Monday April 2nd: A Fish Out of Water.. and into the Fire
Between the lake and the room and being on display in the medlab on the first day here, Lorne was leaning towards preferring the Medlab and the lake, enjoying Dr McCoy’s company possibly made Lorne biased towards medlab, whereas the lake offered a sense of freedom, and students massed around the waters edge often enough. However being the weekend students seemed to hover around the lake yelling and laughing and their voices sounded eerie from the depths where Lorne rested. Inside the tank, which sat in one of the rooms Hank had said was all his, Lorne dozed, his form seemingly suspended upright in the centre of the tank, a slight twitch in leges and arms, or in muscles through the body showing he slept, and like most, regardless of how different his life appeared, Lorne dreamed like any other…
’Read with me, Lorne?’ The silken requested from the other side of the glass panel, her eyes like burning ambers, ‘It would be a pleasure,’ Came the amphibian’s muffled reply from the watery chamber. ‘Come sit next to me Lorne, so we can read together,’ A tanned hand petted gently a seat beside her, scales that run along the upper side of her hand glistened, the dark earthy colours contrasting Lorne’s sky blue colour. ‘I…’ Lorne began hesitantly, books took a while to read, he’d never last long enough, at best a chapter or two… ‘We can sit together and read,’ Repeated the sweet voice, the nameless girl smiled encouragingly, prompting Lorne to reluctantly climb from his tank, his soaked form moved towards her, causing the girls eyes to stare at the dribbling of water falling from the other mutants form. He sat awkwardly, though she smiled a moment later, as if coming to terms with the mess he made, opening the cover of the book, though keeping it closer to her so not to risk him wetting the pages.
‘I like this story,’ Her voice was young, and comforting, though something about her was also worrisome and unnerving, something that Lorne had trouble shaking even as she began reading the words from the pages. Her slender fingers turned the page, her eyes following the lines of the words, speaking them out clearly, though her brow furrowed slightly as Lorne began to gulp at the air. ‘You’re distracting me,’ It hurt, but somehow Lorne had known that before she spoke, his head lowered slowly as his breathing got steadily more difficult, ‘I’m sorry, I fear the air and I do not get on well,’ The muse fell on deaf ears, she raised her voice a little higher, seeming slightly more intolerable towards him as her force seemed more steely then before. Desperate to remain, to continue reading with her, Lorne struggled, his breaths growing more laboured, his lungs felt as if they were closing on him, what if they did? What if he died because he didn’t go back?
‘Lorne?’ She seemed impatient, even as Lorne looked at her pleadingly, even as the air caught in his throat, as breathing creased, air seeped out with panicked effort, but nothing could be drawn back in. ‘I want you to read with me,’ She protested, and Lorne felt the need that he wanted to read with her too, but he couldn’t, he had to get back to the tank, ‘Why don’t you like reading with me?’ Tears started swelling in her eyes, she pulled away as Lorne reached to touch her arm, ‘No! You won’t even sit with me!’ She stood up, running off in tears, her voice painful to hear as she wept so loudly, he should go after her, that’s what people did, but he couldn’t, even as he struggled from the seat, Lorne’s body fell, weak and desperate to the floor. She ran into the darkness of the tunnels ahead, her cries still echoing around the large empty cavern, where was everyone? For a moment Lorne’s eyes shut tight, the crying of the girl got louder, the echoes made it almost piercing in sound, he could breath, couldn’t speak…couldn’t do anything but listen to the horrible sound…
…The siren screamed through the school, causing Lorne to stir, his large eyes opening and staring around in confusion. He’d never heard something so loud or piercing before, nervously he inched to the glass wall of his tank and pressed webbed hands against the barriers, staring into the gloom to where the door was. Hank was going to have people set up special things so that Lorne could function better in his room, including lights that turned on and off with sound, like when someone clapped… the idea seemed amusing to Lorne. But at the moment… Lorne stared at the darkness, which was followed by commotion, feet were stomping around, announcements being made, evacuations called over the room speakers… And for a brief moment, Lorne let himself remain calm in the thought that this had to be another nightmare… The school was huge, even getting down to the lake is a chore for Lorne, the thought of leaving the school grounds… it was daunting and frightful, too terrible an ask for Lorne to dare try. Yes, for a moment, there was comfort in the hope this was a nightmare… at last you could wake up from those terribly hopeless moments. All he had to do now, was wake up.
