If Yesterday Was Tomorrow [ X-Men ]

Chapter Nineteen

When Victor woke up the next day, he felt terrible. He was even more tired than the previous night. He'd spent the night turning and tossing in bed, unable to find peace in his mind. Worse even, he remembered vaguely being plagued by nightmares that didn't even make sense. The young man only remembered darkness and a deep frustration.

He sat on his bed, pushing away the covers that were already halfway falling from the bed. The air was fresh against his skin. He sent a glance at the large windows. The trees had lost their greenness to fall into darker colors of autumn. The grass was slowly turning darker, dryer, as well, and even if the sun was high in the sky, it wasn't as hot as it had been. Victor never really disliked winter, but he did hate the in-between seasons that left him with a shiver.

He passed a hand in his hair, trying to replace the rebellious locks of hair that had moved in his sleep. He'd woken up early. It gave him plenty of time to prepare his departure. After all, it was his last day with the Brotherhood of Mutants. The last day before a perhaps more peaceful future. No, peaceful wasn't the right word. He was simply leaving for a happier future, one that he could accept and fight for.

After a quick shower, Victor packed a few things in his bag. His book, a violet suit he really liked, a few other accessories. The rest of his belongings were scattered around the world in the many homes Shaw had invested in. He wouldn't be missing a thing, wherever he went. He simply felt sad that they wouldn't come back to Germany's mansion, as Magneto knew of it. Victor felt like the man would not take the betrayal lightly.

The young man took a deep breath and slipped the bag on his shoulders. Soon, he'd be home. Emma would welcome him with open arms in the Hellfire Club. Azazel would open a nice bottle of wine. They'd laugh as they watched the oblivious humans fall into their hands. It'd be like old times, but not too similar for it to be painful. It's simply be... nice.

Victor tried not to think about last night's incident. Raven had disappeared. Magneto had refused to tell him where she had gone, but he doubted Erik knew where she truly was. Azazel had disappeared with her. Victor hoped with all of his heart that they had made up.

He exited his room in silence, tiptoeing to the office room. Magneto was probably still asleep, making his mission easier.

The office was pretty clean. The desk had papers laid out on it, mostly filled with handwritten notes of the doctor. Victor took a few in his hands.

...triggering the dormant mutant cells to multiply and therefore activate the...

Victor shivered. What had he been thinking, believing that this plan was a good idea? It would be terrible to see humanity get mutants' gifts. The future the Hellfire Club had striven for would be buried underground the moment people got this serum. He was glad that the doctor still hadn't figured out how to recreate the formula. Soon, if not already, she would be safe home, having forgotten her adventures with the Brotherhood.

He opened the file cabinet beside the desk, quickly passing through Shaw's old files. Their old leader rarely noted down his plans, preferring to keep them in his mind where no one could get them, but he always like to conserve some blackmail material close to hand. The files nicknamed with simple names seemed in order, empty. Shaw and Emma had destroyed all the evidence while Azazel and Victor fought off their opponents, thinking that the Nazis might raid the mansion for something they could use against them the moment they left. They hadn't, in the end.

Victor frowned. Where could have Magneto hidden them? It seemed like he didn't quite trust Azazel, Emma or him, as the documents weren't in the obvious place. Unless...