We Live Forever

Chapter 5: Betrayal of The Highest Order

Crimson's POV:

The past nights it's been the same. Charles comes across the hall carrying an unconscious student in his arms. A while passes and then he walks back with the same student. He's all hopeful at first, but then deeply frustrated maybe even angry. Tonight something feels different. It's past when Charles usually comes by. 

I can hear something from down the hall. It sounds like a scuffle. I watch Charles come down the hall attempting to drag a ground man. I look at the man and can't help but feel like I've seen him before. Holy shit. 

Charles kidnapped the mailman...

This is insane! When it was just the students I could at least try to believe that he was helping them. But the damn mailman? 

Charles, what the fuck have you done?

Several Nights Later

Tonight Charles and Erik were walking down the hallway together. 

"What exactly are you going to show me?" 

"Patience Erik, we just have to get there first."

"You know I don't do patient."

"Well, then make an exception."

"Charles? Are you alright?"

"I will be if you just cooperate!"

"Cooperate...?"

"Oh for fuck's sake!"

A loud thud echoed through the hall and the arguing stopped. 

"Someone has to have seen something. Someone has to know. They're just not telling me!"

A Few Nights Later

Charles has made his way through most of the staff and few people I didn't recognize. Every night it's someone new. 

Even after his argument his Erik, they still seem the same. Erik doesn't even seem to remember. Charles wouldn't wipe his memory, would he?

Tonight Charles was practically running down the hallway chasing after... Warren. I practically felt my heart shatter. Warren sprinted into the room looking around frantically. 

"You said my mom was awake?!"

"I lied."

Charles leapt onto Warren's back and tried to pin his wings down. The two started to fight with each other. Warren slammed Charles into the wall and I think I heard something crack. It turned out to be the wall. 

Hearing the commotion, Hank woke up and quickly got out of his seat. His eyes quickly shifted from me to Warren. 

"GET YOUR HANDS OFF MY SON!"

Hank quickly shifted into his beast form and launched himself toward Charles. I tried to fit my way into moving or speaking or just doing something. Anything!

Charles dodged Hank and ran to the other side of the room closer to me. I looked down at the metal table and desperately tried to reach out to grab the scalpel. 

I finally made some progress. One of my fingers just barely stretched out. I tried to move further. 

Hank noticed my movements and became laser-focused on them. Charles followed his gaze and saw the scalpel. Charles reached over and quickly grabbed the scalpel. Charles moved towards Warren with the scalpel held tightly in his hand. Hank jumped in the way and Charles stabbed him. 

"Charles?"

"It wasn't supposed to go like this!"

"I trusted you..."

Charles let go and the scalpel was stuck buried in Hank's chest. Hank started to bleed from the cut. Blood started to soak his fur, giving it a purple hue. Hank grabs at his chest and collapses. He slowly starts to shift back into human form.

Both Charles and Warren freak out. Charles quickly leans down and grabs the scalpel he tugs it out of Hank, causing more blood to pour out of him. The blood is now forming an ever-growing puddle on the floor. 

Charles points the scalpel at Warren. 

"Stitch him up, I can't have him dying."

"O- okay."

Warren grabs what is needed and frantically stitches up the small cut. Charles gestures towards the bandages and makes him bandage up the wound as well. 

Charles continues to order Warren around forcing him to put Hank back in the chair and give Hank his own shirt. He disposes of Hank's bloody shirt and mops up all the blood on the floor. 

Warren is finishing up the cleaning when Charles sneaks behind him and pulls a needle out of his pocket. He quickly jabs the needle into Warren's skin, causing him to fall to the floor. Charles removes the needle and walks over to Hank's slumped-over body. He jabs Hank with the same needle. 

"Can't risk anyone remembering this."

Charles casts a look in my direction and then turns away. Charles grabs Warren's leg and drags him out of the room, to god knows where. 

The Following Morning

Hank finally starts to stir and finally wakes. He looks down at his shirt, confusion evident on his face. 

"What the-"

He leans down and smells the shirt. His face contorts and he quickly pulls away. 

"God, why do I smell like cheap cologne?"

He stood up and walked to the crack in the wall. His hands lightly traced over it. 

"Was there an earthquake last night?"

Hank continued to pace around the lab. He inspects everything but doesn't find anything else out of order. A small patch of blood starts to stain the shirt and he takes notice. 

"Huh?"

Hank presses on the spot and hisses out in pain. He quickly pulls the shirt off his body. Hank looks down at the semi-soaked bandage. He gently pulls it off. His fingers carefully touch the stitches.

"What happened last night?"

He doesn't remember.

Author's Note:

So......thoughts?

I really make these chapter titles super ominous, don't I?

What in the hell is going with Charles??

Is Hank gonna figure it out??

Only time will tell.. well and me. Mostly me. I will tell you. 

Thank You!