So, "JM", I should thank you – you've inspired me to keep this story going so that I might clean my name of the horrible words you've associated with it. Too bad you didn't leave your addy, else I wouldn't have to post this counterpoint here and I could send it directly to you. But as you have decided to so vehemently insult my story and me, personally, I feel that I need to say something in my defense.

Firstly, thank you, but I'm quite aware of the atrocities that took place in the concentration camps – as mentioned before though, I don't feel it's necessary to describe in minute detail the things these people had to go through. In essence, I wanted to convey the sense of fear and desperation that permeated everything in those horrible places. Pietro was essentially struck dumb by the emotions, immobilized by the fear – hence the title. He couldn't use his powers for a specific reason, but also while he is experiencing this he can't think straight enough to remember about his powers. He's helpless. Get it?

I'm sure I can speak for the majority of the fanfiction community when I say I don't have any patience for immature people that would go so far as to insult the author herself for a work they didn't like. I'm personally fine with any sort of response, so again I thank you for reading my story, but if you're going to flame; do it right.

But to address your concern, and for fear of offending anyone else with my shameless insensitivity, I've decided to cut the entire sequence short. Here's to you, "JM":

Seriously, though, I dedicate this chapter to everyone who has reviewed thus far: (in no specific order) Dattatreya, nessie6, Skycat, "Clone", Sailor Wade, Dark is Light, "tonianne", Manic Reversed, Daft Sage, "xmen buff", "Kiki Cabou", bitrona, furygrrl and, of course, Sharli and my dearest Aislin Oriel.

Disclaimer: Xmen belongs to Marvel, this despicable plot, however, belongs to me.

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

Pietro's eyes shot open before the rest of his body realized he was awake. As reality kicked in, a convulsion began in his gut . . . slowly reaching to every inch of his body. Spasm after spasm. He turned over and managed to get up on all fours before his stomach wretched with finality and he threw up a mire of bile and stomach contents. He threw up again at the sight and stench of it.

A strong hand grabbed him by the collar and lifted him away from the filth. He was leaned against a cool, cement wall. Magneto clasped both hands to his son's face and looked into his eyes.

"Now, you see," he intoned. "Now, you see what hate and anger conspire to become."

Pietro was shaking his head, thick tears fell onto the concrete-encased ground. Magneto shook his son again. Pietro glared up at his father. Kicking off the wall with all his power, he rushed past the master of magnetism and disappeared down the hallway, a frail gust of wind the only evidence of him ever being there.

Magneto looked to Mastermind hunched over in the corner of the room. "He can't run away from it anymore – not now that he knows . . ." the man's voice trailed off. "I had to do it," he said but whether he was trying to convince himself or his accomplice was left to ambiguity.

There wasn't anything in the world that could have stopped him. Everything was fresh in his head, lingering . . . images and feelings latching onto his mind's eye with barbed talons . . . they wouldn't let go and he couldn't run fast enough to lose them.

But finally he did stop.

There it was. The door.

His hand slowly reached for the knob, rested on it for near a second, then turned it. It was unlocked. They were waiting for him.

"Mom? Dad?" Pietro called.

His mother came out from the kitchen with her arms flung wide open. Pietro was in her embrace in a heartbeat. She wrapped her arms around him and in that moment, her son began to cry in a way that brought tears to her eyes.

"Pietro, what's wrong?"

"I'm just glad to see you," he managed.

pppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp

Sooo. And you think Magneto is going to give up after allthat? More to come. Please review, thanks. – k. ramsey