I was accustomed to cruelty and violence, I was born into a terrible family. I had a father who was a drunk mean man who wasn't sober for a minute of his sorry little life and a mother, who was a beautiful woman with a heart of ice.

When I was around five years old I started showing signs of incredible abilities. I could freeze a cup of water into a block of ice or set a napkin on fire or hurtle rocks across the yard without touching them. That was also around the time when a mysterious man had shown up at our door and had taken me away. My mother, though cold and sometimes cruel, started screaming, she ran after the man as she screamed my name. But it was too late and he drove off, with a little me pounding on the window and screaming for my mother.

For five years I was tortured and used as a weapon, my hair was cut short and dyed into a dark shade of black, its easier to hide the blood with darker colors. I, who at the time was only ten years old, was a numb, lifeless version of my former self…

Four years later I was rescued by the justice league and taken to safety. I had been told stories about the famous superhero team from my handlers. But they were much better in person, they were kind as they asked me what my name was, I told them Helena, and where I was from, I didn't remember my old address anymore. I smiled for the first time in years as I walked out the door holding Superman's hand.

One year later I was sitting before Superman and Batman discussing if I was going to join the teen titans. I am fifteen years old now, my hair has grown down to my chin and is now dyed a bright white, a large contrast to my pitch black hair at the facility. I had been placed in a foster home after learning my mother had been murdered by my drunk father only two years after the kidnapping and now my father was in prison for life and I had no interest in seeing him.

"So Helena, how is your schooling going?" Superman asked, I smiled "Good, my teachers say I'm finally opening up to the other kids." I replied, Superman smiled "That's good, I'm glad you'll be able to make some friends."

"Hella, we wanted to ask you something before you leave." Batman butted in, I scowled at the nickname but didn't say anything, because I truly didn't mind the nickname. "What is it?" I said, sitting up and giving my full attention to the masked man.

"We've been looking more into your time at the facility, and we thought it best to send you to the teen titans. You will be under the care of Starfire, that is if you want to go of course." He explained, I kept quiet for a good minute or two before smiling "I'll go. I would like to." I confirmed.

"Great, you'll be leaving in two days. I will personally be escorting you." Batman said as he turned to Superman.

I smiled, I always thought I was going to end up being a puppet to the people who took I. I always believed I was going to become a villain, but this was my chance to prove to everyone that I was going to be good and do good things.

The two days flew by and before I knew it I was saying goodbye to my foster parents. The couple were very kind and gave me everything I could ever want, I was going to miss them so much.

My foster parents each gave me a kiss on the head before stepping back and smiling at me. "Be good Hella, do as you're told." My foster father said, I smiled at him "I always do. Thank you for all you have done for me. I hope I can see you guys again." I said, a few tears welled up in my eyes but I quickly whipped them away, waved goodbye and climbed into the car with Batman, or Bruce Wayne as he was right now.

I stared out the window as the car pulled away from the sidewalk curb of the apartment building. I turned to look at my lap as the building faded from my view, I started picking at my nails.

We sat in silence as the car merged onto the highway, I turned to look at all the cars flying by. I let my mind wander, I had been told there would be kids my age. But I had a lot of trouble communicating with kids my age. I hadn't had the proper interactions as a child and lacked most common social skills.

But she wasn't going to let that hold her back from trying to make friends.

Two hours later we pulled up to a large "T" shaped tower and I turned to Bruce as I smiled. "I won't be getting out of the car, but Starfire will be here soon. If you need anything you have my number in your phone. The contact is under B.W. okay?" He said, I nodded and gave him a bright smile "Thank you Mr Wayne. For everything." I replied, I quickly leaned over the console and hugged him. He stiffened for a moment before he relaxed and hugged me back.

I pulled away and popped the door open "Good luck kiddo." Bruce called as I closed the door, I pulled my suitcase and backpack out of the trunk and waved as he drove away.

I turned when I saw a tall woman walk through the glass doors, she smiled "Hello! Helena I presume?" She asked, and I nodded "Yeah, you're Starfire?" I asked, Starfire nodded "Yes but you can call me Kori." She confirmed, she helped me take my bag inside.

The second my body passed through the door I had two boys practically pounce on me. They started rattling off questions before I could answer them. Kori stepped in front of them and blocked me from their view.

"Boys. That is not how you greet a new member of the team." She reprimanded, the green boy pouted and the other huffed. "Sorry about that Helena." Kori apologized, noticing my slightly dazed state.

