Years before i was born, my mother, Alice Lorrence, was injured badly in a nuclear catastrophe. She had a deep wound on her stomach made by an exploded half-constructed crystal that could radiate power by itself. She was taken to the hospital and for months she was in a coma, not knowing the things that was happening to her. The doctors said she was radiating power and was the most unbelievable thing they had ever seen.

She recovered after a few months and was back to her normal life without knowing the condition of her body. But she knew something was wrong with her. She always felt frustrated and annoyed. She broke things and hurt people without knowing. My mother was in a really bad state when she was found by my father, Richard Lorrence. He madly fell in love with her and helped her to recover completely. But little did they know that the power was still there within her.

They married and my mom got pregnant with me. I came to this world early but my mother wasn't strong enough to make it.

I was born a healthy child and living a good life until high school started and my world started falling apart. And little did I know that a power was growing inside me.

......*_*_*......

I looked at myself in the mirror. My skin is getting paler. I am tired of seeing myself so weak and hopeless. I want to be confident like everyone else. But i cant. My insecurities are taking away the little bit of confidence in me. I look so fragile and my red frizzy hair made me the biggest clown in the school. Everyone hated me at school. The students laughed and threw stuff at me, the teachers gave me pity looks, every person talked behind my back, except Kaitlyn who is always there to comfort me and listen to my tears. I really dont know why they are doing this to me. I really feel ashamed of myself for not standing up against them.

I was brought back from my thoughts by the ringing of my phone. It was my dad. My father is an army officer and has the duties in the country borders. He came once a month to see me. But some terrorist attacks occured in the countryside, so he had to cancel his visit.

I wiped my tears and took the phone. Dad's face appeared on the screen, smiling widely.

"Happy birthday my baby girl", he screamed.

"Thanks dad", i smiled. I am so glad to see him. He is the only person i have as family.

"What are you going to do on your seventeenth birthday?"

"Oh nothing. Just staying at home, maybe ask Kaitlyn to come over and watch some movies".

"Are you serious?", my dad's eyes came out of his sockets. "You should have fun today darling".

"I dont think thats necessary".

"Baby, this is your day. You really need to go somewhere and have fun".

"I really dont wanna have fun dad", i said irritatedly.

"Rebecca, are you okay? You always loved to have fun. What happened? Is something wrong at school?"

"Nothing dad". Only if you knew.

"Are you sure baby?", he asked once again.

"Absolutely", i gave my best fake smile. I was really good at it.

"Okay", he said still not convinced. "Baby, i gotta go. Duty calls. Love you Becca".

"Love you dad" and hung up.

I threw my phone and myself lazily on the bed. I really dont wanna go to school. The bullying is becoming worse everyday. I was really getting frustrated. After some time, i made up my mind. I stood up and decided to wear black T-shirt and jeans with my favourite red jacket and sneakers that matched perfectly with my hair. I looked at the mirror once again and started my journey to school.

I reached school within 20 minutes. Everyone was giving me weird looks but i was used to it. Before i could set my foot on the corridor, i was crushed by Kaitlyn's enormous hands.

"Oh my god Rebecca, its your birthday. Oh, im so happy", she crushed me even more.

"C-cant bre-eath-e".

"Oops, sorry", she removed her hands and i gulped air. She had tears in her eyes. Kaitlyn is an emotional girl. She is really cute and weird but when she gets angry, the whole place will be struck worse than World War III. Yaa, she is that dangerous when angry.

"Hey girl, what are the plans for your birthday?"

"Shh....someone will hear you", i hissed and closed her mouth with my hand. "You know how it will be when there is a special day for me". Kaitlyn suddenly licked all over my palm. "Eww...Kathy, gross".

"Nothing is going to happen and for your information, i dont have AIDS. So stop being so damn disgusted", she said annoyed. I laughed and went to class.

The classes before the lunch was extremely calm. I was really glad for that but at the same time, i was suspicious. What if they were planning something bigger? What if it will be worse than before?

"Stop it girl!! I can hear everything you're thinking from here", Kaitlyn shouted.

"Alright, sorry. But what if it happens?"

"Oh shut up. Nothing will happen".

We reached the cafeteria, brought our lunch and sat on the farthest end. I ignored everyone's looks and started eating the lunch peacefully. And as we were eating, the badboys entered the cafeteria. They immediately spotted me and came towards our table.

"Hey, its the Red Witch", Luke a.k.a the rich boy shouted. The whole cafeteria roared with laughter.

"Leave her alone", Kaitlyn roared.

"Or what?", the football captain Marcus asked and pushed her on the floor.

"Stop it", i screamed at Luke.

"Oh, look who is talking..", Luke said with his eyes burning with anger. "Bryan, please do the honour", he said calmly.

Within no time, i wad pinned on the wall, my feet off the ground. The guy holding me was a huge guy and lifted me even more off the ground by my neck.

"Wh-what do y-you wa-nt-t?", i choked.

"Dont you dare speak back to me", Luke threatened.

"Please stop", Kaitlyn cried.

