Warning: More talk of coercion and 'near-misses', neglect and abuse of power, purely for the plot, not a depiction of healthcare services. More adventures and looks into the past...
That same girl was having trouble sleeping.
The air was too still and her room at the Institute felt too confining. Time had no meaning now as the night dragged on, whispering of things still needing to be done and places to be seen.
Maps of Montana bore more familiarity to her than any of the places she'd been and still they evaded her. Florida had been her starting point. The middle was hazy. Dreams haunted her. Things she knew but shouldn't know. The warmth of the flame as it circled a pair of men with ill intent.
Heavy accents that sounded familiar but at the same time, weren't.
Being locked up for setting the community room alight. Getting angry that the members of staff were taking advantage of the others' vulnerabilities. No, not just others. But a young girl who was younger than she should have been, so sure that her mother would come, that she hadn't forgotten...
"They all say that, but they lie. People don't believe we'll get better. That's what they tell themselves to make them feel better. As long as they continue to write the cheques, their job is over. We're locked up tight and they never have to think of us again."
There was no use protesting. Some of the patients had been here for years and it was cruel to throw in their faces that she had someone on the outside that loved her and wanted her to be well so she could come home...
XxX
They'd left the hospital in Florida late at night, transferring to one in Alabama. That had been the nearest hospital with a space for her. Aliyanna. The memories were hazy but they still lingered as she pictured the journey she was now on.
Anna, her mother, would be able to get a job in no time and start building a life for the both of them. People always needed nurses and Anna could even take on the job of a carer if needed.
The police had helped them get new identities, new documents. Anna L DellaRouge was now Anna Green. Her daughter, Aliyanna Charlotte Green.
"Ah promise, you'll be home soon."
Her mother's words echoed on a loop.
That had been the hope she needed and Rogue had tried to be good. She did what the staff asked of her, never caused trouble, but somehow that didn't go in her favour. The people ranged from deathly to psychotic and they had no time or patience for a young girl. All except Johnny. He, like her was a loner.
He disliked authority and didn't mind letting them know it.
He disliked talk of the outside world and family.
He was the one people went to when some of the staff were a little too heavy-handed in their handling or too voyeuristic in their supervision, particularly when it came to female hygiene habits. Rogue thought her age might have protected her but it didn't and when Johnny discovered she was the latest victim, the facility burned brighter than the sky on November 5th.
He broke them out, little caring that they had nowhere to go. Somehow, he stole them enough clothes and kept her close so no-one would ask questions.
There were several others who broke out but within hours, they were weary of the outside life, where no-one brought you food or told you to stay where you were.
Johnny dragged her along with him, sneaking on a train to the biggest city he could think of, New Orleans.
XxX
When Kitty woke, it was to find that Rogue had already left their room, if her fully made bed was any indication. Since school let out, she had been enjoying the slower pace of life and relaxed routine.
Everyone was getting ready for Rogue's birthday that weekend and it really helped that the girl was so caught up in other stuff to realise everyone was busy party-planning.
She and Kurt had planned the birthday cake, noting her fondness for chocolate. There'd be a huge, extensive buffet before the birthday girl would be showered with presents, including the one the instructors were busy co-ordinating. It had been a great help that Scott had found the shop and between them all, they had no doubt the shopkeeper would have to restock at least half their goods.
The young kids enjoyed being in on the secret and since Rogue had rejoined the main team, they had come to regard her in a similar way to Logan, behind the layers and tough exterior, there was someone that would do anything for anyone, as long as you didn't smother them with praise.
After showering, she joined the others for breakfast. It was the usual mess of spillages, people chewing with their mouths open and several optimists trying to make conversation.
"While Rogue isn't with us, can I make sure everyone has what they need for this weekend?"
There were responses to the affirmative. The Professor was satisfied.
"I hope she's not too much longer, they'll be nothing left." He added, jovially.
Kitty froze. "Oh Rogue's not upstairs. I like thought she was already down here."
Charles stilled, his mind already searching the mansion for a psychic read of her. Logan had already left the table, heading to the garage. He conveyed mentally to the telepath that the car, Rogue's car wasn't there.
The others left to do a full search but they all came back empty. Hank and Ororo checked the footage to find that at some point in the early hours of the morning, Rogue had left the estate without triggering the alarms.
Logan was on the road before anyone could stop him, unable to accept that she had simply gone without a word.
Kitty and Rogue's room was searched, revealing that barring her wallet and some workout clothes, nothing else was taken. Charles kept all the passports in his office, though he checked just the same. It was still there.
They didn't keep security cameras in the bedrooms, out of common decency and no-one could recall there being anything in particular that caused them to worry about her.
XxX
As Rogue continued to drive through the day, stopping only for essentials, John's memories continued to fill her head.
They'd made it to New Orleans. The city was a blur of colours, smells and sounds. It proved over-stimulating for John, less so for Rogue. It was a city divided by two warring clans, much like Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, though without the star-crossed lovers. Anyone who stumbled onto the wrong side, ran the risk of getting their throat slit. It didn't matter if you were a child or not, you were a target.
At several points in the day, they were made to move on. They weren't so polite at night. Johnny was already on edge and his young friend was holding him back.
