Chapter Eight- Another Locked Door

Wolverine growled, sniffing the air. "He went that way; someone else was with 'im. They left by vehicle. Motorcycle more than likely. I told you we shouldn't have trusted that bag of..." he received a cold glare from Marie. "What?"

"Oh never mind." She snapped. "Let's get back to the Professor. With any luck he can't have gone too far- and we should be able to find him with Cerebro." She took off in a rush, leaving the rest of the perimeter check party looking at her, incredibly confused.

Xavier rubbed his temples vigorously. He knew that it wouldn't take Jaye very long to track down her prize- but he had hoped it would have taken her just a bit longer. He placed Cerebro's headpiece firmly over his skull, and concentrated. The images of Toad, and Jaye popped up quickly- they were traveling north, and quickly. It looked like they were headed for the Canadian border. Mortimer looked as if he was falling asleep, while Jaye kept a fond eye on both him and the road. He only hoped that his X-men would get to Mortimer before Fear did.

Mort rested his head on the girl's shoulder, his green hair fluttering underneath his hood. "Don't fall of, Mort," came the wind sullied voice of his rescuer.

"I don't plan on it."

"I'd be frightened if you were." She said, smiling. She pressed the bike a little bit faster. A few hours, and not even Xavier himself would be able to track them.

Toad awoke feeling very well rested and comfortable. Something felt wrong though- he should be feeling wind on his face, the rev of on ancient engine. He rubbed his eyes, and looked around. He was lying down on a soft bed, in the middle of a bright yellow room. There was windowed door on one side of the room, which lead too a balcony, and a wooden door on the other. He got up, stretched, and walked to the door, realizing that he was dressed now in his old battle clothes. It was enough to weird him out- although the familiar weight of his equipment was a welcomed regularity. He turned the knob to find the door locked. He cursed mentally. From one prison in to the next. He tried the next door, surprised that it was open. In the early morning sunlight, he was able to see a chair and table on the far side of the balcony. On top of the table lay a note, weighed down by a small stone.

He walked over, and fetched the note, reading it.

Mortimer,

Welcome to the Institute of Enlightened Persons, also known as IEP. We are an organization of mutants- looking out for the better good of our kind. I first read about you on a hacking incident on a secret security agency called 'SHIELD'. You have quite a small criminal record; but something tells me you have ways of... staying out of harms way.. You have been chosen for a part in IEP, Mortimer. I will come to fetch you at 11:30 am. Until then, your door will remain locked. Although I have no doubt in your escaping abilities from the outside, I would prefer not having someone with no clue about the goings on inside my base to be wandering about in her belly.

Warmest regards,

Jaye Strain

He glanced at the note for a moment, and then stuffed it in the pocket of his coat. So he wasn't being contained here. He glanced inside for a moment to peek at the digital clock on his bedside table. 11:29.

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A brownie for whoever guesses where 'SHIELD' is from.