Unnoticed, a dark figure slipped in through the ripped off wall that had yet to be even mentioned to Mystique. She slipped down the upstairs hallways, checking each room as she went. She was searching, searching for a girl. It wasn't long until she found her goal.
Gently tucked in on a large bed was the object of her search. Her eyes scanned the room and found another woman on the other side, sleeping upright against the wall. Memo quietly stepped up to Rogue's bed and began her work.
It was a time taking process, but a silent one at that, and Memo knew Rogue would not wake during it. Memo's eyes shut as she slipped past the blockades and edges, into the mystery of Rogue's mind. She found what she was looking for immediately. Waves emitted from her hands to gently scrape Rogue's head before disappearing all together.
An hour later, the process was complete. Memo opened her eyes and watched Rogue stir slightly on the bed. The girl must have felt something change, that was only natural. Memo left the bed side and exited the way she came. A series of events were set into play in that moment, the events could not be changed. From there on out, destiny would take hold.
--------
"Ah can't believe it! Do ya know what she did ta David? Do ya? He's in a coma becausa her! How can ya stand there defendin' that-that mutant!"
Carol flinched, an action that went unnoticed by Secon. "Secon, that's not being fair. I don't think she meant to do it. A lot of mutants have trouble with their powers when they first come, I did, remember?" Secon shot her a warning glance that was full of unreasonable anger.
"Don't ya eva mention that again! What did Ah tell ya about that? Ya don't want anyone ta hear ya say something lihke that. Keep it down. Jesus, Carol. Ah thought ya had more sense. Your…problem is different. We don't know how ya got the way ya are, bad parents Ah suppose, but its jus' different. We adopted ya ta get ya away from your kind. But Marie…Ah can't believe it. He's in tha hospital Carol! In a coma!"
"Yeah, but-"
Secon cut her off. "There's no 'but' about this situation, Carol. She nearly killed him."
"But-"
Secon waved her off angrily. "No, Carol. Just stop. Ah'm going ta show that bitch what's what. She's not welcome in this community. Her kind isn't welcome here. Ah'll get tha boys, we'll show her."
Tears had started to form in Carol's eyes. Did Secon even think about what he was saying? "Secon, you…you reject me so? Do you hate me so much?"
Secon's eyes landed on her again and softened. He encompassed her in a hug. "No, no, of course not, Carol. Ah love ya, your mah only sista an' ya mean tha world ta meh. But these others…they're jus' different Carol. Ya are too young ta understand this, but ya'll see someday. We took ya away from it all so ya could grow up decent, be taught good morals, obey tha law. These others…they're not lihke ya Carol. They're jus' not lihke ya."
Carol sobbed into Secon's shirt. Secon patted her on the back reassuringly for a time, then excused himself to bed, to get ready for the next morning. Carol wiped away her tears and stared out the window, picturing Marie. She was sure the girl couldn't have done it on purpose. Marie wasn't like that; she and David had been friends for as long as Carol had known them. Marie wouldn't purposely hurt David.
Carol had decided. She would warn her. It wasn't that Marie was particularly her friend, Carol had only seen the girl a few times before, on the occasion that David brought her over. She seemed like a nice girl yeah, but Carol never had really gotten to be friends with her. But this was different. Marie had to be warned. Carol believed in the good in her brother, but he was simple minded. He wouldn't stop once he got started on something.
Carol glanced up the steps to see that Secon was busy calling his boys. She left through the backdoor and traced the way to Marie's house. The town was small. Everybody knew where everyone else lived, no matter if you didn't really know the person.
Carol went to the front door and raised her fist to knock, but hesitated at the last second. Would Marie's parents let her see anyone? Probably not. Carol walked around the back of the house. Carol glanced around her to make sure that no one was around, and then she flew up to Marie's window. Once she reached the window, she grabbed the sill so it looked as if the sill was the thing holding her up.
Carol peered through the window curiously. Marie was on her bed, face buried in the covers. Was she crying? Carol knocked on the window twice.
