Dr. Levy suddenly walked in while Gabby was admiring her new features
carrying a bottle of pills. Surprised, he leapt back a few feet, and stood
against a wall, not understanding what was going on. Realizing, he smiled
and took a step towards the girl.
"I see we've finally acquired our powers, hm?" The man placed a hand on her shoulder. Gabby stared up at him, and saw the weirdest expression on his face and deep in his eyes, but both went away quickly. Confused, Gabby raised an eyebrow and brought it down. It didn't matter.
"I, uh, guess I did, huh. How'm I gonna tell my family, or at least my sister?" Gabby looked down at her arms. That would be hard to hide.
Startled, the older man grabbed her shoulders and shook her violently. "You will not be telling anyone! You might be killed if anyone knew!"
"Alright, I get it! Stop hurting me!" he stopped right away.
"My apologies." He tossed the bottle into the air, caught it, stared at it for a moment and then stuffed it into a back pocket. "Looks like you won't be needing these anymore."
"Huh? Why not?" Gabby turned back to the mirror.
"Your body has finally accepted the mutant genes. You won't be in any danger now." Levy smiled and turned around. "Get some rest; we'll be having a long day tomorrow. I would like to test your new power capabilities."
Gabby closed the door silently after him. If he thought she would be getting any sleep now, he had got to be kidding. She wouldn't be waiting for the next day to come in order for her abilities to be tested...oh heck no. It was her body; she would do as she wished.
Gabrielle turned in the mirror, checking for any more surprises. Funny...her human ears were gone...She pulled her hair back to confirm her suspicions and found small horns sticking off the side of her head. Okay, now this was getting freaky...they didn't even look good...Gabby stared in shock at the mirror. They were gone!
Turning, Gabby imagined herself with hairless arms, and no tails. Both features disappeared. So she could control her appearance, huh? Soon enough, Gabby no longer looked human. She had scales, horns, tails, wings, and floppy ears. Her skin changed color to her surroundings and Gabby was enjoying herself immensely. As quickly as it appeared, however, it went away as Gabby flopped down on her bed.
Maybe I can even turn completely into a creature...Gabby stood up again and went to the mirror, while glancing at the clock. 11:47. Oh boy. She better test this one thing and get to sleep. Gabby closed her eyes, having discovered it was much easier to change this way, and imagined herself as a cat, or a dog. Suddenly, searing pain whipped up and down her body, filling every part of her body with hot, red, angry agony.
Sealing her lips tightly, Gabby fell to the floor, trying not to scream. Why did this hurt so much?! She erased the image from her mind, and the pain disappeared. When she opened her eyes again, and looked in the mirror, her body had seemed to change into anything but a dog or cat. Had this been what most other mutants called losing control?
Shivering and turning back into a human, Gabby climbed into bed sorely. She hid under the heavy blankets and sobbed. This would take more getting used to than she had first imagined.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::
Over the next couple of weeks, Gabby studied with the doctor. He was constantly taking blood samples, and showing the gene makeup to Gabby. He taught her many things about the blood, and how everything in her body worked.
"I'm not really sure, but I believe this is the gene that is effected during mutation....or this one...But I tested them all at once, not wanting to change something else about you...something like that...it's too hard to explain..." He had told her once.
Gabby soaked up the information, as she usually did. Hey, she was a straight 'A' student for a reason. Gabby had never had so much work to do in her life. The second the doctor figured out that Gabby could help him, he gave her most of his paperwork to go over. Gabby was sitting at her desk, doing such work when she heard faint shouting from the floor below.
Climbing to her window, and yanking it open, Gabby stared down at the sight to the side and below her. Her sister was at the door again, trying to barge her way in, tears streaked on her face. Ever since Gabrielle's power emerged, she had to stay away from her family and friends, much to their surprise and worry. Her sister was the worst, however. She constantly tried to sneak in to see her sibling. Gabby often felt torn when she saw this, but she had no choice. She had to stay away until she had complete control over her new powers. And she was getting close.
Dr. Levy and she had worked on her powers every night, testing them. Apparently, she could only change into parts of animals, if not completely without endangering herself, and she couldn't change into a different human. It didn't really matter to her though. She could have had any power and would've been happy with it, but she seemed to have acquired the best, in her view. Heck, now she could fly!
