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It’d been a couple years since the school had reopened. The dormitories were starting to fill up slowly. For moment the boys’ wing had several residents which were Landon, Atif, Gabriel, Taylor, Carter, James, and Owen. The girls’ wing had an equal amount with Lily, Ashley, Rose, Cora Lee, Hope, Bianca, and Lauren. But as years go on the possibility for growth was there since many of the new generation still hadn’t shown signs for their powers yet. Others born with a physical mutation such as Stephan, Evan, and Hiro were just too young to live in the dormitory yet. Duncan was also working with Jean to start seeking out new students from around the globe who had a mutant power and nowhere to turn. The issue they were running into was that with the documented attack over a decade ago caused many to shy away from enrolling.

It had been an adjustment for the kids, perhaps more for those that didn’t live at the Haven to switch to dorm life. Lily was already adjusted to such life, but was glad that this time she had Ashley and not her twin Josalyn as a roommate. For Landon and Cora Lee it wasn’t a huge change since in the Haven there were always a lot of people around. Ashley and Atif seemed to be adjusting well but Rose was having the more difficult adjustment. She had gone from being the only child with just her mom in a three bedroom apartment to now sharing a bedroom, even if it was with her best friend, in a huge school. But with the school years coming to an end Rose had the summer of spending time with her older siblings in her future. This will be the first year she didn’t spend her whole summer abroad. With her mutation manifesting her mom decided she should spend some of the summer in Bayville with the others training. So this summer she was going to spend August with Amiko and otherwise be in Bayville.

The end of the school year was mostly just bitter for Landon. He was going to spend June in Texas with his mother and step-father having to hide his power. Today was the last day of school for the year so upon arriving back at the institute Landon had to immediately start to pack. Atif slumped onto his bed and watched as Landon angrily packed his clothes. “Dude it’s for a month. You’ve done it every year before this. Just make it through it and you’ll be back here in no time training with the rest of us.”, Atif encouraged. Landon sighed zipping the book bag. “It just sucks. You are the only one that really knows what I go through when I’m at my mother’s. I don’t tell Cora Lee because she’ll tell dad and I kind of avoid giving direct information when talking to Lily, Rose, or Ashley. It’s just gotten worse since my mutation developed.”, Landon grumbled. Atif go up and placed a hand on Landon’s shoulder. “I know man. Seriously I do. I’ve seen what your step-dad is like and how he’s changed your mother. Having my powers isn’t always fun. I tend to see some pretty crappy things happen to people who are important to me.”, Atif said before taking his hand off Landon’s shoulder.

Atif sat back down rubbing his temples Landon raised an eyebrow knowing the look. “What? What did you see Atif?”, Landon asked. Atif shook his head. “Nothing. Just a headache.”, Atif lied. He kept hoping that his vision of the purple light and Landon falling dead on the ground, but it kept reappearing. “Atif I’ve known you for your whole life, so don’t try lying to me. What did you see?”, Landon repeated. Atif sighed. “Alright it’s the same vision I’ve had for months. I keep hoping that it will change but it never does.”, Atif explained. Landon sat down next to Atif. “What’s the vision?”, Landon asked. “There’s this blast of purple light and then you fall to the ground dead. And every time we find something more about this mystery I get this vision. I think that the vision is linked to whatever this mystery is.”, Atif admitted. “So you see a purple light and then me dead. Whatever this mystery is it’s gotta be good then. Cause serious what would be worth killing to hide?”, Landon said with a smiled.

Atif sighed shaking his head. “Ashley said you’d react like this. I tell you that I’ve seen you die because of this mystery and you see that as an incentive to keep looking.”, Atif groaned throwing his hands in the air. “So Ashley has known about this vision too?”, Landon asked. “Yes I had to tell someone when I first saw it and well she’s my twin. You think I’m a bad liar and you’re my best friend. Imagine trying to lie to my own twin, IMPOSSIBLE!”, Atif explained. Landon laughed and patted Atif on the back. “Hey I’m a Bryant alright. We don’t get phased by consequences. I want to know what this mystery is. It’s something big, it caused my dad to stop talking to his cousin and it has something to do with your dad’s death. Isn’t your curiosity peaked?”, Landon said. “Of course I’m curious as to how my dad’s death could have something to do with your dad not talking to Lily’s mom and Warren being called for indictment charges. But not at the expense of anyone’s life.”, Atif argued. “I’m not going to die. Have faith in me.”, Landon said. “I do have faith in you, but I also have faith in my powers.”, Atif said with a sigh.

As Landon was about to counter there was a knock on their door. “Come in.”, Landon said. In walked David and Aislinn, Morpheus swooping in to land on Atif’s head. “At-if!”, the raven kawwed. “Since I could stand you always land on my head, why bird?”, Atif asked looking up through his red locks of hair. “Morpheus leave Atif alone.”, Aislinn said. Morpheus flew off Atif’s head and landed on Aislinn’s shoulder instead. “Hey mom. Hi dad. Is it time to leave for the airport?”, Landon asked picking up his bag. “Yup. Come on kiddo don’t want to be late for your flight.”, David said. “Can’t I just stay…”, Landon asked. David shook his head. “You know you can’t. I wouldn’t let you leave if I had a choice but its court ordered and I can’t change it. A month will fly by then you’ll be back before you know it. Tell your friends goodbye. We’ll be downstairs waiting.”, David said taking the bag from Landon before walking back to the entrance with Aislinn.

“Well guess I’ll see you in a month. No crazy parties without me.”, Landon said waving goodbye to Atif. “I make no promises! Just behave around Mark and get back here in one piece!”, Atif yelled after Landon as he walked down the hall. Landon made his way across the building to the girls’ wing to say goodbye to the others. He stopped and knocked on Lily and Ashley’s room. “Hey guys. So my parents are here time to head to Texas. Keep your eyes and ears open while I’m gone in regards to this mystery. I won’t be able to keep in touch while I’m there so just stock pile intel to review when I get back. And have a happy birthday Lily.”, he said. Lily and Ashley each gave him a hug. “Have fun without us and don’t worry we’ll keep up the hunt for clues.”, they said. ‘Yeah fun without my friends’ Landon thought as he left that room and knocked on his sister’s room. Rose opened the door. “Hey Landon.”, she greeted. Cora Lee put down her bass to lean from her bead to smile at her brother. “Time for me to go. So I’ll see you both in July. Have a good birthday Rose.”, Landon said. Cora Lee hurried over and gave him a hug. “It’s just a month bro, you’ll be back soon.”, she said. “Thanks Landon. We’ll see you soon.”, Rose said giving him a side hug. With his goodbyes said Landon sighed and walked away to head to the airport.

“He looked super bummed about leaving. He never looks happy to leave but is it just me or does it seem worse this time?”, Cora Lee asked picking her bass up again. Rose nodded sitting down on her bed picking up her stuffed wolverine giving it a hug. She remembered how he talked about not wanting to deal with his step-dad now that he had powers. “It sucks that he can’t call or write while there. Just seemed kind of mean to pull him away from friends and family for a whole month and not let him have contact.”, Rose said. “Indeed. I mean you go away all the time during the summer but we can still call and email or even skype.”, Cora Lee said. “Too bad we can’t just go there and see him.”, Rose said. “Like a surprise? I’ve always kind of wondered what it’s like there. And what Gina’s really like.”, Cora Lee said perking up. “Maybe we could ask our parents if we could go visit him sometime this month.”, Cora Lee suggested. “We’d have to have an adult with us. But I think my mom has some business thing this month in Austin which is where Landon’s going anyways…”, Rose said. “So if we can convince your mom to let us go with her then maybe I could get my dad to agree to it.”, Cora Lee said grinning.

