Chapter 4 - Freaks II

Hope lay in her bed, finally succumbing to a deep sleep after hours of battling the chaotic swirl of thoughts that had tormented her since her roommate's disappearance. As she slept, a dream unfolded, drawing her into a strange and unsettling landscape. She found herself walking along a deserted street in a small, unfamiliar town. The air was thick with an eerie stillness, and there wasn't a single soul in sight. It was as if the town had been abandoned, or its inhabitants were deliberately avoiding her, keeping to the shadows. The world around her was washed in muted tones, like an old photograph faded by the passage of time. The buildings, the road, even the sky seemed drained of color, leaving only shades of gray and a sense of creeping despair. Hope paused, a growing unease settling in her chest. She glanced around nervously, feeling as if something — or someone — was watching her. Then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw a figure standing a short distance away. It was a girl in a sleeveless black dress, her form pale and ghostly against the dull backdrop. The figure drifted toward her, gliding silently as if her feet never touched the ground. When she reached Hope, she lifted a cold, pale hand and gently touched Hope's cheek. The touch sent a shiver down Hope's spine. She looked closer and saw the scars on the girl's wrists — thin, jagged lines that seemed almost too real in this dreamlike world.

"Jessie? Is that you? What are you doing here?" Hope's voice trembled with a mix of confusion and fear, her words barely a whisper.

"This is where I lived with Michelle," the shadowy figure replied, her voice hollow and distant. "This is Salvation. This is where it all began." She spoke without meeting Hope's gaze, her eyes lost somewhere in the darkness around them.

A cold, biting wind swept through the town, carrying with it the scent of decay and sorrow. The light began to fade, as if the world itself were being swallowed by an encroaching darkness. Hope jolted awake, her breath coming in rapid, shallow gasps. Her skin was slick with sweat, and her heart pounded in her chest. She sat up in bed, desperately trying to calm herself, but the unease lingered. She knew, with a sinking certainty, that sleep would not come again until dawn.

News of Jessica Vale's mysterious disappearance or possible escape spread quickly throughout the school. Despite Hope and her friends' best efforts to keep the information hidden from their supervisors, it was impossible to maintain secrecy with so many telepaths around. By noon the day after the mutant girl vanished, Emma Frost summoned Shan to her office. Shan was visibly anxious; she never enjoyed meeting with Emma, and the current situation only heightened her unease. The two women sat across from each other at Frost's desk, tension hanging heavy in the air.

"Are you certain Jessica's disappearance wasn't orchestrated by her friends in the group?" Emma asked, her voice cold and probing.

"Why are you asking me?" Shan shot back, her frustration evident. "Wouldn't it be easier to summon the Paragons and read their minds instead?"

"Shan, I'm trying to gather as many details as possible about Jessica's disappearance. This is crucial for her safety. Please, don't make this harder than it needs to be," Emma replied, striving to maintain her composure, though the tension in her tone was unmistakable.

"It's impossible. Hope found out about your decision regarding Jessica. She accidentally overheard our conversation yesterday. She wanted to warn Jessica and come up with a plan with the group, but she didn't have time. She only told me she saw Jessica leaving the school gates with that young guy they met at the store during those events."

Emma crossed her arms, studying Shan closely.

"If that's what you believe... " she responded thoughtfully. "Now we just need to identify who that guy was and what drove Jessica to flee..."

Shan abruptly stood up, her emotions bubbling to the surface. Her face was a mix of anger and frustration.

"Is this some kind of joke? You know well that it was your decision to isolate her that made her run away! I warned you that Jessica's psyche was deeply scarred, and that we couldn't predict how she'd react to something like this! You knew that perfectly well!" Shan's words spilled out with unrestrained anger.

Emma's patience was wearing thin. Her voice took on a sharper edge.

"Shan... I don't appreciate your tone. I said that until we find out what happened to her powers and who or what..."

Shan cut her off harshly:

"You should be pleased. Jessica is no longer a threat to your school. One way or another, you've achieved what you wanted!" Her words dripped with sarcasm and bitterness.

Emma's gaze hardened.

"Shan, I understand that you're upset, but I won't tolerate this kind of attitude any longer!" Her voice was firm, authoritative.

Shan turned to leave, throwing her final words. "You don't have to anymore!" she snapped. She had barely taken a few steps when she felt Emma telepathically seize control of her, forcing her to stop. But Shan quickly broke free from the mental hold. She spun around.

"Don't forget, I have psychic abilities too, and I was trained by the best," she said, locking eyes with Emma.

She stormed out of the office, slamming the door behind her, leaving a chilling silence in her wake.

The Paragons, along with Jessica's sister Sarah, gathered in Hope's dorm room. Hope sat curled up on Jessica's bed, clutching her missing roommate's music player tightly. Megan sat beside her, trying to offer comfort. Match and WolfCub took a seat on the other bed, while DJ stood by the window, staring out through the half-closed blinds. Sarah leaned against the desk, smoothing out a crumpled photo of Jessica and Michelle, her eyes fixed on her sister's image.

"Don't worry, Hope. Jessie will come back. A lot's been going on lately — maybe she just needed a break," Pixie said softly.

"Jessica's always been responsible. I'm sure she'll be okay," Match added, trying to reassure everyone.

"But why would she leave? She told me once that she felt good being with us. I can't believe she'd be so affected by Frost's decision," Hope replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Sarah put the photo back on the desk and looked around at the others. "If she's anything like our father, I'm not surprised by what she did. He left our mom and us without a word, like a coward. Maybe she's just like him..."

"Don't say that about her! What do you know about Jessie anyway? You weren't there when she needed a friend the most!" Hope snapped, her voice rising with anger. She threw the music player onto the pillow and stood face-to-face with Sarah, her astral form flickering as if ready to unleash her powers.

