Disclaimer, etc. in first part…
7.
God, why? She'd been so careful!
*It's not your fault.*
Marie knew the thought wasn't her own. It belonged to the other girl, Kitty. The one she'd just left unconscious in the middle of the cafeteria.
Marie choked back a sob. I didn't even stay and try to help. I just ran!
*It's not your fault. It was an accident.*
Logically, Marie knew Kitty was right. It really hadn't been her fault. Some kids had been playing around and Kitty had been standing just a little too close. She'd gotten shoved and she'd fallen. She'd reached out and tried to stop her descent. Unfortunately, Kitty's hand had found the one inch of bare skin between Marie's long gloves and short-sleeved shirt. It had only been two seconds before Marie's brain realized what was happening.
But it had been two seconds too late. Marie felt Kitty's presence in her mind even as she saw the girl fall unconscious to the cafeteria floor.
The large room had slowly gone deathly silent. And everyone had been looking at her.
Just then, a kid with blue fur and a tail rushed up and knelt besides the fallen girl. Cradling her limp form, he'd turned burning silver eyes on Marie and hissed, "Schlechte Hexe! Vhat did you do to her?"
Having no answer that could possibly be satisfactory for the blue boy –
*His name's Kurt. Kurt Wagner. He's my boyfriend. Isn't he a sweetie? All worried and –*
– Marie murmured a quiet "I'm sorry" before turning and fleeing from the scene.
And now everybody hates me!
Marie was so upset that she didn't realize that she'd run right through several walls during her flight.
*Everybody doesn't hate you! I don't hate you.*
Marie paused in her flight. You don't? Even after what I did to you?
*How many times do I have to tell you? It wasn't your fault!*
Marie could hear the conviction in Kitty's mental voice, though the other girl was already beginning to fade into the background of her mind.
Suddenly weary, Marie sighed and wiped at the tears staining her cheeks. It doesn't matter if it was my fault or not. I hurt you with my power and the Professor is gonna be pissed. I might as well save them the trouble of throwing me out and just leaving.
It was then that Marie noticed she had no idea where she was.
Turning about, she studied the small circular chamber. There didn't seem to be a door or window anywhere. In fact, there didn't appear to be an opening of any kind.
"How did I get in here without –"
Marie realized the answer before she even finished the question. She also realized that if Kitty's powers had got her in there, they could certainly get her out.
Tentatively, she reached out her hand and pressed it against the wall. Slowly, her hand began to disappear. First her fingers, then past her knuckles, until everything up to her wrist had completely disappeared through the wall.
But something wasn't right. It was taking a lot of effort. Too much effort. It felt as if she were pushing her arm through a bucket of half-dried cement. Marie started to pull her hand back.
And felt the immediate stirrings of panic when her arm wouldn't budge.
Oh, God, no! Kitty's powers can't wear off now! God, not now!
Tugging frantically for what seemed like minutes, Marie gave a startled shout of joy when her hand suddenly slid free. She wouldn't be trying that again any time soon.
But how to get out of there?
Might as well try one of the old-fashioned methods, Marie thought wryly. Scream for help. She began to yell and bang on the wall of her hopefully temporary prison.
"Help! Can anyone hear me? Get me out of here!"
She paused for a moment, ear against the wall to hear if there was any response.
All she heard was the sound of her own breathing.
"Dammit!" She banged at the wall once more.
And with a slight jerk, her prison began to move.
Oh. So it's an elevator. Okay.
She would simply get off where ever the elevator stopped and ask the nearest person to point her towards the exit. Simple. Easy.
I'll get out of here and everything will go back to the way it was before. I was pretty okay by myself before, I'll be okay by myself again. Sure, I'll be okay.
Everything'll be okay.