Disclaimer: All the characters in this story belong to Marvel. Please enjoy
the story and do not fall into the spinning vortex of crap on your way out.
Quick Note: Part two of a three-part Prelude, all this takes place before Hex Factor and after Shadow Dance. Thank you.
***
Sunlight filtered into Evan's room; slowly he opened his eyes and saw that he was one minute earlier than his alarm. Sitting up he yawned and stretched carefully so as not to spike his mirror again.
"IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII can't dance!!" His radio sang loudly at him, signaling that he should get up and out of bed. Evan wrinkled his nose at the sound of Phil Collins' voice and hit the off button, then climbed out of bed and grabbed his robe.
Upon entering the hallway he found a line up at the bathroom, longer than usual.
"What's the deal?" He asked a barely awake Kurt, who in fact was snoozing against Scott's shoulder. Scott turned to him, waking Kurt. "The guy's bathroom has had a little accident," he said bitterly.
Evan looked down the hall and saw Logan and Mr. McCoy in the process of trying to repair the bathroom. He looked at the long line up of not so happy mutants. "What happened?"
"Drake and Crisp."
"I'm not following."
"They were fighting foh the bathroom and Ah guess Drake managed to freeze the pipes while Ray shorted out all the appliances," Sam piped up from behind them.
Evan groaned and looked at the very end of the line-up. Sure enough Bobby was at the end, looking a little sheepish.
"So how come he can't just un-freeze it?"
Scott smiled, "Newbie."
Evan nodded and looked at the new recruits. "Newbie," he repeated.
Kurt yawned and resumed his resting spot on Scott's shoulder. Evan looked towards the girl's bathroom.
"So who's in there now? It's not Jean is it?" He asked a little frightened; it had become a well-known fact that Jean took forever in the bathroom.
"It's Amara."
Evan slouched against the wall. "Just as bad…."
***
Water drummed hard against her back, the hot droplets penetrating her soft skin like needles. She sat still, her eyes closed.
Why did it hurt so much?
Crying, she pressed her eyes into her knees and hugged herself harder, her fingernails sinking into her flesh desperately.
"It hurts…" she sobbed, and felt a tremor go through her body despite the hot water.
Something was wrong. It had never hurt this much before, she had always managed to bear it. What was happening?
The door banged open and he stormed in, his anger rekindled; his large hand tore at the shower curtain while the other wrapped itself around her small wrist. He was yelling something at her, his face twisted and deformed with rage. He gave her a hard yank, pulling her face away from her knees.
Pain flared behind her eyes, a hot searing feeling that ached for release.
She opened her eyes and screamed.
1 Left Behind
A Prelude, part 2
By starched _undergarments
"AEIIIIIIIIIII!!! DRAKE!!"
Sam looked up from his breakfast in time to see an array of fireworks shoot out at Bobby, who ducked underneath the table for protection.
"People, people!" Beast said coming into the room. "No powers at the breakfast table remember?"
Jubilee steamed, "But Drake…!"
Beast pulled Bobby back up from under the table. "I'm sure he didn't mean to freeze your bra, now did you young Robert?"
Bobby shook his head innocently and smiled sweetly. Beast smiled back but put a heavy blue hand on the young boy's shoulder.
The bra melted instantly.
Beast got himself a cup of coffee and sat down. "See?" he said with a smile.
Jubilee muttered what could only be a curse in Chinese and stormed off to change into a not so wet sweater. Sam shook his head and went back to eating his breakfast.
Kitty came into the kitchen, fixing her hair. "Any idea when the guy's bathroom is going to be fixed Mr. McCoy? It's like, totally not fair to us girls!"
Beast sipped on his coffee. "Well, me and Logan are going to go at it again after breakfast, but it should be fixed by the time you kids get home from school."
"Good, cuz its kinda icksome you know? Having all the guys in the girl's bathroom."
"Well, it's not like we like it either," Ray spoke up from his position near the window. "I don't exactly love the sight of tampons, Midol, and twelve kinds of hair spray first thing in the morning."
Kitty stuck her tongue out. "Well, it's your own fault, you know. If you and Drake could control your powers better then you wouldn't have had to use our bathroom in the first place!"
"Oh, like your so perfect with your powers?"
"At least I don't short out things or freeze pipes when I get angry!"
