Chapter 4: Don't Start With Me

It's been days since, the incident. Normal people would forget, but not me. No. You'd think that having nightmares would be a normal thing, but not with me.

I knew I wasn't normal, but I wasn't really counting on it. Something on the lines of 'weird', or 'different', but no. Fate wanted me to suffer. For OTHERS. I was to take the pain and labor of others, and expected to just do all the work.

I didn't ask to be possessed, nor did I ask for my gift. I asked for someone to take it back, but she wouldn't allow it. She told me I was the only who could do it. Because I had connections. Connections. I have no idea what she's talking about. The next one was a bit of a surprise, but I expected it. That one day, I would be part of something big. Something you couldn't imagine. Wouldn't think of.

Well, what else can you do with a gift that only you have? Use it.

But it's up to you what you do with it.

I know what I'm going to do with it, and there's no force on Earth, down below or up above, that's going to stop me. One of the more powerful beings in the entire universe. But first…

"...I'm a cowboy," Selena sang softly and took her hands off the headphones, "I got the night on my side..." She nodded her head to the music and reached for a notebook inside her bag. She pulled it out, along with a pen, and flipped it open. "I'm wanted, dead or alive." Just as pen was about to meet paper, a hand reached down and snatched the notebook from the girl. "Hey!" The girl glared up at the person who took the notebook, but it faded quickly when she saw the giant holding her precious papers.

"Would you look at that?" The boy sneered down at Selena and flipped through the pages roughly. "The freak's got a diary."

"Give that back." She wanted to slap herself for the weak reply.

"Nope." He shook his head and closed the book. "This is good stuff."

"It's mine!" Selena jumped to her feet and reached for it, but she was pushed back down. Her head collided with the trunk of the tree she was leaning on just moments before and she opened her eyes to see stars. "...oh..." The boy laughed at her, along with a few others that were blurry in Selena's vision.

"Come get it, Valentine." The boy then turned around and ran, followed by a couple more. Selena shook the birds from her head and was about to get up when a foot crushed her left hand. She let out a scream and cradled the possibly broken bones just as the same foot slammed right into the spot between her shoulder and neck.

"What comes around," Selena groaned and held her aching neck as a girl came into her vision, "goes back around, freak." She spat down at Selena before running after the three boys. Selena felt a wave of warmth come behind her eyes and she closed them.

Weak.

"No." She croaked out and got up on her fours, keeping her weight on the wrist of her broken hand. She reached a hand for her bag, wincing when she stretched the sore trapezius muscle. A cry escaped form her mouth and the tears just dropped from her scrunched eyes.

You're so pathetic.

"Stop." Selena begged as her head dropped to the ground. She was still on her fours, so she curled into the position and placed her hands over her head. "Please. I can't help it."

"Selena?" A familiar, but friendly voice called to the girl, full of concern. "Selena!" The footfalls stopped beside Selena, and a pair of hands helped Selena up. The girl couldn't help but weep as Marlene moved her hair from her face and frown at her. "Selena, are you alright? What happened? Come on, tell me."

Even she uses her brain. She cares about others, unlike you.

Selena shook her head and moved away from Marlene.

"Selena, would you," the Asian took off, "Selena! Selena," Marlene picked up the discarded bag of her friend, threw whatever had fallen out into the bag, slung it over her shoulder and chased after Selena, "wait!"

And now you're going after a stupid diary?

It's my diary! Don't you know what that is?

I don't care, really.

Well you should! I write about everything in there! Everything! Including you!

What?! How stupid can you get?! Get that diary, you puny human!

What do you think I'm doing?! Dancing?!

Pfft.

Selena rolled her eyes and gritted her teeth as the four came into view. "Hey!" They looked back at her in surprise as Selena snatched the notebook out of the boy's hand. She kept her grip on the book, even when the girl tried to get it back. "Back off! This is mine!"

"Give it, you freak!"

"Go steal your own diary or something!"

"Leave her alone!" Marlene called out as she dropped the bags and stepped between Selena and the others, who stepped away from Selena. The Californian glared furiously at them. "Why can't you just leave her alone?!"

"Hello," one of the boys reached for the girl's arm, "Marlene." Marlene moved away from his touch, still glaring at them.

"Don't touch me." The boy ignored her resistance and gently caressed her arm.

"Why not, babe?" He was about to trail his hand to her face when she slapped it away.

"Don't touch me!" Selena frowned and pulled Marlene behind her.

"You're a disgusting leech." The boy turned his attention to her, a creepy smile on his face.

"But you're still a freak," Selena heard a gasp from Marlene as her body slammed into the wall, "no matter what."

"Selena!" Marlene called desperately to the girl, and she also wanted to help her friend, but she was being held back by Leech Boy. "Let me go!"

You're a disgrace to your kind. You can't even take care of yourself, or your friend.

"Back off." Selena muttered angrily as her hands curled, feeling something move inside her. The hands on her shoulders curled to, trying to inflict pain, but Selena couldn't feel anything but her anger. "I said," her voice went dangerously low and it came out as a growl, "back, off."

"And what are you going to do about it?"

"Probably a whole lot. If not, she's still got us." Everyone turned to Skipper, who was not smiling at the scene before him. Likewise were the expressions of Kowalski, Rico, Private and Barbie. The girl was darting from Selena to the boy holding onto Selena, and her fists looked about ready to swing into the latter. "Do you have any other demands that you want us to fill out?"

"The new guys." The boy rolled his eyes, his tone getting sarcastic. "What do you guys want?"

