CHLORIS

5. CAPTIVATE

Division X, New York. Present day – The chattering chirps of little birds. The fragrant scent of daisies outside the large glass windows. It was a peaceful way to start the day. This morning, Colleen opened her eyes in her guestroom that was the size of an elite high-end apartment in uptown New York City.

She was immediately greeted by Charles's voice inside her head. "Did you sleep well?" He asked. His voice was so vivid, it almost sounds like it's echoing in the room. Charles is able to do this thing without reading everything in her head like he promised.

Colleen rose from her bed. Her wicked dark hair fell to one side as she yawned. "It would be better if you hadn't interrupted, Charles. Thank you." She returned hastily but in a joking manner. She didn't have to say this out loud, she's simply talking in her head.

"Sorry, I had to." Charles was always so sincere with his apologies. "We need to gather for an important progress. I need you to bring Raven to the meeting room. I'll get Erik."

Colleen quickly accepted the request. She got ready and headed to find Raven who is almost certainly with Hank in the basement research center. She entered the elevator and swiped an access card over the scanner.

The elevator took her down and its doors slid open without a sound. She stepped out into the main laboratory that was empty, which was strange. She had no clue where Raven could be until she heard some playful laughter in a distance.

At the back of the main lab, there was a section of place where huge ventilation fans were set up to air out the facility. The laughter and chitchat sounded clearer as Colleen approached.

She stumbled upon Raven and Hank stealing a special bonding time in a quiet and isolated corner. They were sitting on a checkered picnic blanket with plates of snacks and cookies placed between them. Colleen couldn't help but overheard their conversation.

"You have no idea what I would give to feel normal," said Hank with sorrow in his tone.

"Charles has never understood. He's different, but he has never had to hide," Raven told.

Colleen was confused where this was coming from. She knew Charles and Raven well but now she realized, she never really knew what's going on between the two siblings. Seems like what Charles and Raven didn't have, now Raven found with Hank.

"Hank, this serum doesn't affect abilities, just appearance – normalizes it, right?" Raven inquired. Hank affirmed. "Do you think it would work on me?" She asked again.

Hank then replied, "I can look into it if you like."

It's coming together now, what the lovebirds were discussing privately in their mini date. Colleen continued listening. At the same time, making herself appear smaller by hiding behind one of the ventilation controller machines. "Eavesdropping," said Erik, arriving suddenly like a phantom.

Her initial reaction was to jump back a little and gasp. A pair of eyes met her when she turned around – icy blue, cold as his nature. "Erik, you should be with Charles. What are you doing?" She whispered at him, trying to keep from getting heard.

"I should ask the same," he returned. Surprisingly calm. Those eyes darted at Raven and Hank flirting tenderly in the distance. "Now this is interesting," he sneered. While leaning casually next to Colleen, he fold his arms.

Colleen ignored the man and his ways of mockery. She was more focused on what Hank was saying. He seemed to be describing what the 'serum' was. At this point, it was so obvious that he was looking for the cure.

"Should we bother Romeo and Juliet here?" Erik mocked with a fiendish little smile and his fingers buried inside his pockets. She wasn't sure if she could trust him, but he seemed unthreatening and defendless.

She dragged him and herself into the shadows to remain covert, "I heard them talking about a cure." She explained. Erik didn't seem to understand, but he was curious.

"Hey! You should be with Charles," Colleen steered the conversation away. She had to ask what was truly bothering her because he seem to be coming in here often. "Again, what are YOU doing here?"

"Nothing you would be interested about." The dark-haired man shifted his eyes, swiftly turned his attention at Raven and Hank. "What cure are you talking about?"

"The cure that could hide their mutation." She replied. Her stare was fixed on Raven, who was like the baby sister she never had. "The one I tried to find years ago," she confessed.

Memories brought her back to her times in Oxford when she spent most of her time in the laboratory, burning the candle at both ends to find this cure. Until she met Charles, who kindly showed her a better path. Then, she realized all of her hard work was based of her insecurity and self-loathe.

Now, that same insecurity and self-loathe is what becomes of Raven and this deeply saddened her. Erik snapped her out of her thoughts that filled her with shame of her past. "Why?" His expression was almost easy to read. He couldn't see why Colleen had to hide her incredible gift.

"I didn't know better, I was young." She told the man whom she thought had no gentle side, but all he is right now, is a good listener. "Just don't tell anyone," she begged.

He hooked his eyes on her and made them follow. She now realized how sharp his features were under this lighting and how perfect his lips move as he spoke. "If I were you, I wouldn't change a thing." He said in a low, distinct voice.

She made herself believe it was just a friendly compliment, but still her mouth couldn't help but curve into a bashful smile. "I know – it was reckless." She lowered herself. "I just can't stand here and watch Raven go through what I went through."

"You don't have to." Erik uttered bluntly. The distance between them are closer now than ever. He watched her pupils dilate as he said, "If you love her, you can show her what she's truly capable of." Colleen thought it was a reference about Raven, but Erik couldn't careless about some other woman.

It was such a short conversation that Erik ended just like that. He walked away without a care. Colleen followed his steps. The last thing she saw was Hank drawing out a syringe from his pocket. It was like witnessing a killer pull out his murder weapon.

"Erik, wait!" Colleencalled but she couldn't keep up. He was already inside the elevator that hepowered only with his mind. The doors slammed shut the moment she approached.She guessed it was a subtle expression for 'I'm not coming to the meeting.'