Re: Monday April 2nd: A Fish Out of Water.. and into the Fir
The school that had been sleeping just moments before had been rudely awakened, students erupting from their beds to face this unexpected attack. The air smelled of fear, an odour Matt recognised all too well, but not of panic. These youngsters might not all have received X men training but they were far from being naïve. Though they might have believed it would never come to this, still the possibility that such an event could happen had been drilled into them by their teachers. And they had been taught what to do if and when it did.
Most of them were doing just that, heading for the secret exits that the professor had so judiciously built into the institute, those who were on teams coming to the fore to help those less used to battle conditions. Not that this was a battle. Not yet at least, though Matt had little doubt that it would soon turn into one. And that was why he had to get to Lorne. With Sue at his side the blind lawyer made his way up the stairs against the stream of pupils intent on getting out of the school. He could sense heads turning as he passed, all too recognisable in the familiar red leather costume. Normally he would have stopped to rally them with his steady presence but that was something he didn’t have time for just yet. Not till he was sure Lorne was safe.
*And rain?* That small voice was just as insistent as the one pushing him towards the aquatic mutant but Matt forced it down, focusing on the task in hand. It was what you had to do in a situation like this. Prioritise! Lorne was alone and helpless, the sanctuary Matt had promised him transformed in an instant into a trap from which his powers stopped him from escaping. Rain could at least defend herself if anyone came near. Matt grimaced. God help anyone who did try to harm her! Or anyone at all for that matter, friend or foe, if she lost control. But she wasn’t going to, Matt told himself firmly as they reached the first of the rooms they were looking for. She would stay calm and he would come back for her. Because any other scenario was just too terrible to contemplate.
With that thought in mind Matt got down to the business at hand. Those students with special needs who weren’t assigned to teams had been given rooms close together, so Sue’s deaf pupils were just along the corridor from where Lorne’s tank had been installed a fact that Matt was extremely grateful for at this precise moment in time. 0K he said, making sure he was turned towards the school councillor as he spoke, You grab your kids and Ill get Lorne.. meet you back here!
He hated leaving her even for a moment but then again Sue was no frail damsel in distress. Even without mutant powers she was a capable young woman and getting these students to safety was something she would have done whether he was there or not. So despite his concern for her he smiled and turned and ran for Lorne’s door, pushing it open and stepping into the room which, even with the water dampening his senses slightly was filled with the resonance of Lorne’s anxiety.
“Hey Lorne” he said as he crossed towards the tank. “Did you think we’d forgotten about you?” His voice was confident and the grin on his face as fearless as only Daredevil’s could be as he added” No chance.” Now come on. Lets get out of here”
Re: Monday April 2nd: A Fish Out of Water.. and into the Fir"Hey Lorne" Hands instantly pressed against the glass wall of Lorne’s watery chamber, drifting closer to the frame as if to better hear what was to come, "Did you think we’d forgotten about you?" Confusion now definitely came, no one had ever delivered bad news with a smile on their faces before, and yet everything screamed out that something was definitely wrong. "No chance. Now come on. Lets get out of here" Hesitating didn’t seem like an option, but Lorne did, at least briefly, long enough to take in a deep gulp of the cool water around him, then with a fluid movement, the amphibian mutant was propelled to the surface. The swiftness of his body’s movement enabled the youth to quickly and nimbly slip out of the watery enclosure and land with a thud beside Daredevil. Gnarl would not tolerate questions or discussions when something was going wrong, he wanted everyone to do as they were told, all must work as one, and yet... Lorne had no idea what was going on!
Water seeped from the gills of the previously submerged mutant, the liquid gushing for a brief moment before thinning out to a dribble, joining the rest of the water that spilled off the scaled form of the young Morlock. Large eyes flickered about for a moment, as if trying to catch a hint that would explain all that was going on, however the only clue offered was the siren and thudding of distance bodies as they rushed one way or another.
