Chapter Text
I looked out the window, the rain falling fast, spattering the window as the thunder rumbled outside and watched the darkening sky. I hated it here, I hated that we were all different that none of us here could possibly hope to have a real future in the real world. That we would be shunned and hated by all. It wasn't fair, but it seemed as though I was alone in my thoughts everyone else was excited to be learning how to develop and control their abilities. Me? I wanted to forget it all like it was a bad dream.
I "developed" my ability at a young age, then I was dumped here at The Xavier Institute For Higher Learning. My world seemed to end all these kids and adults running around with strange abilities. At first it seemed great, but then as I got older I saw all the hate for mutants on the TV and I began to see that what we had wasn't a gift, but a curse. I decided I was here, not to learn how to use my ability for the good of mankind, but so that I could control and hide it. I wanted a normal life, free from discrimination and hate.
"Sage are you listening?" Ororo asked stood in front of my desk her arms crossed. I wondered if the storm outside was down to her. After all she controlled the weather; Storm that was the name she was given as part of their not so secret team the X-Men.
"Sorry distracted by the weather." I didn't need to tell her what I was feeling, I'd made it clear I hated it here, I hated life on more than one occasion. But now at least I had a plan. She cocked her head to one side as if listening to something or someone.
"Professor Xavier would like to see you in his office, and I want a 2000 word essay in by next week on the key points of the cold war." I stood nodding as I gathered my books and bag. As always I felt everyone's eyes on me as I left the room.
Walking through the mansion felt like walking through a museum with all the dark wood oak, stair cases and flooring. The Professors room was hidden behind fake panelling also in dark oak. I went to knock, but as always the Professor knew I was here.
"Come in." I pushed the door releasing the catch and walking in. The Professor had always looked the same to me, stuck in a wheel chair, bald, but always friendly, he was like the grandfather of everyone here including me whether I liked it or not. He dressed impeccably in a suit behind his desk. "Sage, is there anything you want to tell me? Talk to me about?" He asked motioning me to a chair. I sat carefully crossing my legs and placing my bag beside me.
"I'd say no, but you already know what I think, what I've been thinking. You know I hate it here, I hate what I am, we've all known that's how I've felt for the eight years I've been here." I said placing my hands in my lap.
"I'm sorry if you felt I invaded your privacy. We have wanted nothing more than for you to feel you belong here. It seems so far we have been unsuccessful. But I see your determination and I know how much control you have over your ability. Sage I think I have a solution, a way for you to feel you belong and to do good." I felt I knew where he was going with this and I had no interest, but I let him continue. "Sage, I, we think you would do well in joining the X-Men,"
"Professor Xavier," I said raising my hand to stop him. "I understand what an…honour many would find it, but you should know me, know how I feel about all of this. I want nothing to do with this, this life, the way you live it. I trained long and hard to be able to master my ability, not to use it for good, but so I can leave it all behind like a bad memory." The Professor shook his head, we'd had this conversation many times before.
"Sage you may hate what you are, but you can't change that. What you have, what every person here has is not a curse, it's a gift one that you should chose to use how you see fit. But use it you shall, whether you want to or not, you may escape from who you are, but you will always be one of us, a gifted human be,"
"I'm a freak and this!" I shouted standing abruptly rubbing my fingers across my hands sparking flames. "Is no gift, it is an ugly scar a reminder of what I did and what I am capable of." I breathed deeply calming myself, anger could control me and the fire I could create. "I will finish my year here and then I'm leaving. I have been accepted into Mercy College over in Dobbs Ferry for the Corporate and Homeland security management bachelor degree."
"Well I am very proud of you." I was shocked, I expected an argument, demanding I stayed and joined the X-Men. And it completely deflated me.
"Thanks professor…I just want to try and live a normal life. One where people don't know me and what I am."
"Then I wish you all the luck in the world. And Sage," He said as I picked up my bag to leave. "Just know we will always be here for you should you need us." I smiled.
"I know, but I won't." I said confidently and walked out.
Seven years later, I found myself the P.A of Gene Whitman, head of Whitman and White Private Security, not the job I had in mind, but it paid a lot better than I ever thought I would earn. Book appointments, dinner reservations, car hire and flights all for a six-figure salary. I had well and truly left my old life behind me, dressed in Armani suits, Louboutin heels and a Gucci hand bag, with my own modest apartment in Midtown Manhattan life was going great. The Mercedes S-class that was my work car helped a lot too, especially traveling around Manhattan.
That was until the "alien" attack or whatever the hell it was. After that day, everything started to change; the life I left behind buried away was rising from my own private hell and hitting me in the face with the force of a tank. But at the time it was just another sunny day in the office at Whitman and White.