Chapter Text
Ever since she can remember, Uzi always stared at the wall surrounding her home.
Copper 9 was a decently sized town in the middle of nowhere with a dense forest surrounding it. Many years ago, it was considered a safe place for the residents but like always someone had to ruin it for everyone else. A group of rich folk coming from the big city during an industrial era decided to take the land around Copper 9 and convert it into cabins and vacation homes. Many people from Copper 9 warned that they don’t touch the woods because those lands belong to the fae folk and monsters of the night. Creatures of myth and others roamed the land outside and many people believed to the point it was a sort of religion. The wall wasn’t there to prevent the people from leaving but to prevent the beasts outside from entering, even covering the wall with charms and writings that were said to be wards of protection against most of the creatures. None of the city folk, who were scoffing at the notions of the town’s backwards way, believed in their tales. All the warnings were given but when money and power are held by the wrong people, they believe they are above it all and beat those who oppose them, even if they are trying to help.
The city people decided to stay in town as they sent construction into the forest, not even paying the town for the hassle they were causing since the forest was deemed free.
After a week, all those workers were gone.
The investors and other people that came to town hadn’t heard from their construction team and immediately blamed the town for the disappearances, believing them to be the cause to prove their ‘supposed’ ridiculous beliefs.
Another group, much larger than the first, came to Copper 9 and were ordered to go find the team and to arrest any people who came to them with the so-called nonsense of beasts or monsters in the forest, even possible townsfolk that were out for whatever reason. Things returned to normal with the rich being bossy and the town ignoring or praying that everything would be ok, a member finally returned 4 days after entering the forest. He was bloodied, missing his left arm and screaming that this place isn't safe, mad and terrified. Obviously, his contractors didn’t believe him. They finally went out themselves and saw what had happened. Broken machinery laid untouched yet covered with blood. They were scared and even the hard headed ones that had weapons were never seen again once they were separated from the larger group. The remaining ones ran back into the town and tried to force the people to go out and find the culprits, screaming that they were supposed to treat them with hospitality and that they would be reported to authorities greater than the ones the town had to offer. But the town was already terrified.
“We can’t go out and expect to come back alive,” the head priest at the time said. “Your people have destroyed the little balance we had with the creatures in the forest! Now you want us to risk our lives for you?!” He yelled. “We warned you what was out there and instead of listening, you hurt us and made your own mistake.” The people agreed with him and since he was regarded as the one with most knowledge of the land at the time, no one could say otherwise whether to oppose or to give any form of hope to escape the wrath that was to come.
He was furious and the rich would only watch in silence and in fear. “Heed my words, leave before dark and return to your city. Or you will be trapped here with us. Forever.” The rich folk were stunned and actually listened. By the next day, they were gone. But, the damage was already done. Years passed and the wall was slowly reinforced with charms and enhanced with stone and metal when the world became more industrialized. No one goes into the forest anymore despite not having any attacks in the last 100 years. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
“....I love you….” Dark green lights floated around and a loving smile and purple eyes looked at her, kissing her head and blinding her with purple.
Uzi woke up from her dream with a groan, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She laid in bed and after a few seconds of staring at a dusty and stony ceiling, Uzi realized she wasn’t at home, but in the clock tower that was in the middle of town thanks to her memories flooding back. She stretched and made her way to the window to look outside. It was beginning to light up and she looked at the forest outside the wall. She remembered when she was in that forest. Nearly 10 years ago since that day and she can still feel herself shiver after learning what happened. Most of it was a blur but she can’t help but feel like something more went wrong that day. Hell, it was the worst day of her life and after that, things just got more complicated….
Uzi shook herself out of her thoughts. She knew she’d be going down a dark memory and she’d rather not remember that right now. She took a deep breath and relaxed. She smiled at how peaceful the morning was and crisp the fresh air felt against her cheek. Just because she’s edgy, doesn’t mean she can’t enjoy nature and the nice things it brings. Looking away from the sight, she went to fix her books to get ready to head home, wash up and go to school.
Uzi lived with her father and while she did have her home, she liked spending her time in the tower instead. She was never comfortable at home.
Was it really a real home when no one who lives there cares for you? When everything there reminds you of what you lost?
She looked around the little room she made for herself. An old bed in the corner across from where she stood with purple bed sheets and a comforter. A small rechargeable lamp on a stool next to it. Next to the window she looked out of was an old desk with some books and her phone charger. Under the desk was a crate filled with plants and candles, all lavender scented. In the center of the room was a low table with some pillows to sit on and a basket with snacks and water bottles for the days she stays to eat there. In the right corner was the door that led out of the room and next to the door was her generator. She got it to charge her stuff for the days she stays overnight instead of going home.
