Chapter 1

March 8, 2003.

"I don't know to begin but it's been a while since I wrote something in a diary. Time had changed; the world is not the same, the people, even the days. Since 2002 when the incident X came to the public, people now found that fantasy was no longer that. One day in early October groups of activist in Central Park were protesting against building a new complex in Zone Zero. An explosion was heard nearly the place of protest. A group of terrorist came down to make a statement, again. War was a mix of a promise with reality. For them, the Americans were demons, for the Americans they were the demons. So which is my place in all this? Simple, I was incident X. The terrorist were only part of the equation. Me, just the result of that equation. I was with Cassidy when all hell started to break loose. We were walking near the group when the first shot was heard."

"Cassidy was the kind of friend that I never though I'd have. Nice, happy, and very pretty. 5'2", 90 pounds, blond to copper curly hair (depending if she dyed or not), brown eyes, white skin, and with a temper to respect. She was my first and only friend. She never treated me like a freak, or with hate. She showed me that good people could exist. And that racism was for idiots. She never omplained about my "curse". In fact she found it cool. Always helping me to learn to control it. To practice until I really hated it. I could still remember her words: "Hey and what if you could save someone's life. You are now a superhero. You know, like Superman." It was later that I realized how right she was. Unfortunately I never practiced enough to save her life".

Like I said before we walked passed the group when the first shot came. The bullet was searching for a target and found it in my leg. I fell down and grabbed my leg. The bullet went through my leg. It was bleeding when Cassidy checked it. She took her scarf. It was the one she always used when the fall was letting enter the winter. She wrapped it around my leg and asked"

"Can you walk?"

"What the fuck is going on. Damn it hurts like hell." still fighting the urge to cry like a little girl.

"Hey Stonewall, listen someone is shooting, we have to get out of here. Can you walk?"

I looked at her and drawing a deep breath nodded. She was really tough. The commotion was big. You could hear the shots and screams of everyone. It was like a one of those movies. People running, falling dead or injured. Guys with masks and face covered, and armed o the teeth. Crying, mayhem, God it was like the Armageddon.

Stonewall snap out of it. I can't carry you, you old mule, keep moving."

I began to walk as fast as I could, but the leg was really damaged and the bleeding to much. The fact that the pain was really starting to make me dizzy, didn't help either. Cassidy was trying to help as much as she could. She began to insult me in an effort to make me mad enough to move. It was working until a guy shoved us to one side and we both fell on the floor. Cassidy stood up and checked on me. Just as I raised my face to tell her that I was ok. I saw one of the terrorist taking a gun from his waist and shooting her point blank in the head.

When the imaged played again before Stonewall's eyes she began to shake uncontrollably, fighting back the tears like she always did. She hated to crying. Still remembering her teacher words: "Crying is a weakness. You are a pathetic stupid freak. I don't know why your mother didn't abort you when she had the chance." After that she laughed at her and sent her to the corner of the classroom to lie on her knees for the rest of the day. Stonewall wiped the tears from her face and breathed deeply before she continued writing in her diary. Since she was on the top floor of the mansion nobody would bother her. But she still needed to write a lot. Her recovery had been long and painful and her therapist told her that writing down her biggest traumatic experiences might help her to be less aggressive and more willing to heal. Once she was calmed down she continued.

"The dammed guy shoots her and part of her blood fell in my face. Her body was going to fall as well when I got it. The bullet went straight thru her brain. She was dead. I could only see her face with an expression of surprise. I never had the time to react and at least stop the bullet. I was on the floor watching her when the click from the gun was heard again. This time the guy was standing in front of me aiming at the center of my head. I could only see his eyes. They were filled with hatred. He never knew me or Cassidy. She was only 20 years old for God's sake. It was then when I just lost it. I don't know what happened next. I can just remember mental pictures. The doctor told me that apparently I blew the guy into pieces. But not only him, the other terrorist also were torn apart. It was like Carrie but in the wild. Many of the lights exploded and some cars went into the air and came down in pieces. After that, they found me in front of a carousel, still holding the corpse of my only friend in my arms. The authorities tried to take over but I never let them. I just send them flying to the other side of the road. I was wanting so hard to be comfort to be hugged. But instead they shot me with a tranquilizer as if I were a dangerous animal. To the world I was the first mutant alive. The media made a circus of it. The scientific world couldn't wait to test me in everyway possible. I still don't know how I managed to escape, but I did. A girl called G.D. helped also. She hid me in her mansion until, the world learned that mutants were a reality. But all of this happened so long ago. That's why I'm writing this right now because every night for the six years since it happened I've been having this dream like a bad old movie. I can't stand it anymore, I just can't. God how pathetic I am. How I'm...

