Mutants. Since the birth of their existence they have been regarded with fear, suspicion, often hatred. Across the planet debate rages: are mutants the next link in the evolutionary chain or simply a new species of humanity fighting for their share of the world. Either way it is an historical fact , sharing the world has never been humanity's defining attribute.
The storm raged outside. The rain falling in sheets and the lightning forked across the sky. Walking towards the mansion was a man. He was relatively tall and his dark hair and clothes were soaked. The rain had got to his skin making him shiver as he walked. His hat was pulled low, the brim shielding his eyes from a large percentage of the rain. The unconscious woman in his arms was equally, if not more, wet. Her long hair swayed in the wind, rain drenching her face. Her uncovered skin was starting to turn a chilly blue. He needed to get her somewhere dry soon . The current weather conditions meant that he couldn't't tell whether she was still breathing.
In the mansion many students, roused from their slumber, peered curiously at the weather before hurrying out of their bedrooms to peer over the banister as Storm strode across towards the large wooden front doors. When she reached them she opened them cautiously.
Storm surveyed the man in the doorway.
"Can I help?" she said, her eyes flickering to the woman in the man's arms.
"Please help. She's hurt.," he said. Then after a short pause he added "And wet. I heard I could get help for her here."
"I think you'd be better of taking her to a hospital." Storm said and made to close the door. The man put his foot in the door way.
"But I can't. she's a mutant. I need to see Dr Jean Grey. I heard she could help."
Jean strode down the stairs, pushing her way past the on looking students. "Someone say my name?"
"Are you Dr Jean Grey?" the man pleaded.
"Yes. Can I help?"
"Please help. I don't know what happened but she need's help. She's a mutant so I can't take her to a hospital."
"Bring her to the medical wing" Jean said and nodded at Storm. Storm opened the door fully then closed it hurriedly against the weather when the man was inside.
Rogue had been watching the proceedings from her spot on the landing opposite the door. She had a perfect view of the man when he entered. Her eyes widened with fear at the sight of the woman in his arms and she fled down the stairs. Storm threw out a hand, grabbing hold of Rogue's covered upper arm. "Back to bed Rogue," she looked up at the landing above her "that's goes for all of you. " she said firmly. As the rest of the students mumbled discontentedly Rogue turned fiercely towards Storm.
"But that woman is my cousin." Rogue said.
"you'd better dome with me." Charles Xavier wheeled towards them.
Storm and Rogue followed the professor down the hall to his office. He stopped outside the door. "Storm, could you please go and see how our patient is doing?"
Storm nodded and walked down the hall.
She entered the medical wing to find Jean standing over the woman, who was lead on a stretcher like table. Storm looked around. The man was stood in the corner next to a radiator. Water was dripping from the hem of his coat and he bottom of his trouser legs were steaming slightly.
"how's she doing?" Storm asked.
"not good. I can't get deep enough into her mind to find out what happened. Whatever happened has made her slip into a sort of coma like state." Jean answered, not moving her gaze from her patient.
"a coma?" Storm said.
"coma like state. There is a slight difference. Its not quite a coma. Its like me mind has just shut down as some form of mental protection."
All the while Jean and Storm had been talking the man in the corner had remained silent and never moved his gaze from the woman's face.
"we found out her names Rose and she's Rogue's cousin." Storm said. Jean didn't reply but continued to bustle around.
The man spoke so suddenly both Jean and storm jumped violently. The result of which was Storm banging her elbow on a small metal tray. This sent many instruments, syringes and needles tumbling to the floor. Storm glared at the man while Jean absent mindedly levitated the scattered equipment back to their tray.
"my sincerest apologies," he said politely "but could I please get directed to a bathroom?"
"down the hall, first left, second right then straight ahead." Storm said moodily. He smiled graciously and apologized again as he left.
"we should talk to the professor and Rogue. See what we can find out about her." Jean levitated some blankets across the room and draped them over Rose.
When they entered the professor's office Rogue jumped to her feet "how is she?" she said breathlessly as though dreading the answer.
"I'm afraid its not good. Whatever happened has caused her to slip into a coma like state. It seems like her mind seems to have shut itself down. Other wise her general health seems perfect. Though there is the possibility she may have a broken rib or two. I'll have to do some x-rays to be sure. And maybe a cold or the flu but nothing really serious." Jean said. The professor turned to face Rogue.
"Rogue, her companion has told us nothing about your cousin. What can you tell us about her?"
"I haven't seen her in about ten years. She'd be about…I don't know…thirty something by now I think. I didn't even know she was a mutant. I know her parents kicked her out when she was in her early teens. But that's the most I know about her I'm afraid." Rogue sat down.
"and her companion? What can you tell is about him?" the professor asked soothingly.
Rogue shook her head "nothing. I've never seen him before. Last time I saw her she said she was bumming around with some guy. Travelling with him and stuff. Had been for a long time, since she was in her teens. That could be him. "
"speaking of which. Where is he?" Jean stuck her head out of the door and looked up and down the corridor as though expecting him to appear.
"I suspect our good Samaritan has gone." the professor said with a far away look in his eyes. "Jean is there anything more you need to do?"
"just some x-rays on her ribs but that's it." jean yawned. Rogue yawned.
"I think you'd better go to bed now Rogue. You have to be up early for the trip to the museum tomorrow." Storm said, pulling Rogue into a standing position.
"yes I think you'd all better go to bed. Its going to be a long day tomorrow." the professor said. They took the hint and left.
Storm and Jean stalled in the hallway. They both waited for Rogue to retreat to her room before breaking into whispered conversation as they walked up the stairs. At the top of the stairs they said goodnight and went in opposite directions. Storm crashed noisily into her room while Jean slipped silently into her own room. She slipped into the bed next to Scott, trying desperately not to wake him.