It was a shabby room but it was more of a home than her house. Her dad never knew of this place and she didn’t plan on him ever knowing. She saw more light filter into the room and decided it was time to head back to her house to shower. She had to get ready for school after all.
Uzi grabbed her backpack and put on her shoes after she sat on her bed. She smiled remembering how she got it up here in the first place. How secretive it was.
Her dad had insisted on buying her a new bed, the only thing he tried to get her for some reason. It wasn’t even comfortable for her since he chose it without her actually trying it. She’s short so it’s not like she’s gonna grow an extra 2 feet to warrant a bigger bed in the first place. After a few nights on her new one and feeling the absolute worst on it, she decided wasn’t going to get rid of her old bed so last week, after her dad went to bed, she pulled hers out of the garage.
After making sure no one was around, she lifted it.
The mattress began to glow purple and rise off the floor, floating in midair. Quickly, she ran to the tower when she got a good hold on it. When she was tired she laid it down on its side and waited a bit before using her powers again, hiding her actions in alleyways or sending the bed away from her to keep it out of sight of people around, even if it was harder to do. When she got to the tower, it was just a matter of patience and hard work but she brought it up.
Uzi patted the bed and moved to leave, looking back and making sure she wasn’t missing anything. Her phone was charged and the generator was powered off. She used her powers to shut the curtains and went downstairs.
Uzi had been practicing her powers ever since she discovered them and even checked out a book of dark arts and apothecary from the library. No one believes in the supernatural anymore, but it doesn’t mean they go out into the forest. Even if what is out there isn’t a monster, it’s still dangerous enough to kill a lot of people and not leave a piece of flesh behind according to her history classes. But that was years ago and Uzi isn’t learning magic to be a hero. She just wants to live a quiet life and if having magic was a part of her life now then she’d accept it. She isn’t stupid enough to show her powers off but it wouldn’t be bad to use them for chores and stuff.
Everyone in school already either avoids her like the plague or bullies her for being a freak without them. Her home life isn’t better. Her dad thinks she’s a disappointment and doesn’t even realize if she’s home or not. Not that he’d care if she was. She sighed heavily as she made her way down the steps. It wasn’t a good idea to be thinking about everything going wrong with her life before the day started. She had enough crap to sit through for school and with magic powers, it’ll be easier to beat the crap out of bullies if she’s not careful. Uzi frowned thinking about her powers. The book had said a lot about performing spells and charm casting but nothing about having actual powers.
“I guess I’m learning on my own,” Uzi said to herself. “Not the first time I taught myself stuff. Pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to understand ‘Feel your emotions control your energy’ or whatever…” She scoffed, rolling her eyes.
Uzi got to the bottom floor and exited the tower. She looked around and made sure no one was around before dashing towards the alley. Once there she began to walk. Her phone read 6:40, so it gave her enough time to shower, grab some breakfast and get to school before 7:30.
Uzi briskly walked to her house and upon noticing her dad’s car in the driveway, she paused. Instead of going through the front door, she chose to go through her window. Going through the right side, she climbed the tree that leads to her room, used her powers to unlock the window and went in. Nothing was amiss and Uzi glanced at her door, sighing in relief that the lock was in place.
Every night, Uzi locks her door. Her dad had the tendency to barge in for no reason and she wasn’t going to be caught out the house. He would get angry for her breaking rules but can totally do it by invading her privacy. She even went so far to hide certain things from him since the last time he threw parts of her stuff out. And even if she locks the door from the outside, she can just use her powers to get back in and keep him out.
Uzi’s room was messy. Her clothes are scattered everywhere and papers filled with drawings are too. But she left it like that on purpose. Uzi is somewhat organized but she’s not going to waste her time fixing a place she doesn’t like. Besides, her dad would be suspicious if she became responsible all of a sudden.
She dropped her backpack to the floor, grabbed her clothes for the day and headed for the shower. 15 minutes later, Uzi came back to her room, dressed and went to grab her text books for the classes today. Uzi checked herself in the mirror before heading out. She had her signature black boots, black leggings, purple flowy tank top which showed her back really nicely, not like she’ll ever say that out loud, her dark blue sweater and her beanie. She made sure to tie her hair into a ponytail before using a hair clip to pull it up and hide it all under her beanie. Only some hair was let out to frame her face. Giving herself a look over, she’s satisfied.
She looked at her dark arts book and decided to bring it to school today. It would give her something to do instead of listening to the voices of everyone else. After school she’ll renew her checkout at the library too.
She headed downstairs to the kitchen and saw her dad asleep on the couch. She glared at him and moved on to the fridge. Like always, it was empty except for some milk, cans of beer and a half eaten slice of pizza. Sighing, Uzi closed the fridge and just left the house.
