Before Gamble

I had done so well to fit in, without anyone knowing who I was or, I guess, what I was. 

I had just turned 16, while I was working at a bar under the alias of Yora. My boss was a woman in her mid twenties, her name was Laiya. She bumped into me in the street on day when I saw her. I saw that she was also a mutant and that she owned a bar. The next day I went into the bar and handed her my resume. I made sure our hands touched as I whispered into her ear. 

"You will give me a job here."

I got the job, but I miscalculated.. her ability.. she was able to invoke any certain desire out of people. I was not that strong in my ability yet and she desired to know more about me. She sat me down one night and stroked my hair. 

"Tell me about yourself."

In no time she had me spilling my guts to her. 

"I knew it was strange, how fast I gave you the job. I didn't even look over your resume." She had a sly smile. 

She used me a lot after that. I had a strict rule for myself, to not use my ability unless I were in danger. She on the other hand, didn't have this rule. I found myself having the desire to gain her approval. It was later that I learned that she was involved in underground business. She was a money hungry, mean spirited woman but hell, was she beautiful. If looks could kill, she could easily be the cause of a 10th war. 

Up until I met her, I had empathized with those I saw into. I remember seeing her as a little girl, just like me, unwanted by their parents. She left and made it with her looks and abilities. I did see all the bad doings she had done to get to where she was. I knew she wasn't a good person but, I don't know.. maybe I thought she could change.. she was lonely like I was, that maybe we could've been friends. 

So I ended up getting involved with the illegal underground businesses of hers. She eventually opened up a strip joint. A nightclub for mutants. It was a huge success and I now had two jobs. By the time I turned 19, she had become a huge boss in the underground criminal organization. I was by her side, together we had managed to manipulate and control all of the men of the highest underground order into giving her their power and money. We were never caught and how could we be?

She eventually married the biggest criminal boss. 

"You can't be a powerful woman without a man on your side. Others would've started to suspect something was up.." She told me once. He had no idea she was a mutant, I doubt she'd ever let him know.

I remember her sending me on an errand one night when I had begun to break out of her ability.

"I don't think I like this.."

"Shut up and do what I tell you."

_______

It had been a quiet afternoon at the bar. I had just gotten off of work. I was crossing the street when a commotion broke out. 

"Mutant!" 

I was startled. I paused my footsteps and I quickly turned my head towards the commotion wondering how they had found me just as my sight set on a man being ambushed in the distance by three drunk guys.

"I'm not a mutant!"

"You're lying! There could be no other way for you to win! You filth!" 

I turned my head forward.

This is no time to be a hero, keep walking. You've got a lot to lose.

I started to walk again as the men continued to go back and forth.

"Please! I have children, leave me alone!"

I paused and sighed before I turned to walk towards the commotion.