1 Life at the Edge of Chaos

I accidentally ran over the disclaimer that says I don't own the X-men Evolution franchise with my bicycle. Sorry this chapter's so short…

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Many of the others had detected a subtle change in Alan's behavior as well. He seemed more withdrawn than usual, and his bicycle rides began getting longer than they normally were. They all knew bicycle riding was one of the ways Alan handled his inner demons.

Bogel and Weerd had wandered off somewhere into the mansion for either some exploring or pranks, though with those two both seemed to be one and the same.

Alan pulled a small object from his pocket, superficially it resembled a small circle of paper with a bird drawn on one side and a cage on the other with a pair of red ribbons running through it. He twirled the ribbons, creating the optical illusion of the bird flying into the cage and back out.

His memory wandered again. He was a small child again, the thunderstorm at night had frightened him. Mother came in, always a calming influence for many young boys, she pulled the small item from the palm of one hand. The small boy lowered the blanket, and hugged his mother.

Again he saw the cold blue eyes of the magistrate watching them through the window. He had been by their tiny house on the outskirts of town, near the seashore. Alan was too young to understand their talk but he did understand somewhat Mr. Dunlap's words about marriage. His mother had been kind in her rejection but ever since she gave him back that ring, the cold blue eyes were watching almost every day. The little boy didn't mention them as that which had frightened him.

With the manner inherent to mothers everywhere, she hugged her progeny, staying by his side until she could tell by the rhythm of his breathing that he was asleep. Then she kissed the child good night and went to her own bed.

That was a decade ago, why were these memories starting to invade him again. He thought he had built defenses, but it seemed that being among people that genuinely cared tore them down. As a result, old pains resurfaced. Why had he fallen for Kitty, he couldn't pinpoint exactly, but he knew that she had been gentle towards him and he found that attractive.

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"So who should we try playing a prank on today." Bogel said.

"Hey look, Duncan's outside." Weerd said.

"Perfect. Heh heh. Alan's been angry at Duncan lately for his helping the cheerleaders spread some nasty rumors about Lance and Kitty. We can make his bad mood disappear that way." Bogel said.

Both ghosts phased through the door and Bogel did his best impersonation of Jean. "Duncan, I'm here."

"Where are you Jean?" Duncan asked.

"Under there." Bogel said, still impersonating Jean's voice.

"Under where?" Duncan said.

"Exactly!" Weerd said, and gave Duncan an enormous wedgie, exposing his boxer shorts with the little red rocket ships.

Jean, the real Jean, walked outside just then, seeing them. "How cute. Duncan, I never knew you wore rocket ship underpants."

Duncan's face turned a bright shade of crimson, about the color of his jacket.

Bogel and Weerd tiptoed away, laughing. Alan had seen the whole thing, peering out his window overlooking the driveway. He laughed despite himself. Bogel and Weerd came in grinning.

"That was great guys." Alan said, a solitary tear forming, "You guys are the best."

"We try." Weerd said.

"Hey Alan, what's this?" Bogel said, lifting an envelope that had the words US Navy written on it in big bold letters.

"Oh, that's a response from that e-mail I sent the Navy on that website about the Navy SEALS." Alan replied.

"You want to be a SEAL?" Weerd asked.

"No, I want to go into the Special Boat Service, those guys who drive those special speedboats that drop the SEALS into battle and pick them up." Alan said, "I found that site at work."

"You mean at the boathouse?" Weerd asked. Alan had a job on the weekends where he helped a local boathouse owner, Mr. Tobin, with odd jobs around his business.

"Alan, you certainly live your life on the edge of chaos." Weerd said.

"Duncan's date certainly fell off the edge of chaos." Alan grinned, despite himself. He had chosen the military as the way to escape his problems, with luck he would keep from falling off the edge of chaos...