"...I.." There was a gulp as water gargled momentarily in his lungs, causing a slight cough as the air and water mixed, "..I can not travel far," But this would be known by Daredevil, of all people in this school, so surely he did not expect Lorne to wander around aimlessly, and yet he couldn’t help but feel concerned. Daredevil would not just lead him to his doom as far as suffocating went, surely he had an idea, and surely he would not risk any of this if it were not truly important. For that alone, the trust Lorne had in the hero both worshipped and feared, like so many heroes often were, the youth readily prepared to follow the red clad man, both in awe of the others light expression, and in fear of what waited beyond those nearby doors.
Re: Monday April 2nd: A Fish Out of Water.. and into the Fir
Once Lorne emerged from his tank the full extent of his confusion became instantly apparent to the red clad crimefighter. And yet so too was his willingness to follow where Matt lead. No questions were asked as the aquatic mutant made his adjustment to the all too hostile world of air and its accompanying dryness. No complaints were made about the dangerous situation he suddenly found himself thrust into. Indeed the only words he spoke were a simple and pertinent reminder of how fragile he was outside his own specific environment.
"...I...I can not travel far," Lorne said quietly, the underlying fear in his voice masked by a courageous determination that he was trying hard to maintain , but still all to obvious, even to someone who didn’t possess Daredevil’s heightened senses. Matt’s heart went out to the young mutant. He knew how hard it was to walk into danger. After all it was something he did almost every day of his life. But for him it was a choice. A lifestyle he had decided to adopt knowing all too well what it might cost him. That was not the case with this young man though. He had been safe, leading a quiet existence surrounded by those he loved until Daredevil had dropped, quite literally, into his life and turned it upside down.
It had seemed like such a good idea at the time. Bringing Lorne to the institute. It had felt so right, as if destiny had brought the two of them together so that they could, albeit in different ways, save each others lives. But now…… If something happened to him Matt would never forgive himself that much was clear. All the more reason then to make sure that nothing did! Still, if Lorne was forced to walk this path today then at least he, Matt thought with a wry smile, shouldn’t have to do it blindly.
“ You wont have too” Matt reassured him quickly. “We’re only going as far as the lake. Listen Lorne.. the Institute is under attack. “ the crime fighter explained “I don’t know who by or for what reason but you can be sure its not good. This is the signal to evacuate the building. Everyone is getting out as best they can and that’s exactly what we’re going to do as well. Get out. Keep safe. And then work out what we do from there. “
Re: Monday April 2nd: A Fish Out of Water.. and into the Fir
The large eyes of the mutant youth slid closed, though the thin skin of his eyelid meant that that dark pupil beneath was almost still visible. The sensations were vibrating in the very air around him, like waves against his mind. The amphibious youth knew of his abilities, he used them whenever he left the aquarium; the best way to explore the most of life was sometimes to take the paths you knew would get you around the fastest. Focus, it was the most important thing he had to do, many distractions, so much information, and while Lorne’s brain was larger than the average human’s, even he had his limits. Worry, concern, ghosts of memories, they all flowed from living and none-living things alike... but right now, all that and more came from Matt, doubts, fears, Lorne curled his hands and drew them towards his chest, aiding in fading out the sensations.
"You wont have too" Came the man’s reply, a hero in his own right, and Lorne felt strangely comforted by it, by Daredevil’s very presence, as he often felt comforted by Gnarl, the only difference seemed to be, where Gnarl often protected Lorne and hide him away, Daredevil seemed to be protecting him, but showing him the world. Granted, Lorne could tell this was not exactly what Daredevil had hoped to be showing him, "We’re only going as far as the lake. Listen Lorne.. the Institute is under attack." Yes, this seemed to be becoming unkindly clear, and as Lorne opened his eyes he stared at the crime fighter, every ounce of common sense told Lornehe should be completely freaking out at this point, and while the fear burned inside, and yet his legs still seemed strong enough to carry his weight, and his mind clear enough to think. "I don’t know who by or for what reason but you can be sure its not good. This is the signal to evacuate the building. Everyone is getting out as best they can and that’s exactly what we’re going to do as well. Get out. Keep safe. And then work out what we do from there." The moist chin seemed to tilt upwards, his lips pressed firmly, a look of thought, determination and facing the obvious fear with a quiet acceptance.
