Chapter 2
"It's lovely to meet you all! I'm professor Charles Xavier, headmaster but also teacher. These are my devoted colleagues, Ororo Munroe also known as Storm and Scott Summers, also known as Cyclops. They have been at my school since it first opened..."
The old man starts rambling on. I keep myself sectioned in the middle of the crowd, my palms begin to burn with heat and my head begins to pound with an uncomfortable ache. I can sense every mutant in this damn mansion. The blood under my skin begins raise in temperature. I desperately try to keep my cells from shape shifting. Incredibly, it's the guy in the wheelchair whose ability is hitting me hardest in the face. He's a higher grade than the others, meaning he's more powerful... also meaning I'm more at risk of my cells to shape into his.
However he's a telepath- also meaning, if I do copy his ability he's more than likely going to know about it. I focus on my breathing, glancing around. Xavier's students begin to slowly walk down the stairs, all of their eyes on us.
"I would like you to pair up with one of my students and they'll be able to show you the mansions grounds, they'll be able to tell you a little bit more what our school offers young mutants." Charles exclaims, he has a calm smile etched onto his face.
My fellow mutants begin to scatter towards Xavier's mutants, I find myself a little dazed whilst walking. My teeth are grinding against each other- I knew this would be difficult, I didn't quite imagine it would hurt so much. As I walk past Xavier, his eyes interlock with mine and with a sudden blink, it feels as though a swarm of bees have nestled their way into my ears and begin to sting the inside of my cranium.
That's when I realise- he's trying to read my thoughts. I stop in my tracks, look him square dead in the eye and find myself smirking.
"Ah sorry..." he says, inching his wheelchair toward me, "It's a terrible force of habit I must break away from."
"It appears you do" I murmur to him, still smirking.
"What's your name then?" he asks, his tone light and friendly.
"Are you asking because you weren't able to snoop inside my head and find out?"
"Snooping isn't the term I'd quite like to use... but yes, I suppose so." he replies.
"My names Dana. You have an impressive school here Sir."
"Please, my name is Charles. Why thank you Dana! You must see more of it!" he insists. But I get the feeling he just wants this conversation to end. He looks around, only I notice now that all the students have dispersed and I am alone amongst Sergeant Lawrence, Xavier and the other teachers. "Hmm." Xavier hums "Ah Logan!"
The professor is staring behind me toward the stairs, when I turn my head to do the same thing.
It's a guy in his late 20's to early 30's, with messy brown hair and a messy beard. He's wearing a leather jacket with a wife beater vest underneath, his jeans sit nicely around his broad hip structure. He doesn't seem too pleased to have been spotted.
"Just the guy who I was looking for. I was wondering, would you be so kind to show Dana our school grounds. Tell her a little about our school for the gifted. I must discuss plans with Sergeant Lawrence before the day is over." Xavier announces.
My eyes haven't left Logan's, I immediately smell the adamantium under his skin and feel the claws- as if they were in between my knuckles.
"I... uh... was just..."
"Fantastic Logan! I can't thank you enough! Sergeant Lawrence this way please!" Xavier says too quickly for Logan to get a word in edge ways.
Charles, Lawrence, Ororo and Scott all wander down the hall.
I'm still staring at Logan, who is now staring at me.
"Fuck sake" he murmurs gently "Come on bub, follow me then."
He stalks down the rest of the stairs, and without replying, I follow his footsteps.