The day finally came to an end, allowing me to breathe. After my encounter with the little boy, I had not really focused on my work. In fact, I was rather focused on the care of voice down. I certainly did not lose control and risk a transfer now.
The memory sharing was more than enough for one day.
I said goodbye to employees remains while removing my apron before closing the door of the locker room behind me. I recovered my leather jacket from my locker and grabbed my black backpack corresponding to my outfit remains.
I quickly put on my business by releasing my hair of my elastic before shaking them briefly on my back. I threw the strap of my bag on my shoulder and went back to the coffee shop window. I turned the écrito indicating that we were open to closed before leaving in my turn. Noise and petrol smell mingled immediately to voice whispering in my head and I hastened to mingle with the crowd going.
I spotted the small restaurant where I ate every night and soon to get inside. The ringing of the bell briefly reminded me of my workplace and I gave a nod to one of the waitresses on my way to a free table.
I settled in the empty stand by quickly scanning my surroundings and automatically looked for possible exits. One was behind the kitchen, the door through which I entered and another near the men's room.
Once I was sure the coast was clear, I allowed myself to pick up the menu before watching it by a simple habit. I had learned that follow the same lifestyle facilitated my integration. I seemed more boring and identical to the other and I could melt into the ground. I ordered a simple breakfast instead of dinner and relaxed me would do that a little not appear suspicious.
I learned to control my every move from the moment I realized that this man haunting my nightmares would never stop to stalk me. For some reason, my abilities had some value for him and no matter how much effort I made to stay hidden, he would always dig me.
That was why I had always kept moving.
That, and also because the transfer is made less frequent when I was still on the run.
I was eating my dinner wearily, fully aware of the invalidity of my entire existence before depositing as many bills each night to the attention of the waitresses. After that, I laid me back into the crowd passing before turning into a series of small lanes near my current place of residence.
I filled the jar with a homeless tips of my day each time sparking a series of unprecedented appreciation of man as I continued my way without even recognizing him.
However, something did not go well this time. More I approached the last lane leading to my building and I could discern cries of calls for help. A woman.
I was a break in glancing over my shoulder and focus my attention on the front to the new cry agreement. They seemed more and stronger with every step I took and I contemplated the idea of expanding the voice to detect mutant presence.
Only the memory of the impact of my ability dissuaded me. I made another break at the entrance and briefly narrowed my eyes to the darkness of the alley before the widen at the sight of two men supporting a girl against the damp and rotten brick wall.
I threw once a glance over my shoulder in the idea of calling for help but a little voice in the back of my mind reminded me that I had less time to take the life of a being. I decided on impulse and pulled the hood of my jacket over my head before disappearing suddenly in a halo of light. I reappeared suddenly behind the men provoking a gasp from the girl. I took advantage of their distraction to take a punch in the ribs of the leaner before giving a high kick to the back of the knee of the larger.
The smallest let out a cry of pain of some backwards while not the largest literally screamed in pain along the creaking of his knee echoed around us. He let go of the girl under the weight of his grief making me fall slightly before quickly frown my eyebrows as the blonde turned to me in anger.
'' But what you have done them, freak ? '' She cried, rushing to the biggest to inspect the damage.''Oh, Max. Max, what he did to you ? ''
The biggest groaned in pain before choking sounds from the smallest questionned me. I watched a fleeting moment, barely touched by the blood spurting from his mouth before pinching my lips together. I shook my head in hopes of silencing voices before putting me instantly in run to the opposite direction. I continued to run my stairwell and stopped me once I was sure to be in the safety of my apartment.
I ended up collapsing down my door as reality sank in my mind and soon the tears flowed freely down my cheeks. I had to kill a man. Once again. Feelings of guilt and self-loathing settled in the pit of my chest and my sobs grew louder.
I jumped on my feet clearly tired of all that and looked carefully around me in a complete state of rage. I had enough of all that. Enough of being a monster. A freak of nature. I needed to disappear and for good this time. I had to …
Suddenly, several shots rang againstmy door doing me stop net in my stimulation. I cast a wary glance at the object of my stop before jump like other shots could be heard.
I held my breath taking some cautious not in the direction of the closed door, slightly stooped down to look through the opening. There stood two men. One of the two were smaller and younger probably while the second was taller, bigger and also more threatening.
