The Greatest Enigma

5. Wolfsbane

Raven awoke in a strange white room where everything looked plastic and sciency. Eugh. She hates scientists. It was them who made her like this. Made her the monster she was today.

Raven was an orphan, her parents killed in a fire when she was 3 months old. Raven still had no idea how she survived the blaze but she had. Although sometimes she wished she hadn't. That she had perished with her parents. She moved to a children’s home called the Institution. She stayed there until she was five-years of age. She was reasonably happy there, until one day she was taken away in her sleep. She awoke in a room much like the one she was in now. The scientists there grafted the DNA of a genetically-enhanced super-wolf known only as the Darkness onto Raven's human DNA. It was her 96% human 4% Super-wolf genes that gave her the super speed, strength and agility. It also surfaced in times of stress. When she felt threatened her Darkness DNA would manifest itself, physically changing her appearance into that of the towering beast known as Dark Raven. It was a curse. Although it did have its perks...

The sound of a sliding door interrupted Ravens' reminiscing. A mirror covered the length of one wall so she saw their reflection before they even entered the room. She turned to glare at her attackers, studying the one who’s had been previously hooded for the first time. He had a peculiar face which was attractive but unlike anything she had ever seen before. Unable to describe his foreign beauty, she turned her attention once more to the wall at the far end of the room.

"Raven". Raven continued to stare at the wall, ignoring the unfamiliar voice of her second attacker.

"I am a detective. You may address me as E. This here is Spring-Heeled Jack", Jack winked at her. Eugh. In your dreams big foot. Raven ignored Jack as E explained Enigma's killings and how hhe left no obvious mark on his victims.

"I am putting together a covert taskforce to track down and stop Engima. I don not usually show my face like this but I feel that if we are going to be working together, we need to be able to trust each other".

Raven was shocked. "Are you seriously asking me to join this "covert taskforce" of yours!?" she creid.

"That's correct". Raven was lost for words. Just yesterday she had been a runaway freak and now she was being recruited into  a top-secret organsimation bent on catching a surfaceing mass murderer.

"Why me?" Raven asked in a shaky voice.

"Because", E paused, "I thought your abilities would be useful in our investigation. And after that brilliant display yesterday, I-"

"That was yesterday?" Raven interrupted.

"Yes. Sorry about what I did. I-"

"That was you?" Raven interrupted once more.

"You know Raven, you really should let people finish their sentences. It's rude to interrupt"

"Sorry" Raven looked at the floor sheepishly.

"But yes that was me who did that to you - I apoligise again. You were out for 14 hours so yes it's sunday now. And after that brilliant-" Jack's growl stopped E talking yet again. "For christ's  sake people!" E glared at Jack until be backed away. "Now. After seeing your abilities first hand I feel even more strongly about having you work with us".

Raven nodded slowly.

"Of course", E added, "If you accept my offer, I will train you to the best of my ability. I will teach you to control the Darkness. To allow it to surface only when you want it to. And to be in total control when that is. So?" Raven couldn't believe it.

"Hypothetically speaking, if I agreed to join. Would I need a nickname?"

"I think that it would be a good idea to protect your identity", E mused, "What did you have in mind?"

"Still hypothetically of course, how about... Wolfsbane".

"Wolfsbane. So, what do you say? We could really use your help"

"Well", Wolfsbane grinned, "If you really need me..."