Chapter 13: From Ice Castles to Nightmares
Later that evening, Que was quite excited to share her news about Aasir with the Professor. As she strode into his study, the papers from his desk were sent rustling and fluttering about in her giddy breeze. Charles always prepped his desk with paperweights prior to Que coming of course. They usually got onto a topic that would make Que uncomfortable at some point.
"So, how has this week been Que?" the Professor asked sipping his tea.
"It's been pretty good I'd say," she replied with a small glint in her eye. "I have now accomplished playing nice in class, and I had lunch with someone, just today actually!"
"Ah yes. I did happen to see you and Aasir walk out together. I assume things are better between you two?" he asked smiling at her.
"Yeah, he told me he forgives me and would like to see if maybe we could be friends. He is actually a pretty cool guy. I don't know if I'd ever want to be friends with someone who beat the crap out of me."
"Either way, do you think getting to know them has been beneficial?" he prompted.
"I think so. I mean, Tracy is kind of annoying, but I'm glad I could help Luis. I think I am happier now being here," she replied.
"Well, that's always a nice thing to hear Que. Storm also told me your first week of combat sessions with the others went well. I think congratulations are in order," Charles was excited and proud on the ecentric, grey eyed girl across from him. She had come a long way in a month.
"On another note, how have you been sleeping? Are you still having the nightmares? I have ensured the tea we talked about has been in full stock," he continued. Charles hadn't pressed this point much since they started having these chats, but he hoped that that area had improved too.
"They're fine. It's not a big deal. The tea has definitely helped," Que said slightly evading the question.
It was obviously something she wasn't comfortable talking about yet, and he knew she wasn't being completely truthful.
Charles sighed "Okay, you know if you ever need anything you can come find me. It doesn't need to be over Friday evening tea. It's why I'm here Que. If you are sure, I think it is about time for bed. I am excited to hear about all of the progress you've made this week."
It was December and nearing the end of Que's first semester at the institute. She and Aasir were now thick as thieves and could hardly be separated. It had been a long time since she had a best friend or any friend really. She had also made friends with Luis from biology and Amara, Aasir's friend. Tracy from history had caught on that Que wasn't really interested and started hanging out with some other girls in class. This was fine with Que. Tracy was a tad too peppy for her.
The classes were wrapping up and a lot of the students were packing to head home for the break. There were only a couple students who would be spending the holidays at the X-Mansion. Much to Que's dismay, Aasir would be one of the ones heading home, while she stayed. He had promised that he would come back early, and they would hang out for New Years.
Que and Aasir were out in front of the mansion, and had built a giant snow castle. Since Que had learned to manipulate the water, she had also learned to manipulate the energy within it to make it freeze. Their snow castle was quite impressive, standing a good 15 feet high and included a tower. Que stood in the tower working on some patches that were coming loose by the window while Aasir was working on the front. Suddenly, a snowball flew straight into Que, and she stumbled into part of the tower. The back half collapsed on her head. She shoved off the excess snow and looked down at Aasir. He was rolling with laughter.
"You are such an ass!" she yelled at him pelting him with snowballs.
"Language fair maiden," he said still trying to pull himself back together.
"I believe that was one of your choice words for me once," she countered. "Yes, and I apologized!" he hollered back to her.
As he stared up at Que in the tower window still patched with snow, a mischievous look appeared on his face.
"But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks?
It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.
Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,
Who is already sick and pale with grief,
That thou her maid art far more fair than she:
Be not her maid, since she is envious;
Her vestal livery is but sick and green
And none but fools do wear it; cast it off," Aasir called to her.
"What?" she said but he continued. Aasir often broke into poetic verse or was quoting something. She ignored him and continued patching the tower. He'd ware himself out soon enough.
"It is my lady, O, it is my love!
O, that she knew she were!
She speaks yet she says nothing: what of that?
Her eye discourses; I will answer it.
I am too bold, 'tis not to me she speaks:
Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven,
Having some business, do entreat her eyes
To twinkle in their spheres till they return.
