Okay, short chapter…but I've been all tangled up in a crazy mix of fanfiction, personal non-ff writing, and SUMMER VACATION! So…hoping to pick this one back up. Enjoy!
(Also, I've made a cover for this story finally...I love Photoshop! :p )
Disclaimer: Basically…this isn't mine. Nuff said.
"Well?" Alex encouraged. Ian had looked down at the floor in obvious discomfort. The car continued to drive along the winding road to the mansion, but its seven occupants were focusing on something quite opposite the beautiful scenery. "What happened next?" Alex asked again, still watching the wolf-man in the rear-view mirror as he drove. Ian still looked at the floor and mumbled something incoherent under his breath.
"What?" Sean asked, looking over his shoulder from the front seat. Ian looked up. To the mutants watching him, he suddenly seemed much older than he was. He had the distant, scarred look that usually came with a traumatic event as a child. The large bags under his eyes and his thin, malnourished face told them everything they needed to know about his life up until this point.
Ian looked like he was about to say something, but he was cut off by Charles as he lowered his fingers from his temple.
"You don't have to say it if you don't want to, an. I know how painful it is for you, and I would like to help." The werewolf nodded gratefully, but looked at Charles with something like distrust.
"Did you just…" He waved his fingers by the side of his head. Xavier nodded. "Right…" Ian muttered and looked back to the floor. The car's occupants eventually stopped staring at Ian and an uncomfortable silence enveloped them. The only sound was that of the quietly rumbling engine. Charles looked at Xandra by his side and smiled. She was looking out of the window. Her eyes were side and her mouth hung open a little bit. The green countryside that dashed past was probably the most colorful thing she had ever seen. Xavier gently placed a hand on her shoulder, making her jump.
It's beautiful, isn't it? Xandra looked back to the window. She shook her head, still amazed.
There's so much! It's so…big! Charles nodded. He remembered the isolation when the door of her cell was closed. It was easy to believe that you were the only person in existence. He would never have admitted it, but it was terrifying. He couldn't imagine what Xandra's life had been like, growing up in that place. He figured it was as close to Hell as was possible.
What is that? Xandra suddenly asked, pointing to something coming into view over a ridge in the distance. Xavier gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze and turned to the rest of the mutants in the car.
"Ladies and gentlemen…" He said with what he accurately judged to be the correct amount of gusto. "Welcome to Xavier Mansion…home of the Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters."