Chapter 2: Freaks
The next day, the Paragons were free from their usual Danger Room sessions, and since it was Saturday, there were no regular classes at the school either. Hope Abbot took full advantage of the rare day off, allowing herself the luxury of sleeping in. She stretched and rubbed her eyes as she sat up in bed, taking a moment to shake off the lingering remnants of sleep. As her vision cleared, she noticed Jessica sitting at her desk, her expression somber as she stared at a small photograph in her hand. For a moment, Hope just watched her. Jessica was dressed in a simple black pajama set — T-shirt and shorts — that contrasted sharply with her pale skin and the jet-black hair that fell just past her shoulders.
"She has such beautiful hair," Hope thought, admiring the way it framed Jessica's face. But then she noticed a glimmer of a tear in her friend's eye, and the memory of what Emma Frost and Shan had told her the day before came rushing back: "She tried to take her own life…" "Keep an eye on her, stay close…"
Determined to lift Jessica's spirits, Hope decided she would do whatever it took to make her smile that day.
"Hey, Jessie," Hope called out softly, breaking the silence. Jessica, startled, quickly stuffed the photograph into a drawer and turned around.
"Oh, hey… I thought you were still asleep," Jessica replied, her voice tinged with a forced cheerfulness.
"I can't spend the whole day in bed," Hope said with a grin as she swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood up. She was dressed casually in just a white T-shirt and underwear.
"Are you okay, Jessie? You look a little down," she asked gently, moving closer to the desk to get a better look at her friend's face.
"I'm fine… just lost in thought, I guess," Jessica replied, her tone evasive. She turned away slightly, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of the desk. Hope could sense her discomfort.
"I'm going to take a shower. Want to join me?" Hope asked after a pause, hoping to ease the tension.
"Sure, why not?" Jessica answered, a bit more enthusiasm in her voice now, as if grasping at the chance to escape her own thoughts, if only for a little while. Together, they headed to the bathroom to start the day, the unspoken worries between them hanging in the air like a distant storm cloud.
Jessica and Hope were taking showers in adjacent stalls, with a slim blonde washing herself in the third stall nearby. The warm, steamy water flowed over their bodies, bringing a sense of relief and relaxation. Droplets danced across their skin, washing away the remnants of stress that had built up over the past days. For Jessie, the water seemed to cleanse not only her body but also her mind, freeing her from the thoughts that had troubled her the previous day. Hope, too, felt the tension from her conversation with Emma Frost slowly slipping away, as if the water was rinsing off the weight of responsibility and worry. As the water gently cascaded down their bodies, glistening as it streamed down their hair and along their curves, they began to talk.
"Jessie, we have the day off... Is there anywhere specific you'd like to go?" Hope asked, glancing over at her friend from behind the shower curtain.
"I hadn't really thought about going anywhere. I was just planning to read something or listen to some music," Jessica replied, reaching for the soap.
Hope turned off her shower, the warm water gradually stopping, with the last droplets sliding off her damp hair. She sighed, wondering how to convince her friend to go out.
"Come on, Jessica. You spend every evening reading, and you have your headphones on during every break. You should do something more exciting. Celebrate the fact that you managed to change the future!" Hope tried to sound enthusiastic, but her words quickly created an awkward atmosphere.
Jessica remained silent, turning off the shower. Water dripped down her body, trickling from her sleek black hair before it stopped completely. Hope felt a pang of guilt; she realized she had touched on a sensitive topic without knowing how Jessica would react. For a moment, a silence hung between them, interrupted only by the sound of water dripping.
Jessica finally looked at Hope gently, with a soft smile, as if to reassure her that everything was fine.
"Okay. We'll go out somewhere today," she said.
"Great!" Hope replied, though there was still a hint of uncertainty in her voice. Another brief silence fell between them. Hope quietly observed the last drops of water still clinging to Jessie's body. Meanwhile, the blonde who had been showering nearby wrapped herself in a towel and left the bathroom, leaving the two friends alone.
Hope gathered her courage and shyly said, "Jessie... you have such a beautiful body... it's like it's perfectly sculpted."
As she said this, she felt her cheeks start to flush. She immediately felt awkward, knowing her words could be easily misunderstood. Jessica noticed her discomfort and felt embarrassed too.
"Stop it, Hope. Please. I don't like it when someone looks at me when I'm naked. Even if it's my friend," Jessica said, turning away, trying to hide her own embarrassment.
"I'm sorry... It's just that sometimes, being around you makes me feel self-conscious," Hope whispered, feeling a growing wave of awkwardness.
Jessica turned back and gently placed a hand on Hope's shoulder, her touch soothing.
"You have nothing to be ashamed of," she replied softly.
After finishing their showers, the girls moved into the locker room, where the air was filled with the sounds of lockers opening, clothes rustling, and the chatter of other students from the Academy X. The room was bustling with activity as several girls were getting dressed, their conversations a mixture of casual gossip and plans for the day ahead. Jessica sat on one of the benches, focused on lacing up her black boots. She had chosen her usual ensemble: black jeans that hugged her legs and a black T-shirt that contrasted with her pale skin. Around her neck hung pendants, each adorned with mysterious symbols — a dark metal ankh and the Eye of Horus. Her black hair, still damp from the shower, clung to the back of her shirt, adding to her overall dark, enigmatic appearance.
Nearby, other students were also getting dressed. Cessily Kincaid was slipping into a pair of jeans and a simple t-shirt, her metal skin gleaming faintly in the dim light. Noriko Ashida was zipping up her hoodie, the blue gauntlets on her arms sparking slightly as she moved. In another corner, Sofia Mantega was buttoning up her jacket, her long hair still dripping wet as she listened to the conversations around her.
Hope approached Jessica quietly, her outfit a stark contrast to her friend's dark attire. She had chosen something more casual and lively — a pair of short pants and a green shirt emblazoned with a large "X" on the chest, a subtle nod to their shared affiliation. As she drew closer, Hope hesitated for a moment, her concern for Jessica growing stronger.
"Jessie?" Hope began, her voice soft. "Are you sure you want to dress like this? Maybe it would be better if you lightened up a bit? You know, it might have a positive effect on…"
"No," Jessica interrupted, her voice firm but quiet as she finished tying her boots. "I'm fine the way I am. I feel more confident and safer like this." She stood up and adjusted her pendants before moving toward the exit. Hope watched her for a moment, her mind drifting back to Emma Frost's words from the previous day. She was lost in thought, trying to reconcile the Jessica she knew with the troubling information she had learned.
Jessica paused at the door, noticing Hope's hesitation. "Are you coming or not? We're supposed to meet Megan," she said, a hint of impatience in her voice as she pulled open the door to the hallway.
