Combusting Hearts

Chapter 35

Two Months Later

At this point, things were getting down to the wire. I had tests almost every day it seems like, leaving me studying hours into the night. I only had a month left and then I'd finally be graduating.

In the last two months though, not much had changed. I was still practicing with Gambit in the Danger Room, along with training with both the Professor and Logan. I still wasn't much closer to unleashing my full powers though, so that still irked me, but I was trying.

Each day, I tried to put out my best, even though in my opinion my best didn't seem to be good enough. What bothered me the most, was the still increasing nightmares that I had. It even got to the point where I was back to taking special sedatives at night every so often. This was only when I wasn't up all night studying of course. I'd say that it bothered most though, knowing that the nightmares never seemed to cease. As a result, I would often entertain myself with the cool nights air, leaving the mansion and wandering the gardens at night.

This night though, I was out in the gardens once again, my headphone on my ears. I knew the rules about being out late like this, but I didn't really care. I just closed my eyes as I stood there in the moon light, sweet melodies floating into my ears.

It was warmer out now, leaving me without a need for a jacket as the light cool air caressed my skin, cooling my faint temperature. I'd come down with a slight cold and the night air was helping a bit. It also relaxed me like any other time that I would come out here.

"I wish it could always be this calm," I said quietly, only barely hearing myself over the music in my ears.

Because of this music though, I couldn't hear anything else around me, but that was kind of the point I guess. I had deliberately tried to drown everything out.

T

Scott walked down the halls, checking in on students every now and then. He was making sure that everyone was in bed where they should be.

As he ended his round, he came upon Elaine's room, finding it empty upon further inspection. This left him slightly curious, causing him to further his search.

It didn't take long though before he found her. Looking through the window, he found her in the gardens, her eyes closed with a pair of headphones on. He just shook his head as he walked down the hallway, leaving out one of the doors and stepping outside.

For a while now, he'd been a bit wary of her being out by herself, but she seemed to make a habit of it for some reason or another. He wasn't sure why she did it per say, but she did. In fact, it was the only rule that she ever broke. It was almost as if standing out in the night air would drive everything away somehow.

"If only it were that easy," he mumbled, running a hand through his dark coppery hair with a sigh.

She didn't hear him of course, but he didn't expect her to with her headphones on.

That was another thing that Scott had noticed, her obsession with music. Other than standing outside in the gardens at night, music seemed to put her at ease as well, calming her down to a degree. He had to admit though, that it seemed to do the trick. If only it could spark her powers, then perhaps she'd be a bit happier.

It was obvious, her discomfort with her powers. She'd been trying to work with them every day, but never seemed to get any closer unless angered. That wasn't how the Professor wanted them to be conjured though. He wanted her to be able to use them willingly with a decent amount of control if possible. As a result, some of the students would still give her a hard time, but that was few. Although, she was still the butt of jokes from time to time around the school and that made her wary. Scott and the others tried their best to fix and resolve it though as best they could, but even they could only do so much.

"Elaine?" Scott called, walking toward her at a steady pace.

She gave no answer though, so he tried again.

"Elaine."

He sighed this time, coming up behind her and placing a hand on her shoulder.

T

I stood there, letting out a small breath of air, my eyes still closed as I rubbed my arms slightly. This was only due to a small breeze that came through, making the hairs on the back of my neck and arms stand on end. A moment later, I felt a hand on my shoulder, causing me to spin around quickly.

"S-Scott," I choked out, my breath slightly ragged from being startled.

I took my headphones off quickly, trying to get my breathing under control. I hated being startled and that was obvious.

"I didn't mean to scare you," he said, scratching a bit of the stubble on his jaw as he stared at me.

"No, i-it's fine," I stammered, tucking a bit of hair behind my ear.

It was quiet for a moment, both of us standing there with the moon shining down on us.

"What are you doing out here so late anyway?" he asked.

"Well, I…" I paused, trying to think of how to explain myself to him.

He stood there patiently, his arms folded lightly over his chest. I just sighed, before finally deciding to answer him.

"Honestly Scott? I can't sleep," I admitted. "And I really don't feel like taking a sedative again," I whispered, rubbing my arms nervously.

"That bad huh?"

"Yeah…" I sighed, turning my head to look up at the sky.

I watched out of the corner of my eye as Scott did the same thing, the red quarts in his glasses shining in the light, almost giving them a faint glow.