"I didn't mean to upset you. I didn't know you cared about her so much," Sarah said, her tone apologetic.

"Girls, please, don't fight," Megan interjected, trying to calm the situation. Mark turned away from the window and joined the conversation.

"Look, I think we're all just on edge. Maybe Jessie couldn't handle everything happening around her and just needed to clear her head. That guy showing up was just a convenient excuse. I bet he'll bring her back soon."

"No, she wouldn't just run off with a stranger," Nicholas finally spoke up, surprising everyone with his defense of Jessica.

"She wouldn't have left with someone she didn't know... and besides..." WolfCub trailed off, uncomfortable with the attention.

"I'm not saying this because I like her, but I met that guy. Every instinct I have told me to get away from him. Just being near him made my hair stand on end. I think he's influenced her somehow, and whatever he's planning, it's not good."

"That makes sense," Megan agreed. "Jessie lost her powers after meeting him, and she had that strange dream."

"We need to help her," Mark said, determination in his voice.

"But how? We have no idea where he took her," Hope replied, on the verge of tears.

"We can make an educated guess. If he wants something from Jessie, he might start by gaining her trust, maybe by taking her somewhere important to her," Match suggested.

"The only clue we have is that dream I told you about. I saw Jessica walking through that town, Salvation. I've never been there before, but Jessie mentioned she lived there with her mom and that's where she met Michelle," Hope added.

"I know where she's headed," Sarah said, holding up the crumpled photo from Jessica's desk. "Did she ever talk to you about her past?" she asked Hope.

"Yes, she told me about Michelle and that town, Salvation, in New Mexico."

"Then we have a lead. Jessica has mental abilities, so the dream could've been her way of sending you a message. We can catch a bus west, and WolfCub can track her scent once we're close," Sarah suggested.

"Of course I can!" WolfCub replied confidently. Hope wiped the tears from her eyes and smiled gratefully. "Thank you... all of you."

"As for transport, I have a friend in town who might be able to get us a car big enough for all of us," Mark offered. "I'll call him right now and let you know as soon as I've got something lined up."

"Good. Everyone, grab only what you absolutely need from your rooms — one small backpack each. Mark, you go take care of the car. We'll meet in the garden and leave as soon as we're all ready," Sarah instructed. Match walked over to her and gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

"Just remember, I'm still the leader of this group," he said with a playful wink.

The young mutants gathered in the institute's garden as quickly as they could. Megan and Mark arrived first, followed by Ben and Nicholas, and lastly, Sarah and Hope, each carrying a backpack or bag hastily filled with items that might come in handy for their journey. DJ was the first to speak.

"I called my friend, Adam. He said he'll bring a car that can fit all of us. We're supposed to meet him in town in two hours," Mark said.

"Great, good job, Mark," Sarah replied, expressing her approval.

"I heard that other groups of young mutants also went on missions like this to rescue their friends," Ben said.

"Then we'll keep the tradition alive," Mark added, pulling Megan close. "We're in for a big adventure," he said to her with a smile.

"Your adventure ends here," a familiar voice rang out. They all turned toward the gate, where Emma Frost was standing with Scott Summers. A few steps behind them was Shan.

"This isn't fair! You can't do this to us!" Hope shouted.

"Jessica is our friend! Shan, do something, please!" Megan added. The group couldn't accept the sudden end to their plans. Everyone was devastated and clearly disappointed by the unexpected decision of their mentors.

"The X-Men will handle Jessica's situation. You will stay at the school," Frost announced in a stern tone.

"Shan..." Hope pleaded with her mentor. Shan stepped forward, gently nudging Emma aside.

"Come with me. Let's talk in private," she said to her team. The Paragons obeyed and headed toward the school. Sarah lingered behind, unsure of how to act in the situation.

"You too, Sarah," Shan called out. The girl quickly joined her.

The young mutants followed their mentor to her office. Shan asked them to leave their belongings by the door and come closer to her desk. The group reluctantly complied.

"You have to understand me. I know Emma Frost was wrong in how she treated Jessica and made a mistake by seeing her as a threat to the school, but I agree with her that you need to stay here. Right now, intolerance against mutants is flaring up again. We don't know what dangers could be waiting for you on the road. Besides, we don't know who the guy Jessica left with really is. If he's dangerous, meeting him could put both Jessica and yourselves at risk..."

"Shan, you've told us so many times that the New Mutants always looked out for each other and were ready to sacrifice themselves for their friends," Match reminded her.

"And I've heard you guys also went on rescue missions for your friends without the teachers knowing," Mark added.

"You're right, boys, but those were different times. Besides, we made a lot of mistakes, and our actions were sometimes reckless. If we had listened to our teachers, maybe Doug Ramsey would still be alive. I regret some of the decisions my friends and I made."

"We're not looking to put ourselves in danger; we'll be careful," Megan assured her.

"We just want to find Jessie, talk to her, and bring her back to school," Hope added.

"We know where she probably went," Sarah informed Shan.

"My friend got us a car; it would be a shame to waste this chance," Mark mentioned.

"If that guy is dangerous, the presence of the X-Men might just provoke him. And then Preview could get hurt," WolfCub noted. Ben stepped closer to Shan, looking deep into her eyes.

"I know you're worried about us because you've lost so many friends, but think about how many you managed to save by acting against the teachers' orders. The New Mutants saved you too, didn't they? If they had listened to Xavier back then, maybe you'd still be trapped by the Shadow King..."

Nervousness appeared in Shan's eyes. The woman wavered slightly, then sat down in her chair, adjusting her hair. When she looked up, she saw six pairs of eyes pleading for permission to leave the Institute, six people ready to go rescue their friend.

