verso // control threequel

alive.

March 6th 1998

     "I'm sorry you're from the...future?"

     "Yes!" Thomas exclaimed, starting to get frustrated. "From 2003!"

     "That's like...five years away."

     Thomas pulled at his hair. "Why would I be making this up? I'm mutant too."

     Hank took a deep breath and leaned back in his chair. "Look at it from my point of view okay? A weird kid strolls in here, saying he's from the future?"

     "But you know Xavier! You know he's capable of doing something like this!"

     "That's a fair point, but why are you here?"

     "There was a raid, a group of us infiltrated WICKED and it uh...it went badly."

     "So you're here to reverse it?"

     Thomas nodded. "A big event led to it and I need to prevent it from happening."

     He could see Hank starting to believe him, his resolve was fading.

     "And that is?"

     Thomas took a breath. "I need to stop Newt from killing my dad."

     And Thomas lost him.

     "I'm sorry what? Newt? Like moody asshole invisible Newt?"

     Thomas nodded.

     "HE killed your dad?"

     Another nod.

     "Why?"

     "It's a long story." How was Thomas supposed to sum up the past, well future, five years? "I could sit here and explain every detail to you, but that would take days. A lot has happened. Basically the short version is that Newt killed my dad which sent my mom into a murderous revenge rage. She lured me to WICKED through creepy hallucinations and ended up killing almost all of us. If he's not dead she won't try for revenge and then everyone is happy and alive."

     "When did or do you come to the school? I don't recognize you."

     "In 2001, you rescued me actually, rescued me from WICKED."

     Hank rubbed his forehead. "This is a lot to wrap my head around."

     "I just need to stay here, I need time. I have to convince Newt to spare my father's life."

     Hank paused. "Who died in the invasion?"

     Thomas winced. "I-I probably shouldn't say, I can't let that get out. I'm here to fix the past, not destroy the future."

     Silence again. Hank stood up and sighed. "You're mutant so I'm not going to throw you out."

     Thomas internally cheered. He was counting that as a win.

     "I can get you a room, uh you can stay as long as you like."

     "Hank?"

     "Yeah?"

     "Maybe don't tell people what I told you today? Besides X."

     The man nodded, his small glasses slipping down his nose a bit. "Right."

     "Thank you," Thomas said as he stood up and pushed in his chair. "Seriously, thank you."

     "Don't mention it kid." Hank lightly grabbed his arm. "And hey, try and straighten the blonde one out, he's been through a lot I think he needs someone to care about him."