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xxxxxUnlike many other mutants, Fiona was born with her mutation. One might think that, given her red skin, yellow eyes, and tail, her parents, family, heck the whole town might have abandoned her. She was born in Small Town, Flyover Country, USA after all.
xxxxxThis didn't really happen though. In fact, Fiona lived a rather idyllic life in that small town. Her dad was a well respected doctor - not rich but well enough off. Her mother, a school teacher. Fiona herself was the second of two kids, with an older brother.
xxxxxShe spent most of her time reading, fishing, and generally just goofing off with other local kids and her brother - blissfully mostly unaware of what was going on in the nation at large. She was even in the school band! Yea, some kind of registration act? Didn't seem like a big deal.
xxxxxIn a town like hers, everyone knew everyone and most people were careful to keep the mutant in their midst on the downlow. People in general, especially in the rural Midwest, were NOT so accepting. They knew this.
xxxxxSo it was odd when the threats started coming in. Letters left in her locker, to her family. Leave town, or else. People were appalled. Nobody took responsibility. Who hated them? Why? Rumors swirled about strange faces seen around town, asking questions they probably should not have been.
xxxxxThen suddenly, the evening after a big football game with another town, it happened. Upon arriving home, her house was strangely dark. She entered, and heard a metallic click and something cold against her head.
xxxxxThat's a good freak. Don't you go moving now, trash, a gruff voice spoke.
xxxxxFiona was filled with panic, shaking.
xxxxxA click and the lights went on, revealing two masked men with guns, one holding her father at gunpoint. Easy does it, girly. We're here to help. We're working on a cure- the thug began, before being interrupted by Fiona's dad.
xxxxxBullshit! You lay one hand on my daughter and Ill kill you! Being a mutants not some disease! You can't 'cure it! Being held at gunpoint, he lunged for the thug closest to him. A shot rang out; blood seeped from a wound on his chest.
xxxxxTime seemed to stop for a minute, and it looked like the two gunmen had never considered actually shooting anybody. Jesus man, you weren't supposed to shoot him!
xxxxxYou ASSHOLES! screamed Fiona, years streaming down her cheeks. Heat waves began to radiate off of the girl. Smoke seeped from her nose. A faint scent of sulfur came with it.
xxxxxHey man, whats she doing? Shes not supposed to be able to- his whining was cut short by a gout of flame issuing forth from the girls mouth. Suddenly, everything was on fire - the walls, the intruders, all of the furniture. In a blur, the young mutant grabbed her father and bolted out the door.
xxxxxBy the time Fiona had made sure her dad was as safe as possible, called the authorities, and attempted to go back into the house to check, the two intruders were gone. The family house went up in a blaze; thankfully her mom and brother were not inside, having been out at the time.
xxxxxThe whole incident sent waves through her hometown and gave rise to suspicion; people who had once been friendly were now cold. She did it on purpose, they said - there never WERE any intruders, it was a domestic argument, they said. he anonymous harassment didnt stop, either. Dont think weve forgotten about you, and, We know what to do with your kind.
xxxxxIt wasnt too much longer later when Fiona was walking into her favorite bookstore (howd they know?) and then suddenly - a blinding, searing pain. She was thrown upwards and back by the blast, the heat singing her clothes. Upon waking, the scene was chaos - she was somehow still alive, being wheeled on a stretcher as paramedics, firemen, and police scurried around frantically.
xxxxxShe passed out again, and awoke in a hospital bed several days later, family gathered round. Everyone was of course happy - but it would be a few more days before she was to go home. The doctors wanted to keep her for observation and tests to make sure no permanent damage had been done.
xxxxxAt this point though, Fiona had had enough of the whole business it was clear someone meant to kill her, and that by staying well, it was only putting her family in danger. They'd be better off without her; yeah, obviously this was the only way. So she gathered up what belongings she had, and lit out for the open road.
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