When Landon arrived in Austin his mother was at the airport alone to greet him. She smiled at him, her once dyed purple hair its natural brown since Mark didn’t like anything ‘different’. “Hey there Landon. I’ve got your birthday present, dinner and cake all ready back at the house.”, she greeted giving him a hug. “Great. Where’s Mark?”, he asked. Not that Mark ever really showed up to get him at the airport. “Oh you know your father he doesn’t like driving all the way out here to the airport. He’s looking forward to your visit though.”, Gina said lying. “He’s my step-father. My dad is back in Bayville. So please stop trying to get me to call Mark anything other than Mark. And you shouldn’t lie to your children we both know he’s not looking forward to my visit because I’m a mutant.”, Landon said walking past her to get his bag at the pickup area. Gina sighed and followed him.

“You just like to make things complicated for me, just like your dad. At least your power is similar to mine.”, Gina grumbled. “Oh are we admitting you have a power now? Can we say the word power or mutation only because Mark can’t hear us? Seriously I don’t get how you go from being married to my dad to that oatmeal bland mutant hater. He has made you change who you are. You had to stop dying your hair purple, he had you laser remove any of your easily visible tattoos and forbids you from using your power. Whoever I marry later in life will have to be okay with me being a mutant and enjoy tattoos because when I get home I’m getting one.”, Landon argued on the way to the car. He choose to not mention he already had a tattoo from when he turned thirteen on between his shoulders. “I love Mark. And I’m a better person when I’m with him. And you are not getting a tattoo, I’ll put a stop to that, you are way too young.”, Gina argued. “I’m done having this conversation with a child you wouldn’t understand.”, Gina said and they drove on in silence.

Upon arriving at the house Landon walked inside with bag in hand to be greeted by a grunt from Mark. “Oh you’re here...”, Mark grumbled as he walked into the living room. Landon sighed shaking his head. “Yup nice to see you too mark.”, Landon greeted heading to the back half of the ranch style house to his bedroom. The room was void of any real personality. Landon never saw a reason to make the room his own since he didn’t really live there. And it wasn’t much of a bedroom beyond there being a closet. The other eleven months of the year it was just a storage room with a futon in it. Landon tosses his bag onto the unfolded futon that Gina had put some bedding on to make it his bed from the month. He sighed as he reached into his bag pulling out a couple picture frames to set on the edge of the desk that was near the unfolded futon. One was a picture of the Haven members all out on the back deck last 4th of July. Landon smiled as he carefully placed it down; the picture had everyone he called ‘family’. His dad, his mom, Demitri, Jean, Nathan, Cora Lee, Solangel, and even Jacob were in the picture. The other picture was over at Ashley and Atif’s beach house at the end of the summer last year when Rose was back from her world travels visiting her older siblings. It was just a shot of Cora Lee, Rose, him, Ashley, Lily, and Atif sitting in a semi circle around a bonfire roasting marshmallows to make smores, but it was a great memory.

“Landon come eat your dinner and then you can have cake and your present.”, Gina said appearing in the doorway. Her eyes looked to the pictures and she frowned. “What is your problem now? I put out picture of my friends and family back home and you have to have that look on your face?”, Landon asked standing up. “I don’t like there being anything of your dad in my house or that woman he married and the child they had.”, Gina said crinkling her nose. Landon stood up and just glared at his mom, his blue eyes standing perfectly equal to her brown. “If a picture of my dad offends you then you might not want me to stick around because I’m a fourteen year old replica. And that ‘woman’ is my mom and that ‘child’ is my little sister. So don’t you dare speak another word against them.”, Landon said glaring at his mother. Gina looked down and turned to leave the room. “Your dinner is getting cold.”, was all she said before walking away. Landon sighed and followed and at his plate of dry meatloaf and mashed potatoes then his vanilla cake in silence. He hated vanilla cake but it’s what Mark liked so it’s what Gina made every year despite it being his birthday not Mark’s.

“Here’s your gift.”, Gina said handing him a small box wrapped in blue. Landon sighed and started to open it thinking what could fit into something this small. When he took the top of the box off he found a guitar pick. It was a nice pick, it was a dark blue with 6-6-6 etched in gold. He forced a smile and looked up at her. “You said you were starting a band, so I figured getting you a good guitar pick would be a nice gift and I had your birthday put on it.”, Gina said smiling. “Thanks. It’s a very nice pick.”, he said putting the box into his pocket. “But?”, Mark barked speaking for the first time all evening. “I’m the drummer in the band. My sister plays bass and our friend plays guitar. I know how to play guitar though, Uncle Mikali’s taught me.”, Landon said. “So you don’t like it? Ungrateful little..”, Mark said raising a hand toward Landon. “I didn’t say I didn’t like it, I’m just say my role in the band is drummer. Oh please try. Try to hit me and see what happens Mark.”, Landon said standing up.

“What do you think a little kid like you is going to do to me?”, Mark said standing up. Sure there was a size difference but Landon wasn’t backing down. “I’m a kid that has been trained over the last two years in how to fight. I’m also the kid who could with enough concentration alter what you are into something a bit more fitting.”, Landon said tapping on Mark’s chest. “So please try and hit me. Because then I can justify everything that I’d loved to do right now as self defense and then ensure I NEVER have to come here again.”, Landon said glaring. Gina rushed over and separated them. “Stop. Just both of you stop. Landon you know the rules you aren’t allowed to use your mutant powers in our house. And Mark you can’t hit him. He’s my son and this is the only time I get him. You hit him and David will take me back to court and use it as a reason for me to never see my son. Don’t let him take my son from me.”, Gina pleaded. “Fine.”, Mark grumbled. “Whatever. I’m going to just go spend my month imprisonment in my ‘room’.”, Landon said walking away and slamming his bedroom door.

Over the next couple weeks life didn’t get any easier for Landon staying at his mother and step-father’s house. Back in Bayville Cora Lee had been begging her dad to let her go to Austin with Rose and Aurelia when Aurelia goes on her business trip. “Please daddy..”, Cora Lee begged following her dad out the front door of the Haven. David sighed and turned to look at Cora Lee. She was putting on her best sad puppy face. “No Cora Lee. That’s my final answer.”, David said. “But.. but daddy. Why?”, Cora Lee asked. “Because I know exactly what’s in Austin and why you want to go so bad.”, David replied. “There’s a concert that Rose and I want to go to that’s all daddy.”, Cora Lee said giving a half truth. “There may be a concert but I know Landon’s in Austin and you think you are going to get to see him. I can’t let you do that.”, David explained. “Why can’t I see my brother while we are there for a concert?”, Cora Lee asked innocently. “Two reasons. Reason one is Landon’s biological mother and reason two is her husband. I get him for eleven months out of the year till he’s at least sixteen and then the agreement can be re-evaluated. But that one month he’s Gina’s and even I don’t get to call him. I won’t put you at risk by showing up there.”, David said shaking his head. Aislinn stepped outside to the porch hearing the raised voices. “But why? What’s so wrong with me wanting to see my brother? What are you afraid will happen?”, Cora Lee asked. “Cora Lee please drop this. Your father has his reasons and they are valid reasons he doesn’t need to explain. You are not going to visit Landon at Gina’s house. It’s a bad idea.”, Aislinn answered. Cora Lee spun on her heels to look at her mom. “But Landon is always so sad when he goes there…”, Cora Lee argued. “I know sweetie, but we can’t do anything right now. Please understand.”, Aislinn said trying to smooth this over. “FINE! I’m going to Rose’s….”, Cora lee said before storming off.

