Chapter two.
Disclaimer: Not my copyrights.
I realize I'm not dead when I wake up staring into those harsh fluorescent lights they have in hospitals.
I also realize that the bullet did a lot of damage to my guts when I try to move. The reward of pain is a bit much.
I get a look at my surroundings, an atypical hospital room sterile to the point of being impersonal. I can't shake the feeling of wool around my head, and I feel slightly disconnected from my body, which I'm disappointed to see is still female.
The doctor comes in and makes his rounds, he's glad I'm awake and responsive, checking things off his clipboard while checking my vitals. I try to answer his questions as best as I can. I even try to ask one of my own, but he just ignores me. As he leaves, I notice the name on the clipboard is 'Jane Doe'.
He's not out of my room two seconds when another man comes in flanked by two police officers. He's got my wallet in his hand.
"Good morning. My name is detective Royo. I would like to discuss with you where you got this."
Elsewhere:
"Professor, I think you should see this."
"In national news; a mutant was shot and wounded earlier today during a robbery of a gas station. After being taken hostage her mutation triggered and she was shot by the surprised gunman. She was rushed to the Amarillo hospital where she is listed as being in critical condition.
The gunman fled the scene.
Anti-mutant demonstrators have rallied to the hospital and are pressuring for the mutant to be released without medical attention.
"Hospitals are for humans, not mutie scum."
In a related story, the disappearance of star athlete Alex Yager of Pheonix after a mutant attacked his home now has a new lead. The young mutant injured today had on her the personal identification and personal effects of the missing boy."
"…"
"I'll prep the jet."
"Take Jean and Bobby with you Scott."
Elsewhere again
"Anti-mutant demonstrators have rallied to the hospital and are pressuring for the mutant to be released without medical attention.
"Hospitals are for humans, not mutie scum."…
"Interesting…"Amarillo, Texas.
"I don't know what you're trying to pull here, girl, but it ain't funny. Now, I'm going to ask you again and you're going to tell me what I want to hear, not this fantasy you've cooked up. You hear me?"
I can't do anything but stare at him. I told him everything and he doesn't believe me. The pain from my wound is making me irritable and all I want to do is sleep…or die.
"Now, the Yager family filed a report that their home was attacked by an unidentified mutant and their son, Alex, was kidnapped. You show up here in my city with his wallet claiming to be him. Now, I don't think I have to point out the flaws in your stolen identity scheme do I, mutant?"
He throws the word out like a curse. Such venom for one word. It hurts.
The pain, the frustration, the hatred, it gets to me. Despite the detective's insistence that I settle down, I can't stop crying. I've lost everything and I'm being told I'm not me anymore. The detective doesn't see me as a young person who's scared and confused, but as a monster.
The doctor comes in and jabs my arm with a needle. I hear him beratting the detective as I slip into oblivion. I briefly dream of a bald man with a cat.
Elsewhere
Jean.
Yes Professor?
I have located the young mutant in Amarillo. She's under guard by the police who believe that she is responsible for the disappearance of another young man in Pheonix, Arizona. She's telling them the truth, but they don't believe her.
She's also very confused and scared right now.
Okay professor.
One more thing Jean. You aren't the only ones going after her.
"ETA twenty minutes" Scott's voice intoned.
The plan was simple. Contact the mutant and attempt to extract her from under the noses of the Amarillo police force and the ant mutant protestors gathered at the entrance of the hospital. Piece of cake. Right.
Author's notes:
On the continuity scale, I'm placing the story after Magnetic North. Please tell me what you think.
