CHAPTER 8

-Rogue-

They were all horrified by the Killers animalistic behavior. Wide eyed and staring, faces showing various mixtures of awe, shock, and confusion, they glued themselves to the two-way mirror. I couldn't blame them. The only ones immune to the Killers savage outburst were the few attempting to fix the damn controls to the shower, and even they had half an eye on what was going on in the next room.

The Killer unleashed another barrage on the adamantium plated wall. He didn't even leave a scratch. After his impressive display in the DR, I was almost surprised that he couldn't bust out. Obviously I was being ridiculous. He couldn't break out—this was adamantium. Practically nothing could cut through it, not even the Killers razor sharp claws. His attacks were getting wild. I wondered if the Professor would intervene somehow.

His breaking out wasn't even close to being a concern at this point, but in this state I was worried he'd accidentally hurt himself. I glanced over my shoulder. The Professor looked more interested in overseeing the boys fixing the controls to the shower room than making sure the Killer didn't accidentally maim himself in his frenzied state.

Those that were paying attention were another matter. Kitty and Storm both looked pained. Kitty probably because she hates to see anyone suffering; Storm probably because she too is claustrophobic. I wondered what the Killer would think about everyone being in here just a few feet away, watching him suffer. I doubted he'd appreciate it.

At least now we knew why the Professor insisted upon plating the room with adamantium. It took way too much work and a heck of a lot of time, and only because the controls happened to not be working right did the whole thing seem worth it. If everything had gone right from the start, the Killer wouldn't be having a major panic attack and the walls wouldn't have had to withstand such torment. If anyone had asked me (which they obviously didn't), why put so much effort into securing a shower room; why not plate the room the Killer was being kept in instead? I mean, the process started almost as soon as the Killer was brought here and was finally finished last night. If we'd started before we brought the Killer in, or even changed his room to this one, I'd have understood, but to have this as his permanent adamantium plated shower room...It was beyond weird.

"Shoot," Scott cursed, whacking the machine lightly. He flipped the switch on, peered into the shower room, and waited. Nothing happened. He turned the machine off, and then tried again. Again, nothing. Scott flicked the switch on and off several times in quick succession, then cursed and stepped back so that the Professor and Mr. McCoy could take another whack at it.

Meanwhile, the Killer had stopped his demented rampage against the shower room door. Though no sound permeated the thick metal and glass, I could see his chest rising and falling heavily as he crouched on the floor. He probably wiped himself out. I hoped he'd just sit and wait quietly so we could get the damn thing fixed. Then he could wash up and get the heck outta there without hurting himself anymore. The moron was already bleeding from one arm.

I realized I felt sorry for the fucker, and was slightly disgusted with myself. Why should I feel sorry for him? He's a murderer. He used his mutant power to kill people. He deserved everything bad he got in life.

Still, it was hard to associate the man in the adjacent room to the merciless, cold, cruel killer described to us by Logan and the Professors at all of our briefings. Yes, I felt sorry for him. In the room he looked like a scared little kid lashing out at something that couldn't possibly hurt him. It was sad and pathetic, and the worst part was that I knew deep down he wouldn't be showing this side of himself if he knew we were right next door watching him. I didn't even blame him for being scared. I would be too if I was in his situation. He's finally realized that he really can't get out of here, and he's scared shit-less.

I closed my eyes, imagining myself in the Killers situation, wondering how I'd react, how it would feel to be so terrified...

My heart choked with terror. I stumbled forward, clenching my chest, and gasping.

It hurt so bad...

My eyes watered against my will. I sank to my knees still clutching my heart as it painfully tied itself into bows and knots. Fear wracked my entire body. I heard voices in the distance.

"Please..." I cried out, scared out of my mind both for myself and for her. I sobbed, unable to control myself as fear constricted my lungs and gut, and I doubled over half crying, half shouting.

"Rogue!"

I vaguely recognized my name being called, but that wasn't important right now. Not me, don't help me, save her! I tried to call out, to tell them to stay away...

"Rogue..."

It was the Professor. He was in my mind, soothing away the pain, fear, and confusion.

