Wake Up!

Posted on Fri Dec 30th, 2022 @ 3:03am by Carter McMillian & Jaclyn Morrison

Mission: Drake Academy
Location: Drake Academy
Timeline: Current

Jaclyn had spent the night curled up on the couch, even after Kai had deserted the couch and headed to sleep in her new room. She must have drifted off to sleep at some stage because she woke with a jolt on the floor. Jac had climbed back onto the couch and hunkered down again. Artemis was curled up on the far end of the couch and sleepily opened her eyes for a moment before going back to sleep.

Now as dawn broke over Drake Academy, Jaclyn, dressed in jeans and a baggy hoodie which had been her older brothers, and sneakers on her feet, slipped from the dorm room and descended down to the lower floor and out the door into the fresh air. Artemis had woken and sniffed at her before allowing Jaclyn to clip on the lead and head out. Once outside she placed her ear pods in her ears and she looked around. She was not really one for jogging but she needed air. So she turned right and began to walk. The Puppy was quite content to walk beside Jaclyn as she thought Jac was exploring.

As she walked Jaclyn considered the ramifications of the past few days and months. She was not paying attention to where she was going, just letting her feet move in the early morning. And she barely paid attention to Artemis sniffing everywhere.

When the puppy did her business, Jac cleaned it up automatically and placed it on one of the many bins around. She was still engrossed in her thoughts when she came across a building with low windows. Low enough that she could, when she glanced at them, could see inside. What she saw made her take a second harder look.

A computer lab. She stared at the range of computers lined up and gleaming on desks. It was amazing and way better than the one at her old school.

Jaclyn’s dreams of being a computer programmer and creating her own games were still there despite the changes she was going through. Sighing she drew back as Artemis pulled on the leash. "Okay... let's go..." she said softly. "Not like I can afford to pay for tuition." She knew there would be a catch sooner or later. She had learned the hard way about that.

Turning she let Artemis lead the way away from the computerab in the early dawn light.

Jaclyn let the puppy lead the way as they wandered the academy. It was massive, but she was not really paying attention to it. Her mind was fairly calm; she was not drawing on her so-called powers. As she shoved her hand into her pocket looking for her phone, she remembered that Maria had taken her phone, most likely it was destroyed by the cult or in the attacks.

"I need to buy a phone... and log into my emails." Jac muttered to herself as she walked and paused here and there as Artemis stopped and sniffed at trees and shrubs and marked the grass at points.

"And a car.." Jac mused. The van was no longer an option. She paused and sat on a bench.

What was the point? Where could she go? She was a mutant now. No where would be safe. Not for her. This place may seem safe but was there really safety in such numbers? What would happen if some anti mutant group came and attacked? She had to face facts, nowhere was really safe for mutants.

Kai was safe now. That much was clear. These people would help Kai find her mother or family and she would be safe here from any of the Reverend's surviving people. And she would be able to get an education and move on with her life.

Jaclyn however was struggling to see the light at the end of the tunnel. She looked down at her hands and noticed they were starting to shake. No she would not lose control. She had come to that conclusion during the night. Not again. She clenched her hands tightly in her lap and looked down at the puppy who had flopped at her feet. "I don't want this" Jaclyn muttered to the dog. "I don't want powers. I don't want to be a ... meta or mutant. I want to be normal." She clenched her hands tighter as she forced her emotions down. She did not want a repeat of the night before. She needed to be cool, rational and think things through.

As she sat there, from off to her right, Carter approached at a steady jog. For years, he had started each day with a three mile run. He used it as a private time to centre his core and control the fire that burned deep inside.

While he ran this morning, however, he was having a new level of difficulty in quieting his mind. To be sure, he had met attractive and intelligent young women and girls as he grew up here at the Academy. Some he had become friends with in fact. None, however, had ever made an impression on him like Jaclyn had.

The moment he had first laid eyes on her, he knew that she was special. Certainly, she was gorgeous and clearly highly intelligent (possibly even more so than he was) but, there was something else about her, something that, while he couldn't put his finger on it, drew him to her. Of course, he had clearly already made a fool of himself in her eyes. He cursed to himself about the stupidity of his gesture of giving her the mug he had made. She was clearly well out of his league.

