Chapter Eleven
Things were almost back to normal. Sarah was doing better and had returned to school in just enough time to be ready for the play, which was to have its first performance in three weeks. Everyone was busier then ever, more excited then worried. Even Rog couldn't help but smile at the corners of his mouth. Jean, who still oversaw things for Xavier, was just as thrilled as if she too were participating in the action.
Marco had the FX up to a tee, Cleo hadn't done too badly with wardrobe (though she still mourned not being able to shop at the GAP), and even Charlie and Trish were working well together, both with their roles and positions. Trish voiced authority so well as the assistant director that Rog practically let her call the shots.
Charlie did well, making sure the stage was ready and the scene changes were only seconds long. As for Sarah and Trevor, they felt more then ready for anything now, their scenes together done splendidly and graceful. Each move and action stayed in tune with the voices of the narrators.
Others would stop their work just to watch in awe. Many the comments went that they made the "perfect team", complete naturals as if it were their very own lives they performed. They were ready.
After about a hard week of training, Rog addressed the class.
"Well, you've all done real well and I can't express how exciting this time has been. It appears that we are set for a fabulous production. So, as a reward for your tremendous effort, you have a whole week to rest and get ready for the play in a relaxing manner."
The whole groups whistled and cheered at this, chatter going around all at once until Rog raised a hand for silence.
"I've checked with your other professors, for those of you taking other classes, and they have agreed to hold off on any assignments that may be given or are due. But remember next week I want you all to work especially hard as that is the weekend of opening night. So until next Monday, PARTY ON!"
Everyone was ecstatic as the left the auditorium, everyone making plans and such of what they would do or could do during this free time. Sarah, Trevor and Jean left together, waving off to Charlie and Trish who just seemed to have plans of their own. Trevor grinned slyly to Charlie who looked sheepish as Trish turned red.
"Well, well. If I'm not mistaken I do see something interesting coming from this," Trevor said slyly through his accented voice.
"You wouldn't happen to have something to do with it, would you now?" Jean asked, her eyebrow raised.
Trevor gave an innocent smile, looking mildly surprised, "Why would you ever suspect little ol' me?"
Scarlet. Sarah thought with a grin as Jean laughed, "You got that right, Sarah." Both laughed as Trevor only did a bad imitation of the fictitious character, flipping back his ponytail.
"Why I've never been so insulted in…"
Liar. You know, maybe your more meant for acting then me. You do a much better job of playing the innocent damsel.
Trevor gave Sarah a hard look but it was evident a smile played on his lips and he sighed, "You win."
"Strike another victory for Sarah," Jean grinned, "We better head back home. School may be out for you here but we still have more elsewhere. And somehow I doubt you two will get so lucky a break as your classmates."
At this, Sarah and Trevor both looked dramatically depressed and all Jean did was chuckle. Then both Sarah and Trevor perked up and grinned slyly at each other. Jean blinked, becoming curious.
"What?"
They glanced at each other, Trevor nodding and Sarah beginning to chuckle silently. Jean crossed her arms in annoyance; "I really do hate it when you two do that. It's not fair."
"Now Jean," Trevor said, "We can't tell you everything. And I'd have to say Sarah is getting very good at blocking out other, let's say, intruding thoughts."
"No need to be insulting," she huffed. "You've been able to do that way longer. What makes you both suddenly want to exclude me?"
"Oh, just something." Trevor grinned as him and Sarah continued walking, Jean blinking at them.
Jean, Sarah thought as Jean caught up with them again, Don't you also have work to do this week? I mean, Trevor and I are not the only students you know. So why rub it in that we don't get to enjoy our free week?
"Oh, well I just know I won't need as much. So I still have time to myself…and for someone else."
Told you so, Trevor thought over to Sarah who just shrugged.
"Hey, why don't we head over to that pizza place we went last time," Jean suggested, "Maybe we can find out who gave you those tickets. And better yet, maybe we'll meet them!"
Sarah was quiet but caught a look from Trevor and gave a small grin.
Sure, why not.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Concentrate. That is your key. Focus on one thing and hold it. Good. Now carefully expand that thought; let it begin to move freely. That's it. Picture it as something, a flame, energy, a light, whatever you desire. Good, now let it move around, let it be familiar with its surrounding, know its will. Carefully begin to suggest to it, let it know who is in charge. Very good. Focus a command, build on that, let it grow. Careful, not too much before you can handle it. That's right. Put out your hand, bring your fingers together as if to hold something. Upwards, that's right. Now, focus hard, bring that thought to your mind, picture it coming from your fingers. Let it breathe. Slowly, slowly. Good.
