Chapter Five- Force

My hand rested gently in storms as we walked out of an old navy a few bags in my free hand "I have to say, Lira, I was shocked that you didn't take Rouge up on her offer" She started to pull me in the direction of the malls food court with a smile.

"I don't like to take things from other people" I explained slowly as she pulled me through a group of people who stared awkwardly probably assuming we were some kind of couple. Storm must have noticed it too because the reverberating sound of thunder filled the air outside so loud and powerful I could hear it. I cupped the hand holding mine with both of mine and she looked back at me over her shoulder.

The softest smile graced my lips and I watched her body relax. The sweet smell of the food court made me hungry and as Storm pointed to a table beneath the skylight I slipped my hand into my pocket searching for my money. "Lira, I have no problem paying for you" she muttered staring at me almost irritated "Your selflessness is to uncommon, it takes some getting used to"

Rolling my eyes with a silly smile I handed her a twenty dollar bill and as my fingers grazed her palm I sent her the thought "that will pay for your food to, I'll go save the table" with a presumptuous wink and a playful smile I swerved around on my heel and walked over to the skylight table, plopping down in the brown wood chair. Crossing one skinny jean clad leg over the other I started to play with the braid I'd thrown my hair into earlier this morning. My lips pulled into a small smile when thoughts of earlier filled my head.

Logan is about ready to make me sleep on the floor, I woke up all curled around him again this morning. He was pretty mad but I think he's more worried I'll some how figure out what he's dreaming about. The way he thrashes around it can't be good. Maybe the big bad wolverine wouldn't be so big and bad if someone knew what he was so terrified of, haunted by.

The sound of a news reporters voice made me look up at the wide screen T.v. to my left, there was a flat screen on every corner of the food court. The woman was pale with long brown hair and an artificial smile "A cure has been discovered! We are happy to report that there is a cure for the monsters running around the city!" My eyebrows furrowed together and my lips pulled back into a frown.

The camera panned to the face of an older CEO looking man with tick-tack perfect teeth and grey eyes, he appeared to be answering questions for a group of people. A woman asked "Do you think the mutants will accept this cure?"

The man smirked "Odds are they won't. However if these freaks can't conform to society willingly there are many ways to make them"

My eyes went wide. Every part of me wanted to scream for storm. She had to have at the very least heard the report. I shot up from my chair and started to motion my hands rapidly in the only sign language I'd managed to gather from one of my fathers, Richard was deaf. Storm glanced at me over her shoulder and started to turn her body around to read my repetitive signs a bit more clearly. Rough hands gripped my wrists and spun my petite body around to force my gaze to meet an emerald eyed one. He was about my age, maybe a little older with an over confident smile and black messy hair, freckles lightly sprinkled over his nose and cheeks. Dressed in a loose plaid shirt and dark ripped up jeans he said "Hey sweetheart, you don't look like the type to be sitting alone" his voice was smooth, nothing like Logan's gruff voice that was starting to become familiar to me.

My mouth opened but of course nothing came out. Only silence. "Cat got your tongue baby?" Out the corner of my eye I realized Storm had turned back around talking to the cashier. I wanted to tell him off but using my mutation wasn't an option...not right now. If I did he would scream and people would freak out. Struggling to get free of his grip I felt myself start to lose my footing. Crap! "Hey!" Rouge's voice made my head turn abruptly to find her.

She stood there the honey tone in her southern accent had slipped off to a far away place, beside her stood her boyfriend, Bobby. Behind them was Logan and he looked a little more irritated than usual.

They had to have seen the newscast and come looking for storm and I to make sure we were doing alright. Still didn't explain Logan coming with. It'd been a full week since I'd started staying with him and he still treats me like the problem that just wouldn't end. I was a little surprised when he spoke "Listen Kid, I don't like bastards who walk around acting like the own every thing….let her go" his tone sent shivers up my spine.

The dark haired guy kept a grip on my wrists and raised an eyebrow at Logan "You her brother?"

Logan shook his head and responded slow and harsh "No"

"Her boyfriend?"

Logan frowned "Hell no"

"Then she's none of your concern, is she?" the cocky bastard pushed it a step farther and as Logan's fist connected with his jaw I fell back against the table. The womanizer struggled to his feet having had enough of Logan and darted off in the direction of the table he'd come from.

Storm was standing in front of one of the flat screens completely wide eyed. Rogue and Bobby ran down the three steps onto the ground floor and in her direction. Pulling me up off the table by the crook of my arm Logan asked "Are you ever not in trouble?"

"Did you break his jaw?" I steadied myself placing my hand on his forearm for support. Logan only shook his head.

"Bastard was about to drag you off and rape you, his broken jaw is something you should hope for. Maybe it would teach his dumb ass something"

My hands flew up over my mouth and I stared at him wide eyed. First he raised an eyebrow at me then started to laugh low and deep in his throat. His laugh made my stomach twist into a knot, painful tight lumps danced up to my throat. "Only you, Lira" pushing me toward the steps just enough to tell me to go over to the group he walked around me and joined up with the others. I walked over there in long strides trying to hurry, coming up beside Storm I stared up at the flat screen they were all so fixated on. Footage of mutants being strung up from trees and lit on fire splayed violently across the screen only to be faded out by images of guns….loaded with the cure. Shaking my head I felt my hands fly up over my mouth.

Rouge's brown eyes lit up "Theres no place for mutants anymore"

Storm shook her head, white hair moving around her dark face "Yes there is…"