But her writing was interrupted when she heard the big explosion coming from the north wing of the mansion. Although it was a big place, the mansion was easy to explore. The north wing was for the cases that were getting too difficult to handle. Stonewall knew that very well, the first 2 years she spent0 in that wing being solated so as not to face the world until G.D. had the courage to speak to her like no one did before. Stonewall realized that hiding from the world wouldn't make a difference and also that won't bring back her best friend. A second explosion, snapped her out of her trance. She quickly closed her diary and flew down the roof to her room. After leaving her stuff the door opened suddenly. It was G.D.

"Where the hell have you been?"
"Doing some self healing, like you told me to. But tell me what's going on. It looks like the demons from hell broke loose." Stonewall said.
"Is worse than that. Remember the guy that I brought a couple of weeks ago? The really big one?"
"Yeah, the one that survived the fire?" Stonewall said in reply.
"Yes that one. His brother told me that he got into a mysterious fire, nobody knew how. He burned himself and his fiancé also was burned.

Well..." G.D. was interrupted by another explosion bigger than the previous one which made the whole place shake from roof to basement.

After the shake passed she continued:
"Well like I said I found how the fire started."
"Damn it G.D. spit out."
"He did it, looks like the guy has pyrokinesis."
"Ok, this very informative, but what does that have to do with what's going on now?"
"He came here in sort of a state of shock..."
"G.D..." began impatiently Stonewall.
"Shit Beck, he was in shock he didn't move, did othing. It looks like he came out of his world and he is not happy with the new accommodations."
"Let me guess, he is out of control and I am God's last resort?"
"Bingo. Come on I'll fill you in on the details on the way to the wing."

Both women began to run to the north wing. One hoping she would get there in time to stop the guy, the other praying that the remedy wouldn't be worse than the sickness.

When they arrived half of the wing was a burning hell. Stonewall scanned the area for possible survivors or people trapped in the fire. A sigh of relieve came out of her. The wing was clear. No one was there. She proceeded to scan for the guy. After a couple of minutes a rain of snow began to fall. She look up to see Patricia using her "ice powers", followed but Autumn which was calling out the winds to stop the spreading of the fire further.

Mouthing a thank you, Beck kept up the search until she found him. He was cuddled up against a wall. Shaking violently and hiding his face as best as he could. Beck noticed that he was naked and huge. Although he was all cuddled up his size was amazing. His hair was long and curly. A little bit dirty but she could tell it was auburn. She studied his body he did some serious weight lifting, since all of it was well defined with muscles, including his backside. A sudden frown appears on her face. This was no time to be eyeing him. The gravity of the situation turned to reality. First things first. Mentally she reached out to G.D.

(Hey I found him. What now?)
(Try to talk to him, win his trust so we could come and take him.)
(ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR FUCKING MIND?) After that mental shout she had to hold her head with both hands.
(Yeah thanks psycho, now I will have a migraine.
Yes, he is totally panicked he needs to trust someone.)
(Yeah but why me?) getting frustrated.

A silence followed and Stonewall sensed that something definitely was wrong. She was about to ask GD again when the man lifted his head into her direction. Stonewall's eyes opened wide to see that half of his face was burned as well as part of his right arm and chest. His eyes were a mix. One was a deep blue while the other was nearly white only the circle that surrounds the iris was the indication that he had an eye there. She stared into his eyes and could see that he was in mayor pain. He was suffering too much. But his looks change into one of fear when he realized that she was real. Tears formed and rolled down from his eyes. He then tried to retreat further as if he could fuse with the wall.

(Man he is really afraid. What the hell happened to him?)

Beck tries to swallow the lump that forms in her throat. For some reason she felt sympathy for him. She wanted to help him. Slowly but steadily she got near him. His breathing increased in speed with each step she took. Noticing that she stopped. With all her patience she tried to talk and reason with him.