“Do you think we should have just explained that Gina is a firm believer that you committed adultery with me before your divorce and therefore would be really unhappy to see our daughter on her doorstep?”, Aislinn asked walking down to hold David’s arm. David sighed. “I don’t want to paint a picture of Gina being a villain. I may not love her or even really like her anymore. But I can’t change that she’s Landon’s biological mother and has the right to see him in a setting that doesn’t make her uncomfortable.”, David said sighing. Cora Lee was fuming the whole way to the bar, street lamps crinkling as she walked past as her anger caused her powers to spike. She rushed up the stairs and knocked on the apartment door. Rose pulled open the door her suitcase by her feet and four tickets to the concert in her hand. She raised an eyebrow not seeing a suitcase. “Umm…what’s going on? Why don’t you have your bag?”, Rose asked. “My parents said no.”, Cora Lee said walking in and flopping on the sofa. “Wait what? Your dad? Crow said no to you? I’ve heard him say no to Landon but I’ve never heard that word said to you.”, Rose said in shock as she sat down next to her. “So what do we do? My mom said we could go if your dad said it was ok. I got Uncle John to get us four tickets so we could bring Landon. But now we can’t go.”, Rose said frowning.

“We still go. Dad’ll think I’m at the school where I’m supposed to be anyways.”, Cora Lee said sitting up. “But what do we tell my mom?”, Rose asked. “That my dad said yes.”, Cora Lee said. “Um you want to lie to my mom? I don’t see this going well.”, Rose said with a sigh. She hadn’t lied to her mom before, they had a rather open and honest parent-child relationship. “When she asks me what my dad said I’ll just say he said it was ok. You won’t be lying to her at all.”, Cora Lee explained. “Who won’t be lying to me?”, Aurelia asked walking in from the other side of the apartment with her luggage. She was dressed more professionally in a fitted charcoal pencil skirt, an emerald green blouse under a matching charcoal suit jacket. She raised an eyebrow looking from Rose to Cora Lee. “What’s going on girls?”, Aurelia asked setting her bag down and folding her arms across her chest. ‘Um… well it’s about the trip.”, Cora Lee said. “What did your parents say?”, Aurelia asked. “Umm..well..”, Cora Lee stammered finding it a bit harder to lie with her survival instructor burning a whole through her soul with her eyes. Cora Lee hung her head. “My dad said I can’t go.”, she said finally. “Then you both are going to stay at the institute while I go on my business trip.”, Aurelia said. “But Uncle John already bought the tickets..”, Rose said holding up the tickets. “Then he just wasted money. If Cora Lee’s parents said no then she can’t go. Now both of you downstairs and in the car. I’ll drop you off before I go to the airport.”, Aurelia instructed.

The girls headed down the stairs and into the car both with a defeated look on their faces. Aurelia couldn’t believe that they were going to try and lie to her. She wanted to yell at Rose about how they needed to have an open and honest relationship, but couldn’t do that. She didn’t want to start that argument because really she’d be a hypocrite. She had been keeping a secret from Rose her whole life and here she wanted to lecture her about being honest. Aurelia had been trying to find the right time and the right way to tell Rose that she may not actually be Logan’s daughter. With Rose’s powers having manifested it seemed less and less likely to Aurelia that Rose could be a Howlett. All of Logan’s children had his claws and all of them had the healing power. Rose didn’t have either of those. Sure her ears wouldn’t stay pierced, but even humans had that trouble where their cartilage just always wanted to grow back. Aurelia drove in silence to the school and dropped the girls off. “I’ll be back in four days. I’ve already sent a message to Duncan and David so they know that you both will be staying at the institute this weekend. Please be good. Hang out with the others, I’m sure Azriel or Colby would be happy to let you kids go swimming or surfing at their beach houses.”, Aurelia said giving suggestions for fun things they could do. She watched in the review as the girls slowly walked inside the institute.

Once Aurelia’s car was out of sight Cora Lee grabbed Rose by the arm. “Come on, follow me.”, Cora Lee instructed. “What are we doing?”, Rose asked as they started running across the school property. “We are going to Texas.”, Cora Lee said. “WHAT!? You heard my mom. She already told your dad and Professor Fearbirigh we would be at the school. And how are we even getting there?”, Rose asked. “I know all that. But one I’m not missing a Kamelot concert and two I want to find out what about Landon’s mother would make my dad tell me no.” Cora Lee said. “We’ll just sneak on your mom’s plane.”, she added as they continued to race down to the street. Cora Lee held up a hand and shouted. “TAXI!!!”, Cora Lee shouted. “You are going to risk both of us getting in trouble to see a band and to find out what they deal with Landon’s mom is? Jesus Christ you are so much like your bother it’s kind of scary right now.”, Rose said shaking her head as a cab pulled up. The girls both got into the back. “Airport, and fast.”, Cora Lee said pulling her saved up allowance from her pocket. The driver took them to the airport and happily collected his fair.

The piled out and Rose looked up at the airport; she was familiar with its layout having flown in and out of it thousands of times over her short life to visit family. “So what’s the plan then?”, Rose asked. “Simple you know the layout, so let’s get to the airstrip and we can just hide in the storage of the jet that your family uses.”, Cora Lee said. “Oh just that simple. What happens when you set off some alarm by accident with your powers?”, Rose questioned. “Plus we can’t just walk in we don’t have ids or anything to get through TSA.”, Rose added. Cora Lee’s brow furrowed as she thought. “I know, follow me. Do you know what landing strip the jet would be on?”, she asked. “Um usually it’s over in Hanger A which is over on the east side of the airport.”, Rose explained. “Then we go this way.”, Cora Lee said heading to the east along the fence. She stopped when she spotted Hanger A and more importantly there was the jet with Aurelia getting on board. “We need to hurry.”, Cora Lee said. “Well how do you expect us to get there? I’m not jumping this fence it has barb wire.”, Rose said pointing up. “We go through it duh…metal mutant.”, Cora Lee said shaking her head. She held out her hands and started to tear a hole in the metal fence. “This is such a bad idea girls”, Logan said shaking his head wishing he could actually stop them. “Duck through Rose.”, Cora Lee said. Rose sighed and went through followed by Cora Lee who quickly sealed the hole. “See like it never happened. Now let’s get on that jet.”, Cora Lee said as they started running across the airstrip. Cora Lee used her powers again to open the cargo hatch that otherwise was closed and once she and Rose were inside closed it behind them.

The flight from Bayville to Austin was not the most comfortable in the cargo hold. But they made it in one piece. When they heard the door open for Aurelia to exit Cora Lee opened the cargo door for them to get out. They quickly ran to the car that was waiting for Aurelia hiding in the back on the floor. “She’s going to know we are here.”, Rose whispered. “Shh.”, Cora Lee said. Logan just sat down in the back seat in the middle looking down at the girls shaking their heads. “My kid is right. Aurelia will smell you the second she gets in this car.”, he said shaking his head. Aurelia tossed her bag onto the passenger seat and got inside and started to drive off the air strip. It was as she was making the turn out of the airport that a small hit her. It was an odd combination. First she got the scent of Logan again, it kept happening to her that she’d just randomly smell him in the air, and then she caught wind through the air conditioning of something else familiar. She skidded to a stop and looked behind her into the back. “Rose Elizabeth Howlett! Cora Lee Bryant!”, she bellowed. The girls both slowly poked their heads up. “Um Hi mom.”, Rose said waving. “Hi Professor.”, Cora Lee said smiling. Aurelia however wasn’t smiling, she was glaring. “You two deliberately disobeyed me and Cora Lee’s parents. How the hell did you even get here? You know what I don’t know if I want to know. Get in the seats and buckle up. I’m calling the institute and the haven the second I get to the hotel.”, Aurelia said. The girls silently did as they were told the only sound during the drive was the subtle growling from Aurelia in her anger.

