This was awkward.

Anna Marie was no stranger to being asked out, though her self-esteem was poor, she was attractive, beautiful even. Her slim, toned form was often in receipt of appreciative glances and catacalls, and the streaks of white that ran through her hair only made her appear even more attractive, and undeniably exotic.

Sam was not the first boy she had turned down, and he would not be the last, but each time she felt the same loss. Not that she was particularly into him, though she could be, but that loss of intimacy, of any possibility of intimacy, that she could never regain. She couldn’t touch a boy, or kiss them, or anyone. Even an accidental brush of skin on skin could reduce the strongest man to a childlike weakling unable to stand.

“Ah’m sorry Sam, but ah can’t, you… you’re very sweet an’ all, but ah’m not the right gal for ya.”

His face fell, “but… I always thought you liked me…”

“No hun… ah just can’t OK?”

She continued to walk down the path, awkwardly trying to avoid his gaze, perhaps if she hadn’t, she would have seen what was coming.

He reached out to her arm, “Anna Marie…”

His eyes widened, veins stood out on his face, and a rattling breath escaped from his lungs. They stared at each other in horror, she wasn’t even sure how he had made contact with her skin, perhaps her jacket had ridden up.

He couldn’t seem to let go, and she could almost see the life draining from his eyes. With a cry of terror she snatched her arm away.

“What in the hell is going on out here?”

Anna Marie swore, the owner of the diner had just walked out in time to see Sam Renton, a six foot six, solidly built football player, collapse simply for touching her arm. The look on her face made it clear that she was responsible, and the owner suddenly looked frightened.

“You’re… You’re one of them mutants aren’t you?”

His voice rose, becoming aggressive, “you never told me you were a mutant, get outta here, you’re fired!”

Anna Marie took a step forward, wanting to explain, but the door slammed shut and clicked as it was locked, the owner scurrying off behind the counter and picking up the phone. She felt her eyes beginning to fill, and she turned and ran.

It was only a few blocks to her apartment, and she covered the distance in less than a minute, she wasn’t even breathing hard when she arrived, despite sprinting at full speed. She fumbled the keys in the lock, and in her frustration she simply kicked the door off its hinges. She already had a duffel, it was hidden under the bed mostly packed, she had gone through this before. She pushed a few things into it and slung it over her shoulder. It should have been heavy, but she wore it as easily as if it were a clutch purse. A moment later she was out of the door, and with a quick glance around to see that she was alone on the empty street, she was in the air.

Time to find a new home…

Again…