"Frost will never allow this. She already carries the guilt of too many young mutants' deaths on her conscience. She wouldn't be able to bear another loss. I can't stand up for you," Shan said calmly.

"I'll talk to her myself," Ben said, smiling at his teammates.

As the Paragons left Shan's office, Match asked Mark for a quick private conversation. The boy quickly realized what the group's leader wanted to discuss.

"I'll go talk to Emma Frost. Maybe I can convince her to let us search for Jessica, but I don't have much hope," Ben said, looking at Mark.

"Do you think Frost will give in?" Mark asked, a hint of skepticism in his voice.

"I don't think so. But maybe I can buy us some time, and you'll have a chance to act. Tell the others to be ready. We'll meet at the gate when the time comes."

"This might work... Good luck, Ben," Mark replied.

"You too," Ben responded, then turned and headed toward Frost's office, leaving Mark, who immediately ran to relay the message to the rest of the group.

Match stood at the front of the door leading to Emma Frost's office, nerves gnawing at him. The flames surrounding his head flared and dimmed erratically, mirroring his inner turmoil. Several times, he reached out to knock, but something held him back. Finally, the door swung open on its own as Emma, sensing his presence telepathically, invited him in. He stepped into the room, his movements hesitant as he glanced around before taking a seat at her desk.

"I can guess what you want to discuss, Benjamin," Emma began calmly. "I assure you, we'll do everything we can to find your friend."

"I know that, but it's really important to us… It would be ideal for both us and Jessica if we could be the ones to find her," Ben managed to express his plea. Emma leaned back in her chair, her gaze steady.

"You know that's impossible," she replied firmly. "I can't allow my students to put themselves in harm's way. The role of this school has long since changed. We're no longer training the next generation of X-Men, but rather mutants who will live and thrive in society."

"Exactly, Miss Frost," Ben countered. "None of us are trying to become the next X-Men. We're not looking to dive into battles with supervillains. We just want to take a road trip and bring our friend back to school."

"I don't want to repeat myself, Benjamin. This is out of the question."

"Even on the road, you'd be able to stay in touch with us. Every move we make could be tracked by Cerebra. If anything goes wrong, we'll call for help from the School — we won't act on our own. Sarah's with us, and she has a pretty good idea of where Jessica went with that…"

Emma stood abruptly, turning to look out the window.

"No. You're not going anywhere. Don't try to come to me with this again — you won't change my mind. Now leave. I need to call a meeting about Jessica's disappearance."

Ben left the office, frustration gnawing at him. His thoughts were already racing ahead, wondering if the transport Mark arranged would arrive on time and whether his group could slip out of the Institute unnoticed. He wandered to one of the windows, losing himself in thought. After a while, Hope found him.

"Ben, there you are! I've been looking all over for you! Mark's friend… he's already at the gate."

Hearing this, Ben's spirits lifted. "I'm on my way!" he shouted, heading straight for the stairs leading down. Soon, he and Trance arrived at one of the Institute's exits. There, they found the green jeep Mark's friend had promised, already parked and waiting. The other young mutants were busy loading their hastily packed backpacks into the vehicle. Match greeted Mark's friend, Adam, a long-haired man in dark sunglasses, then climbed into the jeep with the rest of his teammates. The driver, seemingly lost in thought, kept glancing back at Xavier's Institute.

"What are you waiting for? We've got to go!" Mark urged.

"Yeah, yeah…," the man mumbled, his eyes still fixed on the school.

At the same time, Emma Frost stood by her office window, observing the entire scene unfold. A slight smile played on her lips. She had been silently communicating telepathically with the driver of the jeep.

"Did you arrange that road trip we talked about?"

"Exactly as planned. They'll be satisfied," the long-haired man replied in his thoughts.

A little girl with black hair runs down a cobblestone street, the stones glistening like mirrors, reflecting a distorted world around her. The houses loom tall, their walls seeming to twist and shift, reaching out toward her with unsettling shapes. From windows and balconies, figures gaze down at her, their stares heavy and menacing, as if each one is eager to rid themselves of the intruder. The girl knows she doesn't belong here. Her heart races, her throat tightens with fear. Suddenly, a group of children bursts out from beneath the buildings, their faces wild, eyes gleaming with hostility. They charge toward her, like a pack of rabid dogs. Stones whiz through the air, one after another, hurtling in her direction. She trips. Falls onto the cold, hard cobblestones, feeling pain and terror. The sound of footsteps grows louder, the children are closing in, and she feels utterly powerless, trapped in this nightmarish scene. And then, as if out of nowhere, another girl appears — almost identical to her, but dressed in a beautiful black gown. Her eyes are calm, filled with a mysterious promise. She extends her hand to the frightened girl.

"Come with me," she says, her voice warm yet firm. "I'll show you the way to a beautiful, better place. Don't be afraid."

The little girl, still trembling with fear, takes her hand. Their hands clasped together, they start to walk. With each step, the world around them begins to change. The cobblestone street dissolves, melts away, and in its place, a vast meadow full of vibrant flowers emerges. The air is warm and sweet with the scent of blooming plants. The girl feels a sense of peace filling her heart, a smile returning to her face. She feels happy, as if she has found her place.

Jessica Vale opened her eyes, awakening from her dream.

As the Paragons and Adam, Mark's friend travelled further in the car, in turned out that Emma Frost had planned a surprise for her them, a stop for lunch at an upscale restaurant.