"Knock it off."
The two turned to see Scott in the doorway. "Ray's got a point, Kitty. It's not like any of us have total control over our powers yet. That's why we're here, and in the meantime we're all going to make a few mistakes, right?" He stood behind Bobby and ruffled his hair. "Besides Kitty, I seem to remember a certain story about how you accidentally phased through the floor and wound up in the guy's change room."
Kitty turned her head away and blushed; Bobby laughed and looked up at Scott appreciatively.
"Anyway, it's not like any of us guys are disgusting piles of filth…"
***
Todd stood slouched over in front of his locker, he peered into its depths trying to recall which class he had first period. Was it Math? Or did he have English?
"Hey Fred, you don happen to remember what he have first do you?" he asked. Fred looked thoughtful for a moment and then shrugged.
"Don't remember."
Todd sighed and grabbed both subject books. Might as well be safe.
The two walked down the halls towards what they thought would be their first class. As they rounded a corner they saw Jean and Amara at their lockers; Fred ducked his head and tried to walk past un-noticed, Todd glanced up at him once they were past the girls. "Yo, you still like her or somethin'?"
Fred looked away defensively. "No, she's a geek."
"Then what was that all 'bout?"
Fred stopped and sighed, "I just…I guess I feel a little weird about what I did to her. I mean, I know it's all in the past and stuff but the more I look back on it I guess I did act pretty bad."
Todd patted his shoulder, "I'm sure she understands. I mean, yeah, you acted kinda like a date rapist, but it was the first time someone was nice to you so it's okay that you didn't know what to do."
Fred looked back in the direction of Jean's locker. "Yeah I guess…"
"Well if you want you can always apologize to her. I won't say nothin'."
Fred smiled and walked back towards the lockers. Todd shook his head, "Who would I talk to anyways? S'not like I got any friends…"
***
It was wet, wet and slick; she tried to open her eyes but found it almost impossible, the heavy weight of fear kept them locked tight.
She could hear the steady dripping of water, yet she knew she wasn't lying in its path. Water wasn't this thick.
Water didn't stink like rusted copper, didn't stick to one's body like a heavy scent.
Her eyes flew open and she sat up; the bathroom lights were bright and made her eyes ache. She looked around, trying to find her bearings.
Her heart went cold, and she stopped breathing; the bathroom walls, which were usually a bright and cheery yellow, were now stained with blood. It shimmered like a red gem.
"no…" she whispered hoarsely, looking around frantically. It was everywhere. It streaked the mirror and the sink, its crimson trail dripped down the counter and lead straight to her.
She pushed herself back against the tub, her breath coming out in short ragged gasps; blood ran from off her body and began to pool around her. She looked at her hands and body and found that she was drenched in it.
"no," she said again, bracing herself against the tub. Her hand brushed against something cold and solid, something soft and slightly hairy.
She looked down. It was him.
Yet something was wrong with his face. Blood trickled out of his left eye and his mouth seemed to be in an impossible slanted grin. She looked again and recoiled in terror when she realized what was wrong with him.
His entire face had been split in two, the halves balancing on top of one another just enough to give the sick illusion of a whole.
His grin seemed to taunt her, his glassy bloodshot eyes stared up at her as if to say, 'See what you did you little bitch? I knew you were a freak and that's why I kept you here, that's why I punished you, that's why your going to burn in hell for what you've done...'
She doubled over and cried. Her mind reeled and her body shook. She knew she needed to do something, needed to call someone.
But who was there?
She curled up in the thick pool of blood and cried. She cried out of fear, out of pain and misery, but most of all she cried because she didn't know what else to do.
***
Charles Xavier sat in front of the fire, feeling its warmth and tenderness. He turned a page of the book he was reading, enjoying the peace and quiet that had settled over the household.
The kids were going to be at school until three o' clock or so and once they returned the mansion would be filled with the sounds of their laughter and conversation. Charles loved each and every one of them but sometimes they could be a handful, not that he would trade them for anything in the world, but he knew enough to enjoy the solitude while it lasted.
*Attention, mutant signature detected in Prince George, Canada. Attention, mutant signature detected…*
His heart flew out and he dropped his book. As he made his way quickly up to Cerebro he tried to repress his hopes that this was it, that he had found her at last, the child who had been plaguing his dreams and thoughts each night in the darkness.