"Gabrielle? Are you in there?" Knocking could be heard at her door. Gabby shut her window and walked back to her seat. "Are you decent?"
"Yes, sir." Gabby coughed and walked over to the door, opening it quickly. "Can I help you?"
"Ah, well, you're sister came to the door again today..." The man sighed and rubbed his neck. "She's really worried about you. Would you like to see her again?"
Gabby perked up. "Really, sir? That would be great!" She became wary instantly, "How?"
"You will stay in bed the entire time, and I will take some precautions to make you look ill. I hope you will do the same, seeing as your sister is too..." He changed the word he would have used after looking at the girls expression. "...clever...to be fooled by anything else."
Gabby stared at him for a moment before nodding. "I'll do what it takes. I've already caused too much pain to my poor twin."
"Alright, you may see her over the weekend. We'll go into details later, but now I want to finish that one test we started..."
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::
Mumbling, Gabby could hear mumbling. She sat straight up in bed, listening. What woke her? The mumbling...or something else? The girl stood up and changed her ears. Maybe there was a robber in the house? Well he would get a big surprise.
"...no, she's asleep...sleeping...yes..." Gabby crept into the hallway and tiptoed to the doorway to a lighted room. The doctor was awake at this time of night? It was past three already...
Peering into the room, Gabby changed her eyes to cat's and increased her hearing. What was being said? She was mentioned...was it her family?
"...when will you bring her in, Levy?..." That didn't sound like her father...
"Soon, soon. The child's powers are rapidly being developed, amazing for a girl her age, and she hasn't shown any problems."
"I hope you know what you're doing, Levy. We don't want to lose another experiment. This girl is our 73rd one, and we can't afford much more testing to be done without the government getting more suspicious. They're already catching up..."
"Yes, yes, I know. But the second we have a working drug, we'll be able to stop the government at least momentarily. We're gaining progress. Oh, and there is one more thing I wanted to mention...about the pay I'm getting...since this test is a girl I know, I believe I would like to have a raise..."
Gabby turned back to normal and rushed to her room as quietly and quickly as her legs would carry her. So she was a test...the doctor was doing this for money.
Tears trickled down her face. She would have to get out of here...and quickly.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::
Morning came and went. Gabby pretended to be tired and excused herself from any further testing for the day. If she was leaving, she'd do it quickly, and give these fools as little information as possible. She had considered trying to find all the files the doctor had, but decided it was too risky. She would probably get caught...and...ugh. She shivered at the thought. What would they do with her?
Pushing all thoughts to the back of her head, Gabby stuffed as much as she could into her backpack. It had been a while since she had dropped out of school, and the old bag would work perfectly. She didn't have much stuff...everything else was at home, so she fitted everything into it without much difficulty.
She sighed and stuffed the bag under her bed. She was leaving tonight!
"Gabby?" Knocking.
"Yes?" Gabby practically threw herself onto her bed, trying to act 'normal.'
"Feeling better?" Dr. Levy stuck his head in. "There's one test I would like to run today, and it won't take long, but if you're too tired to get up, I could wait until tomorrow?"
Nodding, she yawned. "Too tired, sir. I'm sorry. I didn't get much sleep last night. I was reading."
"Reading what?" The man blinked and stared at her. Gabby mentally smacked herself. Whoops.
"Oh, I had some books in my backpack from before. I still have my English textbook too. It has some nice short stories..." she lied. She hoped he wouldn't ask anything else.
"Well, try to get some sleep tonight. I really want to take that test." He smiled. "Would you like me to bring you something?"
"Oh, no thank you. I think I'll just take a nap or read or something." Go...away...you old man...gr.
"Alright. Night." He closed the door and Gabby sighed, collapsing.
"Ugh. I think a nap would be nice now...have to get up early." She climbed underneath the covers and hid deep within the bowels of her bed.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::
Climbing out of her window, Gabby sighed and took a deep breath. She hadn't made any plans on where she would go from here...
'I suppose I half expected myself to get caught...well I will if I stay here any longer!' She leapt off the roof and landed on the ground gracefully on all fours. Mutation was nice... 'Guess I should just walk along the railroad? Why not.'
Gabby ran from the house and arrived at the station within minutes. She quickly snuck between the trees and bushes to the side. How convenient a forest was right along the side of the train tracks! She took one look back over her shoulder and waved. At least she sort of said 'goodbye...'