The group of young mutants, accompanied by Mark's long-haired friend, stepped out of the vehicle and entered the cool, dimly lit interior of the restaurant. Inside, soft music played in the background, and the scent of freshly prepared gourmet dishes filled the air. The restaurant was the epitome of refined taste, with polished wooden tables, velvet chairs, and crystal chandeliers casting a warm, golden glow across the room. Paragons were shown to a private table in a quiet corner of the restaurant. As they settled into the plush seats, the group exchanged glances. They were out of place in their casual attire among the finely dressed patrons who filled the room. The other diners were mostly wealthy locals and travelers.

"Wow, this place is fancy," DJ muttered, glancing around.

"You can say that again," Ben added, still unsure of what to make of the situation. He was grateful for the break, but something about the atmosphere made him uneasy. "But what's the catch? Why did Frost send us here?"

As the mutants began to relax, perusing the leather-bound menus, their long-haired companion excused himself to make a call. The others took the opportunity to discuss their next steps, trying to strategize while they had a moment of peace. But their conversation was soon interrupted by the sound of derisive laughter from a nearby table. Sarah, seated at the edge of the group, noticed it first. A group of well-dressed, middle-aged men and women were casting sideways glances at the mutants, whispering to each other and laughing. One man, in particular, a heavyset figure, sneered in their direction.

"Looks like the circus is in town," he said loudly enough for the mutants to hear, his voice dripping with disdain. His companions chuckled, their laughter cold and mocking.

Sarah's eyes narrowed. "Great. Just what we needed," she muttered under her breath.

"Don't let them get to you," Ben said, trying to keep the peace. But his words did little to ease the tension growing at their table.

Mark glanced over at the group of diners who were now openly staring at them, their expressions a mix of disgust and amusement. "They're really something, huh? Probably think we don't belong here."

"Do we, though?" Hope whispered, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "I mean, look at them —they're just waiting for us to mess up."

Before anyone could respond, one of the women from the other table, an elegantly dressed lady with coiffed silver hair and an air of entitlement, beckoned the restaurant manager over. The manager, a nervous-looking man with a tightly knotted tie, hurried to her side. She whispered something in his ear, her eyes never leaving the mutants' table. A moment later, the manager approached the mutants, his face pale and apologetic. "I'm terribly sorry," he began, his voice trembling slightly, "but I'm afraid we'll have to ask you to leave."

"Leave? We just got here," Nicholas said, his voice rising in disbelief. "We haven't even ordered yet!"

The manager looked genuinely uncomfortable. "I understand, and I apologize, but… some of our regular patrons have expressed concerns about your presence here. We have to consider their comfort. I'm sure you understand."

"Concerns? What, do they think we're going to trash the place?" Sarah's voice was laced with anger.

The manager wrung his hands, clearly caught between his duty to the restaurant and the demands of his influential customers. "Please, we don't want any trouble. We can have your meals packed to go, and there's another place in town where"

"Forget it," Mark interrupted, his tone cold. He stood up, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. "We're leaving."

The group followed suit, gathering their things in silence, the anger and frustration palpable in the air. Megan, her eyes downcast, mumbled, "I knew something like this would happen. People like them… they'll never accept us."

As they made their way out of the restaurant, the group of rich diners watched them go, smug smiles on their faces. DJ paused at the door, casting a final glance back at them. "Magneto was right," he said quietly to himself as he stepped outside.

The long-haired friend of Mark, who had just finished his call, met them at the entrance. His face fell when he saw their expressions. "What happened?"

"Nothing we didn't expect," Ben replied, his voice heavy with resignation. "Let's just get out of here."

Without another word, they piled back into the car, leaving behind the cold stares and mocking laughter of the restaurant patrons. The drive away from the town was quiet, the air thick with unspoken thoughts. As they sped down the dusty road, the sun sinking lower on the horizon, Mark couldn't help but wonder how much longer they would have to fight just to be seen as equals. And if it was a fight they could ever truly win.

Jessica turned her head toward the window, her sleepy eyes trying to focus on the shifting landscape. The road stretched endlessly ahead, flanked by barren, sun-scorched plains. It took her a moment to realize she was in a car, with the man she had recently met sitting beside her. As she slowly emerged from the grip of sleep, she began to piece together the events of the previous day, the ones that had led her to leave the institute. She rubbed her eyes and stretched slightly, attempting to shake off the lingering drowsiness.

"Welcome to the Waking World. How was your journey through the Dreaming?" the dark-haired stranger asked, his voice calm and almost hypnotic.

"Alright... but I'm sore all over. I'm not used to sleeping in a car," Jessica replied, a touch of reluctance in her voice. She still wasn't sure about his intentions and didn't fully understand why she had agreed to leave with him, why she had trusted him. As she attempted to fix her tangled hair, she glanced out the window at the landscape.

"Damn, what a desolate place... desert, dry hills, not a soul in sight..."

"You should feel right at home. You love the wild," her traveling companion remarked, his voice carrying a note of certainty that unsettled her.

"Sure... but how do you know so much about me?" She asked.

"I told you, didn't I?"

"Yeah, yeah... you're my dream. I've heard that a few times now."

The dark-haired man smiled, while Jessica, feeling increasingly uneasy, leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes. The line between reality and dreams seemed to blur, leaving her in a strange state of suspension — caught between sleep and full wakefulness, a state that humans typically experience only briefly, twice a day. But she had been stuck in it for hours.

"Where are we going?" she asked, trying to gather her thoughts.

"To where you wanted. To New Mexico. To Salvation, where your mother lives."

"And I wanted to go there? When did I tell you that? I don't remember," Jessica said, surprised but not alarmed, just confused.

"Last night. We talked about it the whole way until you fell asleep."

"Really?" Jessica was puzzled. She couldn't remember a word of that conversation. The whole situation felt increasingly suspicious, but her curiosity about the true identity and intentions of her companion kept her playing along.

