- "Everything that is born must die, passing through nature toward eternity." So said the poet, and so I tell you, my friend... He truly is gone. His core is filled with plant and mineral substances, but not those that compose a living being...
- I can't say I'm not relieved, you know?... I had a lot to lose if the treatment didn't work. But I wanted to know if with a second chance, he would become a better person... Thank you, friend, for trying. – I pat his shoulder, he senses the farewell in my words and asks:
- Are you going somewhere, Logan? What's with that voice, full of sadness?
- I'm leaving Krakoa, going back to live among humans. I don't want to be part of something that turns a blind eye to a case like this, you know? When I figure out where I'm going to stay, I'll let you know, Hank. Take care! Pay attention to the signs and don't hesitate, buddy... – he stared at me strangely, as if the air of intelligence so peculiar to him was missing, replaced only by doubt. He seemed unable to reason upon my words, as if I were "crazy" and deserved only to be listened to...
I went to my room and found the Summers couple there, sitting on a large couch facing the bed:
- Nothing you say... or do, can convince me to stay... Even though it hurts me.
- We know that, Logan. That's why we came to offer our support and ask you to find a bigger place, because as soon as you settle, we intend to move too. – Jean spoke softly, her face happy.
- Nothing keeps us here, cowboy. And of all the good things Krakoa brought, our relationship was by far the best, don't you agree? – Scott teased, calling me cowboy and making my blood boil. If they had said "stay," I might have given up everything and gone back to what I was... Hold on! Laura had mentioned this in some session. She had said that our brain always wants to return to the comfort zone and that the people around us might have a part in it, whether knowingly or not. Were they, unintentionally or deliberately, my reasons to return? I couldn't allow that... So I decided to be radical, even though I had no idea what it might cost me!
- I really appreciate the support, seriously! But there are times in life when you need to be alone to figure out the next steps... You, I mean, we, were amazing together! And Krakoa facilitated that, but outside of it, I want to go back to being the loner I always was, understand? I think I need to take a step back to gain momentum and have a clear view of the moment I'm going through. You don't need to understand now, but I'd love it if you could continue supporting me.
Jean made a sad face that compelled me to hug her, and Scott joined us, and we said goodbye with a warm kiss. They understood that I needed time to pack my things from that room, and they left, looking back insistently.
I didn't have many items, but I made sure to leave Krakoa with Muramasa, the only sword capable of negating my mutant healing ability... I packed some shirts, pants, underwear, the cowboy hat Scott gave me, and the perfume Jean gave me, threw everything into a bag, and left through one of the portals that left me near a rented garage where my Harley had been parked for a long time. We traveled so much from portal to portal that we forgot the pleasure of actually needing to arrive somewhere. And I already knew where I was going: Xavier's Mansion, Westchester, NY...
It took me a few hours on the bike to get an overview of the Mansion, the feeling of wind on my face, the roar of the bike, flirting with some girls, and having control of a machine like that made me rediscover the joy in small things. How could I have gone so long without feeling this? Then I remembered the other feelings and sensations that came, especially with the Summers couple. I lost balance on the bike and returned to reality before slipping and ruining the moment.
I accessed the Mansion through a side entrance closer to the garage and parked the bike, greeted by a dozen bamfs. They touched everything—my hair, the bike, my backpack—and knowing they would search me when I arrived, I brought a crate of beers attached to the back of the bike. I showed it to them, and they went crazy! They disappeared with the package and let me breathe.
- Phew! I don't think I'll be able to stay here for long... Especially because it's so far from civilization... But for tonight, it'll do. And how! – my face lit up at the thought of the Danger Room and the session I would have there right now.
Incredibly, this was my best result in the Danger Room. I asked the AI to analyze the reasons, and it gave me a nice list: enhanced reflexes, increased elasticity, better rationalization, and all targets were alive, although incapacitated to act.
