Heroes

Chapter 4

Annabelle walked out of Lucas's tent and into her own. She unhooked her sapphire necklace and the disguise faded. She looked at herself in the mirror and sighed.

Her cobalt skin was dotted with lines and bumps. She felt like a piece of exotic art, one that people would look at with amazement, contempt, and a little fear. Her hair was navy with green, like a peacock's feather, and soft like a birds down. Her eyes, as always, were a rich blue, seeing what others couldn't see. The truth behind the masks that every person wore to hide their true selves.

And what she saw in herself was a freak.

She hung the necklace around her neck once more and glanced at her reflection again. Every person saw what they most desired in themselves when they looked at her. She saw a tall, fair skinned woman with silky blonde hair and forest green eyes. No more blue. No more feathery hair. No more gifts.

But at the same time, she liked her gift. At the same time, she was happy to be herself.

At the same time, she wanted to be free.

💎💎💎💎

Annabelle looked at her master. She loathed him, but she knew that escape was not possible. She painted a picture of smiling, willful servitude in her face and tried not to vomit as he spoke.

"Jessi," she hated that name, she despised it. It wasn't hers, it was someone else's. "You must keep that boy alive at all costs. He is... Very valuable at the moment."

"Of course, sir."

"If you fail..." He trailed off. If she failed, she would be tortured, then killed.

"I won't."

"I'll hold you to that," he said with a smile. "Now go."

Annabelle bowed, then left the room.

A/N

I realized about part way through writing it that she looks a lot like Raven from X-Men. That was completely unintentional, but you can use her (Raven) as a reference to her (Annabelle's) appearance.

Just thought I'd mention that. :)

LH