"You know," Kowalski smirked at him as he easily looked down at the shorter boy, "you might want to do the Math here. Seven against four is just not something you should be laughing at." Selena felt the boy's hands loosen their grip on her and she gave him a hard shove, making him stumble back.

The boy glared at Selena and reached out for her. "Why you-" Before he could get his hands on her, Kowalski grabbed him, lifted him off the ground and slammed him against the wall beside Selena, much to the shock of the others but Rico, Skipper, Barbie and Private.

"Leave her." He snarled at the boy, who blinked back at him in fear, his hands now raised in surrender.

What the hell? He was just OVER THERE seconds ago. And now...

Hey, this guy's cool. And fast. I like him already.

Wow. This is the first time I've heard you say you like a human, Angel.

He's not human, silly. The voice, or 'Angel', ended with a giggle, which left Selena even more mystified, not that it was a problem at the moment. She turned her attention back to Kowalski and the boy.

"Put me down, man. Just put me down. I'll leave her alone." He was released immediately and the boy didn't lose a second in escaping, along with the others.

"Thanks." Selena mumbled with a frown on her face before walking past him, picking up her bag and Marlene. She walked over to Marlene, with the same grim look on her face, and handed her bag to the brunette.

Marlene took the bag, eyeing Selena's left hand. Selena unconsciously rubbed her wrist, lowering it away from Marlene's line of sight. "How's your hand?"

"Fine." She shrugged, regretting it immediately when the sprained muscle in her neck stretched. She winced and rubbed it with her other hand. "Just sprained it when she kicked me."

What a liar.

Would you just shut it for like, two seconds?!

Okay.

Oh gawd. Selena sighed out loud. Seriously.

Angel just giggled. You're funny.

Agh.

"K-kicked?" Barbie and Private repeated in complete shock.

She was about to shrug again, but stopped at the first sign of pain and relaxed her shoulders. "Yeah. Nothing to it. T'was just one kick."

"S-Selena? You okay?" Selena was about to reply when she paused. The concern and worry in her cousin's voice was beyond her, but the stuttering? Barbie never stuttered, not that she knew before. Was she really that scared?

Well, you don't know her now, do you?

Selena continued staring at Barbie, brows creased in confusion and suspicion.

"Selena?" The blonde tried again, but there was no trace of nervousness this time. It was already gone. "Say something."

Selena rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, minding her broken hand. No need for anyone to fuss over it.

I thought you loved the attention?

"What can you say about a situation like this?"

"Oh gawd. I thought..." Barbie trailed off when she noticed her cousin's expression darken a bit. "Selena? Is something wrong?"

"Always has been." Selena spoke dryly. "You never noticed?"

"Um, well, I, am I supposed to?"

Selena rolled her eyes again and looked away. "Beats me. It's your life."

You're weak.

"Enough."

"What?"

She shook her head slowly, still aware of the painful reminder on her neck, and turned away again.

"Nothing."

You don't even have control over your own thoughts. Why am I stuck with you?

That's enough, child. It was the wise sounding voice again.

Would you stop with the child stuff? I wasn't born yesterday! We're practically the same..., same, uh, age!

But you keep repeating the same things like it were the only things you've learned.

Selena closed her eyes, frowning.

Would you two just stop it already? I've already got a headache and I don't need you two to make it worse.

"Selena?" Her eyes flew open and she looked over at Private. "Are you alright?" Selena closed her eyes again and slung her bag gently over her shoulder, keeping her grip on the strap.

"Peachy, P."

Ooh, peachy. I do like the taste of the sweet fruit the Earth offers. Wait, why'd you say that? You're not fruity. You don't even smell like a fruit. You don't look like one either.

For the love of...Selena and the other voice chorused.

"You sure? Maybe I should," the boy reached for Selena's bag, but the girl stepped back, giving him a glare.

"I'm capable."

Private blinked and his hand dropped to his side slowly.

"Oh-kay..."

What? Why'd you guys do that?

Peachy means 'fine', child.

STOP CALLING ME A CHILD! The voice screamed out, causing Selena to wince at the intensity and shiver involuntarily.

"Selena?" Marlene frowned at Selena. "Are you sure you're alright?" The girl merely looked back at her with a small smile, nodded and briskly walked away. She didn't want to talk to anyone now and she most definitely did not want anyone caring about her injuries. Not that anyone actually cared in the first place...well, maybe Marlene and Private, and maybe Barbie too...

Her thoughts were interrupted by her 'common sense'.

What is wrong with you? I thought you didn't want me to call you 'Angel'?

Oh, right. Continue.

Go and apologize to the master, now.

I'm not a child and I will not apologize to a lower life form.

Silly warrior. You still underestimate her.

I have yet to see something that will change my mind.

Selena sighed and drooped her shoulders. I am just not going to get a break.

No. The other two voices chorused and Selena sighed again, placing a hand on her head.

Why me again?

Because...because.

Oh Angel.

Don't say my name.

Selena rolled her eyes and picked up her pace, heading toward the abandoned bathroom behind the library.

Ah shut up already. I'm getting sick of you and your complaints. You're such a baby. I can't believe you're supposed to be a warrior. All you do so far is complain and act like a know-it-all brat.

Kitty! She's insulting me!

I warned you. Did you listen to me?

But she insulted me!

That is none of my business.

Selena had her head bowed, but she couldn't help the smile that came to her mouth.

Human, 1, Warrior, 0. How about that for a pathetic life form?

Very good, Master Selena.

Why is everyone against me?! The childish voice whined. What did I do?!