Settling the headset into place he brought up the file screen. His heart skipped a beat and he tightened his grip on the armrest of his wheelchair. There she was, her blue eyes screaming out at him.
"My god," he whispered, the words echoing in the large steel room.
***
Music blared out of the speakers and the wind blew against his face. Grinning, Scott Summers pressed his foot down on the accelerator. The car shot forward, and Kurt smiled and whooped as he too felt the thrill of extreme speed. He stretched his arms up and let the strong wind play against his fingertips.
"Aww c'mon Scott, is this the fastest you can go? Ahm falling asleep back here!" Rogue probed. She laughed as the engine roared once more and the car inched forward. Scott glanced in the review mirror and watched as Rogue ran a hand through her two-tone hair, her white streaks flying wildly about her face. She looked up and caught his gaze; her green eyes shone with exhilaration and excitement. Scott blushed and turned his attention back to the road.
"Zis is too cool!" Kurt yelled over the music. Scott nodded and took the road that would lead up to the Institute.
It had been a good day, not too much homework and there wasn't any training exercises planned for the afternoon, it was time to sit back and relax for once!
He slowed his speed and relished the way his car took the courtyard curves gracefully. They curled around and parked just outside the garage; the mini- van wasn't parked so he guessed the others hadn't arrived home yet.
Rogue climbed out of the car, swinging her backpack onto one shoulder. "Thanks foh the ride Scott," she said as she walked towards the main doors.
"Anytime!" He called back at her. Kurt hopped out and stretched.
"Man! I didn't know you could go zat fast!"
Scott laughed and walked with Kurt into the main hall, "I don't usually, but Jean wasn't around to give me that 'you're being irresponsible' look, so what the hell."
Kurt laughed and switched his image inducer off. The two boys headed straight for the kitchen where Scott rummaged around in the cookie jar while Kurt had himself a seat at the table.
As Scott sat down and pushed a glass of milk towards his fuzzy blue friend he noticed that Kurt was opening his notebook.
"Wuzzat?" He asked through a mouthful of cookie crumbs. Kurt looked up at him and blushed slightly.
"It's a picture…of Amanda."
"Oh yeah?" He grinned, "How's that going?"
"Good…really good." Kurt blushed softly and showed Scott the picture. The picture was of Amanda in her back yard, the green leaves in the background made her dark skin radiate with bronze delight. She was smiling, her hair falling about her head in tight braids, giving her an almost Jamaican goddess look.
Scott could tell from the way that Kurt handled the photo and how he smiled whenever he looked at it that things were going just fine. Probably perfect in fact.
*Now if I could only be that happy with…*
The front door opened and the rest of the kids came in, breaking Scott's thoughts, they were chattering amongst each other happily. They hadn't sat down for more than five minutes when the soft internal voice of Xavier sounded in their minds.
*Children if you could please come into my office, I need to discuss something with all of you.*
***
It was so thick. She shook uncontrollably as it leaked through her fingers and back onto the bathroom floor. Weeping, she frantically tried to wipe up the blood that coated her entire world. It did nothing; it had stained her permanently.
Yet she continued to swirl it around on the floor, trying to escape its long crimson tendrils, trying to find a spot on which this sticky sweet fluid hadn't touched her soul. Her body ached, as did her mind. The blood that coated her body wasn't wet anymore, it was tacky and stuck to her skin like a bitter dream.
Her muscles were tired, tight and twisted like an old tourniquet as she pushed the blood backwards and away from her. Hot tears slid down her cheeks and fell onto the floor. Hours had passed, maybe even days; her mind knew no difference.
"Clarice…"
She looked up frightened, crossing her arms over her bare breasts defensively as she cowered before the tall figure before her.
He wore expensive clothes, something that seemed so out of place in this dirty, bleeding home. She looked up into his face, her eyes growing wide and frightened.
His face was handsome and chiseled, locks of white hair fell into his grey eyes. He stared at her, yet it wasn't a hard stare. Something about it seemed almost fair, something kind… He knelt down in front of her, blood seeping through his white slacks, staining them with her filth.
"My child, I have come to offer you freedom," he said in a soft voice, keeping her eyes locked within his.
