𝖆𝖓𝖎𝖒𝖆 𝖎𝖒𝖒𝖔𝖗𝖙𝖆𝖑𝖊 ━ 𝖑𝖔𝖌𝖆𝖓 𝖍𝖔𝖜𝖑𝖊𝖙𝖙

𝔠𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯 12

Logan and Verena's brows furrow, confusion clouding their expressions. Logan is the first to break the silence. "Where are we?"

Charles wheels himself around the desk, stopping just in front of them. "Westchester, New York. You were attacked. My people brought you here for medical attention."

Verena scoffs, crossing her arms over her chest. "We don't need medical attention." Her gaze sweeps over the room, sharp and suspicious. "Where's the girl?"

"Rogue? She's here and fine," Charles replies calmly.

"Really?" Verena's skepticism lingers in her tone.

The door creaks open, and Logan and Verena turn to see a woman and man enter. The woman, with striking white hair, and the man, sporting red-lensed Oakley-like shades, step into the room. "Logan, Verena," Charles gestures toward them, "meet Ororo Munroe, also known as Storm."

Storm offers a small smile, her expression warm as she regards the pair, clearly relieved they're on their feet.

Verena gives Ororo a slow once-over, biting her lip as her eyes trail over the white-haired woman. Impressive. "And this," Charles continues, "is Scott Summers, also called Cyclops." Scott extends his hand to Logan, but Logan stares him down, ignoring the gesture entirely. The tension thickens as Scott's hand drops back to his side. "They saved your lives," Charles adds.

Verena's sharp ears catch the click of heels from the hall. Moments later, the redhead Logan had almost choked in the lab appears in the doorway. "I believe you've already met Dr. Jean Grey."

Verena's gaze flickers over Jean—attractive, sure, but nowhere near as striking as Storm. Her eyes shift to Logan, who's busy taking in the sight of Jean, his focus lingering a moment too long. Verena's jaw tightens, and her fists clench involuntarily at the scene, though she keeps her expression neutral, fighting the heat rising within her.

"You're in my school for the gifted. For mutants. You'll be safe here from Magneto."

Logan frowns, his confusion clear. "What's a Magneto?"

Verena snorts at the question, earning a pointed look from Charles that quickly silences her. "He's a very powerful mutant," Charles continues, "who believes war is inevitable between mutants and the rest of humanity. I've been tracking his activities for some time. The man who attacked you both—his associate—is called Sabretooth."

Verena lets out another disbelieving snort, while Logan's lips curl into a sarcastic smile. "Sabretooth?" he echoes, amusement bubbling beneath his words. Charles nods, and Logan glances around the room, his smirk widening. "Storm." His eyes land on the professor. "What do they call you? Wheels?"

Verena lets out a full laugh this time, the absurdity of it all finally getting to her. "This is the dumbest thing I've ever heard." They both turn to leave, only to find Scott Summers standing in their path.

Logan sizes him up. "Cyclops, right?" he says, his voice low as he grabs a fistful of Scott's jacket. "You wanna move?"

Verena growls softly under her breath, a subtle, animalistic warning.

Charles remains calm, addressing them both. "It's been almost 15 years, hasn't it? Living day to day, moving from place to place, with no memory of who or what either of you are. You've been traveling together for so long, yet neither of you are in a relationship or remember your past together before those 15 years."

Verena spins around, her voice sharp. "Shut up." Logan releases Scott's jacket, the tension thick between them.

"Give me a chance," Charles pleads. "I may be able to help you find some answers."