As these thoughts continued to roll through his mind, he jogged past a young woman and a dog, sitting on one of the park benches, before realising that it had been Jaclyn and Artemis!

After stopping his run, he turned and faced the two of them, sweat pouring freely down his bare and well-defined torso. Reaching up to his upper left arm, he paused the iPod he was listening to and then pulled out his earpods. "Hey," he said with an easy grin as he wiped the sweat from his face with his gloved left hand.

She looked up from her musings, her face blank at first, a protective measure, but it cleared with recognition showing. “Oh hi Carter.” she said as she let the leash go as Artemis was pulling to get to him.

Carter couldn't help but grin happily as the excited little pup came barreling over to him. Kneeling down, he briefly gave Artemis his full attention. "Hey, pretty girl! Are you having fun out in the park?" As he pet her gently, he leaned in and gave her a little kiss on her snout.

The puppy licked him happily.

Jaclyn watched in silence as the puppy showed joy at Carter’s presence. She shoved her hands into the pockets of the hoodie and said “You are up early” to Carter as she watched them.

Chuckling happily at Artemis's affection, Carter started to scratch her belly as he looked up at Jaclyn and replied. "I usually am. I run every morning, before the town really wakes up. Helps to clear my head."

He paused, then asked, "How are you feeling this morning?" There was a tone of hopefulness in his voice. That and kindness.

She shrugged. “I am here, awake and nothing is melting down around me. Guess I am ok” The words ‘for now’ were left unsaid.

He smiled at her again. It was a smile that was completely open and honest. "I'm glad." He stood up and motioned to the bench she was sitting on. "May I?"

Jaclyn nodded and collected Artemis’s leash as she rambled back to the bench. “Sure.” she said softly.

"Thank you," he replied softly. Moving over, he sat down on her right, his elbows resting on his knees. "You shouldn't feel discouraged. Most of our awakenings were brought on by trauma of one kind or another. The doctors and scientists that study mutants seem to think that our latency requires some kind of intense shock to jump start our abilities." He explained things as calmly as he could. It was the first time he had done so.

"Actually, yours wasn't the biggest change that I've seen, or heard, happen. A few years ago, a young boy was brought to us by his parents for help. He had apparently been getting bullied at his school and one day, while the bully was dunking his head in the toilet, the kid reacted. In seconds, after his awakening, he had filled the restroom with water, causing the door to be blasted off its hinges. The bully nearly drowned." He took a breath and continued.

"Mine? I was having a nightmare one night, and I ignited for the first time. Destroyed my entire room and put my roommate in the hospital with second degree burns, before he was able to teleport away." He raised his hands to show his gloves. "That's why I have to wear these now. My ability is too strong for me to fully control yet." He frowned slightly. As he rubbed his fingertips together. "It's been nearly three years since I was able to touch something, anything, with my own hands. The gloves are nanotech, so it's as close as possible right now, but it's not the same."

Jaclyn looked at his hands, she had noted the gloves before but had not been sure of why he wore them. “Kai said your hair flamed up like the Hades from the Disney cartoon,” her lips quivered in a small smile. “Though in orange-red not blue.”

This made Carter grin despite the sadness he was starting to feel. "Heh…yeah. When my nanosuit activates, I'm nearly fully covered by it. All that is exposed is my jaw and mouth, part of my nose, my eyes and the top of my head." He glanced over at her. "If you don't remember, I could activate it and show you. It wouldn't be any problem."

Jaclyn nodded “Ok that would be interesting. I am sorry I do not remember much of yesterday to be honest... when my.. Whatever you want to call them.. Activated and went nuts.”

He looked into her eyes and said calmly, "Your abilities. There's nothing to be ashamed of, Jacky. Having powers doesn't mean you're not still you." He gave her another charming and honest grin.

Then, standing up, he said aloud, "Alice, activate armor." An instant later, a second skin of the same material as his gloves, started to flow from those same gloves, covering nearly all of his body. The process took less than two seconds. Once he was covered, Carter activated his powers, instantly, his red hair ignited, his exposed flesh seemed to glow and his eyes glowed a bright emerald green. He then stood there, his arms spread so Jaclyn could look him over. "You can touch me. The suit contains the heat that my body is currently generating. It's safe now. When I fight, however, things change."

