For Better or For Worse

Chapter 7

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They boarded a large jet that they may or may not have stollen from a nearby airport.

With Jean's help, it was no problem at all.

Jean concealed them whilst Raven stole the keys to their desired aircraft and then... well... with Hank's genius paired with the concealment of the night, it was no problem just flying off.

The engines roared to life and they felt the body of the aircraft shudder with the motion. But, all things considered, they were pretty well off. They had enough fuel to make it to Cairo without having to ground the craft and refuel -- which was a relief due to the fact that they were in a bit of a rush--.

They were en-route to Cairo and tensions were high.

They sat in silence for a bit before the discomfort and confusion of the recent events overwhelmed Scott enough for him to finally speak up.

"Can someone please explain to me what the hell all just happened!?"

Raven sighed and looked over at Scott. Hank just sat, silently and faced forward in the pilot's seat.

"In summary," Raven sighed, "the world has gone to hell because a mutant who thinks he is god is trying to take over, and because nothing ever seems to go smoothly for us, at the same time the professor gets kidnapped by this 'god', we get attacked by the freaking government".

She looked back at Scott as she finished. And realized she missed a key part of all that had happened, and she realized this right as Scott began to sniffle.

She wanted to kick herself. How could she have been so callous to forget?

Scott had just lost his older brother in one of the worst ways possible.

As she came to this realization, Jean reached across the narrow walkway that separated hers and Scotts' seats and gently clasped his hand in hers.

Jean said nothing but simply sat holding Scott's hand in silence.

There are times when silence is what is needed to heal.

Raven too, sat in silence, as did the rest of the group.

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Sleep befell the lot as they traversed the Atlantic Ocean in their winged vessel.

As they slumbered, Hank – who dare not rest whilst on such an important mission – began to ponder upon what fate befell the silver-haired speedster.

It wasn't as though Hank knew him well – for he most certainly did not – but he had met him, and he had talked to him, and he knew his name... The kid had been on a mission with them and had even just saved them, of his own accord, from a massive and fiery explosion for heaven's sake! Even though he didn't really know the boy, they had seen each other enough to make it personal.

And to be honest, Hank kinda liked the kid.

I mean, the boy seemed nice enough; although, kinda snobby at some times Hank thought.

Hank remembered the boy's humor and fast paced light-heartedness. He was also gentle and kind. 'at least he was when we went to hire him onto the Pentagon mission', Hank mused.

But...

He seemed different during their most recent encounter.

Well, of course, he was older and more mature-looking, but there was something else there too.

A sort of sadness.

Even to the point of hopelessness.

When Hank last saw him, after the boy rescued them from the impending flame, the speedster seemed utterly and desperately miserable.