Within a day I had become a blonde. Not that I hadn't been a blond before, but the colour had been darker filled with brown and always looking as though it needed a good wash.

I told Roy Thea forced me, omitting my eagerness when propositioned. Professionally done, my hair had been cut and colored and I felt infinitely lighter. My hair had become golden, the sort the captures the sunlight and holds it there.

Sara laughed as I peeked at the bedroom mirror for a third time while Thea just grinned at her achievement.

'See I told you it'd look good!' She declared and Sara shook her head.

'I don't think she needed much convincing, Queen'

Thea invited us to the Queen family manor to get ready for the infamous birthday dinner, still refusing to tell me exactly where we were going. We had spent the morning shopping walking around the high-class district of Starling City. After borrowing a dress from Thea, I actually looked like I belonged, heels clicking on the pavement, our arms linked. Sara said the whole situation was ridiculous and scorned the high class boutiques in a successful campaign to annoy Thea, but I could tell from her face she enjoyed the day, stomping through the world of elite in a black leather jacket and combat boots.

I didn't care is Thea was treating me like a doll, I felt pretty in the borrowed clothes and new haircut.

People forget how much that can mean, feeling pretty. Dressing nicely made me feel put together, like I was unscrambling my brain, pulling together cohesive thoughts for the first time.

'Whens Roy getting here?' Sara asked, making me look up.

Today I was going to tell them. It didn't need to be everything, just the foundation and even for that, Roy's presence was essential.

'Should be soon, he'll flick me a text when he's at the gate'

'And you're sure there aren't any other friends you want to invite' Thea chimed for the sixth time. I took a breath.

'There isn't really anyone else' I tried out the truth 'Just Roy and me. Guess we were a bit self-absorbed when it came to others'

We didn't even try to make friends in elementary school, kept to ourselves, ignoring the world. I knew the sort of people he hung out now that I was gone, they usually weren't bad people but had a tendency to do bad things. Can't say we were any different, I'd committed my fair share of shoplifting and over excelled when it came to hacking.

My phone whistled, indicating Roy's arrival, causing Thea to leap forwards and rush downstairs. I didn't bother to go after her, instead waiting with Sara who seemed even ill at ease in the girlish bedroom of Thea Queen, choosing to stay perched at the edge of the canopy bed.

'To be honest I expected a little more pink' Sara said after catching my eye then looking around causing me too laugh. The room, though tasteful, but certainly did not need anymore pink.

Thea floated from the hallway, chatting rapidly while Roy made small grunts in agreement. He smiled when he saw me.

'Hey Blondie, you certainly live up to the name now' He gave my hair a flick but I saw his eyes darken. Dressing nicely could get you into trouble in the Glades and in previous years I'd become cautious at home with looser clothing and baseball caps.

The Glades. I was going to tell them today, Roy was here to make sure of it, but how does one even start that conversation. Do you scream it from the rooftops? Admit it guiltily? Slip the words casually into conversation?

'So should we get going then?' I pulled myself from the confessional pressure.

Thea nodded eagerly 'Yep, we'll leave once Tommy, Ollie, and Laurel arrive.'

Sara pulled a face as the last name was said, causing Roy and me to stifle a giggle.

'Yeah, yeah, I know. Laurel isn't exactly the picture of fun, but we can't not invite her'

I would have been happy with just us, and Barry of course. Tommy and Oliver paid little attention to me. The latter liked to flirt with Sara, making trouble between the sisters. They were playing a dangerous game that I didn't want any part of.

'And Barry will meet us down there, right?' Thea added, looking at me.

Barry had been reserved about the changes made in friendship circles, our trio becoming part of the cool crowd. I understood his feelings easier than Sara, who though disliked Thea was far more socially adept than either Barry or me.

Barry became silent in their company, only speaking up when prompted. He flustered more, saying the wrong things and causing his arms to wave about, desperate to amend misunderstandings. He made few good impressions on the Queen siblings. As consequence, Barry and I started spending time on our own, usually in the school labs. Forensics was his forte and I loved hearing him sing it. He'd still flounder his arms about trying convey the vastness of knowledge, something bigger than himself. His eyes would be alight and his voice became rapid. Then I'd catch his eye and he'd stop and just grin. I got it. I got what he was saying. I understood it. We'd stand there grinning cause we knew how rare that was.

Other people just called us nerds when the excitement we felt for science flooded into conversations, but with each other it was understanding.

Oliver's voice called from the lobby, indicating his arrival and our near departure. Thea raced about, grabbing her purse and coat, then changing them last minute to co-ordinate her outfit. Sara rolled her eyes and got up, pulling me with her.

We were an odd looking group. Oliver and Tommy were sporting suits, Laurel and Thea looked high end and glamorous, Roy and Sara came in black and leather, a hint of danger and rebel. Me? In a borrowed dress and new hair do, I certainly didn't look like my usual self. Awkward and lanky but there was potential, I wasn't as out of place as usual but neither did I fit in entirely.

