Learning to Breathe
Disclaimer: I'll be Mary Queen of Scots if you stop asking me such stupid questions.
Chapter Thirty-Seven: On the Run
Andi stared back at the complex as her father drove farther away. A tingle of fear raced down her spine. If Magneto knew that Mom lied to him, he would torture her to get the truth. And if he didn't get a confession (or at least a satisfying one)... she didn't want to think about the consequences.
Eventually, Dad pulled over in front of a burger joint. She hopped of the bike, still starring in the direction from which they came. Dad sighed.
"Ye'r momma can take care of herself, Stormy." He said, placing a clawed hand on her shoulder. "She'll be fine."
"What if she's not?" She asked. "What if ol' bucket-head really hurts her this time?"
"She'll pull through it." He said. "Always has. Bit of a scrapper when she gets in a tight spot. Just like you." He messed her hair up with his hand. She pushed his arm away.
"Just promise you'll call her after dinner." Andi pleaded, following him to the door.
"Promise." Dad said. "Come on in, kid. You've gotta be starved by now."
She nodded and followed dad into the small bar/ restaurant. He let her sit next to him at the bar. After placing their orders, he began to ask questions.
"So, you still working at the same place?"
"Yeah." She said, taking a sip of her Dr. Pepper. "I like it there, for the most part. The boss's daughter can be a bit of a brat, though."
"He treating you kids okay?" Dad asked as the bartender placed an order of fries between them.
"We wouldn't stay if he didn't." The blond girl shrugged. "But yeah, he and the other adults on the squad have been good to us. Not many people would have kept us on after that suicide attempt last fall."
"Why the hell did you start taking drugs in the first place?" he hissed. She stared.
"I needed an escape." She sighed.
"So take up a hobby." He said.
"And what kind of hobby do you suggest?" She asked. "I'm a teenaged terrorist mercenary who attends public school and sits in on ninja training sessions. My calendar's about booked."
"Ain't they got somethin' there that you like to do?"
"I like to race bikes, but mine's still a work in progress and no one will let me borrow theirs."
"Who said you had to ask? Just as long as you bring the bike back in one piece."
"There's just one small problem."
"What's that?"
"I don't know how to hotwire a bike." She said as the bartender set two burgers before them. She tore into hers immediately.
"I can fix that." Dad grinned. "When we get done here, I'll show you how to start a bike without a key."
Andi grinned like the Cheshire Cat. "You're the best, Daddy."
"That's my girl." He smiled.
Across town, Charles Xavier frowned at the Cerebro screen. The newly-repaired machine detected the use of Magneto's power, if only for a moment. Erik's cloaking technology had thus far kept up with Cerebro's advancements, so either Magneto became cocky or Erik got angry. Whatever the occurrence, it transpired in Mystique's old apartment. Mystique now lived with the Brotherhood, so why appear there?
Magneto was hunting for something. But what? Mystique hid nothing thus far from Erik.
'Except for the girl.' He reminded himself. The girl! She had returned to Bayville and her mother no doubt allowed her to sleep in the old apartment. If Magneto caught on to Mystique's deception and found the girl...
Oh my.
Kurt. He summoned one of his students telepathically. I need you to check on something for me.
What is it? Kurt "said" back.
I want you to go investigate something for me. He said.
"There ye go." Sabertooth praised his daughter as she connected the two wires, turning the motor of his Harley. "Told ye it wasn't hard."
"Can I drive?" Andi asked, then suddenly remembered something. "Oh shit! Mom!"
He groaned. It completely slipped his mind to check up on Raven after dinner. "Stay here. I'll call her from the payphone."
"I hope nothing's happened." Andi sighed. "What if Magneto didn't buy the cover story?"
"Hush." He hissed, poking the buttons on the dial. Four rings rewarded him with nothing but an outdated answering machine.
"Nothing?" Andi asked worriedly.
"Don't get so wound up yet." He said. "I'm trying her cell now." After two more quarters and a voicemail message, he knew something was wrong. "Get on the bike, kid. We're goin' back to check on ye'r mother."
Andi almost left without him.