What if her eyes were there, they in her head?
The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars,
As daylight doth a lamp; her eyes in heaven
Would through the airy region stream so bright
That birds would sing and think it were not night.
See, how she leans her cheek upon her hand!
O, that I were a glove upon that hand,
That I might touch that cheek!"
"Have you lost you flipping mind? Are you mad?" Que called throwing another snowball at him, but it missed. She was still clueless to what he was saying, but she caught a few words. It was a romantic encounter of some kind from one of his books, which now that she thought about it was quite embarrassing.
"She speaks:
O, speak again, bright angel! for thou art
As glorious to this night, being o'er my head
As is a winged messenger of heaven
Unto the white-upturned wondering eyes
Of mortals that fall back to gaze on him
When he bestrides the lazy-pacing clouds
And sails upon the bosom of the air," he responded ending with a laugh.
"I knew you were a nerd, but this is a bit ridiculous. What are you quoting, and how much have you memorized?" she called down to him from the what was left of the tower window.
He laughed again and before he could answer the Professor spoke to them.
"You both have built a wonderful castle, but Aasir your family is here."
"Aww man! I wasn't done Prof! You're killing my style!" he said aloud. "Que, want to meet them? I have told them about you. I know they'd love to meet you."
"Doesn't sound like you left me a choice. Sure, I'd like to see who got the looks in the family, since it obviously wasn't you," she teased still smiling.
They wiped the snow from their shoes and clothes as they entered the mansion. Jean was waiting for them in the hall with a man and two women. Aasir walked up and hugged each of them.
"I've missed you all very much. I want to introduce you to my friend," he said addressing Que who had hung back by the stairs unsure of what to do. "Que, come on over. They won't bite you, at least not today." He laughed as Que hedged closer. "This is my mother, Aylen, my Father, Alexander, and my older sister Rayen.
Aasir's father was tall with very dark skin, no hair, and strong build. His mother was quite short, had copper skin, and liquid brown eyes. His sister favored more of their father's traits except her hair was long with large waves like her mother. Aasir was built like his father, tall and strong, but he had his mothers facial features, like her eyes.
"It's nice to meet you all," Que said politely, extending her hand to each of them.
"We are pleased to meet you as well. I'm glad to see my son is still in one piece after making friends with you," Aasir's father said jocularly.
They all had a few more friendly exchanges before Aasir and his family headed for the door. Que was going to miss her friend, and she hadn't realized just how much. She proceeded up stairs, where she watched them leave through the tall, frost covered windows.
The Professor, Hank, Storm, Doug, Roberto, and Que were the only ones left in the mansion for dinner that evening, and dinner during the holidays was always eaten with everyone present.
Doug usually went home he had told them, but his family was away visiting his older sister in China. Roberto was used to being around for the holidays and seemed to really enjoy his best friend being there alongside him. Raven was usually present too only, she apparently would be in and out a lot this year visiting some old friends.
Que wasn't much in the mood for eating or hanging out. She missed her friend, so she excused herself a tad early and headed up to her room. She felt more alone now than she had in months. It was only 7:00 PM when she finished washing up for bed, and her entire hall was deserted because no other girls had stayed. She almost missed the cool showers she had when they ran out of hot water. Almost.
Que was alone in a dark room, her wrists chained to the floor on which she lay. It was pitch black and not a sound could be heard through the walls of the cell. She was thirsty, but dared not call out.Everything went dark.The scene shifted. She was still in the same room, only now light was flooding in from the doorway outlining a large figure holding something long and slender looped around his hand."We need that code Que. Are you ready to give up?" the figure asked.Que did not reply or attempt to move from her spot on the floor."No? Pity," the figure came closer.Que heard a loud crack, and like lightning, there was a fiery sensation tearing down her naked flesh. Then it happened, again and again all over the back side of her crouched body. Que was screaming in agony, but it didn't stop. It wouldn't stop. The man was laughing cold and manically as Que continued to scream and writhe on the floor.
