Being taken away from your family was one of the most painful things you've ever had to endure. It wasn't like losing a family member to death because you knew what had happened to them, and you knew where they were. That they were okay now and in a safe place. But being taken the way you were was almost more painful. You knew they were alive, but you couldn't stay with them, you couldn't just visit whenever you wanted, or act like everything was the same, because it wasn't, and it never would be again.

     When the two men showed up at your house, you were in the living room with your parents, watching a show on the small TV. The doorbell had rung, causing you to jump and look towards the door, sitting up to look over the sofa as your mother opened the door. The two men walked in, one with long brown hair and the other who was taller and in a strange leather coat. They told your parents that they were there to take you to a place to help you with your mutation.

     Your mother started laughing almost immediately, claiming that she didn't give birth to a mutant. That it was impossible, she wasn't a mutant herself and neither was your father, so it wasn't possible. The long haired one—who introduced himself as Charles—smiled weakly at her. The other—Erik—stood in the doorway, with his shoulder leaning against the door frame, with a flat expression, as Charles began to explain that you were, in fact, a mutant.

     Your mother almost had a heart attack.

     She held you behind her, blocking them from seeing you. She said that you weren't a mutant, that even if you were she wasn't going to let them take you away from her. She said that if your mutation hadn't clearly shown up by now then maybe it wasn't one that needed much control. Your father stayed seated, watching you closely. Your mother told him to back her up, but he just told her that it would be for the best, that you would be safer with them.

     He didn't want you to go, but he knew that only they could help you. If you lost control of your mutation then you could hurt someone or worse, yourself. You looked back at him, clutching the back of the shirt your mother was wearing. He seemed to be lost in thought, you turned back to the two men, Charles had the same expression.

     Your mother held onto you for the longest time, walking with you to the car, she kept placing kisses to your head, telling you to visit them when you gained control. Erik took your bag from your father and put it in the trunk of the car. Your father wasn't one for hugs. But he pulled you closer to him, whispering that he was sorry. That it was his fault.

     Only men carried the mutant gene.

-

     When Charles and Erik pulled up to a rather large building you could feel a weight in the bottom of your stomach. You had been silently crying on the way there, quickly brushing away the tears although you knew your eyes were bloodshot, a clear give away that you were not okay.

     Charles and Erik guided you through the building and showed you to a room you would be staying at while they and some others went to discuss a few things. Although they left it at that. You weren't sure what they meant or if you could really trust them. They were just strangers who took you from your family, without your consent. Wasn't that like kidnapping?

     They followed you into the room but didn't stay for long.

     There were five other people seated in the room. A girl with blonde hair turned around immediately with a wide smile, you would have thought that would have put you at ease, but if anything, you were more on edge and eager to get the hell out of there and back home to your parents. You weren't a mutant. They were wrong. This was just one big mistake, and when they realised that, you would be one step closer to going home.

     Another girl sat on the other sofa with tanned skin and short hair, she looked bored, her gaze that fell on you was less than warm and inviting. It was almost like she was mocking you with her eyes. You weren't like them. She knew it, you knew it, and you were just waiting until Charles and Erik knew it.

     On a single sofa, next to her there was a boy with red curly hair. His cheeks were slightly puffed out as he reclined on the sofa, staring at the glasses of water on the table in front of him. He glanced over at you with a raised eyebrow. He didn't seem as conceited as the girl next to him. Although you knew you shouldn't judge her so quickly, you couldn't help it. Maybe she was nice.

     Next, to the dark-haired girl, there was a dark-skinned boy with an eyebrow raised, he offered you a kind smile which you returned in a shy and awkward manner. He placed his arm on the back of the sofa, turning his body slightly to you and the two men who still stayed behind you. You rubbed your arm and looked down to your muddy combat boots, not wanting to be there any longer than you already had been.

     Another boy with glasses sat awkwardly next to the blonde girl, who was still grinning at you. He seemed more like yourself, he offered you an awkward smile, less confident than the other boy. You tightened your jaw and gulped. Just breathe in and out. Don't throw up. You're okay. You're fine. You're in a room with mutants, just like 'yourself'. Everything is fine. You breathed out a shaky breath and looked towards the last boy.