The silently followed her into the hotel and after being checked in up to the room. Aurelia continued to growl the whole time during check in and as they got to the room. “Sit.”, Aurelia said pointing to a sofa in the separate living area of her suite. The girls quickly sat on the sofa a little afraid of what would happen if they didn’t. “Before I start making phone calls. What the hell were you two thinking? Do you know how bad things could have been? There are a million variables to this and it could have ended with one of you hurt.”, Aurelia asked looking from Rose to Cora Lee waiting for an answer. “It’s my fault Professor. It was my idea.”, Cora Lee said. Aurelia raised an eyebrow looking at her. “I’m not exactly shocked that a Bryant would cause trouble. I am shocked that you didn’t try to stop her Rose.”, Aurelia said. “I did, it’s just well you’ve meet Cora Lee. She doesn’t do well with the word ‘no’.”, Rose said shrugging. “Is this concert really that big of a deal? I’m sure that Rose’s Uncle could have gotten tickets to a different show perhaps closer to home for this band.”, Aurelia questioned. “It’s not just about the show professor.”, Cora Lee explained.

“Then what is this about? Why did you and my daughter disobey your parents and take the huge risk of sneaking onto my plane? What is so important here in Austin that you had to come when you were told no?”, Aurelia asked folding her arms across her chest her eyes focusing on Cora Lee. “Landon.”, Cora Lee said. “Landon? What does your brother have to do with any of this?”, Aurelia asked. “Every summer he’s basically forced to come here to Austin for the whole month of June. He always seems so upset about having to come here.”, Cora Lee explained. “Why is he in Austin?”, Aurelia asked. “It’s his court ordered custody agreement with my dad’s ex-wife. So every June Landon has to come here to spend a month with her. He’s melancholy the whole month leading up to it and just as bad for a few weeks after getting back. I want to know what’s so bad here.”, Cora Lee explained. Aurelia sighed shaking her head. “So you and my daughter snuck onto my jet to come to Austin to find out why Landon doesn’t like spending a month with Candy Girl?”, Aurelia questioned. “That and to find out what about her would make my dad tell me I can’t do this. I don’t get it. My dad never tells me no. But this he acted like I could get hurt for going to see Landon. And I just want to know what happens there. He isn’t allowed to call or even write while here. It’s just weird and sounds cultish to me.”, Cora Lee explained. “Ever think your dad doesn’t want you near his ex-wife for a reason? Memory serves their marriage didn’t end very well. You two are staying here till I can get you back home. Now don’t move while I go call the school and the haven.”, Aurelia said heading into the bedroom to make her phone calls, closing the door behind her.

“While she’s making her phone calls I have one of my own to make.”, Cora Lee said digging her cell phone out of her pocket. “Who are you calling?”, Rose asked. “Landon has his cell for like emergencies. I want to see if he’ll answer it. I didn’t get all the way to Austin to not see my brother or at least know he’s alright.”, Cora Lee explained. Rose sighed. “Did you not hear what my mom said? Your dad has his reasons for not wanting you near Landon’s mother.”, Rose sighed. “What if something bad is really happening there? You see how much Landon hates coming here. What if they are mean to him? How would your conscience feel if something bad is happening and we never checked on him? We are here and what if later we find out they hit him or something? Could you deal with the guilt of not doing something to help him? He’s your friend right?”, Cora Lee said. Rose nodded. “I don’t want anything bad to happen to Landon. So fine call and just make sure he’s alright. Then we do what my mom says. Agreed?”, Rose said holding out a hand to shake on it. “I just want to know he’s alright. So agreed.”, Cora Lee said shaking on it. Cora Lee quickly dialed Landon’s emergency cell number and put it on speaker as they listened to it ring.

Across Austin Landon was sitting in his ‘bedroom’ looking through some online news articles on his tablet claiming it was for an extra credit summer assignment for history class. A small sounded started emitting loudly from his duffle bag. “What the hell…”, Landon said setting his tablet down looking around trying to figure out where the sound was coming from. Then he recognized the sound, it was the music from the movie Star Wars Imperial March theme. “Cora Lee?”, Landon questioned knowing he’d set that ringtone for his little sister. He hurried to his bag hoping to find the phone before his mother or step-father heard it. As he pulled the phone out the ringtone had already been heard through the house he could hear footsteps coming down the hall. He quickly picked up to stop it from ringing. “Cora Lee what are you doing?”, Landon whispered. “LANDON! Are you okay?”, Cora Lee asked. “I’m fine. Why are you calling me? You know I’m at my mother’s…”, Landon said still whispering. “Who are you talking to in there?”, Mark’s voice boomed from outside the door. “I wanted to make sure you are alright. It doesn’t make any sense why we can’t talk to you when you are there.”, Cora Lee explained.

“Who’s that in the background?”, Rose asked. “Rose? Cora Lee you got Rose involved in this? Why are you two calling me? I come here every summer.”, Landon whispered. “I’m just talking to myself Mark.”, Landon said louder to get his step-father to go away. “What was that music then before you started talking to ‘yourself’?”, Mark asked starting to turn the doorknob. Landon hurried to press himself against the door. “Open this door now boy!”, Mark bellowed. “I can’t I’m having a private moment, go away.”, Landon said trying to use all his weight to hold the door. “I’ve got to go guys. Please don’t worry about me and don’t call again. I’ll be back in Bayville in two weeks.”, Landon whispered. “I know you are talking to someone. You know the rules you don’t get to talk to those freaks in Bayville while under my roof.”, Mark shouted as he broke the door. Mark grabbed Landon by the arm and pulled him up. “Hand over the phone now.”, Mark demanded. “It’s my phone and I don’t have to. It’s your stupid ass rule that says I can’t call home not the court. So why don’t you just go fuck yourself.”, Landon said trying to keep the phone from Mark. Mark however managed to grab the phone from him and slammed it to the ground before stepping on it and breaking it. Cora Lee and Rose were still on the line and had heard it all. “We need to go and now.”, Cora Lee said jumping to her feet. “What about my mom?”, Rose asked looking to the doors. “Leave her a note, but I’m not waiting a second more. My brother’s in trouble you heard it.”, Cora Lee said running for the door. Rose nodded and quickly scribbled a note saying ‘Landon in trouble. Be back soon’ before racing out after Cora Lee.

