Not So Different

Epilouge

"Just days after the Tea Partiers brutally seized the capitol, another rebel group who call themselves the Sentinels, charged to the Tea Partiers' victory celebration and stirred up a bloody battle.  The Sentinel forces squashed the Tea Partiers who were unprepared for an attack and killed their leader, Ronald Argon.  The Sentinels have now declared themselves as the new rulers of the North American Kingdom and are working to bring order to it and declare safety and equality to mutants as well as humans."  The News woman read off her report and I could see fear as she said the last part.  I sighed.  The general populous still did not trust mutants but broadcasts like these were a start.

I switched off the t.v. and scanned the apartment, my apartment, the one I had spent years living in with dad.  Most people would have said my life was back to normal.  It was anything but.  Life would never be the same as it was before that day in the alley, a day that seemed ages ago.  I had scars, both physical and mental that would never let me forget what happened, even if I wanted to.  Things would never be the same but perhaps, I hoped, they would be better.

I heard a knocking at the door and I nearly jumped out of my seat.  There were guards posted all over the building and anytime anyone came to see my father a guard would always radio up and announce their arrival.  Dad and I always knew when we would have company but this time, it seemed, was an exception.  I wondered if the guards had cleared whoever was knocking or if they didn't know they were even here.

"Jet, honey, can you get the door," Dad yelled from his room.  He was probably in the middle of writing up some important legal document, him being one of the five people making up the head ruling council of the North American Kingdom and all.  As if sensing my apprehension he added, "Don't worry, we're expecting them.  I just made sure the guard didn't radio up over the intercom.  This is a sort of surprise after."

Surprise?  I hadn't had any visitors in the week and two days since my would have been execution and the Sentinels' take over.  Who could be at the door.  I warily lifted myself out of my favorite chair made my way over to the door.  I turned the handle slowly then pushed it open.  A familiar pair of yellow green feline eyes greeted me. 

"Chris!"  I exclaimed then leaped forward and wrapped him in a hug.  Chris laughed at my excitement and wrapped his arms around me, lifting me up off the ground.  I hadn't seen him since we had been split up at the safe house that Cobweb took us to after we'd been rescued.  The head of the Sentinel safe house had said it wouldn't be safe to keep us together in the same place until things settled down.  So I had gone back to my apartment (dad hadn't come back until a few days later.  He communicated via video up-link with his fellow council members) and Chris had been sent to another safe house.  Neither of us had been at all happy about splitting up but there hadn't been much option.  Besides, we were more willing to temporarily part ways rather than be captured by the last few renegade Tea Partiers.

I didn't want to let go.  "I missed you.  How did you get here?"  I asked Chris, my lips just below his left ear. 

I could almost here Chris smiling his slightly crooked smile.  "Well, I asked Peter if it was safe enough to come see you.  He told me he wasn't sure but he'd go to the head of security at the safe house I was at.  A few discussions, a crazy car ride with Cobweb, and a Mag train ride later, here I am," Chris whispered into my hair.  After a few moment we drew away from each other.

 I took Chris's hand and led him into the apartment.  "Welcome back to my humble abode."  Chris stopped just inside the doorway and took in the room.  His eyes poured over every detail as if it was his first time there.  I waited patiently as he memorized the apartment's details.

"It's just like I remember it," Chris said by the door way.  Shaking himself out of his stupor, Chris walked over to me and said, "It's good to be back here, especially without a horrible injury this time."  We both laughed at that, slightly bitter-sweetly.