Chapter Three
Day number three in this rotten mutant holding cell. Kurt's golden hues opened slowly only to take in what little light was provided. He mumbled something under his breath as he brought a hand up to his face to wipe the sleep away. The female mutant seemed as though she hadn't move since they brought her in, except that now she was fully healed and looked just fine. Different day, same stuff.
Moving to a seated position on his discomfortable bed, Kurt sighed. 'Wonder what kind of beatings I'll receive today,' he wondered. How he longed to look outside, see nature flying free, doing what it does best. He missed the wide blue sky painted with a few clouds here and there; the fresh green grass nestled beneath his three-toed feet. Lying down in the grass and staring at the wildlife seemed as though it would never happen. He then began to wonder. Why were they keeping him here? What use was he to them? Were they just going to let him suffer and eventually die on his own, or did they have ideas in their sick little minds that they wished for him to fulfill?
In the midst of his thoughts, he was interrupted by the sound of the heavy door being opened once more. Kurt didn't even bother to look; he knew just who it was by the sounds of his large boots tapping on the floor. It became a routine. When there was no loud, rude comments being said however, Kurt did indeed turn to look at the door. Before he saw anything, though, a brown sack was thrown over his head. No words were voiced as two hands each grasped his arms and hauled him out of the room. Nightcrawler's tail lashed about, until it was grabbed as well.
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"He refuses to walk, Mister Stryker."
By the feel of the rocks underneath his feet Kurt guessed that they had pulled his butt outside. He recognized the voice that spoke to his left as Jared. Must mean that Norris was on his right. And by the sounds of it, they brought him to see Stryker again. Fun.
"Had to carry the little turd he whole way." He complained.
"Just drop him anywhere, Norris." That voice was indeed, Stryker's. Kurt could recognize his deep voice anywhere. When he hit the ground harshly, the breath was knocked from his lungs resulting in a muffled 'Oof!'
William Stryker arched a thick brow. "Take that bag off his head."
The two soldiers glanced at each other momentarily, before Jared stammered. "Well... we should mention..."
Norris interrupted him, a cocky grin upon his lips. "He tried to escape, sir. We had to get a little rough with him to settle him down."
William was getting impatient. He pulled a hand from his pants pocket and re-adjusted his glasses upon his nose. "'A little rough with him'? What does that mean?"
Neither of the men said a word. "Take the bag - off - his head." Stryker demanded, colored eyes narrowing.
Still no movement. Finally Norris sighed and moved forward, pulling the bag swiftly off, revealing a bloodied Nightcrawler. With a grin Kurt added "Surprise."
Stryker took a good look at the mutant before him, before turning with a disapproving glare towards the men. They looked like dogs that knew they had done something wrong. He sneered at the soldiers. "You're excused." They said nothing as they pivoted and walked off.
William looked to the creature on the floor. "Are you capable of killing?"
Kurt blinked, moving so that his vision would catch Stryker's. What kind of a greeting was that? "Am I - Am I what?" A hand moved up to instinctively brush away some blood that ran down his face. "What are you talking about?"
Stryker sighed. "With your mutant abilities. The teleportation, the agility, and whatever else you can do." Glancing towards the soldiers as they walked off, he shook his head and resumed his cold stare towards the mutant. "Are you capable of killing, say, from a long distance away?"
Kurt was confused. "I... I don't understand what you're asking me. Are you asking if I can, or-"
"It's a simple question, Wagner." William was indeed, getting impatient. Reaching into his pocket with his right hand, he pulled out what looked to be a remote control of some sort. "I'm offering you the opportunity to kill you're oppressors over there." With a nod of his head, he was obviously referring to Norris and Jared. He then waved the remote in front of Nightcrawler's face. "This little bit of technology will turn off your inhibitor collar. I'll disable your collar and allow you to teleport over to those retreating soldiers - and kill them - for the beating they inflicted upon you." He smiled slightly. "All you have to do is ask."
