The Love, Life, Lies, and Secrets of Angelina Cortex

Origins

Angela's Origin:

You could say that Angela had a troubling childhood. At the age of 9 months, her parents were killed and she was sent to an orphanage; separate from her older siblings. At 2 years, she was adopted by Mary and Lenard Cortex, a wealthy couple currently living in up-state New York. There, she was given a childhood most would die for, but she hated it. Her new parents were extremely paranoid, since their born child had died at 6 months and they didn't want just anyone to watch the new child. The Cortexes didn't trust nannies, as they thought that they would steal their money and skip town. Instead, they wanted her to go to a daycare, which was an even worse decision. The only place in town that would take a child that young was the local Karate school(I know that this sounds really bad and farfetched, but just go with it). So, at age 1, Angela had learned to walk and was sent to 'Clyde's School of Karate'.

There, Angela grew and developed a large sense of nobility and justice. She would automatically jump in front to take the beating for another child, but, because of her training, she would always take the bully down, not the other way around. Also while at the academy, she met her lifelong friend, Lily Angelalla, who, though the same age, had started at age 6. They were inseparable. Lily came from an average family, so becoming friends with Angela was a big deal. The Cortexes helped Lily's family through many hardships. They stayed friends until 6th grade, where Angela's parents decided to move to a small town just north of Boston. This was a major turning event in Angela's life.

Now, Angela had always knew that she was adopted, as her new parents were constantly reminding her. Whenever she messed up, they were on her and always would say that the reason for her failing was because that she was someone else's child. When she did well, they payed her no attention. When they decided to move, with her protesting, she realized that they didn't care about her well being, they only cared about her abilities. She had lot's.

Not only was Angela intelligent, she was also athletic and had an amazing voice. She was highly saught after by many schools and her parents chose the best. It was at the Private Regional Junior and High school where she completed grade school. It was here that she met her boyfriend, Alexander Porae. From day one, he had been hitting on her and she hated him at first, but then again, Angela had few friends in those years. It wasn't until they were Sophomores that she realized that she was in love with him. It was then that they became serious and stopped looking at other people. Alex was a week away from turning 18 when they graduated and Angela graduated at the young age of 16. They were both happy and had bright futures.

During that summer, Alex made a startling announcement; he was going to apply to become a soldier. Angela begged him not to go, but his mind could not be changed. The day that he left, he gave her a charm for the necklace that Angela had always wore. It was a key. Alex had said, "This is the key to my heart. As long as you have it, I will never look at another girl." She had slid it on to her necklace where it took its place along with the clear crystal and the dragon charm that she'd had for forever. They said goodbye that day, and Angela always thought back to that moment.

3 months later, they got the call that Alex was MIA. Angela refused to believe that he was dead along with his loving mother. Wanting to escape the place that had given her so much heartache, Angela called up her best friend Lily, and they agreed to go live together in NYC. Angela got a job as a reporter and Lily got a job as a secretary in Stark Tower.

They had been living at their apartment for a year and a half when tradgety struck; Lily had been hit by a car and was seriously injured. In order to pay the hospital bill, Angela had to work triple the time, but even that wasn't enough. Now she looked for other ways. She had a specific skill set and was willing to use it if it meant saving her friend. She took the first job that came to her and soon was the talk of the New York underworld. The press gave her the name the "Shifting Shadow" for that is all that was ever seen of her. She even made a signature around the sight of each kill. Angela was a very moral person, but, if it meant saving the life of what seemed to be her only friend, she would do it .

Angela had tried several times to get out of the business, but people always managed to find her again and she would be forced to take the job. This is where we find her; four years after Alex's disappearance and Angela's underworld life in full swing. This is where the real story begins.