Nightcrawler

The world had grown dark long before Cassandra reached her final destination. It had been difficult at first to track her target's movements, but soon she began to follow the pattern and it was fairly easy. She was relieved when his presence stopped and seemed to pulse in one place. Boston, Massachusetts. She took a couple taxi's, trying to find the right direction to go, each time exciting as soon as the thread of connection pulled her in another way.

She was about close to despair after using her last 50 cents to buy a drink from one of the vending machines that inflation had not caught up with yet. She was close, but that wasn't good enough. She wished it was as easy as standing in the middle of the street and yelling, but naturally she couldn't do that. She wanted to throw up her arms and admit defeat. But she couldn't do that. She was needed somewhere and she had to continue, even if it meant roaming the streets all night.

However she didn't have to wait that long for what would bring her to what she searched for. In her hurry she had forgotten that being out after dark was sometimes not the best idea for some neighborhoods. As she made her way down a deserted street full of broken lights and graffiti painted buildings she became aware that someone was following her. Her instincts immediately told her to run, and like always, she listened to them. They had gotten her through life thus far.

Unfortunately as soon as she took off she realized that there were multiple people chasing her. The sound of their footfalls sounded like doom echoing in her ears. Well, Professor, you were right about my getting into trouble. It's just not the kind you were thinking of… She thought.

Right! Something screamed inside her and she turned, not doubting her feeling. She shoved open a rusty gate with a heavy clang and made her way up the cracked stone pathway. With all her strength she pushed open the doors to the building and ran inside. She reached the center of a vast room before she comprehended where she was.

A church.

It was abandoned and uncared for. Vines stretched over some of the wall and dust collected everywhere. She stood in awe for a moment. There was something strange about this place. Something that seemed familiar somehow, important. Her eyes moved over to where a single candle flickered diligently on an altar. Then it came to her in a flash.

He was here.

SLAM! And so where her pursuers. "Hey there girlie! Where you goin'?"

"Leave me alone!" She cried, turning around, trying to find a place to go, anywhere to hide. She had no time. In seconds they were on her, jerking her around towards them. She clawed desperately at them, "Let me go!" She shrieked.

"All right." They pushed her, forcing her to fall backwards. Her head hit the side of a scaffolding hard and her vision began to dot. Suddenly there was a blur, a shadow within the shadows. Then she heard a series of thuds and screams before the sound of retreating feet. Not long after someone leaned over her, whispering something in a foreign language and she was lifted off the floor.

=====

Cassandra woke to the sound of voices. She raised up, putting a hand to her aching head. If she could get her hands on those jerks…

"I didn't mean to hurt anybody…" came that same voice she had heard earlier. The same voice that had cried out for help. Her eyes widened and she jerked her head to look over. Apparently she had missed quite a bit of action while she was out. Ms. Munroe and Ms. Grey were there - - and Ms. Grey was holding her "captive" upside down in the air. Zane didn't want to know how that happened.

"I wonder why people would get that impression." Said Ms. Munroe. "What's your name?"

"Wagner. Kurt Wagner."

Then Zane noticed the man. He was . . . blue? … and had golden eyes. Magnificent golden eyes. A tail. Whoa… a tail? Zane tilted her head. He was definitely the reason why she was here. He had been the one in the white house, she knew it, but he didn't look like an assassin. In fact, he looked rather frightened.

Then he looked at her. "You're up." He commented, seemingly forgetting the fact he was upside down.

The two teachers turned. "Cassandra! How did you- - " Ms. Munroe began, then turned back to the man. Cassandra knew what she was going to finish with so she interrupted.

"He didn't hurt me," Zane said quickly, rising from her seat. "He," she gazed at him in wonderment, as if just realizing it, "saved my life."

=====

Zane listened to Kurt Wagner's story with growing sadness. She didn't know whether to feel sorry for him or feel angry at the ones who did it to him, and she was sure there were outside parties involved. He seemed to be a very sweet, caring individual and it was horrible to think how he had been mistreated, what had been taken from him.

She listened to the sound of his voice, letting it pour over her. She closed her eyes, hoping something would come to her. Being in his presence gave her a weird feeling. That familiarity again. Why was she feeling like this? What about him had drawn her here? She opened her eyes with a sigh when nothing came. She was startled when she noticed he was looking at her. She smiled at him softly and he returned the smile, his eyes shimmering brilliantly in the low light.

She couldn't help think that he was beautiful. It was an odd thought, one that seemed from deep within her. It just came to her from out of nowhere. She had only met him less than hour before, but yet there was something about him, something special that called to her. It was like someone shouting at you from behind sound proof glass, you know that there is something you should hear, but you're not. This was like that. She knew he meant something, but she was unsure of what just yet.

She didn't know how long she was off in her own thoughts before Ms. Munroe tapped her on the shoulder. "Are you ready to go, Cassandra?"

"Yeah." She replied softly, standing. For a moment she staggered, but gentle arms caught her before she could fall.

"You should be careful." Kurt said, helping her to stand straight again.

Ms. Grey looked back and shook her head. "As soon as we get back we should take some X-rays. You might have a concussion."

