WARNING: awesome content ahead.

.

.

The knife gleamed in the dark of the alley, catching light from the city. Tears ran down her face as the girl struggled, but the men were too strong. She tried to scream as one try to force her legs open, but it came out muffled behind the rough, grimy hand of the second one behind her. They were laughing as they tore at her clothes. The sadistic bastards, they were enjoying this. The girl cursed her luck, cursed her life, cursed everything. Why had she chosen tonight of all nights to work late? Why had she taken this particular shortcut? Now she… Well, she didn't know what. Would they kill her? She hoped they would. She didn't think she could live with herself after… this… happened to her. The man with the knife slashed her skirt and ripped it off, cackling evilly. The girl continued kicking and screaming in vain, pulling desperately at the hand over her mouth.

"Don't struggle so much, sugar." The man licked his lips as he traced the knife up her thigh. "I'd really hate to have to cut you before I'm done."

"Hey! Don't damage her before I've had my turn." The man holding her complained.

"I know, I know." The man with the knife said noncommittally, trying to undo his pants as he finally wedged himself between her knees.

The girl squeezed her eyes shut, knowing this was it. She wished she could go back and change something, anything.

"Whoa! And here I was trying to figure out what to do tonight!" A voice called jokingly.

The men holding her stopped, and the girl opened her eyes slightly. A man stood at the end of the alley, silhouetted by the city. He had one hand in his pocket, and appeared to be eating a candy bar with the other.

The man brandished his knife, still trying to undo his pants. "Get lost, asshole. This is a private–"

Before the man could finish, the stranger darted forward and punched him, knocking the man back. He stumbled back and clutched at his face, exclaiming painfully.

"What the f–" The man holding her began, but was cut short as the stranger's hand shot forward and inside the man's mouth, gripping his tongue.

"Hold that thought." The stranger said casually as he finished his candy bar.

Just then the man with the knife recovered and charge the stranger. With an almost lazy gesture, the stranger threw the candy wrapper into the man's face, distracting him. He kicked one leg forward into the man's thigh, stopping the man short. At the same time he grabbed the man's knife hand and twisted it away painfully, causing the man to drop the weapon. The stranger brought his knee up into the man's gut, then he brought his elbow down on the man's head. The man collapsed to the ground holding his stomach. The girl watched wide-eyed, the stranger had done all this with one hand still inside the other man's mouth. The stranger glanced at the man holding her.

"Let go of her." He said it cheerfully, like it was a friendly suggestion.

The man holding her growled, and pulled out another knife. The stranger raised eyebrow as the man placed it against her throat. He sighed, and then, without any effort, ripped the man's tongue out. Immediately the man dropped his knife and let go of the girl, a gurgling scream emitting from his throat before collapsing to his knees. The stranger stood there, holding a piece of the man's tongue in his hand as the man writhed at his feet, screaming and spewing blood.

"Well, I've heard of having a loose tongue, but this is…" He joked with a grin.

As soon as she was free the girl had darted across the alley to hide behind the stranger. She was leaned up against the wall, trying to catch her breath and clear her eyes. The stranger turned around, still grinning. His strangely sharp teeth gleamed in the city lights, much like the knife had. He glanced at the chunk of meat still in his hand, and dropped it.

"Sorry about your skirt."

The girl just blinked, not comprehending. The stranger pointed at her legs.

"Your skirt. It looks expensive, sorry it got ripped." He clarified.

His nonchalance after so easily dealing with these two would-be rapists was unsettling. She couldn't take her eyes off of them. He followed her eyes to where she was looking. His eyebrows shot up, like he'd already forgotten they were there.

"Ah, right. We should probably get out of here. Come on, I'll walk you home." He took her by the hand, and led her from the alley.

As they exited the alley the girl got her first good look of the stranger. He was handsome, in a rugged sort of way. His hair was short, unkempt, and spiky. He had thick stubble as well. He wore dark blue jeans, black converse sneakers, and a dark gray Henley shirt. He looked to be around the same age as her, maybe a little bit younger, even though she was only in her late twenties. The other thing about him was that he was green from head to toe. From his hair to his face to the hands, everything was green. And he had pointed ears, like an elf.

He grinned at her, amused. "What, there something on my face?"

The girl looked away hurriedly, ashamed that she'd been staring. This man just saved her life, and she repaid him by making a fool of herself.

"Thank you." She stammered out. "That… I don't know what I would've done."

"It's fine." He returned cheerfully. "Besides, I think I know a way you can repay me."

The girl looked at him with fearful eyes. He noticed, and lifted his hands up nonthreateningly.

"Not like that. Please, if I wanted you in the sack, you'd go there willingly." He said cheekily. "The truth is I'm new in town, and I need a place to stay."

The girl's mouth fell open slightly, disbelieving.

"I know what you're thinking. ' Is this guy for real?' But before you say no, I'm willing to pay for the days that I'm there. Like, with money."

She looked away again. Was this guy really asking to stay with her? He was a complete stranger. And he tore a man's freaking tongue out of his mouth. That was messed up, even if the bastard deserved it. Could she trust him? Well, he did save her life and more besides. Plus she was curious as to who, and what this man was.

"At least for a few days…" She said softly.

"Sorry? What was that?" The stranger leaned in a little closer.

The girl frowned. She got the distinct impression that his hearing was way better than any regular human's. "I said, at least for a few days."

"Great!" The green stranger clapped his hands together. "I feel like this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

"I'm Claire, by the way." The girl said, holding out her hand.

"Gar Logan." He shook her hand firmly, grinning widely. "But everyone seems to call me Feral."

She saw the unmistakably wild glint in his eye. I wonder why?

.

.

Okay. Shit. Shit. Looks like I've started another story. I got this idea little while ago, and I think it's why I've kind of had writer's block for my other stories. I've kind of tried to incorporate the basics of this idea in my other stories, but uh, haven't really gotten to a point where it makes sense to do so in them. But I just had to get this idea out before could continue, so here it is. A story of Gar Logan if he never met the Titans or Doom Patrol. I'm expecting it to be pretty dark in some areas. Follow, favorite, read, and review. Also check out my other stories if you haven't already, they're pretty good if I do say so myself.