"Can we stop somewhere soon?" she asked again.

"Do you want to stretch your legs, Jessica?"

"Yes... I really need it..."

A few minutes later, the car came to a stop on a deserted stretch of road, in the middle of nowhere. Jessica stepped out, greeted by the hot, dry wind. Around her, the unforgiving, endless expanse of the United States stretched out in every direction — low, cactus-studded hills and sun-baked plains that seemed to go on forever. The sand beneath her feet was dry and crunched softly as she walked, while the air was thick with the scent of parched earth and heated stones. The sky above was clear and cloudless, but there was something menacing about it — its endless, overwhelming blueness starkly contrasted with the harsh desert landscape below. In the distance, the outlines of rocky hills and solitary yucca trees stood like sentinels over this forgotten corner of the world.

Meanwhile, Sleepwalker leaned against the car, lost in deep thought. His mind drifted to another world — he was now standing on a high, steep cliff, its base pounded by the waves of a dark, unforgiving sea. A strong, cold wind whipped through his hair, and heavy, inky clouds swirled across the sky, like spilled ink on a sheet of paper. Out of this gloomy scene, a figure emerged — a girl in a black dress, darker than the thickest clouds overhead. Her face was hidden in shadow, concealed from view. Sleepwalker placed his hands on her shoulders, and she lifted her unseen eyes to meet his.

"How much longer do I have to wait?" she asked, her voice a whisper amidst the roar of the waves.

"Soon, everything is falling into place. Soon, you'll be free," he replied, a sinister smile spreading across his face.

"And I will expand my influence," he added, a note of satisfaction in his voice.

Jessica wandered through the desert, moving away from the car and her mysterious companion. Each step kicked up tiny clouds of dry sand that swirled around her feet. She hoped that walking through this harsh, unforgiving land would help clear her mind and restore her ability to think rationally. But despite spending several minutes gazing at the endless emptiness, the strange feeling of being caught between waking and dreaming didn't leave her. She couldn't recall the conversation she had supposedly had the night before, but she began to believe — perhaps to trust — that she truly wanted to be at her mother's house. She decided to head back to the car.

"Sleepwalker! Sleepwalker!" The dark-haired man, lost in his illusion, heard a voice calling to him from beyond the black clouds. He opened his eyes. He was back in the real world. Jessica stood before him, clearly in a better mood.

"Ready to hit the road?" he asked.

"Yes, let's go!" she replied, her voice firm. The man opened the car door for her, and she slid into the seat.

"When are you finally going to tell me more about yourself? You seem to know everything about me, and I know nothing about you..." she asked, this time her voice held a note of determination, as if demanding answers.

"All in good time," he responded cryptically, then told her to fasten her seatbelt.

The group of mutants was on their journey when, in the middle of the night, Mark's friend's car suddenly broke down. The engine sputtered and then went silent, leaving them stranded on a quiet, empty road. Despite trying everything he could, Mark's friend Adam was unable to get the car to start again.

"Looks like we're stuck here until the morning," Adam said, frustrated as he checked his phone to call for roadside assistance. "I'll have to wait here for the service to arrive, but it could take hours."

"We can't just sit here all night," Ben said, looking around at the dark surroundings. "We should find a place to sleep."

Mark suggested they head to a nearby farm they had passed earlier and spend the night there. "Alright, I get it. I'll stay here and wait for the service team, and you guys can rest at the farm. Once the car is ready, I'll come back for you in the morning,"

The group grabbed their belongings and started walking down the road. After some time, they noticed a faint light in the distance. As they got closer, they saw it was coming from a small farmhouse nestled among the trees. They approached cautiously, and Mark knocked on the door. After a moment, an elderly farmer answered, looking them over with a kind but curious expression. Mark explained their situation, and the farmer nodded.

"You're welcome to stay here for the night," he said, stepping aside to let them in. "I don't have much, but there's plenty of room in the barn, and I can bring out some blankets for you."

Grateful for the hospitality, the group followed the farmer to the barn. Inside, they found hay bales stacked in the corners and a few animals resting in their pens. It was warm and quiet, a welcome relief after the long day.

Sarah, wandering around the barn, noticed something in the darkness. Smiling, she approached the wooden fence, from behind which a brown horse's head emerged. The girl petted it and gently hugged the animal. Hope, seeing this, got up and walked over to her friend. She stroked the horse's head.

"Do you like horses, Sarah?" Hope asked.

"Yes, very much... Kind of strange for a girl with a connection to machines, isn't it?"

"Not at all... I also really like horses too. It's nice to be around animals. They don't judge you like people do."

"At least here, no one looks at us with disgust. I prefer the company of animals to those people in the restaurant," Mark said, petting one of the goats that peeked out from behind the fence.

Pixie, noticing Hope's worried expression, decided to approach her. "Cheer up," she said to her. "You're worried about her, aren't you? We're all worried about her."

Hope sighed. "I'm starting to doubt the purpose of our journey. We're already in trouble at the very beginning. Have we made any progress at all? Can Nicholas even pick up her scent when we're standing still?"

Nicholas, who had been listening to the conversation, shrugged, confirming her words. "Even I can't search for her using astral projection." Hope continued.

At that moment, the goat standing behind Hope reached through the fence and grabbed the girl by the hair. "Hey! What do you think you're doing!" the startled mutant yelled.

Megan laughed. "I think she likes you!"

Adam stayed with his car, waiting for the service crew. Time passed slowly, and fatigue began to take its toll. He settled comfortably in the driver's seat, closing his eyes for what he thought would be a brief moment, but it quickly turned into a nap. At that moment, as the world of dreams began to blend with reality, a strange, misty figure appeared in John's mind. It was Sleepwalker. He approached John, his presence both ethereal and unnerving. "Forget about the mutants, Adam," he whispered, his voice seeping into Adam's consciousness. "You have no reason to return to them. They're safe, and you have no connection to them anymore."

