ᴄʟᴀᴡꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ʀᴇᴅᴇᴍᴘᴛɪᴏɴ ⤷ ʟᴏɢᴀɴ ʜᴏᴡʟᴇᴛᴛ

.𝟎𝟏

𝐓𝐖- 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐥𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

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Charlotte "Lottie" Claymoore had always felt like an outsider. Her ability, Phobikinesis, made it impossible for her to lead a normal life. She could manipulate the fear of others, bend it to her will, and in moments of darkness, she had done so to protect herself. But it was the other side of her gift that drew the attention of the School for Gifted Youngsters. Lottie could also take fear away, calming the minds of those gripped by terror, making her an invaluable asset in the school's infirmary, where students often needed comfort as much as they needed healing.

From the moment she arrived at the mansion, Lottie knew she had found a place where she could belong. The school was a sprawling estate, filled with people like her—people who understood the weight of carrying extraordinary powers. She quickly became a fixture in the infirmary, using her abilities to soothe the nightmares and anxieties of her fellow students. It was there, among the beeping monitors and the soft rustle of sheets, that she found a sense of purpose.

Lottie also found friendship in the most unexpected of places. Scott Summers and Jean Grey, two of the school's most respected and powerful students, took an immediate liking to her. Scott, with his unwavering sense of duty and quiet strength, and Jean, with her warmth and wisdom, quickly became the closest friends Lottie had ever known. They saw beyond her powers, appreciating her for the person she was, and in them, Lottie found a sense of family she had longed for all her life.

Their friendship became a cornerstone of her time at the school. Scott and Jean were a couple so deeply in sync that it was hard to imagine one without the other. They welcomed Lottie into their lives without hesitation, and soon, she found herself spending countless hours with them—whether it was in training sessions with Scott, who helped her refine her control over her powers, or late-night conversations with Jean, who understood better than anyone the burden of having a mind that could reach into the very soul of another.

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The sun had barely risen over the sprawling grounds of the School for Gifted Youngsters when Scott Summers found himself standing in front of the infirmary doors. His mission briefing had been clear: a mutant had surfaced in a small town on the outskirts of the state, and it was his job, along with Ororo Munroe—Storm—to locate and, if possible, bring them back to the school. But before he could leave, there were a few things he needed to take care of.

As he stepped inside, the sterile smell of antiseptic mixed with the faint scent of lavender, a small touch that Jean had insisted on to make the infirmary feel less like a hospital. Scott's eyes immediately found her, standing by one of the medical beds, her hands glowing faintly as she used her telekinesis to levitate a tray of supplies. Her auburn hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail, and the soft expression on her face as she worked never failed to bring a sense of calm to Scott's often burdened mind.

Lottie was there too, her blonde hair catching the morning light as she moved gracefully between the beds, checking on the few students who had stayed overnight. She offered a comforting smile to each of them, her very presence easing the tension in the room. Scott had come to admire the way Lottie could take away the fear that plagued so many young minds, leaving behind only peace.

"Scott," Jean greeted him with a smile as she noticed him standing in the doorway. "All set for the mission?"

"Just about," Scott replied, walking over to her. He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, their eyes meeting in a moment of silent communication that spoke of years of trust and understanding. "I wanted to see you before we head out. We don't know what we're dealing with, so it might take a while."

Jean nodded, her expression growing serious. "Just be careful, okay? And watch out for Ororo. You know how she can get when she's focused."

Scott chuckled softly. "I will."

Lottie, who had been finishing up her rounds, approached the couple, her curiosity piqued by the mention of a mission. "What's this about a mutant?" she asked, her blue eyes filled with interest. Despite all the chaos that often surrounded the school, the prospect of finding someone new—someone like them—always fascinated her.

Scott turned to her with a reassuring smile. "We've got a lead on a mutant who's been causing some disturbances. Ororo and I are going to check it out. But I wanted to fill you in on something you might find interesting."

Jean and Lottie both looked at him, their attention fully captured.

"There's a bit of a mystery surrounding this mutant," Scott continued. "We don't have many details yet, but it's rumored that this mutant has some unusual abilities. What's important is that the situation might be more complex than just a simple retrieval. We're going to need to be cautious."

Lottie's interest was piqued. "What kind of abilities are we talking about?"

Scott shrugged slightly, his expression thoughtful. "We don't know much about their abilities yet. But I heard a few things about their powers—something about them being quite potent and possibly unstable. It's the kind of situation where we need to be prepared for anything."

Jean nodded, her expression turning serious. "We'll keep an eye on things here. Let us know if you need any updates or support."

Scott gave her a grateful nod. "I will."

Lottie nodded, her curiosity clearly piqued. "I'll be here, and I'll do whatever I can to help if needed."

Jean gave Lottie a reassuring smile. "Thank you, Lottie. We appreciate your support."

With a final nod to both women, Scott turned to leave. "I'll check in when we're on our way back. Take care of yourselves."

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LOTTIE

The infirmary was quiet, a stark contrast to the chaos that had unfolded just hours earlier. Scott had insisted that the mutant he brought back needed immediate care. Lottie Monroe, who had been tending to other students in the infirmary, was now focused on the unconscious figure lying on the bed.

She approached him with practiced ease, her hands moving gently as she assessed his condition. His eyelids fluttered occasionally, a sign that he was regaining consciousness. Lottie ran her hands up his arms, lightly gripping his hands to trace the unusual texture of his knuckles. The bone structure beneath his skin seemed reinforced with a hard material that defied easy explanation, its rigidity unlike anything she had encountered before.

Curiosity and concern mingled as she leaned closer, her gaze fixed on the man's forearm. She reached for a sterile needle, carefully uncapping it and preparing to administer a dose of medication to stabilize him. Just as the needle breached the surface of his skin, a sudden movement jolted her out of her concentration.

Without warning, the man's eyes flew open. In an explosive burst of energy, he shot up from the bed, grabbing Lottie harshly by the throat. The shock of his sudden aggression caused her to gasp, her hands instinctively reaching up to try and pry his grip away. Her back was forcefully shoved against his chest, and she struggled to breathe against the pressure of his hold.

The man's eyes were wild with confusion and pain as he looked at her, a mixture of fear and aggression reflecting in his gaze. Lottie's vision blurred, her breaths coming in ragged gasps as she fought to regain control. Her fingers found their way to his hand, attempting to ease his grip on her throat.

As abruptly as he had attacked, the man released her, stepping back with a disoriented expression. Lottie collapsed onto the bed, gasping for air as the pressure on her throat finally subsided. She watched in a daze as he darted out of the infirmary, his movements erratic and fueled by a sense of panic.

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