The restaurant Thea choose was up market with stylish décor and sleek waiters. Roy and I made eye contact before he went back to examining his surroundings, taking note of the relaxed setting and casual purses slung on the backs of chairs. Wallets sticking from coat pockets. Idiot. My elbow connected with his ribs.

'Don't even think about it, stickyfingers' I hissed in his ear but his grin had already been passed to me.

'But they're just asking for it Fee, ain't nobody going to know' Now he was just goading me.

They seated us at a long table, Oliver somehow ending next to me as Roy subtly made his way to Thea's side. The boy was smitten by the girl and had shaken my warnings. Thea was lovely but fast relationships appeared to be a Queen family trait.

'How old you turning again, shortstuff?' Oliver asked suddenly, pulling me from my observations.

'Fifteen'. Finally.

'Aren't you a little young to be in my classes, or even Thea's?'

A voice from behind answered for me.

'Geniuses get special privileges… Happy Birthday, Felicity' Barry leaned in, giving me a hug and siting down to my other side, a small present placed on the table.

It was wrapped in pink striped paper with an orange bow.

My smile began to beam.

'I don't think I've ever been given a wrapped present before' I said absently, lifting up the small package and examining it with glee. I didn't want to open it, ruin the effect.

The boys were looking at me oddly.

'Just open it already' Roy called out to me from across the table.

My fingers played with the bow before finally tugging it and I meticulously peeled the tape. I had unattached the first corner of paper when the clear bell tone of my phone rang out, signaling an identified number. Barry waved a hand as I threw him an apologetic look and flipped my phone open.

Formal calls begin the same way. When Roy ended up in a jail cell, the police would call, I'd hacked into their computers and changed his contact details. His first minor demeanor ended him up in the foster system for two months and since then we had gained the particular talent of getting each other out of messes.

'Is this Miss Felicity Smoak, daughter of Donna Smoak?' the caller asked in the familiar but dreaded way. My eyes automatically landed on Roy, whose gaze still lay on Thea, hanging off her light laugh and rapid speech. Only Oliver and Barry had taken not of my call.

'Yes, this is she'

The boys' looks became more pointed. Phrases such as those rarely led to good news.

'Your mother has been admitted to Starling City Hospital earlier this evening, you're listed as her emergency contact detail'

'Okay, thank you, I'll be there as soon as possible' Automatic. The response sounded dry and wrong, unnatural. But else is there to say? Demand answers from people who probably knew minimal?

My hands smoothed my dress and in a strong voice I announced to a table already rambling with conversations:

'I better go'

Thea's head jolted up. I explained before her mouth formed words.

'My ma, she's in the hospital, I better go'

The last part cracked and Roy caught it, jumping on the word and forming the question.

'They say what for?'

My head tilted sideways. I didn't care who heard.

'You want to place your bet? Drug overdose or beating?'

Harsh and bitter. I was tired of this shit. Tired of the woman I loved with all my heart. The phone call always came, announcing the worse, causing stability to fracture. You could peel it like rotting wallpaper, bit by bit until the whole wall stood bare.

'I can take you' Oliver surprised me 'I'm the only one with a car' he added after a moment.

We stood, Sara and Thea rising too with determination.

My head fell and in a feeble attempt I reasoned

'But the dinner…' not even bothing to finish the sentence. These were my friends. Roy, Thea, Sara, and Barry didn't give a damn about the fancy restaurant and even Oliver was willing to rise to the occasion.

The car ride was silent. Thea kept her arm around me in a half hug while I sat stoic. Roy's face was as just about as grim as mine.

I should have told him about Mr. Wilson.

'Donna Smoak' I asked at the hospital reception, my voice surprisingly clear though I was leaning a little too heavily into Thea's supporting grip. A kindly nurse directed while offering a sympathetic smile as she regarded my age.

'Don't worry, you're father is already here. He's taking care of everything'

I gaped. From the end of the hall I could make out a dark looming figure, whose shape and stature came with dreaded familiarity.

'Fee…' Roy began.

I ducked out of Thea's grip and turned to my old friend. My bother, the only reliable family I had.

'Get out of here, Roy' Then adding to the others 'all of you, get out of here not'

Sara began to protest but Roy was already pushing them back down the hall, despite the struggles. I hoped my next words would silent them, a sacrifice that would lead to an inevitable explanation being made. Roy would come back but I knew he'd make sure the rest were safe.

'If you guys care about me, please, please leave'

My voice carried down the corridor and the figure turned. Mr. Wilson was not my father but I was pretty sure he was the man who claimed the title, if just for a day. His presence here made me sick with fear.

'Felicity' Mr. Wilson called and walked in quick strides towards me. He pulled me into an embrace, stating loudly.

'Your mother's going to be just fine, I promise' He said the words with care and comfort though his hand held the back of my neck and squeezed it firmly, pushing my head into his chest, so the soft yelp I made in response was muffled.

