Sorry it took so long to get this chapter up. I've been really busy in school. Anyways...this is kind of a long one.
Chapter 5
In heavily wooded forest, Skyler sat in a tree overlooking thick underbrush. Next to Skyler sat a very pale Mara. Mara had blood red eyes and was wearing a white medical gown. Both Skyler and Mara watched two young girls hiding in the underbrush bellow their tree. One of the girls was Mara and the other girl looked like a younger version Skyler.
The young Skyler and Mara, in the underbrush, were wearing army fatigues and had AK-47. The young Skyler appeared to be protecting Mara from an unseen enemy.
"I use to enjoy these training sessions." Mara in the tree said. "They didn't feel like drills, but more like a game of capture the flag."
Skyler smiled. "I liked the survival training too."
"You look sad. Is their something wrong?" Mara said to a very quite Skyler.
Skyler shifted uncomfortably. "I had a fight with April."
"Oh. What was the fight about?"
"April was mad because I wanted to the leave the school and I tried to get her to leave with me. She called me selfish and controlling."
Mara kicked her dangling legs as she paused to consider her reply. "It sounds a little controlling. But I know you don't mean to be that way. You care for April and Bryce and want to protect them. I mean look, see how you protected me." Mara pointed to the girls bellow their feet. The young Skyler stepped in front of Mara taking a paintball to the chest.
"But they don't need to be protected from these people. They seem nice and only want to help us."
"Then what's the problem?" Mara looked at Skyler with a puzzled expression.
"I don't know. I have been traveling for so long I have forgotten what it is like to stay in one place for an extended period." Skyler said with her head in her hands.
"I don't think that is true. You may be a recluse, but I think it more out of connivance than anything else. I think you are afraid."
"Great. First you haunt me and now you are going to psychoanalyze me. Go ahead tell me why I'm afraid." Skyler said slightly annoyed.
Mara did just that. "You are afraid that you will become attach to that school and the people within it. You are already care about April and Bryce and that scares you. But what I think scares you the most is that you will come to love that school only have your past catch up with you."
Skyler awoke from her dreamscape to April shaking her. "It's time to get up. Breakfast is in 10 minutes." April said before leaving the room.
X X X X X
Skyler took a quick shower, threw on some clothes, and walked down to the dinning hall. At the end of one of the three tables April and Bryce sat eating breakfast. Skyler walked over to the table and sat next to Bryce. Without saying a word Skyler picked up a box of cereal.
Bryce could feel the tension between April and Skyler. Trying to lighten the mood Bryce made a judgment call to tell a story. "So, the funniest thing happened this morning. Apparently, Bobby and John are having a prank war. Well, Bobby got up before John and froze all his underwear. John was pissed."
April and Skyler did not respond.
Bryce dropped his spoon. "Ok, what's up with you guys?"
"I'm sure Skyler could tell you, because she is right about everything." April said as she took a bite from her cereal.
Skyler looked at April. "Just say what you want to say. Don't be passive-aggressive."
April didn't reply and Skyler snorted before returning to her cereal. Bryce looked to Skyler and then to April. "Last night everyone seemed happy. What happened between then and now?"
April and Skyler sat in silence until Skyler couldn't take it anymore. "I'm sorry ok. I care about you and Bryce and I didn't mean anything by what I said. If you want to stay here I will stay here."
"I know you didn't mean anything by it and I'm sorry I snapped at you. All I ask is that you give this place a try." April said as her demeanor softened.
"I can do that. Let's go tell the professor that we are going to stay here." Skyler said as she began to relax.
April stood up surprised by Skyler's turn around. "Ok." April walked over to Skyler and hugged her. "Thank you."
"No problem." Skyler reciprocated the hug. Skyler then stood up and followed April as they left the dinning hall. "Are you coming Bryce?"
Bryce sat at the table dumbfounded. "Girls happy. Girls mad. Girls hug it out. Bryce confused. Are you guys going to fill me in?" Bryce said as he got up from the table.
X X X X X
The group went to professor Xavier and informed him of their decision. He was very pleased and asked them to return to his office after lunch, because he had a math final to give. After lunch April, Bryce, and Skyler returned to professor Xavier's office as he requested. The professor went over the rules of the school, which were fairly basic. No drugs, no violence, no leaving school grounds without permission, no using your powers maliciously against another student, and no excessive profanity. Every student had to be in their room by 9:30pm on school nights and 11:30pm on weekends and vacations. Lights out were at 10pm and 12pm respectively. Girls and boys were not permitted in each others room after a certain hour and doors must remain open when a person of the opposite sex was visiting.
The professor then talked about the other face of the school. Scott, Jean, Ororo, and Logan were apart of a crime fighting team known as the X-men. In such turbulent times as the present, the X-men protected mutants from human and vise versa. The ultimate goal in professor Xavier's mind was to have mutants and humans coexist. He knew that this would not be an easy task, but with the X-men and outreach programs he believed it was possible.
