Winter came sooner than expected, but I weathered it well. My body adjusted to the cold studio and took on a paler shade of white. I decided that my first taste of prostitution would be my last. I feared leaving a string of bodies all over Chicago. I remained in my little hideaway and kept to myself when I ventured out. I wondered how long I could keep living like this. So far no one knew I was there. Since there was no electricity the place always looked dark, even in the daytime. I made it a point to keep the blinds closed during the light hours. I mostly slept in the morning and took to reading in the afternoon by candlelight.

Since I became very good at stealing the bookstore was a major hangout. I found that the best way to lift merchandise was to actually go in and buy something, preferably out of the bargain din. I mostly took to reading on genetics, DNA sampling, and biochemistry and anything that would help explain what I was.

I wondered why the extraordinary were meant to suffer, but this must have been what my parents went through. At least they had each other. I discovered with my particular type of mutation that it could only come about through inheritance. Each generation growing stronger, but the maturity of the superhuman gene would take many years.

The prospect frightened me a little, but I was more fascinated by the prospect of what I might become. The voices in my head ceased its torment for the time, but I feared it was only the beginning. I contemplated suicide playfully but thought myself too much of a coward to actually go through with it.

As winter passed and spring brought the prospect of a new life I ventured to the outside more and more. Having lived Chicago and surviving the seasons I almost felt like I belonged there.

With my fourteenth birthday a few months away I patiently awaited the coming of age. This was the time I longed for my mother the most. I had to learn to be a mother to myself. The cold hard fact I learned was that I would be the only one who would take care of me. There was no prince riding up on a white horse, no knight shining in gold armor. I was my own champion, and even though it would be a lonely existence it suited me just fine.