Marie's head shot up and her green eyes met Carol's blue ones. She wiped her eyes on her sleeve and went to the window. Popping the window open, she gasped. "Carol? Wha?" She seemed to notice Carol was holding on to the sill, her only support. "Hold on!" Marie ran over to her dresser and pulled out a pair of long sleeved, opera gloves. After hurriedly pulling them on, she rushed back to the window sill and helped Carol up. Marie turned her gaze to the floor and distanced herself from Carol. "Whaddya doin' here?" She didn't wait for a response. "Ah woulda thought that everybody's heard by now. Is that what ya are here fohr?" She hugged herself tightly and turned away from Carol, ashamed.
"Yeah, everybody knows. But that's not why I'm here; I'm here to warn you."
Marie shifted her weight from one foot to the other and turned to face Carol. "Whaddya mean?"
Carol swallowed thickly. "I tried to talk him out of it…I'm sorry, Marie, but Secon doesn't take well to mutants and neither does many of his friends. He's gunna gather a group together and corner you tomorrow."
Marie's gaze returned to the floor as she sat down heavily on the bed. There was a long, uncomfortable silence until Marie softly spoke. "What should Ah do?" She bit her bottom lip and tears came to her eyes. "Mama hasn't even looked at meh since, an' pah's infuriated…Gracie won't talk ta meh." Rogue's watery eyes rose to stare at Carol. "Ah don' know what ta do anymore."
"Marie…"
"Maybe Ah should jus' leave."
"Running's not an answer, Marie. Just make sure that you always have someone around or something. You'll be ok."
"Nobody wants ta be around meh anymore."
Carol shot a glance at the window and sighed deeply. "I have to go for now…tell you what. I'll stop by in the morning and walk to school with you. Secon won't try anything if I'm around."
Glistening green eyes looked at Carol in a sad, soft way. "Ya…ya'd do that?"
"Sure. Our kind need to stick together." With that, Carol jumped out the window. Marie scurried to the window and watched with awe as Carol hovered a few feet above the ground. She turned to look up at Marie's window one last time and winked reassuringly.
Marie shut her window and went to sleep. If anything, at least somebody could stand to be around her.
--The next morning—
It was a foggy day in which the fog was so thick that one could barely see ten feet far. Marie waited on the curb and bit her lip nervously. If she was being completely honest, she'd admit to being scared witless. Afraid Carol wouldn't show, afraid of her warning, of what would happen. At ten past seven, a looming figure appeared in the fog. Marie tentatively called out. "Carol?"
She got no response. Three more figures showed up behind the first. Something glinted in the first guy's hand. Marie's throat began to close up, without thinking, she turned and ran. "GET HER!" Pounding footsteps resounded in Marie's throbbing ears as she pushed herself to the limit. It wasn't enough. They were steadily advancing on her, she had no where to hide.
Marie's knees gave way as a solid, heavy weight fell upon her back. Crying out in pain, she tumbled to the ground. Around her, a circle had formed. The kid who had tackled her stood in the middle with her, the nearest of the bunch. It was Secon.
Marie trembled and tried to pull herself to her feet, but Secon kicked her in the stomach, stopping her progress. Marie groaned and curled up into a ball, protectively holding her arms over her head. "Pitiful mutant." Secon spat at her. Marie closed her eyes and started to pray.
Secon grabbed her arm and roughly pulled her to her feet. "Ya're comin' with us." He paused and took in her gloves. "Hiding a weapon in there or what? Take off your gloves."
It was surprising how the two could be compared. Her flesh was a weapon. A weapon she'd never use voluntarily. "Ah ca-"
Secon glared at her harshly and ripped off one of her gloves. Another kid grabbed her from behind and began leading her away. He flapped it flimsily, and then threw it over his shoulder carelessly. Marie's eyes followed the glove in horror. "Ya don't understand-"
She was again cut off by Secon. "Oh, Ah understand awlright, Ah understand that mah sister paid ya a little visit last night. We were jus' goin' ta scare ya at first, but now, now that ya've made it personal. Ah'm goin' ta make sure mah sister isn't influenced by any o' yar kind. No, we brought her in an' swore." He seemed to forget his friends were even there. "We swore right then an' there. Ya won't be tha one ta hurt mah sister."
"Ah-"
"Shut up."
"But Ah-" Secon backhanded her across the face. Marie's head whipped to one side as tears filled her eyes.