“You fight?” Jaclyn asked as she slowly stood and reached out to touch him. “What do you mean fight?” She was curious about it. She touched his uniform and then drew back.

He nodded slowly as he held his hand out to her to grab. "I haven't gone on many missions yet, but I've been a part of a strike team that has fought against HYDRA."

"Hydra?" Jac frowned "... I think my father spoke about them a few years ago but..." she shrugged as she took his hand slowly. "I know people hunt those like us and I am grateful to be rescued and such but you are not much older than me, why are you fighting?"

Gently closing his fingers around Jaclyn's hand, Carter smiled softly as the nano tech allowed him to feel most of the softness of her touch. "We don't all fight. Mom only asks for those who feel the need or desire to stand up and volunteer. Of those that do, we go through a rigorous training regimen to not only hone our control of our abilities, but learn how to fight, not only as an
individual, but as a team." He took a breath and continued.

"As for me, the two missions I have been on have only been in support roles. I haven't finished my training yet, so I'm not a part of the main team. However, I have fought a few HYDRA foot soldiers. We saved a dozen stolen children last time out."

Jaclyn nodded and released his hand slowly. "Well I am not sure I could do what you do. " she said honestly. "I am not even sure I want to stay."

Nodding in understanding, Carter released his hold on Jaclyn’s hand. Lowering his arm, he closed his eyes briefly. An instant later, he reigned in his powers, reverting back to how he looked before. "Alice, stand down." His armor quickly deactivated, revealing his half dressed state from before. "No one is required to fight. The only real rule Mom has is that she wants everyone to learn how to control their abilities, so they can live safe, happy lives out in the world." He didn't say that he hoped she would stay, as he was worried it would are him look like a fool again.

"Can she... turn them off?" Jaclyn asked. "She was in my mind, can she use her powers and turn mine off?"

Giving her a sad shake of the head, Carter replied to Jaclyn’s question. "It's not possible. Your abilities can no sooner be turned off than your heart can be stopped and you remain alive. They are a part of your DNA. All you can do is learn how to control them."

She sagged a bit and sat back down on the bench. "I have ... had plans and getting these....abilities was not part of them. I do not want these abilities. I want to be normal." She clenched her hands again and refused to let her emotions run rampant again.

"Hey," he said softly as he knelt down in front of her, gently taking her hands into his. Looking up into her beautiful eyes, he shook his head. "There is nothing wrong with you! You are intelligent, funny, very beautiful…." He stopped, his breath caught in his throat as he just told her how he saw her. A part of him was certain that she was going to laugh in his face and think he was a freak.

Jaclyn shook her head."Funny? Beautiful? Never been those. Never will. Carter, you were raised with this. I was not and I am not happy with it. I never wanted to have powers or be a superhero who fights the bad guys. I want to create computer games in LA. Well wanted to. Now I guess I won't ever get that chance."

"Says, who?" He asked incredulously, a slight grin on his face. "Sammi Schmidt is a mutant and she makes a killing as a programmer. If you want, I could ask her to reach out to you."

Jac gave a shrug. “Yeah bet she looks normal though”she reached down and picked up the puppy and ruffled her head “I need to think more.”

Carter chuckled. "You've never seen pics of her??" He grinned a broad grin. "She is about six foot five, and is covered in gold scales. Course, for her, that's normal, so maybe you're right there."

“You need to read the definition of Normal” Jac replied. “It does not look like that normally. But then it does not look like I look now either. Probably a good thing my father does not want me home. If he saw me like this, well .. I’d be kicked out.” She put Artemis down on the ground

Taking a chance, Carter reached out and gently took hold of Jaclyn’s upper arms. He made sure that his grip was loose enough that she could pull away, if she wanted to. "Jacky," he said softly, his face inches from hers as he looked down into her eyes. "First of all, anyone who doesn't approve of you, just because if your genetic makeup, doesn't deserve to be in your life. Secondly, normal is subjective. That Reverend character believed it was normal to live the way he lived. Everyone here believes it's normal that Homo Sapiens and Homo Superiors can live side-by-side, in peace. Some people think it's normal to take for themselves, while others think it's normal to help and defend the innocent. Heck, I think it's normal to keep expressing how attracted to you I am, even though you clearly don't feel the same."

