The new chapter 3. Again there are some changes made-especially when it comes to the tone of the chapters' end. Feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Enjoy...
Inuyasha.
I woke with a start at the feel of the soft bed beneath me and shot up to a seated position. What was the last thing I remembered? Groaning softly I clutched at my aching head. I couldn't think. It felt like my brain was on fucking fire. Or smashed with a hammer. Or both.
I was so focused on my aching head it took me a moment to realize the significance of waking up in a strange bed, and another moment to realize I wasn't alone.
I tensed, looking for my enemy, ready to either defend myself or attack. It was the gruff looking man from the clearing. He stood leaning on the door, arms and legs casually crossed. Sensing no immediate danger I gave myself a few more seconds to get it together.
My head throbbed. They must have knocked me out and brought me here, I reasoned, but how? Not to brag, but I'm strong - really strong. At least stronger than a bunch of humans, and yet here I sit. Who the hell are these people?
I massaged my temples, attempting to both quell the pain and stir up memories of how I fucking got here.
"Here."
I reacted before consciously recognizing what I was doing and caught the water bottle thrown in my direction. The bottles seal was unbroken, but I sniffed the water for chemicals or poison before taking a few sips anyway.
After giving me time to take a few swallows the man spoke again, "Listen closely, kid, 'cuz I'm not plannin' on repeatin' myself. This is your room. Don't even try and leave it. This entire place is guarded, so if ya' try and escape we'll catch ya' before you get to the front gates."
I lowered the bottle from my lips and capped it.
"You'll be stayin' here til we figure out what's what. You'll have a guard with you at all times, and smile," the man grinned sardonically and nodded towards the corner opposite the bed, "yer on camera."
I sneered at his insolence.
"And in case yer still having thoughts about escaping, you'll be happy to know we also got two telepaths livin' here." The man smirked like this was some big accomplishment. "Now come with me," he barked, and started towards the door.
I didn't bother telling him to go fuck himself. Instead I dropped the bottle and barreled passed him through the door. I made it two steps before my head exploded.
Or at least I was pretty sure it exploded. The pain was so intense it brought me to my knees gripping my head, sure that if I let it go or moved the wrong way, it would fall off or worse. A mans voice echoed all around me telling me to, 'stop. Stop. Stop! STOP!'
Clutching at my ears I slammed my head into the wooden floors, willing the voice to go away. My ears were bleeding. I was going fucking insane and deaf and dying. At some point I began screaming. It was probably a few seconds, but it felt like an eternity before I was roughly yanked to my feet and the pain suddenly vanished leaving me disoriented and cross eyed.
"Telepaths," was all that was said before the bastard pushed me in front of him down the hall.
I fought nausea as I allowed him to half steer, half drag me when my knees occasionally buckled. What the fuck was that? My eyes lolled into the back of my head. My escort snapped me to my feet as I sagged against him. Half way down the hall the sickening feeling in my head and gut went away. It was almost as if nothing happened. The headache I woke up with was gone too. I didn't think I could be any more fucking confused if I tried. I stepped away from my guard. Pretending to be sick and taking him hostage wouldn't work if they did something to me so I couldn't escape. That didn't mean I couldn't watch and learn though.
My room turned out to be one of the middle rooms in a hallway filled with doors. The scent was distinctly male. Some of the scents I recognized, others were new. This place must be where they keep all their other male prisoners I decided after a few sniffs. The females must be kept elsewhere. I wondered if all the rooms were as nice as mine. Usually prisoners aren't given nice, cozy beds to sleep in.
Walking down two long hallways lead us to an elevator. We paused just long enough for the asshole to place his palm on a scanner, then he stepped aside, waiting for me to enter first.
I hesitated, not liking the looks of it. Once inside I was trapped. Obviously, I could break out fairly easily, but that was assuming they weren't planning on doing something to me in there. If they could bring me to my knees without touching me, who knows what else they were capable of.
Snikt
Startled, I went to turn towards the noise only to feel three sharp points prick the back of my neck.
"Inside," the man said, curtly.
I hesitated for a split second more, wondering if the risk of injury was worth it. The pressure on my neck increased. If he pushed forward hard enough he would probably sever my brain stem and kill me. I wasn't sure what this fucker was capable of, and therefore wasn't sure if I could sidestep him quick enough to avoid being impaled. I stepped into the elevator. The man followed, keeping his knives steady on the base of my neck.
Behind me I heard the doors whoosh closed. We were going down. After a low beep I felt the lift stop, and heard the doors open. The man backed out first, pulling me by the back of my shirt to keep me in contact with his weapons.
Once outside the elevator he pushed me down a long hallway with fewer doors but more paintings and art and shit. I took care to remember the route. Maybe I'd be led past an exit. I may not be in a position to escape now, but knowing the general layout and exits of my prison will definitely be useful later.
