Mutants

Chapter 12

     CHAPTER 12

      Mark was the easiest. That much is obvious. We turn to Kate. I don't know quite what to expect.

       As we delve into her memories, I cringe a little in anticipation. The strange part about Scorchers is that their powers don't awaken until around the ages of 9 to 14. Until then, you wouldn't know they will soon accidentally melt their face off.

       Burn scars don't compare to what I find. Inside Kate's mind, the only thing I can see clearly is her memories of her time with us. Then, I see a dark corner, and I begin to shake. Dark is bad.

      Walking to the corner, I feel an immense pressure of fear and dread. The darkness is actually radiating emotions from inside. There are no bubbles here. There is only a cloud, with thicker sections.

       Peering through the haze, I almost puke from the agony that seeps into my mind. I struggle to see into the cloud. Then, I get a response, but not like the other memories were. This memory pulls us into the experience, and we feel everything as if we were there. The darkness permeates my mind, and I can't

     There is a dark, gray cloud. It smells of tobacco, and much stronger ingredients as well. There is also a faint hint of alcohol. A crash is heard. A creak. Fear, strong enough to make me almost faint. Suddenly, I feel hot. The air shimmers. I don't know where I am. There are shouts. Looking to my left, I see that whoever lives here is a questionably valid chemist. More shouts. A thumping, coming closer, closer. Fear stronger than gravity, holding me down. And then, an ember on the floor. More embers come. The fear grows. Then, an ember ignites a chemical bottle to the left, and then silence.

      I'm reeling in shock. I take a while to reassemble myself. Once I do, I delve into Lythus's mind, moving forward to distract myself. We are all here, in his mind. Most of his childhood has a vicious glow to it. The feeling of envy overcomes me. A faint urge speaks.... KILL... KILL... They don't care about you, they never did, they never will. You'll be alone either way. Kill them all, then kill yourself. KILL... KILL...

     So this is what loneliness feels like. I'm stunned. I open my mind, and my friends enter. I feel them searching, and then they come across something that shouldn't be remembered. I don't know what it is, but the simple knowledge of that memory existing is enough to leave me unconscious. Before I go out, amidst everyone's screams, I notice that we're all crying. Huh. And something else--

       Should we help them?

       The young ones?

        Yes.

       Yes. They need our help. They are not strong enough alone.