"Yeah… I'm coming," Hope replied, snapping out of her reverie. But even as she followed Jessica out, the weight of their earlier conversation lingered in her mind.
The friends made their way to the garden, located just a few steps behind the dormitories. The Xavier School was surrounded by expansive green landscapes, a true sanctuary of peace. Lush lawns, picturesque tree-lined paths, and vibrant shrubs created an idyllic setting where students often found a moment of respite from their rigorous training. In the background, the majestic institute building stood tall, its brick walls contrasting with the vivid greenery. The garden they were heading to was a favorite spot among the students. It featured a famous hedge maze, a site of many adventures and jokes over the years. Along the green "walls" of the maze, white benches were scattered, perfect for resting and chatting. On one of these benches sat Megan, waiting for her friends. Her wide, membranous wings were gently ruffled by a pleasant summer breeze. She was dressed similarly to Hope, in short brown shorts and a sleeveless green shirt with an "X" insignia, her light pink hair fluttering softly in the wind, giving her an ethereal appearance.
"Hey, girls!" The winged mutant stood up to greet her friends, and their exchange was as warm and cheerful as always. They chatted briefly about trivial things, laughing and enjoying their day off.
"We're thinking of going out somewhere... maybe hit a shop, catch a movie... want to come with us?" Hope asked, looking at Megan.
"Of course!" Megan replied enthusiastically, her face lighting up with an idea. "Hey... why don't we grab the guys and head to the amusement park as a group?"
"Great idea," Hope responded with a smile, pleased at the prospect of a fun outing together.
"It won't work. I just had a vision," Jessica said, her voice calm, as if she were discussing something entirely ordinary.
"Ben and Nicholas are heading to the field. I saw them in the vision playing with the guys from Alpha Squadron and Corsairs." Megan's expression dimmed slightly, as she looked at Jessica with a touch of disappointment.
"What about Mark?" she asked hesitantly, hoping for at least one positive response.
"I didn't see him," Jessica replied, a bit mysteriously.
"Then there's a chance he'll come with us! I'm going to find him," Megan quickly brightened up, smiling widely before striding off energetically toward the main building of Xavier's Institute.
As Megan walked away, Hope placed both hands on the back of the bench and stretched, feeling the warm rays of the sun on her skin. Jessica stood beside her, silent and thoughtful, her gaze wandering somewhere far off, beyond the treetops.
"Jessie?" Hope asked, breaking the silence.
Jessica blinked, as if snapping out of a trance. "Sorry... I was just listening to the cicadas. They're so loud this year, aren't they?"
"They really are," Trance sighed loudly, clearly feeling the heat of the summer day. "It's so hot... How do you manage in those boots and all that black?" she joked, trying to lighten the mood.
Jessica chuckled softly, shaking her head. "I won't have to change."
"Change?" Hope furrowed her brow, not understanding.
"It'll get cold, and then it's going to rain," Jessica announced, looking up at the sky as if she could already see the approaching clouds. Trance sighed again, still unsure how to respond to the unpredictable visions of her friend.
Megan, wandering through the school corridors in search of Mark, decided to peek into the art studio. Inside, she found Kevin Ford engrossed in his latest creation. Kevin was deeply focused on crafting a new metal sculpture, an abstract piece that bore a striking resemblance to a machine component from a bygone era, perhaps something out of a 40-year-old industrial nightmare. The sculpture featured a crankshaft intricately connected to pistons, positioned at such bizarre angles that it seemed like the fevered dream of a drunken mechanic. The pistons jutted out from the body of a long-forgotten planetary gearbox, twisting and turning in ways that defied logic. Kevin studied his work with intense concentration, completely unaware of Megan's presence. Around him, the workspace was littered with other mechanical monstrosities he had created — twisted amalgamations of gears, springs, and rusted metal. Each piece had been painstakingly assembled from parts scavenged from a nearby junkyard, their designs hovering somewhere between the absurd and the genius. They were remnants of machines that had long lost their purpose, repurposed by Kevin into something entirely new, yet eerily familiar. Megan sighed, realizing he was too absorbed in his art to notice her. Disappointed, she quietly left the studio, continuing her search for Mark.
As she made her way down the hall, Megan finally spotted Mark emerging from a room.
"Hey, Mark!" she greeted him with a bright smile.
"Hey, Megan!" he replied, returning her enthusiasm.
"Listen, the girls and I are planning to hit the amusement park. Want to join us?" she asked hopefully.
Mark hesitated, clearly torn. "Sorry, I can't today. I'm meeting Jay for a band rehearsal. I really can't miss it."
Pixie's wings drooped slightly, her earlier excitement fading. "Oh, I was really looking forward to…"
"Hey! Mark, we're about to start!" Jay Guthrie's voice echoed from the end of the hallway. He stood out easily in the crowd with his large, crimson wings and guitar slung over his shoulder.
"Coming!" Mark called back. He turned to Megan, placing a hand gently on her head. "Don't be sad. I'll take you there another time, just the two of us, no girls."
He winked at her playfully before heading off towards Jay. Megan watched him go, a small smile tugging at her lips despite her disappointment. As she turned back towards the garden, her steps slowed. The excitement of earlier had dulled, replaced by a quiet melancholy. But she knew she couldn't let her friends see her downhearted. Forcing herself to smile, she took a deep breath and made her way back to the bench where the others were waiting.
"He's not coming," she announced. "Looks like it's just the three of us," she added after a brief pause.
The girls spent some time wandering around the city, but eventually found themselves in a large supermarket. The plan to visit the amusement park was abandoned due to Megan's sour mood after her conversation with Mark. Walking through the crowded corridors of the shopping center, they passed brightly colored store displays, each one vying for attention with loud music and vibrant signs. The supermarket they entered was enormous, with long aisles filled with all sorts of products, from groceries to electronics and clothing. The crowds bustled between the shelves, picking out items and lining up at the cash registers. Some of the people looked ordinary, but in the crowd, you could spot a few individuals who stood out with their unusual appearances. Hope glanced around attentively. "Times are changing..." she remarked quietly, admiring the diversity in the crowd around them. "Not everyone we pass stares at us anymore. I've spotted at least six mutants in the crowd with unusual looks."
She discreetly pointed to a man walking by. He had horns protruding from his forehead, resembling those of a wild animal, and his eyes glowed with a golden light. Among the other mutants in the crowd was a woman with scaly, blue skin, more fish-like than human. Another mutant had what looked like metallic wings on his back, while yet another wore a mask covering his mouth, as if hiding some inhuman feature.
"At least normal people don't run away from us anymore or gape in shock. I guess establishing Mutant Town in New York did make a difference," Hope continued.
Jessica, walking beside her, gave her a serious look. "But there are still many who look at us with disgust and hostility."
"Too many!" Megan exclaimed irritably, noticing a boy who was staring at her wings with wide eyes.
