Not Quite Human

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

There's also some swearing in this chapter, well in almost every chapter but this time I'm letting you all know in advance.

Thinking

Speaking

Alternate Personality/Mask Speech

Chapter 5: Aftermath

My hands were bleeding by the time I dragged my sorry ass back into my room. I could hear everyone in the other parts of the house but I didn't care. I walked into my bathroom and cleaned myself off. I still was hot around the collar and I wanted to hit something. I stormed over to my closet and started hooking up my claws and the new grappling thingy that Batman left me. I had just attached my mask when Randi walked into my room. I turned my face towards her and she looked as pissed as I felt.

"Going out again already?" Her makeup was smudged and her hair was a mess.

"Yes. I'm not sure when I'll be bothered to come back." I slammed my closet door closed and walked towards my window.

"Bernard's an ass. I've told you that from day one. Stop acting like this is some new thing." She grabbed my shoulder and I flung around and pushed her off.

"Some new thing? I'm not some fucking charity case that lives down the hall. I'm not some freak that you throw a leash on because your ashamed to have me seen in public!" My anger seemed to fuel her own and she pushed me.

"Fuck you too then. Bernard's my friend and I don't give a shit if he threw your ass of a building. Your supposed to be the bigger person, be the calm one in this family." She was beating against my chest but with the metal I was sure she was hurting more then I was.

"I'm the calm one? I spent my entire life being called the freak of the family. I'm sick and tired of having that word thrown at me by some guy who can't even be bothered to know me. It's one thing if you call me a freak its another if he does. If you want to put up with his bull shit then go right ahead. If you want me to move out then let me know how long I have to pack."

"Your not going anywhere. You're my sister and I'm not letting you live alone in this city. You need to go run around and beat shit up then go right ahead. When your done I'll be here with some coffee and we can pretend that nothing happened. Max will talk to Bernard and we'll all have our heads screwed on right by morning." She sighed and rubbed her forehead. She needed to have a screaming match as much as I did it seemed.

"I'll be back later. Make sure to have plenty of coffee ready for me. I'm gonna need it." I jumped from the window and took off nearly running along the side of the building. After about six stupidly risky jumps I was at the top of a building trying to catch my breath. Everything hurt but I wanted to push myself further. A flashing light in the corner of my vision alerted me to a call. I didn't bother to see who it was I just pushed the button. "What?"

"My, my how angry you sound." The voice was so familiar but I couldn't quite place it. I checked the incoming number but it wasn't anything I had programmed in.

"Who is this?" I looked around to see if anyone was nearby trying to jack into my computer.

"Oh don't worry who this is. I'm more worried about those last few jumps you did. They were sloppy. A girl could get hurt from such reckless antics." The voice clicked and I remembered the man who bought me drinks at the lounge. How did he manage to contact me. I never gave out my number or anything.

"You're the man from the lounge, the one who bought me a drink." I heard him chuckle on the other end of the call.

"Oh you do have a quick mind. How about a little riddle?"

"Sure why not?" It wasn't like I had anything better to do. This was the longest conversation I'd had with anyone who wasn't in the family.

"Why is an orange like a bell?" I didn't even blink before I answered him.

"Because they both need to be peeled."

"Oh that was an easy one wasn't it. How about this? Why is a quarrel like a bargain?"

"Because it takes two to make one."

"Oh I'm making these too easy. Try this one on for size. There are three men in a boat with a pack of cigarettes but no matches. How did they manage to smoke?" I rolled my eyes and held back a sigh.

"They threw one cigarette overboard and the boat became a cigarette lighter." I thought that he hung up on me because he became silent for several moments. The soft hiss of the connection was the only thing letting me know he was still there.

"You are the quick one aren't you? I won't bother you anymore tonight my little demon but keep my number on file, I'll be calling you again later. Oh you can be sure of that." He ended the call and I was left confused. Maybe my sister was right to leave this guy alone. I saved his number anyways under the name 'stalker' until I could find a better name for him. Maybe something about puzzles? I shrugged and took in my surroundings. He must have been watching me from somewhere but were exactly? I didn't see any open windows or cameras and I shivered a bit inside. I didn't like being watched by someone I couldn't see. It was bad enough I would have the Batman and his Robin on my tail but now this guy? I rubbed my hands up and down my arms before taking off again.