She had been walking less than two hours when Gabby first heard it. Rustling in some bushes. And not your ordinary 'animal rustling...' this was a 'people rustling.' How she could tell, she didn't want to know, but she was afraid. Had someone come after her so quickly?!
"Gabrielle Faelder?" A meek voice rang out from somewhere behind her. Spinning around, she came face to face with...
With what?
A short human...or was it a human? Was standing right in front of her. A short, orange-haired human with no pupils was just...standing there...looking as if...it had found something important.
"You are Gabrielle Faelder! About time." It grabbed her hand. Gabby just stared...her mind working as quickly as possible.
"I don't think we've met...do I know you? And...are you a mutant?" Gabby almost took a step back, but stopped herself. She didn't want to offend...him...her...it?
Giggling it answered, "Oh how rude of me. I'm Anaya. I'm a girl, and yes I'm a mutant. Yes, I can read minds...but that's as far as my powers go. Oh...and don't be so scared. We've been looking for you. We want to help."
"We?" Gabby sighed. For some reason...that she believed...she trusted this...girl.
"Yes, we." A boy about Gabby's age stepped from the bushes. "I'm Jessie."
"Gabby." They shook hands. "Any more people I should know about?"
"Yea. There's also Kim, but she's back at our camp. Come with us, Gabby!" The girl tugged her forward.
"Alright..." Gabby stumbled after the girl as Jessie followed the two, bored. "Um...I don't mean to be a pain...but what's going on?"
Jessie sighed. "We're just a lonely band of mutants running from the wrath of humans who are here to save your life. We learned about you and Kim wanted to help you, so here we are. We'll explain more later."
Gabby nodded. What was she getting into?
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::
Kim was a tall woman just a bit older that Gabrielle. She smiled down at Gabby when they finally arrived at the 'camp' which was actually a deep cave with a tiny crack in the mountain for an entrance. The dark space was filled with furniture found from garbage and used candles. There was even a lamp. Gabby stared at this with curiosity. When she met Kim, they both shook hands warmly.
"I'm Kim. My power's electrical stuff." She had a nice smile.
"Gabby. Animals." She smiled back.
"I know. I'll bet you're wondering why we know you...and why you're here, huh? Ask me anything, and I'll try my best to satisfy your confusion." She went over to what seemed to be a 'kitchen' and lit a stove. "Tea? Or coffee?"
"Tea...sounds nice." Gabby sat down in the chair Jessie dragged over for her. He sat nearby.
"Me too, K." He yawned. "I need it."
Anaya bounced her way over to Gabby. "I found you!"
"Here you go. And you Jess." Kim handed them both mugs. "What would you like to know first?"
"How do you know me?"
"A friend of ours is telepathic. You'll meet him someday." Kim sat down next to the girl.
"He's connected to every mutant in this world, and yada-yada-ya. We don't know exactly, but something like that. You're a special case." Jessie took a large gulp from his mug.
"Special? Because I'm man-made?" Gabby spat out. "So...what are you all doing here?"
"Hiding!" Anaya giggled. "We run from all the bad people. It's fun."
"Of course, Anaya. I think it's about time for you to get some sleep, hm? Jess, will you take her?" The two left to another tunnel and cavern.
"How old is she?" Gabby stared after them.
"Eleven I think. Her mutation was very early, but then again, age varies. So...what are you going to do?"
"Huh?"
"Where are you planning to stay? Where are you going?"
"Oh...uh..."
Smiling, Kim stood. "You can stay here. I just wanted to make sure you didn't actually have somewhere to go. Let me show you your 'room.'"
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::
The next few months Gabby spent were in the caverns with Kim, Jess, and Anaya. She learned about how they had all run when they first became mutants and how they found each other with the help of their telepathic friend. He usually spoke to Kim or Anya, and sometimes Jess, but never seemed to be interested in Gabby whatsoever. Many a conversation was interrupted by the man's sudden 'appearance.' Kim kept assuring Gabby she would meet him one day, but Gabby was unsure.
'Hello Gabrielle.' Gabby was busy playing with Anaya one evening when the voice rang through her head. She looked around, confused, until...
'I'm Professor Charles Xavier. It's a pleasure to meet you.'