"And there are still those who would gladly kill us," Jessica added quietly, her voice filled with bitter resignation.
"Stop it, Jessie. Don't say things like that!" Hope scolded her, trying to change the subject.
Jessica didn't respond, instead, she stopped at a jewelry stand. Her attention was drawn to the array of pendants, necklaces, and decorative stones. She picked up a black pendant with a pentagram and then glanced at other dark-colored stones. The woman running the stall noticed Jessica's interest and perked up, putting down the romance novel she had been reading to approach her potential customer.
"Leave it...," Hope tugged Jessica's hand, pulling her away from the stand. "Too dark!"
At that moment, Megan noticed an open bookstore and immediately headed towards it. Soon, all three girls were inside. Hope instantly dove into browsing the new collection of books, always having a love for literature encouraged by her parents from a young age. Megan quickly joined her, scanning the shelves filled with novels and art books. However, Jessica was feeling worse by the minute. She felt weak, and her head was spinning. She pushed her hair back from her forehead and sat down on a reading bench protruding from the wall, thinking the temporary discomfort would soon pass. The noise of the store and the conversation between her two friends reached her as if through a thick curtain. The hustle and bustle that always bothered her seemed to press down on her even more. She felt heat spreading across her face, and out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a tall young guy standing at the entrance of the bookstore, staring at her intently.
"Jessie, Jessie... what are you thinking about this time?" Hope's voice pierced through the haze in Jessica's mind.
Jessica blinked, trying to shake off the unease that clung to her. "Sorry, I think I need some fresh air," she murmured, suddenly feeling the need to escape. She stood up abruptly from the bench, but as soon as she did, a powerful vision crashed into her mind with overwhelming intensity. It was more vivid than anything she'd experienced before. She wasn't just seeing it — she was living it. "Blinding white light, searing through her senses. Against the light, a man dressed in black stood, his long hair billowing in an invisible wind. He was smiling, but it wasn't a smile of kindness. It was cruel, malevolent."
Jessica's heart pounded as the vision continued to unfold. The mysterious man in the bookstore had stepped closer. "His slight smirk twisted into a wide, victorious grin. The light around him dimmed, consumed by an encroaching darkness that swallowed everything."
Jessica staggered forward, her legs buckling beneath her. She collapsed, knocking over a display of books, sending them tumbling to the ground as she lost consciousness.
"Jessica!" Megan and Hope shouted in unison, rushing to her side. Jessica lay motionless, her body limp and unresponsive.
"Jessie! Say something!" Hope leaned over her, desperately trying to rouse her friend. Panic spread through the bookstore as a crowd quickly formed around the fallen mutant. Some stared in shock, whispering amongst themselves. A few concerned onlookers knelt down, offering to help, while others recoiled, eager to distance themselves from the situation. The air was thick with tension, a mix of fear, curiosity, and prejudice. An overweight woman in the crowd began shrieking in a high-pitched voice, airing her grievances about the state of today's youth. Megan, visibly distressed, spread her wings wide, trying to shield Jessica from the prying eyes and harsh words of the growing crowd. The whispers turned into an ugly chorus.
"Look at those wings — freaks!" someone yelled, their voice full of hatred.
"Those monsters must have hurt her! Someone call the Avengers!" another shouted, his voice trembling with a mix of fear and excitement.
"Mutants... disgusting creatures," a man muttered, his face twisted in contempt. The obese woman continued her tirade, her voice piercing the air with venomous remarks about mutants, adding to the chaos.
Hope noticed a faint movement — Jessica's hand twitched. Relief washed over her as she gently cradled Jessica's head in her lap. Slowly, Jessica's eyes fluttered open, her vision still swimming.
"What's happening? My head is spinning..." Jessica mumbled, her voice weak.
The voices of the onlookers reached her in disjointed fragments, their words harsh and filled with malice.
"Probably on drugs, filthy junkie."
"Too bad she didn't overdose and die."
"Look at that thing around her neck — she's a Satanist."
"And look who she's with — some kind of monster."
"Disgusting mutants."
"They should be locked up in a zoo."
Each cruel word cut through the fog in Jessica's mind, stinging her as she tried to piece together what had just happened. Megan, struggling to hold back her anger, looked around at the hostile faces, her wings trembling with an effort to keep her composure. She knew they had to get out of there, away from the hateful stares and venomous tongues. She couldn't take it any longer. She squeezed her eyes shut, tears welling up despite her efforts to hold them back, and clenched her fists so tightly her knuckles turned white.
"Let's get out of here before I'm sick just from looking at their faces," she spat out, her voice trembling with a mix of rage and pain.
"Of course, we're leaving, Jessie. Can you stand?" Hope asked, trying to stay calm, though fear and helplessness gnawed at her as the crowd's hostility grew louder. Before Jessica could respond, a male voice spoke up, firm yet gentle: "Maybe I can help?" In an instant, the tall, dark-haired man who had been watching Jessica earlier was beside her. Without hesitation, he scooped her up into his arms as if she weighed nothing and swiftly carried her out of the bookstore. Hope followed closely behind, trying to keep up.
Meanwhile, Megan was left standing alone, facing the crowd that seemed to grow more aggressive by the second. Their hatred and prejudice hit her like blows, each one piercing her soul. She could feel the anger swelling inside her like a wave, ready to crash through the barriers of her self-control. She turned to face the crowd, her eyes shimmering with tears of hurt mingled with fury.
"How dare you? You actually think you're good people? You want to see a monster? Look in the mirror!" Her voice rang out, laced with a righteous anger meant to pierce through their self-righteousness, but the crowd only became more frenzied. Before she could turn away, someone hurled a book at her. It struck her in the head, making her stumble slightly, stunned. For a moment, there was silence, then the crowd erupted with even more venom.
Trance, witnessing the whole scene, picked up the book from the floor. "Thanks! I'll have something to read!" she said with a sarcastic edge, winking at the crowd, which only fueled their fury. She headed toward the exit, the crowd's shouts following her.
"Thief!"
"Where's security?!"
"Someone call the police!"
"Has anyone called the Avengers?!"
The crowd's taunts echoed in Megan's mind, but the cruelest barbs were the ones that hurt the most.
"Freak!",
"Weirdo!",
"Go back to Xavier's!" Each word cut deeper into her heart.
