As they neared the gates Quinn thought that she could hear voices around them. She tensed up but didn't stop walking, as Mark wouldn't let her. They were only a couple feet from the gates now and they voices seemed to only get louder. Quinn dug her heels into the snow covered pavement and her arm was tugged forward slightly since Mark hadn't let go of her sleeve. He stopped and looked back at her. "What's wrong 'mare?" he asked, his eyebrows meeting.
"I don't think this place is safe." Mark's face relaxed as he laughed. "Why not? This is the safest place a mutant could ever be."
"There are voices Mark. Voices of people whose bodies we can't see." Mark raised an eyebrow. "Are you serious Quinn?" he asked. Quinn narrowed her eyes and yanked her arm away from him. "Of course I'm serious!" Mark sighed and ran a hand through his shoulder length black hair. "Quinn, 'mare, come on. We're going to a school. Of course there are going to be voices. And there's snow out, it's a Friday, and it's after dinner. People are going to be playing outside." Quinn blinked once and she shoved her hands in her pockets, looking at the ground.
"You ok Quinn? You're usually smarter than that." Quinn growled and Mark raised his hands in defense. "No offense, I'm just saying." Quinn's shoulders hunched forward and she bowed her head. "Quinn?" He took a step towards her and saw that she was shivering. "We should get you inside," he said, wrapping and arm around her quivering shoulders. Quinn shrugged away and stepped to the side. "Go," she mumbled, gesturing to the gates. "I'm right behind you."
With a last look at her he stepped up to the gates. Beyond them he could hear the voices that Quinn had been talking about, but he didn't think that they were that loud. He mentally shrugged. Being on the streets for a year probably heightened your senses do to always being on the lookout, especially if you were a mutant.
Quinn watched Mark through half covered eyes, as she was looking up at him through her scarf and it was blocking half her view. She bit her lip and waited for something to happen. She didn't know anything about the Institute and even though Mark had told her about it she didn't fully believe him. The only way she had believed that the place actually existed was because Mark had showed her a brochure. Quinn closed her eyes and tried to stop herself from shivering. She had been feeling sickish and weak since this morning, most likely due to sleeping in the cold.
Mark shoved his hands in his back pockets. "Hello?" he called. No answer…
Good evening Mark. And good evening Quinn.
Mark looked back at Quinn, who was staring at the ground, frozen.
"Professor Xavier?" Mark asked.
Yes. Come in Mark, so that we may speak in person.
The gates swung open and Mark turned to Quinn. "Come on 'mare," he said, holding a hand out. Quinn looked up at him, her red eyes dull. She walked slowly up to him and didn't protest when Mark wrapped an arm around her shoulders. He led her up the now silent driveway to the front of the Institute. Once Mark caught sight of the building his eyes lit up and his jaw dropped. The front was beautiful with an east wing and a west wing, or a north wing and a south wing depending on which way the school was facing…
Mark smiled. "Quinn. We are finally here." Quinn stared up at him, eyes wide and childlike. Mark had to laugh. Then the door swung inward and a man in a wheelchair rolled forward smiling. "Hello Mark, hello Quinn. Why don't you come in." Quinn immediately looked at the man, her eyes narrowing. Professor Xavier merely smiled. "This is Professor Xavier," Mark told her. "He runs the Institute, hence the name: Xavier's Institute for Gifted Youngsters."
"Indeed," Xavier agreed. "Though it is not only my school, but the school of anyone who cares to use it." Mark nodded, smiling. Quinn's eyes fell flat and she looked at the ground. "Excuse my rudeness, come in come in," Xavier said suddenly. He wheeled backwards into the mansion and Mark led Quinn inside.
The room was huge, with a grand staircase in front of them that led up to the floor above. A door to Mark's left and right branched out into hallways that obviously held more rooms. The room was well lit and cheery feeling. "Welcome to the Institute," Xavier announced softly.
"This place is huge!" Quinn exclaimed. Mark and Xavier both burst into laughter.