X-Men: Night of the Living Brain Dead
by
Ben Church bchurch@su.edu
All major characters are the property of Marvel Comics
except Hotshot.
Chapter 18
Two days later, Jubilee went down to the music room, to
introduce herself to the new student. She stopped in the door way
a moment and listened. He was playing one of her favorite songs,
Winter, by Tori Amos. She got lost in the melody, and then began
to sing along. She didn't sing often, but it somehow seemed
appropriate. He did not seem startled, or angry at her intrusion
to his privacy, in fact he seemed grateful. He had his eye closed
while he played and there seemed to be almost infinite sorrow on
his face. When the song ended, he sat for a moment then turned
towards her. She was taken aback for a moment at the sight. She
got the impression of simultaneous grief and joy. On one side of
his face was the adamantium patch, and on the other the bandaged
cheek. He smiled at her.
"You've got a nice voice." he said.
"Thanks, you're a good piano player."
"Guess we make a good team then." He stuck out his hand.
"I'm Will."
"I'm Jubilee." she said, taking his hand. "I just wanted
to thank you for bailing me out back there." she hesitated. "I'm
not good at the expressing my feelings thing, so I'll just come
right out and say it. My parents were murdered too. So, anytime,
you want to talk about it, I'm here."
A look of relief flashed through his eye.
"Thank you." he said softly. Then he looked at his watch.
"Oh jeez ow. it's time for me to go."
"Where are you going?" Jubilee asked.
"I'm going up to Vermont to see my parent's grave." he
answered. "You wanna come?"
"No thanks, this is something you need to do alone."
"How did you get out of jail?" Jaimie asked Rachel.
"The jury ruled accidental death. There are still some
un-prejudiced people in the world Jaimie."
"I apologize for way I just left you there."
"You had every right to be upset. Don't beat yourself up
over it." She kissed him. "So, do you want to go to a movie?"
It was raining hard when Will and Betsy arrived at
Burlington Cemetery. Will opened the passenger side door, and got
out.
"You sure you can find it on your own?" Betsy asked.
"I know where the Family Plot is." he answered. "This
shouldn't take long."
"Take all the time you need."
Will walked slowly through the pouring rain. Looking at
the dates on the tombstones as he walked past. Finally he came to
his destination. His parents had bought the plots when his sister
died eleven years ago. He'd been there when they bought it, and
knew the spot well. Four stones were erected in a row. He read
the inscriptions on each: James Thomas Davidson, 1955-1997, Loving
Husband and Father; Jennifer Wesley Davidson, 1958-1997, Loving
Wife and Mother.
Will wondered why they had such drab inscriptions. He put
the flowers he had brought, on the graves and turned to leave.
Then, he hesitated and read his own tombstone: William Alexander
Davidson, 1978-1997, And now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the
lord my soul to keep, If I should die before I wake...Well never
mind.
Will smiled, he wondered who had told them that that was
what he'd wanted. He'd told several people. He looked at his
sister's stone next: Rebecca Angela Davidson, 1978-1985, Stop
staring at me!. That had been his idea. Taking a last look at the
plot he left, saying a silent farewell to those that rested there.
Sarah trudged sadly through the rain towards her dead
boyfriend's grave. His death had effected her more than anyone
else. She alone knew how close they'd been. She'd gladly have
given up her life to save him. She knew that now she would never
know how much he loved her. She knew what he was, why he and his
family were killed. She did not believe that she would ever get
over the pain that his loss would bring her.
On the way, she passed a boy going in the opposite
direction. She did a double take. The boy looked almost exactly
like...but no, now that she saw him clearly, she could see that it
wasn't him. His face was scarred, and he was missing an eye.
Suddenly her mind screamed to confront the boy, that the explosion
could have caused the scars, and missing eye. But she could not.
She merely watched him, and wondered. When she arrived at the
graves, she saw with shock that some one had placed flowers on the
graves of his parents, but not his.
She raced back where she had seen him go. He was
approaching a black rental car.
"Will!" she shouted. He turned, and looked at her in
amazement. She ran up to him and flung her arms around his neck
and head, giving him a hard, passionate kiss. The feel of his arms
around her, and his lips against hers sent a thrill down her spine.
She finally released him and asked in a breathless and angry tone.
"What the hell happened?"
"It's a long story. I don't really have time to tell it
right now but..." He pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket, it
was in a plastic bag to protect it from the rain.
"This is a letter to my grandparents. It contains the
whole story. As well as my reasons for wanting people to think I'm
dead. And," he added smiling, "it has the address and phone number
where I can be reached. When you've finished, please send it to my
grandparents. Then call me." He kissed her. "Unless you don't
think we can make a long distance relationship work." He waved
good-bye and got into the car. The rain continued to fall but the
world seemed just a bit sunnier to her. She waved as the car drove
away.
The End