Kurt watched as the men were walking off. Oh, how sweet revenge sounded. He had put up with their nonsense for three days in a row now; he really was done with it. How simple it would be just to teleport, break their necks, and return. And he would be allowed to, no punishment for once. They began to shrink as they got further, while Kurt was watching, planning his move...
"No. Zhat vould be against God."
Stryker again arched his brows. "Against whose God? More people kill in the name of God than for any other reason on this godforsaken planet."
Kurt managed a genuine smile. "Zhe only zhing forsaken by God will be zhose who kill in His name." Yellow hues shifted from the men that were now gone back towards Stryker. "My God is capable of nozhing but love." He moved so that he was seated comfortably on his knees, tail swaying behind him, hands brought together in his lap. "My God even loves people like you."
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Back in the holding cell, Kurt was crouched over the female mutant lying in the cot. Her hand was in his, but she wasn't awake. He spoke softly, as though he feared for being heard. "We'll get you out of zhis, miss, I promise. I know someone misses you zhe vay Amanda and I miss each ozher. Even God has his limits in a place like zhis." Before he could continue his reassuring talk, the doors again, were slid open. This was the forth day of this torture, and Kurt was very sick of it.
"Don't worry; I'm not going to hit him again..." Kurt turned towards the door, only to see Norris. Now what did he get to look forward to?
"I just want to say goodbye to him, that's all." The man grinned as he stepped into the room.
"Don't push it, Norris. I mean it." Jared could be seen in the hallway behind Norris.
The meaner soldier nodded. "Oh, no no no. I got something better than the baton this time." He headed for Kurt's bed, leaning against it, shoving his hands casually into his vest pockets. ""I'm here to give you some good news, demon-boy. You're shipping out. Doubt you'll ever be back."
Now it was Kurt's turn to arch what would be a brow. "But - but what about Amanda?"
Norris laughed. "Now that's the good part. They told me I could tell you, and it made my whole day." He paused, building up on the suspense hanging in the room. "Amanda is dead, animal. We killed her a few days ago."
Nightcrawler's eyes narrowed. "Vhat... vhat are you on about? You zhink I'm going to buy zhat?"
The man nodded. "Yeah, I do. Because inside, you know it's true. She could never love a freak like you anyway. She was still with her handsome human boyfriend back at the traveling freak show."
"You're lying to me. I'd never believe you, Norris. You're just taunting me again to -"
Norris interrupted him. "We had people watchin' 'em, ready to do the killing. She was with that other acrobat every night. The normal one. They moved into your old wagon and did it like husband and wife." He sneered as Kurt just stared blankly. "They laughed all the time about what a freak you are. Too bad she's gone now." He turned, glad for what he had accomplished. He had obviously gotten to Kurt. "You feel like gettin' in a prayer or two now, go for it. I won't interfere." The doors were just about to shut behind him. "It's my little going away present to you."
When the doors were together, leaving just Kurt, the woman, and the silence, he leaned forward, burying his face in his hands.
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Bright lights beat down on the mutant's back as he was strapped to yet another table, face down. He was dragged away by soldiers again, but Norris wasn't part of the group. Now he lay in a room alone with Stryker, again. He hadn't said a word, hadn't even struggled when they came in to retrieve him.
Stryker paced back and forth. "You wouldn't kill on your own, Wagner. And we couldn't risk long distance mind-control, unfortunately. But then we discovered that by removing this genetic material from the body of our mind-control Weapon Twelve - well, no need to explain." William pulled a shot of pale yellow liquid out of his coat pocket, pushing on the end slightly, causing a drop or two to escape. "In a moment it will all make sense."
Stepping near the table, he brushed aside the mutant's dark blue- black hair, revealing his neck. The needle neared. "So quiet this evening, Wagner. No witty remarks? No genial ideas?" No answer.
The only think Kurt did was let a tear slip down his cheek.