     On the other single sofa, the blond boy didn't turn to look at you. He picked at the armrest of the chair, his eyebrows knitted together in both concentration and frustration. He seemed to be the one you wanted to stay clear of the most. Maybe second. The black-haired girl was the one to avoid the most. He almost screamed bad boy and danger with his leather jacket and lack of eye contact.

     You could feel yourself backing up, wanting to get out of the room. Charles placed his hands on your shoulder with a quiet chuckle and pushed you into the room more. He gave your shoulders a quick squeeze before he patted your upper arms and left with Erik. You turned around wanting to follow, but you came face to face with a closed door. You let out a sigh and slowly turned around, everyone but the blond boy was now looking at you.

     Waiting.

     "Hi, I'm Raven." The blonde girl stood up. She stuck her hand out and you shook it gently. She was the first to introduce herself, maybe this was going to be off to a good start.

     "Hi," you replied quietly. She pulled you into the room more, and four out of the six other mutants introduced themselves. Raven pointed out Angel, the girl who tilted her head, not really caring about you being there, and Alex, the blond boy who almost let out a grunt as a response, but instead huffed.

     This was off to a great start.

-

     Somehow, they all ended up revealing their mutation.

     Raven shape-shifted. Both you and Sean jumped in shock as she somehow morphed into a version of Sean. You stepped back slightly looking between the two. It was a perfect copy of Sean, and it creeped you out, even more, when his voice came out of Raven. The others clapped as she went back to her normal—or supposedly normal—look.

     Darwin was able to adapt to breathing underwater, as well as anything. He stood up and walked to the fish tank behind Sean and held onto the sides. You tilted your head, not really sure what was about to happen. You let out a small squeak as he dipped his head in and fish gills appeared on the side of his neck, he turned his head and grinned at you all.

     Sean seemed rather proud to show his off, he looked to you as he told you all to cover your ears. He sent you a wink before he crouched down in front of the table, the glasses in a direct line. He sucked in a deep breath and let out a sonic screech. The window glass broke as the high-pitched waves travelled through the successfully smashing the window.

     Angel was able to fly and spit a toxic liquid. When she saw your eyes widen and mouth part in shock she let out a small giggle and grinned towards you. She wasn't as bad as you first thought. You were mesmerised by her wings and show she was able to hover in the air with just four thin pink dragonfly looking wings.

     Hank began swinging from one of the light fixtures. He took off his shoes and you could see what looked like almost-monkey or gorilla-like feet. He jumped up onto the lights, which began to sway, and let his arms drop as his feet kept him firmly held up with the lights. You definitely couldn't do anything as close to that. Mutants weren't as bad as you first thought, maybe you wouldn't mind being one.

     Although that now left you and Alex.

     Alex showed his mutation first, telling everyone to get back. He stepped out of the room through the broken glass, you all walked over to see what he was doing. He motioned for you all to get back. Which you did. For about two seconds, until he told you to get back again. But this time you all just stayed there watching, he scoffed and mumbled a 'whatever' before his hips swivelled. You couldn't help but stare as the red rings sliced the statue in half. You had never seen anything like that before.

     "What about you?" Raven asked. "What can you do?"

     "I only found out I was a mutant six hours ago," your voice was barely above a whisper. You could hear Alex scoff as he stepped back into the room, his shoulder knocking into yours. He really didn't like you. You wrapped your arms around yourself as they backed into the room, not pushing you even more. You looked down the ground. It wasn't your fault, you didn't even know what your mutation was.

     Soon enough, you all began to hear yelling, causing you to walk to the other side of the room by the other window, you leaned closer to it to see what was going on before a group of guards with guns began to yell, telling you all to move back. But you couldn't move from the window. The others called out to you as they ran out the room, trying to get away.

     You stared in horror as they—a group of mutants—began to kill the guards. One by one you could hear the suffocating screams and gurgles from the guards as red and black smoke puffed in all different directions. The others ran back in when they couldn't escape. One guard was thrown into the window, smashing it open. You couldn't move. The others screamed at you to get back. You watched as the men with guns slowly began to decrease in numbers.

