Past The Point of No Return

Chapter 3

"Focus, Alexa! You've almost got it!" When I got up this morning, I really didn't think being held upside down by a mechanical arm would be at the top of my list of things to do. Beast thought that putting me in a life or death situation would help me control my powers. Not sure what gave him that idea but I'll do anything if it means I can start going on missions. "Alexa, you must focus your energy into getting out. Feel your powers flow through you and release them!" I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I place my hands on the mechanical arm around my waist and imagine releasing energy out through my palms. "Yes! YES! You've done it, Alexa!", Beast shouts gleefully. I opened my eyes to see that he was right; I had managed to use my powers for combat for the first time. I managed to freeze the mechanical arm. I entwine my fingers, raise my arms and strike the now frozen arm with all my force, over and over until it breaks. It shatters and I'm free but it is then that I realize that I'm several feet in the air. "Shit!", I yell as I fall down. I try to use my powers again but it's no use. I haven't been able to use my powers the way that I want and this was no exception. I mentally prepare myself for the hard landing but it never comes.

Instead, I'm placed gently down on the ground and open my eyes to see Logan with an unreadable expression. "You okay?", he asked. "Uh, yeah. Thanks.", I reply. He gets up and looks at Beast. "I thought we said she wasn't ready for combat yet." Beast seems nervous. "Yes, well. I thought some exposure would do her some good." "Yeah? How'd that work out?", he retorts. Beast opts to look at me and tilts his head, asking "Alexa, are you alright?" I give him a thumbs up. Logan turns to me and crosses his arms. "What?" Logan doesn't respond and glares at me instead. "Come on, you can't seriously be mad about this." No response. "Logan, are you serious?" "Very.", he replies. I look at him with a shocked expression. "Come on, I was just--" "Just what? Doing something you knew you weren't ready for?", he says angrily. "I used my powers. I--" "Yeah and then you couldn't. Do you understand that you could have gotten seriously hurt?!" "Logan-" "What if I hadn't been here?! You were several feet in air, Alexa! You could have broken a bone!" "Then let me break a bone!", I yell. "It's not like I can go anywhere! No one will let me go on missions!" "That's 'cause you're not ready, Alexa! This just further shows that you can't handle missions yet!" "Logan, Alexa is-", Beast starts. Logan turns around and yells, "Stay out of this!" "Logan, I can't learn if you keep hovering over me! Stop treating me like a child!" Logan looks at me, taken aback by my comment. "Fine. You want to stop being treated like a kid? Then stop acting like one!", he angrily whispers. He starts to walk away and at this point, I'm fuming. I shut my eyes and throw my hands down in anger; letting out a shout of frustration. "Alexa!" I open my eyes again and see Beast looking surprised, so I turn around to see what surprised him. I take a step back, seeing what my anger unleashed: shards of ice trailing behind me. I'm in shock, to say the least. I've never unleashed my abilities like this before. "Alexa, I'd like to see you in my office.", the professor communicates to me. "Shit.", I mutter underneath my breath. I make my way to the door and pass Logan, who still looks displeased with me. I roll my eyes, knowing that this conversation is far from over.

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I stand in front of the door, not being able to move. 'Why would the professor want to see me?', I think. 'Did he send Logan?' I finally summon the courage to knock on the door and I hear the professor tell me, "Come in." "Hi, Professor.", I say shyly. "You wanted to see me?" He chuckles. "I did, but don't worry. You're not in any trouble, unless there's something I should be concerned about?" I smile nervously. "No, of course not.", I try to say convincingly. 'Alexa, I wanted to discuss your powers." "Oh, is something wrong?" He pauses, unsure of how to proceed. "As a matter of fact, yes. When we last spoke, there was...something odd about your memory." I tilt my head. "I don't know what you mean." "Upon examining this further, I came to the conclusion that you yourself are blocking your powers, not your fear." "Professor, I don't know how to fully use my powers-" "But you can. Only if you allow yourself to learn. You mustn't hold yourself back. Remember, you are safe here.", he interjects. I look down. "Alexa, I'd like you to take the remainder of today to relax. No lessons, no training. Just relax." I look up at him. "Do you think that might help me use my powers?", I question. He looks towards the window and sighs, "I'm not quite sure. I've never seen a mutant close off this much of their abilities. This is a first for me as it is for you. But rest assured, I will be here every step of the way." I smile at him, "Thank you, Professor."