Disclaimer: in part 0
Thanks to Athena, Andrea, and Monia--you guys are the best betas I
could ever ask for!
Do What You Have to Do
Part 2
***
Sarah sat up suddenly, her breath coming quick and cold sweat rolling
down the back of her neck. For a moment she thought she was back in
the Centre, that it hadn't been a dream, but when she saw no
surveillance cameras she knew she wasn't back there again.
More relaxed, Sarah ran her fingers through her long hair and stood.
Making a quick search of her surroundings, she found her bag and
Jarod's black leather jacket in a large cupboard. She smiled sadly,
remembering the look on his face when he'd given it to her.
They had just left the little apartment, knowing it wouldn't be long
before the mob descended on them like a cloud of locusts. In their
haste, Sarah had forgotten a jacket. The icy March rain was harsh,
and she'd shivered, just once, but it was enough for her protective
brother to wrap her in the warm jacket that was much too large.
Although she'd protested, he had just smiled at her, obstinately
ignoring her objections.
With this memory, she realized she had no idea where Jarod was. She
began to gather together the few belongings she'd brought in the
escape. Before leaving, she wanted to say goodbye to Rogue and Dr.
Grey, who had taken care of her, before she'd fallen asleep. In a
few minutes she was wandering through well-lit halls that were
nothing like those of the Centre, either in appearance or the
emotions she picked up from them. Not wanting to waste time, she
asked a young man where she could find Rogue, and was directed to a
door that proclaimed "Dr. Xavier's Office" in bold letters. She
knocked twice and, when given permission, pushed open the massive
oaken doors and strode boldly inside.
Seeing a group of people seated around the desk, she said, "I'm
sorry, am I interrupting something?"
A man in a wheelchair moved from behind the desk and extended a hand,
which she shook firmly, trying to hide her surprise at the fact that
the chair hovered above the floor. "Not at all, Sarah. I'm Dr.
Xavier." The younger doctor in the infirmary had told her about
Professor Xavier. Looking at the man before her, she found it hard
to remember that he was telepathic and could read her mind. "This is
Scott, also called Cyclops," he continued, indicating the man with
the one red "eye," which was actually some sort of visor with a red
lens. "This is Logan, called Wolverine, and I believe you know Rogue
and Dr. Grey," Xavier finished. Logan was the rough-looking man from
the riverbank, although now he looked much less worried. Exchanging
a grin with Rogue, she noticed, for the first time, a streak of
shocking white in her otherwise auburn hair. She wondered what had
caused it, but put the thought from her mind for the time being.
"Dr. Xavier, I just came to thank you for your hospitality and to say
goodbye. I think it's time for me to be going," Sarah said.
Xavier's voice was friendly and welcoming as he replied. "My dear,
wouldn't you like to stay for a while?"
"Thank you for the offer," she said firmly but politely, "but I
really should be going. I need to find out what happened to my
brother."
The professor chose to press the issue gently. "We can help you
locate your brother, Sarah. You are extremely gifted-." He started
to tell her that she couldn't do it alone, but she cut him off.
"The last time somebody told me that," she stated in a low, bitter
voice, her blue eyes burning with rage, "I wound up causing the
deaths of hundreds of innocent people." Without another word, she
turned on her heel and stalked out, leaving the others to throw
questioning glances at Xavier.
Scott followed, saying, "Somebody should talk to her."
Once he was gone, Logan asked, "What's that all about?"
"There is a corporation in Delaware known only as the Centre," the
doctor explained. "They kidnap young Pretenders and force them to
simulate certain situations. The results can then be sold to the
highest bidder and are generally used to do great evil." The
occupants of the room leaned forward, interest and disgust written
clearly on their faces. "Sarah was a tiny child when the Centre
isolated her. She escaped with her brother, another Pretender, after
being held there for over a decade. Just recently, she found that
countless numbers of her simulations had been used for murder and
terrorism. Although she didn't know how they were exploiting her at
the time, the idea that she is responsible for these deaths weighs
heavily upon her."
********
Ok, I know this part is short, but I promise, the next part is
longer. Tell me what you think, even if you hated it.