Stryker sighed. "No. I suppose not. Discovering that the most perfect person in your life is dead now would understandably be a little upsetting, I imagine. But soon, all that will be forgotten..."
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"Gentlemen, you picked a bad day to invite me into your game. - four aces."
The setting was a smoky, hazy bar. Several other soldiers, including Norris, were gathered around a table, playing poker. Several cans of beer lay scattered about as Norris tossed his cards to the table top, leaned back in his chair, and proceeded bragging about his hand. He leaned forward to scoop up his pay. "It's hard to imagine this day getting any better..."
'Bamf!' Dark blue-black smoke filled the room as did the usual sulfur scent, right behind Norris. He turned, sniffing the air. "What's that stink?"
Just as he turned, he was met by a cold, narrowed golden gaze and a fanged sly grin. A false look was in the mutant's eyes as the large blade he held neared Norris. With a sickening 'Shluck' the knife was ripped across the man's throat, and just as quickly as he had appeared Nightcrawler was gone with a 'Bamf!'
Norris hit the floor a bloody mess, all of this happening in a matter of seconds. The others had jumped from the table, chairs falling backwards, cards flying. Some had even pulled their pistols.
"Damn. Stryker warned us that was commin' and it still scared the hell outta me." The others meakly nodded, looking over the overturned mess and the scarlet liquid running across the wooden floor.
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'Bamf!' More smoke as Nightcrawler returned to Stryker's office, where the man stood with a satisfied grin upon his lips. It was nearly nighttime outside; the sun could be seen setting behind William in his large office window. "Perfect," He laughed. "Just perfect." He dragged out the last word, as though he was savoring the fact that his plan had worked after all. "And now, poor, hideous, God-loving Kurt Wagner - you will pay a little visit to the President of the United States." More deep laughter echoed through the room, filling it and the hallway. Time to put his plan into action.
Kurt Wagner did nothing but stare with his empty yellow eyes.
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YAY! I updated! *Applause* So. I probably don't have as many readers now. But as always, R&R! ^_____^
Day number three in this rotten mutant holding cell. Kurt's golden hues opened slowly only to take in what little light was provided. He mumbled something under his breath as he brought a hand up to his face to wipe the sleep away. The female mutant seemed as though she hadn't move since they brought her in, except that now she was fully healed and looked just fine. Different day, same stuff.
Moving to a seated position on his discomfortable bed, Kurt sighed. 'Wonder what kind of beatings I'll receive today,' he wondered. How he longed to look outside, see nature flying free, doing what it does best. He missed the wide blue sky painted with a few clouds here and there; the fresh green grass nestled beneath his three-toed feet. Lying down in the grass and staring at the wildlife seemed as though it would never happen. He then began to wonder. Why were they keeping him here? What use was he to them? Were they just going to let him suffer and eventually die on his own, or did they have ideas in their sick little minds that they wished for him to fulfill?
In the midst of his thoughts, he was interrupted by the sound of the heavy door being opened once more. Kurt didn't even bother to look; he knew just who it was by the sounds of his large boots tapping on the floor. It became a routine. When there was no loud, rude comments being said however, Kurt did indeed turn to look at the door. Before he saw anything, though, a brown sack was thrown over his head. No words were voiced as two hands each grasped his arms and hauled him out of the room. Nightcrawler's tail lashed about, until it was grabbed as well.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
"He refuses to walk, Mister Stryker."
By the feel of the rocks underneath his feet Kurt guessed that they had pulled his butt outside. He recognized the voice that spoke to his left as Jared. Must mean that Norris was on his right. And by the sounds of it, they brought him to see Stryker again. Fun.
"Had to carry the little turd he whole way." He complained.
"Just drop him anywhere, Norris." That voice was indeed, Stryker's. Kurt could recognize his deep voice anywhere. When he hit the ground harshly, the breath was knocked from his lungs resulting in a muffled 'Oof!'
William Stryker arched a thick brow. "Take that bag off his head."
