Dagger

XVIII (part 1)

*Phoebe*

I never thought I'd be in a situation like this in life. As a kid I saw myself growing up and becoming a teacher when I got older. Richard would become a cop and we'd get a dog, probably a retired German Sheppard from the k-9 unit, named Baxter or Angus.  Never would I have dreamed I'd be caught up in Richard's world, a world full of villains and powers and who knows what else?

Now? Now I'm known as some supposedly extinct creature who is a danger to anyone and everyone with a single whistle. Thanks to that Aquaman, a man I once thought to be like an uncle, wanted to kill me.... I don't know if I can look at him the same way.

I dont even look at me the same way anymore.

I look into the reflection of the water, seeing vibrant shades of blue swirl around my already bright blue eyes, hair changing shades of blonde to a shining platinum when the water touches it.

Was I always like this?

A knock on the cave walls echo through the cavern.

"Phoebe? I need to speak with you." I always admired Diana, all of the amazonian women really, they took care of themselves. They are all fierce and independent yet somehow still gentle.

My eyes followed as she sat beside me  in the pool of water. We both looked into the opening across from us that allowed us to see out and the water from the pool to slowly stream out back into the ocean. The stars were so bright here, nothing like back in Gotham.

"Phoebe... You need to tell me what you know before I begin. What all can you tell be about your history?" Her accent made the words sound so smooth, as if it were an easy thing for me to do. I looked over at her, a cut from her left shoulder down to her elbow had healed mostly, except a faint line showing that it had existed at some point in time. I did that... I hurt Diana... and Bruce... and Grayson.... all of them in the room when I broke loose.

I looked back to my lap, looking at the reflection of the moon in the water.

"I dont know anything about me... The orphanage said I was dropped off by a man who had found me stuffed in a cardboard box with a note that said 'Take me' and a tattered sweater that they later found out was stolen from a homeless guy." I almost chuckle at the idea then a pang in my chest leads me more towards a whimper of sadness instead.

I felt Diana's eyes on me but refused to meet her gaze. "Can you tell me anything else? Has this ever happened before?"

She takes a section of my hair in her hand and pours water onto it with her other. We both watch as it glows a platinum shade, like light shining through an ivory sheet.

I'm quick to gently take my hair from her hands and brush it around my shoulders to my left side where Diana can no longer see it.

I meet her gaze when I see a look of pity shine over her features.

I look back to the water, not wanting to be pitied but instead just left alone... I was always better alone. In work, in life, in battle, I was on my own and it seemed to work just fine that way.

A tear slips down my face and into the water and I dont even notice until i see a trail of rainbow ripples flow through the water like a drop of ink. Surprised I look to Diana and notice the gash in her arm begin to close as skin generates and braids itself until the wound seems to have never existed at all.