I still remember when I first met him, he'd seemed so uptight and rude. Although, after getting to know him a bit more, I knew better. There was more to him than that, you just had to get to know him. In all honesty, he could actually be nice, even sweet to a point at times. Although, it was rare, him showing such emotions freely among others. I knew the reason behind it though, a result of being around him for so long. At this point, Scott could actually pass of as an annoying, and occasionally over protective older brother at times. He was nowhere near as close as Logan though, but that was beside the point. In fact, I don't think anyone could be as overprotective as Logan. That thought in particular made me smile faintly, catching Scott's attention.

"Something on your mind?" he asked, turning his head to look at me.

"No, not really, just thinking about you and Logan."

"Now that can't be good," he scoffed halfheartedly.

This made me laugh.

"Finally," he exclaimed as though achieving something, a smug look on his face.

"What?" my brows furrowed a bit.

"You laughed. You've been down in the dumps for days, I was beginning to wonder when it'd finally break," he chuckled faintly.

"Leave me be," I groaned, rolling my eyes at him. "I swear, you're nearly as bad as Logan when you're in the right mood," I complained, even though, it was more of a whine.

Scott merely grinned in response, reaching a hand over and ruffling my hair a bit in a friendly manner. He was definitely a lot friendlier than what he used to be, but I normally only saw it when it was just the two of us. Unfortunately, that wasn't very often. Regardless, I didn't really mind it as much. In all honesty, he kind of put me at ease with the way that he was.

"Hey, Scott?"

"Yeah?"

I stood there for a moment, turning my head back toward the sky, a small sigh escaping my lips.

"Do you think that we'll ever get rid of him?" I asked, my voice low and quiet.

"You mean Victor?" he questioned.

"Yeah…"

I heard him sigh, turning to look at him as he rubbed the back of his neck for a moment.

"We'll get him eventually," he assured me, but it was still hard for me to except.

In my mind, I wasn't sure what to believe or if I even could believe it. Victor seemed to be a never ending battle in the back of my head. The monster just wouldn't leave me alone and he was taking a toll on me.

Those nightmares would either be a flash of my memory or something new that Victor came up with to haunt me. At this point though, the nightmares of Sabertooth stalking after me didn't bother me as much. The man in question was under orders. Yes, he was rough, but in a way he reminded me of Logan. He just didn't show things. Although, he had less regard for life than Logan did, that was for sure. He still seemed like the playful fighting type though, always up for a challenge of something to possibly entertain him.

Victor was by far different though. The man was a monster, snaking around in the grass, always ready to lung forward and bite with his venomous touch.

I shivered at the thought of it, him touching me. Once again, it brought me back to that day when I had been captured. The feeling of his hand running up my side, the burning feeling in my skin as he kissed me. He'd forced himself on me in the worst way and I wasn't able to do anything about it. I'd felt liked I'd been left for dead, left to rot in that monsters venomous hold.

"He's grating away at my sanity Scott," I nearly choked out as I sat down on the ground, my arms wrapping around myself as I sat there.

"Hey, it'll be alright," he said, trying to comfort me as he knelt down beside me, his hand coming to rest on my shoulder.

He sat there with me for a few minutes, just sitting there rubbing my arm a bit. He really was something else at times I swear. When he wanted to, he could truly be a caring friend, even if I was one of few that he treated as such.

"I don't know how much more I can take Scott," I choked out, shaking a bit as a few tears fell. "I can't sleep, I can't think, I can't even breathe," I croaked.

"Listen to me," he said, taking me by the shoulders and making me look up at him. "We're going to fix this, okay?"

I looked up at him, trying to search his eyes for answers. I didn't come up with anything though unfortunately, but I still felt myself nod in response.

"I promise," he said, pulling my head into his shoulder as I choked back a few more tears.

It was hard crying in front of him, but I couldn't help it. I just hated feeling like this, so weak and all. Luckily, I knew I wouldn't get any smart ass remarks from him for it like I knew I would from others. That was Scott for you though.

"Now, why don't you go back inside and try to get some sleep?" he suggested, helping me stand up. "Besides, don't you have a quiz tomorrow in Storm's class?" he asked.

I just groaned in response.

"Ugh, don't remind me."

With that, I went back inside with him, his arm over my shoulders as we went upstairs.

"Now, get to bed kid," he said, pushing me toward my door.

"You sound like Logan," I laughed, turning the knob and pushing my door open.

"Yeah right, that'll be the day," he scoffed.

"Night Scott," I waved, bidding him goodbye.

"Goodnight," he nodded, before going his own way back down the hall.

I shut my door afterward, closing my eyes. It was going to be a long night.

Okay everyone, that was chapter 35. Horray! Anyway, please let me know what you think? Remember to REVIEW and MESSAGE me with your thought, feelings, and opinions on this story/chapter.

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