Don't Be The Hero

Thirty Two

Annie pov

This is the hardest thing I'll ever have to do. I hope. I was up after everyone slept. It was dark out, but I could still my way down the hall. I snuck two envelopes under Nina's door. One for her and one for Jack. I snuck back to my room, and opened the window. I jumped, unfurling my wings and soaring through the air, a long flight ahead of me. I hope everything went right. That I would never have to do this again.

Nina pov.

I had slept in. When I woke up at seven, I shook Jack awake. "We're late." I said opening his eye with my thumb. "What? Calm down Muffin. You are not late for anything. There is nothing to do." He pulled me back into bed. "What about training?" He put a hand on my head. "You don't need any more of that. Just sleep." Within half an hour he was snoring. I untangled myself from him. And got dressed. I had no idea what I would do today, maybe punch a few things, hang out with Annie, go on a mission, have Victor stab me continuously. Not all of them were fun and half of them were painful. You decide. I opened my window and sat on the edge, my feet hanging over the edge. The sun was rising inch by small inch. It smelled like a new day, like wet grass, sunshine, and most importantly, whatever rainbows smell like. It had rained last night, and it was a miracle the rainbow even lasted that long. I pulled my feet back in. Jack was still snoring. I went over and kissed him, before heading downstairs to eat. As I was about to open my door, I stepped on the edge of something. Paper. Why would these be on my floor? I recognized Annie's handwriting. I picked them both up, and set down the one addressed to Jack. Gently tearing open mine, it read.

Nina, my most best friend.
I am sorry I have to do this, but I just can't bear the pain. Not everyone can heal physically like you, but it's harder to heal mental pain, something we both can agree on. I hope your not mad at me.
Whatever happens for the rest of your life I want you to remember these things.
1. It is ok to loose. Let someone else win once in a while. I'm not saying always, sometimes.
2. The world does not revolve around training. Take a break from it and heroism. It's ok to relax. Everyone will understand.
3. Follow not only your gut but your head. If your gut says to kill someone, use your head, put together the facts to see if its worth it.
4. Use your heart. I know your not soulless. Make some decisions off what you want, not what the world needs. Some, not all. The world needs a person like you.

Never forget everything you've been through. Some things you may want to forget, but let that drive and inspire you forever. In my room, top drawer in the nightstand, there is something for you. Keep it.

I am very sorry for doing this to you. You've been through enough pain in the last few months than no one should be able to survive. But you can. Because you are a surviver. You are the wolverines daughter. You are special and never forget it.
Jack loves you. Don't forget it. Don't loose him.
I love you so much, forever,
Annie.

I was crying, hot tears streaming down my face. I ran over to her room. The window was wide open. I quickly found the nightstand, hurried under a stack of papers. I opened the drawer and found a cute little green box labeled, Nina.
It had my name on it so I opened it. I gasped. Inside was a cute little charm. A small silver heart, with sparkling wings on either side. I ran back to my room and picked up my letter, examining every inch to make sure I didn't miss anything. On the back, in small letters I found, 'the sunset is amazing on the northern Virginia beaches.'

Something clicked in my head. Why would Annie use words like 'I hope your not mad at me.'? Forever? And what's at Virginia beaches? Holy muffins. I bolted down to the kitchen. Dad was reading the paper as normal, while eating some toast. He looked up at me when I entered. "Hey kid, what's-" he never finished his morning greeting. "Annie is gone." I slammed the letter down in front of him. He frowned, mad that I disrupted his routine. Dad glanced at the letter and then flipped it over. His frown deepened, and he was out of his chair and oh he door in less then five seconds. I almost didn't catch what he said. "Get Jack, be at the jet in five." I bolted upstairs. I shook Jack awake. He moaned and said. "Nina. Let me sleep. I told you, we have nothing to do today!" I knew I would regret this. I slapped him. Hard. His eyes snapped open and I think he snarled at me, but then again so would I. A swear was on the tip of his tongue. "Wake up! Annie is gone. This is no time to he sleeping! Hurry up!" I dragged him up and threw random clothes at him. I forced him down the hall, my intentions of a happy morning slaughtered.
Jean and Storm were on the jet, and surprisingly along with the Professor, whose chair was clamped down and a seatbelt over him. Dad was with us in the back, across from the Professor. Jack and I sat at the other end, near the back. He kept reassuring me. "It's ok. We'll find her."
I shoved his arm away. "How can you say that?! How can you paint rainbows over everything and say its ok! Matt is dead! My best friend is missing! How is that ok?" I stood up, unbuckling my seatbelt. His face fell. Before he could answer I continued. "I'm a complete psycho, knives included, and I've done more bad then good in my 18 years. Is that ok? I can't go anywhere without causing something!" I kept ranting. Jack stood up to try to comfort me. Instead, I unsheathed my claws. I took a swipe at him. He dodged it, thankfully, otherwise it could've taken off an arm. That's when dad came in. I swung at him to, but I hit him in the arm. He pushed Jack back with his other hand, he tripped back and landed by the Professor. In half a second, he had the claws of that hand in my stomach. I dropped to my knees. Ow. That hurt. It hurt very bad. It took a bit longer than normal for that to heal. Dad sat me down in a chair, far away from everyone, and sat next to me. "You have got quite a temper this morning. I told you not to get into things you couldn't handle." I pouted and crossed my arms. "I could've taken you. If wasn't fair that you stabbed me in the gut."