"Huh? Oh...are you the man Kim and everyone has been speaking to?" Anaya looked at Gabby as if she were insane, and she left.
'Yes, and there is no need for you to speak out loud.'
'Oh...I see...nice...to meet you...' Gabby...ever polite, thought. 'Er, professor? I don't understand something...'
'You wish to learn why you were brought here and how I know you, correct?'
'Uh...yes?' Gabby sat down on the floor and stared straight ahead. It was confusing to talk to someone when you couldn't see them.
'I do believe Kim told you about my powers? Yes? Well, to make a long story simple, I have a machine called Cerebro, and it can find any human or mutant in this world. Now, I discovered your mind not long ago...when searching for a friend of mine. At first I thought you were a developing mutant, because your mind sort of...flickered in Cerebro, and I thought you weren't done changing. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. So I watched you and your mind until you ran. Then I sent some people I knew to take care of you. You should be safe here...'
'I see.' Gabby sighed and closed her eyes. This old man seemed...nice. He was like a father she never had. 'Hey, could you tell me some more things? I don't really understand all this mutant business. I'm new at this...'
And thus, Gabby and Xavier spoke well into the night, discussing exactly what was in the first movie for Xmen. ( She'll learn about the second one later...) Gabby learned of Logan, and Marie, and Storm, and asked many questions about them. She learned about the school, and asked about the students there, too. She fell asleep the second he finally left her mind, and waited to hear from him for the next days of her life in the caves.
Gabby learned that Kim was a hacker and that she had her own 'computer room' provided for her in the back of the caves using her own powers of electricity. She often took Gabby with her to teach her how to hack hard- core, and she progressed considerably. Soon, Gabby and Kim worked together, laughing and joking until something serious came up. Often, nothing was found, but when they did learn something, the Professor was told immediately.
Gabrielle also learned at this time about the second movie...() and constantly asked the Professor to explain everything in the greatest detail. She really liked hearing about Kurt for his sudden appearance and powers, and felt like she knew him already. Unfortunately for her, this was the time when problems occurred...for her and the 'cave group.'
Many, many postings had suddenly appeared on the internet and government and police files about mutants. Riots against them were sending hundreds of human and mutants alike to hospitals, and many of the doctors refused to help the 'freaks.' No one died right away, but over time, some weaker children caught up in fights and riots were injured so much that they were killed on impact or in the hospitals. Gabby and Kim fought so hard to delete as many known files as possible; they often forgot to check certain files about the woods they lived in. This was the greatest mistake they could have made.
By the time Kim found the reports saying mutants were suspected to be in the area they lived in, it was too late.
"Gabby! Come in here! Quickly! Bring Jess!" Gabby quickly left dinner in the hands of Anaya and found Jess. She heard the fear in Kim and reacted with fear herself. Something was wrong. Reading the files, Gabby and Jess both gasped, and Gabby held Anaya close to her.
The government found them, and they were coming. Leaving the room, Jess and Gabby held each others shoulders as they heard Kim destroying every file in the cave. If they were going to be found, they would find nothing on other mutants.
Jessie and Kim often left Gabby with Anaya to talk to the professor about their problem, and finally agreed to run. The government would be here soon. Any minute. But Gabby was told they were going to run, and run alone. (Except Anaya would stay with Kim...) Gabby was reluctant, but finally agreed. Packing nothing and destroying everything they owned, Jess set off first, heading North. Gabby left a few minutes later, heading west, and knew Kim and Anaya would leave soon. But they didn't. Gabby barely left when she heard shouts from behind.
Half flying and half running, Gabby found burnt soldiers and men wearing special gear. Kim and Anaya were backed against a cave, and Gabby exploded. She screeched and felt needles poke out from her body. Her body took over, and her mind reacted on instinct. She fought with claws, foot and tail. She flew over men, forcing them back. Often, Kim stopped someone from getting to Gabby with lightning. Finally, the men retreated enough for Anaya, Kim and Gabby to escape. Flying overhead, Gabby listened to the ruckus behind them.
"Gabby, change in plans! You go to Xavier! I'll find Jess, and try to hide! You'll be better off without us anyway! We'll find you later! GO." She ducked behind a tree, and Gabby lost sight of her and the little girl. She had barely gotten to know them and she was already off to find Xavier. Great. Tears flowing free, Gabby changed her direction in midair.