"Hey, are you ok? I came here to help."

The man continued to stare at her, totally freaked out. She tried again this time extending her open hand to him.

"My name is Becky but you can call me Beck. What's your name big guy?"

After an eternity the man talked in a low raspy voice.

"Jake..."
"Nice to meet you Jake. Now can you tell me why you are so afraid?"
"Fire, everywhere" was his only response.
"I get it. Jake I came here to help can I get closer? I need to know if you are injured."
"No, No! you will die, NO!"

Suddenly the whole place started to burn again. Jake hugged himself and this time began to cry loudly. Caught off guard Beck noticed how her sweeter began to burn. As fast as she could she took it off. She heard the sound of something breaking. Glancing up at the ceiling she saw the roof ready to crumble at any moment. Beck tried to approach again, but the flames grew even higher this time than they were before.

(Think girl, there must be a way.)
(Beck enters in his mind and tries to find something that could soothe him.) the sudden voice of GD startled Beck.
(No, I can't GD. you know I rather wipe out his mind before Ido that.) answered Beck fearfully.
(Don't give me that bullshit about mind link now Beck. It was a long time ago. He is dead, and you've mastered that ability, you can do it, girl. Time is running out. Come on, do it.!) the last sentence was more an order than a plea.

Beck was terrified. She didn't want to do it, but like GD said time was running out. By now the man was really crying out loud. Like a wounded animal. For some reason that Beck couldn't explain that sight make her eyes water and a lump formed in her throat. Not pondering again, she decided to quickly enter his mind. It didn't take her too much time. She went straight to his childhood memories and found what she was looking for. When she got it she started to hum the song. Slowly the man's crying began to ease and to calm down. The flames were disappearing until only smoke remained. He was in a trance now only making little hiccups and sniffles until with a broken voice he asked:

"Momma? Momma is that you?" that was his repeating plea.

Beck continued humming and getting near him, until she opened her arms and he took refuge in them. He was still trembling. Becky softly stroked his hair while humming the song. She remained quiet trying to control her own tears.

(GD, everything is under control. He is safe now. I'm going to take him to my room.)
(No it's too dangerous, let's ...)
(No, he is going to my room. I'm going to take responsibility for him. Since you have involved me in this mess, at least I'm going to do it my way.) Beck reply a little bit upset.

With great effort she took him to her room in the south wing of the mansion. There she covered him with a big comforter and made him lay on her bed. She took the other side of the bed. The encounter left her more tired than usual. Although being a telepath was sometimes "fun" in the words of some of her "New friends". Becky still didn't find the fun part of it. She lay there until a soft knock on the door was heard. Without disturbing his sleep Beck answered the door. GD was there with a very serious face.Without moving their mouth the discussion began.

(Well?) GD asked impatiently .
(Well what GD?)
(I want to know what happened.) GD replied.
(Didn't enter again. I told you I don't do that stuff anymore.)
(Come on Beck. I need to know what happened in the North Wing.)
(Not this time GD. And besides I'm not the only one who can do that, you know…) the implication was real in those last words.
(Yeah, I know but it would be good practice for you. It's time for you to move on to...)
(If you don't want anything else I suggest you leave.) Becky cut her sentence before she could finish.

GD was going to object when the Jake whimpered in his sleep. Becky turned around and went to comfort him. Knowing that her battle was lost, GD retired not without leaving a pile of clothes and some personal effects of Jake.Although tired, Beck made a last ditch effort to dress Jake in a pair of black briefs and shorts. Totally exhausted she took her place in the bed next to him. Shortly after that she closed her eyes. She was already asleep when Jake turned towards her and snuggled closer to her.

Chapter 2

The ringing of the phone was distant and vague. But as time went by it was getting nearer. Lucian Jacoby turned to the side of the bed near the night table and barked when he picked up.

"What?"
"Sir, you told me to call you at this hour." answered a polite male voice.
"Which is?" He barked again.
"Six o'clock in the morning sir. By the way, there is an urgent message for you." the man stated in the same calm, annoying tone of voice.

"Who sent it?" this time his tone was more normal.

"Dr. G.D. Askand, sir. Would you like room service?"