"Come with me and no one will ever hurt you again, ever.
I promise."
***
end Prelude part 2
Quick Note: Part two of a three-part Prelude, all this takes place before Hex Factor and after Shadow Dance. Thank you.
***
Sunlight filtered into Evan's room; slowly he opened his eyes and saw that he was one minute earlier than his alarm. Sitting up he yawned and stretched carefully so as not to spike his mirror again.
"IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII can't dance!!" His radio sang loudly at him, signaling that he should get up and out of bed. Evan wrinkled his nose at the sound of Phil Collins' voice and hit the off button, then climbed out of bed and grabbed his robe.
Upon entering the hallway he found a line up at the bathroom, longer than usual.
"What's the deal?" He asked a barely awake Kurt, who in fact was snoozing against Scott's shoulder. Scott turned to him, waking Kurt. "The guy's bathroom has had a little accident," he said bitterly.
Evan looked down the hall and saw Logan and Mr. McCoy in the process of trying to repair the bathroom. He looked at the long line up of not so happy mutants. "What happened?"
"Drake and Crisp."
"I'm not following."
"They were fighting foh the bathroom and Ah guess Drake managed to freeze the pipes while Ray shorted out all the appliances," Sam piped up from behind them.
Evan groaned and looked at the very end of the line-up. Sure enough Bobby was at the end, looking a little sheepish.
"So how come he can't just un-freeze it?"
Scott smiled, "Newbie."
Evan nodded and looked at the new recruits. "Newbie," he repeated.
Kurt yawned and resumed his resting spot on Scott's shoulder. Evan looked towards the girl's bathroom.
"So who's in there now? It's not Jean is it?" He asked a little frightened; it had become a well-known fact that Jean took forever in the bathroom.
"It's Amara."
Evan slouched against the wall. "Just as bad…."
***
Water drummed hard against her back, the hot droplets penetrating her soft skin like needles. She sat still, her eyes closed.
Why did it hurt so much?
Crying, she pressed her eyes into her knees and hugged herself harder, her fingernails sinking into her flesh desperately.
"It hurts…" she sobbed, and felt a tremor go through her body despite the hot water.
Something was wrong. It had never hurt this much before, she had always managed to bear it. What was happening?
The door banged open and he stormed in, his anger rekindled; his large hand tore at the shower curtain while the other wrapped itself around her small wrist. He was yelling something at her, his face twisted and deformed with rage. He gave her a hard yank, pulling her face away from her knees.
Pain flared behind her eyes, a hot searing feeling that ached for release.
She opened her eyes and screamed.
1 Left Behind
A Prelude, part 2
By starched _undergarments
"AEIIIIIIIIIII!!! DRAKE!!"
Sam looked up from his breakfast in time to see an array of fireworks shoot out at Bobby, who ducked underneath the table for protection.
"People, people!" Beast said coming into the room. "No powers at the breakfast table remember?"
Jubilee steamed, "But Drake…!"
Beast pulled Bobby back up from under the table. "I'm sure he didn't mean to freeze your bra, now did you young Robert?"
Bobby shook his head innocently and smiled sweetly. Beast smiled back but put a heavy blue hand on the young boy's shoulder.
The bra melted instantly.
Beast got himself a cup of coffee and sat down. "See?" he said with a smile.
Jubilee muttered what could only be a curse in Chinese and stormed off to change into a not so wet sweater. Sam shook his head and went back to eating his breakfast.
Kitty came into the kitchen, fixing her hair. "Any idea when the guy's bathroom is going to be fixed Mr. McCoy? It's like, totally not fair to us girls!"
Beast sipped on his coffee. "Well, me and Logan are going to go at it again after breakfast, but it should be fixed by the time you kids get home from school."
"Good, cuz its kinda icksome you know? Having all the guys in the girl's bathroom."
"Well, it's not like we like it either," Ray spoke up from his position near the window. "I don't exactly love the sight of tampons, Midol, and twelve kinds of hair spray first thing in the morning."
Kitty stuck her tongue out. "Well, it's your own fault, you know. If you and Drake could control your powers better then you wouldn't have had to use our bathroom in the first place!"
"Oh, like your so perfect with your powers?"
"At least I don't short out things or freeze pipes when I get angry!"
"Knock it off."
