Chapter Three

"Any leads?" I asked.

"None, yet..." Erik replied.

The two of us were still residing in an apartment on the outskirts of Argentina. He was laying on the bed, typing away at his goddamned laptop. He had of course stolen it and had no plans of using it once we move on from Argentina. Oh, wait- I stole it. Before he found me, I made my trade pick-pocketing. Yes, I know a laptop is a very large thing to pick-pocket from someone but the buffoon was completely oblivious and more focused on my breasts to notice me taking his bag.

"On second thought..." I looked at Erik, his eyebrows were raised. He turned the laptop to me and I smirked. The files were so blatantly obvious... We were going to Miami.

I re-read the page... one of us would have to go after Schmidt and the other after his associate, Dr Silver. I looked to him. I'll get Silver? I asked via telepathy. He merely smirked and nodded. This Dr Silver must be important if Schmidt trusted him. From the files Silver wasn't even a mutant, just a human that had no idea what he was into striking a deal with Schmidt. I almost felt sorry for the man. Almost.

"Are you ready?" Erik said, closing the laptop. I shredded.

"Don't have anything worth packing except clothes..."

"Is that a yes?"

"Of course."

-Miami-

I waited in the dark. I sat in Silver's recliner. He had a very large, pent house apartment. Very classy. However, it's security was easy to get past. The cameras were easily disposed of. All I did was freeze water over the lenses so they couldn't see, and the security guards... that is a story for another time. Right then, I heard the door open. I crossed my legs as the lights switched on and Silver came into view. Of course, he didn't notice me straight away so it gave me a chance to observe him.

He had slicked back, greying hair that matched his aging face. Frown lines etched his face and elderly physique. Sadly, I noted he had a small but noticeable limp in his right leg. Well, it was sad for him. To me it was just an advantage. He wore round, wire glasses and had elderly hazel eyes. They were the eyes of an ignorant, irrational man. Finally, once he had thrown his briefcase onto his bed, turned and looked at me dead in the eyes. At first, he just stood there in shock. I smelt it. Somehow, it felt like he knew who I was. It was strange, but I kept a stoic expression.

"Who are you?" He said and I raised an eyebrow.

"My name is none of your concern." I stated.

"Why are you here?" He asked, still standing stiff.

"I need to ask you a few questions. About Klaus Schmidt." He seemed confused for a moment.

"You mean Shaw?" I cocked my head.

"Is that what he goes by now? Shaw?" I narrowed my eyes and entered his mind. He wasn't lying. Schmidt's name was now Sebastian Shaw. I rolled my eyes.

"What do you want?" Silver stated.

"Please, Dr, sit." I motioned to his sofa. Reluctantly, he lowered himself down.

"A little birdie has told me you know about 'Shaw's' plans..."

"What birdie?"

"The laptop I nabbed from one of your 'employees'" I said. He seemed shocked.

"Steve?" I smirked.

"Yes, he seemed a little preoccupied with staring at my... assets, to notice."

"If you think I am going to tell you anything-"

"Oh, I didn't expect you to." I stood up and sauntered over to the older man. He seemed flustered. I stood in front of him and leaned over, giving him a clear view.

"That doesn't mean I can't try." I reached into his mind and squeezed. He cried out silently as I constricted his mind, crushing it. I wasn't physically harming him; this was just better.

"Please, stop!" He cried, writhing slightly as he clutched his head. To him, it felt like an amplified migraine across his mind. But much worse.

"Tell me about your association with Shaw." I demanded.

"Never, just stop!" I pushed harder.

"Tell me!"

"LOUIS GRISHAM!" I pulled away immediately. I stumbled backwards, shocked.

"What...?" He was gasping for air, "What did you say?"

"Shaw wants a man called Louis Grisham... he says the man has power... he-he didn't tell me a-anything else I swear... just that I needed to find him." Silver explained.

"Louis Grisham is dead." I hissed, glaring at the man.

"No... I only contacted him a few weeks ago..." My heart beat jumped a mile a minute.

Anger rose up in my throat like bile. He was lying! He had to be! My fathers been dead for years... Even my telepathy could t avert me from my raging emotions. Before I could stop it, all the water and liquid in the mans body began to freeze. I was blinded my what felt like fire behind my eyes and my veins pulsed with a severe hatred. I wasn't doing it intentionally. I tried to hold it back, with all my strength but I just let go. I couldn't take it. I just couldn't hold back the emotions, the power.

I watched as he turned white as a sheet, his eyes glazing over and turned an icy blue. My breathing hitched as he fell to the ground, stiff as a rock and frozen in a layer of frost. I had just frozen a man solid, unintentionally. It was then that I realised how bad this was getting. It was killing people. I was losing control over my emotions and I turn, my abilities were suffering and growing unpredictable. How could this happen? How have I lost control so suddenly?