He now wore a black turtleneck under a brown leather jacket while the first was a simple sweater that the English liked so much. The view from the second man immediately brought me a bad feeling. Maybe it was his hard features or its similarity to the many men who appeared close to man mustache but something was telling me that he was a person to fear. I weighed the pros and cons of running away but for some reason, something held me back.
My hand flew herself to my medallion and I squeezed it all my strength as I finally decided to speak. '' Who are you and what do you want ? ''
'' My name is Erik Lensherr. ''Presented the greatest voice of an imposing soon followed by smaller.
''And I, Charles Xavier. We just want to talk you, Hailey. ''
I felt my chest tighten at the mention of my name and backed by some not to mistrust. '' How do you know my name ? ''
'' Hailey is ... ''
'' How do you know ? '' Me I cried with more force becoming increasingly panicked.
Erik soon turned to Charles knowing that their time passed. After what Charles had told him in the car, it was now vital to get her from their side. If anyone knew what that revenge could do, it was him and as soon as he knew that Shaw had also deprived another person of what he had lost, Erik could not help but want to meet her. She had to help them to stop him. She was also intended to get revenge.
That's why he hastened to intimate Charles to do his thing. It was obvious she was about their escape and he would certainly not make that happen.
Charles had his fingers against his temple in pure concentration but for some reason, she seemed to block him without even realizing it. '' I can't ... reach her. It's as if she could not even hear me. ''
In instinct, Erik decided to act by himself and before anyone could even save it, he blew the door off its hinges before pushing it out of the way. The young mutant froze immediately on site with wide eyes shock at the two men.
'' Erik. '' Lectured Charles, turning slightly towards him before quickly raising his hands in surrender in an attempt to restrain the girl. '' Hailey, we want you no harm. We just want to offer you our help. ''
'' By pulling my door ? '' Exploded the brunette with hard features before throwing a deadly shine toward Erik. '' You're working for him, is not it ? ''
Charles and Erik looked almost immediately have an idea of who she was talking and Charles hastened to wear again his fingers against his temple in the hope of achieving her.
Soon a face adorned the telepath features and he threw a frustrated look on the young mutant.''Stop blocking me, Hailey. We are like you. ''
'' No matter who you are ! '' Barked her as an amazing halo of orange and yellow light began to wrap her athletic body sparking stuns eyes of the two men. '' I don't serve you of lab rat. ''
'' Charles ! '' Called out again Erik in understanding before giving an impatient look on him as they gifts of the telepath seemed useless with the brunette.
In a move of last resort, he raised his hand bringing the girl to him with her belt before the bludgeon of a good blow to the head. He caught her before she fell to the ground and straightened her in his arms to carry her to the car.
'' Erik, what are you ... ''
'' She was going to run away. '' Explained simply Erik in reply before giving an impatient glance at Charles for its expression of judgment. '' She managed to block you while using its other powers. She's important. ''
Charles gave a worried look on the young mutant stunned before throwing a skeptical look on Erik.'' This is not how we do it. ''
Erik was content to ignore the argument of telepath as he gave a new look at the brunette in his arms. He lifted a little, resulting in her arm to come to the back of his neck as he held her in the wedding style before walking through the old dilapidated corridor.
The next time I returned to my senses, dull pain was heard in the back of my skull.
I brought my hand once to my head completely unaware of my surroundings before feeling abnormal tremor. I jumped immediately forward in a waking state prompting the driver of the car in which I found myself apparently to swerve.
'' Relax, Hailey! Hopefully, you are safe ! '' Exclaimed suddenly a vaguely familiar voice on the other side of the driver and I immediately wide my eyes in recognizing of the two men.
I was about to escape but before I could gather my concentration, the driver himself known.''I would not do that if I were you. ''
'' Why not ? '' I replied defensively did not understand myself why I stayed to listen when I could easily escape.
The man I had already forgotten the name suddenly held my gaze makes me slightly uncomfortable as he spoke again with disconcerting intensity. ''Because, believe me, you'll want to hear what we have to say. ''
''Bullshit ! You knocked me! '' I accused him coldly still rubbing the painful area.