It's going to be alright, Kagome, the Professor's here. He'll save you.

I bolted upright, flushing instantly. I was on the ground and had made a fool of myself by fainting in front of everyone. How embarrassing. "S-sorry," I muttered, trying to stand and move away from the crowd so I could start repressing this horrible moment and make it a long forgotten memory. Mr. McCoy put a large hand on my shoulder, keeping me on the ground.

"It's alright, everyone. Let's give Rogue some space, shall we? That's right, why don't you and Scott get back to fixing the shower controls, Bobby. Kurt, go and fetch us some water. Kitty, keep an eye on Inuyasha for us, will you?" Slowly the crowd dispersed, giving the Beast enough space to check my vitals and make sure I was okay. I wished he'd hurry up with it. This was embarrassing enough as it is. I spared a glance around the room as Mr. McCoy checked my pulse. Everyone seemed to be getting back to what they were doing, grudgingly, except for Storm, who was watching my check up in a matronly way, and the Professor. He remained where he was as well, lost in thought.

Mr. McCoy made sure my pupils weren't dilated, then smiled. "You're all set, Ro-"

Kittys piercing scream drowned out the rest of my name, startled the Professor out of his daze, and frightened the rest of us out of our skin.

"Jeeez, Kitty!" Bobby yelled back, holding his chest, for dramatic affect.

Kitty didn't move from her spot at the two-way mirror. Her hand was over her mouth, shock written all over her face. She merely pointed into the next room. I stood up to look. Everyone else crowded around. The Killers shoulder hung out of his socket, leaving his arm to hang limp and useless in a grotesque manner. Kurt bamfed back in with my water, took one look inside the room, and ported back out. Several others turned away as well. Dazed, I watched as he took a step or two backwards towards us and the mirror. He leaned himself back, took a few deep breaths, and slowly bent his hand at the elbow, and gingerly, painfully forced it towards his chest.

I don't know how he stood the pain, how he didn't collapse or stop, nor how he had the resolve to do it three times before the shoulder visibly clicked back home to its normal position. There was a collective sigh in the room as we all released the breath we didn't know we were holding. The Killer sank down the mirror onto the floor.

We turned out attention back to the controls, and this time, when Scott tried them, they worked as though there had been nothing wrong with them in the first place. Soon, there was a steady stream flowing. Looking slightly dazed, the Killer stood, and after a few uncertain glances towards the mirror, he eased himself into the water. Logan had made it hot enough to steam over the mirror, both to soothe the Killers wounded shoulder and to give him a little bit of privacy. After a few minutes, nothing was visible but blurry shapes and fog.

With nothing more to see, we busied ourselves preparing for the next task. Those uninvolved were asked to leave. Logan stood silently, watching the mirror and brooding about who knows what. The Professor sat quietly looking distracted. I kind of wanted to ask the Professor what had happened back there, but decided it was best to keep it to myself. He was in my head, he knew what I saw and felt. I'd be able to figure it out without bothering him.

I found it strange that the scene was triggered by my trying to put myself in the Killers shoes. That had never happened before with anyone else I'd absorbed. Briefly, I wondered whether the feelings could have actually been my own, but that was impossible. I couldn't have forced myself to have a panic attack and faint like that all by myself. Besides, I called out to save Kagome – though hopefully not aloud. My heart wanted someone, anyone to save her so badly... I saw her face so clearly in my head. The way she dangled from that fuckingbastards filthy claws...

And then I realized who Kagome was. She was Inuyashas girl - the one from the dream. The one the silver haired man killed. I gagged, picturing the girl bleeding to death with her throat torn out. I hadn't realized I didn't know her. Now her name came with a face and a heart wrenching feeling of love (or pain, or both), like I've known her for years. I nearly burst into tears at the realization that she was gone. I had to remind myself that she wasn't real - at least not to me. I've never met the girl. Maybe that's what the Professor was so deep in thought about...

I cleared my throat, attracting his attention, along with several others nearby. "Um...Ah just wanted to say…about before," I paused, asking implicitly whether they understood what 'before' I was referencing. The Professor nodded, "Ah...he loved her. That's why he was so sad when she died. Her name was Kagome."

