Layla

Chapter Fifteen: Mirror-Touch

He may have just messed up. 

He wasn't careful enough. 

Hadn't thoroughly planned everything.

He had been winging this whole damn mission since he arrived. 

Now, there was a great chance everything was going to crumble. 

 But as much as he would love to mentally check off his list of "I may have screwed this up" and "maybe, I didn't screw that up", unfortunately his bargaining chip was unconscious in his arms, and he was still looking for that blasted professor. Which after roaming the first floor, his anger was spiking, forcing a muscle to tick in his lower jaw, and his grip to tighten around Layla. He wanted to shout to the top of his lungs, not bothering if all heard him. Right now, he needed Layla to get medical attention, and the only ones he was familiar with were the professor, and the other man, known as Hank, who hung around him.

Coming to a halt, Theo took in a shaky breath as he tried to remember where the professor's office was. As soon as he had pinpointed the location, he stomped off heading towards the hall. The door to the office had been shut, but Theo had no time for knocking, or even managing to fumble with the doorknob. Lifting one leg up, he forcefully kicked the door open, tearing out a couple hinges as the door slammed against the wall. The professor had been startled and Hank looked rather annoyed and ticked, until he had seen who was in his arms. 

"Layla!" Hank had shouted. 

"Theo, what happened?" The professor asked in a worried tone as he wheeled towards him. 

"She needs treatment! Now!" Theo ordered, locking eyes with the professor. 

"Give her to me." Hank offered as he reached down to take Layla from his arms. 

He hadn't been sure why he did so, but he stepped back, keeping Layla in his arms. He told himself it was because she was part of the trade agreement; nothing but a pawn, and she must be dealt with carefully. Then there was the part of him that felt protective and cautious over her. Even guilty for what he had done, but how was he to know his plan was going to backfire on him? 

Charles saw the protectiveness come out in Theo. He could see the gleam in his eye, but he saw it in Hank, as well. Charles was clueless as to why Theo felt that way. Perhaps, he and Layla had become friends and he had not known, but right now he did not need the two men getting into a quarrel. Layla was in need of medical attention. Clearing his throat, Charles had Hank stay back and lead the way down to his lab. To which, Hank asked him if they should allow Theo inside the bottom floor underneath the house. Unfortunately, they had no choice, and Charles was going to have to trust this new mutant. Hank was clearly agitated but he brushed it off, leading the way to the elevator that lead down below.

Theo followed Hank while the professor was right behind them. Theo had no idea where the hell he was going. His eyes remained on the man in front of him while his ears listened to those around him for any sign of danger or stalling. Not that he would have stopped for anyone at the moment. Without realizing, Theo had stepped into an elevator and was descending further down beneath the house. Questions spiraled in his mind, but there was no time for that. Finally, Theo had arrived at what appeared to be a lab, but there were medical supplies inside. Looking down at an unconscious Layla, Theo gently placed her on an operating table, but never left. 

"Can you tell me what happened?" Hank asked gruffly. 

"We were swimming, and she drowned." Theo replied flatly, never tearing his gaze from her. 

He watched Hank wipe away the blood that trailed down the side of her face, recalling the events inside his head.

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