ELECTRIC LOVE; Sam Guthrie

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Athena felt herself coming back into consciousness, a hand running along her face softly. She opened her eyes slowly hoping she had woken from the nightmare last night. She sighed in relief making eye contact with her best friend, the worried boy sat nervously beside her.

"Sam, what happened?" Athena mumbled softly lifting herself onto her elbows, stretching her head back.

"Reyes said you had a bad reaction to the painkillers or somethin. We.. We heard your screams Thene." Sam ran his fingers along Athena's hands softly, a new cast fitted on Sam's other wrist, as a result of his training.

"Sam, we need to get out of here. I- I can't be here anymore. I feel like I'm going crazy." Athena rubbed her face tensely, holding back tears.

"I know Athena, but there is nothing we can do until our treatment is done." Sam sighed in defeat, pulling himself to his feet. "Fancy some breakfast Thene, you've been asleep for a while." Sam countered Athena sitting up wearily.

"I hate this." She mumbled quietly, a tear falling down her face slowly.

"I know you do Thene, but I need to make sure you get something to eat please." Sam stepped over to grab her headphones, placing them over her head.

Athena nodded defeated, music filling her mind. The pair made there way to the cafeteria, Athena sniffling quietly trying not to bother Sam. He did notice rubbing her back gently with his good hand.

Athena walked through the doors ignoring the unwanted glances she had seemed to attract. Berto was as usual stuffing his face with food, looking up as the tired girl slumped onto the table.

"She alright, kentucky?" He paused eating, Sam sitting beside Athena. Athena dug her head further into her arms, closing her eyes tensely.

"One of those days Berto." Sam mumbled picking at his breakfast. The boys continued conversing, Athena falling back asleep.

She was back there. Back in that stupid compound with her stupid powers, and her stupid stupid parents. How she wished she'd grown up normally like Sam and Roberto. In an loving family, without the testing and the torture and the pain.

Athena jolted awake, both of the boys looking to her confused. She cursed silently untangling herself from the table and leaving the cafeteria. She didn't know where she was going but she knew she had to get out of there.

She headed towards the barrier fast, her feet barely able to keep up with her mind. Eventually she reached the barrier leaning against the tree she had leant against for the past year.

Illyana appeared minutes later sensing Athena's unease. She approached slowly with a soft smile. "Mind if I join you, sparky." She snarked Athena rolling eyes as she shuffled over to lay back on the grass.

Illyana took the girl's silence as an answer sitting herself beside her gracefully. The two girls sat in silence until Illyana decided to open the portal to her safe place above the pair, startling Athena.

"Sometimes when I feel scared, I go there. It's my safe place, it keeps me warm when my world grows cold." Athena stared in awe at the portal.

Athena's lips curved into a small smile, her attention captured by the odd display. Her worries faded for a short moment, her eyes watching the portal shimmer.

Illyana leaned back on her elbows, watching Athena's reaction with satisfaction. "I believe I'm the most powerful mutant here, the only competition is you." Illyana sighed, Athena glancing at the girl.

"Hardly, how can you expect me to beat you when I can barely keep my mind together." Athena mumbled half-heartedly.

"You don't have to face everything alone Athena." Illyana's russian accent rasped, "We all happen to be trapped in this hell together." Athena chuckled at Illyana's comment.

"Besides I'm sick of seeing Sam torture himself over you. The pair of you must get together." Illyana added, Athena's cheeks reddening.

"Illy, don't say that! We are just friends." Athena cursed, hitting the girl playfully.

"Sure. Now onto this Dani chick." Illyana turned her gaze to Athena, "I don't trust her. She needs to go."