afterMath

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Andy, Lorna, and I stood by the tv as it releases the news of what we had done.

"A group claiming responsibility for today's attack released the following statement: 'Mutants, our fate is in our own hands, and this is the tip of the spear. It's time mutants must rise.' The group, known only by the hashtag #MutantUprising, had already inspired protests."

All I could see on the screen was once peaceful protest turn rouge, as many ended up in fires and anger.

My heartfelt as if it was going to burst, my anxiety started to rise, by just looking at the many videos of the protests.

"Meanwhile, civil rights advocates, while condemning the violence, noted that they have longed criticized past actions. Human rights organizations feared today's attack will encourage other mutant territory groups..."

"So, this is good?" Andy turned to the older woman, as he holds onto my hand. "After what we did?"

"Andy," Lorna replies, "You had to do it."

The boy looks down in guilt. "I hurt Lauren. I could've killed her."

"But you didn't. You pushed just as hard as you needed to, to get us out of there. And look what we did. Andy, you should be proud. It was a total success."

My boyfriend turned to me, wanting to have me have a say in the matter, and honestly, I was neutral.

Yes, we are sparking voices and recognition for what mutants have suffered. People are finally going to make a change, seeing the anger mutant has been experiencing since the beginning of time.

But the violence in the protest hurt. It hurts to see that authorities are still fighting against the people, fighting against the equality that is needed.

I don't think that violence is necessary, but at this point, it's the only thing we have left to have our voices and pain get heard.

"We need to talk about our guest." Esme walks into the room, with an annoyed look.

The triplets, Jack, Lorna, Andy and I were at the doorway to Rebecca's room.
She was the one person Reeva needed out of the entire psychiatric hospital.

"She hasn't spoken since she's got here," Jack informs.

"It's a big problem," adds Esme.

"She's the key to Reeva's next step," Sophie explains.

"But what did you all expect? She's been isolated and god knows what for years," I scold, putting my hand on the door to close it, knowing that Rebecca could hear us, But Jack quickly stopped me, shaking his head.

"She's right. Imagine what's going on in her head," Lorna nods.

"We don't need to. We can see for ourselves," The triplets quiver, having their eyes glow blue, seeing into Rebecca's mind, only to gasp.

"That bad?" Jack raised a brow.

"You have no idea," They all spoke.

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As everyone went their ways, I was sitting on the floor, as Jack was guarding Rebecca's room, which was slightly closed, thanks to me.

"Jack, can I ask you a personal question?"
"If it's anything sexual, you better stop talking."

"Ew, gross. Why the hell would I asked you stuff about that?"

"Come on. You and Andy——"

"Okay! No, no, no. It's not gonna happen."
"Yet."

The two of us then laughed.

"No, um, you know that time when you were in Sentinal Services hands... were you..."

"Sent in a mental hospital? No, and thank god for that."

"Yeah, but... what happened to you?"

Jack gulped, "Well... most were hay me getting the shit kicked out of me. Let me tell you, they don't play nice, at all. But really, it was just experiments and tests, since our family has that element bloodline-thing going for them."

"Jesus... I was in Sentinel Services hands for like, what, two or three days? It must be hell, I couldn't manage to be in there for——"

"3 years, 8 months, and 29 days. And you were right, it was hell."
He says, "I mean, for being 16 — about to turn 17 — it was scary. I didn't know how to fight combat, let alone my abilities. I couldn't defend myself. Mom left me high and dry, I couldn't be a lawyer or have a trial. And I didn't have you beside me. I can tell you, every day of my time away, I was always thinking about you. About if mom found out if you were okay if you got caught if you were in trouble. I was suffering, massively."

I had never fully grasped the worry Jack had for me.
We are our only family left.
We only have each other and that is it.

It's not like Jack doesn't have anyone else, he doesn't have a girlfriend or boyfriend, like I have Andy. He's not close to anyone to be friends unless you would count Esme, the only person he hangs around with.

"But you escaped... the triplets got you out," I pointed out, "That had to be the best day."

My brother went quiet for a second. "I actually... It would've been 'the best', but I lose, um... I lost Jose."

"Who's Jose?"

He smiles, as if memories were passing back to him, "H-He was my best friend. He was someone that got me through those 3 years, but he died."

I lower my head.
I never knew about Jose, but he seemed to be great, if he helped a random person, like Jack.

"He actually came out of one of those hospitals. Apparently, he was stable enough to be studied on; that is how I met him. In all honesty, he wasn't stable, not in the slightest, and... he killed himself."