In the bedroom Aurelia was busying on the phone talking to Duncan. “Yeah I know. I’m equally upset with them perhaps more. I’ll bring them back with me. Don’t worry I’m calling David next. We can discuss punishments when I get back. See you then, bye.”, Aurelia said before letting Duncan go to call David. She dialed the Haven number. “Hey David.”, Aurelia said. “Um hello Aurelia. What can I do for you?.”, David questioned. “Your daughter and mine have decided to do something very stupid and very bad.”, Aurelia explained. “Describe very stupid and very bad.”, David asked folding his arms. “After I dropped them off at the school they managed to go to the airport, break into the airport, then onto my jet.”, Aurelia said. “They did what? So where is Cora Lee now?”, David asked. “She’s here with me. They are both in the hotel with me. Don’t worry I’m not letting them anywhere near your ex-wife. I plan on putting them in lock down in the hotel till I can get them back home.”, Aurelia explained. David groaned and sat down on the couch. “At least she’s safe. I don’t want her near Gina. It won’t end well.”, David said sighing. “I’ll keep her here at the hotel, don’t worry.”, Aurelia said. “Alright did you call the school?”, David asked. “Yup already called Duncan and the girls are going to be in his version of detention for this stunt for a few weeks.”, Aurelia explained. “Good and I’ll have to discuss with Aislinn what kind of punishment Cora Lee should get for this. Thanks for the call.”, David said before hanging up.

“AISLINN! We have a problem!”, David yelled. Aislinn came upstairs from the basement with baby Charles in her arms drinking his bottle. “What’s going on?”, Aislinn asked. “Our daughter decided to sneak her way onto Aurelia’s jet and is in Austin right now.”, David explained. “She did what? What are we going to do then?”, Aislinn asked shifting Charles to burp him. “Aurelia has her and Rose in lock down at the hotel and says she’ll keep Cora Lee from Gina’s house. I don’t know how well that’s going to work. I just, I’ve never had to punish Cora Lee before. Landon sure I’ve grounded him once or twice. But I’ve never had to give out a punishment to my little girl..”, David said shaking his head. “You need to stop thinking of her as that if you are going to be able to punish her. This is a serious thing David. Lord knows how Gina will react if Cora Lee shows up there to see Landon.”, Aislinn said setting a hand on David’s shoulder. “I know. That’s what I’m worried about. Landon said his mother doesn’t use her powers anymore, but so help me god if she turns Cora Lee into a piece of candy….”, David said. “Aurelia is there she’ll keep the girls safe.”, Aislinn said. “Just have some faith. I better head back downstairs to help Solangel with the other little ones.”, Aislinn said. David nodded. “Yeah. You go back to work. I’m going to figure out how to punish Cora Lee when she gets home.”, David said.

Back in Austin Cora Lee and Rose managed to grab a taxi to take them to the address Cora Lee had written down as Landon’s mother’s. Aurelia having finished her calls stepped back out into the living area and started to growl seeing the girls were gone. “Where the…”, Aurelia growled as she noticed the note. “Landon’s in trouble? Jesus Christ which means they are in trouble…”, Aurelia said rushing out of the room pulling her phone out to call David back. “Where does Gina live?”, Aurelia asked without greeting. “Um why? You’re supposed to keep my daughter away from there.”, David asked. “The girls took off while I was on the phone. Rose left a note simply saying Landon’s in trouble. Does Cora Lee know Gina’s address?”, Aurelia asked. “She probably found it on some papers I have here for our custody paperwork. She lives at 1568 Elm Creek Dr.”, David said. “I need to find a way down there if Landon’s in trouble.”, David said starting to think how he could get there. “I’ve got this David, trust me. I’ll call you back when I have the kids.” Aurelia said plugging the address into her gps before hanging up. “I can’t just sit here….but how the hell am I going to get down here…”, David said pacing in his living room. He quickly grabbed his phone and called Isis. “Isis, hey this is going to be weird. But is Kurt there?”, David asked. “You want to talk to Kurt? Um alright. Is everything okay?”, Isis asked before walking the short distance from her office at the school to Kurt’s. “It will be okay I just need your husband’s help.”, David explained. “Kurt, David’s on the phone and he wants to talk to you. It sounds urgent.”, Isis said handing the phone to Kurt.

Back at Gina’s house Landon and Mark were having it out. “You smashed my phone you dickhead.”, Landon shouted driving his shoulder into mark’s gut and pushing him out of his bedroom. Gina came rushing in to try and break it up. “Both of you stop please!”, she begged. “We told you that you don’t get to use your phone here. I don’t want you associating with those things back in Bayville when you are here.”, Mark shouted shoved Landon away from him. “They are people you narrow minded twatwaffle! And the person who called me was my sister for all I know there was an emergency.”, Landon yelled. “Both of you enough. Landon you know the rule about phone calls. I think you both need to have a bit of space. Landon go back to your room and stay there. Mark come on a game is on and I’ve made you some snacks and have a cold beer waiting.”, Gina said trying to defuse the situation. Mark grumbled and headed to the living room. “If he touches me one more time or any of the things I own I’m finding a phone and I’m calling dad. Dad will come get me the hell out of here and never make me come back.”, Landon warned before slamming his ‘bedroom’ door. Gina sighed and headed back to the kitchen to finish getting some cookies ready that she’d been making to try and cheer Landon up.

Landon picked up his broken phone and frowned putting it back into his bag. He punched the window jam in anger. “I hate this place…”, he grumbled. “Then let’s leave..”, Cora Lee said pushing the aluminum cased window up from the outside as she climbed inside. “Cora Lee? What the fuck are you doing here?”, Landon said stumbling back. “Saving you..”, Rose said pulling herself through the window next. Landon sighed shaking his head trying to push them back to the window. “You both need to get out of here now. I can deal with my mother and Mark.”, Landon insisted. But as he tried to usher them out of Rose noticed the forming bruise of a hand print on Landon’s upper arm. “He hurt you didn’t he?”, Rose said her nails growing longer. “Chill out Rose..”, Landon said noticing the claws forming. “He pulled my arm trying to get the phone from me because you two called me. Mark doesn’t like mutants.”, Landon explained. “He married one…”, Cora Lee said confused. “I know that, but since getting with Mark she doesn’t use her powers or really do anything that she used to. But you two need to leave before this gets worse.”, Landon insisted still trying to get them out of the window. Gina however walked in holding a tray of cookies. “Landon sweetheart please let’s just talk…AHHHH”, Gina said before screaming seeing two unknown girls in her house, dropping the tray. She screamed even louder when she saw the red haired girl had claws.

Hearing her screams Mark grabbed his shotgun and raced back pointing the gun at the two girls. “Get the hell out of my house you freaks.”, he said making his assessment based on Cora Lee’s hair and the other girl having claws. “Freaks? The politically correct term is Homosuperior turd for brain.”, Cora Lee said. Landon turned and held his arms out to place himself between his step father and his little sister and friend. “Back off Mark! Stop pointing that gun at my little sister or ELSE!”, Landon said firmly. “Or else what you little freak?”, Mark said cocking the gun ready to fire. Cora Lee started to laugh. “Seriously dude? You are pointing a gun at the daughter of The Crow? That gun is metal you idiot.”, Cora Lee said shaking her head. “The what?”, Mark retorted. Gina reached for Mark’s arm. “That’s my ex-husband’s codename and he is a metal bender…”, Gina explained. “Oh look she remembers. Well guess who takes after dad? Oh that’s right me..”, Cora Lee said and pointed at the gun and then up to the ceiling bending the barrel to point up. “Get the picture now?”, Cora Lee said. Mark threw the gun across the room at them. “So this is your sister? The offspring of that whore that stole your father from me?”, Gina asked glaring at Cora Lee. “How dare you come to my house and threaten my husband.”, Gina added.