The two turned to see Scott in the doorway. "Ray's got a point, Kitty. It's not like any of us have total control over our powers yet. That's why we're here, and in the meantime we're all going to make a few mistakes, right?" He stood behind Bobby and ruffled his hair. "Besides Kitty, I seem to remember a certain story about how you accidentally phased through the floor and wound up in the guy's change room."
Kitty turned her head away and blushed; Bobby laughed and looked up at Scott appreciatively.
"Anyway, it's not like any of us guys are disgusting piles of filth…"
***
Todd stood slouched over in front of his locker, he peered into its depths trying to recall which class he had first period. Was it Math? Or did he have English?
"Hey Fred, you don happen to remember what he have first do you?" he asked. Fred looked thoughtful for a moment and then shrugged.
"Don't remember."
Todd sighed and grabbed both subject books. Might as well be safe.
The two walked down the halls towards what they thought would be their first class. As they rounded a corner they saw Jean and Amara at their lockers; Fred ducked his head and tried to walk past un-noticed, Todd glanced up at him once they were past the girls. "Yo, you still like her or somethin'?"
Fred looked away defensively. "No, she's a geek."
"Then what was that all 'bout?"
Fred stopped and sighed, "I just…I guess I feel a little weird about what I did to her. I mean, I know it's all in the past and stuff but the more I look back on it I guess I did act pretty bad."
Todd patted his shoulder, "I'm sure she understands. I mean, yeah, you acted kinda like a date rapist, but it was the first time someone was nice to you so it's okay that you didn't know what to do."
Fred looked back in the direction of Jean's locker. "Yeah I guess…"
"Well if you want you can always apologize to her. I won't say nothin'."
Fred smiled and walked back towards the lockers. Todd shook his head, "Who would I talk to anyways? S'not like I got any friends…"
***
It was wet, wet and slick; she tried to open her eyes but found it almost impossible, the heavy weight of fear kept them locked tight.
She could hear the steady dripping of water, yet she knew she wasn't lying in its path. Water wasn't this thick.
Water didn't stink like rusted copper, didn't stick to one's body like a heavy scent.
Her eyes flew open and she sat up; the bathroom lights were bright and made her eyes ache. She looked around, trying to find her bearings.
Her heart went cold, and she stopped breathing; the bathroom walls, which were usually a bright and cheery yellow, were now stained with blood. It shimmered like a red gem.
"no…" she whispered hoarsely, looking around frantically. It was everywhere. It streaked the mirror and the sink, its crimson trail dripped down the counter and lead straight to her.
She pushed herself back against the tub, her breath coming out in short ragged gasps; blood ran from off her body and began to pool around her. She looked at her hands and body and found that she was drenched in it.
"no," she said again, bracing herself against the tub. Her hand brushed against something cold and solid, something soft and slightly hairy.
She looked down. It was him.
Yet something was wrong with his face. Blood trickled out of his left eye and his mouth seemed to be in an impossible slanted grin. She looked again and recoiled in terror when she realized what was wrong with him.
His entire face had been split in two, the halves balancing on top of one another just enough to give the sick illusion of a whole.
His grin seemed to taunt her, his glassy bloodshot eyes stared up at her as if to say, 'See what you did you little bitch? I knew you were a freak and that's why I kept you here, that's why I punished you, that's why your going to burn in hell for what you've done...'
She doubled over and cried. Her mind reeled and her body shook. She knew she needed to do something, needed to call someone.
But who was there?
She curled up in the thick pool of blood and cried. She cried out of fear, out of pain and misery, but most of all she cried because she didn't know what else to do.
***
Charles Xavier sat in front of the fire, feeling its warmth and tenderness. He turned a page of the book he was reading, enjoying the peace and quiet that had settled over the household.
The kids were going to be at school until three o' clock or so and once they returned the mansion would be filled with the sounds of their laughter and conversation. Charles loved each and every one of them but sometimes they could be a handful, not that he would trade them for anything in the world, but he knew enough to enjoy the solitude while it lasted.
*Attention, mutant signature detected in Prince George, Canada. Attention, mutant signature detected…*
His heart flew out and he dropped his book. As he made his way quickly up to Cerebro he tried to repress his hopes that this was it, that he had found her at last, the child who had been plaguing his dreams and thoughts each night in the darkness.
