The Wolf Inside

Chapter 12

Lunar headed for the front door of the mansion with a small backpack full of food, water, and some spare clothes. The entire school was still asleep as dawn light just began to filter in through the windows, she had been here healing for a week and had recovered within the first three or four days but Xavier had convinced her to stay a bit longer just to get her strength back up. Now though she was leaving, she didn’t have a destination in mind, all she knew was that she would find a place away from people to keep her, and them, safe.

            “Where do you think you’re going?” A familiar voice asked.

            Lunar glanced back at Scott but didn’t stop walking. “Away.”

            “You can’t just leave.” He protested as he caught up and blocked her path. “Are those Logan’s sunglasses?”

            “He won’t notice they’re missing.” She replied. “Besides I don’t need people staring at my eyes.”

            “Why are you leaving?”

            Lunar took off the sunglasses and looked him in the eyes, or what she could see of them through his visor. “I don’t belong here, not after what I did.”

            “It wasn’t your fault.”

            “Jean’s dead because of Stryker’s plan… it’s my fault because I helped him.”

            Scott let out a weary sigh at the mention of her death. “She made her choice… just like I made mine. Jean knew what she was doing.”

            “You keep telling yourself that.” Lunar tried to move around him but he backed her into a wall. “Logan doesn’t believe it was her choice. He blames me… it will only cause problems if I stay.”

            “Do you really think I care what Logan believes?” He looked at her as he waited for an answer, when she didn’t speak he continued. “I saved you because I couldn’t bare losing you, I would feel even worse because of it. Lunar you can’t leave, if you do I don’t know what state my mind will eventually go to.”

            “I’m sure you’ll recover.” Lunar got free and walked outside with him still following her.

            “Lunar no one here blames you for what happened except for one person who can go drown in sorrow for all I care.”

            “If you don’t want me to leave you so bad by all means come with me.” Lunar replied still not looking back.

            “I teach here I can’t just leave. I’m part of a team that saves people I’m needed here… you could be too.” Scott stopped walking and continued watching her. “Try to like this place… at least for two months, if you still hate the school you can leave.”

            She let out a large huff and turned back around. “Fine, two months. But then I leave. Also I have two conditions, one I don’t teach, and two I don’t have to join your team officially.”

            Scott nodded in agreement and took her back inside. “Of course… but I’m sure I can change your mind before then.”

            “Doubt it.” Lunar muttered as she followed him back inside.

            He took the food and put it away before leading her up to her room that was located beside his and across from Storm’s. Lunar noticed him holding out his hand and rolled her eyes before handing over the keys to his motorcycle. “Happy, I can’t drive off now.”

            “Very.” Scott gave a small smile, though his sad demeanor didn’t change as he went back into his own room.

            Lunar went into her own room and closed the door before walking over to the window, memories of her past raced through her head as they had been doing since she’d gotten them back and she knew she wouldn’t be able to go back to sleep if she tried. As the sun rose higher in the sky and the school finally started to wake up, Lunar listened as kids walked through the hallway and teachers started their early classes. And as she continued to look out the window, despite what she told Scott she already felt safer here than she did anywhere else, though she wouldn’t admit that… yet.

Sequel is called The Phoenix Risen.