The second turned immediately to me with this and raised his hands in surrender.'' And I'm really sorry for that little misunderstanding. These are not our methods, but you should recognize that you were not very cooperative. ''
Not cooperative? Not cooperative! Either these men were so stupid or suicidal.
I narrowed my eyes at once on the smallest man with irritation and mild panic. '' You know I could kill you before you even know ? ''
'' You're not a killer, Hailey. '' Defended immediately the man and I had to help but let go a snort as he held up two fingers in one of his temples making me wrinkle my eyebrows.
They did not know me. And I even doubt that they were aware of my abilities. That meant they were not working for the man chasing me.
But who the hell were they ?
A look of pure concentration resumed the characteristic of the man before he was quickly replaced by a purely frustrated expression. '' Stop blocking me from your mind. ''
''Then stop trying to get in ! I have more miles mutant voice in my head. '' I replied childishly before falling back against my seat in the realization.
A look of pure curiosity and intrigue fell on the faces of two men telling me they were interested still in my abilities and I could feel my anxiety become increasingly oppressive.
''Sensational ! This should probably drown my own voice. '' Arises suddenly the smallest man in a look of pure astonishment before extending his hand slightly toward me forcing me to retreat immediately into mistrust. '' We don't want you no harm. Maybe if I get a direct contact so ... ''
'' Don't touch me! '' I interrupted sharply raising suspiciously look of the first man in my direction through the rearview mirror.
''How many mutations do you own ? '' He refuted in pure disbelief reaping soon the attention of the other man as he sent glances between the first man and me in the interrogation.
I knew for a fact that I could easily escape me but it would show them another of my abilities and these men already knew too much. It was mistakes like that that could facilitate my search for the man with the mustache. Because honestly, I did not care a lot for these two men. No, the only one that really scared me was the other man. I assumed that this was a normal reaction since he had hunted me since my childhood. Not to mention that he was the one who kidnapped and probably killed my mother and the only people who ever really mattered to me.
How many times I found myself wanting to transfer me to his body to lead him to his death. Only he seemed there was more human.
Since I refused to teleport away from the car, I decided I might as well give them my attention. I turned to the first man despite his austere appearance, he seemed more confident than the first.''What do you want ?''
My question seemed to surprise them both as they exchanged looks surprised before gauge me carefully in distrust.
Finally, it was again the smallest man who spoke first. '' We are looking for people with exceptional credentials like you and me. ''
''Why? '' I replied acerbic crossing my arms over my chest in a defensive sign immediately collecting the attention of the first man.
'' Johann Schmidt. '' He announced with intensity and bitterness making me look him in blindness.
The two men sizing up at me as if it was supposed to do any echo for me and I soon to raise an eyebrow expectantly. '' Excuse me, I should know this man to you ? ''
They exchanged immediately confused and slightly anxious glances before the other man turned back to me much more serious. '' You probably know him under his other name. Sebastian Shaw. ''
I now frowned my eyebrows since none of these names were calls me raising puzzled looks of the two men.
'' Okay! Obviously, I'm not the person you are looking for so can you drop me off at the corner of the road, I would find a way by my own. '' I suggested sarcastically pointing the aerated road we were driving.
'' You grew up in France. But you were born in Germany on 18 May 1941. Your mother's name was Angela Anne Finch. And she was kidnapped and probably killed by Johann Schmidt for her mutation.'' Recited suddenly the man with bright blue eyes freezing me there. '' I think you are definitely the person we want. ''
I turned slowly towards him in shock before throwing imperturbable gaze of the other man. The latter seemed to have considerably tightened his grip on the wheel for some reason and I contracted my jaw before turning to the first man. He again brought his hand against his temple despite his previous attempts before closing his eyes shut, leaving me to look the other man in mild panic.
Suddenly a shock through my mind, and before I could actually understand what was happening, I saw my whole entire life passed before my eyes. My childhood, my years in orphanages, race, my first transfers, my first victims and my greatest years until this famous moment in the car.
Soon, the man released a sudden gasp immediately collecting a worried look of the driver.'' Charles?''
However, he was too busy staring at me with the most empathetic expression I had never seen while I stayed just stunned at the strength of his power.''If you come with us, we can help you to control your abilities.''