'Professor Xavier? I'm coming.'
'I know dear. Head east. I'll be waiting for you.'
"I see we've finally acquired our powers, hm?" The man placed a hand on her shoulder. Gabby stared up at him, and saw the weirdest expression on his face and deep in his eyes, but both went away quickly. Confused, Gabby raised an eyebrow and brought it down. It didn't matter.
"I, uh, guess I did, huh. How'm I gonna tell my family, or at least my sister?" Gabby looked down at her arms. That would be hard to hide.
Startled, the older man grabbed her shoulders and shook her violently. "You will not be telling anyone! You might be killed if anyone knew!"
"Alright, I get it! Stop hurting me!" he stopped right away.
"My apologies." He tossed the bottle into the air, caught it, stared at it for a moment and then stuffed it into a back pocket. "Looks like you won't be needing these anymore."
"Huh? Why not?" Gabby turned back to the mirror.
"Your body has finally accepted the mutant genes. You won't be in any danger now." Levy smiled and turned around. "Get some rest; we'll be having a long day tomorrow. I would like to test your new power capabilities."
Gabby closed the door silently after him. If he thought she would be getting any sleep now, he had got to be kidding. She wouldn't be waiting for the next day to come in order for her abilities to be tested...oh heck no. It was her body; she would do as she wished.
Gabrielle turned in the mirror, checking for any more surprises. Funny...her human ears were gone...She pulled her hair back to confirm her suspicions and found small horns sticking off the side of her head. Okay, now this was getting freaky...they didn't even look good...Gabby stared in shock at the mirror. They were gone!
Turning, Gabby imagined herself with hairless arms, and no tails. Both features disappeared. So she could control her appearance, huh? Soon enough, Gabby no longer looked human. She had scales, horns, tails, wings, and floppy ears. Her skin changed color to her surroundings and Gabby was enjoying herself immensely. As quickly as it appeared, however, it went away as Gabby flopped down on her bed.
Maybe I can even turn completely into a creature...Gabby stood up again and went to the mirror, while glancing at the clock. 11:47. Oh boy. She better test this one thing and get to sleep. Gabby closed her eyes, having discovered it was much easier to change this way, and imagined herself as a cat, or a dog. Suddenly, searing pain whipped up and down her body, filling every part of her body with hot, red, angry agony.
Sealing her lips tightly, Gabby fell to the floor, trying not to scream. Why did this hurt so much?! She erased the image from her mind, and the pain disappeared. When she opened her eyes again, and looked in the mirror, her body had seemed to change into anything but a dog or cat. Had this been what most other mutants called losing control?
Shivering and turning back into a human, Gabby climbed into bed sorely. She hid under the heavy blankets and sobbed. This would take more getting used to than she had first imagined.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::
Over the next couple of weeks, Gabby studied with the doctor. He was constantly taking blood samples, and showing the gene makeup to Gabby. He taught her many things about the blood, and how everything in her body worked.
"I'm not really sure, but I believe this is the gene that is effected during mutation....or this one...But I tested them all at once, not wanting to change something else about you...something like that...it's too hard to explain..." He had told her once.
Gabby soaked up the information, as she usually did. Hey, she was a straight 'A' student for a reason. Gabby had never had so much work to do in her life. The second the doctor figured out that Gabby could help him, he gave her most of his paperwork to go over. Gabby was sitting at her desk, doing such work when she heard faint shouting from the floor below.
Climbing to her window, and yanking it open, Gabby stared down at the sight to the side and below her. Her sister was at the door again, trying to barge her way in, tears streaked on her face. Ever since Gabrielle's power emerged, she had to stay away from her family and friends, much to their surprise and worry. Her sister was the worst, however. She constantly tried to sneak in to see her sibling. Gabby often felt torn when she saw this, but she had no choice. She had to stay away until she had complete control over her new powers. And she was getting close.
Dr. Levy and she had worked on her powers every night, testing them. Apparently, she could only change into parts of animals, if not completely without endangering herself, and she couldn't change into a different human. It didn't really matter to her though. She could have had any power and would've been happy with it, but she seemed to have acquired the best, in her view. Heck, now she could fly!
"Gabrielle? Are you in there?" Knocking could be heard at her door. Gabby shut her window and walked back to her seat. "Are you decent?"
