The Long Run (Prequel to Time Loop)

Chapter Four

I woke up with the worst headache imaginable and the blinding sun shining through thin white curtains. As I rubbed my eyes in exhaustion, I realized that this wasn't my dorm room.

"Where am I?" I whispered, glancing around the room. The walls were a clean cream color and the sheets smelled like fresh lavender.

I stood up from the bed, taking a deep breath. As I looked down, I realized I wasn't in the clothes I had on last night. Someone must've changed my outfit because I didn't remember changing into an oversized t-shirt and sweats.

Suddenly, the door opened to reveal a girl who's skin was entirely blue and her short air was a bright orange-red color. I was so startled I couldn't help but yell, "AHHH!"

"Uh Charles...she's awake," the girl called out as she stood by the door, still looking back at me.

"Who the heck are you?" I took a step back, bumping into the wall.

"Calm down. I'm not going to hurt you okay? I'm just like you," she smiled and her blue skin started to fade into light cream colored skin and her short bright hair grew into longer golden blond hair.

"Wha-how did you?" I gasped breathlessly.

She opened her mouth to speak up but was interrupted when a guy with dark brown hair and blue eyes walked up beside her. "We are mutants, same as you," the guy explained as he walked forward, "My name is Charles. And that woman is Raven."

I still stood back nervously, not sure what to believe. They were mutants too?

"Your name is Isabelle Sandreas. Your parents tried to send you to a mental facility at the age of 13 which was when you first discovered that you could control time, but instead, you ran away. You were raised by a stranger you met, but she doesn't know about your powers," Charles explained, "Shall I go on?"

"How do you know all that stuff?" I narrowed my eyes in suspicion.

"I can read minds," he simply stated.

"Alright but...why am I here?" I asked, starting to calm down a bit.

"Well I found you drunk and unconscious at last night's fraternity party and thought it'd be best to bring you here before anything dangerous happened to you," Charles explained.

Now I remembered. Last night, I was at a party, but last thing I remembered was drinking a ton with that Piers guy then everything else was a blur. "So you go to Oxford too?"

Nodding with a smirk, he continued, "Don't worry. I didn't try anything. Raven would kill me if I did." Well that was reassuring.

"Here," Raven handed me a pile of clothes, "Your old clothes are in the washer but you can wear these. I'm pretty sure we're the same size."

"Uh thanks," I smiled slightly and took the clothes.

"Now that we're all done with introductions, once you're dressed, you can meet us in the kitchen," Charles clasped his hands with a grin.

~Time Skip~

"Um...thanks for everything," I rubbed my tired eyes as I finished off my meal.

"No need to thank me," Charles smiled kindly, his bright blue eyes glistening under the sunlight that peeked through the windows.

The meal had been awkward and quiet. I knew he was just trying to be nice, but I barely knew this guy and was confused by how much he knew so much about me.

"You're asking yourself how do I know so much about you," Charles smirked.

"Yeah," I admitted.

"To put it short, I am just like you," he responded.

"You can read minds," I repeated what he said earlier, "I'm pretty sure I can't do that."

He chuckled, "I meant in the fact that we both have special abilities."

"If you can read minds, what am I thinking about right now?" I raised a brow at him.

"You're afraid that I'm telling the truth," Charles replied, narrowing his eyes, "You've always been afraid of the truth, haven't you Isabelle?"

"Okay stop it," I muttered, scooting back in my chair, "You don't know anything about me."

"Look I know this is a lot to take in-"

"You don't know anything!" I shouted, quickly standing up. His eyes lowered, as if he felt sad for me. "I-I should go," I mumbled.

"But Raven still hasn't brought back your clothes from the dryer. Please, stay," he pleaded.

"It's fine she can keep the clothes any way. Where's my bag?" I asked, feeling sick to my stomach. I wanted to get out as soon as possible.

Charles complied and picked up my black satchel from the nearby couch. As he handed the bag to me, his fingertips slightly brushed past mine, causing me to shiver.

He walked over to the front door, opening it for me to go by. "Thank you again for everything, but this was just too weird," was all I managed to say before I rushed out of his flat.