What a long, strange trip it's been…
2 years ago, young Tasha thought she had the whole of the world figured out.
Cheer-leader. One of the more popular girls in school. 3.9 GPA. Did volunteer work through her church (working in a hospitality house, cleaning up lots to make into playgrounds, helping to build homes for those in need). She would soon have her driver's license. Her parents were working on a deal with her to get her a new car as reward. Invited to parties nearly every weekend. Sweet 16 coming. And she was in love. In love with the man she would go to college with, and then marry and have little babies with.
And then life decided to throw her a little curve-ball. No, a pretty major curve-ball.
The love of her life, her soulmate, was killed only minutes after she kissed him goodbye. At his funeral, she made something of a scene. But no one looked at her negatively for it, they understood her emotional state. It felt like she cried herself hoarse for 4 days straight, it felt like the tear and pleas to God would never come to an end. She prayed, she begged, she offered anything and everything to have her soulmate back. But it would not be. And towards that fourth day, she considered just ending herself. So she could indeed see him again. She had the knife in hand and everything, she held it to her chest over her heart. But she simply couldn't.
Night came on the fourth day, her body and mind gave into exhaustion at long last. She passed out in her bed, clinging to her Carbuncle plushie. She went to bed normal… and she would wake up a hellish monster.
She doesn't know any more than that. Was she possessed by a demon? Cursed somehow? Did her flippant mouth offend someone that put a dark curse on her? Was God punishing her for something her parents did? Was God punishing her for almost killing herself? Was this the price she was paying for her dark thoughts?
Her family discovered her… and they were wondering the same sort of things. What had happened to their beautiful little girl, their only daughter. They called the police… and then their priest. They even spoke of putting their daughter out of her misery on that first day after her 'change'.
But not all of her family was of that mindset. The oldest of the siblings, he helped get Tasha out. He told her to run, and to not look back. Just go. So she went. And as instructed, did not look back.
The first week was Hell. For her it literally felt like she had been pushed into Hell. She was scared, her world was so different than it had been before. Her family was gone. She was some inhuman thing. She tried to seek out her closest friends, the ones that said they would be there for her forever. But all that ended up happening was them screaming and running or something. More or less they weren't down anymore with her. The parents of one of her besties even shot at her! So once more hearing her brother's words in her mind… Tasha ran.
During her impromptu exodus… she had heard of a place for 'people that were different'. Monsters like her? A safe have, she was hearing of. She couldn't figure much of it out, only what she glanced at in newspapers. The newspapers that served as her home/hiding place for many a night, along with various dumpsters here and there. But from what she could piece together… it was an institute out east. A kind of college maybe? But it specialized in 'mutants'. She had heard the term before… but only in passing. Things like mutants didn't happen around people like her, normal people. That was just something people in the big city get, right? Not people like her from wholesome communities, not people like her that go to church, not people like her that volunteer their time to help others. Not people like her.
It didn't feel right, but she truly felt like she had no choice but to seek this place out. It took nearly a month but she was able to find a phone number while looking through the discarded newspapers that served as her home for most nights. It took another 2 weeks to finally find a phone she could use… a payphone still existed in this day and age. And then another week for her to steal enough money for her to make a phone call. Turns out she wasn't a very good thief.
She spoke to a woman… her name was Katherine. Or June. Or Mary. She didn't really catch her name, all she knew is that she answered the phone at this institute. After a few minutes of calming Tasha down, the woman (her name is Janet actually) was able to hold something of a coherent conversation with her. She gave instructions to Tasha to find out where she was (Tasha didn't know how far she was from home, or even what state she was in), and followed that up with instructions on where she would meet a rep from the institute.
2 veeeeeery long days pass… and Tasha stays put just as she is asked to. The designated meeting spot was in front of a church, ironically. 'A white care with purple stripes on the side of it' is what she was told to watch for. After what seems an eternity, said car pulls up. And Tasha is on her way.
It turns out she was in Ohio, which she never would have suspect. But she had been nearly 2 years since she ran from her family. For all she knew she could still be in the next county from her house. She wishes that were the case. She says nothing the whole car ride, sitting in the back of the car. The driver, a very friendly woman (she introduces herself as Odessa) tries to reassure her and make her smile. But reassurances would make no difference to Tasha's mindset, smiles would be a long ways off. Quietly she sits in the back, the side of her head leaning on the window as she watches the passing scenery. Falling into sleep (what passes for sleep now for Tasha) a few times on the trip. Odessa keeps an eye on Tasha the whole time, having seen this sort of thing before. Specifically, seeing mutants in the depths of depression and self loathing. She has seen it far to often. While some embrace their 'gifts', some are even thrilled about it… Tasha right now would gladly end her life if she could.
When they finally make it to Westchester, as they pull up the long drive towards the Institute, now Tasha begins to pay attention. She sits up in the back seat, seeing other children on the grounds. And many of them… they don't even look like anything resembling human.
