Starts somber, ends slightly less somber. This is a kind of a filler, but you should still read it.
Chapter Nineteen: Revelation
"Ford, this isn't necessary," Nadia argued. "I'm fine."
But, Ford wouldn't have it. He had a theory that up brought far too many old memories, and he desperately wanted to prove himself wrong. "Just humor me, okay? Take off my coat for just second so that-"
"I'm wearing nothing under this!" Her face was red enough to prove it.
"Nadia," he raised his arms in a gesture to the empty woods around them, "there is literally no one here but you and me. And, I've seen your body millions of times."
Shaking her head, almost looking ashamed, Nadia pulled the coat tighter around herself and started to walk away. "Let's just go home."
Ford grabbed her arm, terrified by the idea that she was trying to hide something like this from him. "Please. Just...Just for a moment."
Frowning deeply, Nadia closed her eyes and peeled back the coat.
Ford realized in horror that his theory was correct. Nadia's body had always been heavily scarred. But...there were now several new scars. Caused by burns.
Heart heavy and sinking fast, Ford groaned and leaned against a tree. "This is my fault."
"No, it's not," Nadia assured, wrapping the coat back around her.
"In case you've forgotten, I'm the one who ignored your warnings and made you use the ShimmerFlame." Hating himself, he muttered, "I'm no better than Pa."
But, apparently he hadn't said that last part quietly enough, because Nadia asked, "What do you mean, 'No better than Pa?'"
Ford ran a hand through his hair and debated telling her about his father. He probably shouldn't. She had suffered enough in her life. What if she realized that he was becoming like that? On the other hand, her own father had been abusive, so maybe she would be understanding.
Taking a chance, Ford said somberly, "Well, um… My dad was always… a rather strict man. Tough as nails, not easily impressed. But, overall, he wasn't too bad. Then, he… I-I don't know when this started, but… I saw him hit my mother one day. I started college not long after that, but I know things only got worse for Ma."
Nadia smiled sadly and cupped his cheek in her hand, forcing him to meet her kind eyes. "I know what you're thinking, Stanford, but you're not like that. What happened in that cave wasn't your fault. And, yeah, you hit me pretty hard, but what choice did you have? If you hadn't knocked me out when you did…" She shivered. "God, I don't want to know…"
Certain that he visible only to others currently in the MindScape, he watched the young mutant as she pushed her banshee-friend on the swings in the school playground. He wondered when it would happen, when she would develop the ShimmerFlame. She had already received her first power earlier than expected. He had to be there when the ShimmerFlame reared its ugly head.
"Didn't anyone ever tell you that spying on little girls is considered creepy?"
He rolled his eyes. "This is none of your business, Starclops."
Starclops, also in the MindScape, rose up just enough to rest her elbow on her friend's top-corner. "Tad, anything involving promiscuity is my business."
"I'm not promiscuous."
"You're gay, aren't you?"
"That doesn't make me- Ugh. Why do I even bother?"
They floated in silence for a while, watching as Violet and Cleo switched positions, the latter now pushing the former on the swing.
The silence was broken when Starclops said, "Why don't you just tell Violet about the ShimmerFlame? I mean, she's probably gonna get it soon enough. It's best if she knows about it."
Tad inwardly flinched. Visions of burning buildings and creatures crumbling to ash filled his mind. After all these years, The Big Fire still rattled him. "If you feel that way, why don't you tell her?"
Starclops shrugged. "I'm not the mutant here. It's either you or Nadia, man. And, considering that Nadia hasn't even told Ford about the ShimmerFlame…"
"I'm going to tell her, Star." Someone had to. Even if that someone wanted to curl up and die when he thought about how many deaths he'd caused. "I just wanna wait until Ford and Nadia get back so I can confirm it with them."
"Fair enough." Starclops loudly cracked her knuckles. "Now, why don't you stop staring at Violet for a while. I know a girl who's got the hots for you. I think you should stare at her for a while."
Tad furrowed his brow. "Gay. I am gay."
"No. You're bi. You just prefer men over women."
"You keep telling yourself that. It's not gonna make me any more straight."
Starclops grabbed his elbow. "Just give her a chance." Without waiting for a response, she dragged him away from the school, unaware of what was about to occur.
GZW IVZOOB RH YR. SV QFHG KIVUVIH NVM LEVI DLNVM.
Anything surprise you in this chapter? 'Cause something major's coming up in the next! Review!