     Darwin pulled you back as you stood still in front of the window, unable to move. Two men walked in on either side of the broken windows. A man walked into the room, you all clumped together, still glancing at the open grounds. Darwin kept you covered, just like your mother did. He hid you behind him, your hands instinctively clutching the back of his shirt as the man introduced himself as Sebastian Shaw.

     "Good evening." He took off his helmet. "My name is Sebastian Shaw."

     Then...It all happened too quickly.

-

     Angel left with them.

     Darwin followed.

     Everyone else ran.

     You stayed still.

     Alex smirked and threw the rings towards Shaw.

     But he caught them.

     Darwin was killed.

     You watched as his body imploded.

     He couldn't adapt to Alex's energy that Shaw shoved down his throat.

     When Charles, Erik, and Moira came back they saw you all standing there, the others walked out from behind the wall staring at the empty space. Alex had a look on his face of pain. You walked to where Darwin once was, all he wanted to do was protect you, his fellow mutants and yourself. You thought back to earlier that day. Being taken away from your parents somehow didn't compare to the pain you felt now.

     All you could do was drop to your knees and place a hand on the ground. Darwin was gone. You hadn't done anything to protect him. You did nothing. Charles walked over calmly as everyone watched you, he placed a hand on your shoulder but you shoved him off roughly, glaring at him as he stepped back giving you some space.

     "How could Shaw do that?" You looked back to the ground. "Darwin only wanted to help us, he wanted to get Angel back." You shook your head and gritted your teeth. Your voice became dark with anger as you turned back to Charles. "He wanted to protect us!" You could feel the others looking at you. "We let him die!" Your eyes scanned Charles' face. "We did nothing!" You paused momentarily. "I did nothing!" You yelled.

     Charles placed a hand on your shoulder again. "You couldn't do anything." Your fists tightened as you stood up, trying to shake his arms off you once more. You shook your head with a forced, harsh and bitter, laugh.

     "I'm not a mutant." You spat as you shook your head.

     "What?"

     "I don't have a mutation, I can't do anything like they can. You made a mistake." You pushed his hands away again. "Take me home. Now."

     "You can't leave, you're one of us." Raven pushed her way to the front of the others, looking at you with a pained expression. "We can't lose another."

     "You won't lose another one Raven because I was never one of you." You looked at her sadly before turning back to Charles. "Are you going to take me home?"

     "I didn't make a mistake," he told you.

     "How do you know that?"

     "Because I know."

     "That's the stupidest answer I've ever heard." You pushed passed him, knocking your shoulder into his. "I'm going home! One way or another," you called over your shoulder before walking into the building, and out through one of the doors.

-

     But that never happened, and you never wanted to visit Cuba again.

     Charles had a bullet in his spine after Erik dodged Moira's gun, you felt your heart lodge in your throat as you ran over, ignoring everyone else as you skidded on the sand to get to him. Erik stood up, he walked over to the remained of Shaw's group, Raven going with him.

     You trusted her.

     For the short while that you were with her you had grown to trust her. The next time you saw her you would be less than welcoming. Moira told him that they were going to take him to the hospital, Hank told him not to move. Charles told him he wouldn't because the fact was that he couldn't.

     You held onto his hand.

     This was the first time you welcomed his touch, every other time you would push him away, but you regretted that. All he wanted to do was help you, to teach you to gain control of powers you still didn't know anything about.

     "Charles," you spoke softly, tears rolling down your face. "I'm so sorry, I should have done something."

     He smiled kindly at you shaking his head. "There was nothing you could do."

     "I'm sorry."

     You stood up, letting go of his hand. You wrapped your arms around your body—it had become something comforting to you ever since you left home, like a safety blanket. You backed away, leaving the others to talk while you walked over to the plane. You sat on the opened area on the side, scrunching your knees up to your chest, wrapping your arms around them.

     If you knew what your mutation was then maybe you could have done something to help. Maybe Charles wouldn't have become paralysed. Maybe you would have had a reason to stay. You glanced back over to them, Alex's eyes met yours before he looked back down to Charles. He must have hated you, even more, a mutation-less mutant. He had every right to.