Skyler thought the professor was being idealistic. Education and public relations can only go so far. Especially, when there are some mutants who use their powers for personal gain or to break society's laws. These individual actions were counterproductive to human and mutants coexisting. It was odd that the X-men would protect those who would do them harm. It was a valiant effort if not a futile one.
Bellow the school was where the X-men headquarters was located, including a jet. All the X-men had codenames, except for Jean. Scott was known as Cyclops because of his eye piece. Ororo's codename was Storm because she could control the weather. Finally, Logan's codename was Wolverine. Skyler couldn't figure out how he got that codename, but it seemed to fit him.
"I want a codename." April said while clapping her hands in excitement.
"I got one for you. Since you create electricity, how about Static Cling?" Bryce teased.
April furrowed her eye brows. "How about I shock you?" April opened her hand to reveal a stream of electricity running from her finger tips.
"Tsk. Tsk." Bryce wagged his finger at April. "No using your powers to harm others."
April closed her hand and the stream of electricity went away. "Don't think this is over."
Professor Xavier interrupted the playful exchanged to finish with the meeting. "Now that we have gone over the rules Dr. Grey needs to give each of you a physical. We want to make sure that you are all healthy and don't need any medical attention. Bryce you will go first. As for you two please remain in the lounge. Jean will get you when it is your turn."
X X X X X
Skyler was the last one to have her physical. She followed Dr. Grey to the basement where the infirmary was located. They took an elevator to the basement that was well hidden in the wall. The X-men headquarters could be summed up in one word, shinny. Metal panels lined the walls giving it a futuristic look. When Jean and Skyler entered the infirmary Jean patted the doctors table. Skyler sat down on the doctors table and tapped her fingers rapidly.
Jean recognized Skyler's tapping of her fingers as a way of relieving anxiety. "You don't have to be nervous. I won't hurt you."
"It's nothing personal. I just don't like doctor's offices." Skyler was appreciative of Jean's attempt to calm her fears, but it was a pointless effort.
"Well, if that is the case I will try to make it a fast check-up." Jean said as she approached Skyler with a stethoscope. She did the normal physical which included listening to her heart and lungs, checking her reflexes, and some neurological test. When Jean checked inside Skyler's mouth she noticed her elongated canines, but said nothing. Jean then examined her eyes and when she realized that Skyler had contacts she asked Skyler to remove them. Skyler's heart skipped a beat. She had never revealed her eye color to anyone. Not even to April and Bryce. It was hard to keep that secret and Skyler was actually surprise she was able to do it for so long.
Despite her reservations, Skyler walked over to the sink, washed her hands, and removed her contacts. She knew that eventually someone would see her eyes, so she might as well show her mutation to Jean. Again Jean did not react to Skyler's mutation. Jean finished her examination with a vision and hearing test.
"You seem to be in perfect health Skyler. Your vision, hearing, and reflexes are all above normal. You are very strong for both your gender and age…" Jean said as she looked over Skyler's charts. "What I find odd is that you have multiple mutations. While multiple mutations are not unheard of but they usually evolve from the first mutation. You have telepathic abilities along with heightened sense and muscular strength. These mutations don't seem to go together. When did your mutations first appear?"
Skyler knew that special abilities first appeared in mutants sometime during adolescence. Skyler did not want Jean to ask questions about her past so she lied. "I got them around two years ago."
"Hmm…that is interesting. Your heighten strength and sense seem to be highly evolved compared to your telepathic abilities. We'll talk about this later." Jean said while closing Skyler's chart. "Ok, your physical is over you may put your contacts back in and return to your friends."
Skyler put her contacts back in and before she left she asked Jean for a favor. "Could you not tell the students about my eye color?"
Jean nodded but concern passed over her eyes. "You don't have to hide your appearance here. If anyone will understand your self-consciousness about your appearance the students here will."
Skyler knew Jean was probably right, but she wasn't ready for that step.
X X X X X X
One Month Later
Scott, Jean, Ororo, Logan, and Professor Xavier sat in a circle in the professor's office. They were in the middle of their weekly team meeting they had every Friday night. In the team meeting they discussed the physical and emotional health of the students, planned field trips, and delegated chores for the students.
"Now that we have finished dividing the chores, are there any concerns over a particular student?" Professor Xavier asked his staff.
Jean looked over her notes. "Rouge has been down since Bobby left for summer vacation. But Jubilee and April have done a good job of distracting her."
"Speaking of April, how is our new trio doing?" The professor asked.
"April and Bryce have been doing well." Scott replied. "April has been hanging out with Jubilee and Rouge and Bryce has been hanging out with John. This is becoming a problem because they keep getting into trouble."
