Chapter Thirty One

Black, no sugar, dash of honey. Instant coffee is the devil, you have to grind your own beans or it's not real coffee. At least, that's what she's always telling me. As long as it's strong and contains plenty of caffeine, I'm fine. Alright, so it has to be liquid and drinkable too, because that sludge they gave me at the police station was not coffee.

Her favourite drink is a dry martini, and she has a weird fascination with those little paper umbrella things. When she has lots to do and little time to do it in, she l finds an author she likes, she'll proceed to buy every book they've ever written and read them continuously. Even if she hates the second book, she'll read right through to the end of the series before deciding to not read anymore.

When she's having a bad day she'll go into the filing room and look at all the pictures that decorate the walls and filing cabinets. She loves that room, and will spend hours studying all the pictures and messages written and drawn by various children.

When she's in a silly mood, she'll play hopscotch on the black-and-white tiles in the foyer leading to her bedroom. She refuses to have any two towels the same colour in her bathroom, so she has dozens of towels in bright, cheerful colours.

I know all that and more, so much more, because she was, is, my best friend and best friends know these things about each other. But best friends don't betray each otl colours.

I know all that and more, so much more, because she was, is, my best friend and best friends know these things about each other. But best friends don't betray each other. I wouldn't, and I'd thought that she wouldn't. I was wrong, though, wasn't I? She did betray me, in the worst possible way, and now I don't know what to do. I still want to be her best friend, I still want hers to be mine, but I doubt her now. I would walk through fire to help her, I would suffer any torture known to man-and I've experienced my fair share of it-rather than betray her.

But now, I don't know if she would do the same for me. How can I be friends with someone when I doubt their motivations, doubt their heart? What if she betrays me again? What if I find that I can't trust her again? Trust is important to me, anyone who knows me knows that, but what if she has shattered my trust in her, broken it beyond repair? What if

A knock on the door made her look up, and she closed the journal before calling for the person to enter. It turned out to be Envee, and she was walking a few inches off the floor. Rogue smiled softly at the sight, Envee was now perfecting her control over her new power and she loved to flaunt that fact. It became tiring for her after a while, but she still preferred to walk or sit on thin air whenever she could.

"Jamie says that she's finished decrypting the files she got and wants to make a report in about ten minutes to the whole team. I was wondering if you wanted Gambit included"

Rogue thought for a moment before nodding. "Yes, whether or not he'll go with us to Australia is still undecided, but I can't risk him being uninformed if we do bring him along. Where is he"

"No idea. I was thinking he might be at the club."

Rogue nodded. "Probably. If he's not, then go to the mall."

"Gambit? At the mall"

Rogue smiled wearily. "Teenagers aren't as careful about their wallets as adults are. Easier targets, easier money."

"Damn pickpocket." Envee shook her head and left, closing the door quietly. Rogue looked at the journal in her hands for a moment before putting it back under her pillow, next to the knife. It struck her as a rather accurate representation of her life-a weapon and a journal to hold all her thoughts and secrets.

-

It took Jamie two hours to explain her plan. The plan itself was simple, get in, kill everyone they met, and free the prisoners. There were a total of twenty eight prisoners, which meant they needed three jets which could move fast and still have good weapons on board. They would all be armed to the teeth, with Envee and Michelle freeing the prisoners. Everyone else would go to the areas designated to them and kill everything that moved. This was not going to be a stealth mission, it would be hard, fast, and brutal. Their biggest problem was how to actually get inside, and it had taken Jamie two days to figure out a way to watch the live feed from a camera on her computer when said camera was set outside a time bubble from her computer. She tried to explain how that was possible, but gave up when she noticed the blank looks from her friends and just told them that it would work.

"…. Michelle, Envee, you have to get the prisoners to the jets as fast as possible and leave immediately, don't wait for the team. The jets I have in mind can carry up to sixteen people, so there will be room for everyone."

"We can't just leave you guys there!" Envee protested angrily, and Jamie sighed.

"Yes, you can. The prisoners are important and if you leave they will be safe. Everyone will be so focused on us that it is unlikely that they will chase you. We will make our own escape on the third jet."

"I don't want to go," Michelle announced suddenly, fear making her voice tremble, and everyone looked at her. She was huddled in the corner of the sofa, arms wrapped around her legs, and her eyes were wide with terror. "Please, don't make me go. I'm scared. Please."

"Michelle, what the hell is wrong with you?" Kar asked, and Michelle frowned in confusion.

"I don't-I don't know. Oh, God, I'm so scared. Jamie, get me out of here!"

Jamie nodded and walked over to the empath, touching her shoulder. It wasn't that they disappeared, because it was too quick for that. It was like you saw them begin to vanish just as you were blinking your eyes, but when you opened your eyes, they were there again. Michelle looked calmer, but still had traces of terror in her eyes.

"Something big's happened," she announced quietly. "I can feel the fear of every single mutant in the country, they're all scared shitless!"

"What could have happened?" Ivy asked.

"I don't know. Turn on the news, maybe we can find out."

Selene grabbed the remote and turned on the TV, switching to a news channel.

"-No information about why the President has made this sudden and unexpected move, although there is much speculation. Rumours of uncontrollable mutants are spreading quickly, but we have yet to ascertain whether there is any truth to this rumour. Once again, President Kelley has declared a state of emergency and has placed every mutant in the country under arrest. Teams of policemen have been to known mutant homes and businesses and arrested all known and suspected mutants. They are to be held indefinitely and there is some doubt that they will ever be released. We go now to James Porter at-"

Selene switched the TV off and they all sat around in stunned silence. Despite all their preparations and constant worry, they hadn't really been prepared for what would happen if Mitchell actually succeeded. They had never thought that the President might listen to him and arrest all the mutants.

"This is unbelievable," Envee whispered, staring blankly at the wall. "I just can't believe it…"

"We failed," Kar muttered disgustedly, staring at his fists.

"Not yet we didn't," Rogue said. "We haven't failed until every one of us is in the ground. We can still stop this disaster by doing our job. If we kill Mitchell and his associates, the President will rescind his order."

"You can't know that."

"We'll force him if necessary. Shit! Someone call the club and find out if Chalice is safe!"

Gambit pulled out a slim cell phone and speed-dialled a number. He waited a second before speaking in French to someone for a minute. A small smile curled his lips and he nodded to Rogue, who breathed a sigh of relief.

"Alright, we can't wait any longer. We leave in three days, at the absolute latest."

"Someone will need to go see Cathryn and make all the arrangements," Selene said. She was curled up against Alistor, one hand resting on his thigh.

"…. I will."

Everyone blinked at Rogue, except Michelle who just smiled proudly. Rogue ran up to her room and grabbed her journal, flinging it open to the right page.

I have to be fucking insane.