Now, let it flow but do not lose control. Continue to hold it but let it escape a little at a time like water. There, that is perfect. Open your eyes.
Sarah carefully opening her eyes and gasped with awe at what she saw. Xavier sat before her in his wheelchair and smiled.
Don't lose your concentration. Let the surprise go through you like air.
Sarah stared at her hand. Floating over fingers was a small light, like blue fire, waving and wisping silently. Its size was perhaps that of a baseball. She nodded to Xavier and let her surprise not disturb the process. It was too amazing but she didn't wish to lose her concentration now.
Study it; try to contemplate what makes it move, what its purpose might be for.
Xavier was speaking telepathically only to help her concentrate instead of listening with her ears. Carefully, she looked at the blue flame, feeling no heat or pain, not really feeling it all. She almost began to doubt it was there. It flickered.
Careful, do not lose sight of it. Your senses are trying to understand. But you must leave them alone. Instead, use only your mind. Your physical senses will not help you now. Learn to use only thought. It will not let you down.
Sarah did, trying to forget touch, smell, or any of the other senses. She decided to close her eyes again and pictured the flame. It was there as bright as day. She closed off anything else and thought only of the flame. An idea came to her and she focused. She let thoughts, feelings from around her, enter slowly, trickling in like a stream. She poured them into the flame, contained them there. The flame grew brighter, a little bigger.
Grinning to herself, she let more in, her energy going in. The flame seemed to crackle like sparks. It felt strong, very real… and useful. With this new insight, she tried what she had only done when it had been mere thought. She pictured it beginning to move. It shuddered, like something trying to escape. She pictured it moving freely and she grasped the thought, harnessed it, made it clear who was in charge.
She felt the power and it felt wonderful. She was vaguely aware of another voice in her mind but she was having too much fun. Her hand pointed out and she saw a target. Her arm stretched out and a powerful feeling welling over her face, she opened her eyes in a flash, her very eyes feeling power flashing.
A very strange look in her face, she pointed and saw the light to be a crackling ball, electricity flowing over her entire arm. With a silent call of triumph, she released the power and it shot forward like lighting.
It wasn't till the energy was gone, until she crackling of destroyed equipment settled a bit, that she blinked and finally grew aware of Xavier deep voice calling to her, both in mind and to her ears.
"…arh! Sarah! Listen to me! Focus on my voice!"
Like coming out of a deep trance, Sarah blinked several times and slumped to the floor feeling suddenly week and vulnerable. She heard a door slide open and felt hands steady her, a strong voice speaking.
"Professor, are you all right? What happened?"
"I'm all right Scott. Though I'd have to say one of the panels was destroyed. Nothing vital but it should be taken care of as soon as possible."
Sarah felt the hands help her stand, but her legs couldn't take it and she slumped against them, her eyes just not focusing as she gripped a sweater, her head feeling heavy.
"Professor?"
"I think it was too much for her. She was doing well but something unexpected happened. I think she felt she could do more but I'm afraid her mind wasn't quite ready."
"I don't know about that?" Scott said as he glanced at the charred remains of the burned out panel. "Seems her mind knew exactly what it was doing or that surge would have hit more then the panel."
"I tend to agree with you, now that you mention it. Something is not quite right. Her mind seems disciplined in this already, as if, like you say, it did know what to do. How very odd."
Sarah felt her self being lifted into someone's arms, her heady resting against a strong chest and she sighed, smelling a wisp of cologne.
"Take her to her room for now. I do believe she'll need the rest. I'll be there shortly."
Feeling a soft breeze around her and knowing she must being leaving the room, she sighed. After a little while, coming in and out of consciousness, she heard a door open and felt as if she were about to be placed somewhere. Her mind still not really her own, she gripped the sweater, her face painful.
"No, please. Don't… leave."
She could feel the emotion of shock hitting her, as well as a small part of her own shock at the hoarse sound of her own voice. She felt like she were inside herself, watching the outside but unable to control her actions. She heard a voice reply in surprise.
"Uh, sure. Don't worry, I won't go."
She felt they sat down, her head still resting against their chest. She sighed again, feeling a sense of relief and yet confusion. It had been like someone else had spoken for her, from long ago. Something so familiar and yet alien.
A hand brushed away a strand of hair from her face and the touch sent tingles over her face, almost clearing her mind. Fighting with the fogging feeling, she suddenly grew weary and let it take over. The last she heard was a gasp as she fell asleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Trevor had heard what had happened during Sarah lesson and quickly headed to her room to see that she was all right. Half way down the hall he ran into Jean who seemed to be doing the exact same thing.