I spent all night running and making stupidly rash leaps. It was surprising that I wasn't lying in an alley somewhere bleeding. I crawled into my window and locked it behind me. After closing the drapes I stripped and headed for the shower. I still had chills so I took a nice hot shower. The steam helped calm my nerves and I scrubbed myself until my skin was as red as my hair. Stepping out of the shower I dried off before wrapping a towel around my body and heading back into my room to dress. A pair of jeans and a t-shirt later and I padded out into the kitchen. There was a fresh pot of coffee but no one came out to greet me. I sat down with my mug and drained the whole pot. I really wasn't into watching TV but seeing as everyone was avoiding me I curled up on my obsessive green couch and flipped around the channels. I passed out in the middle of some campy horror movie that really didn't seem to have a plot. It was basically just a gore fest with boobs.

I woke up covered with a blanket and a pillow shoved under my head. I was still groggy so I rolled over and was trying to get back to sleep. The crinkle of paper woke me up as I pulled a slip from between myself and the couch. 'Went into town with the guys. Not sure when we'll be back so do whatever. ~R'.

"Well at least she left a note." Rubbing my eyes I sat up and looked for my glasses. They were wrapped around my empty mug and I slid them on. As the world slid into focus I had the feeling that someone was watching me. I looked around and saw a figure in the kitchen. Grabbing my mug I crept off the couch and as silently as I could towards it. Just before I could clobber the figure with my mug he spun around and grabbed my wrist.

"Careful with that now." It was a man wearing a strange costume. He had a black hood and black mask, yellow cape, red armored top, black armored gloves and black pants. He had a big R on his chest in yellow.

"Your trespassing." I frowned as he pulled the mug from my hand and I watched him walk over to the coffee pot and pour me another cup. He popped a few sugars into it before handing it back to me.

"I'm babysitting. And I hear you like coffee." He smirked and handed me the cup back. I cautiously took a sip and was rewarded by awesome coffee. I was almost glad I didn't have to break my mug.

"I don't need a babysitter." I sighed as I noticed he was staring at my eyes. This guy wasn't much for subtlety.

"According to Batman you do." He crossed his arms over his chest and almost looked as upset as I was.

"Let me guess, you had a date and needed to cancel to watch over little old me?" I smirked into my coffee. If I was going to be miserable I wanted him to be too.

"That's none of your business."

"I could always throw you out of the apartment then you could just swing by your date." I eyed the kitchen window before looking back at him.

"Now how could you throw me out the window. Your just a woman." I saw red. Setting my cup down on the counter I opened the window before looking back at him.

"Just a woman?" I walked over and before he could react I kicked his legs out from under him and picked him up like a bag of potatoes. I slung him over my shoulder before marching over to the window and chucking him out as hard as I could. He sailed several feet through the air and I slammed the window closed. He didn't hit the ground and moments later he was grappling away towards downtown. "Oh I see what you did there." Huffing I went back to my coffee. Dude was a total ass. I was in the mood to go out now. Instead of putting on my suit I slipped into a pair of tights and jean shorts that only went to mid thigh. I slipped into a tight green and purple shirt before slipping my armored boots onto my feet. There was a club downtown that was screaming my name. Randi took me once but it seemed kind of ratty to me before but now I was interested. Tying my hair up I gave in and went to slip some make up on. Nothing major just some green eye shadow, I only stared at it for ten minutes, and some pink lipstick. I checked to make sure there wasn't anything caught in my fangs before grabbing some cash and stuffing it in my bra along with my ID. I made sure my window was unlocked before leaving the apartment. Who needs a key anyways?