The professor laughed. John and Bryce had recently been put on restriction for a shaving cream prank they pulled on some of the girls. "Well, their antics are harmless. We'll just have to make sure that they don't cross the line when it comes to the other kid's safety. How is Skyler doing?"
"Not as well as the others." Ororo replied. "She keeps to herself most of the time and seems unwilling to socialize with any of the students. She will talk with April and Bryce, but that is about it. I've barely been able to get two words out of her."
The professor placed his right index finger on this right temple. "That is concerning given the fact she was resistant to joining our school."
"Well, let's not jump to conclusions." Logan said with a grunt. "So she is not a talkative person and is a bit of a loner. Not everyone fits in so easily. She'll come around. She just needs more time."
"I know you two have the loner bond between you, but we encourage the kids at our school to interact with other students and participate in activities." Scott said pointedly to Logan, who responded to with a dirty look.
The professor quickly responded to Scott's statement, wanting to break the impending verbal fight that was about to breakout between Scott and Logan. "Given that she doesn't participate we should try and get April and Bryce involved in Skyler's adjustment to the school. Maybe if one of her friends asks, she will be more inclined to join."
Jean realized that she and Ororo were having a cooking session with some of the girls the next day that could provide a perfect opportunity to get Skyler involved. "Ororo and I will be making cookies and cupcakes with Rouge, Jubilee, and April tomorrow. I'll ask April to help us convince Skyler to join us."
"I think that is an excellent idea." The professor said with a smile. "If we have no other pressing matters I believe we should call it a night."
X X X X X
The following day was like any other day. Breakfast was served at 9am followed by kitchen clean up and daily chores. Once the staff checked off the students chores they were free to entertain themselves until lunch. April, Bryce, and Skyler played various games including foosball, Risk, and Clue. After lunch the boys vs. girls water fight ensued. Skyler quickly slipped away from the game to go to her favorite spot. Around the mansion there were patches of trees and bushes that gave the elusion that the mansion was embedded in a thick forest. Skyler liked a spot just beyond the pool. She liked this particular area because of a certain tree. The tree looked remarkably like one she loved to climb as a kid.
Leaning up against the tree Skyler picked at the grass next to her and listened to sounds of screaming and laughter coming from the water fight. Skyler could make out her friends laughter which made her smile. She was happy for her friends, yet she couldn't help but wonder how long she could stay here. She was getting restless. A month of being restricted to one area was getting to her. Sure they had been on many field trips. They had recently gone to the local zoo, but she did not see the appeal at looking at caged animal that would never once get to taste freedom. Come to think of it maybe why she didn't like the zoo was because she sympathized with the animal. She could leave the mansion at anytime…yet she was unable to leave her friends. She was free, but also caged by her own connection to her friends.
Skyler's reverie was interrupted by the rustling of the bush adjacent to her. From behind one of the trees next to the bush Logan appeared. He crouched down next to the tree he revealed himself from. After a few minutes he cleared is throat and spoke to Skyler. "Is there a reason you don't want to participate in the water fight?"
"No. I just want time to myself. That's all." Skyler said continuing to pick at the grass next to her.
"It seems like you want time to yourself a lot."
Skyler nodded her head. Logan was right. She liked being alone, a lot. Skyler couldn't explain where she was at in her life. Apart of her felt like a caged animal wanting to break free. The other part of her would give up anything to belong in this place. But she didn't belong. Something was blocking her from truly opening up. She was different from these kids and she knew they wouldn't understand. The way in which Skyler had open up to April and Bryce was a fluke. Then again she didn't really open up to them. She created an alternate personality to connect with them. That personality was fun and could engage in playful banter.
"Can I ask you a question?" Logan said as he sat next to Skyler. Skyler nodded. "Do you want to be here? I mean really want to be here?"
Skyler thought about Logan question and honestly she couldn't answer him. "I don't know."
"I'm going to give you some advice kid." Logan made sure that Skyler and his eyes connected. "If you are going to make a decision about whether you are staying or not…you must experience this school in it fullest. Join in the activities, interact with the students, and talk with the faculty. I'm not saying that you can't have alone time, but how can you choose between two paths if you refused to even look at one of those paths?"
He was right. Skyler had never given the school or the people within it a chance. She knew why she didn't socialize with the others. Mara from within her dreams had called it out. She was afraid her past would take away her future at the school. Skyler and Logan sat in silence. Behind Logan's rough exterior she knew he had a good heart and Skyler somehow felt like they had something in common. One thing they had in common was he wasn't threatened by the silence between them. Most people would become uncomfortable and would try to fill it with meaningless conversation.
After twenty minutes Logan looked at his watch. "Jean, Ororo, and some of the students are going to bake some cookies and stuff. They are going to get April to ask you to join. How about we surprise them with your presence without their request?"
Skyler looked to Logan with a smile. She knew he was trying to reach out to her and guide her. She appreciated it and she knew that she would have to participate in an activity sooner or later. "Okay. But only if you drag me there. I don't want to loose my outsider reputation."