One night, when he'd left to go fetch them food, she'd made herself small against the rubbish bins, there was a cacophony of squeaking and the scattering of rats. They were much bigger than the ones she'd seen in cages, in pet shops. Less timid too. They climbed up her body to fetch the tastiest morsels available. She forced herself not to scream. Johnny would be back soon. He'd know what to do.
She heard the footsteps coming closer, too many to belong to her friend. She closed her eyes, praying they'd leave her along.
"Well, look what we have here. We gots ourself a little river rat."
She refused to look up at them and felt something strike her head, leaving many stars for her to count.
"Ain't nice to ignore me, petite."
She felt his rank breath on her face, his grimy hands holding her tight.
"Let's see if the carpet matches the drapes."
He moved backwards and someone lifted her bodily off the floor, prying her arms apart and holding them tightly when the person who spoke ran his hands down her front, reaching for the fastening of her trousers. The alleyway grew intensely hot. Her assailants screamed as their hands caught fire and they dropped her, winding her.
Someone else grabbed her by the waist and threw her over their shoulder. In the chaos, the two escaped but there were many recriminations to follow.
XxX
The Le Beaus were at the table, waiting for the head of the family, before they could eat. Their reputation was well known throughout the state, as they formed part of the clan that was infamous to New Orleans.
The family consisted of Jean-Luc, his sons Henri and Remy and his wife's cousin, Mattie, known to all as Tante Mattie. His wife had died several years ago, along with his heart. Now he lived for his mistress, the Thieves Guild. He had ambitions for both his boys, even though the younger was only a runt he took off the streets.
Mattie had moved in after her sister died and stayed to remind the three males that they still needed to eat and that despite their reputation, they still had to be raised civilised.
"Boy, what you gone done now?" The words heralded Jean-Luc's return. His eyes were focused on Remy, whose stare returned blankly.
"That was Marius, he's fixed on breaching the treaty. D'ya know how long I worked on dat?"
"What ol' Marius say Ah do 'dis time?" Came Remy's tolerant reply.
"Tell me straight. Have you been messing with the Bordereux?"
"No sir, Ah ain't seen 'dem today."
Jean-Luc snorted. "Well make sure you keep away, 'dat family don't need more ammunition."
"What happened pere?" Henri, the elder son asked.
"His boy was attacked by some mutie."
He eyed Remy to assure himself that his adopted son was deceiving him.
"How? Where?"
"The town. He and his friends were set upon, for no reason. But you don't know anythin' about 'dat, do ya?"
Remy shook his head. "No sir."
XxX
The following day was a working day, like any other but Remy was intent on finding out what had happened. He and some of the others tracked the scene of the crime. It didn't take too long as the area was still taped off and the signs were fresh.
"Ah heard Julian's hands were burned clear off."
"Shut up, Lapin. You hear too much." One thing you need to know about Remy Le Beau, he always stayed calm in a crisis.
Throughout the day, the story was developed further so the line between fact and fiction became faded.
XxX
Meanwhile, Johnny was lying low. Aliyanna, who he'd taken to calling, 'Yanna' hadn't slept the night and refused to leave his side. They waited until night to seek out food and were scouring the bins when they were set upon.
Julien Bordereaux had returned, with reinforcements.
They set on the two, dragging Yanna away before turning their attention on Johnny. Dazed from falling, he had no time to engage his power before the pummelling began. Yanna refused to stay idle, pushing at Johnny's attackers. They were bigger and stronger and saw no reason not to attack the girl, knocking her to the ground, kicking her in the ribs while she crouched before them.
Once, she tried to stand, resting her hand on the ground very briefly. But still they stamped on it, kicking her back again.
Her voice was hoarse as the beatings continued and they were left alone. She had to get to Johnny, but she was so tired.
It was dark when she woke, pitch black and she had no idea where she was.
Her first clue that she'd been moved, was the fact she was n longer outside.
The second, was that she was in a bed.
The third took a while to realise. Someone had tended her injuries, binding her hand and her stomach. It took an age to crawl to the edge of the bed, lower her feet to the cold tiles and leave the warmth enough to reach the end of the room and the door.
She tried the handle.
It was locked.
She heard footsteps and quietly returned to bed, placing her covers over her head and holding her breath, lest anyone yell at her. For what? Being awake when she ought to be asleep?
The footsteps retreated and she was left alone once more, falling asleep out of sheer tiredness.
XxX
Back in New Orleans, Johnny found himself once more locked up, only this time, he was in solitary confinement. His hands were bound to his side by the straightjacket he'd been forced to wear for no other reason that the staff had received a tip-off that he was a danger to society. Their source was unknown.
"Yanna?" He called out. "Where's Yanna?" No-one heard him or if they did, no-one answered. He was alone once more, for the foreseeable future.
The Le Beaus were not to discover the truth of the matter beyond the knowledge that the assailant had been captured.
"Captured, not killed. Makes m'think the whole thing was a trick to start another war."
"It's all over now." Came the soothing response from Tante Mattie.
Yes, it was over for the LeBeaus, but for the girl now known as Yanna, things were only beginning...