Agnes sighed as she sat in the library, staring at the one of the free computer screens, shaking her head. She knew she should not still be watching this website, but she could not help it. So far everyone in the school had seen it, she was sure that one or two of the teachers must have seen it, so…it was only a matter of time before it found its way back to her. That was why, when she found herself alone in the school’s library, she pulled up to a screen, typed in “ViewTube” into the address bar an started the search. It did not take long before she found the video she was looking for…the video of herself taken during the museum attack.

Having only seen it once before, Agnes was mortified by its existence. She feared that this would mean that her parents would find a way to get to her. If they had seen it, and let’s face it nearly everyone has, then it would mean that her parents would know for sure that she was still in the city. Agnes did not want to entertain the idea of leaving New York, especially when the mansion turned out to be such a god send, but what else could she do? Rot away in the mansion for the rest of her life, never leaving?

That thought made her sick to her stomach. She might as well have still been living out in the streets. Either way she would be isolated and lonely.

Maybe that was why she was curious about the video. After all, it could have been taken at a bad angle. Maybe the video would not be clear enough, or she was obstructed and could only be seen for a mere second. Whatever the case, Agnes knew that she needed to eventually watch. If not to ease her tensions then to at least feel like she saw herself at her worst.

With a sigh she watched the video for the first time…and she was at a loss for words.

Everything was there. Whoever it was that had filmed it, they did a damn good job of capturing every second of her on the film. Tears had welled up as she watched herself, controlling that cloud of insects that buzzed around her and speaking in a voice that sounded as if every single one of them were talking through her. She was thoroughly disturbed to see herself doing such a thing because it was so out of her character. She never displayed her powers in public unless she did not have any alternative. And here she was, actually looking like she relished in exacting revenge on that fat bug manipulator that had pummeled her so badly moments before.

The video ended and Agnes could only shake her head. She did not even bother to read the comments that were below it. It seemed like everyone was split down the middle in opinion. Some thought she was cool, others thought she was a freak and a monster. Reading these, she could not help the fear and the anger that overwhelmed her mind. So much was happening so fast. At least people like Gina were good enough to try and see the good in what she had done. The young gargoyle had even tried to cheer her up with chocolate. It worked for that moment, but right now it was beginning to wear off. Even after Gina’s cheerful talking to, she was still left with this ominous that something far worse was going to come from this rather than just simple, temporary internet stardom.

With a shudder Agnes restarted the video again from the beginning. This had to be the fourth or fifth time that she watched it. And each time made her cringe and cry just a little more inside.

"You should stop watching it" Gemma said softly, walking up to the girl who sat at the library computer, her features illuminated by the light of the screen "I think you have seen it enough."

Putting one hand onto her shoulder gently, she turned Agnes to make her look up.

"Yes, I saw." she nodded to the unasked question, and sat down onto a chair, turning Agnes away from the screen. It was better if she did not keep looking at it.

"...And I am glad you dealt with it so well. I heard it from Jorge... Detective Cervantes." she smirked a bit; that probably needed some explanation "He is kind of my boyfriend. I told him to look out for you. He is doing everything he can to keep you safe. It's going to be all right, I promise."

>> "You should stop watching it…I think you have seen it enough."

The sudden voice in the large and practically empty library made Agnes jump a bit. She breathed heavily, exhausted since watching the video over and over again made her so tired. It was draining to see herself let loose like that, running the same scenario in her head over and over again, all the while watching it at the same time on the computer screen. It was no wonder she was jumpy when the school counselor suddenly seemed to materialize next to her. Agnes was not really even sure how much time had passed.

She sighed as the counselor turned her chair around to face away from the screen. She was happy that at least someone did it, because she was still too upset to do it herself. It was like coming by a car wreck, she knew she shouldn’t look at it but it was too difficult not too.

Still though, what was the counselor doing lurking around?

>> "Yes, I saw…And I am glad you dealt with it so well.”

Ah, so she must have been looking for her from the beginning. Great, it was going to be time for another heart to heart with the woman who wouldn’t take “No” for an answer. Agnes was really feeling too exhausted to put up much of a fight, but this was a topic she really, really was tired of talk about right now. Then again, when she drew so much attention to herself with that little display, what did she expect the school staff to do? Just ignore it? As much as she wished that would happen, she doubted it would.