The two soldiers glanced at each other momentarily, before Jared stammered. "Well... we should mention..."
Norris interrupted him, a cocky grin upon his lips. "He tried to escape, sir. We had to get a little rough with him to settle him down."
William was getting impatient. He pulled a hand from his pants pocket and re-adjusted his glasses upon his nose. "'A little rough with him'? What does that mean?"
Neither of the men said a word. "Take the bag - off - his head." Stryker demanded, colored eyes narrowing.
Still no movement. Finally Norris sighed and moved forward, pulling the bag swiftly off, revealing a bloodied Nightcrawler. With a grin Kurt added "Surprise."
Stryker took a good look at the mutant before him, before turning with a disapproving glare towards the men. They looked like dogs that knew they had done something wrong. He sneered at the soldiers. "You're excused." They said nothing as they pivoted and walked off.
William looked to the creature on the floor. "Are you capable of killing?"
Kurt blinked, moving so that his vision would catch Stryker's. What kind of a greeting was that? "Am I - Am I what?" A hand moved up to instinctively brush away some blood that ran down his face. "What are you talking about?"
Stryker sighed. "With your mutant abilities. The teleportation, the agility, and whatever else you can do." Glancing towards the soldiers as they walked off, he shook his head and resumed his cold stare towards the mutant. "Are you capable of killing, say, from a long distance away?"
Kurt was confused. "I... I don't understand what you're asking me. Are you asking if I can, or-"
"It's a simple question, Wagner." William was indeed, getting impatient. Reaching into his pocket with his right hand, he pulled out what looked to be a remote control of some sort. "I'm offering you the opportunity to kill you're oppressors over there." With a nod of his head, he was obviously referring to Norris and Jared. He then waved the remote in front of Nightcrawler's face. "This little bit of technology will turn off your inhibitor collar. I'll disable your collar and allow you to teleport over to those retreating soldiers - and kill them - for the beating they inflicted upon you." He smiled slightly. "All you have to do is ask."
Kurt watched as the men were walking off. Oh, how sweet revenge sounded. He had put up with their nonsense for three days in a row now; he really was done with it. How simple it would be just to teleport, break their necks, and return. And he would be allowed to, no punishment for once. They began to shrink as they got further, while Kurt was watching, planning his move...
"No. Zhat vould be against God."
Stryker again arched his brows. "Against whose God? More people kill in the name of God than for any other reason on this godforsaken planet."
Kurt managed a genuine smile. "Zhe only zhing forsaken by God will be zhose who kill in His name." Yellow hues shifted from the men that were now gone back towards Stryker. "My God is capable of nozhing but love." He moved so that he was seated comfortably on his knees, tail swaying behind him, hands brought together in his lap. "My God even loves people like you."
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Back in the holding cell, Kurt was crouched over the female mutant lying in the cot. Her hand was in his, but she wasn't awake. He spoke softly, as though he feared for being heard. "We'll get you out of zhis, miss, I promise. I know someone misses you zhe vay Amanda and I miss each ozher. Even God has his limits in a place like zhis." Before he could continue his reassuring talk, the doors again, were slid open. This was the forth day of this torture, and Kurt was very sick of it.
"Don't worry; I'm not going to hit him again..." Kurt turned towards the door, only to see Norris. Now what did he get to look forward to?
"I just want to say goodbye to him, that's all." The man grinned as he stepped into the room.
"Don't push it, Norris. I mean it." Jared could be seen in the hallway behind Norris.
The meaner soldier nodded. "Oh, no no no. I got something better than the baton this time." He headed for Kurt's bed, leaning against it, shoving his hands casually into his vest pockets. ""I'm here to give you some good news, demon-boy. You're shipping out. Doubt you'll ever be back."
Now it was Kurt's turn to arch what would be a brow. "But - but what about Amanda?"
Norris laughed. "Now that's the good part. They told me I could tell you, and it made my whole day." He paused, building up on the suspense hanging in the room. "Amanda is dead, animal. We killed her a few days ago."