Megan felt her body trembling with suppressed anger and pain. She could feel her strength waning, but she couldn't afford to cry. Then, when another voice screamed, "You should have been put in a jar at birth!", something inside her snapped. She spread her wings wide, the fire in her eyes showing just how deeply she had been wounded. The crowd fell silent, not expecting such a reaction. A delicate, almost ethereal cloud of dust began to rise from her wings, drifting toward the mob. Within seconds, the dust took hold, seeping into the minds of the people, triggering vivid hallucinations. People began to look around in terror, unsure of what was real and what was their nightmare. Some saw the store walls closing in on them, others felt the floor turning into quicksand beneath their feet, and some started to panic as their shadows suddenly came to life and chased them through the store. Chaos erupted in the supermarket. Screams of horror, cries, and laughter mingled together in a chaotic symphony. Amidst it all, Megan stood like a statue, her heart filled with pain but also a slight sense of relief. For a brief moment, she had let out her frustration, showing these people that she and her friends were not defenseless.
But that moment of power came at a cost. Deep down, she knew that each such act pushed them further away from a world that already rejected them. She folded her wings back, feeling both physically and emotionally exhausted, and made her way toward the exit, where Hope and Jessica were waiting for her. In their eyes, she saw concern and understanding. She knew that they would be her support, even in the face of a world so full of hatred.
The three friends, along with the stranger who had come to their aid, made their way to a nearby park perched on a hill overlooking the supermarket. Jessica, though feeling much better, was gently persuaded by the others to lie down for a bit on a bench under the shade of a sprawling oak tree. The guy handed her a bottle of water, his expression kind yet slightly distant.
"Thank you for everything…" Jessica murmured, still a little shaken but grateful.
"We all thank you," Hope added, fanning herself with the book she had taken from the bookstore.
"No need to thank me… It was nice to help out such cool girls," the stranger replied, his deep, black eyes meeting theirs with a mixture of warmth and mystery. In the distance, the wailing sirens of police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances could be heard, a chaotic symphony that contrasted sharply with the calm of the park. Dozens of people were still frantically running around the supermarket parking lot, many still under the influence of the hallucinogenic dust Pixie had unleashed.
Megan herself sat huddled at the edge of the bench, her wings folded tightly against her back as if trying to make herself as small as possible. Her head was buried in her hands, the weight of what had happened pressing heavily on her shoulders.
"You really stirred up a lot of trouble back there," the stranger remarked, though there was no accusation in his tone, just an observation.
"I know… It turned out badly. This definitely won't help the image of mutants in society," Hope said, her voice tinged with regret as she placed a comforting hand on Megan's back. "It's not your fault. You were scared, and you had every right to defend yourself," she added, trying to soothe her friend's troubled mind.
Megan wiped the tears from her eyes, but the sadness remained. "It's not just that… I can't take it anymore, all this hatred. It's like a poison that seeps into everything…"
Jessica, sensing the depth of her friend's despair, rose from the bench, her strength seemingly restored. "We can head back to the school now. I'm feeling much better," she declared, though a trace of weariness still clung to her voice.
"Are you sure you shouldn't go to a hospital, just to get checked out?" the guy asked, genuine concern in his voice.
"We have the best doctor at our school," Preview replied firmly, leaving no room for further discussion.
The man hesitated for a moment before offering, "Listen, I could walk you back to the Institute gates. I'd like to make sure you get there safely, that nothing bad happens on the way." He smiled at them, and there was something reassuring in the way he spoke, though his offer also carried a hint of something more.
Megan and Hope exchanged glances, unsure how to respond to the unexpected offer. There was a moment of silence before Jessica, to their surprise, spoke up.
"Of course! We'd appreciate that," she said, her tone uncharacteristically warm toward a stranger.
The other girls were taken aback by Jessica's response, knowing how she usually disliked being around people she didn't know. It was unlike her to accept help so readily, but maybe the day's events had softened her usual defenses.
As Hope approached the guy, she placed the book in his hand. "Hey, could you return this somehow? I don't want to be called a thief on the news…"
"No problem!" The dark-haired grinned, taking the book with a casual confidence. He then walked up the small hill, his eyes scanning the chaotic scene below. Spotting a group of people near the store's entrance, he drew his arm back and hurled the book with surprising force. It soared through the air, carried by his strength and the wind, before landing with a loud thud amidst the crowd. The noise of the ongoing commotion masked the impact, leaving no one the wiser.
Hope burst into laughter at the sight, the tension of the day momentarily lifting as the absurdity of the situation set in. The stranger's actions brought a brief, much-needed moment of levity to the girls, reminding them that, despite everything, they still had each other — and that even in the midst of chaos, there was room for a little bit of mischief.
As the girls reached the gates of the Xavier Institute, dark clouds gathered in the sky, blocking out the sun. The temperature dropped suddenly, and the sharp wind hinted at the inevitable arrival of rain. The atmosphere was heavy, filled with a sense of foreboding, making the girls feel uneasy. The mysterious guy who had accompanied them this far paused at the gate, looking up at the school building as if contemplating whether to enter. After a moment, he decided to say his goodbyes, turning to face the girls.
"Thank you for everything," Hope said, her voice carrying in the cold air. "Don't you want to come inside?"
"No, this is your place, not mine," the mysterious man replied with a smile that didn't quite reach his deep, dark eyes. There was something about him that made him seem both close and distant, as if he harbored some dark secret. The girls watched him as he turned away, and Hope asked someone to call Dr. McCoy before leading her friends into the main building, eager to escape the growing chill outside.
Meanwhile, not far away, WolfCub had just finished playing soccer. Tired but content, he was heading toward the dorms when a strange scent suddenly hit him, carried by the strong gust of wind. The scent was sharp, almost metallic, mixed with something dark and unsettling. WolfCub froze in his tracks, a shiver running down his spine. His heart began to race, and a primal sense of unease washed over him. Without thinking, he took off running toward the gate, adrenaline coursing through his veins. "WolfCub! What's wrong? Come back!" Match shouted after him, trying to keep up, but Nicholas wasn't listening. His mind was focused on one thing: finding the source of that scent. Something told him this was no ordinary passerby.
"Everyone get back to the school! Look at what they're showing on the news! The mess the Paragons girls made in the city!" a voice shouted from the distance, belonging to a mutant with skin as hard as rock, but WolfCub ignored him. His thoughts were consumed by the need to identify the threat. As he burst through the gates, his eyes immediately locked onto the target — a tall guy who had just escorted the girls back to the Institute. Nicholas felt his hackles rise, every muscle in his body tensing, ready for a fight. He growled low and threateningly, his senses sharpened, every nerve on edge.
"Stop!" he barked, his voice filled with tension. "I don't know who you are, but I can feel there's something evil lurking inside you!" He clenched his fists, preparing to attack if necessary. "Get out of here before I call the X-Men!" he added, snarling.
The dark-haired man slowly turned to face him, an ironic smile playing on his lips as if mocking his threats. For a moment, the two stood in silence, staring each other down. Then, with a sneer, the stranger whispered with disdain, "Freak..."