When he heard the name Lucian felt like a cold bucket of ice water went down his back. Fully awake he asked, no, shot questions. "When did she call? At what time? Why didn't you call me?" A short silence from the other side told Lucian that this time his temper had gotten the best of the man on the other end of the phone line.

"Look I apologize, it's just that I've been waiting for that call."

"It's ok Sir, I understand. She left a number where you can reach her." answered the man, a little bit shaken after the verbal inquisition.

"Ok, I'll be down there in 30 minutes." Lucian said as he hung up. Lucian got up and stretched. The suite was huge and with all the luxury the rich could afford. But for Lucian it was just another boring hotel room. He didn't mind staying in the Ritz Carlton but he preferred a comfortable bed with some good company. With a heavy sigh he went to the balcony. The sight of Paris was so lovely, but being alone made look like another city. He could still remember the events of the past months. He and his brother Jake were arguing about Jake's fiancée Stephanie. Lucian hadn't like her since day one. She was cold, spoiled and greedy. Only thinking about how much she had to do to impress Jake so he can gave her all she wanted. The bitch was so clever she even turned Jake against him. Lucian tried to warn him. No luck in that department. Jake was so in love with her. She was the first bitch that had so cleverly trapped him, without his noticing it. She was intelligent enough to meet him only when she was certain that Jake was totally under her control. His brother was intelligent but when it came to women, he was just inexperienced, unlike him. A half smirk formed on his face and his green eyes lit up when he remembered how the ladies just melted in his presence. Loving the attention, he just picked the best good looking girls. Soon he found out that that not the best course of action. Some of them just wanted to have sex and take something as a souvenir or try to trap him by pretending that he was the father of their "unborn child". What some girls would not do to be with him. And the irony of it all was that the only thing that he did for a living was be the spokesperson for The Reaper Inc., Jake's motorcycle company. It wasn't bad. He only had to look mean and sexy. And he could do that without any effort. His six foot and eleven inches made him a big walking wall. Since his father tried to make him a boxer he always exercised and trained like he would one day face Muhammad Ali in a title match. Well built muscles, flat stomach, and arms that were as hard as a sledgehammer but also gentle when it was needed. His short red hair well trimmed just like his goatee. It was a perfect match with his face and emerald eyes. His face was his trump card. It could be very intimidating but could enchant any girl with his boyish grin and his trademark for hard situations, Sad Sam puppy face. They always fell for that one. But lately that face was only filled with sorrow and sick worry for Jake. Lucian went into the bathroom were he showered and dressed. Exactly 30 minutes later he check out the hotel and went straight to the airport. While waiting for his plane he took his cell phone and dialed the number the desk clerk gave him.

"Harlor Manner, good morning?" a flat monotonous women’s tone was heard saying on the other side.
"Yes, can I speak with Dr. G.D. Askand please."

"She is making the morning round, could you please leave a message?" continued in the same flat line tone.

"Well tell her that Mr. Lucian Jacoby called. I'm on my way to the United States. I will be arriving sometime during the afternoon. I'll be calling back." answered Lucian, starting to get irritated with the voice.

"Yes...wait hold on a moment sir."

Lucian heard another voice and then a sudden movement on the phone. Just then he heard a different voice.

"Mr. Jacoby? Its Dr. Askand. Thank God you called I have good news about your brother."

He felt his heart beat faster when she referred to his brother. "What happened did he awaken?" He asked nearly losing his composure.

Some of the passengers eyed him. But he didn't care his little brother was his only family and that was only mattered to him at that moment.

"Calm down, he awoke yesterday, although he's not very happy to be in here. When can you come to see him?" answered Dr. Askand. "As soon as my plane lands." At that moment the speakers called his flight.

"Look they are calling my flight, I'll call again as soon as I land in New York, ok?" said Lucian walking to the terminal.

"No problem sir, have a nice flight." with that she hung up.

Lucian wasn't upset because she had hung up so fast. Finally, after six months he was going to see his brother again. Maybe the nightmare was over and they could begin again. While he sat in his first class seat, his thoughts went back to the incident six months ago.