"Yes, sir." Gabby coughed and walked over to the door, opening it quickly. "Can I help you?"
"Ah, well, you're sister came to the door again today..." The man sighed and rubbed his neck. "She's really worried about you. Would you like to see her again?"
Gabby perked up. "Really, sir? That would be great!" She became wary instantly, "How?"
"You will stay in bed the entire time, and I will take some precautions to make you look ill. I hope you will do the same, seeing as your sister is too..." He changed the word he would have used after looking at the girls expression. "...clever...to be fooled by anything else."
Gabby stared at him for a moment before nodding. "I'll do what it takes. I've already caused too much pain to my poor twin."
"Alright, you may see her over the weekend. We'll go into details later, but now I want to finish that one test we started..."
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::
Mumbling, Gabby could hear mumbling. She sat straight up in bed, listening. What woke her? The mumbling...or something else? The girl stood up and changed her ears. Maybe there was a robber in the house? Well he would get a big surprise.
"...no, she's asleep...sleeping...yes..." Gabby crept into the hallway and tiptoed to the doorway to a lighted room. The doctor was awake at this time of night? It was past three already...
Peering into the room, Gabby changed her eyes to cat's and increased her hearing. What was being said? She was mentioned...was it her family?
"...when will you bring her in, Levy?..." That didn't sound like her father...
"Soon, soon. The child's powers are rapidly being developed, amazing for a girl her age, and she hasn't shown any problems."
"I hope you know what you're doing, Levy. We don't want to lose another experiment. This girl is our 73rd one, and we can't afford much more testing to be done without the government getting more suspicious. They're already catching up..."
"Yes, yes, I know. But the second we have a working drug, we'll be able to stop the government at least momentarily. We're gaining progress. Oh, and there is one more thing I wanted to mention...about the pay I'm getting...since this test is a girl I know, I believe I would like to have a raise..."
Gabby turned back to normal and rushed to her room as quietly and quickly as her legs would carry her. So she was a test...the doctor was doing this for money.
Tears trickled down her face. She would have to get out of here...and quickly.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::
Morning came and went. Gabby pretended to be tired and excused herself from any further testing for the day. If she was leaving, she'd do it quickly, and give these fools as little information as possible. She had considered trying to find all the files the doctor had, but decided it was too risky. She would probably get caught...and...ugh. She shivered at the thought. What would they do with her?
Pushing all thoughts to the back of her head, Gabby stuffed as much as she could into her backpack. It had been a while since she had dropped out of school, and the old bag would work perfectly. She didn't have much stuff...everything else was at home, so she fitted everything into it without much difficulty.
She sighed and stuffed the bag under her bed. She was leaving tonight!
"Gabby?" Knocking.
"Yes?" Gabby practically threw herself onto her bed, trying to act 'normal.'
"Feeling better?" Dr. Levy stuck his head in. "There's one test I would like to run today, and it won't take long, but if you're too tired to get up, I could wait until tomorrow?"
Nodding, she yawned. "Too tired, sir. I'm sorry. I didn't get much sleep last night. I was reading."
"Reading what?" The man blinked and stared at her. Gabby mentally smacked herself. Whoops.
"Oh, I had some books in my backpack from before. I still have my English textbook too. It has some nice short stories..." she lied. She hoped he wouldn't ask anything else.
"Well, try to get some sleep tonight. I really want to take that test." He smiled. "Would you like me to bring you something?"
"Oh, no thank you. I think I'll just take a nap or read or something." Go...away...you old man...gr.
"Alright. Night." He closed the door and Gabby sighed, collapsing.
"Ugh. I think a nap would be nice now...have to get up early." She climbed underneath the covers and hid deep within the bowels of her bed.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::
Climbing out of her window, Gabby sighed and took a deep breath. She hadn't made any plans on where she would go from here...
'I suppose I half expected myself to get caught...well I will if I stay here any longer!' She leapt off the roof and landed on the ground gracefully on all fours. Mutation was nice... 'Guess I should just walk along the railroad? Why not.'
Gabby ran from the house and arrived at the station within minutes. She quickly snuck between the trees and bushes to the side. How convenient a forest was right along the side of the train tracks! She took one look back over her shoulder and waved. At least she sort of said 'goodbye...'