I smiled at her, "It's alright." I turned to the two boys and held my hand out "Hi, I'm Helena. I am fifteen." She greeted, the green boy smiled and shook her hand "Garfield." He greeted me, the other boy, who I assumed was hispanic smiled at me and gently shook my hand "I'm Jaime."

I smiled at them both "It's nice to meet you." I said, trying to act normal, but really inside I was freaking out, don't mess this up Helena! I noticed another boy leaned against the wall behind them and smiled at him. He rolled his eyes and stocked down the hall, I frowned but ignored it.

A girl my age appeared, she smiled at me "Hi, I'm Raven." She greeted me, I shook her hand and smiled "I'm Helena." I replied, I tried to stay calm as a few past flashes assaulted my mind. Her dark hair and pale skin was setting off something in my mind.

My hair used to be that dark, my skin used to be that pale from never seeing the sunlight. I gave her one more tight smile before turning back to Kori. "Is it alright if I see my room?" I asked, Kori smiled but I saw a hint of worry at my sudden mood change. "Of course. Follow me."

She and I walked to the elevator, I sighed as the doors slid closed. "Is something the matter Helena?" She asked, another image flashed in my mind and I gave a shaky nodded. I didn't dare speak, I was afraid my voice would crack.

She didn't look convinced. "Do you not like Raven?" She prodded, I rubbed my eyes "No, she was very nice. I hope we can be friends. It's just…her hair and skin tone. I know it sounds stupid but before I was rescued I was in a facility and they dyed my hair black and my skin was really pale from not getting any sunlight. But I'll be fine." I explained, Kori nodded "It's not stupid Helena. It was a traumatic time for you. But if you say you're going to be okay, I'll trust you."

I smiled at her as she led me down the hallway and to a door. She unlocked the door and pushed it open. I followed her inside and smiled, it was a nice room. A large bed, a small bathroom with a shower, a desk, a closet and dresser. It would be perfect.

"We can go shopping tomorrow for some decorations and new comforters if you'd like." Kori offered, and I smiled, "That would be awesome, thanks." I said as I plopped my backpack onto the floor and sat on the edge of my bed.

Kori made her way to the door "Dinner should be in about an hour, you can come down whenever though." She told me, I nodded my understanding and she left, closing the door behind her.

I stood from my bed and pulled my suitcase over to the dresser, where I folded all my jeans and shorts and placed them in the correct drawers. Next I stuffed my underwear and socks into the top two drawers and then I made my way over to the closet where I started hanging up my dresses and shirts. I set my shoes on the floor of the closet and called it good.

I stuffed my suitcase into the back of my closet and made my way over to my backpack, I pulled out my phone and phone charger, I placed my phone on the nightstand and plugged my charger in. Next I pulled out my computer and its charger and put them on my desk.

I pulled out my small black and brown tiger that I had grown attached to, as it had been the only personal item I had in the facility, and set it on my bed. I unpacked my toiletries and set them in the bathroom. Then I shoved my backpack into the back of my closet beside my suitcase and called it good.

I picked up my phone and looked at the time, it had already been forty five minutes. I stuffed my phone into the back pocket of my jean shorts and exited my room. I walked down the hall to the elevator and stopped when I realized I had no clue where the kitchen or anything for that matter was.

Before I could do anything the elevator doors swung open and the same boy that was leaning against the wall earlier appeared. I stared at him for a few seconds before he finally broke the silence "You're the new girl?" He asked and I nodded "Yeah, my name is Helena." I explained, he nodded and looked me up and down.

"Damian."

I gave him a shy smile. "Would you mind showing me where the kitchen is…I have no idea where it is." I asked, he stared at me for a few seconds before nodding. I climbed in the elevator with him and watched as he pressed the second floor button.

It was only a few minutes standing in the elevator but it felt like an eternity. I hadn't gotten a close look at him when he was leaning against the wall but now that I had really seen him, I realized he was quite cute.

He had dark black hair, which made me a little uneasy but it wasn't his fault, that was styled back and dark green eyes that seemed to analyze everything about you in two seconds. He had on black jeans and a white t-shirt, which seemed to match his personality.

"Kori informed us you would be joining the team. Do you have any combat skills?" He asked, breaking the silence once more. I nodded, "Yeah, I've been trained since I was ten." I answered, he looked over at me "So you are the girl my father rescued." He said, I frowned "I'm sorry?" I asked, I was very confused. "My father is Bruce Wayne. He informed me about you." He stated, I blinked at him "I was wondering why you looked so familiar." I exclaimed, he looked taken aback by my excited outburst.