And to my astonishment, at the end of the hallway and around the corner, there it was; the main entrance to the entire fucking building! And was I fenced in by large metal doors with bars on the windows? Was I guarded by big, strong men with weapons? Was there anything outside of the man behind me to keep me from escaping this very instant?!
No. No. No.
The main entrance was a set of glass double doors. That's all. No protection, no security, no nothing. It was fucking miraculous. I glanced towards the doors then remembered the pain from before.
...Quickly, I averted my gaze. I'd save this information for when I figured out what in the mother fucking Hell nearly killed me. Then I'd escape.
I felt the grip on my shirt tighten, the knives broke skin, blood trickled down my neck and back. And I grinned. This Asshole would be the least of my problems then.
The man steered me to the left of the stairs leading outside, keeping us moving along the second floor of the building. The landing, which wrapped around the ground floor (separated only by a banister) possessed two doors. We stopped in front of the second one.
There were many people behind this door. They were expecting me. I readied myself for a fight.
The man knocked, opened the door, and roughly pushed me inside.
Kitty.
A knock on the door was our only warning before it swung open revealing Logan with the Killer. I flinched, half expecting a fight.
Logan pushed him inside hard and he stumbled a bit before regaining his footing. When he caught his balance, the Killer stood defensively, watching us and scowling. His ears twitched towards the murmurs and whispers coming from the eight of us. The Professor sat behind his desk, his fingers steepled looking deep in thought. When the Killer visibly relaxed so did the rest of us. Logan had warned us he might try for revenge when he saw us all in the same room together. I, personally, was really, really glad he didn't.
"Inuyasha," the Killers head snapped up at the sound of his name, "my name is Professor Xavier, and this is my home. I apologize for the rather...impassioned introduction. Given the news reports and the multiple casualties, I'm sure you'll understand our caution. We had hoped to bring you here under more peaceful circumstance. Normally, we do not employ methods such as these with new recruits and those unwilling to join us and learn more about who we are and what we do are left until ready. However, this is more than just a case of latent powers emerging. We are deeply concerned that you may be a danger to yourself and others. Therefore, we will be keeping you here until we deem you safe to reenter the outside world, do you understand?"
The Killer stared coldly, somehow managing to look both threatening and curious at the same time. "Do you understand?" the Professor repeated.
"How did yah know my name?" Inuyasha asked in a dangerously low voice, evading the question.
"Inuyasha," Professor Xavier said pointedly, "I don't think you understand the enormity of this situation. You've been accused of murder. You are here because in the court of law we fear you will be seen as guilty simply because of what you are. We hope to help you prove your innocence. I suggest you answer my questions."
I settled back further against the wall. From where I was standing I had a perfect view of the Killers face and it looked positively murderous. Thankful for the long sleeves of my uniform I rubbed down the goose bumps on my arms and tried to feel less afraid. An X-Men shouldn't be afraid...
The Killer seemed to mull over the Professors words for a moment before stubbornly replying. "My behavior isn't any of your concern."
"It is when you are killing innocent people!" Scott shot back hotly from his spot near the Professor, his eyes glowing red behind his rose colored, quartz glasses.
"I didn't do anything wrong," Inuyasha growled.
"And we are supposed to take your word for it?"
"You people don't know what the fuck you're talking about!"
"We know—"
"Enough," the Professor cut in smoothly. "You claim you're innocent?"
"Yes," replied Inuyasha. He was still looking angrily at Scott, and I could visibly see the hatred in his eyes, but he answered firmly without any hesitation.
"That's fine for now then. I'll be by later so that we may speak in private. I would like to give you the opportunity to prove yourself. Your earlier attempt to escape was ill advised. Please don't attempt to do so again. Kitty will have first watch, everyone else return to your posts. You may return to your room, Inuyasha."
"Hey! Wait a fucking minute. Who the fuck are you people and how did you know my name? And how'd you find me anyway?!"
He took a step towards the Professor and we all stiffened, ready to step in and protect him.
"Inuyasha, all of your questions will be answered when we next meet. For now, it seems we could all use a break."
Logan put a hand on Inuyasha's shoulder which he quickly shrugged off.
"You all are fucking crazy. I didn't do nothin'. You'll see." Inuyasha turned and walked towards the door, Logan following him closely.
"Bummer," Tabitha whispered as I started to follow.
Like, duh! No kidding. Of course I get to watch him while he's all pissed off and looking for a fight. As Logan and I led the alleged killer back to his room I ran through the list of defenses we'd put up to deal with him. That plus the Professor being able to sense him at all times helped me feel a little more confident. At the door Logan roughly shoved the Killer in and left.
"We'll be watching, Half Pint," he called over his shoulder. Logan had been talking to me, but his words were for Inuyasha to hear.
Unfortunately, the warning seemed to fall on deaf ears. The Killer simply jumped into bed and plopped himself down Indian style, keeping his back against the wall and his face to me.