My jaw dropped, when hearing how he died — suicide.

"Jack. I'm so sorry."

My brother didn't say another word, trying to not cry and not have his eyes watering.

I stood up and did not hesitate to hug him. He didn't hesitate to accept it.
All I felt was the warm embrace of my brother and droplets hitting my shoulder, with the sound of quiet cries muffled.

❅   ❅   ❅

The triplets and Lorna had Rebecca in the training room, with wires around her, making her even more uncomfortable than she already was.

I wanted to help her, I knew I was going to talk to her at some point, but I was empty of knowing what to say.

"What's going on?" Andy asked, walking to where Esme and I stood, as he wrapped his arm around my waist.

"They're testing her powers," answers the woman.

"What are they?"
"You'll see."

"Rebecca," Sophie says to the brunette girl, "Look. I know you haven't used your powers in a while, but we are gonna need you to try. We want to help other mutants like we helped you."

"Look, I was in a mental hospital, too," Lorna admits to the girl, "They treat us like animals. That's what we're fighting."

"You can be a weapon in that fight. Don't you want to go after mutant haters? We need you. We can't do this without your help."

Andy held a disgusted face, from the way they talked to Rebecca.
Frankly, I held back my displeased look to the triplet.

She's not a weapon, she's a human being.

"Just show us what you can do," pressed the green-haired woman.

Obviously, the girl retaliated, only crossing her arms, looking away, out of nervousness.

"Rebecca?" Sophie sternly calls, for no answer.

Andy quickly held my hand, as he and I walked out of the room.

"Can't believe they are talking to her like that," comments the boy, "I mean, what do they think is gonna happen?"

"Andy..."

"It's annoying how they think they can control her like that, honestly."

"Andy."

The Strucker turns himself around, noticing my raised eyebrow.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"Why are you asking? Yes, I'm fine."

"Because you are really reactive about this."

"Wait, you're not angry?"

"Yes, I'm frustrated, and you're right, they shouldn't treat her like that. She deserves better."

"... And?"

"But you're acting as if you know her, or at least——"

"Are you serious, right now?"

My eyes sternly looked to Andy, who furrows his eyes to me.

"I'm just saying to calm down," I explain.

"Calm down? The way that they are treating her isn't fair, she's not some kind of object."

"I know that, but you need to control your emotions."

"What? So you want me to wait on the sidelines, like you?" He snips.

"Excuse me?"

"Lux, you are a Mycroft. You are one of the most powerful people in this entire building, yet you keep quiet and let people boss you around. You let them do whatever they want with you."

"What the hell does that have to do with anything?"

"I'm just saying, maybe you need to voice some decisions, for once, and not let people, like the Frost sisters or Jack, keep you silent. If you are as angry or frustrated as you say you are, why didn't you say anything or at least look like you are disgusted?"

"So your issue with me is that you don't like how I'm neutral? How I just want to play it safe?"

"Yeah. Lux, ever since joking about the Hellfire Club, you kept quiet, at least in ten underground you weren't afraid to say anything or was willing to get into trouble. I mean, come on, where is that Lux?"

"Andy, you realize we aren't in the Underground anymore! We can't do the things that we used to because we might actually be risking consequences."

"I just don't understand where my Lux went. She didn't care much about authorities. She didn't care about what others thought of her opinion? Now, I see a Lux that listens to authorities, like they are God or something. I see a Lux that keeps her mouth shut for no good reason."

"Andy, do you realize where we are right now?! There is no time for stupid midnight runs or voicing what I do and don't like. I'm not risking the Hellfire Club because you just want to play grownup."

Abruptly, he storms off, with his emotions rising and need to cool off.

I didn't doubt myself and my way of thinking. I knew what I did now and from the past was the right choice to make.
I stayed in my line, I didn't want to be in trouble.

My problem is that we are still kids. We don't know what is happen, we don't know anything. So why risk the punishment for something that I'm not apart of.

I believe that in Andy's mind, he sees us as adults. He sees that we should have a say in matters and can have all the freedom in the world... but that's not how it works.

Maybe Andy is starting to get tired of me? Maybe Andy wanted to be with someone more exciting than me? God, I don't know.

I can admit, I've changed from and since the fall of Atlanta.
But that's how you need to be in the big brown-up world, especially when you are still just a kid.

Andy will realize that soon enough, but until then, I walked out of the hallways and into the lobby, as I began to think of Andy and I's the messy fight.

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