Sleepwalker's words were like a spell, settling over Adam's mind, clouding his memories of the Paragons, the agreement he had made with them, and the necessity of picking them up. It all suddenly seemed distant, insignificant, as if it had never happened. When the service crew finally arrived, Adam woke from his nap, feeling a bit disoriented, but he couldn't recall why he was there. The mechanic asked what had happened, and Adam shrugged, confused but convinced it was all just some minor incident.

"I don't know, I guess I just fell asleep waiting for you guys," he told the mechanic, but in his mind, there was no longer any trace of the mutants, of Mark, or the farm where he had left his friends. Sleepwalker had made sure that Adam would never return for the Paragons, and what had happened that night would forever remain a mystery to him.

Mark paced back and forth inside the dusty, abandoned farmhouse, the ancient wooden floor creaking beneath his feet. The others were resting or exploring the area, trying to make the best of their unexpected situation. Mark pulled out his phone for what felt like the hundredth time that day and dialed Adam's number. He listened to the ringing, hoping to hear his friend's voice on the other end. But after several rings, the call went straight to voicemail.

"Come on, Adam… pick up," Mark muttered under his breath as he tried again. He walked to the far corner of the room, holding his phone up to get a better signal. But once again, the call went unanswered. Growing more frustrated, Mark called once more, this time leaving a voicemail. "Adam, it's Mark. We're still at the farm. I've been trying to reach you for a while now. Where are you? The car should be ready by now, right? Call me back as soon as you get this."

He hung up, staring at the phone screen for a few moments, hoping it would ring back immediately. But it stayed silent. Ben walked in, noticing Mark's troubled expression. "Still no luck?"

Mark shook his head. "Nothing. It's like he's disappeared. This isn't like Adam at all. He should've called by now."

Hope, who had been resting nearby, overheard the conversation and walked over to join them. "Maybe something happened to him. Or maybe… he just forgot about us?" she suggested, her voice tinged with concern.

"That doesn't make sense," Mark replied, though the thought gnawed at him. "Adam wouldn't just leave us hanging like this. He promised he'd be back."

"But he's not," Sarah said, entering the room with a determined look on her face. "We can't just sit around waiting for him to show up. We need to figure out what we're going to do next."

Mark sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "You're right. We can't stay here forever. But without a working car, I'm not sure what our options are."

Ben considered this for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. We'll pack up and move out. If Adam comes looking for us, he'll see we're not here and might try to find us. But we can't wait any longer."

The Paragons quickly gathered their belongings, preparing for the journey ahead. As they stepped out into the cool evening air, Mark cast one last look at his phone, willing it to ring. But the screen remained dark, and with a resigned sigh, he tucked it away and joined the others.

As they walked away from the farm, Mark couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong, that there was more to Adam's silence than just a forgotten promise. But for now, all they could do was keep going and hope that whatever awaited them, they would face it together.

The young mutants stood by the road leading deeper into the country, towards a desert scorched by the summer heat. The sun was already high in the sky, and its relentless blaze was taking a toll on them. After a brief rest and discussion, the group decided that they would hitchhike the rest of the way to the town of Salvation. They hoped that someone passing by would stop to help a group of young mutants stranded in the heart of a vast country. The Paragons began discussing their next steps.

"Who's going to try to hitch us a ride?" Mark asked, glancing around the group. "Obviously, it should be a girl!" he added confidently.

"And why is that?" Megan shot back with a smirk.

"Sarah, I think you should go first," DJ suggested, walking over to her and gently taking a strand of her hair, running it through his fingers. Pixie watched him, feeling a pang of jealousy.

"You're perfect. Who could resist the charm of a beautiful girl with raven-black hair?" Mark added with a smile, giving her a light hug.

Sarah nodded. "Alright, I'll do it. Hold my backpack." She handed her things to Mark and walked to the edge of the road, noticing a green minibus approaching. She adjusted her hair as the vehicle drew near. Inside, she could see a pair of tourists: a chubby man with glasses and his wife in a sun hat, both dressed in floral shirts.

"Look, honey! That girl needs help! I'll stop, and we'll pick her up!" the excited driver exclaimed.

"Don't you dare! Speed up! Pretend you didn't see her!" his wife quickly quashed his enthusiasm. The car sped past Sarah, the gust of wind tossing her hair.

"Why didn't you let me stop, honey?" the man asked, disappointed.

"I'll break you of that habit of gawking at young girls, you pervert! Just wait until we get home!" his wife scolded him.

Sarah walked back to the group, clearly disheartened.

"Don't worry, another one will come along soon," Mark tried to reassure her. She patted Hope on the shoulder.

"Your turn now. Good luck."

Trance, encouraged by Sarah, stepped out onto the road as another vehicle approached. This time, it was a bearded man who slowed down and stopped. Beside him sat a blonde woman who was visibly pregnant.

"Hey! Going somewhere? Need a lift?" the bearded man asked.

"Yes! Thank you!" Hope replied, relieved.

"Hop in the back!" the man said with a smile.

"Um... I have a few friends with me..." Hope hesitated as she gestured toward the bushes, from which the rest of the Paragons emerged. The woman screamed in terror upon seeing WolfCub.

"Mutants?!" the bearded man exclaimed.

"Yes... we're all mutants," Hope admitted. Hearing this, the man quickly floored the gas pedal, desperate to get away from the group.

Hope reached out and touched the woman's hand, but she pushed her away forcefully.