I looked up at the camera and sighed. Well, here goes...
Rogue.
I paused, shaking all thoughts from my head before opening the door. I was nervous and I didn't want to be. They say people like him - murderers and criminals - can sense fear. It's why they only attack people that are weaker than themselves—like children, I thought angrily.
Kitty sat on the floor of the Killers assigned bedroom watching him patiently. In my humble opinion it was far too extravagant for a Killer to be occupying. If it were up to me he'd be locked up in a far less comfortable place—but that would come later. For now he got to enjoy being kept in pseudo-luxury.
The Killer lay on his side, his back facing Kitty. For a second I was stupid enough to think he was sleeping. I quickly realized it was an act—it had to be. The less threatening and alert he looked, the sloppier we'd be in guarding him. He was just waiting for one of us to fuck up so he could escape.
As soon as I was in the room and had the door closed behind me, Kitty stood.
"He's like, barely moved this entire time," she quietly informed me as I approached.
I nodded to let her know I understood. Kitty looked like she wanted to say more, but I nodded my head towards the Killer and his cat-like ears. No matter how quiet Kitty thought she was being, that Bastard probably heard every word. I didn't want him to know anything he shouldn't know, and only the good Lord knows what Kitty was going to say next.
Kitty frowned and patted my shoulder for luck before walking to the door. I watched her leave. Her small smile was the last thing I saw before she closed the door with a small click.
I sat down next to the door. If he was going to escape he would have to pass me. Plus, I was in view of the camera and staring directly at the Killer. There was nothing left to do but watch and wait. Fortunately shifts were only a few hours long. I occupied myself by studying the back of the strange boys head. His long silver hair spilled out behind him onto the bed and his ears twitched every once in a while, but other than that he didn't move an inch.
It really was freaky. Most people can't go that long sitting so still. They pump their foot, fiddle with their fingers, shift their position, but not this guy. And why the hell does he look so calm? He'd just been taken prisoner. He's not yelling his head off, trying to escape, bribe his guards…no other person would have reacted like this. I wondered it was because he'd been held captive before. The Asshole was taking this like a pro. I glared at the back of the Killers head, angry at him for not giving me a reason to kick his face in.
This guy was different than any mutant I'd ever seen before. Not only were his "gifts" all out of whack, but when I took his life force...it didn't feel like I was absorbing a mutant. It felt like there was something dark and sinister deep in the back of his brain. In the past, I've always gained a handful of memories, knowledge, powers, and if my target has any physical deformities I get stuck with those too. With the Killer I got increased strength, speed and elongated canines and nails, but not much else.
I should have been bombarded with the Killers memories and personality, but nothing like that happened. I mean, I was a bit more irritable for a while and I did keep cussin' and getting the urge to punch people, but... I couldn't put my finger on it. Something just didn't feel right. Like whatever his real personality was like was lurkin' all evil like, just beneath the surface.
Unfortunately, none of that was useful. We still know practically nothing about him. I wouldn't have even gotten his name if not for that stray memory the night after our fight, and even that was a guess. Inuyasha could have meant dog shit for all I know. The only thing that was clear was that the word definitely wasn't English.
I told the Professor everything I knew as soon as I could and he looked thoughtful, but said nothing about what any of it could mean. That was nothing new though - he's always kept things close the chest. I just hoped we were doin' the right thing by not turning him over to S.H.E.I.L.D or that high tech prison the Juggernaut's being kept in.
On the bed, the Killer stirred and turned over. I tensed, ready to defend myself, but the movement was anti-climactic and lead only to a staring contest. Now he lay facing me with a first supporting his head. What now? Why so quiet for the first hour and now all the lookin' and staring? Self consciously I knuckled my nose. Was I dirty? Did I have something on my face? I blinked first. This was making me uncomfortable. His eyes didn't help. They were an amazing swirl of golden brown, undeniably beautiful and like the rest of his face, full of emotion.
It was like reading a children's book. Unfortunately the book was written in a foreign language, so despite getting the gist of the story from the pictures, the actual content remained a mystery to me. I wondered what he was thinking and if he was finally going to start actin' like he was in deep shit. Maybe that would be for the best. That way he'd start talkin' about what the heck happened and be sent to a real prison where he belongs.
The kid lying on the bed before me may not be convicted of anything so far, but that was just a technicality. I knew he was a monster. I could feel it in my gut and see it in the way he looked at us all. Every injustice he's felt we've committed against him would rain down on our heads if he ever got loose. I shuddered, recalling the photos of the corpses from the crime scenes. I quickly told myself to stop. It was too much. I didn't want to remember that.
I was getting distracted and scared and it was going to get me killed. I continued watching the murderous Bastard, but didn't meet his eyes again. I regretted thinking they were beautiful. They weren't beautiful at all, they were deadly, and despite it all I was still scared.