"I hope she's okay," Jean said as they headed up the stairs.
"The professor said it was unexpected but very strong. I just hope it doesn't effect her too much."
"Don't worry," Jean said with a smile, "She's strong, she'll deal with it."
The had reached her door, Jean carefully opening it. "Sarah?"
She gasped and Trevor quickly pushed the door open to see what was wrong. He felt his face go from cold to hot.
Scott sat on Sarah's bed, Sarah in his arms, just having brushed aside a strand of hair from her face. He looked up quickly, turning red and speaking quickly.
"It-it's not what you think."
Trevor's mouth became a thin line as he stared darkly, "What would you call it then?"
Jean was fuming somewhat as well, crossing her arms, "Care to explain?"
Scott, still looking between helpless and someone with their hand in the cookie jar, could only stutter as he looked down at the sleeping Sarah and the two fuming people.
"The professor wanted me to bring her up her. All I was going to do was bring her to her room and leave. But she didn't want me to go, she said so…and she was so tired and… well I…"
"Wanted to take advantage of the situation?" Trevor spoke very evenly with a hint of menace.
Scott went from embarrassed to indignation as he set Sarah on the bed, rising and coming to Trevor.
"Well, she not exactly yours, now is she? I don't see how it's any of your business what happens between me and Sarah!"
Jean looked surprised to very upset as she grabbed both of them, dragged them out of the room and closed the door, then turning to them both.
"First yelling in there isn't helping things. Second, Trevor, don't jump to conclusions. And third," she turned on Scott, anger evident, "If those are your feelings on the subject, you could have gave warning! Using such an excuse as the very slim possibility of Sarah speaking is horrid! I'm so embarrassed and I've had enough of your guessing games! We're through, Scott Summers!"
With that, she stormed off as Scott could only stare, even Trevor looking surprised. But he soon turned back to Scott angrily.
"If that's the way you feel about it, fine! You've made your intentions clear. But I'm warning you, Summers, don't cross me or you'll regret it!" He said this last part in a fierce whisper, his eyes literally flashing as he walked away in another direction, leaving Scott to his thoughts.
Scott sighed, leaning against the wall as he rubbed a hand over his hair. What a little situation had turned into was aggravating. Chances were neither would speak to him for quite sometime, for him to truly explain the situation.
There was a pop and Kurt appeared down the hall. "Are the fireworks done now cause I can hear you through the walls."
Scott just glared and stormed off. Kitty slipped out from a wall near Kurt.
"You're not the only one. I get the feeling this will makes things a lot quieter for a while."
"That or a storm is brewing," Kurt said morbidly. "Better batten down the hatches. We're in for some rough weather."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It was dark, a plain very huge and much like a desert. A fiery line of red settled in the horizon, looking as dark as blood and a cutting wind blew. Yet it seemed familiar.
Sarah had been here before; it felt that way at least. The wind was cold and she shivered. How did she get here? It felt too real to be a dream. Not knowing really what else she could do, she walked towards the red horizon.
As she walked, something seemed to show ahead of her. It seemed to glow and very small. Without thought, she began to run. After what seemed like forever, she saw a massive ivory door with carved figures on each side coming into view. She stopped a good few yards away, seeing something odd before her.
A tall woman stood before the door, her back to Sarah. She could hear soft words but didn't know what she was saying. What a better look, Sarah stepped forward but was suddenly stopped, as if she'd walked into a wall. She reached forward and touched the barrier but still seeing nothing. Going to one side, she ran into another wall. And another to her other side, and another behind her. She was trapped in some kind of invisible box.
Feeling a little panicked she could only watch the woman before her who seemed unaware of her presence.
"The door, it creaks so. Something has escaped." She walked to one side and looked forward again and another seemed present, this one only half the Ivory Door's size. It was black and fizzed and crackled like an electric storm.
"It grows and yet there is nothing I can do. She must learn quickly or this may never be stopped."
"Funny, isn't it?" Sarah turned sharply to her left and found someone standing only a meter and a half away. The figure chuckled and stepped forward, revealing a fiery red hared… woman? Yet her skin was blue and her eyes flashed gold. She wore a sleeveless white outfit with a silver belt and a very curious expression, giving Sarah a small shiver.
"Your mind is so fascinating. The things one could learn from your experiences. You do hold many secrets. Ones you probably don't even know yourself."
"Who are you?" Sarah spoke with no fear, "What do you mean 'my mind'? Is that where I am?"
"Oh you should know that answer yourself, seeing as this definitely isn't New York. Who I am really means nothing right now. Call me a dream if you wish. Yes, I'm here in your mind but you allowed me in. You gave in to that power. Very good of you. How I am here is yet to be understood but I never questioned gifts given me. It gives us a reason to talk." Her grin widened a bit.