Some bamfs even clapped, so I asked to see the session's video; I had never done that before and asked it to show me the video of the first session I ever did. I was amazed! How could I be so crude? And this was with almost 100 years of life!... Wow... It's always time to improve, right? Knowing yourself is the best way to live more fluidly and have that reflected in everything you do. Before, I was stuck! It was like a robot tearing and killing without thinking, because I didn't know myself like I do now.
What a shame for humanity not being able to live more than a hundred and a few years...
Even though I still had 10 days until my next appointment with Dr. Laura, I decided to call her to update my status.
- Logan, everything okay? It's late... – I heard her slightly tired voice on the other end of the phone.
- Wow, Laura, sorry! I was training and lost track of time, but I wanted to call to let you know that I left Krakoa!
- Huh?! What do you mean?
- I'm going to find a place to live among people, you know? And not isolate myself on a paradise island and forget that people out here are suffering...
- We have the Avengers, Logan... Of which, by the way, you are a part, right?
- Whoa... You hit a nerve there, huh? I'm not sure how my standing is among the Avengers after this racial rift... But it's a good place to try to reclaim my spot! – and I chuckle to myself. Stark wouldn't take it lightly, though. But I could try; with the right reasons, I might be able to prove my point. If I managed to explain it to the Quiet Council, why not to the Avengers?
- Well, I appreciate you thinking of me to share this new phase of your life. I wish you much success and a lot of work too. Let's discuss this in 10 days, alright? Is there anything else you need to tell me?
- Actually, there is. Thank you, Laura. Without this personal journey where you asked me to trust and gave me hope, I would never have considered this. Never thought about living again, being myself. – I pause for a long moment, but she doesn't respond, I only hear what sounds like a soft sob – Thank you very much, dear... – and I hang up before she could reproach me for the adjective.
I spend another three days at the Mansion, until the bamfs are "nice people with the right incentive!" I head to the town of Westchester in search of a place to rent. I'm not into downtown, full of shops and so many people; I head to the suburbs and discover an apartment above a very cool tattoo studio that was up for rent. The sign said, in tattoo letters: 4 Rent, talk 2 Brent. And an arrow pointed to the studio. When I enter, I find a couple talking while looking at a tattoo book and three more people, with piercings, black clothes, and plenty of tattoos.
- Afternoon, who's Brent?
- That's me, man. Nice Harley. – he strikes up a conversation, eyeing my bike – What can I do for you?
- Ah! Thanks. I want to talk about renting the apartment upstairs.
- Really? Awesome! Let me get the key to show you, hold on.
He returns quickly and leads the way, not stopping as he talks up the place and the neighborhood. Right then, I sense something fishy; otherwise, it would have been rented out already... The place isn't too far from downtown, and the price he mentioned is too low for the neighborhood. Before he opens the door, an old smell of blood hits my nose. I show no reaction; the place is really nice, spacious, and bright, a loft like I hadn't seen in a while. When he takes me upstairs to see the bedroom, that's when I notice something happened downstairs. Did it start up here and the person was thrown down?...
- Man, the place is beautiful, but I need to know why something like this, at this price, isn't rented? Who died here?
He goes pale, smiles, and then nervously laughs, running his hand back over his neck.
- You're a character, huh? No one died here, man! Where'd you get that idea... It's just that even though people say they have no prejudice against tattoos, we're still very looked down upon in the neighborhood, you know... That's all.
Not in the mood to figure it out on my own, I resorted to intimidation. It used to work...
- Well, you're new, but I don't think you're so new that you don't remember who I am... I've been an Avenger, man! I know something involving blood happened here, and you either talk nicely or talk the hard way... – And I let a claw slip out slowly between my index finger and middle finger.
He sat down on the bed behind him and started crying. He kept saying it wasn't his idea and that he really wanted it to be found out eventually, that the reckoning had come. Finally, the guy felt so guilty that it was a relief for me as a mutant to be there to finish him off.