“Going to have to buy something to eat again,” Uzi mumbled, slouching slightly.
If Uzi could, she’d get groceries and cook herself but last time she did, her dad brought company to the house and told her to cook for everyone. When she refused, he ended up eating her food and ordered food for his guests. He didn’t even get anything for her! When she asked why he ate her food, he said, “Uzi you need to be mature and respectful. That was your punishment for not sharing or doing what I asked. If you have the audacity to ignore what I’m saying most of the time and not listen when I ask something of you, you are going to be punished. I won’t be giving anything to you when you can’t do the same for me. My house, my rules."
Uzi was shocked and enraged. She just left without another word and slammed her door. That was a month ago and the day she decided to start spending nights in the clock tower.
“Freaking rude, pain in the ass dad..” Uzi grumbled, a scowl forming on her face. She ran to the small convenience store and bought a sandwich and bottle of juice. She checked her phone again at the register and saw it was 7:15. Just enough time to get to school. Luckily, the convenience store was on the way. While walking, Uzi sees her school bullies, the main ones anyway. Lizzy, Doll, and Rebecca. The girls were in Lizzy’s car at the red light laughing loudly and sneering when they saw her.
"Walking to school, freak? Isn't it a little early for halloween?" Rebecca sneered, laughing with Lizzy while Doll smiled at Lizzy. Uzi just hung her head low and continued walking. Just because they were stuck at the red light didn't mean she had to be stuck there with them. Making sure no cars were going to pass, Uzi jogged down the street and the rest of the way to school. It was at the end of the block after all.
Uzi went into the building and headed straight to her locker. Stuffing all her books inside and just keeping the ones she needed for her upcoming class. She also put her dark arts book away too. She wasn't going to have a repeat where Doll decided to spill her stuff out on the floor just because she was short and should be lower than them.
Sitting down at her seat, Uzi checked her phone for any updates of her anime and decided to look for something to watch for later. Seeing nothing of interest or updates, she took out her books and watched some videos on Booptube. Kids started coming into class and Uzi already felt something hit her head not even 30 seconds after the students came in. It was a soggy paper ball. Uzi looked back to see Darren, Rebecca’s boyfriend smirking with her giggling on his lap.
‘Great…looks like it's going to be a long day’, she thought, crumbling the paper and throwing it to the trash. As much as she wanted to fight back, she knew it would be everyone against her. And the last thing she needs is to get in trouble so her dad can come in and say how disappointed he is with her and watch her back at the house. ‘They’re lucky I don’t want to hear them crying or I would’ve broken one of their legs already.’ Uzi growled internally, taking calming breaths to control her power surging in her hands.
Classes start with the ringing of the bell and half way through the first one, Uzi is already bored out of her mind. It’s history so she’s not surprised. She doesn’t have bad grades so she lets herself daydream a bit. She smiles from the thoughts of her bullies getting into accidents and hurting themselves, relishing in their ugly faces filled with pain or panic.
“Since no one is able to answer, we will have to review the history of the industrialization of Copper 9 again.” The teacher exclaims and the class groans, Uzi opening her eyes from the information. Rather than take notes, Uzi pulls out her small sketchbook and begins to draw. It has a lot of drawings already in it but what can she say? She’s an edgy art kid and the history of Copper 9 always gives her ideas of cool stuff to draw. Monsters with sharp teeth, burning flowers, weapons she wants to own, etc. Some pages are filled with her fears, the things she’s seen and her feelings plastered in ink. But skimming over that she finds a fresh new page and begins doodling. The moon is drawn with stars. A peaceful drawing she’s letting herself have. Uzi smiles at it. The night sky is always the prettiest and her powers are always stronger at night. Then she draws herself as a wicked witch holding a gun with phantoms around her. If there is one thing she wants other than to live a peaceful life, it’s to be cool. She adds monsters she imagined into the drawing and lets herself enjoy the class, half paying attention.
Uzi stops her drawing when she realizes it’s almost time for class to end. She finds out what her homework is and packs up, quickly closing her book and stuffing it in her bag before the other kids try to see it. Once the bell rings, Uzi is out the door and heading to her locker to prep for the next class. When she’s there, someone shoves her as they pass by. It’s Rebecca and Uzi, already pissed from hitting the metal of her locker, grabs a textbook and chugs it at the girl. She misses but she hits Darren instead, knocking him to the floor. Uzi grabs her books and leaves before anyone sees or pays attention to where the book comes from. It was satisfying to hit at least one jerk but she’s not going to get caught for doing it.
“Serves them right, freaking jerks.” Uzi mumbled, having a grin as she walked to her next class, grabbing her book with magic and quickly bringing it back without anyone noticing.