Well, here it is. Chapter Eight. Hoope you enjoy! And please leave a review. And thanks to the people who stuck by me even after I didn't post for a month. I appreciate it! And the prayers, too. I needed them :)

chapter Eight

"Why didn't you tell Alex about his brother?" the words came out of my mouth before I could stop them. Charles opened his mouth to speak, but shut it again. "Well?" It was the next morning, and the two of us were seated in the kitchen.

"I don't know," he said finally. "I should have, but… I was sure that Alex would have wanted to find him. He would have been too distracted to-"

"To what?" Alex asked, entering the room. "I think I deserved to know about my brother, Charles."

Charles sighed, rubbing his forehead. "I know, Alex. I was planning on telling you, but then everything happened with Erik."

Someone cleared their voice, and the three of us turned to see Darien and Hank standing at the door. "Darien!" I cried, standing up and pulling him into a hug. "How are you? You okay?"

My brother chuckled. "I'm fine. Won't be if you insist on squeezing me so tight, though." I pulled away, smiling.

"Sorry. I'm just… I'm happy that you're okay."

He smiled back at me. "Where are my niece and nephew?"

I jerked my head towards the ceiling. "Still in bed. And if you wake them, I will kill you." He raised his eyebrows. "They didn't sleep much last night," I explained. "And if you wake them up, they'll be grouchy for the rest of the day. Much like somebody I know."

"Excuse me," Alex said, pushing past Hank and out the door.

"What's wrong with him?" Hank asked. Charles simply sighed, and wheeled himself out after Alex. "Um… Did I miss something?"

I groaned, sinking back into my chair. "Alex is mad at Charles for not telling him that his brother was still alive. Frankly, I don't understand it myself. But they need to get themselves sorted out." I pushed my hair out of my face. Then I shook my head. "Um. Darien. We should get you settled in your room, if you wish to stay here."

He shrugged. "I'm thinking I should. It's better here, I think. Out there, it's hell."

"Very true," I muttered. Just the day before, after the news about Darien had gotten out, many people had protested – against mutants. Apparently, he had deserved what he had gotten.

Also in the news had been Erik, just for a moment, at a mutant rally. He was saying how we were mighty, how we were meant to rise up, how the humans were going to kill us all if we didn't take a stand against them. Hank turned the television off before we heard much more, though. I think to spare Charles, who by that time was paper white. After the tv was turned off, the group went into the kitchen for dinner. And not another word was spoken on the subject, although I'm sure everyone was thinking their own thoughts about it.

"Anyway," Hank said. "I think I'm going to go work on the danger room. I'll see you guys later." We murmured out byes, and Hank left.

Darien looked at me. "Danger room?"

"A room where we can practice using our powers without really being in danger," I explained. "Hank's idea. Like Cerebro was. And Charles' wheelchair. Uh… Time to show you your room." The two of us left the kitchen and headed upstairs. We heard voices coming from Alex's room.

"I still had a right to know!" He was shouting. "You kept the fact that my brother was alive from me! How can I trust anything you've ever said? I'm done with you and your lies! I'm leaving!"

"Alex, don't leave," Charles pleaded. "I never lied to you."

"You didn't tell me the truth!"

"Let's go," I whispered to Darien, and we silently moved along the hallway. A second later, Alex burst out of his room, and without even looking at us, headed down the stairs. Charles wheeled out.

"Alex!" But he didn't look back. In anger, Charles hit the wall nearest to him. "Damn it!" Silence filled the hallway, none of us speaking.

"He left?" Hank said in surprise. I nodded miserably. "Why did he do that?"

"He felt betrayed, I guess," I said. "Charles never told him about Scott." The boy glanced up. "I don't understand why he didn't take you," I said, in response to his unasked question, having accidently brushed my hand against his arm walking past him towards the refrigerator.

We were all gathered in the kitchen, minus Charles, Ororo, and the twins. Charles refused to speak to any of us, myself included, and the younger children were playing.

"Maybe if I go after him, he'll come back?" Scott asked hopefully. I shook my head. "Why not?"

"Because you're not the one that needs to go after him. Charles is. But he's too busy. He doesn't even care," Sean snapped.

"Sean," I said sharply. He looked at me, and I shook my head slightly. "Don't. He's just as upset about Alex leaving as we are. He feels like he's to blame."

"Well he's right!"

"Partly, but let's be honest. What would Alex have done? He would have gone after Scott, and we would be under Shaw's rule by now. I don't approve of what he did, but he had his reasons."

"Does this even matter?" Emily spoke for the first time since the argument began. "He left. He's not going to be back." She stood up. "He's just another person who breaks promises."

I stared at her, confused. "What promise did he break?" I asked.

Tears filled her eyes. "He said he wouldn't leave. He told me so last night. And look at this. He's gone. Just like every other person in my life." And she strode out of the kitchen.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter, and please leave a review.