"Hmm," It seemed almost as thoughtful as student studying a complex equation, knowing one answer, but wondering if perhaps there was another way to read the difficult formula, a challenge for sure, and one that was as dangerous as it was intricately designed. "I have not yet seen a real lake," The dangers to get there seemed to be great, Lorne could not imagine Daredevil with fear and yet here he was, courageously ushering the teen to safety, wrapped with concerns for both his life and those around them. The least Lorne could do was stay focused, alert and keep moving.
Re: Monday April 2nd: A Fish Out of Water.. and into the Fir“Hmm..” Anything could have followed the low murmur that came from the aquatic mutant. A stark refusal to leave the relative safety of the tank! Bitter recrimination towards the one who had promised him safety and delivered instead a threat such as he had never been confronted with in the Morlock tunnels. Instead what Daredevil sensed was a chin lifting in determination and a slow building swell of courage as Lorne said steadfastly "I have not yet seen a real lake,"
The crime fighters grin widened in appreciation of the youngster’s resolution. Yes Lorne was new at all of this, something which in any other circumstances Matt would have considered a good thing! But then again no one should be used to being attacked. To having their very lives endangered on a daily basis! And that included Matt himself.
In a perfect world it wouldn’t happen. In a perfect world there would be no need for Daredevil to perch high above Devil’s kitchen like some flesh and blood gargoyle, trying with his all too human body to serve the same purpose as those stone guardians. To ward off evil! But the fact was that the world wasn’t perfect. Tonight had once again proved that.
A school that provided a haven of peace and understanding for all those lost mutant children had been invaded without warning. His own life which had for the first time in so long been taking a tentative step towards a positive future had once again been plunged back into violence and destruction. Because while getting Lorne and Sue out safely might prove a challenge, getting Rain out afterwards might cost him his life!
But that was another problem, to be faced when the time came. And there was no doubt that he would face it. Here and now though his task had been made infinitely easier by Lorne’s courage. Matt had been ready, if need be, to recuperate a dead weight as far as battle readiness was concerned. Instead he had found a team mate. Inexperienced perhaps but ready to do all he could to help the blind crime fighter in his up and coming battle.
“Neither have I” said Matt with wry humour “ but the one here at the institute feels nice. And it’s the best I can offer at short notice. Thought if everything goes well you won’t have to spend too much time in it. The plan is to drop you of there for a short time while I come back for someone. Someone dangerous! Though I’d be obliged if you didn’t mention that when we get into the corridor. ”
Matt looked seriously at Lorne now, his emotions easy to read even behind the mask that covered his face! “The fact is Lorne” he went on, confiding his feelings to the young Murlock, “that there’s someone I care about waiting for us out there and I don’t want her worried about what might happen to me. But you.. you need to know that there’s a risk I won’t come back. You wait half an hour for me at the side of the lake..and if im not there by then.. you make yourself at home until its safe to come out OK?
Re: Monday April 2nd: A Fish Out of Water.. and into the Fir"Neither have I" Came the honest jest, leaving Lorne wondering if he should perhaps choose his words more accuratey and carefully in the future. "but the one here at the institute feels nice. And it’s the best I can offer at short notice. Thought if everything goes well you won’t have to spend too much time in it. The plan is to drop you of there for a short time while I come back for someone. Someone dangerous! Though I’d be obliged if you didn’t mention that when we get into the corridor." Mention it? To who..? There was a flutter of anxiety all the more now, Lorne wasn't familiar with people here, he'd only talked to the very odd few in passing conversations, and now the school was being attacked and he had to socialize as well? The oddity of how that aspect was more constricting to Lorne then the threat of an invasion didn't go unnoticed, and so Lorne brushed it aside along with the undeniable fear and confusion and just put his trust in the man before him.