Sarah didn't move, just looked firmly at the woman, "I don't believe we do have anything to speak about. I don't even know you."
"Oh, you will… in time. I plan to keep you 'company' whenever you sleep. Nothing can keep me from that now. You'll learn to use your power, learn what it feels like, the feelings they bring… and the fun you can have. I'll teach you thing you'd never thought possible. And soon, you'll join me."
"I really don't think so. You give me no reason to trust you."
"Well, you know this place is familiar to you, don't you? You wouldn't have thought of it if it weren't. And I'm guessing that door is important in some way?" She pointed to the Ivory Door.
"Something lies there I believe. And you want answers. You wish to know about your past. Who you are, don't you? I can do that."
"But the Professor will help me."
"That man only holds you back. You want to know something? He only took you in to use you, to manipulate your way of thinking. He can't do anything for you."
Sarah felt surprised, "But Trevor trusts him. And I…I trust Trevor."
"But has he been there for you? Where was he when you were hurt?"
This blew Sarah completely away, her eyes growing wide and her voice quiet. "How do you know about that?"
The woman smirked, "Your mind is an open book, my dear."
"Then you should learn to read!" A new voice thundered through the plain and Sarah saw the blue woman suddenly look in surprise as something like lightening hit her and she disappeared.
Sarah looked around and saw the woman from before standing before the door and now looked directly at Sarah gasped.
The woman had a burned scar on her hand, a tear and burn down one leg of a silver dress, and a scar on her cheek. Yet she seemed calm and unaffected. Her look was mysterious and firm as she spoke.
"Beware of the silver tongue. It speaks roses yet snakes slither out." Then she suddenly faded away. Sarah blinked and reached out, still feeling the wall.
Until you take those steps you shall never know, never understand why this is, your reason for being and these powers that cling to you.
The words were familiar and soothing to her, like a faded memory.
"But… how?" Somehow, she felt as if she'd started this journey long ago and still had long to go.
Take the help offered you. Do not hold back.
"Don't hold back. What could it be? My fear of the unknown? Something my subconscious knows? Maybe…"
With determination, she pushed on the wall and it suddenly fell away. Now she felt like she'd just entered into something totally new. The plain was unchanged and the Ivory Door still stood before her. Was this what she was suppose to do?
Yet the door felt frightening and she hurt. Maybe… but then, maybe it meant good as well.
You must choose your door.
"Choose a door? But…" She saw the other door once again, but now only small sparks showed at times. Sarah suddenly felt something hit her like a splash of cold water.
'Well the only way to get out of here is through these doors.'
'One leads to the center of the Labyrinth and the other leads to…"
'Ba ba ba boom!'
'…Certain death.'
Labyrinth? Why did this seem so familiar?
The Ivory Door seemed to creak again and the sky lit up with bright stars that flared and became dim suddenly. Sarah was very still and only watched the doors.
"Well, two doors… might be easy enough to choose."
As if hearing her, the sky wavered like one laughing. Suddenly little doors popped beyond these two, as well as beside and around her. Many, all very different and yet the same. The Big ones suddenly vanished beyond them.
Sarah felt cold. How could she choose without going wrong?
My dear, why do you torture yourself? These dreams help you not. Leave this Illusion and embrace what you know to be true.
What?
Your must be brave.
"Brave?" Sarah knew these words and felt somewhat encouraged. If these doors were illusions, then she must see through them. And embrace the truth.
A kind feeling went through, like a mother's comfort and she smiled. Closing her eyes and focused, seeing only the darkness behind her lids. Remembering Xavier's words, she pictured her surroundings. Silver outlines of the doors appeared before her. With a smile, she formed a thought and carefully let it grow.
Guide me. Show me where I must go.
The little thought glowed within her and shot forward. Opening her eyes, she saw the doors vanish, leaving two ordinary small arched oak doors. Could these two be the same as before, only disguised?
How could she choose?
Believe in yourself and the strength that dwells in your mind.
Smiling, she nodded. Nothing would be accomplished just standing here.
"Nothing ventured, nothing gained." With a renewed confidence, Sarah walked forward.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
So, do I still have some loyal fans out there? Have you left? Are you still reading? Hears crickets chirping L oh. No one has been reviewing my "Forgotten One" and I even added two chapters at a time there. I'm very sorry I took so long but my gasp real life has kept me busy and bothered, leaving me wearing.
But I still wish to entertain and even excite you with my stories. Please be reading. Arigatou!
'Please, leave a contribution in da little box!'