With that single word, he turned and walked away, as if WolfCub posed no threat at all, just a minor inconvenience on his path. Nicholas stood there for several minutes, his thoughts a whirlwind of confusion. Who was that guy? Why had his presence triggered such intense, negative emotions? Though his senses remained on high alert, he felt that something disturbing had just occurred, something that could have serious consequences. Finally, trembling with a mix of anger and anxiety, Nicholas slowly returned to the Institute, his mind lingering on the man he had just encountered.
The girls waited anxiously outside the infirmary. Dr. McCoy appeared as quickly as he could. He was a large mutant, covered head to toe in blue fur, with a face resembling that of a lion. His keen eyes, framed by glasses, looked at them with concern.
"Your friend called for me. Come in, Jessica, I'll examine you right away," he said in a calm but firm tone. "I've also heard about what happened at the supermarket. The TV keeps showing that unfortunate scene every few minutes. Don't you think you owe Scott Summers or your supervisor an explanation?" He looked at the group of young mutants standing beside his patient.
Without a word, Jessica entered the doctor's office, her face weary and pained. Meanwhile, Megan, overwhelmed by the growing crowd around her, suddenly broke down. Tears streamed down her face, and she cried out, "I'm sorry!" before running toward the exit, bumping into Mark as she fled.
"Megan?! What's wrong?" Mark called after her, but she didn't answer, continuing to run as if trying to escape her own emotions.
DJ, who had just approached Hope and Beast, noticed the commotion. "What happened to her? She was crying like a child," he said, hoping someone had answers. At that moment, he noticed Jessica, who looked utterly exhausted.
"Jessie? How are you feeling? I heard about what happened..." he began, but Dr. McCoy quickly intervened, cutting him off.
"Everyone, calm down," he said firmly. "Jessica needs rest now, and I need peace to examine her." Gently but firmly, he ushered everyone out of the office. He turned to Jessica, inviting her into the infirmary, and was about to close the door when Hope gently stopped him.
"Please, Dr. McCoy," she said quietly but with determination. "Let me stay with her. I'll explain everything. I'll tell you what happened in that supermarket. Please..."
Beast hesitated, studying her face, which was filled with desperation and concern. Finally, he nodded.
"All right. But afterward, you need to report to Scott Summers and Miss Shan, understood?"
"Yes," Hope replied, breathing a sigh of relief. She then turned to Mark. "Mark, please... check on Megan. She needs you now more than ever."
Mark hesitated, feeling torn between the desire to help and his own uncertainties. Megan was important to him, and he knew that now he had a chance to get closer to her, but he wasn't sure if it was the right thing to do. In the end, he decided to go after her.
Outside, distant thunder rumbled, and flashes of lightning briefly illuminated the somber sky. The rain, which had started gently, suddenly turned into a violent downpour, drenching the Institute in a veil of gray and overwhelming sadness.
Megan burst into her room, her breath catching in her throat as she barely made it to her bed before collapsing onto it. She curled up tightly into a ball, wrapping her wings around herself like a shield, trying to shut out the world. The tears came hard and fast, each sob wracking her body, making her tremble. She felt utterly alone, lost in her despair. Mark opened the door gently, careful not to startle her, and stepped inside with quiet, deliberate steps. His heart clenched at the sight of her trembling form, her small frame shaking with the force of her sobs. He sat down beside her. Tentatively, he placed a hand on her back, offering comfort in the only way he knew how. It wasn't until she felt the warmth of his touch that Megan realized she wasn't alone. Slowly, she unfurled her wings, her tear-streaked face emerging from the protective cocoon she had made. Her eyes, red and swollen from crying, met his.
"Don't cry, Megan," Mark whispered, his voice soft and soothing. "It's over now. Tomorrow will be a better day."
Megan, still trembling, buried her face against his chest, seeking solace in his embrace. The warmth and strength of his arms around her offered a small reprieve from the overwhelming pain she felt. Mark was momentarily surprised by the intensity of her need, but he quickly tightened his embrace, holding her close, as if he could shield her from the world.
"Here, put these on," he said gently, offering her his music player and headphones. "Maybe some music will help you relax."
Megan glanced at the headphones through a veil of tears, frustration bubbling up inside her. "How is that supposed to help?" she snapped, her voice cracking as she angrily knocked the headphones to the floor. The anger was a brief flare, quickly swallowed by the deep well of sorrow inside her. Mark watched her, understanding that she needed something more than just distractions.
"Please, Megan, don't cry," he pleaded, his voice earnest. "You didn't do anything wrong. You were scared, and you had every right to defend yourself. If I had been there, I would have done the same. Those people... they don't understand. I saw the news; they're making you out to be a monster, and it made me sick... but it's over now. You're safe."
Megan suddenly pulled away, her face contorted with a mix of anger and pain. "It's never going to be okay!" she cried out, her voice shaking. "I'm a freak, Mark! A mutant! That's all they'll ever see! The insults, the hate... it's never going to end!"
Mark looked into her eyes, his expression serious and unwavering. "You know there will always be someone willing to stand up for you, no matter what."
Megan's eyes widened in surprise at his words, her anger momentarily giving way to something softer, more fragile. Before she could respond, Mark leaned in and kissed her, his lips gentle but filled with emotion. Megan hesitated, then melted into the kiss, her arms wrapping around him as she allowed herself to be comforted by his presence. Her tears continued to fall, but the pain in her heart eased just a little. When they finally parted, Mark looked at her with a deep, serious expression. "Those people were right about one thing," he said quietly, his voice filled with sincerity. "You're different, Megan. But that's what makes you incredible. I didn't realize it at first, but now I know — I love you, Megan." He pulled her close again, kissing her deeply, and this time Megan wrapped her wings around them both, creating a small world where only they existed. She didn't want to think about the cruelty of the world outside, not now. In his arms, she found a brief escape from the harsh reality she had faced, and she knew deep down that she would never want to let him go.
Dr. Henry McCoy activated the array of advanced diagnostic tools in his medical lab. He examined Jessica's body using a medical scanner gifted by Reed Richards, along with a scanning device provided by the Shi'Ar Empire and modified by the inventor Forge. These sophisticated technologies were capable of detecting any illness, even in its earliest stages. McCoy also conducted traditional medical tests, but despite his best efforts, he couldn't determine the cause of Jessica's collapse in the supermarket. As he worked, he attentively listened to Hope's account of what had transpired in the city.
Jessica, peeking out from behind the futuristic equipment, tried to mask her unease with a touch of irony. "Dr. McCoy, how much time do I have left?" she asked with a smile.
"Your body is completely healthy, Jessica," Hank responded calmly. "Apart from some irritation in your mucous membranes caused by allergies. Seriously, I haven't found any cause for your collapse. Whatever caused it didn't originate from within your body. I recommend you rest for a few more hours until Miss Frost returns to the institute. She'll examine you telepathically."