It was very late, and Charles was awake reading in his bedroom when he felt it.
A tremor violently shook the mansion. It had lasted only a few seconds, but it was long enough to dislodge a few books from his personal library. He only had to tap into his powers briefly to confirm the cause.
"Ororo, please meet me upstairs in the girls dormitory! Immediately! " He called.
Storm appeared up stairs quickly to find the Professor just heading out of his room.
"Professor, is everything all right? I felt the mansion shake," she asked worriedly. Another tremor, more violent than the last, briefly rattled the old mansion, and Storm had to lean against the wall to steady herself.
As they headed briskly down the girls hall, they could hear a loud, rattling sound. They stopped at Que's room and found the culprit. The door was shaking in its frame.
"Prepare yourself. I am not sure what is going on, but I think Que has had another nightmare. Though it seems much more extreme and intense this time," Charles cautioned her.
Storm gripped the handle and slowly opened the door. Behind the door revealed Que's room to be in a complete state of disarray. Heavy winds continued to batter the already destroyed room, there were also several scorch marks on the walls and ceiling. The smell of smoke tinged the air, but thankfully there was no fire to be seen. The curtain had been ripped from their hinges from the violent winds and had joined other various item scattered across the floor.
"Que?" Charles called hesitantly before entering. The bed was empty, and the sheets were strewn about in the floor. The adults cautiously entered further with Storm fending off the wind. He then heard sniffling from the corner of the room behind them. Que was there, sitting in a ball rocking back and forth in tears, gasping for breath.
"Que! Are you alright? What," Storm said before being cut off.
"Get out!" Que screamed at the pair. "Get out! Leave! I don't want you... I don't want you here!"
She continued to mumble amidst her tears and gasping.
As Charles watched her hyperventilation progress, he realized she was in the middle of a panic attack. This was worse than he had ever seen her from one of her nightmares.
"Que, please listen. You know we want to help you," Charles said edging closer.
"No!" she screamed sending a gust of wind toward them. Storm was just able to hold it off, but only just.
"Just go away!" she cried.
"Que, please. It Charles and Ororo. You teachers. Your friends. We are here, and we are not going anywhere. Focus on my voice," he pleaded with her.
"No, no, no. He was here," she mumbled, rocking methodically.
"Que, focus on my voice," he repeated.
Que slowly looked up still shaking and breathing hard, but she didn't quite meet his eyes.
"That's it. You're okay. Just relax," he continued. Storm went closer and knelt beside the shaking girl. She slowly wrapped Que in her arms. Que was drenched in a cold sweat.
"No, no, no, the darkness. It hurts," Que mumbled again. She continued to tremble, and Storm felt Que's tears on her shoulder.
"It's alright. It was just a dream," she cooed to her.
"No. You shouldn't be here. He was here," Que whispered fearfully, but she did not pull away from Storm's embrace. Her ragged breathing started to slow.
After twenty minutes more on the floor, they were able the help coax the distressed girl back into bed.
Que, still quite shaken, horsley whispered "I'm sorry," as the Professor wheeled over to her bed.
"Shh. We can talk about it in the morning. You need to get some sleep," he whispered back.
She gave him a wild eyed stare.
"Don't worry. I'll help for a little while."
Charles move himself so that he was sitting on the edge of Que's bed and place his fingers gently on the side of her face.
He searched for the sparks of happy thoughts in her mind. He couldn't quite see her memories, but they did give off particular auras depending on the feelings behind them. Every now and again he would get brief glimpses though. He was glad to see some recent memories in the mix. He glimpsed himself, Storm, Jean, and others at the mansion often. Aasir was in the majority of them, which wasn't surprising since he had caught the boy quoting Romeo and Juliet to Que earlier that afternoon.
After an hour or so, Que's breathing slowed to an even, steady pace, and she had fallen into a dreamless sleep.
Charles and Ororo left, exhausted. He still wondered what her dream had been about to cause her so much distress and fear, but he would wait well into the morning before pressing her.