Chapter 1
Lena Luthor is eighteen years old when she packs up her bags and leaves home.
She's never felt such liberation before, and Lillian's shocked face as Lena refuses to join the family business will be in ingrained into her mind forever. She is finally freeing herself from the chains her family has bound her with, and each step leading her further and further away from her childhood home brings insurmountable joy.
She may have left everything behind, but she's just happy to be free.
All she has is a mini duffel bag stuffed to the brim with as much cash she could fit, a few expensive jewels (packed once she realized that she could not, in fact, fit much cash into the small bag), identity documents (both real and fake), and a revolver, shoved deep into a hidden pocket. She quickens her pace, eager to get away as far as she can before her brother comes searching for her.
The Luthor mansion is settled nicely on top of a steep hill, far away from the prying eyes of neighbors and the like, and Lena walks a long while to finally reach the bus station. By then, her feet are tired and aching. Her shoes, though ridiculously expensive, were not made for practicality.
On the bus, she rubs her sore feet and realizes just how ill-thought out her plan is. The bus station seemed so close when she would drive by in her car — she hadn't considered that it would take considerably longer to get there on foot. Not only that, but she has left all of her earthly possessions at the house, and she can’t go back. All she has is the clothes on her back and what's in her bag. The cash would keep her afloat for a while, but she has nothing else. No family, no friends, no phone, and no place to stay.
She's unsure of what to do. The bus sputters along the road, uncaring, and she has to make a decision. At long last, she decides it's wise to get out of the city as soon as possible. She is about 70% sure her family wouldn't harm her — permanently, anyway — but she has no doubt they will try to convince her to go home. In this scenario, she has a feeling that "convince" would be a lot more like "knocking her out and hauling her back home" than "verbally persuading her." If she can get as far away as possible, and keep her head down, she may be left alone. After all, Lillian never wanted her in the family in the first place, and was probably relieved to see her go. Her absence isn't a huge loss — nothing they can't cover. The one person she can't account for, however, is Lex. Her brother is as unpredictable as he is smart. They're not on good terms anymore, but they are still siblings. Lena hopes that he will be uncaring enough to let her go.
She gets off downtown. It's November, which means the dark comes early and lasts for more than half the day. It's only ten to seven, but the sky is already overcast with black. Despite the darkness, Metropolis is alive and bustling. She stays away from the crowd and stands by the same bus stop she was dropped off at, waiting for another bus — the one that will take her to the airport.
Unlike the previous bus, this one is full of people. There are no empty seats and Lena holds on to the railings to keep from toppling over into someone's arms. It takes an hour because of all the traffic and the stops, and it feels like a breath of fresh air when she finally steps out of the crowded vehicle. She notices that the people walking into the airport all have suitcases, and she makes a mental note to buy one. It will help her blend it, and it could be useful in the future.
"Hi," she says to the lady at the information desk. "Where do I have to go to buy a plane ticket?"
She's directed to another desk, maybe twenty feet away. Sitting behind is a short brunette girl chewing gum, her fingers flying over the keyboard of the computer in front of her. Her hair is styled into a mullet, and she looks intimidating despite her small stature.
"Excuse me," Lena says.
"How can I help you?" She doesn't take her eyes off of the computer.
"When's your next flight to Gotham?"
After careful consideration, Lena had decided that Gotham was the best place to go. She has connections there, and it's far enough away for her to feel safe. The city is crime ridden and dangerous, but what may be unappealing to most people is like a safety net for her. No one will pay her any attention in a city such as that, and if she can't get by on an honest living, she can resort back to crime. It's not ideal, but she'll do whatever she has to do to get by, as long as it's not murder — she's had enough of that to last a lifetime.
"Gotham?" The girl looks up. "There ain't any flights to Gotham anytime soon. Airlines don't like to stop by there, you see. They don't want to risk it, with all the crazy people there. Your best bet is to go to Newark first, then get there by bus."
"That's a long drive," Lena says.
The girl shrugs and blows a bubble.
"Why'd you need to go to Gotham, anyhow?"
"Vacation," Lena lies, and quickly realizes her mistake.
"Vacation?" the girl laughs. "Girl, if you wanna go on vacation, you don't go to Gotham. You don't want to be murdered, do you? I heard that place has psycho clowns. Try California. There's a flight leaving for LA soon, if you want it."
Lena thinks of the many enemies her family has in LA, and frowns. The girl sees this, and types away at the computer.
"What about National City, then? The plane's leaving in an hour."
Lena nods. It's not a half-bad idea. She's never been there before, but she has a general overview of all the crime that goes on in the area, and she even knows a few people there.
National City it is, then.