“I don’t know you.” She said but she did not draw back. She stood her ground. “YOU have lived like this. I have not. It's new and it's scary and Merida!” she cursed in spanish at him. “It's been two days since I came here and before that I was in a cult who tried to brainwash me after they beat me and broke my arm! They kept Kai locked up as a slave for three years! And now I am here and facing a totally different life so maybe you could back the hell off of me and give me time to sort things out!” She was yelling by the end but her powers were not activating.

To his credit, Carter didn't flinch away when Jaclyn started yelling at him. In fact, he actually started to grin softly. "Does that feel better?" He asked evenly. "You got upset, but your powers didn't get set off. That's the first step, the hardest one, in learning how to master yourself in this new world." He gently rubbed his thumbs over her upper arms. "I know this is scary for you. I could never truly understand what you have experienced to get here. How could I? Like you said, I was raised here. I've been surrounded by love and acceptance since I can remember."

He took a breath and continued. "What I do know, is this…here, in this place, you will be safe. Here, you can learn how to make your new journey begin. No one is the same person they were two days, two weeks or two years ago. We are all constantly changing, evolving into more than we are right now, in this moment. At times when larger obstacles are put before us that we must find ways over or through? Absolutely. Is change scary? At times, it most certainly is. The difference between out there, and here, is that here, there are people who can sympathise with your pain, even help you on forging your new path."

Jaclyn’s fists were clenched as she trembled and her eyes narrowed at him as he spoke. “And what if I do not want to stay here?” She asked as she clenched her teeth. “What if I want to go somewhere, anywhere else? What if I do not want to control these stupid abilities! I want them gone!”

Carter paused as he looked into her eyes, considering her statement. Finally, he replied, his voice calm and supportive. "If you don't want to stay, you can leave at any time. No one will stop you. You can leave right now if you wanted, go a million miles away and do whatever you wanted. You will always be welcome here. If you don't want to learn how to control your powers?" This time he grimaced slightly. If you were to leave without at learning some control, and you hurt someone out there because of it? Then you would be hunted by the authorities. More than likely a team from the Academy would be tasked with tracking you down and arresting you. You'd then be tried for whatever offence you had committed." He shook his head at the thought.

"No one said you had to stay here indefinitely. We just asked you to stay long enough to learn how to control your abilities, so neither you or anyone else would be injured by them. It's the same request that Mom puts to every Meta that comes here." As he spoke, the tone of his voice stayed calm and honest. "And as for not wanting your abilities, that I can understand." He lifted his hands from her arms to emphasise his gloves again. "You think I want this? To not be able to truly feel anything under my own fingertips? I miss it deeply! But, there's nothing I can do to change what I am, so I start each day with the thought of using this to help others."

This time, Jaclyn pulled free from him. “Well that's you” she said as she struggled to control her emotions. She was failing at it, she could feel her hands start to tingle and her hair was shifting slightly despite there being no breeze. She had so many different thoughts in her head. And she was really not in any place to listen to him. She didn’t want to hear him, she was not ready to hear him. But she knew one thing. She had to get clear of him and fast. She scooped up the lead and stepped away from him. She got the fact that he was attracted to her, and she was not stupid. But she could not think about others right now. She was having too much trouble thinking about herself.

Carter watched her move away from him, the look on her face clearly indicating a tumult of thoughts cascading through her mind. He knew that she needed time alone and a place to let loose, without hurting anyone. "If you feel that you need to release some pent up energy, there is a special room back at the dorms specifically designed for that." He turned and pointed to the building that housed the dorms, then indicated a squat little building next to it. "Any Meta can use it any time. We call it the steam room, because….well…it's where one can go to blow off some steam."

Jac gave a half nod and walked away from Carter. She was so not interested. She began to jog as she shoved her earbuds back in her ears and with Artemis at her feet, she moved away from him.

Carter watched her go, sighing softly to himself. He really was a glutton for punishment, wasn't he?" After a few beats, he put his own earbuds back in and resumed his run, in the opposite direction.

~OFF~