'' Are you suicidal? '' Me I exclaimed after a moment to catch my shock. '' Even after you come to see you still offer me your assistance ? ''
'' We can offer you more than that. '' Intervened the another man leaving briefly his eyes from the road to look at me with intensity. '' You and I are people who have more reasons to incorporate this division. We can offer you a peace of mind, Hayley. We can offer you Shaw. ''
''Erik! '' Intervened Charles with a look disapprovingly before turning to me with a deep frown anxious eyebrows at the sight of my expression pensive. '' We are a priority with the government to stop a nuclear war. ''
The mention of Sebastian Shaw, the man I had been so scared in all my life but I did not know the first name was enough to drown the rest of the words of Charles. Right now, I would die to accept to go with them just to get revenge. To make him pay for all those years of fear. To force me to always keep an eye open at night.
Only, my gifts were what had made me paranoid and antisocial. I stood away from all beings for a reason and I could not risk more lives to get revenge.
'' So you want to take an even more dangerous weapon for your fellow with you ? '' Retorted I in disbelief and sarcasm immediately sparking a lost look of the first man on Charles.
Charles focused all his attention on me, making me definitely uncomfortable with the intensity of his gaze before he slowly shook his head in concern. '' It was not your fault. You're with a powerful mutation and ... ''
'' I need a break. '' I was cutting him suddenly becoming increasingly overwhelmed by information overload collecting suspicious eyes of the two men. '' I tell you I need a pause !''
'' I think I saw a gas station sign. '' Charles said, turning to Erik with a loaded look sparking Erik throwing a suspicious glance at the brunette in the back before engaging with a nod to the service station.
The remaining route to the station was heavy and cumbersome, and when we finished up in the parking, I could not be more relieved to leave this car. I rushed straight through the small store by openly ignoring calls the two men after me before going to the locker to travel to the nearest toilet.
Erik and Charles hastened to leave the car as the brunette jumped out of the cockpit to full speed before stopping as she stepped inside the store, leaving the two alone to talk about their progress or rather their lack of progress.
Erik had to admit she was the first problem they encountered from the beginning of their recruitment. Well, if we did not know this man from the bar.
However, he could not help but feel a deep respect for this girl. He knew firsthand the harmful influence that Shaw could have on someone's life and yet this girl was a fighter. A warrior and if he believed in their earlier conversation, she was an extremely powerful mutant. Perhaps even more powerful than all their united team.
That was why they could not afford to lose her. '' How do we know she will not go away ? ''
'' We don't know. '' Charles answered immediately without ever taking his eyes off the entrance of the store.'' But I don't think she thought to flee in time. She is lost and needs help. ''
Erik nodded as he took the gas pump before holding the side of their car. However, one question remained on his mind.
Charles - Overall, I have seen the worst parts of her life.
Erik soon turned his attention to the telepath to this and raised an eyebrow in question.
What did she mean for a weapon dangerous to her fellows ?
Charles - The voices in her head. They can in her emotions. They allow her to project her mind into the body of other mutants. And unfortunately she is the only one able to bear their powers.
At that, Erik simply was speechless. She was even more powerful as they imagined. '' So her transfer is the mental projection of her consciousness. ''
''Among other things. '' Agreed Charles with a nodded thoughtfully as he cast a new look concerned about the closed door of the store. ''She also has the ability to teleport and I think she can also feel the emotions and the memories of others by simple physical contact.''
''Three mutations? '' Astonished Erik resting the pump in the stand before leaning against the car door with his arms crossed on his chest. '' With practice, she could therefore stop a war by herself. ''
Charles could not help but stir on himself to this in discomfort. '' I must say I'm not so sure that's a good idea. She is more unstable than we thought and her powers could represent a big threat in the wrong hands. Not to mention its link with Shaw's way too personal. I doubt that... ''
Erik could not help but wince at the thought of the telepath. Of course she was powerful and humans could easily be afraid but she was their people. But as he had said earlier, she was the one who deserved the most part in this mission. They had to stop Shaw.
Suddenly the bell announcing the store opening doors cut through their conversation, and Erik looked up simultaneously with Charles just to see Hailey heading straight for them. She had a determined and imposing aura around her. Erik had to admit he was rarely impressed but this time, he could definitely see the potential of this mutant. She was cold and hard, harder than all the children they had recruited until now.
From that moment, he knew she was their greatest weapon.
Review please :)