𝖆𝖓𝖎𝖒𝖆 𝖎𝖒𝖒𝖔𝖗𝖙𝖆𝖑𝖊 ━ 𝖑𝖔𝖌𝖆𝖓 𝖍𝖔𝖜𝖑𝖊𝖙𝖙

𝔠𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯 18

2 weeks later

Logan was searching the mansion for Verena. He hadn't seen her all morning, and Charles had asked to speak with the two of them.

After the events at Liberty Island, life had finally returned to some semblance of normalcy. Classes were back in session, and the children were once again learning, filling the mansion with their usual energy.

As Logan walked down the long stretch of hallway, he passed several classrooms, glancing briefly inside at the students and their teachers. When he reached the classroom at the end of the hall, he found Verena standing in front of a group of 13-year-olds.

She was lecturing about World War II, describing the Nazi invasion of Poland and the significance of D-Day, when the Allies had landed in Normandy. Logan slipped into the room quietly, unnoticed by the students as Verena had her back to the door, writing something on the board.

When she turned around, her eyes immediately met his, and a soft smile curved her glossed lips. "Alright, guys, I'll end class early today. We'll finish our discussion tomorrow and see what happened with the Allies. Don't forget, homework on my desk by Friday."

The students packed up quickly, grateful for the early dismissal, and several offered a casual "Professor Logan" as they passed him on their way out.

Once the kids had cleared the room, Logan shut the door behind them. "Chuck says he's got something for us," he said, getting straight to the point.

Verena raised an eyebrow, her expression playfully teasing. "No 'hi, hello, how are you?' Just straight to business?"

Logan smirked and gave a half-hearted shrug. "Hi, sweetheart. How are you?"

Her smile widened. "I'm good, Lo'. Now, what did you want to talk about?"

"Well, Reena, Chuck said he found something that might help get our memory back," Logan said, keeping his voice low but direct.

"Alright, let me change into something better," Verena responded, glancing down at her casual teaching clothes.

"You can change after. He wants us down in the briefing room right now."

"Alright, Mr. Bossy. Let's go," she teased, rolling her eyes but smiling as she walked out of the classroom. As they made their way to the elevator, she grabbed Logan's hand, their fingers lacing together naturally.

When they reached the lower level, Charles was already waiting for them near the entrance. "Verena, I trust the children are learning much from you," he greeted.

Verena nodded. "Yes, we just got to Normandy before you called for us."

"Good. Very good," Charles said, his expression thoughtful. "Follow me, please."

His wheelchair rolled ahead of them, and Logan and Verena exchanged a brief glance before trailing behind him towards the briefing room, both curious and apprehensive about what Charles had discovered.

A forest popped up on the holo map, with a large, desolate building in the middle. "There's an abandoned military compound at Alkali Lake in the Canadian Rockies, close to where we found the two of you. There's not much left, but you might find some answers," Charles explained, his tone calm but laced with gravity.

Logan nodded in appreciation, "Thank you."

Charles glanced at them both, a flicker of concern in his eyes. "Are you going to say goodbye to the others?"

Logan and Verena exchanged a brief look before shaking their heads, wordlessly agreeing that goodbyes weren't necessary. Without another word, they left the briefing room and headed back to the upper floor to pack their bags, ready to hit the road once again.