"The fact is Lorne" Came the serious words, "that there’s someone I care about waiting for us out there and I don’t want her worried about what might happen to me. But you.. you need to know that there’s a risk I won’t come back. You wait half an hour for me at the side of the lake..and if im not there by then.. you make yourself at home until its safe to come out OK?" It felt almost wrong to know this! To know anything personal of the great Daredevil was both a privilage and a curse in many ways, because all fans like to talk of their heroes and there was no talking of the personal side of things, it was a secret, and knowing a secret was hard enough compared to knowing many, what if he let it slip somehow, what he wasn't right to know all these details. Love! Concern! Weaknesses! Things all villians yearn to discover of their enemies, the rightous heroes who defended those less fortunate, less capable or just in need.
They were wasting time though. Lorne galped a few small breaths and realized there was no safe return to his tank once he got short of breath, there was only speed that could get him to the next destination and the watery haven that awaited for him there. A webbed hand rose almost hesitantly, a sign of uncertainty for a moment as he motioned for DareDevil to be patient for a moment, "If I may.. just quickly.." He didn't waste any more time in talking, turning around and with a bounce in his stride, strong arms grabbed to the edge of the top of the tank, hauling his body up enough for his face to become submerged, deep breaths were taken to restore some of the precious oxygen and with a splash of water, Lorne pulled himself back up and dropped his body to the ground. A slight shake was given and then a quick move towards the door, "Onwards then, shall we?"
Re: Monday April 2nd: A Fish Out of Water.. and into the Fir
They had been talking for only a few moments and yet already it seemed that Lorne was feeling the effects of having been away from his natural environment. Or maybe, given the request he had received he just needed a moment to collect his thoughts. In any case he took one last gulp of water before resuming his place at the crime fighters side and saying solemnly “Onwards then, shall we? “
It should have been funny, those antiquated words in the mouth of someone so young and so earnest. But it wasn’t! It wasn’t even close. Because if anyone had the right to sound like a knight in shining armour then surely Lorne did. Right then and right there! Facing an unknown enemy that was as potentially fatal as any dragon! And in his own way protecting a fair lady at the same time.
His courage he had already proved. Matt didn’t doubt for an instant that the aquatic mutant would suffer in silence rather than do anything to hold back their escape from the Institute. Even at the risk of his own life. For the blind vigilante that wasn’t an option though.
Fine tuning his sense of touch to monitor the rate of evaporation from Lorne’s body wasn’t easy, especially not in the present circumstances, but it was necessary. Because he was damned sure that he wasn’t going to let a failing heartbeat be his first warning that something was very wrong with his young friend. Not, Matt had to admit, that he had any real idea of what was and wasn’t for acceptable for Lorne. Not yet anyway. Though he feared the near future would give him more information about that than he had ever wanted to know.
For now though all he could do was match the aquatic mutants courage with his own, saying “Yeah .. its definitely time to go. Oh and Lorne.He had almost forgotten to mention it in the rush. Though it was something else that had to be taken into account “Sue and the others waiting for us in the corridor are deaf.. so be sure to look at them if you want to say something.. and leave the lip reading up to them.”
Re: Monday April 2nd: A Fish Out of Water.. and into the Fir"Yeah .. its definitely time to go. Oh and Lorne." And so Lorne prepared to move swiftly to the door, only to hesitate in mid motion as DareDevil continued, "Sue and the others waiting for us in the corridor are deaf.. so be sure to look at them if you want to say something.. and leave the lip reading up to them." Lip reading! Deaf! Lorne had known a Morlock or two that were deaf, but barely well, they didn’t spend much time around Lorne’s tank, and Lorne himself had never learned the language himself, suddenly he regretted it. Lord know he had more then enough time to learn it. Oh well, maybe this would be a chance, like it or not, to pick some things up. Of course, not all deaf people had hindered speech that required them to use sign language to communicate, so Lorne was hoping he would be lucky enough not be thrown too far into the deep end where that was concerned!