Raven didn't bother to pick up the phone when it rang. It hurt her too much to move at the moment. She wanted someone to come back but knew, given Victor's past excursions with their daughter, that neither of them would come back to help. Plus, the boys still believed she was at a late meeting with some of the school faculty.
The last person she expected to come was one of Xavier's children. Nonetheless, one entered in a puff of brimstone.
Kurt immediately gasped at the scene before him. Metal pipes reached in unnatural positions from the wall, and discarded bits of metal lay scattered on the floor. Blood also dripped from the wall to the couch.
"Kurt." He whipped his head to his left. Mystique's eyes met his. "Kurt, what are you doing here?"
"The Prof saw that someone had been here and wanted me to check it out." He answered, walking closer to her. He tried desperately not to flinch at the sight of the woman's wounds, some of which were still leaking red fluid. "Who did this to you?"
"Magneto." She hissed. "He found out I've been hiding someone here. Don't worry." She put a hand up. "Andi's father took her out of the complex before Magneto came in."
Kurt sighed in relief. So she was safe. "You shouldn't have to take abuse like this." He said. "I'm sure if the Prof knew, he could..."
"It's too late for me to get out now." She said. "I have made my choices and now I must deal with the consequences. Yes, beatings hurt, but losing you or your sister... especially to that monster, I don't think I could take it."
"We can help you." Kurt protested.
"You can hide me." Mother corrected. "There is a difference. And as much as I would love to, not much can be hidden from Magneto."
"You hid Andi." He pointed out. Her tired eyes locked on his.
"I can't hide her forever; not with all that's going on."
"Then let me help." He said. She stared.
"What? No, Kurt. Please, don't bring any more trouble on yourself."
"I'm already in trouble, Mother." He replied. "Besides, I can't just sit back and watch you two suffer when I know I could have done something."
She sighed, not looking very happy about the situation. "And what happens when the rest of your house finds out?"
"They don't have to." He grinned. "I know when to keep quiet, ja."
She smiled. "Fine. Now get out of here before someone sees you."
"But what about you?" He asked.
"I'll live." She said. "Oh, one thing. Before you leave, could you hand me my cellular?"
Kurt nodded, retrieving the phone from the "kitchen" table. "Anything else?" He asked.
"No." She replied, her voice cracking. "Just go back to the institute. Don't tell anyone but Xavier, understand?"
"Yes." He said. "If you're sure you feel okay..."
"I'll be fine, now go home before you earn yourself more than just a lecture." She insisted. Kurt exhaled a resigned sigh and teleported away.
Andi's mind swam with worry as she and dad tore into the apartment complex yet again. She knew Mom only ignored her cell if she were in a meeting or indisposed for some reason. The fact that she had not answered either concerned the blue-eyed girl. She jumped off the bike before it stopped running and bolted for the inside elevator of the building. She waited for Dad, then rode the tin box to the third floor. Once there, it was a race to see who could get to the room first. Dad won.
"Raven!" he shouted, banging on the wooden door. "Raven, Open this door!" A muffled reply followed.
"Dad, what did she say?" Andi asked.
"She can't get to the door." He hissed, then lifted the mat in front of the door. Snatching the key from its resting place, he hurriedly unlocked the door and stormed in.
"Oh my God! Mom!" Andi gasped upon seeing her mother's beaten body on the sofa. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Mom sighed. "Just a little beaten up."
"That's the understatement of the year." Dad growled. "You can't go home tonight."
"I have to." Mom said. "I have to be at work in the morning."
"Can't you call in sick?" Andi asked.
"Not the point." Mom glared. "Besides, someone has to look after the boys."
"I'll take care of the brats." Dad spoke up. "I can't believe he'd blow his cover like this."
"I can." Andi growled.
"You are staying here." Dad said. "And you will do as your mother says."
"But someone needs to watch out for her!" Andi protested.
"I can do that, kid." Dad growled. "You need to be somewhere Magneto can't find you."
"You don't mean… please no!" Andi wined.
"Yes." Dad said. "You're going even if your mom can't take you. He won't come after you there with so many other people around."
"This sucks!" Andi growled.
"Deal with it." Mom broke in. "You are going to school tomorrow, end of discussion!"
Oooohh! Andi has to go to class. What will happen when she's stuck in school with the X-men and Brotherhood? Stay tuned to find out!