"Yes, Rogue. I felt it too."

"Do yah think maybe that's what drove him to...do what he did?"

"It's possible..." The Professor answered, already distracted again.

"Are ya gonna probe his maind, then?"

"We'll see how he's feeling after his shower."

I was about to ask why he was waiting for the Killers permission to poke around in his head, when there was movement by the mirror. A small section of steam was smeared away. A thumbs up appeared in the gap. "He's finished," Logan affirmed. "I'll go get him and meet yah upstairs, Charles."

My heart immediately began pounding. The Professor wheeled himself over the controls and flicked them off, then we followed Logan out of the room and into the hall.

-Inuyasha-

The doors slid open revealing the vague impression of Logan, obscured by warm steam. The knives were between his knuckles. For a second I thought I smelled his blood. In his arms were a towel and another shirt. They must have forgotten to give me one when they first brought me into that death trap. I had used the shirt to dry off and was wearing the slightly over-sized jeans.

A mad impulse led me to dart forward, kill the man at the door and escape, but I checked myself. No killing; just be patient. As I approached he tossed over both items. I caught them and tucked the shirt between my legs while toweling off and soaking up the excessive amount of liquid trapped in my excessive amount of hair.

I dumped the towel and finished dressing.

I exited first. As soon as I was within arms reach, his knife tips were at my back. With Logan telling me where to go I was led back to the elevator and up two beeps. The elevator let us out by the grand staircase. When I moved to get out of the elevator, Logan grabbed my shoulder and dug his blade in deeper, piercing my skin. It seems he really enjoys doing that. "Don't try anythin' stupid, Bub," he growled in my ear.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, fuck him. Slowly, with Logan leading the way, we bore left towards the room I was questioned in my first day. The Professor and the girl were inside waiting for me. I could smell them. She was frightened, he was calm.

The room was an office - most likely Xaviers. Books lined the walls and a massive mahogany desk was one of the few accessories it contained. Without all the kids inside it looked severe and under-furnished. The Professor and the girl stood in front of the desk, obviously waiting for me. How nice.

Logan kept a tight grip on me, even while in the room. I guess he didn't trust me. Too bad, the room had plenty of windows and I was ready to get the fuck out of there. I was moved to the middle of the room, directly in front of Xavier and the girl but well out of arms reach. I understood why, Logan was the only one with any sort of control over me. The girl could only hurt me if she touched me skin on skin, and the Professor - a cripple - didn't stand a chance. Pun not intended.

"I suppose you know why you've been brought here, Inuyasha."

I still don't know how they found out my true name. I haven't heard it in years. I didn't answer. Last time talking it out didn't go so well. Despite asserting my innocence I was just sent back to my room. I hadn't realized that they might actually have the strength to keep me here - even if the strength was only in the reinforced walls of their shower facility. The time for talking it out is over. Now I just had to wait. Soon I'd escape and be out of this nightmare.

"We'd appreciate it if you cooperated." The Professor said after a pause, "We've been more than hospitable to someone of your...reputation. All we want is to clear the air, so to speak. When you were first brought here you claimed to be innocent of all charges, we'd like to hear your side of the story."

Oh, is that right, I smirked. They thought they were being hospitable? Logan sank his blades deeper into my back. "Yah think this is funny, kid?" I grimaced, wondering if I could break his grip before he could impale me. "This 'aint lookin' good for yah. Now, why don't you answer the nice mans questions."

I squirmed. Blood trickled down my back, ruining my new clothes. Again. I was starting to really hate this guy.

"Logan is right, this is no laughing matter. We've clothed you, provided a moderately comfortable place to stay, meals, and have been as gentle as possible in your treatment here, when we could have simply sent you to a special facility - somewhere less...friendly to our kind."

Our kind? I resisted the urge to sigh, knowing I was making a mistake by letting my curiosity get the best of me. "What do you mean?" I asked.

"We weren't the only ones looking for you. The only reason you're still with us is because we managed to track you down first, and because it's well known that we are more than capable when dealing with someone of your...caliber."

That wasn't what I meant. I changed gears, "How do you know my name?"

