Chapter Text
Show me the skeletons in the closet
Don't wanna play pretend, oh no
All of the skeletons, they will haunt us
Let me in, let me in
I want more
Skeletons, New Years Day
I rubbed my temples as I walked into the café. The lights were too bright, and there were too many voices, but I was going to have to deal with it. It was the price I paid for drinking too much.
“Long night?” The barista, a young woman named Alice, asked, as she wrote my usual order on a cup.
“The next time time I mention I’m invited to the after party of a show an acquaintance is putting on, tell me that I definitely shouldn’t go.” I pushed my sunglasses back up my nose, trying to block as much light as I could. “I have so many regrets.”
She laughed, starting the coffee. “I’ll make sure to remember that.”
I was glad for my later start time for work, because there was no way I could have made it in by nine am. I was already going to have enough trouble keeping my powers under control at work, but a lack of sleep would have made it even worse.
“Here you go.” She handed over my coffee. “I made your hangover special.”
I laughed, taking it. “Lifesaver. Seriously, I could kiss you right now.”
Taking a sip, I felt the double shot of caffeine wake me right up. It was so good, and the reason I kept coming back to that same café.
By the time I walked into the studio, I was feeling much more conscious and like myself. I sat down at my desk, opening my folio and pulling out my current painting. The ocean painting I was working on was coming along nicely, and I was hoping to hand it over to my supervisor tomorrow.
I wet my brush, running it over the brown watercolour block. Then I began to fill in the ship that floated on the ocean. I didn’t really need to work in the office, but I preferred it to working at home. It was easier when I could get the all clear on my concept art much faster.
I switched to a darker brown this time, filling in the shadows. My music was playing gently in the background, and I was alone. It was a nice way to work, and I was feeling a massive touch of inspiration.
I spent all day like that, just quietly working. About an hour before I finished up, the door opened, and my supervisor, John, walked in with an older man I didn’t recognise. He was tall, and looked like old money from the way that he stood and wore his suit.
“Darcy, this is Mr. Eisenhardt. He’s one of the board members.” He said, gesturing to the man beside him.
“It’s a pleasure, sir.” I shook his hand. “I’m Darcy, I do concept art. What can I do for you?”
“I’ve just recently joined the board, and I’m more hands on than the other members. I’m interested in seeing the process the games go through before release.”
John gave me a look that told me I needed to be super nice to him. “I have to make a call, but I’ll be back in five.” He left the room, quietly shutting the door.
I opened my mouth to speak, but Mr Eisenhardt shook his head, gently placing his hand on my shoulder. Then he pulled up a chair and sat down in front of me.
“I know you’re a mutant.” He said quietly. His eyes remained on mine, as if he was trying to see my reaction.
I stayed as calm as possible, but the lights around us began to flicker a little. “What… what do you want?”
“I’m not a threat, and I’m not going to tell anyone.” He looked over at my desk, then waved his hand. My phone lifted up into the air. “I’m a mutant as well.”
“Are you really a board member? Or are you just here for me?” I bit my lip, still really concerned about what might be going on here.
“I am. But I have an acquaintance who can detect mutants, and when he found you, I knew I had to come talk to you.” He reached into the inner pocket of his jacket, pulling out a business card. “I know what you can do. If you ever want to put your powers to good use, give me a call.”
He handed it to me, then left the room. I was alone again, but this time with a business card and a sense of confusion. I wasn’t entirely sure what had just happened, or whether I even wanted to call the number I’d just been handed.
I’d managed to stay out of that world for a very long time, with the help of my brother, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to get into it. I tucked the card into my pocket, and got back to work. Whatever that was, I was going to deal with it later.
I spent the last hour of work on the final details of the painting, making sure it was up to the standard John expected. I placed it on the drying rack, then messaged John to let him know it was finished.
Sliding my phone into my pocket, I hesitated when I felt the business card in there. I needed some advice, and there’s only one person I trusted for it. But that could wait until I got home.
I pulled my backpack on and headed out into the warm air. I was suddenly feeling stressed, but I needed to calm down before I made the call, otherwise I could blow up my phone.
The air was quite nice outside, and I took the longer way home, using the walk to clear my head. Even though the city is crowded and loud, I found it calming to walk. Even so, after the whole walk, I was still feeling a little stressed.