     A throat cleared, pulling you out of your thoughts. You looked up to see none other than Alex. He rubbed the back of his neck before awkwardly pointing to the gap beside you. "May I?" You didn't trust your voice, so you nodded in response. He sat a little further away from you, letting out a sigh. "You know you couldn't have done anything, right?" He turned his head to look at you.

     When you didn't look back at him his eyes travelled to the sand underneath his feet, his hands clutching the side of the plane where his legs were. "I know." You nodded. "I couldn't do anything because I don't have the ability to do anything. Not like you guys," you continued. "Charles might have thought that he was right when he took me from my parents, but we all know that I'm nothing more than a burden."

     "You're not a burden." He shook his head as he cleared his throat. "You just haven't found your mutation yet."

     "Yet." You scoffed quietly. "I'm not a mutant."

     "Don't say it like it's a bad thing," he huffed out defensively.

     "I didn't."

     He stayed quiet for a moment before changing the subject. "Help should be here soon." He looked over to Charles.

     "Good, because it was never here in the first place."

     "What's that supposed to mean?" He looked at you with a glare.

     "We just stood around." You shrugged.

     "Erik forced us back."

     "We could have fought harder." Your voice was almost dead. You sounded like you had no life left in your body. Alex sighed to himself, with the roll of his eyes.

     "We did."

     "I didn't."

     "What could you have done?"

     "Something," you mumbled quietly before getting up. Paramedics began to flood the beach. You walked over to where the others were, Alex, trailing behind you. You wrapped your arms around yourself again as you tried to avoid them checking you over. You did nothing, you weren't hurt, why wouldn't they just see that?

-

     It had been almost three months after the Cuba missiles crisis. It had been almost three months after Charles became paralysed and confined to a wheelchair. It had almost been three months since you spoke to anyone.

     Charles still trained the others, although with some difficulty, even with Hank's help. He would try to get them to focus in on their mutation, harness and control their abilities while also strengthening and enhancing them. You preferred to stay away from them, training alone in the gym while everyone else was asleep. You also caught up with studies while you were there.

     You hadn't contacted your parents. They would ask too many questions. They would ask whether you've found your mutation and gained control, just so you could come back home. You knew you didn't have the strength to tell them that you still didn't know what you could do and that you wouldn't be coming home anytime soon.

     Charles often tried engaging in conversation with you, verbally and mentally, but you shut him out. You weren't sure why you did, but you felt like it would be the best option since he couldn't really help you with anything. You weren't even a mutant. Although he was adamant that you were.

     Sean occasionally spoke to you, mainly flirting and trying to get you out of your shell, but you knew that wasn't going to happen anytime soon. He would always sit by you during meals, hoping to coax something out of you, even if it was just a laugh or a smile.

     Hank kept his distance, he would only offer a small smile and a wave to you when he saw you walking around the mansion alone. He was still slightly awkward around you, but he seemed to be the only one who actually knew that you wanted to be left alone. He respected your wishes and so you respected him.

     Alex only spoke one or two words to you. Like Hank, he didn't really stay near you. It was almost a silent arrangement to stay clear of one another. Mainly because you were sure that he hated you, or disliked you strongly. You would often find him outside in running gear gripping his hair in frustration while Charles spoke to him. Or whenever he left the bunker.

     It had almost been three months since you last got a good night's sleep.

     Ever since you began training at night, and tried forcing yourself awake during the day, you found that the hours collected of your overall sleep was less than healthy. You weren't strong like the others, or able to fight like them. You didn't even have a mutation, yet Charles still sent you on small missions with the others.

     Which, was a danger in itself, especially since your body was exhausted.

-

     Charles gave you all a small mission, it seemed simple enough. You had been working out and practiced fighting. But it was only on a punching bag and weights. Hank was flying the plane while Sean, Alex and yourself sat in the chairs behind. Sean was upfront next to Hank looking outside the front window. Alex was next to you.

     You kept your head down with your arms on the seat belts, breathing in and out. You never really liked flying, even though it was one of the safest modes of transport compared to driving. You still found it unsettling to be in a tin can thousands of feet up in the air.

     Hank was going over the plan, although you weren't really paying much attention to it. Sean went to press a button on the control panel, stressing out Hank even more. Sean began to complain about not being able to feel his butt as Hank landed the plane. All three of them unlocked their belts before you.

