Now, I wasn't always as I am now. I wasn't always this strong. This powerful. This invulnerable. Once I was normal I guess. I look back on my childhood often these days. I remember a time when I could hug my mother without a worry of hurting her, killing her. I have kept my life a secret for so long now that sometimes I forget which doors I have opened and which remain closed. I admit that it does fill me with sorrow, but I have also accepted my lot in life. I no longer look forward to happy endings. There are no more happy endings.

Before

"Come on now Suzanna. We are going to be late!"

"Here ah come momma! Ah'm coming!"

The little girl ran up to her mother panting for breath. She was an exceptionally beautiful little girl. She had amazing green eyes that could calm the angriest of men. Her hair was a shiny auburn with thin white streak that ran down the middle. Her mother always wondered how her daughter had been blessed with such a mark. One might think that it would distract from the girl's beauty, that is until they saw her. Then that person would realize that some things are just meant to be.

The woman loved to dote upon her lovely little daughter. The girl was only five but had a sense of honor that would shame most adults. It seemed that no matter how much you gave the little girl she would always want to turn around and give the gift to someone she thought needed it more. The woman's swelled up with pride as she took her young daughter's hand and began to lead her towards the bus station.

The lady smiled upon her and Suzanna's arrival to the bus station. They had made very good time. Now all that was left was to wait for the bus. She decided to play with her daughter for a few moments.

"Suzanna just look at you!" The woman said in mock anger. "Your face and hands are covered in dirt!"

"A'hm sorry momma. I just want to play one last time with Robby" The girl looked sad at the mention of her dog.

"Well don't you worry my beautiful little pirate we will get you cleaned up soon enough."

"Ah'm a pirate momma? Wow that is exciting! Can Ah have a name too? A real pirate name?"

"Well I don't see why not. Especially since you are one very ferocious pirate." The woman smiled as she watched her young daughter make all sorts of faces that were intended to show just how ferocious she was. "Well lets see what shall we call you? Hmm Blade? No. Scar? Nope that won't do either. I've got it! We will call you Rogue! Oh yes indeed you do look like a rogue! What do you think about that?"

"Ah like it momma! Can Ah be called Rogue from now on instead of mah real name? Please?"

"I will tell you what." The woman smiled at her daughter. "We can call you Rogue when we are not in public ok?"

"Ok momma!" The girl threw herself into her mothers arms.

Now

I have fallen in love. I told myself I would never do that. Ever. His name is Remy LeBeau. He is that type that mothers warn their daughters about I think. I love him though. Like me he is far from perfect. I almost made the mistake of judging him for it though. Almost. Dear god Remy how I love you...

Then

"Suza..."

"Its Rogue momma! Can't you remember?"

"Ok its Rogue I remember. Now can you do as I asked and go and fetch the laundry?"

The girl sighed and stomped up the stairs of their small home. The woman loved the house though. Ever since she and her daughter ran away from their life three years ago the small house provided a safe haven for them. The place felt more like home than any mansion she had ever lived in. The woman watched as her rebellious young daughter returned with the laundry. The girl was still very pretty. She seemed to be passing over that awkwardness that grasps most girls at a young age. Her daughter had become a "tomboy" though. The woman smiled over that fact. Prehaps the name Rogue did fit her after all.

Now

Sitting here at dinner most of the X-Men are laughing and talking. All of us for the most part adapt very well to our situation. We all have bad days though. Days where the coping is harder than normal. I seem to be suffering through one of those now. I look up to see Jean staring at me. She has always been observant.

Then

"Damn you woman! How did you think you could run from me? You knew I would stop at nothing to find you right?"

The woman could only stare at him in disbelief. Oh what a fool she thought she was. She should have known this would happen one day. He had always been such a possessive man and she had taken his pride away. She knew she was going to die.

"Well slut what is it? What have you been doing? Selling your body? Where is my daughter you whore!" He punched her in the face. Once. Twice. Three times. "Where is she?"

The woman knew that the girl was standing just outside the door. She had heard her walk up several minutes ago. Now she could only hope that Suzanna would run away from this man who was her father.

"Don't you even worry about it? I will find her." He smiled. Malice. "But I am going to kill you first. I am going to give you what you deserve!" With that he dropped her to the floor and proceeded to kick his wife until her body seemed to be a stained color of red. After that he knelt down and used his fists upon her until he had skinned his own flesh off of his hands. Outside Suzanna watched her mother die brutally at the hands of her father.

Now

I think we all take turns sitting on the roof. It has become that quiet place for many of us. I love the stars. They are so beautiful. So lovely. The night sky seems to be a deep blue rather than a black. He is walking up to me now as I knew he would. I don't even turn. As he puts the blanket around my shoulders as he has done so many times before I relax and lean back. He starts whispering words of love into my ear. I believe him. I let him take the pain away.

Then

The young girl ran as fast as she could. She knew if she did not then he would catch her. So she ran. Eventually she got tired and stumbled on her path. As she started to stand though she saw a woman before her. The girl stared in amazement at the most beautiful woman she had by far ever seen.

"Hello do you have a name?"

"Yes ma'am mah name is Rogue."

"Is that your real name?" The woman looked doubtful.

"No, but from here on out it will be."

The beautiful woman seemed to consider this for a moment before she spoke again. "Well then Rogue you may call me Mystique. I am here to help you."

The End