"Ugh..." Jessica groaned, clearly displeased at the thought of spending more time in isolation.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to discuss something with your friend regarding your unfortunate incident," McCoy said, placing his furry hand on Hope's shoulder as he led her toward the exit.
"I'll be right back," Trance assured Jessica with a comforting smile before following them out.
Meanwhile, more young mutants were gathering in the hallway outside the infirmary, having learned about the morning's events in the city from the news or their peers. Among them were Match and WolfCub, who, despite not being present during the incident, were bombarded with questions. Nicholas shared his encounter at the institute's gate with his Julian Keller. Their conversation was overheard by other students.
"The guy you described came to the school with the girls from your group," said Icarus.
"What? That's impossible. Are you sure?" Nick asked, his concern growing. Icarus nodded, confirming the information. "There was something dark in his eyes," Nick raised his voice. "I could feel such intense hostility from him…"
"He brought our girls here?" Match frowned, thinking deeply. "So he must have met them at the store when it happened…"
"Are you thinking that he…?" Nick asked, looking at Match.
"He might have had something to do with the crowd's reaction and the girls' behavior," Ben finished his sentence, voicing what everyone was beginning to suspect.
"We should ask a telepath to check the minds of Jessie, Megan, and Hope," Hellion suggested, and the others nodded, knowing that the situation needed immediate attention.
Beast was wrapping up a difficult conversation with Hope. As she listened, her gaze drifted to a framed photograph on the wall, showing the original X-Men in their yellow and blue costumes, standing alongside Professor Xavier. Four boys and one red-haired girl.
"Scott Summers, Miss Grey, Iceman, that rich guy with wings, and the last one... Could that be Dr. McCoy? Before he looked like he does now?" Her eyes lingered on the face of the young, smiling boy in glasses.
"I won't give you the whole speech about power and responsibility that Mr. Summers might," Henry said, chuckling softly. "Or Xavier's dream and how we're supposed to uphold it. I'm trying to shake the reputation of being the school's resident chatterbox."
He paused, his tone becoming more serious. "But I will say this: no matter how we handle people like that, we can't lower ourselves to their level."
Though Hope seemed lost in thought, she heard every word. Tears welled up in her green eyes.
"That's easy for you to say. You're known, you're an X-Man, you were an Avenger, a hero. We're not that strong... We have to deal with situations like that in our own way. You've never felt that kind of hostility, never heard those insults..." Her voice trailed off as she bit her lip, realizing what she had just said. She looked at Dr. McCoy, his body covered in blue fur, his face resembling that of a lion.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, ashamed.
Henry gave her a gentle, understanding smile. "Let me tell you about something that happened to me in a bookstore once. I was browsing the latest publication on electronic configurations in nanoscale structures when a young man, clearly not the sharpest tool in the shed, threw a ball of yarn at me and said, 'Here, kitty, kitty.' I tossed it back to him, politely informing him that my expertise was in biochemistry, molecular biology, and physics, not knitting."
Hope stifled a laugh, imagining the scene. "I bet his face was priceless."
They both burst into laughter, the tension between them easing.
"I'll talk to Scott about what happened," McCoy assured her. "For now, go check on Jessica, and then both of you take some time to relax. Don't worry about anything."
"Dr. McCoy... thank you... and I'm sorry..."
"I told you, there's nothing to apologize for."
"That's not what I meant, Doctor. You see, when I first came here, I was afraid of you. Even in class, I felt uncomfortable. But now I realize you're the coolest teacher."
Henry smiled warmly, touched by her words. Hope said her goodbyes and returned to the room where Jessica was resting.
A sizeable crowd of students had gathered in front of the infirmary, and the noise level was rising as everyone tried to speak louder than the others. The news about the mysterious guy had spread quickly throughout the school, and many of those gathered were in an aggressive mood.
"We have to find him! We'll force him to tell us what he did to the girls!" Melody Guthrie shouted, a mutant girl with brown hair.
"Nick, do you remember his scent? Can you lead us to him?" Ben asked.
"Of course I remember. That stench is unforgettable," replied Nicholas.
"We'll show him what it means to be a freak," Julian Keller added.
At that moment, Megan Gwynn alias Pixie and Mark Sheppard joined the group. They were holding hands, and Megan quickly realized what the gathering was about. She decided to defend the stranger.
"It's not like that! You don't understand! That guy helped us. He carried Jessie out of the store before the crowd could do anything to her. He's different; he's not afraid of us, he doesn't hate us…" Pixie tried to explain.
"Really?" WolfCub retorted angrily. "Then why did he look at me with disgust and call me a freak when I met him?"
"He was so nice to us… If it weren't for him, the mob could've hurt Jessie…" Pixie replied, confused by WolfCub's response. The students erupted into an uproar, each trying to assert their own view.
"Quiet down! Paragons stay here! The rest of you, return to the dorms!" The telepathic shout cut through the chaos, reaching everyone's minds. At the end of the corridor stood Emma Frost, dressed in white, with Shan Coy Manh, a few steps behind her.
"Miss Frost! I can explain everything…" Megan began, but Frost silenced her with a gesture.
"There's no need, Megan. I read everything from your mind as soon as I arrived. The matter at the store will be handled later. What I'm more interested in right now is what you were talking about. Could you clarify that for me, Nicholas?" Emma asked WolfCub.
WolfCub nodded and stepped forward, ready to explain the situation to his teacher.
Jessica lay quietly on the hospital bed. Outside, the rain was pouring down, casting a gray and dreary atmosphere. Tree branches, whipped by gusts of wind, repeatedly struck the window, producing a disconcerting sound. Jessica stared at the ceiling, lost in thought. Her brown eyes hinted at an internal struggle, as if she was trying to recall something important but couldn't grasp it. Suddenly, her face paled, as though she had remembered something terrifying or unsettling.
Hope quietly approached her bed, careful not to disturb her. She sat beside her and leaned in slightly.
"What's wrong, Jessie? Are you feeling unwell? You're so pale," she asked, looking into her friend's eyes. Jessica didn't respond, seemingly oblivious to Hope's presence.
"Did you see something? Have a vision?" Trance asked, her voice filled with concern. At that moment, tears welled up in Jessica's dark eyes.
"Nothing… I didn't see anything, and I still can't…" A tear rolled down her cheek as she turned her head towards Hope. "Hope, I think…" Her voice trembled as she struggled to speak. "I think I've lost my abilities."
Hope, terrified, bolted out of the room. Seeing her teammates talking with Frost, she felt a glimmer of hope.
"Miss Frost, please come quickly! Jessica… Jessica thinks she's lost her powers."
