Wild (Cherik Book One)

Remember...

"Remember when we first met?

You said light my cigarette..."

_____CHARLIE TW: Weapons_____

The Xavier family cabin was one of the first things Brian Xavier attended to having done when the small family moved to America. Having grown up with a rather sizable one built by his great great grandfather, he intended to share that same experience with his own family. He had done many of the same things with his own father that he planned to do with his son. Things that shaped him into the man he is today. Long fishing trips and weekend hunting expeditions molded young Brian just as it would mold his son. His son who seemed less than keen on hurting anything no matter the explanation given. If anything, his son was the spitting example of everything his father despised and had taught him to despise. Feminine, sensitive, gentle and unwilling to really do anything a typical boy his age would do. Brian could only hope this was some sort of phase brought on by spending too much time with his mother or little sister. The initial intention of building the cabin was pure, sure. It would serve nothing more than a summer retreat from the city, Brian could already make out the memories in his vision. But, that didn't stop him from an unattractive ulterior motive. The cabin, among being a family retreat, would serve homage to the less desirable side of his "family business". The side that required less probability of prying eyes...so to say. The side that Sharon wanted far away from their children.

The Xavier family cabin was born the spring the Xavier's arrived in Brooksville. It was built from the hands of working men through the eyes of a man born from generational wealth. It was planted far outside of town in the grand sprinkling of forests that surrounded the town like a shield. This fact required a notable drive but Brian figured that was all part of the experience. The men worked hard all through the spring and by time the summer hit Brian and Sharon were packing both siblings into the car and taking what would be the first, and last, family trip spent at the Xavier cabin. On some particularly daunting nights Charlie finds himself remembering the time his father took him to the cabin. He was ten and looking forward to seeing the new flowers and animals he had seen in his Discovery books...

"Come on!" Charlie giggled aloud as he and Raven tumbled through the underbrush and towards the small lake. According to one of his books there was a really big population of frogs and toads around here and Raven had been bugging him to find one since they got here.

"I'm coming, calm down," Raven huffed, her overalls getting lathered in mud as she ran to catch up.

"I hope we find a fat one! One that makes a really low rumbling noise," Raven continued and made a low growling noise that sounded more like a monster than a toad to Charles.

"Charles Xavier!" A voice rumbled through the trees and echoed off of the trees and finally into Charlie's small ears. He froze, a chill tickling up and down his spine. His boots stuck to the mud as Raven ran into him, unable to get enough traction of the slippery earth below. Charlie closed his eyes and turned back towards the cabin. Raven looked at him with worried eyes, eyes that belonged to a girl much older than nine.

"Charles Xavier!" The voice came again this time booming with more frustration.

"You better go," Raven spoke finally and Charlie nodded.

"I promise we will look for them tomorrow, okay?" Charlie laid a hand on her shoulder and she shrugged.

"Don't worry, it's not your fault. Now, come on," Raven took his hand and together they walked back to the cabin.