I unlocked my house, stepping inside. It was nice to be home, but I couldn’t shake the thought that I’d just gotten involved with something that I shouldn’t have. Pouring myself a glass of wine, I sat down and unlocked my phone to call my brother.
“Hey sis. What’s up?” He asked, picking up almost immediately.
“I’ve had a weird day.” I admitted, pulling the business card out of my pocket and looking at it. “I was at work, and this guy, a board member apparently, came for a tour. But Robbie, he knew who I am. He gave me his number, and said if I wanted to do something different, I should give him a call.”
He was silent for a second. “What was his name?”
I hesitated, the forceful tone of his voice scaring me a little. “I…”
“Darcy. What. Was. His. Name?”
“Eisenhardt. Max Eisenhardt. Is that… is that bad?” I heard muffled voices, and I could feel myself starting to panic again. “Robbie, what is it?”
“That was Magneto.” He sighed. “And you would know that if you listened to me more. I’ve mentioned him multiple times.”
“You talk about a lot of people. How can I be expected to remember everyone you talk about?” I took a sip of my drink, angry now instead of scared. “You kept me out of the life, so don’t expect me to understand everything.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry.” He went quiet for a second. “I worry about you, living alone in Washington, and I want you to be safe. But you’re untrained, and I know how dangerous he can be. I’m sending someone to get you, and bring you to the school. I’m going to keep you safe, I promise.”
I ran my fingers through my hair. “The Professor didn’t want me when my powers manifested, why would I belong there now?”
“I’m sorry we didn’t come for you, I really am. But I promise you’re welcome here.” He was calmer now, but I could still hear the tension in his voice.
“I don’t really think it’s necessary, but I trust you, so if you think I’m in danger here, I’ll come to the school.” I bit my lip, thinking. “But I’m not flying, you know how I am around planes.”
He laughed a little, making me feel calmer too. “I wasn’t even thinking about putting you in a plan. I’m in San Francisco right now, flying back tomorrow, so I can’t come get you, but I’m going to send a friend I trust. I’ll text you a picture and his name.”
I fell silent, trying not to cry. “Do you… am I in a lot of danger?”
“I really don’t know. But I’m not going to let you get hurt in order to find out. At the school, we can keep you safe and teach you to protect yourself. Stay home tonight, and let your work know that you won’t be in for a while.” He paused a second. “I love you, and I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”
“I know. You promised me, when I came to Washington. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I wiped a tear from my cheek. “I love you too.”
Hanging up, I burst into tears. I trusted him to protect me, he always had, but this seemed a lot bigger than anything he’d told me about before. Before I got out of control, I threw my phone into the rubber covered box I’d made, just in case.
I walked into my bedroom, flopping onto my bed as I cried. I was scared and exhausted, but I had to keep it together as much as possible. I was going to get out of this, but I would need to get better control over my powers first.
A strange new sense of determination filled me, and I held back the tears once more. I need to pack, to get ready to go.
Wiping my eyes, I pulled my phone out of the box and got to work. I slid my suitcase out from under the bed, and started folding my clothes into it. With my headphones on, and my music right up, I got through that part of the packing quickly. Then I turned to my art desk.
As I looked at everything I had, everything I cared about, I wondered if I was ever going to come back. I was suddenly being exposed to a side of mutant life that I had never seen before, that Robbie had kept me safe from, and I wasn’t ready for it.
I unlocked my phone again, this time to text my boss. Having a family crisis. Will need to work from home for the foreseeable future.
As I waited for him to reply, I started collecting all my paints and everything I needed for work. If I was going to be stuck somewhere, at least I could keep some semblance of normality. Sitting down, I checked my phone to find a message from John.
Take as long as you need.
I flopped back onto the bed, wondering if there was anyone else I really needed to contact. I had people who I would technically call friends, but I wasn’t close with them. I kept to myself mostly, because I didn’t want anyone to know about my mutation.
Walking to the kitchen and picking up my now warm glass of wine, I paused when I saw the photo I’d left on the bench. It was of Robbie and I, and our parents, when we were young. Before everything went to shit. I’d never wanted to tear it up as much as I did right then, but I knew that if I did, I would inevitably want to look at it in the future. Sighing, I slid it into an envelope and placed it in my bag.