- Hey, hey! I didn't come here to end anyone! I just want to make sure no skeletons come out of the closet, you know? That I can rent without any issues, but it looks like there might be...
- She had no family, man... She came here running away and ended up falling into drugs and prostitution. Jack, the owner of the studio, ended up falling in love with her, but he wanted her just for himself, you know? And she wasn't into exclusivity; she was too hot for that. One night, he closed the studio early and caught her with another guy up here. It was a huge fight!... She tried to break it up, but the guy accidentally pushed her. She... she broke her neck...
It was clear that he was the culprit, but I didn't need to rub salt in the wound. I was only interested in the victim:
- Did Jack give her a decent burial, Brent? Or did you guys hide the body?
- No! Man! What are you saying! We... Jack, he called the cops. The forensics analyzed everything and came to the same conclusion I told you. It was an accident.
- And did the one who needed to pay, pay?
He nodded positively, muttering: still paying, man...
- Well, you don't mind if I go to the police station to check out this story, right?
- Oh, no, of course not, it's all there... You can go.
- Alright, where do I sign to formalize the rental?
His look of astonishment was incredible, but I knew, from the scents he emitted, from the heartbeat, and other signs only the experience of observing others for more than a lifetime can bring, he was telling the truth. His eye gleamed, and he went back to chatting enthusiastically, ending with:
- It'll be great to have a neighbor like you, you know? Maybe you'll even bring some tourists to this neighborhood and boost our business? We need to go to the studio, I showed you around, but Jack will finalize things with you, alright?
- No problem. Let's go.
- If you didn't have that healing factor talk, I'd even offer you a free tattoo, to cheer the crowd and say an ex-Avenger got inked with us.
His comment was followed by a few laughs from both of us, but then I got serious and said:
- Well, Brent, I'm going to make Jack sign a confidentiality clause, alright? I don't want people finding out too quickly that there's a mutant living among them... So, if I were you, I'd forget our conversation upstairs and just move on with life, okay?
His face hardened, and the monosyllabic response of "okay" followed shortly. This Jack guy was kind of creepy; his tattoos, whether on his arms or face, were not harmonious and always related to death or bestiality - disturbing stuff... But I had nothing to do with it, as long as he didn't interfere with my life. Unlike Brent, who already considered me a friend after 20 minutes, the conversation with Jack was short and curt. He added the confidentiality clause; I noticed his heart skipped a beat when I mentioned the word "mutant," but nothing major, and then he handed me the keys.
I grabbed my things from the bike, went upstairs, and my cell phone rang. It was Kurt.
- Mein freund! How are you? Haven't heard from you since you left Krakoa. You really returned to being the Logan I knew, huh?
- Everything's fine over here, Kurt! Haven't been hassled by any humans so far. And you guys? Doing well?
- I know 'you guys' means Jean -
- No, man! None of that. We said goodbye on good terms, and I know she's not alone there, so I'm cool with it. I just want to know about the others, including her, but no exclusivity, you know? We never had that anyway...
- Well, my day lacks a touch of sarcasm and irony since you left, but everything's the same. The searches for those smuggling flowers continue, the black market for collectibles is ongoing, and we still haven't located some of the X-Men items purchased by powerful criminal organizations. Currently, we're investigating an anonymous tip that even the government, through the CIA, might be interested in these items to create an anti-mutant strategy, in case we start thriving too much.
- That's why I like being Canadian, you know?! These guys claim to be allies, but they're actually buying time to wipe out our race - they've always wanted that and always seen us as a threat... I might just head back to Canada after some time here. This dirty politics tires me out!
- Me too, Logan... So, to reminisce about the old times, when you're settled and know which pub has the best beer, you can call me for a nighttime chat, okay?
- Alright, Kurt. I can't promise anything, but I'll think about it. As for Krakoa, I'm behaving like a rehabilitated man; I can't keep in touch with the users who were with me, or I won't stay clean for long, sorry...
