At Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, Lalia Azali hides more than most. She's not just a surgeon-she's this universe's Scarlet Witch, a title whispered with fear and awe, tied to a power she never wanted and a fate she can't outrun.
Logan sees t...
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-Logan
Hours stretched by like an endless road, everyone staying wide awake the whole ride. The tension in the car was thick, but we all knew what was at stake. Finally, we pulled up to Bobby's house. The place looked quiet, almost too quiet. I killed the engine and turned to look at Lia, giving her a nod before stepping out.
I walked around the car and opened the door for her, my eyes scanning the surroundings out of habit. Lia stepped out, and the four of us made our way to the front door.
Bobby seemed a bit on edge, but who could blame him? This was his home, after all. He knocked, then opened the door, calling out, "Mom! Dad! Ronny! Is anybody home?"
Bobby's voice echoed through the house, but there was no immediate response. John kept flicking his lighter, the small flame casting shadows on the walls. Bobby shot him a look, his voice stern, "Don't burn anything."
The others dispersed quickly once we were inside. Rogue and Bobby headed upstairs, probably to talk things over with his folks. John, as usual, plopped himself down on the couch, flicking that damn lighter of his. I kept an eye on him, but my attention shifted when Lia picked up the gadget I'd found in the car. She turned it over in her hands, her brow furrowing.
"It's a phone," she muttered, dialing a number. She waited, but nothing happened. With a frustrated sigh, she said quietly, "Jean, where are you?" before shoving the phone into her back pocket.
I made my way to the kitchen, opening the fridge in search of a beer. The place had a cozy, lived-in feel, with family photos lining the walls. I could hear Lia wandering around, taking it all in. Finally, I found a beer and popped it open, taking a long swig. The cold liquid was a welcome distraction.
Suddenly, I heard a soft clattering noise behind me. Instinctively, I turned around, claws out and ready. But it was just a cat, batting at a stray spoon on the floor. Lia came running into the kitchen, her eyes wide with concern. When she saw the cat, she let out a relieved sigh.
"Logan, it's just a kitty," she said, her voice soft and a bit amused. The cat, undeterred by my claws, started licking them. I couldn't help but smile at the absurdity of it all.
I moved closer to Lia, the words Stryker had said back at the school echoing in my mind. They weren't just directed at me, but at her too. I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something she wasn't telling me. I was concerned, more than I'd let on.
"Lia," I said, my voice low and serious, "is there something you're not bein' honest with me about? Those nightmares you've been having... does it have anything to do with what Stryker was saying to you? Was there anything you were leaving out?"
She hesitated, her gaze flickering away before locking onto mine again. "No, it's just... some of the things he said reminded me of my time under the Darkhold. I don't really understand what he was talking about."