“Excuse me?”, Cora Lee said. Landon moved to keep his sister back. “What did you just call my mom?”, Landon asked. “She’s not your mom I am.”, Gina retorted. “You gave birth to me that’s it. She raised me and has loved me for who I am without a second thought. That’s why she’s my mom and you are just some bitch I’m forced to see one month a year. And I don’t know what you think happened but let me clear something up for you. My dad never cheated on you. NEVER! It wasn’t till after your divorce that him and mom got together. So don’t you ever I mean EVER say something like that about my mom again.”, Landon said glaring at Gina. “Don’t talk to your mother like that.”, Mark interrupted. “Face it your dad was a cheating piece of shit and that freak there is probably the product of that cheating.”, Mark said pointing at Cora Lee. “That’s it!”, Landon shouted taking a fighting stance rather than just trying to block Rose and Cora Lee. Rose’s claws were fully formed from her finger nails and her sets of fangs were out and being barred. Cora Lee shifted her weight and held out her hands her metal bracelets flying off and hovering above her hands ready. “I don’t want to hear another word out of your mouth you narrow minded PIG!!!!”, Landon yelled putting extra emphasis on the word ‘pig’.

With the shout of that final word Gina jumped back as Mark turned into a brown pot belly pig. Cora Lee started to laugh, however Rose’s fangs and claws withdrew as she was just shocked at what had happened. “Landon…”, Rose said she could see Landon was visibly shaking in rage. “What did you do to him?!”, Gina shouted. “I made him exactly what he is.”, Landon said his breathing short as he had used more energy than he’d ever had before. “Change him back, you change him back now!”, Gina demanded. “I’m not going to change him back but here…”, he said pointing to the Mark pig. “Sucker.”, he said firmly as the pig changed into a brown colored sucker. “Now he’s a shit lollypop. A piece of candy. You change him back Candy Girl. I’m leaving with my sister and our friend. And I am calling dad and I am NEVER coming back here again.”, Landon declared. Gina bent down picking up the lollypop that was once her husband and began to cry. “Let’s get out of her now..”, Landon said grabbing his bag and quickly shoving everything back inside. Rose jumped out of the window followed by Cora Lee and then lastly Landon.

Back in Bayville David was trying to find a way to Austin. “Um Hi David. What can I help you with?”, Kurt asked a little confused since David never called to talk to him. “I need a teleport to Austin, Texas. Cora Lee and Rose went there to try and find Landon and left a note for Aurelia saying Landon is in trouble. I don’t want to think about what my ex-wife is going to do to my kids.”, David explained. “Um alright. I’ll be right over to take you.”, Kurt said hanging up. “What’s going on?”, Isis asked. “Landon’s in trouble and both Cora Lee and Rose went to rescue him from his mother Candy Girl… so I’ll be back soon I’m going to take David there.”, Kurt explained. A worried look covered Isis’ face. She didn’t really want to think about what Candy Girl would or would not do to three kids one being her own. “Alright, just be careful.”, Isis said giving Kurt a quick kiss goodbye before he teleported to the Haven to get David.

The three kids were making their way up the street when Landon collapsed to the ground. Cora Lee and Rose both stopped quickly and raced back to him. “Landon!”, they called kneeling down next to him starting to help him up. “Are you alright?”, Rose asked. Landon blinked a few times and nodded. “Yeah… I’ve just never used that much power before.”, he said trying to get back to his feet. “Whoa, let’s just sit for a minute.”, Rose said helping him to sit on the curb. “That was pretty scary back there. You’ve never transformed a whole person before.”, Rose said concerned. “That was pretty damn epic! Wait till Aunt Solangel hears about this. She’s going to be uber proud of you Landon.”, Cora Lee said sitting on the other side of her brother. Landon nodded putting his hands on his head to see if he could get the world from stop spinning and fading in and out. “Epic. Yeah. I turned my step-father into a pot belly pig then a shit lollypop.”, Landon recapped. “Yea and it was epic. You did it to defend us and to defend mom’s honor.”, Cora Lee said giving him a side hug. “Epic or not it was scary. You’ve never shown that kind of power before. And now you’re weakened.”, Rose said frowning. “I just need a minute and maybe something to eat. I might have something in my bag still..”, Landon said. Rose quickly rummaged through the bag, pausing with a smile seeing the picture of all of them from last summer. Under that frame she found a tin with some goodies Aislinn packed him.

“Here have a piece of soda bread.”, Rose said take a slice out and handing it to him. “I see you packed this too..”, Rose said holding up the framed picture. Landon nodded taking the piece of bread and quickly eating it. “Yeah. I’ve got that and the picture from the Haven’s 4th of July last year. Need something to remind me that outside of this hell there are people I care about and want to be around.”, Landon explained. Rose smiled and put the picture back. “That’s why we came. We get worried about you when you are here. And back there justified our fears.”, Rose said. “Why didn’t you ever tell any of us about your step-dad and what he’s like?”, Rose questioned. “Aitf knows, but not because I told him. Seer and all. He knew something like today would happen, just never saw you two in the vision.”, Landon explained. “Well just rest for a moment and then we can see about finding our way to the hotel.”, Rose said putting an arm around Landon’s shoulders.

As they sat there on the roadside a car went speeding by then suddenly skidded to a stop and was thrown in reverse. When the window rolled down a familiar face was looking angry yet worried at the same time. “What the hell were you thinking!”, Aurelia shouted getting out of the car. She stopped seeing Landon slumped between the girls. Aurelia knelt down in front of Landon to look at him. “Are you alright Landon?”, she asked. “Mom I’m so sorry. But it was an emergency..”, Rose started to apologize. Landon looked up from his focal point of his sneakers to the eyes of his survival teacher. “It’s my fault Professor. I shouldn’t have answered the phone when Cora Lee called it.”, Landon explained. “What happened? I want exacts?”, Aurelia asked. “I’m not supposed to use the phone or contact anyone back home when I’m here. But I heard Cora Lee’s ring tone and I just needed to stop the ringing before my step-father heard it. And well I answered because well I guess I wanted to hear my sister’s voice. Mark wouldn’t have gotten mad and they wouldn’t have snuck here to see me if I had just ignored the call and let it go to voicemail.”, Landon said shaking his head. “This is not your fault Landon. They shouldn’t expect you to just isolate yourself from your friends and family and there not be an issue. Now tell me what happened beyond that?”, Aurelia said.

“We got there and well shit got bad.”, Cora Lee said. “Mark hurt him mom.”, Rose said pointing to the bruise on his upper arm that was just peeking out from under the sleeve of his black t-shirt. Aurelia carefully moved the sleeve to get a good look her eyes narrowed and she started to growl. “He hurt you….”, Aurelia said starting to get up. “Professor, stop. I’ve already dealt with him.”, Landon said reaching for her. Aurelia stopped and looked at him. “What do you mean dealt with him?”, Aurelia asked. “Well first he pointed his shot gun and Cora Lee and Rose.”, Landon explained. “But I took care of the weapon easy.”, Cora Lee added. “And well then Gina freaked out about Cora Lee being there and had some inappropriate comments about our mom. And when I told her off Mark stepped in and well he just pissed me off. So I umm…” Landon said his voice trailing off. “You did what?”, Aurelia asked. “Turned him into a pot belly pig.”, Landon said. Aurelia sighed. “I’m glad you have developed your powers further but not sure using them on your step-father was the best idea. I doubt he was pleased when he was changed back. You did change him back didn’t you?”, Aurelia said. Landon looked back down at his feet. “I changed him just not back..”, Landon said. “What did you change him to Landon?”, Aurelia asked. “A shit lollypop and told Gina she could change him back since candy is her realm of mutation.”, Landon admitted. Aurelia covered her mouth to not laugh at the idea of his step-father becoming a shit lollypop. “That was not the right thing to do you know.”, Aurelia said finally. “I know, but it sure felt good. I need to call my dad before he freaks out.”, Landon said.