The neighborhood was very peaceful, with a convenience store at the end of the block, a pharmacy two blocks ahead, a dance studio near a small square, and another supermarket three blocks away. Everything I needed was close by. From there to Dr. Laura's office was a fifteen-minute peaceful walk.
I bought a larger refrigerator to stock up on some meat, put a high-tech lock on the door, and left a surveillance system activated inside the loft. I didn't want any nosy tattoo artists meddling with my stuff... I bought some bed linens and towels, a clothing rack to hang my clothes, and another one to dry them. After disassembling the bed and setting up a futon in the living room, I felt at home.
I trained with my sword in the morning before my appointment, took a great shower, and dressed in a white tank top with a white cotton shirt and jeans with sneakers. It was my first time trying on these shoes; let's see...
The doctor greeted me with a smile, said I looked younger, and I thanked her, feeling different indeed, not that I thought I looked younger, just more aware of myself.
I told her everything that happened in Krakoa and shared my doubts about what happened to Creed:
- Why would Krakoa keep a corpse there, you know? Why would she cling to it, showing so much jealousy? Do you think it could have something to do with him being some kind of trophy? Man, I'm freaking out...
- A trophy, you say, like some psychopath keeping a victim's earring? I wouldn't deny that assumption, but I'd question whether Krakoa exhibits traits of a psychopath, wouldn't you?
- And why do you think it doesn't? I don't have a TV in my apartment; I don't know what you guys are saying about Krakoa, but when we first encountered this 'island,' it wanted to wipe the X-Men off the face of the Earth!... And now, only mutants live on its lands... So many that if some started disappearing, I don't know how long it would take for anyone to notice, Laura! – I feel her worried gaze on me, take a deep breath, relax. – But know that none of this matters to me right now; I won't be there to see it, I didn't even accept that oligarchic nonsense!
- Wow! So much information, now I'll be the one needing time to process, Logan... - and she really stops talking, writes a thing or two, taps her pen on the notepad, and scribbles again. - There's a somewhat childish legend that could shed some light on what's happening now, so don't underestimate the power of legends, alright?
I laugh and nod my head, willing to give it a chance since everything up to that point had only helped me see my surroundings in a unique way.
- Once upon a time, there was a little fish born and raised in an artificial lake inside a castle. In this lake, as ornamental fish, they were not at risk of being preyed upon and didn't need to worry about food; the other fish were quite content with this state of affairs - they feasted on food and enjoyed the security, growing fat and inventing ways to become even lazier. Our little fish was the opposite! Always playing, swimming swiftly, lean, and eating only what was necessary. Sometimes, he would force himself to fast for a day just to see if he could go without that food, and at other times, he would eat insect larvae, which the others considered absurd!
This little fish had a heron that was his friend. This bird wouldn't dare eat him because he was so skinny, and being a bird, she always brought curious reports of what happened outside the lake. She talked about the people in the castle, their clothes, their animals, and quirks. Some younger fish also listened to the stories, but as they grew up, they forgot everything and settled in.
'What fascinated our little friend the most were the stories about the other bodies of water beyond that lake; he was certain he would one day explore other waters! And so he prepared himself. Testing his fasting limit, always exercising his body in play and his mind in conversations with the heron. One afternoon he decided! Now he would go, and if he found better places, he would return to warn his friends. No one paid much attention... The heron bid farewell and thought she would never see him again, as he would be preyed upon outside the lake. Being so skinny, he passed through the bars that led the water from the lake to the nearby stream and lived several weeks of great adventure!
'The things he tasted, the flavors, the friendships he made, and the challenges he faced only strengthened him. It was when he noticed, in the distance, a brightness during the night and grew worried! According to the heron's stories, that was the direction of the castle!... Were his friends in danger? Could he do something for them? Some fish who were also well-informed said the next day that the castle had been looted and burned, and there was no one left to care for the animals on the property. As soon as he heard this, our brave friend began the journey back to the lake; going upstream was much more difficult than going downstream, but he spared no effort! He found the arm of the river that came from the castle and undertook the arduous return, passing through the gate without problems, as he remained skinny.