"I will remember to do so," The youth assured, opening the door for DareDevil to exit before following the elder man out, there was something… exciting as well as scary about this, like all the lonely hours that Lorne had spent reading his stories of heroes and saviours and here he was, in the middle of one unfolding! But with that, came the downfalls, the pain and suffering of those that couldn’t be saved, and for that, Lorne felt ashamed and saddened by. Yet! …side by side with Daredevil himself! All the stories of Spiderman, Daredevil and even to a degree the X-men that made the spotlight though not always in a cherished way. It didn’t bother Lorne though, he heard tales of Daredevil and Spiderman and even the X-men and knew them to be good people, and since meeting DareDevil that first time in the sewers… there was something so much more human to him, so much more real and alive and Lorne respected him more then he thought possible, curiosity readily taking a back seat as Lorne was content in merely knowing he was in the red suited crime fighters good graces.
As the moved down the hall, Lorne found his hands had balled into fists and drew close to his chest, perhaps an odd sight to see but there was an air of disorientation if he did otherwise, so many signals all around! Fear! Panic! Thick in the air and the life all around as clear to him as radio signals to a stereo, and for a moment, as Lorne walked, he had this sudden fear that these moments just might be the last he shared in this world. The noise in the distance sounded frightful, yells and orders and what he could only guess to be gunfire and blasts of unknown descriptions shattered the night. Being closer to Daredevil gave Lorne what could possibly have been a false sense of security, and yet it was security! Assurance! A knowledge that Daredevil himself thought Lorne worthy enough to risk dragging from his watery cage in an attempt to make a run for it, no matter how awkward the amphibian was to deal with and rescue.
It was easy, for Lorne at least, to tell the group ahead they had discovered were in fact Sue and her kids, the blonde being surrounded by youths not the only clue to go by. As Lorne’s hands lowered from his chest to remained fisted but pressed against his stomachs sides now, one hand briefly moved away, as if waving to the new faces, yet brisk and curious, their hearts all racing, yet something about the elder female suggested a sense of relief and thrill as she locked eyes on Daredevil. Again, the sensations Lorne picked up were almost overwhelming, as if a head spin behind his eyes and one that the water dweller could not afford in this current situation. And so once more the webbed hand was curled into a tight ball and pressed firmly against his own flesh, not that it helped tremendously, but it dimmed it all enough to focus.
Re: Monday April 2nd: A Fish Out of Water.. and into the Fir”0K” The way the blind man had turned towards her had been the indicator that he was about to speak, and that it was important. But right now what wasn’t? She was worried, yes. But perhaps she was saved the full panic which could have absorbed her by her disability. She could here the urgent alarms echoing around her. But she was still anxious, as was the retriever who stood by her side, softly tugging at her occasionally, and now they had stopped briefly he dropped to the floor, crawling slightly. She couldn’t calm him, he wanted to get out, to get her out safely from these painful sounds which screamed of danger. But she couldn’t concentrate on him. There were those not so lucky as her, with no companion to warn her. Her students, those who were deaf, wouldn’t hear the alarm, and may sleep right through it.
” You grab your kids and Ill get Lorne.. meet you back here!” She nodded her agreement, watching only for a second as he headed off, before patting her leg, looking to the distressed dog. ”Come on” She said softly, crouching briefly to stroke the soft fur of his head. ”Good boy” She soothed, before standing and heading down the corridor at a swift pace. The movement seemed to make Levi perk up a little, trotting after her, before breaking into a run so he was by her side once more.
It took her only a few short minutes to reach the first door. Whether deliberately or not, the students she was heading for all lived close enough together for her to reach easily. She thanked the Lord silently that she had found out where her students rooms were, else she was sure she would be searching blindly for them. Levi got ahead of her as he heard movement from one room, sniffing at the gap at the bottom of the door, scrabbling at it. Sue followed him, gently pulling him back as she opened the door to the shared room, holding two of her students.