Aurelia handed him her cell phone. “Here give him a call.”, she said. Landon quickly dialed his dad. “Aurelia where are the kids. Kurt is going to teleport me he just needs more details about where we need to go.”, David greeted. “Dad’s it’s me.”, Landon said. “Landon? Thank god. Are you alright? Is Cora Lee alright?”, David asked. “I’m alright dad and yes Cora Lee is right next to me and she’s fine. I can’t go back to Gina’s.”, Landon said. “Landon I’ve told you…”, David started. “Dad she crossed the line. She and Mark threatened Cora Lee said inappropriate accusations about you and mom and well Mark left a bruise on my arm. I’m not going back and I’m never calling her anything but Gina again.”, Landon interrupted. “He hurt you? I’ll fucking kill him. Someone find me Solangel! I have a new resident for a snow globe!”, David shouted hoping to get Solangel’s attention. “Dad it’s alright. Cora Lee took care of his gun and I took care of him.”, Landon explained. “Gun? That asshole dared to point a gun at my children?? And what do you mean you took care of him?”, David questioned. “Well I kind of shocked us all but um, I turned him into a pot belly big and when Gina told me to turn him back I made him into a shit lollypop and told her to change him her damn self since she was the Candy Girl.”, Landon explained. David just started laughing. “Dad?”, Landon questioned. “You know what I’m not even mad anymore. That is just too priceless. You and Cora Lee better listen to Aurelia from this point forward. Tell your sister no more disappearing and I’ll see you both when you get back.”, David said. “I’ll tell her dad. Thank you.”, Landon said. “Get a picture of your bruise and I’ll make sure that you never have to back there again. I love you Landon.”, David said. “I love you too dad. Bye.”, Landon said hanging up.

Description
It’d been a couple years since the school had reopened. The dormitories were starting to fill up slowly. For moment the boys’ wing had several residents which were Landon, Atif, Gabriel, Taylor, Carter, James, and Owen. The girls’ wing had an equal amount with Lily, Ashley, Rose, Cora Lee, Hope, Bianca, and Lauren. But as years go on the possibility for growth was there since many of the new generation still hadn’t shown signs for their powers yet. Others born with a physical mutation such as Stephan, Evan, and Hiro were just too young to live in the dormitory yet. Duncan was also working with Jean to start seeking out new students from around the globe who had a mutant power and nowhere to turn. The issue they were running into was that with the documented attack over a decade ago caused many to shy away from enrolling.

It had been an adjustment for the kids, perhaps more for those that didn’t live at the Haven to switch to dorm life. Lily was already adjusted to such life, but was glad that this time she had Ashley and not her twin Josalyn as a roommate. For Landon and Cora Lee it wasn’t a huge change since in the Haven there were always a lot of people around. Ashley and Atif seemed to be adjusting well but Rose was having the more difficult adjustment. She had gone from being the only child with just her mom in a three bedroom apartment to now sharing a bedroom, even if it was with her best friend, in a huge school. But with the school years coming to an end Rose had the summer of spending time with her older siblings in her future. This will be the first year she didn’t spend her whole summer abroad. With her mutation manifesting her mom decided she should spend some of the summer in Bayville with the others training. So this summer she was going to spend August with Amiko and otherwise be in Bayville.

The end of the school year was mostly just bitter for Landon. He was going to spend June in Texas with his mother and step-father having to hide his power. Today was the last day of school for the year so upon arriving back at the institute Landon had to immediately start to pack. Atif slumped onto his bed and watched as Landon angrily packed his clothes. “Dude it’s for a month. You’ve done it every year before this. Just make it through it and you’ll be back here in no time training with the rest of us.”, Atif encouraged. Landon sighed zipping the book bag. “It just sucks. You are the only one that really knows what I go through when I’m at my mother’s. I don’t tell Cora Lee because she’ll tell dad and I kind of avoid giving direct information when talking to Lily, Rose, or Ashley. It’s just gotten worse since my mutation developed.”, Landon grumbled. Atif go up and placed a hand on Landon’s shoulder. “I know man. Seriously I do. I’ve seen what your step-dad is like and how he’s changed your mother. Having my powers isn’t always fun. I tend to see some pretty crappy things happen to people who are important to me.”, Atif said before taking his hand off Landon’s shoulder.

Atif sat back down rubbing his temples Landon raised an eyebrow knowing the look. “What? What did you see Atif?”, Landon asked. Atif shook his head. “Nothing. Just a headache.”, Atif lied. He kept hoping that his vision of the purple light and Landon falling dead on the ground, but it kept reappearing. “Atif I’ve known you for your whole life, so don’t try lying to me. What did you see?”, Landon repeated. Atif sighed. “Alright it’s the same vision I’ve had for months. I keep hoping that it will change but it never does.”, Atif explained. Landon sat down next to Atif. “What’s the vision?”, Landon asked. “There’s this blast of purple light and then you fall to the ground dead. And every time we find something more about this mystery I get this vision. I think that the vision is linked to whatever this mystery is.”, Atif admitted. “So you see a purple light and then me dead. Whatever this mystery is it’s gotta be good then. Cause serious what would be worth killing to hide?”, Landon said with a smiled.

Atif sighed shaking his head. “Ashley said you’d react like this. I tell you that I’ve seen you die because of this mystery and you see that as an incentive to keep looking.”, Atif groaned throwing his hands in the air. “So Ashley has known about this vision too?”, Landon asked. “Yes I had to tell someone when I first saw it and well she’s my twin. You think I’m a bad liar and you’re my best friend. Imagine trying to lie to my own twin, IMPOSSIBLE!”, Atif explained. Landon laughed and patted Atif on the back. “Hey I’m a Bryant alright. We don’t get phased by consequences. I want to know what this mystery is. It’s something big, it caused my dad to stop talking to his cousin and it has something to do with your dad’s death. Isn’t your curiosity peaked?”, Landon said. “Of course I’m curious as to how my dad’s death could have something to do with your dad not talking to Lily’s mom and Warren being called for indictment charges. But not at the expense of anyone’s life.”, Atif argued. “I’m not going to die. Have faith in me.”, Landon said. “I do have faith in you, but I also have faith in my powers.”, Atif said with a sigh.

As Landon was about to counter there was a knock on their door. “Come in.”, Landon said. In walked David and Aislinn, Morpheus swooping in to land on Atif’s head. “At-if!”, the raven kawwed. “Since I could stand you always land on my head, why bird?”, Atif asked looking up through his red locks of hair. “Morpheus leave Atif alone.”, Aislinn said. Morpheus flew off Atif’s head and landed on Aislinn’s shoulder instead. “Hey mom. Hi dad. Is it time to leave for the airport?”, Landon asked picking up his bag. “Yup. Come on kiddo don’t want to be late for your flight.”, David said. “Can’t I just stay…”, Landon asked. David shook his head. “You know you can’t. I wouldn’t let you leave if I had a choice but its court ordered and I can’t change it. A month will fly by then you’ll be back before you know it. Tell your friends goodbye. We’ll be downstairs waiting.”, David said taking the bag from Landon before walking back to the entrance with Aislinn.