"Don't touch me! You'll make me give birth to a monster!"

"Leave my wife alone!" the bearded man shouted, spitting at Hope before speeding off. Mark walked over and handed her a tissue.

"Wipe that filth off your shirt."

"What an asshole," Sarah muttered, glaring after the disappearing vehicle.

"Just another day for us," Ben remarked with a shrug.

"Third time's the charm," Megan said, visibly tired and discouraged by the whole situation. "My turn now."

She stood by the road, gently fluttering her wings, as a clunky, beat-up van approached. Inside were several long-haired men who looked like a bunch of aging hippies, clearly under the influence of drugs.

"Look, there's a fairy standing over there! Look how her wings shimmer in the sunlight!" one of them said.

"A fairy? What the fuck are you talking about?" another replied, looking confused. "Oh crap! What did you give us to sniff? I told you..."

"I didn't know it was going to be this fucking strong!" another interrupted.

The van sped past Megan, leaving her completely dejected.

"Next round for Sarah?" Mark asked.

"Maybe we should give it a try now," Ben suggested, turning to Mark. "You go first. You don't have any altered appearance. You might have a better shot."

"No! I'll go!" Nicholas interrupted firmly.

"You? But you're..."

"Covered in fur, yeah, I know. But it's better if we show them who we really are. So we don't have a repeat of what happened to Hope."

Mark nodded in agreement. "You're right. Go for it!"

WolfCub waited for the next car to approach. This time, it was a battered old jeep. To everyone's surprise, the vehicle stopped. A young man wearing a hat leaned out and looked at Nicholas.

"Hey! Are you one of them... mutants?" he asked.

"Yeah," Nicholas replied reluctantly, his heart pounding, his body preparing for either fight or flight.

"Awesome! I'm Joe," the man said, extending his hand. "Where are you headed?"

"Well, actually... with my friends..." Nicholas hesitated as he gestured toward the rest of the group.

Joe eyed them, his gaze lingering on Megan and her wings.

"What are you waiting for? Hop in! You'll all fit!" he said enthusiastically.

The group sighed with relief as they climbed into Joe's car. Match took seat next to Joe, while the others settled in the back.

"Where are you coming from?" Joe asked.

"The Xavier Institute," Mark replied.

"Xavier?! You mean where the X-Men are? Damn, I'm lucky! How about we stop by my family's place on the way? They'll freak out when they see you guys!"

"Sure, but not for long. We're looking for a friend," Ben answered.

"If everyone agrees," Mark added, glancing at the group.

"We agree... we could use a break and a shower," Hope said.

"Then it's settled!"

Joe turned up the radio, and the car filled with the sound of "Far Far Away with My Head Up in the Clouds..." Finally, they felt as though, at least for a moment, luck was on their side.

Joe quickly warmed up to his new friends. The Paragons shared detailed stories about their unique abilities and physical changes. In turn, Joe decided to tell them about his family.

"For years, my family's been fascinated by anything unusual or strange. Mutants, outcasts, or whatever you want to call them, have captivated us for generations. My grandmother used to take my mom to every carnival she could find, showing her all the oddities of nature. Then, when the first X-Men appeared, my mom became obsessed with them. After she got married, she even bought a piece of irradiated land where they used to conduct nuclear tests, hoping to give birth to mutant children. Unfortunately, it didn't work out. My brothers, my sister, their kids, and I - we're all just regular Homo sapiens. There's nothing superior about us."

"Maybe you're luckier than you realize," Sarah suggested.

"No one's ever spat on you for being who you are," Hope added quietly.

"A few days ago, I got into a fight with some jerk. He was causing trouble at our local bar, constantly insulting a girl who worked there, a mutant. She doesn't have any powers or anything... just these eyes, you know? Her pupils look like a snake's. Anyway, he nearly hit her when she handed him his beer. He yelled that because she looked at him, his kids would turn out to be monsters, and spouted all sorts of other nonsense."

"Did he happen to have a beard?" Ben asked with a knowing smile.

"Yeah, he did..."

"That's the same asshole who spat on Hope today."

Joe turned to look at Hope, his expression darkening.

"In that case, the next time I see him, he'll get what's coming to him. For you," he promised.

After about an hour of driving, Joe's car veered off the main highway onto a narrow dirt road that stretched deep into the heart of a barren desert, abandoned by any trace of civilization. The sun was slowly sinking towards the horizon, painting the sky in hues of gold and orange. With every passing moment, the road became more uneven, and the landscape more desolate. All around them were nothing but sand dunes and sparse patches of dried-up shrubs, looking as if they had barely survived in this inhospitable land.

"We're getting close to Mum's, folks! Get ready!" Joe announced with a grin, sensing the anticipation of returning home. Ben, sitting in the front seat next to Joe, glanced at him in disbelief.

"This is your home? There's no city in sight!" he exclaimed, puzzled.

"Nothing but desert all around, not a soul in sight..." Sarah added, her eyes scanning the endless expanse before them. Joe laughed heartily, his laughter filling the car.

"And what did you expect? I told you these lands were once used for nuclear tests. Would you really want crowds of tourists out here?" he replied jokingly, casting a glance at the desert that stretched out before them.

Soon, the group spotted a small cluster of structures in the distance, looking like an oasis in the middle of the sands. In the very heart of the desert, as if plucked from another world, stood two large camper trailers that served as homes for Joe's family. Scattered around them were old, weather-beaten furniture, chairs, tables, benches, all clearly worn down by time. The entire property was enclosed by a wooden fence that only partially shielded it from the harsh desert conditions. Near the trailers, three small children were playing with a dog, running carefree across the hot sand. Joe parked the car by the fence and got out, turning to his companions.

