix.

Maybe I could call her Nyx cause of all the black she wears...
Focus.

Clothes including a lot of band shirts and black jeans.

Steven Gould's Jumper. Karen Kincy's Other. Another book that I can tell is a favorite that I find wrapped in a Brooklyn Cyclones shirt with hat. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.

Must be where she's from.

A wallet with $5,000 and a Brooklyn library card for a Heather Smith.

Got her name and where she's from.

She doesn't really look like a Heather though.

I put the stuff back in.

"No, don't leave me. Please! Mom! Dad! I won't use the powers, OK? Just don't leave me! I don't wanna be fostered!"

They just abandoned her? Harsh.

Wait.

Powers.

She can do more than heal? Whoa.

"Don't hurt me, I followed your rules. Please!"

I clench my fists. First her parents up and leave her, then her foster parents abuse her?

I'm starting to like this kid. Even though she went through some shit, she's got a good heart. Sure, she kinda hides it but who the hell am I to judge her for that?

She's staying here with me, I know it.

I smile then gently wake her up and tell her.

She grins and gives me a fist bump.

I'm not sure whether I'm more surprised that I'm giving one back or knowing that it feels like a sign I made the right choice. "OK, kid, I just have to ask you a few things..."

_Phoenix's P.O.V

"You're from Brooklyn?"

I don't even try to keep the pride out of my voice when I say Yes.

"What other powers do you have?"

"Teleportation, I call it porting, and..." I look around the room then jump and shift into a peregrine falcon while in mid-air because it's so much more fucking fun that way.

His eyes widen. "No fucking way!"

I fly around the room then stop above the couch and shift back. "I can only do birds. Can't talk as one though."

He runs one hand through his hair. "And you're how old?"

I find myself fidgeting. "12."

He raises his eyebrows. "12?"

I can't help but curl up into a tight ball before I squeak out a Yes.

"Hey, it's OK."

I slowly uncurl from my ball and look at him.

"You just seem older, that's all."

I kick with my right foot. "Guess having your parents abandon you so you end up in a foster home with fucking abusive and controlling shits has that kinda effect on a girl. Never felt like I could do anything right with the Pierces." I get up quick then take my best fighting stance. "No way am I going back, you mook. Fuhgeddaboudit."

"Easy, kid. I wasn't gonna make you. No way. You're staying with me, like I said. Safe."

I relax my stance but I still feel a little tense. Nervous. Scared. "You mean you won't abandon me? Ever?" I curse under my breath, hating how vulnerable that made me sound.

"No, Nyx. I promise I'll never abandon you."

I grin wider, liking the nickname and the promise so much I find myself hugging him.

He seems a little startled at first but he hugs me back. "You've got yourself a brother, Fifi."

I let go and find myself quickly decking him.

"Fuck, Nyx, that hurt!"

I scuff my feet then roll my eyes and heal him. "Sorry, Jay-Todd, but I am not a fucking poodle!"