Chapter 3
Waking from the Nightmare
"So, what should we do today, little Leo?"
The blackness that reigned crumbled under the soft voice. Blue-green eyes broke the barrier and soon a face and place accompanied them.
The woman was beautiful and so full of life. She had long brown curls, curls which were mirrored in her only and most beloved child. The woman's eyes sparkled as they darted from the road and the forest that surrounded it to the bubbly infant in the backseat. "Daddy's at work, so it's just us girls today." The year old little girl giggled, the small patch of brown curls bouncing as she clapped her hand's in glee. "That 'a girl," she laughed as she turned back to face the deserted pavement.
There was a man in the road.
Reluctantly, the car slowed to a stop. A small, dangerous smirk grew upon the man's face as he slowly sauntered forward as if he were the hunter stalking his prey, which, as time would later reveal, would be exactly the case. As he drew closer, the woman's grip tightened on the steering wheel. Her eyes trained wearily upon the monster that drew closer.
His hands were at his side. Nearly in an instant, claws extended from his fingertips. Said claws traced the hood lightly, leaving screeches and scars in its wake.
Soon following were several more- screams, cries, wails, scars. The monster's actions were quick and fierce. Even to a baby, the scenes that would follow would never be erased. Her mother was dragged from the car; she didn't even have time to scream. A breath later, the man reappeared to finish his mission. He reached into the back and gingerly cut each strap of the car seat before lifting the crying child into his arms. Frowning, he said, "It's nothing personal, kiddo. If it was a different circumstance, I think we'd really hit it off." He sighed as he reached the bloodied body of the mother. "Goodbye…"
Black began to return, as the memory of the bright-eyed woman was lost to darkness.
"…ECHO…"
"NO!"
The brunette sat up quickly, heart racing and eyes filled with terror. Her honey brown eyes darted around the small, sunlit room as her breaths became heavier and scarcer. Her hands gripped the sheets and her body tensed atop the bed. She clenched her eyes shut and struggled for air.
"You're awake, Leo!"
Leo's POV
"No!" I shouted with a gasp as I slid off the bed and scrambled for the corner of the room. Once huddled safely on three sides, I turned to the invader and glared, "Go away!"
The blue haired boy nervously waved his hand, "Erm, you misunderstand! I'm a good guy!" His words were heavily accented- German, perhaps? "There's no such thing!" I retorted, eyes searching desperately for an escape. A small window sat upon the western wall; a door was on the right. The boy was oblivious to my plans; he continued to talk, "You're safe here! We're all like you. We're mutants-" I dashed for the door. The boy was stunned from the sudden action; my escape was successful.
The door, luckily, was unlocked. So, throwing it open and rushing through the doorway was a cinch. I barreled down the hallways. Several doors paved the walls; a soft ruby carpet complimented the tan palette. At the end of the hallways was an open room; I dashed in and looked around for refuge. Finding the closet to be the only promise, I ran inside and closed the door behind me. And not a minute too soon- footsteps and shouts soon echoed throughout the hallway.
"Kurt! What'd you do?"
"Nothing! I swear! She just freaked out and left!"
"Well, you had to have done somethin'! People don't just run off for no reason."
I shifted nervously towards the back of the dark closet and curled up behind a few hanging garments. Where was I? How'd I get here? Who were all of these people?
Leo.
My heart jilted as I practically jumped out of my skin. I glanced out of the slits upon the closet doors to find an empty room.
Leo, can you hear me?
The voice was male. He sounded confident, kind.
I nodded dumbly in response.
I need you to know that we mean you no harm. We're here to help you-
"Lies!" I screamed silently at the voice. My hands flew to my head as I recoiled farther into a curled ball.
We won't force you, Leo. We sincerely wish nothing more than to help you. I, as well as all of the others like us, hope that you will let us.
Seeing that a voice in the mind is inescapable, I responded.
"Like…us…"
Mutants, like you, like me. We're all very different, yet we all share a common goal of peace.
"Mutants…"
I stared at my hands and rested my temple atop my knee. Different, mutant, peace- all were words I'd heard countless times, and even more often together, but never in that sequence.
My name is Charles Xavier. You're currently at the Charles Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, or the Xavier Institute, a school and a safe haven for mutants. You've been a hard person to find; we were quite worried about you.
"Worried?" My eyebrows furrowed and my fists clenched, "Why?"
You were in need of help.
Help?
I suppose it was true. I thought I was going to die, and, although I'll never admit it aloud, I prayed for help. All hopes, however, diminished once I hit the water. My memory, after that, became blurry.
Blue eyes and an awkward smile. The sound of a low, grumbling voice and sliding metals.
"Can you tell me…"
Yes?
"Who was it that saved me?"
Ah, that would be Logan. He, too, has been quite worried. He chuckled. Yet, he's stubborn, so I doubt he'll ever admit it, Leo.
I don't know why, but I smiled. The idea was familiar, although as to how, I would never know.
"It's Leona."
Your name?
"Yes. My name is Leona Shye Howlett."
Through the connection, I could feel the kindness he contained. I could feel his warm, accepting smile.
I heard the faint sound of wheels turning before me. I looked up to see someone- a man- in a wheelchair beyond the doors. Compelled by a phantom courage, I pushed away the clothes hanging from the horizontal bar and set my hands on the knobs to the doors. I hesitated. A slight pull in my mind encouraged me to take the leap of faith. I grasped the handles and pulled open the doors.
A bald, older-looking man with a small, kind smile was behind the once closed doors. I nervously hid partially in the shadows behind one door and peered curiously out. "Welcome, Leona Shye Howlett." Behind him in the doorway stood several curious teens, each one more unique then the last. Once they caught my glance, they all smiled invitingly. "Welcome!"