"If you'd like, I can show you."

I hesitated. That sounded like a loaded invitation. "What do you mean," I asked slowly.

The Professor wheeled himself closer. Logan, the girl, and I watched his progress. He stopped a few feet away. Logan tightened his grip.

"Relax, Inuyasha. I won't hurt you." I nearly smiled, that was the last thing I was worried about from this guy. "Just close your eyes and I'll show you..."

I felt my eyes closing.

"Relax..."

I was relaxing. I didn't feel the knife tips anymore.

"Relax your mind..."

The Professors voice sounded so soothing.

"Relax..."

I was floating in it. It almost sounded like it was coming from inside...

I panicked. It was coming from inside of me! I tensed, immediately losing the breezy, soothing sensation at the feeling of Logan slamming his blades into my back and through my shoulder as I lunged forward, furious at myself for involuntarily letting my guard down and at the Professor for using his magic to force himself into my mind.

I was thrown sideways, surprised by how strong Logan actually was and by the blow itself. Logan had his weapons at my temple before I regained my footing, and for the first time I realized where those three knives were coming from. Out of the corner of my eye, they looked as though they were embedded in his knuckles. Slowly, I turned my head to see. The blades were actually protruding from between each knuckle. I frowned, in awe of the human for withstanding such pain, and for surgically implanting weapons into his fists... but then why hadn't I seen them the first time I had fought the man in the clearing? Maybe I finally found where his powers lay.

"Inuyasha, I am a telepath," the Professor was saying. "I am able to go inside peoples minds-"

"I didn't give you permission to go inside mine!" I snapped.

"I understand, I just want you to realize with whom you are dealing."

"Fuck you!" I spat.

The Professor paused. He looked a little pale. "If you're unwilling to cooperate, that's your decision to make, however, we will keep you until I am positive of your innocence."

"So basically until you find who really did it or until I let you fuck around inside my head."

Xavier pursed his lips but said nothing. I glared at him, holding his cool gaze. "You're excused if you have nothing more to say." I had nothing more to say.

-Rogue-

"So," I asked after a few moments of silence, "did yah see anythaing?"

"No..." The Professor answered. He sounded distracted. I waited for him to say something more or to excuse me so I could go, but he remained lost in thought.

I didn't understand why the Professor didn't just go into the Killers head. It wasn't that big of a deal. He's forced his way into people's minds before.

"Were you able to pick up on anything new?"

"No, Ah'm sorry Professor, Ah tried."

"That's alright, if anything new comes to you, you know how to find me. If you'll excuse me, I'd like to speak to Logan in privacy."

"Alraight, Ah'll see yah in the mornin'."

The door opened and Logan walked in. He held the door and closed it gently behind me when I left. I glanced at my watch. It was late. I was hoping to wake up early and work out a little before my shift guarding the Killer, but I had a feeling I'd have a hard time finding sleep tonight, especially since all I had to look forward to were more of the Killers nightmares.

I couldn't him out of my head, literally. Not only was the memory of him panicking in the shower room stuck playing over and over again in my mind, but that feeling... any time the Killer is in some sort of trouble, I end up fainting or coming close to it. First there was that horrible, powerful thing in the DR, now there's some helpless panicking about Kagome thrown in, and I'm never sure if what I'm feeling is what the Killer is experiencing at that moment, or if seeing him in a heightened emotional state is triggering something from the past. I just want to forget all about that stupid girl and him and everything! I get it, she's dead and it's upsetting for everyone all around, but is it really necessary for me to dream about her every night?

It's been getting progressively worse. The memories are more vivid and elaborate. It scared me.

I opened the door to my room without knocking and kicked off my boots as I crawled into bed, not bothering to take off anything else.

It was so bad I tried talking the Professor into taking them away from me, but he won't. For some reason he's hesitant about going inside the Killers head, and he's asked me to tamper as little as possible with anything I've absorbed from him in hopes of figuring out what the guys deal is. It's been less than a week... how much more of this are we going to be able to take? How soon until the Killer loses it and does to us what he did to those kids? I shuddered under the covers. After what he went through tonight, it probably won't be much longer.