Just like her.
The car pulling up the lane elicits some stares from the children, and some of the adults supervising or just going about their daily duties. Word spreads quickly around here, especially when it's in regard to possible new students. This was actually part of introductions, making sure at least some of the students are aware of potential new comers. Most here want to connect with others… if only to be friendly… if only to feel like a real person again… and when someone new shows up, well that's just another wonderful opportunity.
And now the car comes to a stop in front of the main entrance of the school. A woman in casual clothing stands there in front of the steps, smiling as she watches the car. Odessa gets out of the car, giving the greeter a knowing glance. As if having a whole conversation with that look.. the woman starts forward towards the car. The vehicle has been in 'park' for about 2 minutes… but still Tasha sits in the backseat. She holds her coat around her body, feeling herself shiver a little. She isn't cold at all… she is petrified. The woman stops at the side of the car near the back passenger door, and she speaks loud enough to be heard through the rolled up window. "Tasha, sweety, remember me? We talked on the phone. I'm Janet." Hearing her name, Tasha looks towards Janet with blank soft blue eyes. Some would find such a stare unnerving, but Janet never once flinches or looks away. Her warm smile never fades, either. So now she has Tasha's attention… "Want to come out, Tasha? It's okay…" her voice drifts off as Tasha vehemently shakes her head under her hood. Janet really feels for the child. Very slowly Janet steps closer to the car, and she pushes the palm of her hand to the window. Her voice comes softer now, a tender tone. The kind of tone a mother would use to help her child through a thunderstorm. "You're safe here, Tasha. I swear with all I have that nothing bad can happen to you here. All of the other students here.. they're all mutants. Just like you are. There is no safer place in this world for you, sweety. We all want you here. And we all want to meet you." She smiles a little more as Tasha stares at her. Her head turns then, looking towards the front of the property once more. A few of the students and staff have stopped their activities to stare at whatever is happening with the car. Of course, they are trying to stare with discretion. Janet starts to put together the next part of her plan to get through to Tasha. But she is surprised when she hears the door unlatch, and she steps back as it opens. Hesitantly now Tasha slides out of the car. The whole of her form is concealed under a heavy jacket with the hood drawn up. One would think she should be sweltering under the outfit. Her hands in light black gloves, a forest green backpack slung over her shoulders. Her gloved hands hold the coat closed around her. She isn't cold… but unconsciously she feels she still needs to keep herself hidden…
Janet smiles as Tasha closes the door "Welcome to Xavier's Institute for the Gifted, Tasha. We're all so happy to have you here with us. First things first… want to see your room?" Tasha, still hesitant, steps closer to Janet, her eyes staring out towards the eyes staring at her. She nods as she looks to Janet.
"Yes.. please.." she says in a very soft tone. Janet smiles and motions for her to follow as she goes up the steps.
And should anyone inspect the car.. there is a small pile of sand on the floorboards and seat Tasha was sitting in.
The place is… posh… her home in Arizona was a good size, but it's a shack compared to the Institute. That's what Tasha thinks as she enters the foyer, following Janet. "First we'll get you in your room, you can unwind and relax. We'll get you some fresh clothes, would you like something to eat?" Tasha shakes her head to the question of food. And while she doesn't realize it… Tasha's clothes smell like garbage. Since that's where she's been sleeping, with the rest of the trash. Janet doesn't make any negative indications of it, though. She, frankly, has smelled worse things coming from some of the students. But the fact that Tasha has that smell to her… it makes Janet wonder just what the child has been through. She doesn't say anything though, of course.
They traverse the stairs, getting to the floor with the dorm rooms. "You don't have a roommie yet, but I'm pretty sure you will. You okay with that?" She looks over her shoulder to Tasha, who nods as she speaks softly once more.
"Yes, ma'am." She is reeeeeeeally not looking forward to rooming with a stranger. Janet leads Tasha into one of the rooms, motioning inside. "Pick a bed, and please please make yourself at home. There's a few changes of clothes in the dresser" which she motions to "just feel free to borrow whatever. If you want to shower, you can do that too. We'll take care of your clothes, you'll get 'em back and they'll be like new." Janet now starts towards the door "Take your time, Tasha. When you're ready, just come on out and one of our staff will be delighted to help you."
"Thank you." Tasha responds once more, staring at the dresser. Janet nods as she slips through the door. "You're very welcome, Tasha. I'll be back in a few to check on ya." It seems like Janet is just dumping off Tasha in a room and bailing. But she feels she can't push Tasha to much. Just getting her out of the car took a bit of care. She doesn't want to squash whatever trust Tasha is beginning to build of this place. Once Janet disappears down the hall, Tasha hurries to the door and half closes it. She lets out an exhausted sigh and sits down on the edge of one of the beds, holding her jacket closed around her. She stares at the floor in front of the heavy boots she wears, trying to get herself to calm down. To try and make herself relax…
