ILLUSION {Charles Xavier}

So I Decided #04

"Monti, yeah, it's me... I just called to let you know that I'm going on a trip for a bit so you can't count on me to be available to help you guys. I should be back soon, but don't worry about it. Talk to you soon." I click end on the phone call, my voicemail the only information I told him.

I look down at the business card Charles gave to me as I pull into the sketchy school for mutants. I shouldn't be here.

Turn around, Marie, I tell myself.

I don't need to be here. I could be out of the state already but instead, I decided to take Charles up on his offer. It's my gut instinct telling me to follow him and seek his help.

My car's tires spin against the gravel driveway that leads to the front of the school. It's tall, exquisite structure astounds me. It's like a campus. It truly is a school for mutants, although I am clueless as to where to park.

"Screw it," I mumble to myself as I hit the breaks and stop directly in front of the tall stairs leading to the front doors. I turn my car off and take a few deep breaths before dragging myself out the door and halfway up the marble steps. I reach for the brass handles, turning back around to face my car.

I could leave right now and forget all about coming here. I could forget all about getting help and seeing Charles. I don't have to be here. I turn around, stumbling down the sleek stairs hoping nobody's seen me come here. I make it to my car when I hear the giant doors open and someone clears their throat.

"Leaving so soon? You just got here," the small voice says. I turn around to see a young man whose glasses are slipping off his face. He's clearly intelligent. His tie is tilted, and his shirt wrinkled, showing he's been either rushing or careless.

"No, no, pffft," I lie, grabbing my bag from the backseat of the car. "No," I scoff, "I would never". He walks down the steps in my direction.

"Right, well, I'm Hank McCoy." His hand shoots out for me to shake. I glance down at his hand as I take it in mine in a gentle handshake. "Professor Xavier is teaching right now so he's assigned me to show you around until he's finished. I can take your bag from you," he reaches his hand out to take it from me. I don't stop him. It's less work for me to do and he's offering. He starts to walk away and back into the school. I watch him walk away.

You shouldn't be here. You don't need help. You're just fine... He stops. "Well? Are you coming?"

"Yeah, my bad. I got distracted," I announce before running to catch up to him. The doors before us open to reveal the school's astounding wood interior. Doors and hallways connect to other areas while stairs lead up to some other place.

Students sit on chairs and sofas, talking and reading books, enjoying life. The doors slam shut behind me and all heads whip my direction. Mouths drop open and whispers start.

"Isn't that the chick from the TV?" One boy mutters and a sudden uproar occurs. Students begin talking fast and coming up to me.

"Woah, you're like, so cool and hot," some student states and I scoff. I step back as people crowd around me.

"What's your power?"

"How'd you kill them all?"

"Why are you here?"

"Shouldn't you be in jail? We don't accept mass murderers here," I hear come from a girl's mouth. I mouth the word "ouch", my lips curling into a smile at the end.

"Enough, guys," Hank spits out, his voice a bit raised. All I do is laugh and shove past the crowd.

"All great questions, really. But how about next time you guys shut the f-"

"Ms. Fletcher, let's go," Hank gently grasps my arm. I shove him off before following him again. He exits the room and into another. "What you saw back there was the lounging and lobby area. It's a very popular place to be as you could see," he half-heartedly chuckles. "Don't mind them. They're all like that with new people... Anyways, this is the kitchen. We have specified meal times but since you won't be taking classes and will be learning and training one-on-one with Professor Xavier, your schedule will be much different than the other students. So feel free to eat whenever..."

"Why one-on-one?" I question and he stops in his tracks. He's either clueless or he's got to know something.

"Good question. I wouldn't know the answer to that. I'm just telling you what I've been informed. You should ask Professor Xavier when you see him... Anyways, onto the teaching hall, where you won't really need to be."

We walk through a door only for it to lead to a really long hallway, doors on each side. It continues for a long while, twisting and turning and connecting to other places as well. He shows me the classrooms and I peak into a few. One of the classrooms I peak into, houses students who must be being taught science by Charles. He must've sensed my presence because he looked my ways and sent me a smile before I walked off. I walk alongside Hank in silence and he yaps on about something unrelated. My mind wonders as I think about this place really helping me.

We turn down a corridor which leads back to the lounge. The students ignore us as we make our way up the stairs. He shows me around. "You'll be staying here at the end of the hallway. The other set of steps would have lead to the students' resting corridors but Xavier requested that you'd be placed in the private corridors away from students and near him for... safety purposes. It's only temporary," Hank attempts to reassure me.

"Great, so I'm a danger to everyone? Am I at a psycho-ward now? Jeez, thanks," I reply sarcastically. "That really helps." I roll my eyes at his comments. He opens my door for me and sets my bag down.

"Like I said: temporary... But as of now, you're all set. Professor Xavier will come get you when he's finished."

***

I don't really want to spend all my time alone here. I pick up my phone at try calling Monticello again but he doesn't pick up. I might as well make use of my time and go exploring.

I peek out the door, looking around to see if anyone's around. I step out and make my way down the hallway and back towards the main hall where the students were.