She had been walking less than two hours when Gabby first heard it. Rustling in some bushes. And not your ordinary 'animal rustling...' this was a 'people rustling.' How she could tell, she didn't want to know, but she was afraid. Had someone come after her so quickly?!
"Gabrielle Faelder?" A meek voice rang out from somewhere behind her. Spinning around, she came face to face with...
With what?
A short human...or was it a human? Was standing right in front of her. A short, orange-haired human with no pupils was just...standing there...looking as if...it had found something important.
"You are Gabrielle Faelder! About time." It grabbed her hand. Gabby just stared...her mind working as quickly as possible.
"I don't think we've met...do I know you? And...are you a mutant?" Gabby almost took a step back, but stopped herself. She didn't want to offend...him...her...it?
Giggling it answered, "Oh how rude of me. I'm Anaya. I'm a girl, and yes I'm a mutant. Yes, I can read minds...but that's as far as my powers go. Oh...and don't be so scared. We've been looking for you. We want to help."
"We?" Gabby sighed. For some reason...that she believed...she trusted this...girl.
"Yes, we." A boy about Gabby's age stepped from the bushes. "I'm Jessie."
"Gabby." They shook hands. "Any more people I should know about?"
"Yea. There's also Kim, but she's back at our camp. Come with us, Gabby!" The girl tugged her forward.
"Alright..." Gabby stumbled after the girl as Jessie followed the two, bored. "Um...I don't mean to be a pain...but what's going on?"
Jessie sighed. "We're just a lonely band of mutants running from the wrath of humans who are here to save your life. We learned about you and Kim wanted to help you, so here we are. We'll explain more later."
Gabby nodded. What was she getting into?
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::
Kim was a tall woman just a bit older that Gabrielle. She smiled down at Gabby when they finally arrived at the 'camp' which was actually a deep cave with a tiny crack in the mountain for an entrance. The dark space was filled with furniture found from garbage and used candles. There was even a lamp. Gabby stared at this with curiosity. When she met Kim, they both shook hands warmly.
"I'm Kim. My power's electrical stuff." She had a nice smile.
"Gabby. Animals." She smiled back.
"I know. I'll bet you're wondering why we know you...and why you're here, huh? Ask me anything, and I'll try my best to satisfy your confusion." She went over to what seemed to be a 'kitchen' and lit a stove. "Tea? Or coffee?"
"Tea...sounds nice." Gabby sat down in the chair Jessie dragged over for her. He sat nearby.
"Me too, K." He yawned. "I need it."
Anaya bounced her way over to Gabby. "I found you!"
"Here you go. And you Jess." Kim handed them both mugs. "What would you like to know first?"
"How do you know me?"
"A friend of ours is telepathic. You'll meet him someday." Kim sat down next to the girl.
"He's connected to every mutant in this world, and yada-yada-ya. We don't know exactly, but something like that. You're a special case." Jessie took a large gulp from his mug.
"Special? Because I'm man-made?" Gabby spat out. "So...what are you all doing here?"
"Hiding!" Anaya giggled. "We run from all the bad people. It's fun."
"Of course, Anaya. I think it's about time for you to get some sleep, hm? Jess, will you take her?" The two left to another tunnel and cavern.
"How old is she?" Gabby stared after them.
"Eleven I think. Her mutation was very early, but then again, age varies. So...what are you going to do?"
"Huh?"
"Where are you planning to stay? Where are you going?"
"Oh...uh..."
Smiling, Kim stood. "You can stay here. I just wanted to make sure you didn't actually have somewhere to go. Let me show you your 'room.'"
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::
The next few months Gabby spent were in the caverns with Kim, Jess, and Anaya. She learned about how they had all run when they first became mutants and how they found each other with the help of their telepathic friend. He usually spoke to Kim or Anya, and sometimes Jess, but never seemed to be interested in Gabby whatsoever. Many a conversation was interrupted by the man's sudden 'appearance.' Kim kept assuring Gabby she would meet him one day, but Gabby was unsure.
'Hello Gabrielle.' Gabby was busy playing with Anaya one evening when the voice rang through her head. She looked around, confused, until...
'I'm Professor Charles Xavier. It's a pleasure to meet you.'
"Huh? Oh...are you the man Kim and everyone has been speaking to?" Anaya looked at Gabby as if she were insane, and she left.