     You stood up with shaky legs and walked out of the plane with them. Hank explained where you would all be going once more. He split off with Sean, leaving you with Alex.

     "Just stay behind me."

     You nodded at him. He already sounded pissed from being paired up with you. But it wasn't like he really got along with Sean very much, and he didn't actually like Hank, so you were the better choice out of the three of you.

     "Try not to get us killed."

     Your jaw tightened as you nodded once more. He led you in through a side entrance. It was already dark; the sensor lights weren't working and the keypad on the door was disabled. He opened the door and quickly ran to hide behind some of the crates. He motioned his hand for you to go over to him.

     Closing the door slowly and quietly was easier said than done. The door was heavy and somehow the keypad turned back on and beeped loudly when the door closed. You made your way to Alex with a wince, knowing he was glaring at you for making a loud noise.

     "Sorry." You mouthed as he ignored you and continued to walk behind the crates. You followed him closely, taking quick glances between the gaps of the crates to make sure the coast was clear before you ran blindly after Alex, like a lost puppy.

     You weren't sure if Alex liked having you depend solely on him during the mission, but he smirked to himself every time you caught up with him, almost touching as you came to a stop. He lifted a finger up to his lips, telling you to be quiet before pointing in front of him to show a hole in the ground. You nodded back at him.

     He stood up slightly, you followed his actions and took hold of his arm as he helped you across the hole. You lost your footing and almost slipped before he wrapped his arms around you and pulled you closer to him. The force of his pull made him stumble back and fall. Your head hit his chest as his arms were still around you.

     "Sorry," you whispered, trying not to look directly at him.

     "Let's just get up and finish the mission." He let go of you, you sat up slightly before you heard breaking and cracking. You looked down and saw that there were cracks leading from the hole towards you and Alex. "Oh crap," he mumbled before holding onto you tightly as the floor below you caved in.

     You let out a squeak as Alex made an impact with the ground. He let out a groan as he landed on some rumble. You hissed in pain as your head hit against a broken piece of rubble. You sat up slowly, holding a hand to your head. You pulled your hand back when your head stung, a small stain of blood collected on your hand. Dust and dirt now covered both you and Alex.

     Alex sat up and looked towards the hole. It was too high up to get out of. He struggled to get up on his own, but he pulled you up after him, setting you on your feet somewhat steadily. "How are we going to get out of here?" You looked up to the hole before glancing around the dark and barely lit room.

     "I don't know, help me find an exit or stairs." He moved around you before pushing rubble out of the way. You went in the opposite direction and stumbled around, unable to see the ground properly, or what was in front of you. You groaned in pain as your head smacked against the wall.

     "Ow." You rubbed your forehead and placed your hand on the wall.

     "Did you find anything?" You jumped. Alex whispered before behind you, startling you. You hadn't heard him follow you.

     "Not yet..."

     "Well, keep looking."

     "Okay," you responded in pain and you tried to get your eyes to focus on the room. "Ow." You hissed again as your stomach came in contact with a pole. You were getting all sorts of injuries on team Alex. You furrowed your eyebrows as your hand moved against the pole that seemed to go up at an angle.

     You picked your legs in front of you coming in contact with a step.

     "Alex!" You whisper-yelled into the dark void.

     "What?" He whispered back, not knowing if someone else was around.

     "Stairs."

     "Where?"

     "By the-" you tried seeing if anything could be made out. "By me, I don't know where I am, or where you are."

     "I'll find you."

     "Okay." You stopped talking after that.

     "Can you talk?"

     "Yeah, why?"

     "I need your voice to find you."

     "Oh, right, sorry about that."

     "I think I see y-" you let out an 'oof' as Alex walked into you, pushing your body back onto the stairs with him on top of you.

     "I think you do too." You nodded as he got up.

     "Sorry." He helped you up before walking in front of you up the stairs. At the top, there was a door. He pushed it open slowly. You both walked out and saw Hank and Sean fighting against a group of people. Alex ran ahead, helping them out while you followed after. Hoping hand-to-hand was going to be enough.