Jake and Lucian had had another fight, again. As had been happening for a couple of weeks the main theme: Ste...the bitch. He couldn't even say her name. Lucian hired a detective to follow her. It was very interesting to find her with her lover. The detective got pictures and recorded their conversations. Jake didn't believe it. Instead, he accused Lucian of not being a good brother, just a lazy playboy trying to steal all he worked so hard for. Lucian was stunned Jake never talked to him like that. He was like possessed. Lucian felt very hurt by Jake's accusations. He could only stand there hearing all the venom the bitch had been feeding Jake. She knew Jake was insecure with the women although he was all girls dreamed about. Just like him, Jake was tall. Seven feet of pure muscle, long auburn hair with a red beard and the most intense blue sea eyes anyone had ever seen. His physical appearance was totally different from his childhood and teen years, but inside he still was the child that his father hated for having that "curse", like he used to call it. His father did a pretty good job screwing his mind and telling him that he was a freak. It was only after the fire that orphaned them both, that he helped Jake win back his self esteem. He was the first to fight to put Jake through school so he could study Mechanical Engineering and Design. Lucian never finished high school but his instinct to repair nearly anything were very helpful to him. When Jake passed the board and decided to make his own designs and company Lucian was there for him. The only one who showed faith in him. And the one who rejected the position of spokesperson until Jake convinced him to accept.

His mouth turned into a fine line when he remembered how the bitch laughed at him slapping his victory cause she finally got what she wanted most: marriage. Jake asked her to marry him and there was nothing and no one who could stop that. Her plan was perfect to the last detail. But she failed in one aspect, Jake's loyalty to his brother. After the discussion between the brother's Jake decided to confront her in search of the truth. Just to show his brother she was a good person and not the monster he though she was. Jake went to the apartment he shared with her on Armsterdam Avenue, near Central Park.

Lucian found out by the phone call he received from the police, while he was checking the projects in the main offices in nearby Hudson Avenue. His brother was involved in an accident. He jumped out of his chair and took one of the Reapers and went as fast as he could to the apartment. He almost ended up being in an accident himself, but his heart was racing faster than the bike. If that bitch had something to do with he was gonna personally make sure that something really bad happened to her.
,br> He finally arrived to find the apartment completely destroyed. Since it was on the top floor of the building the other neighbor suffered very little damage. In a case called by the doctors a "miracle" Jake escaped with only the burns on his face, right arm and part of his chest. For the moment he was unconscious but fine. Forgetting everything else Lucian stayed day and night by Jake's bed until he woke up. But something was wrong and Lucian knew it. Jake was in a catatonic state. He didn't talk, didn't move. He just lay in the bed with his eyes fixed into space. Not really looking at any point in particular. The doctors tried every possible explanation but Lucian knew something else was wrong. After nearly threatening one of the doctors to rearrange his "face". Lucian found out the truth. Jake was a mutant. Lucian didn't know what kind, but he was one. Lucian rubbed his temples to try to ease the headache that he was starting to get just thinking about all the time he spent trying to make his brother snap out of that " emotional shut down" or whatever the doctor's called it. That's when she appeared Dr. Gen Askand was someone who knows a lot about mutants and who was really understanding about the situation he had been through. In an ultimate effort to help his brother Lucian accepted her proposition to transport Jake to her clinic in Manchester, outside of the city. He hated to leave his brother alone but the business needed to be watched. And with that he went to take care of the business until today six months later. Now he was gonna see what really happened that day.

He asked for an aspirin and a glass of water. Dressing in a dark gray business suit and tie with his racing sunglasses still on. Lucian was looking even more handsome. He noticed that some of the women in the plane made excuses to check him out. After drinking the water he just searched for a comfortable position in the seat and drift in a soft sleep until he heard the plane was landing at Kennedy Airport. After passing the rigors of immigration he found his chauffer waiting for him outside.

"Mr. Jacoby?"
br> "James its good to see you." he greeted the old man with a hug. A little bit embarrassed James hugged him back.

"Had a good flight Sir?"

"Yes, but I want to go to Manchester. Jake woke up, James he woke up." said Lucian genuinely happy.

"Then Mr. Jacoby let's not make him wait." replied the man, controlling the urge to hug him and share the happiness that both were feeling.

James just smiled broadly, it was the first time in months he seen Lucian so happy. Grabbing his briefcase they began to head toward the exit.

Part 2

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