Dark Blood

Chapter 7

I must have dosed off at some point, because the next thing I remember was the sound of the door. I opened my eyes and that woman who had knocked me out- Mystique, I think her name was?- was walking down the stairs. "Good morning," she said, as if she were a caring mother in a wonderful attitude. As she got closer, I could smell the food she was carrying, making my mouth water. I don't know how long I was passed out, and I had skipped breakfast that morning at the Institute. She placed the plate on the floor, and began to remove my muzzle. I thought about biting her, that is, until I saw the remote for the collar around her neck. Once she had the muzzle off, she threw it on the floor and pushed the plate closer. It held some sausage and scrambles eggs.
"Eat," Mystique commanded. I was scared that if I didn't, she would shock me, and I was over all starving, so I turned, making my ribs hurt, and ate silently, not looking up.
When I had finished, I laid my head down, waiting for the muzzle to come back over my face. I then heard the door again, and someone else came in. The guys had to be around my age... Seventeen, at the oldest. Short black hair and two guns on either side of his waist band. I tried to back away, but Mystique pulled my leash so I couldn't move. "Meet James. He is going to be your caretaker," she informed me. She seemed quite happy she wasn't my babysitter. Then, turning to him, ordered," get her and her stuff upstairs and make sure she behaves herself," she gave me a warning glance and left the room, leaving the two of us alone.
The first thing James did was take my muzzle and put it back on, tighter than before. He then grabbed my suitcase and undid my leash, but holding it so tightly I had almost no ability to breathe, let alone try to jerk away. I walked calmly up the stairs with my head and tail down. When we reached the top, it was clear this was a private jet. The man I saw before, this time without the helmet, was lounging in a chair with a glass of tequila.
"There's no need for the muzzle now, James," he told the man holding my leash. " It was only so she couldn't chew through the leash. And we need her to like us, so let her roam a bit. Don't worry. If she doesn't behave herself, her metal bones will do her no good." He continued to drink his tequila like we weren't there. James took the muzzle and leash off, but watched me carefully, as I just sat down. I laid my head on my paws and watched the man finish his drink. Once he noticed me again, he tried to strike a conversation. "Why don't you take some clothes to the bathroom and change yourself back, then come and sit with me," he said this without looking at me. I turned toward James, who pulled out some sweat pants, a jacket and some gloves, then showed me to the bathroom.
Once I was a human again and dressed I sat with the man. "My name is Eric," he started, "but you can call me Magneto. I'm sorry your accommodations weren't quite comfortable, but we couldn't afford to have a prisoner up here. Would you like something to drink?" He handed me a bottle of water. I took it and opened it cautiously. "Th-thanks," I stammered. If I was a prisoner, than why be so kind? I decided to find out. "Don't mind me asking," I kept my eyes on the water bottle in my lap, "but, umm... What do you want from me? I can't do anything for you, I can't control my own abilities-"
He waved a hand, cutting me off. "We are actually here to do you a favor. I personally feel that Charles was neglecting to help see your true potential. So we are going to help you."
"How are you supposed to help me if Charles hasn't?" I asked. Just then, a voice said through the intercom, "Magneto, we're landing. ETA 10 minutes." Everybody began to go below and grab their stuff, and James slid my bag towards me. I grabbed the handle and stayed seated.
"I will answer all your questions once we reach our destination. And, please, behave yourself. I would hate to have to hurt you so early in the process" Magneto commented.
Process?
When the plane landed, James kept his hand firmly on my shoulder. He kept it this way until we got in the black van waiting for us, and sat by the window next to me, with magneto on the other side. We rode in silence, with the occasional glance between James and I, then which I would quickly look away. Magneto would watch me too, and I would just look down at my feet, at which he smirked like it was funny.
We rode for about an hour, then pulled into a driveway In a really remote area, like dirt road remote. We stopped in front of a large house, with a pool and a barn. Everyone got out, and James helped me get my bag out. he led us all inside and gave us a tour, then began to show us our rooms. James's was right next to mine, no surprise.
The room was a storage room with no windows, a mattress with some folded sheets, a blanket, and pillows; a small dresser to keep my few belongings in, and a wooden bookshelf.
" James's will be back for you at 8:00 tomorrow morning. Be ready." He shut and locked the door, and I placed my sheets and blanket on my bed, my clothes in the dresser, and went to sleep, hoping the X-men found me soon.