'He requested an audience with the lake's kingfish and, before everyone, recounted his entire adventure, up to the previous night's events, corroborated by the accounts of other fish. He said they would be without food and, over time, without water! Since the place that fed that lake had to be kept clean by humans, otherwise it tended to dry up. His account was met with general laughter! The kingfish said he was crazy and that there could be no safer and healthier place to be than the lake; he pointed out the fact that none of them could pass through the gate leading to the stream and concluded by saying that if the other place was so good, why had he returned?! Astonished by such blindness, he realized how different he had been from all those fish from the beginning; he realized that living with the different only makes you the same if you allow it, and he had never allowed himself to be as shortsighted as the other fish, and as much as it hurt him, he could do nothing for them but let them live their lives, believing that there was nothing better than that lake and that it would last forever. As he was returning, two more little fish approached him and asked if they could follow him; despite his pain, a small joy invaded him, and he realized that our personal experiences have the power to convince no one but ourselves... The End.
'So, Logan, to conclude, I believe you don't need to act as if you don't care about those who remained in Krakoa. You can return, share your experience with more of them, but never think it will convince anyone who wasn't already in the same doubt you arrived at, does that make sense?
I stare at that woman, and with all my heart, I feel how hard she strives to make a better world, person by person. And what does she gain from it? Some money to buy the things she needs, but... Does she really have the real gratitude that it deserves, does she have the adventure in her life
- Everything is right, Logan?
Only then do I realize how long I've been staring at her without saying anything.
- It does, of course it does make sense, Laura. It seems to suggest that no matter how much we want to make others see what we see, they need to go through their own way to reach our conclusions, and even then, we might never speak the same language? - She nods.
- That's what most parents who come to this office need to learn, that no matter their life experience, nothing they went through will lessen by a gram what their children need to go through. And since Krakoa is your family, I find it hard to believe you don't care, right? And the more distant you are from that place, the more you will notice things they missed, maybe not out of laziness, but out of complacency. It's much easier to live among those who speak the same language than to fight against incomprehension every day. But if the struggle is worthwhile and well assimilated by the mind, who will learn more?
- Yes... Every moment away from Krakoa I realize how much it's creating a false sense of security and mutant sovereignty. All those things Charles always warned us to be wary of... It's a shame the world's greatest telepath subverted his own lesson. But whenever I can, I'll sow my seed.
- Exactly, we don't always need to save the universe to be a superhero; we can just take one step at a time, save one soul at a time, and we'll be the superheroes we can be. Although judging by your story, it won't be long before you save the universe too, right?
I laugh. Now that I'm not in Krakoa and even with my healing factor at its best, I need to take care of myself, since space trips can kill me.
- You know, I'm enjoying this more intimate view of life. One person at a time suits me just fine...
- Well, very good. Have you submitted your resume to the Avengers again?
I laugh again! This woman doesn't stop, does she?
- Hold on, Laura! I'm still adjusting to life without other mutants around... Being around super-powered people isn't my priority right now. Maybe trying to volunteer at the Police Station and offering to help with a case, I don't know. Starting small. I kind of understand Peter Parker now, you know? Being the neighborhood hero has its advantages. It allows you more time to get to know yourself. Right?
- Sorry! That's certainly a great plan. What I'd like to emphasize is the need to have something now that you're no longer in Krakoa, Logan. Plans are necessary to organize our brains into compartments and let us live each day with a checklist of what we were able to accomplish, rewarding our effort to live and preparing us for the next day.