'Yes, and there is no need for you to speak out loud.'
'Oh...I see...nice...to meet you...' Gabby...ever polite, thought. 'Er, professor? I don't understand something...'
'You wish to learn why you were brought here and how I know you, correct?'
'Uh...yes?' Gabby sat down on the floor and stared straight ahead. It was confusing to talk to someone when you couldn't see them.
'I do believe Kim told you about my powers? Yes? Well, to make a long story simple, I have a machine called Cerebro, and it can find any human or mutant in this world. Now, I discovered your mind not long ago...when searching for a friend of mine. At first I thought you were a developing mutant, because your mind sort of...flickered in Cerebro, and I thought you weren't done changing. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. So I watched you and your mind until you ran. Then I sent some people I knew to take care of you. You should be safe here...'
'I see.' Gabby sighed and closed her eyes. This old man seemed...nice. He was like a father she never had. 'Hey, could you tell me some more things? I don't really understand all this mutant business. I'm new at this...'
And thus, Gabby and Xavier spoke well into the night, discussing exactly what was in the first movie for Xmen. ( She'll learn about the second one later...) Gabby learned of Logan, and Marie, and Storm, and asked many questions about them. She learned about the school, and asked about the students there, too. She fell asleep the second he finally left her mind, and waited to hear from him for the next days of her life in the caves.
Gabby learned that Kim was a hacker and that she had her own 'computer room' provided for her in the back of the caves using her own powers of electricity. She often took Gabby with her to teach her how to hack hard- core, and she progressed considerably. Soon, Gabby and Kim worked together, laughing and joking until something serious came up. Often, nothing was found, but when they did learn something, the Professor was told immediately.
Gabrielle also learned at this time about the second movie...() and constantly asked the Professor to explain everything in the greatest detail. She really liked hearing about Kurt for his sudden appearance and powers, and felt like she knew him already. Unfortunately for her, this was the time when problems occurred...for her and the 'cave group.'
Many, many postings had suddenly appeared on the internet and government and police files about mutants. Riots against them were sending hundreds of human and mutants alike to hospitals, and many of the doctors refused to help the 'freaks.' No one died right away, but over time, some weaker children caught up in fights and riots were injured so much that they were killed on impact or in the hospitals. Gabby and Kim fought so hard to delete as many known files as possible; they often forgot to check certain files about the woods they lived in. This was the greatest mistake they could have made.
By the time Kim found the reports saying mutants were suspected to be in the area they lived in, it was too late.
"Gabby! Come in here! Quickly! Bring Jess!" Gabby quickly left dinner in the hands of Anaya and found Jess. She heard the fear in Kim and reacted with fear herself. Something was wrong. Reading the files, Gabby and Jess both gasped, and Gabby held Anaya close to her.
The government found them, and they were coming. Leaving the room, Jess and Gabby held each others shoulders as they heard Kim destroying every file in the cave. If they were going to be found, they would find nothing on other mutants.
Jessie and Kim often left Gabby with Anaya to talk to the professor about their problem, and finally agreed to run. The government would be here soon. Any minute. But Gabby was told they were going to run, and run alone. (Except Anaya would stay with Kim...) Gabby was reluctant, but finally agreed. Packing nothing and destroying everything they owned, Jess set off first, heading North. Gabby left a few minutes later, heading west, and knew Kim and Anaya would leave soon. But they didn't. Gabby barely left when she heard shouts from behind.
Half flying and half running, Gabby found burnt soldiers and men wearing special gear. Kim and Anaya were backed against a cave, and Gabby exploded. She screeched and felt needles poke out from her body. Her body took over, and her mind reacted on instinct. She fought with claws, foot and tail. She flew over men, forcing them back. Often, Kim stopped someone from getting to Gabby with lightning. Finally, the men retreated enough for Anaya, Kim and Gabby to escape. Flying overhead, Gabby listened to the ruckus behind them.
"Gabby, change in plans! You go to Xavier! I'll find Jess, and try to hide! You'll be better off without us anyway! We'll find you later! GO." She ducked behind a tree, and Gabby lost sight of her and the little girl. She had barely gotten to know them and she was already off to find Xavier. Great. Tears flowing free, Gabby changed her direction in midair.
'Professor Xavier? I'm coming.'
'I know dear. Head east. I'll be waiting for you.'