"Wait here, I'm going to surprise Mum," he said with a wink.

With a smile on his face, he walked through the gate, and the children immediately ran up to him, greeting him with joyful shouts. Their laughter echoed across the desert, breaking the stillness of the place. From one of the trailers, a very large woman emerged, her silhouette outlined against the setting sun. She was dressed in a loose, floral dress that only emphasized her massive frame. She propped her hands on her hips and looked at her son.

"Well, look who's back! Joe's home from his trip!" she called out in a loud, raspy voice that echoed across the wasteland.

"That's right, Mum! And you won't believe the gift I brought you!" Joe replied enthusiastically, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"What could possibly surprise me anymore?!" the woman replied, raising her eyebrows in curiosity.

Joe called out to his new friends, and the six young mutants stepped out of the car, carrying their bags. Each of them felt the weight of the unfamiliar place and the impending encounter with strangers.

"Oh my goodness! They're mutants!" the woman exclaimed, her eyes widening in astonishment.

"Straight from Xavier's, Mum," Joe said proudly, introducing his companions.

"Kids! Come here! Quickly!" she began calling out to everyone in the makeshift homestead, her voice vibrating in the air. Soon, the three children came running along with their dog, and from the second trailer, a young girl with short black hair emerged, dressed in denim shorts and a shirt that looked worn but comfortable. Her dark eyes watched the newcomers with curiosity.

Joe began introducing his family with pride:

"This is Mum, the one I've told you so much about. This is Mike, my younger brother," he said, pointing to a boy who looked about 12 years old.

"My younger sister Molly," he indicated the girl with short hair, who smiled shyly at the mutants.

"And these are my older brother's kids, Scotty and Jean," he pointed to the two little ones, who were still staying close to the dog, curiously eyeing the new guests.

"Mum, meet Ben, Mark, Hope, Sarah, Megan, and Nicholas," Joe introduced his new friends to the family, his voice filled with pride and happiness at the chance to bring them into his life. Mum took a moment to look each of them over, her face lighting up with a wide smile.

Sleepwalker brought the car to a stop in a small, desolate town that seemed forgotten by time. The sun had long dipped below the horizon, leaving the world in a twilight haze that cast long shadows across the landscape. The air was thick with the scent of dust and dry earth, and a faint, warm breeze stirred the faded curtains in the windows of nearby buildings. They had arrived at a rundown motel, the kind of place where time stood still, and where travelers were rare, if they ever came at all. The neon sign outside flickered weakly, with only the letters "MOTE" still glowing; the "L" had long since burnt out, leaving an eerie, incomplete welcome.

Sleepwalker glanced over at Jessica, who was slumped in the passenger seat, fighting a losing battle against exhaustion. Her eyelids drooped, and her usually expression was dulled by fatigue. She looked out at the grim surroundings with a mixture of weariness and resignation. Seeing her struggle, Sleepwalker reached out and gently stroked her hair, his touch oddly comforting despite the strange connection between them.

"You're really tired, aren't you?" he asked, his voice low and soothing.

"I'm more like worn out... all I can think about is a long, hot shower," Jessica replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Sleepwalker chuckled softly, shaking his head as he gazed at the dilapidated building in front of them. "I wouldn't count on it in a place like this. The water's probably either cold or nonexistent, and the pipes are likely rusted through. If the shower even works, it's probably dripping with rust and mildew."

Jessica let out a tired laugh, appreciating the humor despite her exhaustion. Together, they stepped out of the car, the gravel crunching under their feet as they made their way toward the motel entrance. The building loomed before them, a relic of better days now forgotten. Paint peeled from the walls, and the windows were grimy, smeared with dirt and neglect. A flickering light bulb buzzed above the door, casting a dim glow that barely reached the cracked pavement below.

As they walked, Sleepwalker wrapped his arm around Jessica, pulling her close. She could feel the warmth of his body against hers, but instead of finding comfort, she felt a rising unease. He pressed his face against hers, but Jessica instinctively pulled away, putting a few steps of distance between them.

"Don't do that," she said softly, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "Even though it feels like I've known you forever, we've really just met. I don't want this... I don't even know why I wanted to come to Salvation, why I left school. Don't make this harder for me."

Sleepwalker's expression softened, his eyes holding a mix of understanding and something deeper, more unsettling. "I'm a part of your dreams, Jessica. Remember that... You've wanted me before. You wanted me when you lost Michelle. Don't you remember?"

Jessica's brow furrowed in confusion. "I don't know what you're talking about..."

Without warning, Sleepwalker took her left hand in his and pressed his lips against her wrist, his touch lingering just a moment too long. Then he did the same with her right hand. Jessica watched, entranced, as a strange sensation spread from her wrists, warming her skin. She looked down at her hands, eyes widening in disbelief. The scars that had marred her skin for so long, painful reminders of a past she couldn't escape, had vanished completely. Her wrists were smooth, as if the wounds had never existed.

"What did you do?" she asked, her voice trembling with shock and confusion.

Sleepwalker smiled, a knowing glint in his eyes. "It's simple. I showed you that you've accepted the world I'm leading you into."

Jessica's gaze grew distant, her mind clouding as though a fog was settling over her thoughts. She felt the weight of Sleepwalker's words pressing down on her, pulling her further into the abyss of his influence. He stepped closer, wrapping her in his embrace once more, and before she could muster the will to resist, his lips met hers in a deep, consuming kiss.

This time, Jessica didn't have the strength to fight back. Her resistance melted away, leaving her vulnerable in his arms. She felt herself slipping further into his grasp, her will bending under the force of his presence. As the kiss deepened, the world around her seemed to fade, leaving nothing but the two of them standing in the twilight, alone in the forgotten town.