-

     Somehow you managed to keep up with the boys. Some of the men were knocked out and others were still fighting. You did sustain quite a few injuries, not just from walking into things. The men were able to get in punches, kicks, and jabs. Your body was extremely weak by now, your mind was on overdrive, your reaction time was less than accurate and you were beginning to stress out more than usual.

     You tried punching one of the men but he grabbed hold of your arm and spun you so your back was pressed against his chest. His arms locked you in place. To the side you could see Hank and Sean, still fighting steadily, but in front of you, Alex wasn't doing so great.

     The fall much have done a number on him as the man got a punch in and Alex stumbled back. The man took out what looked like a gun. Your blood ran cold. The hairs on the back of your neck stood up before a burning sensation spread through your veins like a wildfire. Your cold blood now felt white hot.

     Your lungs burned as you let out a scream, your chest felt extremely warm and the arms around you recoiled and broke away as strange black and dark green rings of plasma started to spin and twist around your body. You could see that the dark green had a strange glow to it as it spun around your body before shooting out of your chest towards the man with the gun.

     The black and dark green energy seemed to burn through anything in its path, the rings still circulated your body, much like they did with Alex when he first showed off his mutation. Your body felt hot like your skin was boiling and your blood was bubbling under the surface.

     Sean and Hank ducked as the rings around you burst out and slammed into the men, throwing them into the crates and at the walls, they span out of control before they came out like concussion beams. Soon they stopped and you dropped to your knees. Your throat felt sore as you fell forwards, hitting your head against the ground. Everything went dark.

-

     The harsh light burned your vision as you squinted your eyes. You couldn't move your body. It was like your muscles were pulled after an intense workout, you couldn't open your mouth to speak, it felt dry and sore. The only sound that would come out as a croaky groan.

     "You're awake," you heard Charles on your left.

     You managed to turn your head to the sound of his voice. He sat there with a soft smile on his face, he brushed some hair out of your face.

     "You were knocked out after you unleashed your mutation. Your body underwent so much stress and damage that it unlocked your mutated genes and kick started your mutation."

     You let out a shaky breath and nodded weakly. "Is everyone else okay?"

     He let out a small chuckle. "You're injured and you're worried about everyone else?"

     "There was a gun."

     "I know, Alex told me." He nodded before he patted your head gently. "I'll let you get some rest, you need it." He moved away from the bed and left the room, dimming the lights as he went. You turned your head back to the ceiling, closing your eyes, trying to get some sleep.

     "How're you feeling?" A gentle knock on the door pulled your gaze back, you saw Alex standing there leaning against the door frame with one arm holding the other. You gave him a small smile.

     "Hi," you spoke.

     "You've been out for two days." He walked into the room, closing the door behind him. "Hank and Charles have been monitoring you, Sean visited you a couple of times. He's asleep right now, Hank and Charles are just outside."

     "Are you okay?"

     "Am I-" He raised an eyebrow before moving around the bed to stand on your left-hand side. "Did you not hear that you've been out for two days?"

     "I heard." You nodded.

     "Yet you're still worried about us? You just found your mutation, you went through a lot."

     "We all did."

     "Not as much as you." He shook his head. You couldn't even remember what you did.

     "What can I do?"

     "Huh?"

     "My mutation...What is it?"

     "It's like mine." He picked at the corner of the blanket. "But worse." You placed your hand on his, stopping him from fidgeting.

     "Why is it worse?" He looked from your hand and his to your face.

     "You unleashed a lot of plasma energy, you destroyed everything in your path for about three miles. I'm guessing because it was suppressed for so long, it just all came out at once. It's going to take a lot to control it." He shrugged.

     "Are you going to help me?"

     "I could."

     "I don't want to do this alone."

     "You won't do it alone. We're all going to be here for you, we're all going to help you. Hank's already making you a training suit. Sean's coming up with a name. Charles is doing something."

     "What about you? What are you doing?"

     "I'm going to go to sleep." He ignored what you were trying to get at, changing the subject slightly. "So, scoot over." You let out a small laugh, trying to push your body out of the way to give him space. He climbed onto the bed, kicking at the blankets to cover himself.

     "Thanks," you told him with a smile.

     "No problem." He smiled back before watching you lay your head back down on the pillow. He copied your actions before he closed his eyes, wrapping an arm around your waist.