M-482

Those were symbols now permanetly implanted on his forearm. In corner of his cell, with tears going down his face, he heard his sister's scream as she got her tattoo as well.

It wasn't fair.

Why them?

Why they had to be sold as some circus animals, to be watched and observed?

To be experimented on?

Little 10 years old Pietro did not get his answers as guards entered his cell.

"It's your time, freak."
"No,no,please no!"-little boy cried, but it was no use. He heard what happened to others. To all 481 mutans before him. He heard his sister screams as he was taken down the hallway. They tied him up to a chair. Old lady entered room. She looked like she spent past 10 years without any contact with sun. Her hair was in one big bun, size of a globe. And color of her hair....it was unnaturally white. Her eyes shined in bright light of room, giving them bloody red color.

"I am doctor Jane Forrest. Be good and we will be best friends."-she said as she took her scalpel.

"Peter!"

"Let's see how fast you really are."-she said as she made first cut. Pietro's screams echoed in half empty room.

"Peter!"

"It healed in matter of second. I will now make depper cut to get more clear results."-she said in device and continued with her works, accompanied by Pietro's screams.

"Peter!"

Peter suddenly opened his eyes and sat up on his bed.

Calm down, it's just a nightmare, he tought to himslef, but he still could not slow down his heart beat nor his breathing.

"Whoa... Easy there! You almost burned your sheets, you will hurt yourslef!"

Peter looked at source of voice, his vision becoming clearer. In fornt of him was no one other but his dad, famous Magneto. Except Magneto did not know that.

"Yea.."-Peter tried to smile-"When I was little I actually did burned them."-he said while rubbing back of his head.

Erik looked at him with stern expression.
"I know I may be not the most friendly person in this house, but I dealt with nightmares most of my life. Anything I can do to help?"

Yea, erase my memories. Or even better one, go back in time and actually go after your wife so you can find out you have kids!

"Not really....but thanks."

Erik looked at him for a second and then nodded. He rolled up his sleeve, showing up his tattoo.

"Nightmares often come from scars. It does not matter are those scars on your body or in your mind. They never heal completly. But they do heal. If you ever need someone to help you heal or to talk, you can talk to me. I know what is like to not have anyone to talk to. To help you heal."

"I am sorry."
"Don't be. It made me the man I am today. I may be not perfect, but I would not change it."

Peter looked at him with mix of admiration and sadness.

"Well, maybe I would change the world-wanted-terrorist part, but you get the point."

After small laugh, Erik spoke.

"Why no one came here? Day before, when Jean had nightmare, everyone went to her room."
"That comes with big all powerful psychic who could accidentaly bring whole house down."-he said while gesturing explosion with his hands.

"That still does not justify it."
"Why you care?"-he didn't meant for question to sound so rude, but by look on Erik's face, it was more than a rude.

"You are right. I should go."-he said and got up from chair he was sitting in.

"No, sorry. I didn't meant for it to be so rude. I am just tired. I have not had proper sleep in 4 days... But, why you care? I am just a Roma-Jew-American man that even his own mother did not want."

Erik looked at Peter with sad expression on his face. Being not wanted was something he was familiar with. He didn't say anything. He sat by Peter, on his bed and took boy in a hug. Heaven knows both of them needed one.

"Thanks."
"No problem, kid. Now try to go to sleep. I will be in room next door in case you have another nightmare."

Erik got up and went out. When he was at the door, Peter called.

"Erik?"
He turned.
Now is time. Tell him.

"I....I...I just wanna say thank you."

Erik just nooded and exited the room.

"Stupid."-Peter said as he fell back on his bed.

And for first time in four days, he had a calm night.