Howard looks at me; you can tell he's trying to process what I just told him. I stare at the hole in my shirt, realising what comes next:

I have to be let go. If anyone found out that he has a freak like me working for him, his reputation would be ruined. If he wants to keep his reputation a positive one, I need to leave.

"Raven, I'll be right back. I'm just going to make a call." Howard says as he begins to walk away. I look up and run towards him to catch up.

"Wait. Who're you phoning?" My speech slurs as I recover from the sprint I just did. I grab his arm and he turns around to, well try to, meet my eyes.

"I was going to phone my company,"

"Yes, I assumed that. But why?" I ask, voice sharp, like I would speak to James or Victor.

"I want to learn about your powers." He says as I let him go. I stare at him as he continues, "you're fascinating really, being able to do so many things. I would like to see what stimulates you're enhancements."

Oh dear God. I can't let that happen. No! I've read what happens when people of my kind are experimented on, I'll be killed, ripped apart. No, I can't let that happen.

I smile at him, "thank you, but no thank you. Now, I should be going." I step around him to leave. Howard doesn't follow or try to stop me, just watches me leave.

Once I'm outside in the cool Brooklyn air, I run home, tears streaming out of my eyes the entire way.

-Timeskip-

It's been a week since I've seen Howard. Since then I have continued to work as the night guard. Now I make sure no one comes in, and no one comes out while I'm there. If Howard or anyone close to him enters, I hide.

One night, I got the night off due to there being a huge expo of some sort. Steve and Bucky have wanted to go so they drag me there. Bucky constantly has girls hanging over his shoulder while Steve and I enjoyed being lonely. We are walking when Steve stops at an enrolment poster. I can see he's upset about it. He's tried everything and they turn him away. They said he would get killed easily. I don't see that, I see one of the bravest people I've ever known.

It pains me to see him this way, I go up to him and place my hands on his shoulders, he looks to meet my gaze.

"How do you do it Raven?"

"Do what?"

"Live knowing that you'll never be accepted for anything? I mean, I can't fight. But you have to hide who you are just to survive in today's economy. How do you do it?"

I squeeze his shoulders, and stand on my toes to meet his eye, "I don't let that affect me Steve. You just got to continue trying." I say as I look in his deep blue eyes. I feel a twirl in my gut. Stupid love being so cliché, why do I have to like him like that?

He smiles, "all I want to do is fight. You really think I should try again?"

I nod, "go for it, just maybe be... I don't know...honest?" I say as we laugh a bit. Just then, a man comes out from nowhere. Steve and I look at each other as the man motions Steve to go with him into a medical examination room. Steve looks at me with a look of uncertainty. I do what any good friend would do: Push him towards the man.

They walk in and the door closes behind them.

I'm alone; I walk over to a bench near the door Steve went through and sit down. I gaze off into space, watching the people dance. Once in a while, I believe I see Bucky dancing with a girl. However, as soon as I spot him, he's gone again.

"Raven? Is that really you?"

I shoot my head up and look around.

Who said that? I turn my head to see a woman no older than 25. Her long red hair hangs down by her waist as I stand up and move towards her.

I move towards her, not believing what I was seeing.

"Lex,"