"Ah said shut up." Secon's friends dragged her to the junkyard. Secon's father, Jerby, owned the junkyard. It opened at ten to ten, any other time of the day, it was deserted. Secon's friends threw her down and stepped back to watch their leader.
Marie tried to get up, but received a kick in the face for her efforts. Her jaw throbbed as she lay there. Second nodded and each of the boys held her down. Two for her legs and one to arms. They pinned her with their baggy kneed jeans holding her in place. All thoughts of escape were gone, only mind-numbing fear remained. Secon leaned down over her, intimidating her. "You're not goin' ta infest this town wit' ya trashy blood." His blade flicked out again and shimmered in the slight shine of the sun through the fog. Marie started to panic.
Secon held the blade above her heart. Marie bucked wildly and the kid on her arms tilted slightly to the side, almost falling over. Secon glared at the kid and roughly pushed him out of the way to hold her down himself. Rogue lashed out with her free arm and struck a soft stomach.
Secon gritted his teeth and brought down his knife hand to hold her free limb steady. The blade pierced through her arm and Marie cried out in pain as Secon's bare fingers touched her gloveless arm.
Everything came rushing into her at once. Secon's life flashed before her eyes in a blur of pictures and colors. Emotions and desires arose in Rogue that were not her own. Feelings of hatred and vile disgust filled her brain with hardened self-loathing. She was a mutant. She hated mutants. She wasn't a mutant. She was Secon. Marie cried out in agony as his being joined hers, his thoughts and needs became her views and wants.
Secon's eyes fluttered as he fell to the side, but his fingers remained tightly gripping her arm. Marie fought to pry her arm away, but couldn't from the knife wound which took away her arm's strength. The kids around her backed up in horror, not knowing what was happening. Marie rolled over and used her other hand to force her arm out of his grasp. She leaned, gasping for something more than air, over the frail form of Secon's pale body.
Marie stumbled to her feet. She was sure of only one thing; she had to get out of there. Now. She scurried away, awkwardly tripping with tears flooding her vision. Secon's mind mixed with her own, to the point that she couldn't tell the difference between him and her, it all became one life, molded by the clashing of two opposite minds. Marie stumbled through the streets of her hometown, suddenly hating the familiar pathway to her home, suddenly hating her life. She ran onward and didn't look back; it was in that moment that Marie became Rogue.
You'll pay for that, bitch.
Rogue awoke with a start and sat up in bed abruptly with a sharp yelp. Her stomach screamed in protest as her back cracked loudly and pain shot up her spine. Her head throbbed consecutively. It felt like someone was continually shoving knives through her skull. Rogue groaned and fell back into the puffy stuffing that made up her pillow.
Her body ached horribly. The pain was impossible to ignore, it raked through her system like an overwhelming tidal wave wiping away a small home. She tried to remember what had happened, but only flashes came to mind. Her memory was a soggy washboard that had been scraped thinly so that only the blurs remained.
Logan, what happened?
It took him longer to respond than usual; Rogue closed her eyes and concentrated, she heard the familiar snick repetitively drawing in and out. Your damn friend from Mississippi, that's what.
Ah don't remember anything.
Logan snorted. That's no surprise; considering she cracked your skull open. Nearly split the damn thing in half.
What?! Rogue took a deep breath. Her stomach jolted her system again. Logan, please explain what's going on.
The nightmare you jus' had, ya remember it at all?
Ah didn't know ya experienced mah nightmares…
That's beside the point. Logan huffed and the familiar snick noise rapidly increased. Rogue's pounding head began to ache even more. Look kid, the girl from your nightmare…Carol, she's the one that attacked you two days ago. I don't know why, but I'm getting the sense of revenge from her brother here.
Secon?! Rogue asked, surprised and a little panicked.
As if saying his name had actually called him forth, Secon spoke. That's right bitch! Carol's goin' ta get ya good fohr---
Shut him up already! Logan roared. His voice was so angry, so filled with fury; Rogue had only heard him so wildly mad when he was completely wrapped up in his animalistic half. Goddamn it boy, are you good for nothin' at all? He's just a human, for Christ sakes, keep him quiet!
'M tryin'! Hold y' horses homme!