Logan laughed as he stood up. He offered his hand to Skyler to help her up. Once Skyler was standing Logan threw Skyler over his shoulder and walked towards the kitchen. They crossed the basketball court where some of the kids were playing a game.
John was perplexed by Logan carrying Skyler over his shoulder. This seemed out of character given that Logan usually tried to avoid the kids at the school if he could help it. "What did she do?" John said assuming Skyler had done something wrong.
"She keeps wandering off by herself." Logan replied. "You'll be next if you come near me with any shaving cream flame boy."
John gulped and made a mental note never to pull a prank on Logan. Logan entered the back doorway and made his way to the kitchen. Upon entering the kitchen he was met with combinations of scared and confused stares.
"Here is Skyler. She will be helping you cook today." Logan said as her put Skyler down.
April was measuring out flower next to Jubilee and Rouge. "Finally, someone has tried to knock some sense into Skyler."
"Ha. Ha. You are so funny." Skyler returned April's teasing tone. Logan picked up an apple from the basket on the table before leaving.
From behind the kitchen counter Ororo wiped her hands on her apron. "Are you going to help us cook today?"
"I'm not really into the domestic thing." Skyler said putting her hands into her pocket.
Ororo smiled and walked over to Skyler. "Well, why don't you humor us?" Ororo placed her hand on Skyler back and guided her to the kitchen sink next to Jean. "Wash your hands and then you can help me roll out the dough."
Skyler washed her hands and then stood next to Ororo. She watched as Ororo sprinkled flower onto the counter and placed the dough down. "We cover the counter and the rolling pin with flower so the dough doesn't stick to them." Ororo said as she handed the rolling pin to Skyler and stood behind her. Skyler rolled out the dough as Ororo helped her. "Good job. Now roll the dough out thin and I'll get the cookie cutters."
"For someone who isn't the domestic type, you sure can fake it." April said as she suppressed her smile.
"I wouldn't pick a fight if I was you. I have a rolling pin and I know how to use it." Skyler said as she raised the pin and pointed at April. April pretended to be scared.
"Rouge can you bring me the butter please." Jean asked as she laid out cookie sheets on the counter.
"Yeah" She replied. Rouge walked over to the refrigerator and retrieved the butter. While Rouge was distracted, Jubilee gently hit April to get her attention. April got Skyler's attention and they both watched as Jubilee created an energy ball and dropped it into the bag of flower. Rouge returned to her spot next Jubilee right in front of the flower bag. Without Rouge noticing, Jubilee and April took a few steps back. A few moments later the flower bag exploded covering Rouge in flower from the waist up.
"You're dead Jubilee!" Rouge said as she lunged towards Jubilee. April and Skyler laughed hysterically as Rouge chased Jubilee around the kitchen table.
Before April and Skyler's eyes both Jubilee and Rouge stopped in mid-run. Both girls looked over their shoulder to see Jean holding them in their place with her telekinetic powers. "Rouge, go clean up and Jubilee please clean up this mess."
Rouge was let go first and before left she gave Jubilee an 'I'll get you later' look. Once Rouge left Jubilee walked over and began to clean up the mess she made.
They all finished cooking before dinner needed to be prepared. After dinner, the students had a choice between free time in the mansion or the movie that was being screened in lounge. Skyler joined her friends in the lounge to watch Robin Hood: Men in Tights on ABC.
Skyler was pleasantly surprised about how much fun she had. Rouge and Jubilee seemed like good people and she could see herself becoming friends with them. She also found new respect for Jean and Ororo. The past month Jean and Ororo had made it their mission to reach out to Skyler. She admired their determination because she didn't make it easy. Skyler was beginning to think that her reservation about her current situations was tenuous at best.
The movie they were watching was interrupted by breaking news. "We are sorry for the interruptions of the feature presentation, but we having breaking news about a body that was found in the area. Authorities say they found the body of an unidentified male, 15 years of age in a ditch on the side of the highway. Police have been unable to identify the male and are asking the public for help. Here is an artist rendition of the teenager." A sketch of the teenager filled the screen. "The police ask that if anyone has information on this crime please contact the police. We will now return you to your feature presentation."
Skyler stared at the TV in disbelief. The sketch of the dead male on the screen looked like Jack. 'It can't be him' Skyler thought trying to block out the possibility. She was just beginning to open up to the school and what she feared was coming true. After the movie Skyler laid in her bed and was unable to push the sketch out of her head. She needed to find out if the body the police found was truly Jack. Once everyone was asleep Skyler would sneak out and get the answers she needed.
OK...the next chapter will be up soon. I know I keep saying this, but the next chapter you will find out about Skyler's past and how she aquired her abilities. yay! Tell me how you like. Reviews help me write faster so...give me some feedback.