ii.
“Where’s he going?” a woman's voice echoed in Logan’s mind, cutting through his thoughts. “Where are you going?” it repeated, insistent and curious.
Logan glanced around, bewildered, before instinctively ducking behind a wall.
“Over here,” the voice urged, guiding him toward the elevator.
“Where are you going? This way,” the voice whispered, now softer, coaxing him forward.
∘₊✧──────✧₊∘
"Good morning, Logan," the professor greeted. "I’d like your definitions of weak and strong anthropic principles on my desk by Wednesday, all right? That’ll be all." The students quickly packed up their books and began to leave.
“I’m Charles Xavier. Would you like some breakfast?” Charles offered.
“Where am I?” Logan asked, still disoriented.
“Westchester, New York. You were attacked. My people brought you here for medical attention,” Charles explained.
“I don’t need medical attention,” Logan retorted.
“Yes, of course,” Charles replied calmly.
Logan’s eyes darted around the room. “Where’s the girl?”
“Rogue? She’s here. She’s fine.”
“Really?”
Before Charles could elaborate, the door opened, and a woman entered, followed by a man. “Ah, Logan, I’d like you to meet Ororo Munroe, also known as Storm. And this is Scott Summers, also called Cyclops.”
Scott extended his hand for a handshake, but Logan ignored it. “They saved your life,” Charles added.
Just then, Jean entered with Cecily trailing behind her. “I believe you’ve already met Dr. Jean Grey and Cecily,” Charles continued. Cecily gave Logan a once-over, a slight smile playing on her lips as she took her place next to Charles.
“You’re in my school for the gifted. For mutants. You’ll be safe here from Magneto,” Charles assured him.
“What’s a Magneto?” Logan asked, his tone skeptical. Cecily snickered but quickly tried to hide it.
“A very powerful mutant who believes a war is coming between mutants and the rest of humanity,” Charles explained, ignoring Cecily’s reaction. “I’ve been following his activities for some time. The man who attacked you is one of his associates, known as Sabretooth.”
“Sabretooth?” Logan repeated, amused. Charles nodded.
Logan pointed at Storm. “Storm, huh? What do they call you? Wheels?” Cecily found it increasingly difficult to stifle her laughter and had to look away.
“Cyclops, right?” Logan continued, grabbing Scott by the collar. “You wanna get out of my way?”
“Logan, it’s been almost 15 years, hasn’t it? Living day to day, moving from place to place, with no memory of who or what you are,” Charles interjected.
“Shut up,” Logan snapped.
“Give me a chance,” Charles pleaded. “I may be able to help you find some answers.”
∘₊✧──────✧₊∘
“The metal is an alloy called adamantium,” Jean explained. “Supposedly indestructible. It’s been surgically grafted to his entire skeleton.”
“That’s impossible,” Cecily interjected, glancing around the room. “No one could survive a procedure like that.”
“He’s a mutation,” Jean continued. “He has an uncharted regenerative capability that enables him to heal rapidly. In a way, he’s like you, Cecily, except your healing isn’t as fast.” She paused.
“Because of this, determining his age is nearly impossible. He could very well be older than you, Professor.”
“Who did this to him?” Scott asked, voicing the question on everyone’s mind.
“He doesn’t know,” Jean replied, “nor does he remember anything about his life before it happened.”
“Experimentations on mutants,” the professor said with a heavy sigh. “It’s not unheard of, but I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
“What do you think Magneto wants with him?” Scott asked, his concern evident.
“I’m not entirely sure it’s him that Magneto wants,” Charles admitted.
∘₊✧──────✧₊∘
“I think you’ll be okay here,” Cecily said, flicking on a lamp and glancing back at Logan, who stood by the door.
“Where’s your room?” he asked.
“Down the hall, across from Jean and Scott,” she replied, turning on another light.
“Is that your gift? Putting up with those two?” he teased.
Cecily chuckled softly as she folded a blanket. “Actually, I’m a telepath. I can read minds. I also have some telekinetic abilities—moving things with my mind.”
“What kinds of things?” he inquired. Suddenly, the doors behind him slammed shut.
“All kinds of things,” she answered, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. “Though I’m nowhere near as powerful as Jean or the Professor. But they’re teaching me to control it.”
“I’m sure they are,” Logan said, stepping closer. “So, read my mind.”
“I’d rather not,” she whispered.
“Come on. Afraid you might like what you find?” he murmured, edging even closer.
“No, more afraid I won’t,” she replied, smiling.
She studied his face, her eyes searching his. He did the same, and with a sigh, she gave in, raising her hands to his head. Her hands trembled slightly as she tried to focus on the images in his mind. Men in suits. A dark room. A water tank? And Logan submerged inside it.
She gasped, her eyes snapping open.
“What did you see?” Logan asked, grabbing her hands.
Before she could answer, she noticed Scott standing at the door. She quickly pulled her hands away and cleared her throat. “Good night, Logan,” she said, starting to walk past Scott.
As she did, she whispered, “Let me have this, Scott, or I’ll burn you in your sleep,” flashing an innocent smile.
Scott watched her go, then turned his gaze to Logan. “You gonna tell me to stay away from her?” Logan asked, a smirk playing on his lips.
“Cecily’s a grown woman. She can make her own choices,” Scott replied.
“Hmm. Well then, I guess you’ve got nothing to worry about, do you, Cyclops?” Logan taunted.
“Yeah, it must burn you up that a guy like me saved your life, huh?” Logan added. “You ought to be careful. I might not be there next time.”
He started to turn away, but Scott’s voice stopped him. “Oh, and Logan—stay away from Cecily.” Scott smiled before shutting the door behind him.
∘₊✧──────✧₊∘
“What are you looking for, Eric?” Charles asked, his tone calm but curious. “There are more powerful mutants out there. Why is this one so important to him?”
“Maybe it’s his way with people,” Scott interjected sarcastically. “Play nice, Scott,” Cecily said, a hint of irritation in her voice.
“You don’t like him,” the professor observed.
“How could you tell?” Scott replied smugly.
“Well, I am psychic, you know,” Charles quipped with a small smile.
Their conversation was cut short as the doors slid open, revealing Logan with Storm close behind. “Where is she?” Logan demanded.
“Who?” Charles asked.
“Rogue. She’s gone,” Logan said, his voice edged with concern. Cecily's eyes immediately locked onto the professor, worry evident in her gaze.
∘₊✧──────✧₊∘
Cecily watched as Charles rolled out of Cerebro, his expression tense. “She’s at the train station,” he announced.
“Where is it?” Logan asked, urgency in his voice.
“A few miles west of here,” Charles replied calmly. As Logan began to turn away, Charles added, “Logan, you can’t leave the mansion. That’s exactly the opportunity Magneto is waiting for.”
Logan hesitated, frustration evident. “Listen, I’m the reason she took off,” he began.
“We had a deal,” Charles reminded him firmly.
Cecily spoke up, trying to ease the tension. “She’s just upset. She’ll be alright.”
Charles nodded before giving his orders. “Storm, Cyclops, find her. See if you can talk to her.”
Cecily looked down, trying to hide the disappointment that washed over her. She wasn’t surprised that the professor hadn’t chosen her to go with them, but it still stung.
∘₊✧──────✧₊∘
Cecily watched as Logan readied Scott’s motorcycle, determination etched on his face. As he mounted the bike, she stepped forward, her voice pleading, “Let me go with you.”
Logan shook his head, his response firm. “No.”
“Please,” Cecily urged, her tone softer now, almost desperate. “I understand what she’s going through. I know what it’s like to be terrified of your own powers, of what you’re capable of.”