Chapter 1

A single line of blood trickles down the underside of her forearm, like a red seam on a white sleeve.

At first, Charlie thinks it's just a fly and pays no notice. Insects were common in the wood that surrounded her home and for some reason there seemed to be more flies in this area than anywhere else. Then a drop of glistening crimson blood splashes into the sandy dirt at her feet, exploding like a firework on guy forks night.

This time she does look and sees the clear crystal encased syringe protruding from the crease of her elbow like a deformed growth. She pauses in contemplation for a moment admiring the way it glistens in the sunlight, she wants to move but she can't. She can hear the footsteps of her pursuers closing in but she can't make herself move or call for help. She listens to the sound of heavy rubber enforced soles of large leather boots compacting the autumn leaf litter. She hears the acceleration of her heart beat as the foreign fluid enters her blood stream. She is aware of every blood vessel it passes through as though it was chocking her. She could feel each muscle contracting as it greeted the new chemical.

The footsteps were louder, closer. She didn't have long before they were upon her. She could hear something pounding, fast, too fast. It was like a drum beating a sombre tune like a death march, it was her heart. Her breathing sped, she knew what they were going to do. Dissect, operate, remake, improve; all words they used to explain what they were doing. She'd been here before, caught like a fly in a web but she'd been lucky, she'd got free last time. This time there was no telling what might happen.

She didn't know what they wanted; there was nothing special about her. No powers like the others had, at least she didn't think she did. Was there something she was missing, overlooking, a minor detail concealed behind something else? How could they see what she could not? How did they even find her?

So many thoughts it made her head hurt, wait no, it made her head pound, thumping in line with her heart. She felt dizzy, disorientated, like she was nothing empty, not really there. Like her body was floating, changing, but that was impossible, impossible unless she was like them. The others she had seen in the cages, admired secretly the powers they held. Was it possible that she had a power, a mutation, something that made her different from all the others, something they wanted badly.

He was in front of her now, the one she feared, the one that haunted her nightmares, their leader. His smile evil and knowing, it scared her, it scared her so much and she couldn't do anything about it but stand there and accept it, silent, unmoving.

"Nice to see you again my dear, it has been such a long time since you left us." His voice was sickly, dangerous, she hated it and she hated him, all of them. He walked closer and she could see the darts attached to his belt, those little things that forced her into his presence, she willed them to break, willed them to shatter, nothing happened. "You won't be leaving us again, you won't find and escape this time and we will make sure of it, my dear."

Terror gripped her and with it an inkling of defeat, but she wouldn't give up, not for him, not for their pleasure. She wasn't a mindless puppet. God she hated all of them. She'd never felt such raw emotion, she was a naturally calm person ... until now, this is where she drew the line. She started fighting, fighting the numbness that had filled her body, fighting hard. Feeling for the location of the foreign fluid and pushing against it, creating a barrier, forcing it out of her body. She was surprised, astounded to feel that it was working; she could still see him talking, he was oblivious, that made this easier, simpler. She continued to force it out, until she felt free again, but now what, what could she do.

Foolishly she wished, prayed even that she could become a bird or grow wings like that angel guy she saw, so she could fly away, far away where they couldn't touch her. She could hear shouting, beside her, no, no, below her. She opened her eyes, for she had closed them for added concentration when fighting the drug, all she could she was cloud, white expanse. She looked down and saw them, running around crazily and in the midst of it all he stood.

"I will find you Charlotte, you'll see, you will be mine in the end." He'd almost whispered it, but she heard and he knew. He was the one that scared her, not the others, he did.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

No more than an hour in the air, she was already tired, and she daren't look at her 'wings' if she did have any for fear she'd fall. She wasn't far above the ground, not really, skimming over tree tops, close enough to hide in the branches should she need to. She'd been so determined on getting away that she hadn't even thought about her mutation, or even what she looked like now. In the distance she could see a clearing, a place to land perhaps? Nervously she tried to dive and swoop, the only way she seen bird do it but she was a little bigger than a bird. She caught her foot and landed in a crumpled mess. Only now did she think, now once she was on the ground, to look around and see what was here.

It looked like a school, or a really big house, maybe both, probably a boarding school. Perhaps she could stay here for a bit, if she put up the 'I got lost' act. but what if she had wings? How did she check?

She crept closer to the water, looking out for anyone watching her, slowly, mindful of her balance, she looked at her reflection. She froze. Well she defiantly had wings.

They were enormous, huge, two of her 5"5 body spans and they were silver, shimmering, like mercury or a liquid metal, the same colour of the syringe. She reached up a hand to touch them, they were like silk, cool, refreshing but a big problem if she was going to get into that school. Defiantly a problem, was it one she could solve?

Calming herself she thought back to that moment in the forest, though she really wished she didn't have to, she'd wished that she could be a bird, no, she'd wished she could be like that guy she saw, so maybe if she wished she could be herself again they'd disappear. It was worth a shot. Closing her eyes she wished that she was back to normal, opening her eyes, that was not the case. Of course she got angry, angry that even if she did have a power she couldn't control it. She kicked a rock into the water and as the ripples cleared she commanded her wings to disappear, melt away, just go and when the water had stilled there was just a woman, no older than 20 staring back at her, nothing strange except silver eyes but she'd always had them.

This was a bit weird but, shed accept it at least for now, she knew where she needed to go now anyway. She'd remembered from her time prisoner in Striker's lab, which was the man who scared her so, that there was a school for mutants, somewhere safe. That's where she needed to get to; apparently it was called 'Xavier's school for the gifted' or whatever. Hopefully someone here could help her find it, she only hoped they accepted her.