The pair seemed distressed, obviously discovering something was wrong but not what. Sue guessed it was Tara who had felt the sound waves around her thanks to her power and through one way or another had stirred Lily, her room mate. The girls eyes turned to the door, physically jumping at it was open. Sue could see the worried relief on their faces when they recognised her, Levi running up to them, nuzzling at them. Sue’s signing was swift, swifter than she would have used with an able bodied, knowing each of them were capable of keeping up. There was danger, so they were evacuating. She would help get them out of there, not to worry. But first they had to get the others, and then meet up with someone who would help them all get out safely. Sue smiled reassuringly, placing a hand gently on each of their shoulders in turn.
With the two girls, she headed out, and a couple of doors down she went into another room. Inside was a younger girl, about eight, who looked so cute while she slept, her blonde-green hair long. Gently Sue moved to the side of the bed, crouching as she rubbed the sleeping girl’s shoulder gently. This little one was called Melody, and she was an earth mutant, who’s powers had shown early when her blonde hair had started turning green. The girl was obvious confused when she woke, and carefully Sue explained to Mel that there was a danger, but it was okay because they were going to get out. Taking the girl’s hand, she gently led her along with the other two, to get the last two.
The first was James, who was also asleep. Again Sue woke him gently, and tried to explain what was going on without scaring him. It wasn’t easy. How could you tell someone that the place they called home was under threat without frightening someone? There was only one more after James, another boy. Quietly Sue was grateful that at least four of the five were teenagers, that bit more mature and capable. It was as Sue shepherded him gently from his room that the last one actually ran into them, almost literally in a panic. Turns out David had woken up by chance only to be startled by the sight of the noise. In a similar power to Tara, he could see sound waves as light. And whilst he had learnt to tune out everyday noises, the loud blaring siren had come as a blinding light. Sue hugged him gently, before signing to him once more in explanation before she addressed the group.
~We have to head back now~ She signed easily, her eyes flicking between them, making sure they were paying attention. But there was no need, she was their hope now, their chance to escape. There was no way any of them were taking their eyes off her! ~There is someone who will help us, he’s just getting someone else~ She smiled reassuringly, ruffling Mel’s hair softly, before taking her hand, signing with one hand ~Come on~ She lead the small group back along the corridors. Despite her seemingly calm composure, she was gradually growing more anxious. It wasn’t just the immediate threat but the worry about what she was going to do next. She knew of a flat she could use in New York, her ex and one of her good friends had given her a spare key in case she needed it when she moved here. And she was sure if she gave him a ring, he wouldn’t mind her and the kids using it for awhile. It was an okay size, two or three bedroom she couldn’t remember. But she could always split the kids, girls in one room, boys in the other and herself on the sofa if needs be. But right now, she had to concentrate on getting them out.
Reaching the meeting point, she was surprised to see she’d made it back first. Unless she’d gotten lost, which she was sure she hadn’t. There was no question of Matt leaving without them, she knew he wouldn’t do that. ~He’ll be back soon, so we’re going to stay here, together~ She signed, crouching down and hugging Melody who was getting tearful with the fear. Levi was circling them all, as if to make sure they were safe, before he stopped, barking needlessly, before moving to Sue, pawing at her side. The history teacher’s brown eyes turned to where Levi indicated, standing as they did, an arm softly around the youngest girl.
Of course, she recognised Matt, or Daredevil as she supposed she should call him at the moment. But the figure beside him was new. And if she had been in the school for any less time and the moment hadn’t been filled with such urgency she would have taken more time to absorb his appearance, to wonder at it all. But now wasn’t the time. She might still be getting used to mutants but there was one truth which embodied them all. They were still human. And right now they were all in danger.
”Are you ready?” Her voice was slightly raised, an attempt to make sure it was enough to get above, or at least through, the alarm she was told was sounding all around them. But such a task even as raising one’s voice was difficult to do deliberately when you couldn’t hear your own voice, had no knowledge of how it sounded. The words themselves indicated she was ready if they were. She felt like she was doing so little in away. Yes, these were students who were at risk because they couldn’t hear the warning. But did that put them in any more risk than those running scared, than her other students? All she could do was hope somebody was with them and they’d get out safely. And that, once the danger had passed, they’d be able to return.
There is more than one way to be different in this world.
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