Rogue's hands moved to her head where the pounding increased again by a tenfold. It felt like her head was splitting down the middle. Don't yell, Logan. Please…
I'm sorry darlin', Logan apologized, this tool's little sister came after ya. Strong as hell. She nearly killed ya.
Rogue frowned. How did Ah end up here?
That's another story…I think I'd better show ya what happened, kid. When you're well.
Show meh, Logan. If Ah didn't heal in two day's time then Ah'm not gunna be better anytime soon. Show meh now.
Logan hesitated. I don't think that's the best idea, kid…
Don't make meh look fohr it mahself, Rogue threatened, that'll only hurt more.
Kid…
Come on Logan, jus' show meh.
Ya ain't gunna like this, kid…Nevertheless, Logan showed her. He opened up his memories from what he saw. Between Magneto and Rogue, seeing through both their eyes and knowing the situation, he knew everything. It took Rogue a few minutes to watch and absorb it all. After she did, she was silent.
Darlin'? Ya still with me?
Rogue opened her eyes and blinked twice, no longer wishing to remain in her sub-consciousness. Yeah, Ah jus'…Ah can't believe she's back…
"Nice to see you've joined us again."
Rogue's eyes followed the unfamiliar walls to the sound. He gaze fell on Wanda, who was leaning against the wall carelessly, as if she had been waiting for Rogue to wake up. Rogue closed her eyes and swallowed. "This faintin' gig is becomin' way too customary." Her stomach ached with every word, but it hurt when she didn't talk anyway so she paid it little head.
"I suppose you have a knack for getting knocked out." Wanda's tone was flat, expressionless. Not even a hint of light humor colored her tone.
Rogue blinked at Wanda, seeming to realize her setting was not her own. "Why didn't ya put meh in mah room?"
"Your wall is missing."
"Oh." Rogue frowned. "Ya brought meh here?" She already knew the answer, but Rogue wanted to ask. Something about Wanda was off, she was being distant.
"Yeah." Wanda replied curtly, still staring intently at Rogue. Her eyes gave her away, they were shallow, watchful.
"Wanda…"
"What?"
"About Erik, Ah-"
"I don't want to talk about it." Wanda's eyes held a dangerous flare that alighted at the mention of her father.
Rogue pushed. "But Ah-"
"I said I don't want to talk about it." Wanda's thinned tone begged no opposition. "Drop the subject, Rogue."
Rogue dropped her gaze to her feet. Her body still protested her every movement, down to the twitch of her fingers, but she didn't expect it'd go away. Rogue chewed on her bottom lip. "Ah know tha girl who attacked meh."
"I suspected as much." The tone was still there, hard and unfriendly. "She nearly killed you. People don't act out so furiously with just a command from a higher boss." The question was hidden behind the contexts of the statement.
"Ah knew her in tha past, when Ah lived in Mississippi." Rogue explained. She breathed in heavily, causing her body to spasm slightly. A hint of concern lightly passed Wanda's features before Rogue continued. "Ah put her brother in a coma."
Wanda moved from her position of leaning against the wall to sit down on the far corner edge of Rogue's bed. "Well that couldn't have been your fault."
"Tha way it unfolded…it'd look very incriminating of meh ta say Ah didn't do it purposely. Tha day before the kid, Secon, decided ta mess with meh, Carol, his sister, came to warn me." Rogue paused for a minute and took in another breath that rattled her entire frame. "Nobody really knew what mah mutation was at tha time, Ah just knew it came from mah skin. So Carol warned meh about him an' then promised ta meet up with meh tomorrow. Secon had figured out where she went tha other day when she warned meh. So he came outah nowhere an' started attackin' meh. He accidentally touched meh for an extended period of tahme an' Ah absorbed a lot of him. Ah don't suspect that Carol knows it wasn't purposely, it jus' looks like betrayal, after she warned meh an' all. An' he turned out lihke David."
Wanda's frown had deepened considerably to the point where her features emphasized the downward turn of her mouth. She seemed to forget, temporarily, her hesitance to Rogue. "How many people have you absorbed Rogue? I don't see how you control a bunch of different people in your mind. Doesn't it get confusing?"