>> I heard it from Jorge... Detective Cervantes…He is kind of my boyfriend. I told him to look out for you. He is doing everything he can to keep you safe. It's going to be all right, I promise."

Wait…the school counselor was dating the police detective that brought her and Sveta back to the mansion? The thought swirled in her mind and Agnes could only respond with an…

“Ew.” It was said a bit louder than she meant it to be, and it was apparent on her face. Agnes stammered for a second as she tried to remove her own foot from her mouth and spoke again. “Sorry, just…aren’t you both a little old[ to be calling each other ‘boyfriend’ and girlfriend’?” The question was honest and to the point…and Agnes immediately felt bad about it. She sighed and shook her head. “Sorry…d-didn’t mean for it to come out that way.”

She sighed as she swiveled in her chair a little bit, trying to figure out what else to say. The whole situation was awkward. She did not want to talk about the museum incident and she DEFINITELY did not want to talk about her school counselor’s sex life! The whole idea gave her the heebie jeebies! But, as she sat there, trying to figure out what to do, she shook her head as her thoughts settled in on the counselor’s last words. It’s going to be all right? That was a joke. At least that was the way Agnes looked at it now. Just look! She was on the internet! One of those web sensations that News channels love to latch onto for a joke or spin into a warning message! It was only a matter of time…

Agnes shook her head, her features hardened with anger at the thought of everything that happened. With that she grunted as she spun back in her chair towards the screen and clicked off the website. “Whatever.” was all she said.

She still couldn’t believe that Ms. Taylor told a cop! She asked her to keep it quiet. She begged…so much for actually feeling like her voice was being heard…

>>“Ew. Sorry, just…aren’t you both a little old to be calling each other ‘boyfriend’ and girlfriend’?.... Sorry…d-didn’t mean for it to come out that way.”

Gemma chuckled. As long as that was the most important question Agnes could come up with, things were not so bad.

"Well, he sure ain't my husband" she smirked "But if you don't like the term, I can just refer to him as Detective."

It really sounded amusing. She wondered what Jorge would say.

>>“Whatever.”

Oh yes. Finally the other part of the situation got through to Agnes too. Gemma sighed. It was not going to be easy, explaining to her why she gave her secret out to a cop.

"Look, Agnes." she sighed "Let's face it: you story was sooner or later going to reach to cops. I knew it would happen, and I think you are smart enough to know it too. We are in the fortunate situation of having a friend in the police. I told him about you because I wanted you to have as much control as you can over what, when and how gets through to them. I did not mean to betray your secret. I promised to keep you safe, and that is exactly what I am doing. And the detective is doing the same."

>> "Look, Agnes…Let's face it: you story was sooner or later going to reach to cops. I knew it would happen, and I think you are smart enough to know it too. We are in the fortunate situation of having a friend in the police. I told him about you because I wanted you to have as much control as you can over what, when and how gets through to them. I did not mean to betray your secret. I promised to keep you safe, and that is exactly what I am doing. And the detective is doing the same."

If there was one thing that Agnes really disliked, it was when someone else was more logical than she was. She knew that everything the guidance counselor had said was true. Eventually something was going to happen where her story would get out, where people would find out about her. Obviously that time already came, as it showed on the website she was still viewing in front of her. It was only a matter of time before some curious person with a camera phone had managed to film her. And there her secret would be—HAS BEEN—revealed.

Agnes could only let her eyes mist over as she once against tried to think about the ramifications about what was going to happen to her now. She was already ousted at the school with mixed reviews. But what would this mean for her, outside of the mansion? Would people recognize her? Would she become some kind of sick celebrity or something? And what about her parents? They had enough psycho friends with kids who would have been sure to see this video. Once they did, it would only take them moments to report it back over to her parents and that would start the hunt all over again. And how would she handle that? Could she make herself stay here? Could she dare attempt a normal life? Or would that pretty much mean that it’s time to run for the streets again? Maybe…outside of New York?

All the possibilities were enough to make her head spin. But what was that? At least she told a cop that was on her side? Hah…she wished she could believe that…

Then again…he was an awfully nice man. She saw the look on his face when he first attempted to sneak her out of the museum and away from the crowd of reporters. It was as if he had understood, in some way, what she was going through. He really did seem sympathetic to her and her problems. Maybe…just maybe he could help. But how?

