On the sixth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
Six teachers on a hunt,
Five scary rounds,
Four students playing hooky,
Three musicians out of tune,
Two dancing lovebirds
And a Wolverine in a pear tree.
Storm sighed. This wasn't one of her favorite times of the year (being frantic with executing midterms and all) and the students were on the edge of their seats with excitement. Sitting at the front desk of the classroom, she watched them take one of their two exams before bolting for a vacation. History wasn't always everyone's favorite topic, but she liked the quiet before their storm nonetheless.
In the doorway, she saw movement. Scott was there. He motioned for Storm to come with him. She thought for a moment about her students and how they'd fare without her. The urgency in his stance made her change her mind. Something was wrong.
Quickly, she joined him in the hallway. "What's happened?"
"Remember the new books the Professor ordered?" Scott asked, shuffling his feet. "You know, the updated version of the old volumes we've been using?"
"Yes, I do. Why?"
"Well, it appears that they arrived and right on time."
"So, why did you need me to walk out of my class again?"
"The Professor knew that FedEx delivered them this morning and has been asking me to bring them to him. I can't though."
"Because most of them are missing, right?"
Scott nodded. "They are. I don't know where they went. One moment, I was signing the paperwork to release them. The next, all but one package is gone."
"It's not your fault. There has to be a logical explanation." Storm put a reassuring hand on Scott's shoulder. "I'm sure we'll find those books."
The old fright from his childhood shone in Scott's eyes. It was rare to see it these days. Storm gulped, knowing that Scott desired nothing more than the Professor's approval. So much depended on these new tomes for the students and that alone was Scott's responsibility. The Professor could not keep using older material forever and would be highly disappointed to pay more for another order.
"If you can watch my class, I'll look for the culprits," Storm volunteered. "They can't be too far away."
"No!" Scott protested. "I can't stay here. We need all the time to locate them. Do you think they'll be ok without you?"
Storm checked the clock. It was five minutes until the bell rang. Scott could wait until then, even in his desperation. She again reassured him that he would not be in trouble and sent him on his way. Patiently, she waited until the end and dismissed her class. After collecting the papers, she set out for the lobby, hoping to meet Scott there. Instead, she saw Jean.
Quickly, she approached her friend. "Did Scott tell you the news?" she inquired quietly.
"Four others are on the case before the Professor notices a thing missing," Jean told her. "We've checked almost everywhere except the outside, the training areas, the third floor classrooms and dormitories and the auditorium."
"I'm on it," Storm promised. "You head outside and downstairs. I'll do the rest."
Jean agreed and they parted. Storm put her exams aside and soon found herself bundled up and checking every nook and cranny possible. Even if a location had been cleared, she still ensured it was. A second set of eyes did not hurt.
So far, there was nothing. The most trouble she had was finding John in the stables, feeding the horses some old papers he wrote for his classes (and some for current assignments). Frustrated, Storm moved on, stopping only when she bumped into Logan on the third floor hallway.
The clash into the adamantium-laced body was enough. Storm rubbed her aching head. "Jean got you looking too?" she asked him.
"Along with her, Scott and two other kids," he confirmed gruffly.
"Find anything?"
"More than I care to. How about you?"
"The same. Did you check the auditorium yet?"
Logan shook his head. It was the last place that Storm did not investigate. Thanking Logan, she rushed off again. When she reached her destination, she found the place dimmed. Kitty was supposed to be running rehearsals for the play. Having the room dark was not part of the scripting.
Storm was nervous. Walking carefully into the blackened area, she frantically sought a light switch at the stage. When she flipped it, she halted. Before her were the students, directed by Kitty in their dizzyingly heights. But there was something more.
She found the boxes of books. The students had been using them as props, reaching high places or a way to reach a harness above. It was sort of understandable. They did not have access to the higher areas of the stage and ladders had been prohibited by the Professor. He didn't want them harmed. On the other hand though, Storm didn't believe that the Professor would appreciate them using the absconded material either to achieve these means.
Storm put her head into her hands. She was so aggravated. "Oh, Kitty…"