Carefully she made her way towards a path that looked like it led to the entrance, it was cleanly gravelled; her sneakers crunching into it leaving slightly muddy footprints. She had to admit she was in a bit of a state, alright she looked a complete mess. Her usually curled hair was limp, full of leaves among other things. Her white shirt was torn at the waist, a sleeve completely missing, blood smattered alongside with mud. Her jeans were no better, sneakers unrecognisable, she looked like she'd assaulted and left to die, well almost. But she certainly looked lost because, in fact, she was lost.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

Ororo was fed up, no in fact she was pissed, utterly and entirely. She saves this guys life, and then he tries to kill her running off before she can recover enough to stop him leaving her neck on the line. Now Xavier was calling, true enough he'd been found, true enough he hadn't done any harm but she could have stopped him. This was her failure and she took failing hard no matter what people said, it had literally been beaten into her. She needed time to cool off so took the long way round that passed the front door that, as if fated, rang shrilly in her ears.

Flipping the latch she opened the door to see a woman no older than 22, she looked terrible, covered in mud, blood, leaves, clothes torn it was like she'd been assaulted.

"Umm, excuse me I was wondering if you could help me ... you see I got lost, and tripped a lot, trying to find 'Xavier's school for the gifted' could you tell me where ... umm where it is?"

"This is Xavier's school, look come in I'll get you a coffee and some food, you look like you might need it, and you can tell me why your here." Ororo said "Oh by the way my names Ororo but they, here, call me Storm"

"Thanks so much I could kill a coffee right now and a shower if that's alright?" the woman asked nervously like she was ... scared.

"Of course, I'll take you to my room ... ummm?"

"Oh my names Charlotte and I have no idea what 'they' call me?" she laughed and Ororo laughed with her. They talked all the way to Ororo's room and she could fast see them becoming friends should Charlie, as she liked to be called, stayed.

When Charlie entered Ororo's room she was shocked at how beautiful it was, stormy grey walls completely complimenting the light mahogany furniture placed strategically against it. It was light and open, with a kitchen and what looked like a large bathroom.

"The bathrooms in there, we look about the same size so I'll find you clothes, just use my stuff, don't worry about it. I'll make the coffees while you're in there, and how does a ham salad sandwich sound?"

"Umm yeah thanks, that would be great, don't know how I will repay you though."

Slipping her muddy clothes off Charlie jumped in the shower letting the hot water run over her, soothing her aching muscles, only know she realized how hard flying was. She thought herself extremely lucky to have landed exactly where she wanted to go in the first place and really could find herself at home here. Sure she had no idea whether she'd actually be welcome here but they seemed like nice pleasant people. At least she was getting a shower, a luxury she hadn't had in a while. She remembered Ororo's face when she came, she hadn't been that shocked about her sudden appearance, she acted as if this happened most the time. It was strange, she thought, that only an hour ago she was scared, well, shitless of a man she knew yet felt so secure and safe with these strangers. She finished her shower and changed into the clothes Ororo gave her, black skinnies and a simple white top, it was a bit tight on her chest but it would have to do.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

Xavier has sensed the moment that the girl had landed but there was nothing he could do about it, he had to get Logan to trust him first, however he kept an eye on her. She was a mutant, new, nothing he'd ever seen before, her thoughts were quiet to him and he guessed that she probably had some mental capabilities. She was intelligent and hard wearing but she was also kind-hearted and scared, she had been chased, subjected to electrical torture to bring out her powers but it hadn't worked only mental strain and fear caused their discovery. She was powerful, extremely so, almost dangerously but all of her power hadn't been unleashed. There were already mental blocks making it so that her mutations were unleashed gradually. She was also young. Storm was with her, that was perfect, she would feel welcome with Storm, they are already building a friendship.

Ororo I would like you to make our new guest feel welcome and when she is ready bring her to me, I have much to discuss with her. Xavier's mental message reached Storm and within seconds he had a reply.

Of course, how is the Wolf?

Who Logan? He is fine but guilt, he wishes to apologise to you and can do so when I meet Charlotte. Notify me when you are on your way.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

They sat in silence while Charlie ate, this was the biggest meal she'd had in the week she'd been running and when she finished she felt fully refreshed and ready to face anything ... well, almost anything anyway.

"So Charlie what exactly brought you here? You don't have to tell me but you will have to tell Xavier when you see him."

"Xavier is he the owner of the school then?"

"He's the founder." Storm said sounding proud. "He wants to meet you, now if that's aright with you?"

"I ... well I, ... sure I guess" Charlie sounded slightly hesitant but got up to go none the less. Inside she was thinking of all the reasons that they wouldn't want her and balancing them out with the reasons to keep her. So far ... not looking good at all.

Ororo walked by her side talking about nothings and pointing out corridors as she went, saying where they led to. It was reassuring in a way, and Charlie calmed slightly. But that all changed when she looked up to see Wolverine. Storm had told her about him and other than flicker of fear for he looked so much like victor, she remained impassive and starred him directly in the eye as she passed through the door he had just left, alone, to meet Xavier.

-well thank you very much for reading the first chapter of my story and although I may wish otherwise I do not own X-Men but I do own my character or characters should I happen to add any more. This is me coming back from a humungous writers block where I couldn't write any stories what so ever so hopefully I've gotten better and hopefully you'll review me and tell me what you think of it. I will admit that I have no clue where this is going yet so wish me luck :D xx