So far, she could come up with no answers. It all seemed hopeless…so utterly hopeless. Either she brave the streets of New York again and hide where her parents would never find her, or she remain locked away inside the mansion, never to go out again. No matter what her option, none of them seemed appealing.

“I…I know.” she whispered huskily, trying to keep her tears back. “I’m…I’m just so tired of all of this. And…I want to believe you. I really do. But you don’t know the power and fanatic followers my parents run with.” She turned a sad eye back to Ms. Taylor. “If they could do ‘this’,” she referred to her stomach where the worst scar was, the brand, “to me, their only daughter? I hate to imagine what they would do to anyone who got in their way.” she sniffled as she crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m sorry, but the only person I can really trust is myself. And that means either I lock myself away in my room and never come out again, or I disappear into the city alleys again. I know how to disappear there. Either way…I can’t go back to them. I won’t.”

>>“I…I know. I’m…I’m just so tired of all of this. And…I want to believe you. I really do. But you don’t know the power and fanatic followers my parents run with. If they could do ‘this’, to me, their only daughter? I hate to imagine what they would do to anyone who got in their way. I’m sorry, but the only person I can really trust is myself. And that means either I lock myself away in my room and never come out again, or I disappear into the city alleys again. I know how to disappear there. Either way…I can’t go back to them. I won’t.”

She truly was scared. Gemma bit her lips; seeing scared, hurt children, sadly, she was used to, even though Agnes was one of the worst cases she had ever seen. No, the thing worrying her was her own thoughts; her own feelings. Motherly instincts took over once again, and she felt like going out into the city and hunting those horrible people down to make sure Agnes was safe.
That was probably not a thought a guidance counselor should entertain.

Gemma sighed and put a hand on Agnes' arm.

"I have seen a lot of bad things, Agnes. I was hiding mutants during the registration. I saw, and heard... and did things I did not think were possible. I know it feels like there is no way out of this. I trust you more than to lie to you, do you understand that? It is going to be long, and it is going to be hard, but it won't last forever. I know there is many of them, the people who want to hurt you. Or me. Or any other person who is not like them, in any way. And it seems like they are everywhere, and they are unstoppable."

Turning the computer off, she sat down next to her.

"Look around, Agnes. We are in a place that was created by someone who truy believed that mutants needed each other. Not help, from someone above. Just a place. You think that your parents and their followers are dangerous? I have a gene that cancels out mutant abilities. I have seen Jorge use the powers of an ancient god. The school is run by a man who can make hell freeze over. Look at us. Look at your own friends." she smiled a bit "Look at yourself. I promised we will do everything to protect you. And if we need to put up a fight, we will do that. You are not going back to them. Ever." she looked into the girl's eyes "On the streets, you might be safe, but you would be alone. In here, you might feel like you are trapped, but you whatever comes your way, you don't have to deal with it on your own. You are grown up, Agnes. It is your choice."

>> "I have seen a lot of bad things, Agnes. I was hiding mutants during the registration. I saw, and heard... and did things I did not think were possible. I know it feels like there is no way out of this. I trust you more than to lie to you, do you understand that? It is going to be long, and it is going to be hard, but it won't last forever. I know there is many of them, the people who want to hurt you. Or me. Or any other person who is not like them, in any way. And it seems like they are everywhere, and they are unstoppable."

THIS is supposed to help me feel better? Agnes thought bitterly.

The truth was that she really was terrified. As silly as it was to imagine that her parents would turn to mutants in order to capture her, she really would not put it past them or the people in their congregation. All of them wanted nothing more than the exorcise those poor demon-possessed mutants and they would go to any lengths in order to achieve it. As a matter of fact, Agnes was more than sure that there were probably a converted mutant or two in their order by now.

So what was to stop them from charging into the mansion and just taking her? What could she really do to defend herself? Spit bugs in their faces?

>> "Look around, Agnes. We are in a place that was created by someone who truy believed that mutants needed each other. Not help, from someone above. Just a place. You think that your parents and their followers are dangerous? I have a gene that cancels out mutant abilities. I have seen Jorge use the powers of an ancient god. The school is run by a man who can make hell freeze over. Look at us. Look at your own friends…Look at yourself. I promised we will do everything to protect you. And if we need to put up a fight, we will do that. You are not going back to them. Ever."