Emma rushed into the hospital room, followed closely by the others. Frost sat down beside Jessica, instructing her to lie back and relax. She closed her eyes, focusing her telepathic abilities, and delved into Jessica's mind. After a few minutes, she opened her eyes, clearly astonished.
"What's wrong with her, Emma?" Shan asked, her voice laced with worry. Everyone stared at Emma, anxiously awaiting her response.
"Nothing… absolutely nothing. I can't reach her mind, it's as if something is shielding her from me, like she's behind a mental barrier," Emma said, bewildered.
"Jessie, try to relax," Shan urged, her voice gentle yet firm.
At that moment, a girl dressed in a blue denim jacket and jeans entered the room. She had black hair and brown eyes, looking strikingly similar to Jessica.
"I was on a trip with the group. I came as soon as I heard what happened. Jessica, are you okay?" she asked, concern evident in her voice.
Preview glanced at the newcomer.
"I'm fine, Sarah," she replied quickly and curtly before getting out of bed. Emma tried to stop her, wanting to delve deeper into her consciousness, but Shan stepped in her way.
"Not today. She needs to rest," Shan said firmly.
Jessica hurried out of the room, overwhelmed by the presence of so many people in the small space. She walked past her look-alike in silence, and Hope noticed the tears glistening in the corners of her friend's eyes.
"She's probably gone back to her room. I'll go check on her," Hope said, worry etched in her voice. The rain continued to beat against the windows, and distant thunder rumbled as the storm moved back over the Institute.
When Trance returned to the dorm, she found Jessica sobbing at her desk. The girl clutched a crumpled photograph in her hand, her tears having ruined her makeup entirely. She knew Hope was there, standing by her side, seeing her in such a broken state, but she didn't care. Something inside Jessica had shattered, and she could no longer hold back the torrent of emotions swirling within her.
"Why do I always have to end up as a freak? A fucking outcast?" she choked out through her tears. Hope moved closer, hesitantly reaching out to touch her.
"What are you talking about, Jessie?"
"Even when I was little, I was different, always liking things that other girls didn't. Always being pointed at, singled out…" she said, closing her eyes as she crumpled the photo slightly in her grip. She decided to let it all out, to scream out everything that had been festering inside her.
"Do you want to hear the story of a cursed girl?" she asked, her voice heavy with bitterness. Hope nodded, her heart aching for her friend. She couldn't help but recall Emma Frost's words from the previous day, echoing in her mind.
"When I was 15, my parents split up, and I moved to New Mexico with my mom. Once again, I was the outsider, the freak who came out of nowhere. But this time, I met an amazing friend… We understood each other without words."
"Is that her?" Hope glanced at the photo. It showed a younger Jessica, dressed in a light shirt, alongside another girl clad entirely in black, with dark, heavy makeup.
"She taught me how to distance myself from the cruel reality and the nasty people around us. Thanks to her, I was reborn… But two years later… my abilities fully manifested. Before that, I only had prophetic dreams, which I didn't take seriously, but at 17, I started having visions —vivid, real visions that always came true. One day, I had a vision of Michelle's death on the street. I called her, begged her to be careful. She listened to me. She stayed home, helping her mom in the garden. And that's when it happened… Some crazy motherfucker lost control of his fucking car and drove into the garden. She died instantly."
Jessica's voice broke as she recounted the event. Tears streamed down her face, forming two sorrowful rivers.
"If I hadn't begged her to stay home that day, she'd still be alive. I was responsible for her death."
Hope went pale at Jessica's words.
"That's not true…" she whispered, her voice trembling.
"To make it worse, people found out about my abilities and started a 'witch hunt.' The whole fucking town. I couldn't take it anymore. I wanted to join Michelle."
Jessica showed Hope the scars on her wrists. Fear gripped Hope even tighter, rendering her speechless as she struggled to process what she was seeing and hearing.
"I failed, just like I fail at everything else in my fucked up life. A janitor found me too soon and called for help. I ended up in the hospital. A week on an IV and then two more weeks of mind-numbing, useless talks with a fucking psychologist. Word got around, and eventually, people from Xavier's Institute came to my hospital room — Scott Summers and Jean Grey. They promised to transfer me to your school. At first, I didn't care. I was indifferent to everything around me and to myself. But eventually, things started to change… I belonged here, even if only as a freak among freaks. For once, I didn't feel hunted. But now… now everything will change."
"Jessica, don't say that. Nothing's changed, and nothing will."
"It's so ironic… My fucking power, which took everything precious from me, also helped me find a place where I belonged. And now it's over… When Frost finds out I'm not a mutant, she'll kick me out of the school. I'll lose everything again…" Jessica began to sob even harder, her body shaking with the force of her grief.
"Damn it, I don't want anyone to see me like this…" she muttered. "This is the first time I've told anyone about all of this, besides some fucking shrink. I'm going against my own nature, but somehow, it doesn't bother me."
Trance still didn't know how to navigate such a heavy conversation with her friend.
"Jessie, I'm your friend. This will never leave this room," she assured her, pulling Jessica into a tight embrace. She could feel Jessica trembling and held her even closer, resting her forehead against Jessica's.
"You don't even know if you've lost anything. Frost and Dr. McCoy will figure out what's happening to you. They'll find a way to help. And even if they don't, nothing will change between us."
Jessica pulled away from Hope's embrace, walked over to the bed, and sat down, drawing her knees up to her chest. Hope quickly joined her, hugging her tightly once more. This time, Jessica didn't resist the closeness. Deep down, she knew she needed it. She rested her head on Hope's chest, and Trance began to gently play with her hair.
"Nothing will change between us… except maybe for the better," she whispered softly.
Night had fallen, and the silver Moon reigned high in the sky, flooding the surroundings with its serene light. In the girls' room, the night lamp was still on. Hope sat on the bed, absorbed in her book, while Jessica, exhausted from the day's events, lay on her back with her eyes closed, trying to fall asleep. Both were silent, as if their earlier conversation had never taken place. Jessica wanted it that way, and Hope respected her wish. After a while, Jessie got up, put on her slippers, and headed for the door.
"I thought you were asleep. Where are you going?" Hope asked, concerned.
"To the toilet," Jessica replied reluctantly. Seeing the growing concern in her friend's eyes, she added, "Don't worry about me. I'm not going to do anything stupid."
Jessica reached the bathroom, where silence was interrupted only by the soft sound of dripping water. It was late, so all the stalls were empty. She chose the one at the end of the row, closed the door behind her, pulled her pants down and sat on the toilet, resting her elbows on her knees. This place, though unassuming, was a temporary refuge where she could escape the world around her. Her mind quickly returned to the events of the day, particularly that strange vision in the supermarket. The image of a man with black hair against a blindingly white background appeared in her head. He seemed to exist outside of time, outside of reality, suspended somewhere in a void. This image made Jessica uneasy, as if someone had deliberately planted this vision in her mind, and she couldn't understand its meaning. She felt it was some kind of clue, something she was supposed to decipher.