I mentally smacked myself. "Sorry, I'm not good at talking to people." I explained, he nodded "I noticed." He replied, it that felt like a jab to the gut. Even though it was the truth, I cast my eyes to the floor and stopped talking. I saw him frown but I didn't say anything.

Finally the elevator doors swung open and I was greeted by Garfield's excited face, I smiled at him "Kori just sent me to get you, looks like mystery boy found you first." He said with a chuckle but I could see a warning look in his eyes, weird.

I glanced at Damian who had a death glare placed on Garfield's form, I furrowed my brow and stepped out of the elevator. "Thank you for helping me Damian." I said to the taller boy, he gave me a slight nod and stepped out of the elevator as well.

Garfield started talking my ear off as we walked down the hall to where I assumed the kitchen was. I looked over my shoulder and noticed Damian turned and went into another room.

Garfield turned towards me "I'm surprised he talked to you so fast. He usually takes a couple of days to talk to new people." He explained, I frowned "Why?" I asked, Garfield shrugged "He's not very social. He's also kinda rude, but you grow to like that about him or hate it. You never know, it depends." He stated, I let out a small laugh and we continued down the hall to the kitchen.

Garfield finally led me to a room, it had a large kitchen with an island in the middle with barstools. Raven and Jaime were already there talking to each other. I saw Kori stirring something on the stove and a man I didn't recognize beside her. Garfield sat down beside Jaime and I sat on the other side of Garfield.

The man turned and smiled at me, he had dark hair and a friendly smile. I smiled back at him "You must be Helena! Kori told me about you." The man greeted, and I nodded "And you are…?" I prodded. "Oh, right. I'm Dick Grayson."

I smiled at him and glanced down at the bowl Kori placed before me, it was chicken tortilla soup. I brightened at one of my favorite meals and thanked the tall women "No problem Helena. We were informed this was your favorite meal and we wanted to make you feel at home here!' She exclaimed, I smiled even brighter "That's really nice of you! Thanks!" I exclaimed as I picked up my spoon and dug in. The others had already started eating.

"Dick will you go find Damian and tell him it's dinner time?" Kori asked, Grayson nodded and walked out of the room. I sighed as the warm soup glided down my throat. Five minutes later Grayson came back with a very grumpy looking Damian, who reluctantly took a bowl and sat down beside me.

Kori glanced at Grayson in surprise, maybe it was weird for him to sit by the newbie? But Damian hadn't been rude, maybe a little distant towards me but that was expected because I was new.

I glanced over at Garfield who had already finished his soup and was asking for seconds, Kori served him some more and he went back to scarfing his food down. I focused on my meal and enjoyed the delicious soup exploding my mouth with flavor.

"Helena?" A voice spoke.

I looked up and saw Kori staring at me, I smiled "Training starts at nine o'clock tomorrow. Okay?" She asked, I smiled wider and nodded enthusiastically "Yeah! That sounds great!" I replied, she nodded and I went back to my food.

When I was finished I placed my dishes in the dishwater and was told about the chore list. I told them I was happy with any chore they wanted to give me. We ended up settling on cleaning the main room twice a week.

I finally left the kitchen and climbed into the elevator to head back to my bedroom. The doors had almost closed when a hand shot out and opened it. I looked up in surprise and was greeted by Damians scowling face. I gave him a small smile, which he returned with a blank stare.

He went to press one of the floors but he saw that the button he was going to press was already lit up. I guess we shared a floor?

We stood in silence as the elevator dinged with every floor, I stared hard at the ground, like it would suddenly turn into a bunch of pink trolls in tutus.

Finally the door dinged open and Damian stepped out, I followed after him but my room was on the opposite end of the hall then his. I turned down the hall but I turned when he cleared his throat.

"It was nice meeting you Helena." He said and before I got the chance to respond he speed walked down the hall and entered his room. I smiled and carried on my way down the hall, I opened my door and plopped down on the bed.

I stared at the ceiling for a few seconds before rising to my feet and walking into the bathroom. I brushed my teeth and hair, then washed my face. I I pranced out of the bathroom and changed into my pj's. Which consisted of some baggy silk shorts and a wife beater tank top that said "Just Do It".

I pulled back the unfamiliar bed sheets and comforter and laid down on the soft mattress. I set an eight thirty alarm on my cell phone before turning my ringtone all the way up and closing my eyes, a tired sigh escaped my lips as I drifted off to sleep.