It was a strange feeling. Agnes felt her insides freeze up and, at the same time, thaw. She was queasy and yet filled with a sort of pride. Did the guidance counselor really mean it? Would people around here really come to her rescue? Her cop boyfriend really did seem nice. And Gina did swear that she would keep her safe. Even that bastard Gawain would probably get a kick out of rescuing her again. Whatever the case, whether it was the tone in the woman’s voice, the conviction in her eyes, or how close she was sitting…Agnes started to believe her.

>> "On the streets, you might be safe, but you would be alone. In here, you might feel like you are trapped, but you whatever comes your way, you don't have to deal with it on your own. You are grown up, Agnes. It is your choice."

The runaway’s eyes welled up as she let the words rebound in her head. It was her choice. Not her parents, not another mutant’s, not the cops, social workers, whatever...it was her own choice. Never had one word meant so much.

The guidance counselor was right. She could take the streets again, she really could but what kind of protection would she find? She could disappear, scuttling through those alleyways like a rat or other vermin, but could she really go back to that life? Could she really accept that as her fate? Agnes doubted it. She had a taste of what friends and a real chance at life could be. She did not want to go back to eating out of garbage cans, fending off freaks, or huddling away from the cold.

Here…she almost had a family.

With a stiffened back and a sniffle, Agnes locked eyes with Gemma Taylor. She wiped the tears that wanted to roll down her cheeks and gently nodded her head.

“Okay.” was all she meekly whispered. That was all she needed to say though.

>>"Okay" was all she said, but it was enough for Gemma to understand. She smiled at Agnes.

"Good girl" reaching out, she wrapped her in a hug for a brief moment "You belong here, Agnes. You are safe."

Now all that was left was to live up to those expectations.
And, of course, find the parents as soon as you can, and make sure they spend the rest of their lives behind bars.

After a few moments of silens, Gemma smiled again.

"All right, let's go. When was the last time you have eaten something? I don't care if you want to talk more now or later, but you will need to eat something. Come on."

>> "Good girl…You belong here, Agnes. You are safe."

I hope you’re right. Agnes thought as the guidance counselor immediately wrapped her arms around her for a hug.

It was a bit alien to her, but Agnes was slowly beginning to remember what a hug actually felt like. When she lived at home, her mother was the only person to give her a hug, since her parent’s dogmatic religion vowed all men of the family to keep from touching those of the opposite sex, except for husbands and wives. On the streets, you definitely don’t hug anyone, only yourself out of fear of getting yourself killed. And upon joining the mansion, because of her mutation, the only person she’s let hug her has been Gina. And apparently Gemma Taylor was getting on that list to.

She still remembered when she broke down back after she was first confronted by her. The incident was a harsh one that really hurt her down to her core. She could barely believe that she let the world so utterly collapse on her like that, but it was a long time coming. The only thing that she could do, was accept it and cling onto the nearest thing to help her through it…that happened to be Gemma Taylor.

Gemma was no stranger when it came to mutants with dangerous or strange abilities, at least that is how Agnes felt because she managed to not lose her lunch after seeing Agnes’. Maybe she indeed could make another ally…but could she trust her boyfriend? The cop seemed nice enough but who’s to say he would not flake out on her the second he got a chance? Agnes was not sure…but she needed to trust someone. Especially now.

The guidance counselor seemed trustworthy. She hoped she was right in her assumptions.

>> "All right, let's go. When was the last time you have eaten something? I don't care if you want to talk more now or later, but you will need to eat something. Come on."

Eat? At a time like this?!

Agnes was dragged away and she knew this was going to be the beginning of it. She made that step to bring her parents in. It should not be that hard to find them, after all, she doubted they would move from their humble abode. They were not scared of the police. Many of their church members were police officers. This was going to be a tough fight.

“Um, yesterday, at lunch,” she finally replied to the question. “I…I haven’t eaten since then.” she followed after then tugged at Gemma’s arm. When she caught her attention, Agnes stayed still, sighed and nodded. “Thank you, Ms. Taylor. T-Thank you for helping me.”