"Shut up you bitch", Jake shouted and slapped her hard.

"No-oo-o", i screamed. Luke stepped forward and punched my face continuously.

"I dont think you listen", Luke said while punching me. Bryan threw me on the floor and kicked me hard on the stomach. I curled up into a ball with pain and started crying.

"Oh no, dont cry Rebecca, the party is about to begin only", Marcus said. Luke jumped on top of a table and spoke.

"Everyone, today is our beloved Red Witch's birthday. I hope you liked our event here", the cafeteria cheered, "and for the final event. We are going to give this bitch a small gift".

He jumped down and took the mustard bottle from the counter and poured it all over me. One by one, the boys took items from the counter and poured everything over me. Everybody was laughing at my condition and i broke down.

The principal came and asked the students to get back to their classes, leaving me and Kaitlyn in the cafeteria. I was weeping like a child and i understood one thing.

Nobody gives a shit about me.

...*_*_*...

I didnt go to school the next day. My eyes were puffed up from crying and i dont even feel like getting out of my bed. I kept thinking about yesterday and start crying again. I lied to dad that i was sick and refused to Facetime with him. My appearance was horrible. I have a black eye, my lower lip was swollen and i have a huge bruise on my stomach. My body is still aching from yesterday and my head is throbbing.

My stomach growled and i had to drag myself out of the bed and went to the kitchen. I made some pancakes and poured some orange juice. I opened the fridge to take a bar of chocolate only to find the whole fridge empty. I opened the freezer. Thank God!! Some ice cubes are there!! I dumped the ice cubes into my juice and slumped on the sofa. I swallowed my food and juice in one go but I was still hungry. I have to go shopping. But I was feeling really lazy to go out. So, I went through Facebook. A lot of my "friends" shit was there. But something caught my eye. It was a picture of me in the cafeteria after yesterday's incident. The caption said "Look...the hoe is back!!". And there were hundreds of comments "praising" me. I sighed and put my phone aside. I have to get out of here otherwise I would go paranoid. Hmm, it's time for some shopping.

I went to the nearest mall. I was forced to wear sunglasses because of my black eye. I took some bread, bacon, 2 cartons of orange juice, some vegetables, eggs, chips and lots of chocolate. I lazily pushed my trolley towards the counter but I felt someone watching me. I turned and checked if someone is there but found no one.

"May I help you Miss?", the cashier asked.

"Huh? Oh sorry", I apologized and placed the things on the counter.

I paid and started walking through the streets. But I could still feel someone's burning eyes on my back. I turned around and found no one. I increased my pace and instead of going home, I went to the park. I love this park because I had so many memories here.

I sat on my usual place. All my problems are left behind when I sit here. The huge tree that gives shade, the pond glistening in the sunlight, the kids running here and there and feeding the ducks; all gave me a peaceful mind. This is what I always wanted in my life - peace. All my happiness shattered after I stepped foot in high school. I know it's never gonna change but I prayed to God everyday that someday I would get a peaceful mind.

As I was thinking of al this, I made a leaf crown without even knowing. A small girl came to me after seeing the crown.

"What is that?", she asked.

"It's a crown", I said and smiled. She is really pretty. The girl has electric blue eyes, her cheeks are rose in colour and her blonde hair reached her shoulders like a waterfall.

"It's really pretty", she said with her eyes shining.

"Here, you can have it", I placed the crown on her head. "See, now you are a princess".

"I am a princess", she giggled.

"You look soo cute", I said and pinched her cheeks. She giggled even more.

"Can you teach me how to make this crown?"

"Of course". I showed her how to make it. She concentrated on my hands and after some time she made one.

"You are a fast learner", I said admiring her skills.

"Thanks. Now I can make one for Mommy", she squealed. "Thank you so much", she hugged me tightly, gave a kiss on my cheek and ran away. I was so touched by her behaviour. I have never got this kind of affection from anyone except dad and Kaitlyn.

As I was smiling at the girl running with excitement, I saw something. It was not something, it was someone. A guy wearing full black was standing far away from me, facing in my direction. His face was half covered with the hoodie. I couldn't recognise his face but I could feel his eyes on me. I stood up and started walking towards him. But before I could reach half the distance, he disappeared. I ran to the place where he stood and couldn't find anybody.

I walked back to my spot, took the carry bags and started walking home. I was thinking about that guy. What if he is a terrorist? What if he is a mass killer? What if he is a gangster? What if he wants to rape me? I shivered at the thought. I was thinking of all the unimaginable thoughts, I didn't even realise that I have reached my home. I started digging through the flower pot for the key. But it was not there. Great!! I forgot in which pot I kept it. I cursed myself and started digging through the second pot.

Praise the lord!!! I found my precious key. I did a mental dance and began putting the mud back inside the pot. While doing this, I looked up for no reason and I was stunned. The guy from the park was standing across the street, staring at me. All the unimaginable thoughts rushed into my mind. After a few seconds, he turned, glanced back and walked away. I was paralyzed on the floor. And my mind kept on repeating, "I have a stalker".

...*_*_*...