"Great." Zane muttered, the last thing she needed was a brain injury…

=====

Zane slumped into a seat on the school's jet. She was tired and hadn't gotten any sleep. She probably looked like hell, which for some reason bothered her. Then again, she hated to look bad in front of everyone, especially a guy. She laughed to herself in a very nervous fashion. "I need sleep." She said to herself. "Very, very long sleep."

"Rest up, Cassandra," Ms. Munroe said, passing by, "because when we get back to the school I'm sure Professor Xavier is going to have a few words for you."

"Not very nice ones I bet" Zane muttered to herself as her History teacher disappeared into the cockpit. She rolled her eyes and looked up, once again catching Kurt's amazing gold ones.

"Are you in trouble?" He asked, confused.

"Deep trouble," she answered. "I kinda left without permission."

"Why would you do that?"

"I had to find you." She said simply, as if it were obvious. She smiled at his shocked look, but before he could say anything she laid down and rolled over, yawning. "Good night."

=====

Kurt watched as the girl slept, her dark hair spread across the seat she was using as a bed and her pale face etched so deeply in slumber. She seemed so peaceful. It was a kind of peace that he hadn't experienced in a while. In a way he wondered if he would ever feel that type of peace again. He had done a horrible thing, he had hurt so many people, nearly murdered someone. Of course he was under a mysterious influence at the time, but that… that shouldn't have made any difference, he should have been able to fight it.

He lowered his head, his fingers searching for that familiar comforting object in his pocket. After a moment he brought it out and proceeded to pray. He knew that God would never put him in a situation that he could not handle. It was not God that did this, it was man. There was no need for him to be angry. He knew that he could get through this. And if it was a test he would certainly not fail. He had to hold on to his faith or he would lose all that he had left.

=====

Cassandra stirred, but no one noticed. Ms. Munroe was having discussion with Kurt. Zane listened to their words and one of Kurt's comments about normal people stuck out to her. "I pity them because they will never know more than what they see with their own two eyes." Zane had never thought of it that way before. For the longest period of time she had hated herself and what she was because her family could not except her differences. She had thought there was something wrong with her. Then she had just grown angry at the whole world.

"Sometimes anger keeps you alive." Ms. Munroe said.

"So can faith."

After her teacher left Zane sat up and looked at the German man solemnly. She didn't know what to say. She had some questions, but she was afraid to ask them. They wouldn't be personal to him, at least she didn't think, but she didn't know what kind of effect they would have on her thoughts. She decided to let them rest for the time being. Besides, her skull was throbbing again.

"How are you feeling?"

"Like someone used my head to play soccer." Zane answered flatly, keeping one hang pressed to the side of her head. "Basically, like hell…"

He looked at her worriedly before getting up and going to her. She was surprised but she didn't pull away when she felt his fingers in her hair. She knew what he was doing, checking for injuries. She sighed, and was about to say something very sarcastic when a sudden pain made her cry out.

"Sorry." He apologized quickly.

"S'okay. Not your fault. You're not the one who did it. Speaking of, thanks for savin' me. Who knows what those guys woulda done if you hadn't - - " She smiled. "Just thanks."

He smiled shyly, averting his eyes. She reached out a hand to touch his face, but before she made contact the jet jerked suddenly, sending her against the wall behind. Her head hit with a painful thud as Kurt nearly wound up on top of her. In almost the same moment it leveled out. Zane sat up, groaning.

Immediately Ms. Munroe appeared toward the back where they were sitting. "You two okay?" Kurt nodded. Zane however…

"What happened?"

"Mild turbulence."

"Mild? You call that mild? And turbulence? What is this, American Airlines?" She reached back and touched her head before emitting a pained squeak. She looked at her hand and cursed, "son of a bitch…blood."

"Watch your language. And blood?"

"Once a street kid, always a street kid. And yes, blood. You know that red stuff that comes outta ya when you get cut?"

Ms. Munroe gave her a warning look, but took her hand to look at it. Without warning she leaned Zane forward and proceeded to part her hair, looking for the wound. "Fount it. It looks like it's been bleeding off an don since your initial injury."

Zane sighed dramatically. "Will I live, Doc? Is it fatal?"

"Cassandra, you'll be fine. The only thing you have to worry about killing you is that mouth." Zane grinned, looking over at Kurt. He shook his head, but was clearly amused. Ms. Monroe gave up, "why don't the two of you come up front. We should be at Bobby's soon."

"Bobby?" Zane was confused.

"Yes. Something happened at the school and He, Rogue, and Logan went there for safety. It's nearby."

"Wait… Logan? Isn't that Rogue's friend? He came back and I missed it. Yeow! He was - -" She made a suggestive hissing noise and wagged her eyebrows.

Ms. Monroe looked disgusted. "Just come on Zane. For once do not make me have to ask you twice."

"You already have."

"Zane!"

"I'm coming, jeez." She glanced at Kurt with a smile, "you'd think I was being difficult or something…"

That was chapter two. I made it a bit longer than the first. Thanks for the reviews on the first chapter. I hope you liked this one as well. Once again R&R. Please tell me what you think. Oh, and flames will be ignored. I have no use for other's negativity - - I have enough of my own. Bye for now.

Next chapter out soon... hopefully. They pick up the trio and go camping. But what's that weird light in the woods? Should Zane and her new friend go investigate? Or do some things need to be left alone?