I made it to the club and got right in. The bouncer nearly had his eyes pop out of my head as he ushered me in. I ignored the bar and instead threw myself into the writhing mass of bodies on the dance floor. I usually didn't like clubs but tonight I didn't care that people were avoiding me and leaving me space to dance. I could move my hips like nobodies business and I just wanted to dance. The song switched to an awesome club mix that I recognized, Dj Muratti's club mix. I was shaking my hips and enjoying the hell out of the music before I felt a body behind mine. An arm slid around my waist and I felt a body press up against my back. I felt a strong chest against my back and his hips moved in time with my own. I enjoyed the feeling as he matched every move with his own. I was into the beat and soon we were pressing even closer together and his hand never left my hip. I could tell he was taller then me, his chin would brush the top of my head from time to time. I couldn't help being so short, even though only being 5'3" did have its advantages. He danced with me for so long I could feel sweat between our bodies. Everyone was giving us a wide berth by now and I wondered who my mystery dancer was. I looked down and saw only a strong pale arm around me. His nails were shining as if he'd just gotten a manicure. I wanted to turn to see his face but a pair of soft lips by my ear stopped me.

"Lets leave the mystery for now. I'll come back for you later, thanks for the dance." His voice was dripping sex and I groaned inwardly. His lips moved to the side of my neck and gave me a quick nip before the arm was gone. I turned to see who might have been there but I might as well have been alone. Everyone was still dancing but no one would meet my eyes. My body was humming and I soon turned back to the music and lost myself once again to the beats and lighting. I'd never had a guy willingly hold me like that before and I liked it. After a few more songs I made my way to the bar and got a bottle of water.

I was drenched in sweat and my blood was pounding in my veins. I felt amazing, all the stress from the past few weeks was gone. Once my water was gone I decided that it was time to head back home before I was to tired to pull my ass up the side of a building. The air outside was chilly and I rubbed my arms as my sweat was making my clothes stick to my frame. I made my way to my building and took a running leap. I was up and through my window in no time. I sat straddling my window for awhile just looking out at the city. Before I could fall asleep where I was sitting I pulled myself inside and shut the window behind me. I made it to my shower and started ripping my clothes off but stopped to sniff my shirt. I could smell him still in the fabric, something masculine that permeated and fused itself with my clothing. I groaned again and got my shower started. Stepping inside the cold water I scrubbed my body raw to strip the sweat from my skin. Once I was done I slipped into a big fuzzy towel and headed to my room to dress for the night. I was still alone so I slipped into a pair of booty shorts and a white tank top.

The coffee was cold but there was still almost a full pot so I poured myself another glass and nuked the liquid in the microwave. I danced my way to the couch while sipping the now hot beverage. Curling up on the couch I flipped on the TV and flipped through the channels. I found another campy horror movie and managed to stay up during the entire thing. Sometime around two in the morning I heard stomping up the stairs and my sister and her two male companions drunkenly stumbled into the apartment. Max picked her up and with a squeal and carried her into her room. I sighed and clicked off the TV. I didn't want to hear this. Bernard slammed the door closed and moved to catch me before I could get to my door. I moved to kick him away but he pushed me to knock me off balance.

"Leave me the fuck alone Bernard." I was growling.

"I told you to leave. Why are you still here?" He was slurring his words and his eyes were unfocused.

"I live here. You want me gone so bad then you move your happy ass out." I tried to bite his arm but he yanked it away. Smoothing his hair with a shaky hand he tried to stand fully upright but nearly fell over. I made no move to catch him.

"This is bull D. All you ever do is drive people away and make our lives hell."

"Is this about that time when I threw that guy out the window at the club for bumping into me?" I rubbed my temple, I had a headache forming and wanted to be alone.

"You always throw people away when they try to get close to you. I've seen the way men look at you and you just ignore them." He was back in my face, the smell of alcohol was strong on his breath.

"Everyone looks at me like I'm a freak. And why the hell should you care, you can get any woman to throw herself on you any day of the week." I pushed him away and walked into my room. I slammed the door behind me and locked it. I heard his body hit the door and shake the knob as if it would let him in.

"I can't get any woman I want D. I still don't have you." I heard him slam against the door before stumbling back to his room. I brushed his comment off as a drunken rant that he would rather forget by morning. I pulled my mask from my closet and slipped it on to play some music to drown out the impending noise. Curling up under my covers I fell asleep with a beat pounding in my ears and music tapping in my toes. I dreamt I was back in the club dancing with my mystery man. The beats pounding through both our bodies and our sweat dripping down to the floor. I really wanted to see his face now.