"Why did I see something that has already happened? That's impossible..." she thought, trying to understand why her abilities were suddenly acting so strangely. Not long ago, visions of the future came naturally, like breathing, without the slightest effort on her part. But now, faced with the loss of her powers, Jessica felt lost, as if someone had cut her off from a world that was once open to her. She closed her eyes and tried to concentrate on her abilities again, hoping she could summon even the briefest glimpse of the future. Anything that would reassure her that everything was still okay. But her mind was filled with nothing but emptiness. No images, no visions. Nothing, as if her gift had suddenly become inaccessible. Anger and frustration began to build. She punched the wall of the stall, but it brought only momentary relief. The feeling of helplessness returned, the same one she felt when her abilities first manifested. She felt threatened again, and the fear returned. To make matters worse, it seemed to her that it was getting colder around her, as if the temperature in the bathroom had suddenly dropped. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to regain some warmth, but the cold seemed to seep into her very core. Finally, left the stall, and washed her hands at the sink. The cold water on her hands brought a brief sensation of freshness. She then slowly made her way back through the darkened corridor to her room. When she reached the door, she gently pushed it open, and the creak of the hinges seemed incredibly loud in the silence of the hallway. She peeked inside. The room was shrouded in dim light, and Hope was already asleep. This struck Jessica as strange since her friend had been reading when she left.
"It's impossible that I was in the bathroom for so long. It was just a few minutes."
Jessica felt deeply unsettled, the coldness around her intensifying. Everything seemed surreal, as if she were in a dream. Suddenly, a loud clatter echoed through the hallway, as something fell to the floor. Curiosity piqued, she left her room to investigate. She noticed one of the windows was open, and beneath it, a fallen cactus pot lay on the ground. The moonlight streamed in through the window, casting a long, dark shadow that slithered across the floor. The window rattled under the force of the wind, and the curtains swayed as if they were alive. Jessie slowly made her way toward it, feeling an inexplicable force drawing her in, something she couldn't resist. In the distance, she could hear the howling of a stray dog. The silver Moon reflected in the girl's pupils as she knelt beside the pot and picked it up. Suddenly, an overwhelming sensation compelled her to look directly at the window, as she keenly sensed someone's presence. In the window, or rather floating just outside it, stood a young man dressed entirely in black. He had long black hair and deep brown eyes. His dark cloak billowed in the wind. He extended his hand toward Jessica. She found herself unable to move, as if paralyzed, her limbs frozen by some unseen force. She gazed at the stranger's face, bathed in the silver glow of the Moon. Hypnotized, she slowly reached out her hand toward his. Their hands met in a moment of absolute silence. Jessica felt a strange sensation, as though everything around her was dissolving, and she was slipping into a dream. The stranger smiled at her. A powerful wind suddenly rose, but to Jessica, it felt gentle, like the touch of feathers. Holding the man's hand, she felt as though she were touching a cold stream, her mind clearing of all thoughts. Minutes passed, stretching into what felt like eternity. When she regained her senses, she realized she was no longer at the school. She was soaring among the clouds, carried by an invisible force, with the stranger flying beside her. She looked down, but there was nothing below except a sea of clouds. The guy smiled at her again.
"Enjoying the ride?" he asked.
Jessie could now think clearly.
"Who are you?! What the hell do you want with me?!"
The young man raised a hand, signaling her to be quiet. "Look!" he pointed above her.
Without thinking, she obeyed. Above her, the sky stretched out, a sea of stars sparkling like jewels. Dominating the scene was a massive Moon, glowing as if made of precious stone. Meteors streaked across the sky, leaving trails of light in their wake.
"Beautiful..." Jessie was mesmerized by the sight, momentarily forgetting the strange situation she was in. She turned her head to the man. His eyes shone like stars.
"The real sky, isn't it?" he whispered to her.
He drifted closer, wrapping his arms around her, and kissed her gently on the lips. The touch was so tender that Jessie didn't pull away. She felt warmth spreading through her, and she wanted the moment to last forever.
She opened her eyes and found herself in the middle of a desert, standing on a highway that stretched endlessly toward the horizon. The only light came from the stars and the moon, shining as brightly as they had during her "skyward journey." Jessica looked around, searching for her mysterious companion. She spotted him standing in the shadows, a short distance away. He remained silent.
"Who are you? What do you really want from me? Why did you bring me to this place?" she demanded, trying to hide her fear, but her voice faltered, betraying her emotions.
"I am your dream," the stranger replied calmly, approaching her. He gently took a strand of her hair in his hand, examining it with a subtle tenderness. "In your eyes, I see deep pain and sadness, Jessica. Looking into them, I can see a past full of fear and rejection."
Jessica's anger flared. She quickly pulled away from him. "You're a telepath, aren't you?! How dare you dig into my memories, you bastard!" she shouted, her eyes flashing with rage.
The man simply smiled.
"I am your dream, a part of you. Your memories are mine as well. Remember that."
Jessica was frightened and didn't know how to respond. She wanted to call out for help from her friends, the X-Men, or Emma Frost, but she knew it was impossible. The man touched her eyelids with his fingertips. Memories from Jessica's life began to flash before her eyes:
She saw herself as a little girl, walking alone, away from the other children. No one spoke to her; no one understood her interests... Playing with her sister, feeling happiness... A dream where her parents separated, which later became a reality... Crying for her sister and father... Being attacked by the townspeople, the children's laughter at her family's struggles... Her mother's tears... The first days at a new school, facing rejection, and her growing abilities... Fortune-telling for the girls, initially seen as a game, but later proving true and leading to isolation... Until she was completely alone... Michelle's extended hand and the beginning of a true friendship... Her transformation —c hanging her style of dress and way of life... Hiding from the world behind a tough exterior... Michelle's tragic death and the guilt that followed... Jessica's abilities being revealed... Michelle's mother striking her, calling her a witch... Blood running down Jessica's lip... The town's hatred toward her and her mother... Reaching her breaking point... Attempting to take her own life... Her mother's tears and the hospital... The first day at Xavier's school... Her empty eyes, void of any emotion...
"Stop it!" Jessica screamed, shoving the stranger away with all her strength. "No one gave you the right to dig through my memories!"
She opened her eyes again. She was standing in the school hallway. The stranger was hovering near the window.
"You've endured so much pain from the people of this world. Wouldn't you like to go to a place where you would always be happy? Where everyone would live just for you? Think about it."
Jessica remained silent. The stranger turned his back to her and began to fade into the darkness.
"Wait... Will I be able to see you again?"
"Yes. All you have to do is say my name. Sleepwalker." He gave her a parting smile before disappearing into the night.