The following morning, Logan escorted Haddy down to the breakfast area. Her clothing was wrinkled; she obviously hadn't been able to brush her hair since arriving at the institute, though she had pulled it into a short braid before coming down; and the bags under her eyes were even darker than they had been the day before. Also, by looking closely, Jean could see red marks that looked somewhat like rope burns on the palms of her hands.
"I heard a scream last night," said Jean. "Was that...?"
"That was me," she said quietly, stuffing her hands into the pockets of her jeans. "I fell."
Judging by the amused look on Logan's face, Jean took a wild guess and assumed that he probably had something to do with it. She frowned at him and he shrugged in a show of indifference. He grabbed a plate off the table and dished up some eggs and bacon before tucking the morning paper under his arm.
"Call me if she does anything stupid. I'll be in the kitchen."
"Actually, Logan," said Professor X, as he entered the room, "I would appreciate it if you would remain present. There is something I wish to discuss with all of you." He looked at Haddy, who stared down at the floor. "Feel free to sit down, Hadrianne, there is plenty of room around the table."
Kurt, currently in his fuzzy blue form, slipped out of his seat and pulled one out next to him. Haddy hesitantly walked up and sat down next to him. The Professor nodded, then drew his eyebrows together in concern.
"Hadrianne, I scanned your mind last night with a machine of mine; Cerebro."
Haddy balled her hands up into fists so tightly that her knuckles turned white. "What? You said you wouldn't. You promised," she said.
"I did not tamper with any of your memories," the Professor continued. "I was merely checking for something, anything that might explain the pain you experienced when I entered your mind." He paused for a moment, as if he was still processing something. "And I believe I may have found it."
The girl glanced up at him in questioning. The others around the table perked up as well.
"What did you find, Professor?" asked Scott.
He folded his hands together and looked gravely at each one of them. "The X-gene."
Haddy froze and stared at him. What? It couldn't be the X-gene. If she had the X-gene, then that would make her a mutant. She couldn't be a mutant, there was simply no way. Something must have gone wrong. She was just a normal kid, chronic migraines aside.
A furry three-fingered hand gave her a pat on the back. "Awesome! Sounds like we are getting a new recruit, eh, Professor? So, tell us, what is your power?"
"I-I-I don't have one," she stuttered. "There must be a mistake. I'm just normal."
"I regret to inform you that you are not. Your parents have been informed and we now have the authorization to keep you here as a student, should you so choose. We will not force you to stay, but if you do, you will be treated like any of the other students here. You will no longer be locked in and escorted everywhere. Still, if you choose not to stay, then you are free to go."
She started to shake her head, then stopped. If she really was a mutant, then these people could help her. She didn't know the first thing about the X-gene, and would need help. She bit her lower lip and drummed her fingers on her knee.
"I don't understand," she said.
The Professor nodded. "And I did not expect you to. The X-gene is essentially an extra gene, giving you distinct gifts. For example, you saw Lance's gift in the hall when he created that tremor."
"But I don't have any gifts, as you put it."
Kurt frowned at her. "It's only detectable when you have used your power. You must have something; something you used last night. Come on, tell us!"
"All I did last night was sit around thinking of how to get out."
"You also climbed out the window," Logan muttered.
"And knocked on my wall super late at night," added Evan.
"The X-gene was there, I assure you," said the Professor. "Over time and training, you may be able to recognize your gifts. Until then, however, you must make your decision."
"What is it, kid? You gonna stick around or not?" Logan leaned against a wall and balanced his plate on one hand.
Haddy studied the wood grain on the table intensely. "What if I say no?"
"Then you will be taken home today. We will probably keep an eye on you to make sure that you do not do anything that might compromise the safety of our institute. Other than that, you will be left alone. I must warn you though, I do not know what may become of you. I believe your migraines are being cause by an inability to channel your power. If you do not learn, they could elevate."
"So, basically, what you're saying is I can stay or I can die from the worst headache ever?"
The Professor raised an eyebrow. "I did not quite word it that way, but, I suppose, yes. You may simply develop an ability to control it by yourself, or..."
"Or I might not. I guess there isn't much of a choice, is there?"
"Does that mean you intend on staying?"
She nodded. "I'll stay."
"Excellent. I would ask Kitty to show you around as I believe you know each other from school, however that will not be possible as she is currently still sleeping, along with most of our other recruits."
Scott shrugged. "It's Saturday. You can get tired at the end of the week."
"Scott, would you mind showing-"
"No, no, Professor, pick me!" Kurt perched on top of his chair and waved a long arm in the air. "I can give her an awesome tour!"
Scott smirked, then shrugged. "I don't mind if he does."
"Very well, Kurt, you may show Haddy around."
Kurt grinned, reached down and grabbed her wrist, a flash of white, then the next thing she knew, they were on the roof.