Chapter 48 - Stress (1/2)
A small tendril of thought wormed its way through the air. It slipped unnoticed by everyone in the room before settling in the mind of Laura. She was strung out and under pressure. In her addled and volatile state she didn't notice the small thought that slowly settled on her mind.
Storm who was still in control of the room spoke up first. ”Ok we'll do whatever you want. Just please don't hurt Katherine.” Laura gave a small nod at the words and shook her head to clear her thoughts. If she was more attentive she might have noticed that her blurred vision wasn't normal.
”OK. Move over to that side of the room, and if I see anyone do anything funny I will kill her where she stands. Do you understand?” Storm gave a small nod, but that wasn't enough to the emotional woman. ”I said do you understand!” Gambits fingers twitched at the shouting, which didn't go unnoticed.
Laura's eyes snapped in his direction as if daring him to do it. She pressed ever so more on Kitty's neck and a small trail of blood rolled down a fresh cut that appeared. ”Yes we understand!” Storm gave Gambit a death glare, and Hank quickly pulled him to the side.
As everyone moved to one side of the room, Laura walked slowly towards the door. Storm had seen a lot in her life. She had grown up in the slums of Africa before being found by the professor and had to steal frequently. She had joined gangs, betrayed people in her youth. She had done many things she wasn't proud of.
So it was with certainty that she could see the look in Laura's eyes. The look of a young woman that had gone through too much, seen things no one her age should have. Yes many that were mutants had to deal with racism and bigotry, but this was a whole different level.
A piece of Storm's heart went out for the woman as she saw the frightened look in her eyes. The eyes that trusted no one, the look of someone who was afraid to trust another person. As she watched her move closer and closer, to the door, she had to speak, try and explain to the girl that they meant no harm.
”Wait before you leave….I'm sorry we never asked for your name.” Storm talked gently to Laura as she went to leave. Laura stopped for a second to look at the silver haired woman's speak. The concern in the woman's eyes was something she hadn't seen since she met Peter, and before that maybe only her mother.
She didn't know what compelled her to tell them her name, but something in the back of her mind made her speak up. ”My name's Laura.” Her voice was gruff and tired from the day's events, but it got across to them.
Storm gave a small reassuring smile, as she got a response, it was better than nothing. ”Before you go Laura, I just wanted you to know. We truly just want to help you.” Maybe if she had said something else Laura wouldn't have exploded at her comment or maybe if Laura wasn't under so much stress, feeling her emotions run wild.
But when Laura heard those words, she snapped. ”STOP LYING!!!” She screamed in frustration as she pointed her claw hand towards Logan. ”You want to help me! EVEN WHEN HE'S HERE!”