Rogue bit her bottom lip in nervousness. "Since mah mutation began, Ah've touched nine people. It is kinda hard. Sometimes Ah find mahself doin' things that I'd never do, some are little lihke putting ham on my peanut butter and jelly sandwich or doodling with mah left hand an' the doodle comes out as a reflection picture of someone Ah absorbed. Other things that happen are bigger, an' Ah don't even know Ah'm doin' them. Everyone Ah touch becomes a part of meh, without tha professor or Jean's help, those lines are blurrin' together." Rogue's eyes raised to stare at the ceiling. "With so many other personalities wandrin' around mah head, slippin' in traits of their own, Ah don't even know if Ah'm really meh anymore."
"Mystique's calling in a psychic."
"Wha?"
"Mystique." Wanda repeated, "She's calling in a psychic. You're not supposed to know about it yet, but I suppose the psychic's for you, so it doesn't hurt for me to tell you."
Rogue was confused. "How would Mystique know about tha trouble Ah've been havin' with mah voices?" Wanda lowered her eyes and dropped her head to stare at the floor. Rogue's eyes darkened as the truth occurred to her. "Ya've been tellin' her everythin', haven't you?"
"Rogue, I-"
Rogue cut Wanda off, suddenly infuriated. Everything pieced together perfectly. No wonder Wanda always talked to her. Rogue had trusted her, told her things that she didn't tell anybody else. And she had betrayed her. "No, Ah don't want to hear it. Ah see everythin' now, ya jus' were 'friendly' with meh ta get information about mah condition ta relay ta Mystique! Ya never were sincere in anythin'! It was all lies!"
"That's not—"
"Which is also why ya never told meh anything back! Ya jus' sat there an' listened ta meh tellin' you everythin', but when any subject about you came up, ya never told meh anythin'!"
"Rogue, I didn't—"
Rogue didn't let her finish. "Ah trusted ya! Ah trusted ya, Wanda! An' now, Ah don't even know why. Well, ya can go tell mah mother, your ever trusty boss, that if she wanted ta bond, this wasn't the way ta go about it! Ah'm through with this! Ah'm leavin'! Ya can tell her—Ahhhh!" Rogue's hands flew up to her head as she felt someone slam against her deteriorating shields that held back the psyches. Desires started to fill Rogue's mind. She needed to see Carol. She needed to hurt herself. She needed to leave. Rogue started to cough violently, one hand fell over her stomach as the other supported her pounding head. It felt as if someone decided to whack her repetively with a sludge hammer. Her body ached in agony, her limbs felt unnaturally heavy. She continued to cough and flecks of blood splattered the white sheets. Fat, watery tears spilled down her cheeks, untouched, they rolled gently to her chin and dropped to her lap.
REMY!
"Rogue!" Wanda jumped off the edge of the bed and rushed to her side, unsure of what to do. "REMY, I KNOW YOU'RE WATCHING! GET HELP!"
The screaming wasn't helping. Everyone was screaming, Wanda, Logan, Remy, Secon. A battle was taking place in Rogue's mind. Secon had managed to get loose from Remy and he was trying to take control. Memories that weren't her own flooded her mind. Remy lunged for Secon and held him down. The pain and screaming didn't stop.
Rogue screamed and lashed out wildly, accidentally smacking Wanda in the process. "Stop, stop STOP! Make it stop!" Rogue pleaded helplessly. Eyes tightly shut; Rogue pushed back at all the psyches with every reserve bit of strength she possessed. All fell quiet instantly.
Rogue could hear her heartbeat pounding in her chest. Her limbs still ached, but the screaming was gone. She hesitantly opened her watery eyes. Wanda and Remy stood frozen in the room, staring at her as if she'd grown an extra head.
"Rogue, are you alright?" Wanda knelt beside her concernedly, almost motherly. Rogue was angry. Unreasonably angry. In that moment, she hated everything and everybody.
"Lihke ya would care?" Rogue's resolve hardened. "Go report this to Mystique too, won't ya? That's your job, isn't it?"
"Rogue—"
"Get out." The command was hissed through clenched teeth, like the low hiss of a snake, it demanded no objection. Wanda bit her lower lip and ushered Remy out ahead of her. Casting one last gaze over her shoulder, she shut the door behind her gently.
Not even the faintest snick of Logan's claws could be heard. Rogue was alone once more. Rogue burrowed back down into the covers and cried.