Thanks to Athena, Andrea, and Monia--you guys are the best betas I
could ever ask for!
Do What You Have to Do
Part 2
***
Sarah sat up suddenly, her breath coming quick and cold sweat rolling
down the back of her neck. For a moment she thought she was back in
the Centre, that it hadn't been a dream, but when she saw no
surveillance cameras she knew she wasn't back there again.
More relaxed, Sarah ran her fingers through her long hair and stood.
Making a quick search of her surroundings, she found her bag and
Jarod's black leather jacket in a large cupboard. She smiled sadly,
remembering the look on his face when he'd given it to her.
They had just left the little apartment, knowing it wouldn't be long
before the mob descended on them like a cloud of locusts. In their
haste, Sarah had forgotten a jacket. The icy March rain was harsh,
and she'd shivered, just once, but it was enough for her protective
brother to wrap her in the warm jacket that was much too large.
Although she'd protested, he had just smiled at her, obstinately
ignoring her objections.
With this memory, she realized she had no idea where Jarod was. She
began to gather together the few belongings she'd brought in the
escape. Before leaving, she wanted to say goodbye to Rogue and Dr.
Grey, who had taken care of her, before she'd fallen asleep. In a
few minutes she was wandering through well-lit halls that were
nothing like those of the Centre, either in appearance or the
emotions she picked up from them. Not wanting to waste time, she
asked a young man where she could find Rogue, and was directed to a
door that proclaimed "Dr. Xavier's Office" in bold letters. She
knocked twice and, when given permission, pushed open the massive
oaken doors and strode boldly inside.
Seeing a group of people seated around the desk, she said, "I'm
sorry, am I interrupting something?"
A man in a wheelchair moved from behind the desk and extended a hand,
which she shook firmly, trying to hide her surprise at the fact that
the chair hovered above the floor. "Not at all, Sarah. I'm Dr.
Xavier." The younger doctor in the infirmary had told her about
Professor Xavier. Looking at the man before her, she found it hard
to remember that he was telepathic and could read her mind. "This is
Scott, also called Cyclops," he continued, indicating the man with
the one red "eye," which was actually some sort of visor with a red
lens. "This is Logan, called Wolverine, and I believe you know Rogue
and Dr. Grey," Xavier finished. Logan was the rough-looking man from
the riverbank, although now he looked much less worried. Exchanging
a grin with Rogue, she noticed, for the first time, a streak of
shocking white in her otherwise auburn hair. She wondered what had
caused it, but put the thought from her mind for the time being.
"Dr. Xavier, I just came to thank you for your hospitality and to say
goodbye. I think it's time for me to be going," Sarah said.
Xavier's voice was friendly and welcoming as he replied. "My dear,
wouldn't you like to stay for a while?"
"Thank you for the offer," she said firmly but politely, "but I
really should be going. I need to find out what happened to my
brother."
The professor chose to press the issue gently. "We can help you
locate your brother, Sarah. You are extremely gifted-." He started
to tell her that she couldn't do it alone, but she cut him off.
"The last time somebody told me that," she stated in a low, bitter
voice, her blue eyes burning with rage, "I wound up causing the
deaths of hundreds of innocent people." Without another word, she
turned on her heel and stalked out, leaving the others to throw
questioning glances at Xavier.
Scott followed, saying, "Somebody should talk to her."
Once he was gone, Logan asked, "What's that all about?"
"There is a corporation in Delaware known only as the Centre," the
doctor explained. "They kidnap young Pretenders and force them to
simulate certain situations. The results can then be sold to the
highest bidder and are generally used to do great evil." The
occupants of the room leaned forward, interest and disgust written
clearly on their faces. "Sarah was a tiny child when the Centre
isolated her. She escaped with her brother, another Pretender, after
being held there for over a decade. Just recently, she found that
countless numbers of her simulations had been used for murder and
terrorism. Although she didn't know how they were exploiting her at
the time, the idea that she is responsible for these deaths weighs
heavily upon her."
********
Ok, I know this part is short, but I promise, the next part is
longer. Tell me what you think, even if you hated it.