When he let go, Mr. Wilson took my hand like a small child and led me to my mother. The room was private, a nurse giving a small nod as she closed the door behind us.

Instinctively, I moved towards the hospital bed where tall blonde lay in amongst a mass of wires and beeping but strong hand pulled me back and forced me into a chair. Kneeling, Mr. Wilson caged me with his arms whilst staring intently.

'Your mother's been doing bad things, Felicity, Do you know anything about that?' He began, the tone of his voice still warm but edged with darkness and danger.

My head shook widely in answer, trying to peer around him at my injured mother.

Mr. Wilson chuckled and pulled away slightly.

'Well, what are we going to do about that, Love? Your mother won't be making any money for me now. Do you want to see her? She's quite a sight'

He nudged me with his foot when I didn't move.

'Get up and see'

Slowly I stood, my legs unreliable under my weight. He pushed me close to the bed, where the air stunk thickly of disinfectant, barely covering the stale stench of blood and open wounds. Her hands and face were covered in bandages so thick features could barely be distinguished.

'You'll have to trust me when I say she won't be a looker anymore, not with the scars, and those hands…. She had exceptionally pretty hands, it's a true pity' Mr. Wilson said. I could no longer tell if my shaking was from fear or anger. No matter which my tongue was held in a paralyzed terror.

The man directed me towards the seat again, this time sitting first and pulling me onto his lap, cradling me, as a father would to his distressed daughter. My paralysis snapped and attempted to disentangle myself from his grip but he held me firmly in place, chastising lightly.

'No, Love, you're going stay siting here, when the police come, you'll tell them I'm you father. I want you to look the part. Do you understand? Good. Now I'm going to ask you again, do you know why your mother is here?'

I shook my head, causing him to sigh.

'Your mother has been stealing from me. Not much, but its added up over the years. She didn't take my warning seriously and I felt I needed to amend that. But you see I have a problem, Felicity. That debt hers has grown larger, even more so since I'm paying for medical. I need that debt to be paid. As her daughter it passes to you. Unfair, particularly considering how young you are. But nevertheless, it needs to be paid. Do you know how you're going to do that?'

He asked without expecting an answer.

'I am not an unreasonable man. As long as you follow my rules, I will let you finish school, even attend university if you're good, I have heard your grades are exceptional, but you will work for me. You will work for me until I tell you otherwise. Do you understand?'

His hand came to my hair, petting it softly, and then moved to force my face towards his.

'Do you understand?'

Mr. Wilson repeated and I nodded. I wanted to shake my head, scream refusal, but rebellion died in my throat. The man seemed barely human, even with his soft tone.

'Good girl'

His grip loosened but I didn't move. The world had crashed. My world had crashed. It was gone, even with ma lying in a hospital bed I felt a burning anger towards her, the sort that's lit in the belly, mixing with worry and terror and the unmovable love I felt as a daughter.

Gone. Everything.

I had a future planned; the main goal had been escape. I wanted normality, an ordinary sort of goodness, be a person who never had to question right and wrong. A boring life filled with safety and security. Maybe I'd hack once or twice, I couldn't quite bare giving that up, but it wouldn't be so I could feed myself or pay next weeks rent. I would be good and I would be ordinary.

My whole body slumped, shoulders and head lowering, the tears broke forth without an introduction. shifted as he felt the salty water hit his hands. The man began to rock me, a small smile on his face.

'Sweetheart, it's the way it has to be, you're not like your mother. You'll be a good girl; you'll follow my instructions and you'll be loyal.'

When the police finally came we still in that position. I recognized the detective as Sara's dad; he looked at me intently with curiosity disguised by professionalism. When they asked my whether this man was my father I nodded.

The lies came easily to Mr. Wilson. Stating he found ma in alley when he came to pick me. His story spun a web that left little need for questioning.

'I think I'll take my daughter home now. It has been a trying day' the police nodded in understanding but Detective Lance, looking at me a little more firmly than the rest, spoke up.

'I think it's best if we talk to Felicity first'

I had met the man before in passing when he came to pick up Laurel and Sara from the school. His demeanor had been different then, his features softening as his daughters met him with running hugs. Now the man was hard. Not dark or cruel, but stern and honest, the material that made the best sort of cops.

He was looking at me, searching my face for truths and lies. My eyes found the floor and staunchly avoid the questioning gaze.

Mr. Wilson's voice came colder than before.

'My daughter has been at boarding school, besides, did you not capture the muggers? There is no need for questioning' the sentence secured his exit and his hand guided me to the door. I didn't intend to look back. I meant to keep my gaze firmly lowered and obedient. Looking over my shoulder was an instinct and catching Detective Lance's gaze a chance. Our eyes met and suddenly the past hour spread across my face. I looked at Detective Lance with a terrified expression and he understood.

Everything was wrong, terribly, terribly wrong.