- Don't worry, Laura. I'm not in danger of becoming a lazy-almost-alcoholic again, even if I wanted to, I think my healing factor would prevent the alcohol part. - She still looks at me seriously, and I raise my hands in surrender - I get your point! I won't mess with that... My routine has been morning training, neighborhood walk, lunch and nap, and in the evening, another walk around the neighborhood. But the area is so quiet that I don't even hear sirens nearby... I'll probably need to partner with the police.
We say goodbye calmly. Today wasn't a mentally stressful moment. I think the major issues were addressed by her, and I worked on them to internalize those resolutions. I enjoy the walk back home to pass by the police station. I'm warmly welcomed by a very smiling cadet and ask to speak with the captain. Of course, I don't tell him my life story, but I explain where I live, who I am, and that I have no intention of returning to Krakoa.
- I remember you, Mr. Logan. And the memories I have are of many bodies wherever you go...
- Well, I don't deny that I used to kill without thinking, but that's why I'm seeking a new life. You don't have to believe it, but I'm sure one day you'll be able to prove it, alright? I hope we have a very harmonious relationship, Captain Stabler. - I extend my hand and receive a firm handshake, but with a compassionate look.
- Our district doesn't have that many cases, Mr. Logan. We manage to solve most of them, and in fact, we solved the case of the loft where you live.
I quickly tell him the curiosity of the case, and he is amazed by my sharp senses. I continue my walk home in the dark, and truly, nothing around me makes me fear being there. I realize that it's not only in Krakoa that I can feel at home. And seeing a rat come out of a drainpipe reminds me of the Morlocks. How much they have suffered and how this whole turnaround with mutants has been good for these people. So, my view of Krakoa really cannot be extended to all mutants; it's something related to what I'm experiencing now, my eternal need to be the master of my destiny, knowing that now I only have this life and I don't need more than that to live well and happily. I'm not on the same level as Charles and Erik in this story; I've always been a pawn. It's time to change the game, since I don't even like chess!
I lie down on the shikifuton after meditating for half an hour, and my senses start to think about the cadet who attended me at the police station. I noticed she was looking at me through the captain's office window, and when I left, she waved goodbye with a hand and a "see you later." Did she recognize me? Or does she act like that with everyone? Her scent is so sweet; I bet her skin is really soft... But damn it, Logan! Can't you spend a few days alone without thinking about sex? Focus! Play a little solo and chill out, man...
I end up signing up the following week at a 24-hour gym a bit further from home. I go at times when there are fewer people, but there's always someone around, and it doesn't take long for the time I go to be filled with curious men and women. I change my schedule three times in a month. But every time I go, the same woman is always doing the same exercise. It's like she knows I'll be there, or she never leaves that gym and is always on the treadmill? In the first hour of my last change, I can't resist and go talk to her.
- Hi, girl. I couldn't help but notice you're always here, no matter what time I come. To be direct, are you also a mutant?
Her hazel eyes fall on me, and a smile spreads across her face. She slows down the pace on the treadmill and starts typing on her phone:
- Hello, actually, I am, Mr. Logan...
- Then why aren't you in Krakoa?
- Because I'm not welcome there. I have the gift of precognition, so I always know when you'll be here and I come to run at the same time. I feel safer around someone like me...
- And why the chatting on the phone?
- Because everything I say has a high chance of coming true. I also have the chaos gift, similar to Wanda's, but on a much smaller scale, of course!
- Ah... girl... Did you lack training to handle your mutation? Or have you tried everything and nothing worked?
She stops walking, gets off the treadmill, and then I notice she's the same height as me, an athlete's physique, light brown hair and eyes, and fair skin. As she descends, she feverishly types on her phone. She points it at me:
- Every time I tried to join the mutant school, something stopped me. I don't know what other force is behind me, but I train my body and mind to be able to escape when it happens. I know it will, I just couldn't know when, and that scares me. I always know when...
- If you accept, I have the perfect place to help you improve your abilities.
- I accept, Logan! I'm excited to visit the X-Mansion! - that's what I read on the phone screen. I smile slightly and mention that I'm going back to my exercises and that she could meet me at my address early tomorrow.