Nightcrawler's eyes narrowed. "Vhat... vhat are you on about? You zhink I'm going to buy zhat?"
The man nodded. "Yeah, I do. Because inside, you know it's true. She could never love a freak like you anyway. She was still with her handsome human boyfriend back at the traveling freak show."
"You're lying to me. I'd never believe you, Norris. You're just taunting me again to -"
Norris interrupted him. "We had people watchin' 'em, ready to do the killing. She was with that other acrobat every night. The normal one. They moved into your old wagon and did it like husband and wife." He sneered as Kurt just stared blankly. "They laughed all the time about what a freak you are. Too bad she's gone now." He turned, glad for what he had accomplished. He had obviously gotten to Kurt. "You feel like gettin' in a prayer or two now, go for it. I won't interfere." The doors were just about to shut behind him. "It's my little going away present to you."
When the doors were together, leaving just Kurt, the woman, and the silence, he leaned forward, burying his face in his hands.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bright lights beat down on the mutant's back as he was strapped to yet another table, face down. He was dragged away by soldiers again, but Norris wasn't part of the group. Now he lay in a room alone with Stryker, again. He hadn't said a word, hadn't even struggled when they came in to retrieve him.
Stryker paced back and forth. "You wouldn't kill on your own, Wagner. And we couldn't risk long distance mind-control, unfortunately. But then we discovered that by removing this genetic material from the body of our mind-control Weapon Twelve - well, no need to explain." William pulled a shot of pale yellow liquid out of his coat pocket, pushing on the end slightly, causing a drop or two to escape. "In a moment it will all make sense."
Stepping near the table, he brushed aside the mutant's dark blue- black hair, revealing his neck. The needle neared. "So quiet this evening, Wagner. No witty remarks? No genial ideas?" No answer.
The only think Kurt did was let a tear slip down his cheek.
Stryker sighed. "No. I suppose not. Discovering that the most perfect person in your life is dead now would understandably be a little upsetting, I imagine. But soon, all that will be forgotten..."
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
"Gentlemen, you picked a bad day to invite me into your game. - four aces."
The setting was a smoky, hazy bar. Several other soldiers, including Norris, were gathered around a table, playing poker. Several cans of beer lay scattered about as Norris tossed his cards to the table top, leaned back in his chair, and proceeded bragging about his hand. He leaned forward to scoop up his pay. "It's hard to imagine this day getting any better..."
'Bamf!' Dark blue-black smoke filled the room as did the usual sulfur scent, right behind Norris. He turned, sniffing the air. "What's that stink?"
Just as he turned, he was met by a cold, narrowed golden gaze and a fanged sly grin. A false look was in the mutant's eyes as the large blade he held neared Norris. With a sickening 'Shluck' the knife was ripped across the man's throat, and just as quickly as he had appeared Nightcrawler was gone with a 'Bamf!'
Norris hit the floor a bloody mess, all of this happening in a matter of seconds. The others had jumped from the table, chairs falling backwards, cards flying. Some had even pulled their pistols.
"Damn. Stryker warned us that was commin' and it still scared the hell outta me." The others meakly nodded, looking over the overturned mess and the scarlet liquid running across the wooden floor.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
'Bamf!' More smoke as Nightcrawler returned to Stryker's office, where the man stood with a satisfied grin upon his lips. It was nearly nighttime outside; the sun could be seen setting behind William in his large office window. "Perfect," He laughed. "Just perfect." He dragged out the last word, as though he was savoring the fact that his plan had worked after all. "And now, poor, hideous, God-loving Kurt Wagner - you will pay a little visit to the President of the United States." More deep laughter echoed through the room, filling it and the hallway. Time to put his plan into action.
Kurt Wagner did nothing but stare with his empty yellow eyes.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
YAY! I updated! *Applause* So. I probably don't have as many readers now. But as always, R&R! ^_____^