Immortal Phoenix
Chapter 4
The doctor's office felt unfamiliar compared to the spacious medlabs I was used to. It was small and stuffy, only serving the purpose of dealing with small medical issues, not the enormous amounts of genetic research I'd used to do.
I sat in the waiting room, disguised with my newly dyed black hair and round glasses. Today was a busy day, and it had taken some pushing in order to get an appointment at such short notice.
Five other people also sat in the room. They were all here for the same reason as me.
A female doctor came out and summoned one of them. A short man, whose physical appearance, like mine, appeared quite ordinary, rose and followed her. Like me, though, he wasn't ordinary on the inside. I briefly wondered what it was about him that caused him to feel so desperate that he would succumb to coming to a place like this.
To treat such an important part of him as if it's a disease, I thought vehemently. And yet, I am doing the same thing. He, like me, must feel that he has no choice.
Five minutes later the man returned, grinning with happiness, spluttering his thanks as he signed off some form and left. I wondered if I would experience the same feeling of joy when it was my turn.
In the back of my mind I felt uneasy. The Phoenix had stirred and was watching very carefully. She made no move, nor did she speak, which was worrying because it meant she was thinking.
'Jacqueline Sanders,' called the doctor.
I rose and followed her. I couldn't have used my real name because it was far too well known for it not to be recognised. Since awakening I had heard the words 'Jean Grey' pass the lips of the occasional person in casual conversation. I was the geneticist who turned traitor on the X-Men. Who had incredible amounts of power. Who had to be killed by her own team before she destroyed the world. Who was possessed.
Jean Grey was known to the world. Jacqueline Sanders was an anonymous woman.
The room was tiny, with two chairs, a small, square desk and a shelf full of bottles of liquid. The doctor opened a drawer and brought out a syringe. I felt a tingle of excitement as she filled it with liquid from one of the bottles. Very soon, it would all be over, and I could be left in peace.
'Are you sure?' the doctor asked. 'The cure is irreversible.'
I nodded.
But just as she pinched my skin, and raised the syringe to deliver the jab, I felt a tug in my mind, and before I knew it I was out of my seat against my own will. I could feel my eyes heating up, my skin burning with energy. Bottles and needles flew everywhere and the doctor fell hard into the desk. The window smashed open and the Phoenix jumped out, taking me with her, and ran for her life.
I fought to try and regain control but, just like always, the Phoenix was far too strong for me. She didn't let me stop until we were far, far away from the doctor's office, so far that when I finally managed to break through I doubled over, gasping for breath from having run so far.
I cursed loudly. Was there no end to the Phoenix winning? Was she never to be destroyed, would she never leave me alone?
Did you think it would be so simple? the Phoenix asked me. Did you think I would sit back and let you take the cure that would rip me from your body? As if I would let you do that.
'Why are you here?' I demanded. 'Why won't you leave me alone?'
You really don't get it, do you? the Phoenix smirked. It isn't just a simple case of my leaving. You see, I am as much a part of you as you are a part of me. You didn't get the cure because deep down you didn't truly want it. You wanted out, and so you ran.
'It's not true!' I argued. 'I want that cure more than anything!'
Part of you does. But there is another part of you that thirsts for power, isn't there�
A/N: Please review! It would make my day!
