Chapter 23

It was unknown how Bobby just all of a sudden figured out Mimic's real name without her even knowing it. Bobby had become something of an animal. He didn't talk much anymore, except to Jim and Lilian. He'd sometimes lie at Elizabeth's feet and just be, like while she was sitting with Pietro watching television. Fred and Todd became extremely worried about him, as he didn't eat much anymore. Elizabeth would rock him when she could, although he wasn't small enough for her to hold in her arms anymore, so she'd cradle his head in her lap while he slept.

Mark and Austin kept to themselves mainly, but Mark was worried about Bobby too. He left Austin's head once every few hours to check on him. Mimic wasn't Mark's friend, but there was a bond between Mimic and Bobby that no one could really figure out. She had it with Lance once too, but it vanished when he abandoned them. Lance knew she would never trust him again, but she trusted him more than any other member of the Brotherhood.

Bobby was sleeping a lot now, hibernating since it was winter, they guessed. Elizabeth would take his food to him, and she'd talk with Lilian the best she could about what he was feeling. Bobby was the baby, and everyone felt responsible for him. When he was sad, they were sad with an exception for Austin, who had killed his feelings a long time ago.

Jim was the only one that knew what was sort of going to happen. He wasn't sure what she would look like, nor if she would act the same. She'd probably be the baby from then on, considering she'd be actually about a year old. They'd have to recruit Illkune too, with him being non-evil and her brother. Jim wondered what it would be like not remembering anything. He wondered if she'd be able to understand them.

Would she remember them? The Mutes? The people she had lived with. They were her friends, even Jim. Jim made a fuss every chance he could, but he would help her if she was in danger. Jim prayed she remembered Bobby. Bobby needed it. For his life's sake, he needed her to remember him and that friendship there.

"Jim?"

"Yeah, Bobby?"

Bobby's nest kinda stuck in his room, but Jim wasn't one to complain. Bobby was quiet, and Jim really didn't mind that much. The lizard boy only took up a minor portion of his room.

"I...is this depression?"

Jim sighed softly. "Yes, Bobby. It's depression. What you're going through."

Bobby was quiet for a while, and Jim heard him move around. "What do you dream about," he said in his gentle voice, "when you have those nightmares?"

"Dark times. Most of the time it ends with everyone dying, even me."

"You really wanted her dead, didn't you? I heard you in your room."

Jim rubbed his forehead and slid his hand through his hair. "I did, but I didn't realize how much I needed her around."

"Me either."

"Bobby, we'll get her back."

"Hopefully for good this time."

"For good this time."

Bobby perked up in the spring. He, Todd, and Fred started a flower garden in the backyard, and it was definitely a sacred place. Bobby loved the flowers. He'd just sit and watch them for hours on end. Maybe the smell was what cheered him up, but at least he was eating again. They were very careful not to talk about Mimic. Any mention of her and the poor thing would go upstairs and sit.

It was raining today, and Bobby didn't take too well to the rain. Nor did he like bathtime either. They all had turns for the bathroom, but Bobby'd go somewhere and set himself on fire. That worked though. No bacteria could survive the heat, and he never got wet. But it was raining and the house was no place to set one's self on fire, so bathtime it was. Basically, he rolled around in the water and left, complaining of itching and horrible discomfort for the rest of the day. No more baths for him.

"Bobby, phone."

Bobby had never received a phone call before. He looked at Wanda curiously and tilted his head to the side before creeping over to her. She rolled her eyes and handed him the phone.

"Uh...Hello?"

"Bobby? This is Junian. Jim said in our last call that you might want to know the progress of the clones."

Bobby froze and sat on the floor. "Yes?"

"They are somewhere close to 10% complete. By the end of May, you'll have your friends back, but be warned that they might not remember anything."

Bobby nodded. "Yes, I know. Jim told me that."

"Also they may be a little beast-like for a while but I assure you, they will grow out of it."

"Okay. Just hurry, but don't make mistakes."

Junian laughed. "I will, son. I'll hurry."

"And no mistakes!"

"No mistakes. Bye."

"Bye."

He crept over to the sofa where Elizabeth was sitting with Wanda on one side and Pietro on the other. He collapsed on her feet and groaned.

"Bobby?"

"10%. This is taking too long..."

"They'll be back. Just wait."

Wanda suddenly looked around the room. "I haven't seen Lance around here in a while, do any of you know where he is?"

"Over at Kitty's," Bobby groaned.

"Oh god, not again."

Bobby ventured out into the flower garden when the sun was out and sank into the mud in front of it. Todd hopped after him.

"Bobby?"

"Mmm?"

"Did you like her, you know, like that?"

"Of course I liked her. She's my friend."

Todd scratched his head. "No, I mean...like I like Wanda."

"I don't know."

Bobby rolled over in the mud and blew bubbles in the watery dirt.

"You know they're going to make you take a bath, don't you?"

"I can burn now."

"Well, burn and get it over with."

Bobby jumped out of the mud and walked over to a singed place on the lawn. He wrapped his wings around himself and took his pants off, then he lit up like a Christmas tree. The fire died, and Bobby waited for a long time on the ground.

"I think you liked her yo," Todd said, hopping over towards him.

Bobby poked his head out and looked solumn. "Maybe I did."

Todd smiled. "Maybe she'll like you too...when she gets back."

Bobby's tail whipped out and grabbed his pants. "Maybe, but I doubt it."

He folded his wings on his back and crouched on the ground, shaking off the dry mud.

"When are you going to fly?"

"When she's here."

Todd smiled. "Yeah, let's go inside yo."