I swallowed my fears and pushed my anxiety to the back of my mind. Silver would be no help to me now. I searched his drawers and found something peculiar...

Dead Silver,

You may think what Shaw's doing is the only way forward. You, a human, following the orders of a mutant? Is it that you're going to stab him in the back the first chance you get? I can assure you it will be your undoing. He's going to kill you. As soon as you lead him to me, you will die just like all the other humans he aspires to destroy. Has he not shared with you his plans? It shows just how much he trusts you now doesn't it...

Sadly, you will not be able to fulfil, his expectations as you will not locate me after this message. But I will warn you, be careful. Shaw is a dangerous man. Are you sure you are right to be on his side? If he shares his plans with you, what then? After he tells you what he plans to do with me, will you still be so willing to follow him?

He needs me; without me he has no source of power. That is why I run. I do not desire to see World War III in my lifetime, or my daughters. Has he told you about my daughter? Ebony... how I long to protect her. He's told you to look for her too. I can tell from your letters. This is the one time I will beg, Dr Silver. Leave my daughter be. She has not done anything to deserve this. Let your humanity shine through for a change.

Be the better man.

Yours Sincerely,

Louis Hamish Grisham

I crammed the letter into my pocket, hands shaking. That letter was sent only two weeks ago... my father was alive and he knew what Shaw was doing. Somehow, he's involved. I felt tears building up in my eyes. I remember watching him die though. How could my memory be at a fault? I saw it happen! I was there! Unless... someone manipulated those memories... some of my species were known to have the power to wipe people memories and recreate new, completely new ones.

My father and I were the last of our kind. There was no possible way someone could have manipulated my memories. But it was my only explanation. Maybe it was my father... but he died when I was little... surely he wouldn't do that to me. I was too confused and hurt to care. I rushed out of the apartment, out of the building and walked into a dark alley. I leant back against the brick wall and breathed in. I stared up at the stars. Everything was too much.

Erik I need you to come get me.

I felt nothing. I tied again. Still nothing. I closed my eyes and reached out to him. He was only at the harbour, with was close to the apartment blocks I was at so I should be able to reach him. Suddenly, I felt someone else invading my mind. I gasped and harshly pushed them away like they held a contagious disease. There was a telepath with Erik. I tried to reach Erik again and this time, I could feel him there.

Erik, where are you!? Who are you with!?

He couldn't answer, but I sensed his annoyance. Rolling my eyes, I simply slid down the wall and brought my knees to my chest. I could feel him quickly getting closer, so I knew he was coming to get me. I frowned and brought out the crumpled piece of paper. I re-read it so many times that I lost count. It just didn't make sense. So many vital pieces were missing and I could only assume. I heard a car engine. Erik was in it. Where did he get a car? I stood up as the sleek black car came into view. I walked over and the back door opened. A smirking Erik stuck his head out and I flowered at him. He only smirked wider.

"Care for a ride?" He mocked. I rolled my eyes and gestured for him to scoot over.

Once in, I shut the door and noticed another three people in the car. All were staring at me. I raised my eyebrows and looked at Erik.

"The hell?"

"Ebony, I would like to introduce you to our new friends." He said, a kind of sarcastic hint to his voice. The car started to drive again.

"My name is Mr Poole..." A man all in black said, he was rather tubby but I wouldn't hold it against him. I merely nodded in acknowledgement. He was sitting on the other side of Erik, who was in the middle of us three.

"Moira MacTaggert, of the CIA." A woman with auburn hair said stiffly. I gave a small smirk, but nodded none the less. She was driving.

"And my name is Charles Xavier, nice to meet you." I stared at the man that spoke. He had the brightest, warmest eyes you could ever see. They were a striking blue and he had dark brown hair.

"The name's Ebony Grisham." I stated. I felt someone try to force themselves into my head. I pushed them out like I had done before, and glared at Mr Xavier.

"Don't try to read my mind Mr Xavier." He looked back at me from beside Miss MacTaggert with a sheepish smile. It was rather cute. I looked back at Erik.

"Okay, so why are we 'friends' with these people?" I asked firmly. He chuckled.

"They say they can help us. Help us get to Shaw." I nodded slowly.

"Dr Silver won't be much use to us anymore..." I said.

"Why is that?" Erik asked.

"Because he's dead." The car delved into a tense silence and I sighed.

"How?" Erik faltered, "Did it happen again?"

"Yes..." I looked down ashamed.

"Did what happen again?" I looked up at Mr Xavier and I shook my head.

"A story for another time perhaps." The car was silent nice more.

A/N

Okay, another chapter done. Just to clear things up, the whole Dr Silver thing happened while Erik was at Shaw's boat. Tada!