She arrived on a pink bicycle, the basket carrying a backpack full of food, fruits, water. I smelled all of that and waved from the loft as I came down. I said we'd go by bike and that it could stay inside my apartment. I invited her in, but she declined. I got a helmet for her when I came down and threw it into her hand. She handed me the phone:
- Thank you, Mr. Logan, for giving me this opportunity! I felt so alone away from Krakoa, but when I knew you'd be in Westchester, I saw it as an opportunity. I'm sincerely grateful...
- You're welcome, girl! Feeling lonely is one of the worst feelings in the world... I know we're always alone, even in the middle of a crowd, but being excluded by those who should understand us is tough! I'm glad you didn't decide to use your chaos mutation to mess things up.
At my swearing, she becomes embarrassed and I apologize, explaining that's just the way I am, and she nods in understanding.
I sit on the bike, she is embarrassed to sit behind me, but I help her and ask her to hold tight because I also love speed and put her hands around my waist:
- But I bet you already knew that, right? - and I start, going to the highway and arriving in less than an hour at the Mansion.
She is amazed by the size of the place, with the bamfs and the technology she sees below. For the first time I hear her voice say "wow" and I confess, it sounds like a siren's voice, soft but captivating. We arrive at the Danger Room and I explain that inside she can use all of her mutation without danger and that I would be there in the control room analyzing the data.
- It's a battle simulation, but on a very light level, okay? Don't worry about holding back, nothing in there is alive and if you hit a bamf, good for him...
She nods positively and smiles, goes to the locker room and enters the simulation in loose gray athletic clothing. Hair tied up and extra attention.
I walked a path in a park, and from behind some trees, villains or ordinary people would appear. She knew 100% of the cases before they appeared, and the villains she fought by saying words like "butterfly," "nightingale," "tin can," "cloud," among others, and they would transform into these things.
The equipment readings showed spectacular control, hardly achieved by any mutant who did not participate in some group. We went to LabMed and there I got authorization to collect a little blood from her. Tests showed that the precognition mutation was real, but the chaos mutation was not confirmed. The program displayed as verb materialization. So, it wasn't that the words had a high probability of happening, they actually happened!...
I explain this to her, somewhat sad that she will never be able to speak normally, but this doesn't seem to bother the girl. She shrugs, writes:
- I've gotten used to it, it's okay...
This blood test also showed that she had been accepted to study with the X-Men three times and hadn't shown up.
- Where did you go, girl? Who trained you? No single person can learn to deal with your mutation alone, or can they?
She looks at me sadly and starts typing. When I see this, I think of how easy it would be for Hank or Forge to build a contraption that allows us to synthesize her voice. But I'm helpless... I only know how to build weapons...
- After my mutation manifested, I thought I was crazy! I knew everything my family would say and do before they did!... And when I tried to talk about it, the environment around me changed... I realized it was because of my voice and stopped talking. It's been more than 15 years now, and I learned through fear and pain. They are very good teachers, I know you understand...
- You hurt people you didn't want to, right?
And then she typed: And many others who deserved it... But I don't want to talk about it, unless it's essential for my learning and you have a Ph.D. in psychology.
- Look, you know what? I have an idea. I'm seeing a very good human psychologist, she can help you. Are you up for it?
She declines and puts the dollar sign symbol on the screen.
- No, you're my student, and it's on me. Besides, imagine there must be more of us out there, right?
Her eyes lit up and she nodded, saying she had already found some who have more common mutations and preferred to stay among their own than go to Krakoa.
I called Laura to make an appointment for the girl and then realized I didn't know her name!
She laughed and showed a document Samantha Greeny III. I made a show of acting like it was fancy and talked to the doctor again, setting a time for the morning of the next day. She asked me to give Sam the phone and said I would leave it on speakerphone:
- Samantha, it will be a pleasure. My name is Laura and we'll meet tomorrow.