Chapter Nine:
Using information gathered by Cerebro, Professor Xavier had been able to piece together a rough path that the disturbances followed through Salem County and into Westchester. Cyclops, Storm and Dr. McCoy had driven quickly to the first location, but the police had already been notified of the body and the area was inaccessible. The next two victims had also been discovered, and local authorities were investigating those deaths as well.
The presence of the police were definite proof that something had occurred in the places the Professor had identified, but based on intercepted radio communications from the police, the exact causes of death were still a mystery. After some time searching, the three X-Men came upon the fourth victim in an alley.
Dr. McCoy grimaced as he drew back the old tarp that had been deliberately placed over the body. The man's eyes were closed, but expression of terror frozen on his features made McCoy think the same person who had taken the time to cover the man probably had shut them. The corpse's skin was flaccid and gray, but also quite dry, as if he had been partially mummified.
McCoy stood up and drew the collar of his coat up to hide his face. He had covered as much of his fur-lined skin as he could with long pants and the heavy jacket, but his head was only concealed with an oversize Fedora hat, leaving enough exposed that the other two X-Men could see the confusion and frustration on his face.
"Strange..." McCoy muttered to himself, and then repeated in a louder tone, "Very strange. I've never seen anything quite like this."
He leaned over and covered the body again respectfully, before pulling off his protective rubber gloves one hand at a time.
"Do you have any idea what that creature did to him?" Storm asked.
McCoy sensed her anger at the abominable deed, and exhaled heavily.
"No," he began, "It almost looks like...well, what a spider does with its prey. Securing the fly in the web, and then draining it of its inner fluids."
"Except these aren't flies," Cyclops added, "And this thing doesn't use a web. It goes and finds the victims."
"And covers a lot of ground as it does," McCoy said thoughtfully, before glancing up at the other two with a frown, "Westchester isn't exactly the middle of nowhere, after all. It seems our demon is a little picky when it comes to its meals."
"Maybe it needs certain people," Cyclops offered, "The Professor said it had killed mutants and humans but there might a common trait all the victims share."
McCoy tilted his head, "Well...all the victims we know of have been found in isolated areas. This man was walking down an alley. The one before him had been alone in a parking garage. It makes sense to single out someone, take them one at a time, rather than attack a group of people."
"So it's not selective, just looking for convenient prey," Storm said, staring at the nearby dumpster with a frown, "And, maybe, it's not strong enough yet to take on a group of people...or one very powerful person."
Cyclops and McCoy followed her gaze toward the green metal dumpster and noticed the large dent just above where the body was laying.
"You mean that Slayer the Professor was talking about?" McCoy asked curiously and then glanced down at the body, "If I were the demon, I think I'd be worried. Our Miss Slayer looks a little upset about the creature's murderous habits."
"And an angry Slayer on the loose can be a very dangerous thing, too," Cyclops said, exchanging a strange grin with Storm, "I've had some interactions with one in the past."
"Then it may be best that we keep moving until we find her or the demon," Storm said firmly, "Let's contact the Professor and find out where to go next."
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"Chinese food'll be here in about an hour," Bobby said as he spotted Rogue headed toward him from the Library.
"Shh..." she replied with a grin, "Keep it down. This is supposed to be a private dinner, remember? Official X-Men only..."
Bobby shrugged, "Don't worry about it. Everybody else is getting stuffed on pizza in the dining room."
"What do you mean 'everybody else'?" Rogue teased him in an exaggerated Southern accent, "If I am not mistaken, Mr. Drake, I do sense a bit of garlic about you."
Bobby grinned and quickly brushed his lips against hers, "Just making an appearance so nobody gets suspicious."
Rogue chuckled and then wrinkled her nose and waved a hand in front of her face.
"Pfew...too much garlic," she said, "Sometimes it's a good thing you can't give me long kisses yet..."
Bobby frowned curiously at her for a moment, a little uncertain how to react when Rogue made comments about her power, but then he gave her a wicked grin and twirled her around. Rogue gasped in surprise and wrapped her gloved arms around his neck. Bobby drew her close and leaned his head against her hair.
"Yet," he whispered and snuck another quick kiss before he let her go.
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Author's note: SrySoShrt :)