Settling the headset into place he brought up the file screen. His heart skipped a beat and he tightened his grip on the armrest of his wheelchair. There she was, her blue eyes screaming out at him.
"My god," he whispered, the words echoing in the large steel room.
***
Music blared out of the speakers and the wind blew against his face. Grinning, Scott Summers pressed his foot down on the accelerator. The car shot forward, and Kurt smiled and whooped as he too felt the thrill of extreme speed. He stretched his arms up and let the strong wind play against his fingertips.
"Aww c'mon Scott, is this the fastest you can go? Ahm falling asleep back here!" Rogue probed. She laughed as the engine roared once more and the car inched forward. Scott glanced in the review mirror and watched as Rogue ran a hand through her two-tone hair, her white streaks flying wildly about her face. She looked up and caught his gaze; her green eyes shone with exhilaration and excitement. Scott blushed and turned his attention back to the road.
"Zis is too cool!" Kurt yelled over the music. Scott nodded and took the road that would lead up to the Institute.
It had been a good day, not too much homework and there wasn't any training exercises planned for the afternoon, it was time to sit back and relax for once!
He slowed his speed and relished the way his car took the courtyard curves gracefully. They curled around and parked just outside the garage; the mini- van wasn't parked so he guessed the others hadn't arrived home yet.
Rogue climbed out of the car, swinging her backpack onto one shoulder. "Thanks foh the ride Scott," she said as she walked towards the main doors.
"Anytime!" He called back at her. Kurt hopped out and stretched.
"Man! I didn't know you could go zat fast!"
Scott laughed and walked with Kurt into the main hall, "I don't usually, but Jean wasn't around to give me that 'you're being irresponsible' look, so what the hell."
Kurt laughed and switched his image inducer off. The two boys headed straight for the kitchen where Scott rummaged around in the cookie jar while Kurt had himself a seat at the table.
As Scott sat down and pushed a glass of milk towards his fuzzy blue friend he noticed that Kurt was opening his notebook.
"Wuzzat?" He asked through a mouthful of cookie crumbs. Kurt looked up at him and blushed slightly.
"It's a picture…of Amanda."
"Oh yeah?" He grinned, "How's that going?"
"Good…really good." Kurt blushed softly and showed Scott the picture. The picture was of Amanda in her back yard, the green leaves in the background made her dark skin radiate with bronze delight. She was smiling, her hair falling about her head in tight braids, giving her an almost Jamaican goddess look.
Scott could tell from the way that Kurt handled the photo and how he smiled whenever he looked at it that things were going just fine. Probably perfect in fact.
*Now if I could only be that happy with…*
The front door opened and the rest of the kids came in, breaking Scott's thoughts, they were chattering amongst each other happily. They hadn't sat down for more than five minutes when the soft internal voice of Xavier sounded in their minds.
*Children if you could please come into my office, I need to discuss something with all of you.*
***
It was so thick. She shook uncontrollably as it leaked through her fingers and back onto the bathroom floor. Weeping, she frantically tried to wipe up the blood that coated her entire world. It did nothing; it had stained her permanently.
Yet she continued to swirl it around on the floor, trying to escape its long crimson tendrils, trying to find a spot on which this sticky sweet fluid hadn't touched her soul. Her body ached, as did her mind. The blood that coated her body wasn't wet anymore, it was tacky and stuck to her skin like a bitter dream.
Her muscles were tired, tight and twisted like an old tourniquet as she pushed the blood backwards and away from her. Hot tears slid down her cheeks and fell onto the floor. Hours had passed, maybe even days; her mind knew no difference.
"Clarice…"
She looked up frightened, crossing her arms over her bare breasts defensively as she cowered before the tall figure before her.
He wore expensive clothes, something that seemed so out of place in this dirty, bleeding home. She looked up into his face, her eyes growing wide and frightened.
His face was handsome and chiseled, locks of white hair fell into his grey eyes. He stared at her, yet it wasn't a hard stare. Something about it seemed almost fair, something kind… He knelt down in front of her, blood seeping through his white slacks, staining them with her filth.
"My child, I have come to offer you freedom," he said in a soft voice, keeping her eyes locked within his.
"Come with me and no one will ever hurt you again, ever.
I promise."
***
end Prelude part 2