“Well guess I’ll see you in a month. No crazy parties without me.”, Landon said waving goodbye to Atif. “I make no promises! Just behave around Mark and get back here in one piece!”, Atif yelled after Landon as he walked down the hall. Landon made his way across the building to the girls’ wing to say goodbye to the others. He stopped and knocked on Lily and Ashley’s room. “Hey guys. So my parents are here time to head to Texas. Keep your eyes and ears open while I’m gone in regards to this mystery. I won’t be able to keep in touch while I’m there so just stock pile intel to review when I get back. And have a happy birthday Lily.”, he said. Lily and Ashley each gave him a hug. “Have fun without us and don’t worry we’ll keep up the hunt for clues.”, they said. ‘Yeah fun without my friends’ Landon thought as he left that room and knocked on his sister’s room. Rose opened the door. “Hey Landon.”, she greeted. Cora Lee put down her bass to lean from her bead to smile at her brother. “Time for me to go. So I’ll see you both in July. Have a good birthday Rose.”, Landon said. Cora Lee hurried over and gave him a hug. “It’s just a month bro, you’ll be back soon.”, she said. “Thanks Landon. We’ll see you soon.”, Rose said giving him a side hug. With his goodbyes said Landon sighed and walked away to head to the airport.

“He looked super bummed about leaving. He never looks happy to leave but is it just me or does it seem worse this time?”, Cora Lee asked picking her bass up again. Rose nodded sitting down on her bed picking up her stuffed wolverine giving it a hug. She remembered how he talked about not wanting to deal with his step-dad now that he had powers. “It sucks that he can’t call or write while there. Just seemed kind of mean to pull him away from friends and family for a whole month and not let him have contact.”, Rose said. “Indeed. I mean you go away all the time during the summer but we can still call and email or even skype.”, Cora Lee said. “Too bad we can’t just go there and see him.”, Rose said. “Like a surprise? I’ve always kind of wondered what it’s like there. And what Gina’s really like.”, Cora Lee said perking up. “Maybe we could ask our parents if we could go visit him sometime this month.”, Cora Lee suggested. “We’d have to have an adult with us. But I think my mom has some business thing this month in Austin which is where Landon’s going anyways…”, Rose said. “So if we can convince your mom to let us go with her then maybe I could get my dad to agree to it.”, Cora Lee said grinning.

When Landon arrived in Austin his mother was at the airport alone to greet him. She smiled at him, her once dyed purple hair its natural brown since Mark didn’t like anything ‘different’. “Hey there Landon. I’ve got your birthday present, dinner and cake all ready back at the house.”, she greeted giving him a hug. “Great. Where’s Mark?”, he asked. Not that Mark ever really showed up to get him at the airport. “Oh you know your father he doesn’t like driving all the way out here to the airport. He’s looking forward to your visit though.”, Gina said lying. “He’s my step-father. My dad is back in Bayville. So please stop trying to get me to call Mark anything other than Mark. And you shouldn’t lie to your children we both know he’s not looking forward to my visit because I’m a mutant.”, Landon said walking past her to get his bag at the pickup area. Gina sighed and followed him.

“You just like to make things complicated for me, just like your dad. At least your power is similar to mine.”, Gina grumbled. “Oh are we admitting you have a power now? Can we say the word power or mutation only because Mark can’t hear us? Seriously I don’t get how you go from being married to my dad to that oatmeal bland mutant hater. He has made you change who you are. You had to stop dying your hair purple, he had you laser remove any of your easily visible tattoos and forbids you from using your power. Whoever I marry later in life will have to be okay with me being a mutant and enjoy tattoos because when I get home I’m getting one.”, Landon argued on the way to the car. He choose to not mention he already had a tattoo from when he turned thirteen on between his shoulders. “I love Mark. And I’m a better person when I’m with him. And you are not getting a tattoo, I’ll put a stop to that, you are way too young.”, Gina argued. “I’m done having this conversation with a child you wouldn’t understand.”, Gina said and they drove on in silence.

Upon arriving at the house Landon walked inside with bag in hand to be greeted by a grunt from Mark. “Oh you’re here...”, Mark grumbled as he walked into the living room. Landon sighed shaking his head. “Yup nice to see you too mark.”, Landon greeted heading to the back half of the ranch style house to his bedroom. The room was void of any real personality. Landon never saw a reason to make the room his own since he didn’t really live there. And it wasn’t much of a bedroom beyond there being a closet. The other eleven months of the year it was just a storage room with a futon in it. Landon tosses his bag onto the unfolded futon that Gina had put some bedding on to make it his bed from the month. He sighed as he reached into his bag pulling out a couple picture frames to set on the edge of the desk that was near the unfolded futon. One was a picture of the Haven members all out on the back deck last 4th of July. Landon smiled as he carefully placed it down; the picture had everyone he called ‘family’. His dad, his mom, Demitri, Jean, Nathan, Cora Lee, Solangel, and even Jacob were in the picture. The other picture was over at Ashley and Atif’s beach house at the end of the summer last year when Rose was back from her world travels visiting her older siblings. It was just a shot of Cora Lee, Rose, him, Ashley, Lily, and Atif sitting in a semi circle around a bonfire roasting marshmallows to make smores, but it was a great memory.

“Landon come eat your dinner and then you can have cake and your present.”, Gina said appearing in the doorway. Her eyes looked to the pictures and she frowned. “What is your problem now? I put out picture of my friends and family back home and you have to have that look on your face?”, Landon asked standing up. “I don’t like there being anything of your dad in my house or that woman he married and the child they had.”, Gina said crinkling her nose. Landon stood up and just glared at his mom, his blue eyes standing perfectly equal to her brown. “If a picture of my dad offends you then you might not want me to stick around because I’m a fourteen year old replica. And that ‘woman’ is my mom and that ‘child’ is my little sister. So don’t you dare speak another word against them.”, Landon said glaring at his mother. Gina looked down and turned to leave the room. “Your dinner is getting cold.”, was all she said before walking away. Landon sighed and followed and at his plate of dry meatloaf and mashed potatoes then his vanilla cake in silence. He hated vanilla cake but it’s what Mark liked so it’s what Gina made every year despite it being his birthday not Mark’s.

“Here’s your gift.”, Gina said handing him a small box wrapped in blue. Landon sighed and started to open it thinking what could fit into something this small. When he took the top of the box off he found a guitar pick. It was a nice pick, it was a dark blue with 6-6-6 etched in gold. He forced a smile and looked up at her. “You said you were starting a band, so I figured getting you a good guitar pick would be a nice gift and I had your birthday put on it.”, Gina said smiling. “Thanks. It’s a very nice pick.”, he said putting the box into his pocket. “But?”, Mark barked speaking for the first time all evening. “I’m the drummer in the band. My sister plays bass and our friend plays guitar. I know how to play guitar though, Uncle Mikali’s taught me.”, Landon said. “So you don’t like it? Ungrateful little..”, Mark said raising a hand toward Landon. “I didn’t say I didn’t like it, I’m just say my role in the band is drummer. Oh please try. Try to hit me and see what happens Mark.”, Landon said standing up.

“What do you think a little kid like you is going to do to me?”, Mark said standing up. Sure there was a size difference but Landon wasn’t backing down. “I’m a kid that has been trained over the last two years in how to fight. I’m also the kid who could with enough concentration alter what you are into something a bit more fitting.”, Landon said tapping on Mark’s chest. “So please try and hit me. Because then I can justify everything that I’d loved to do right now as self defense and then ensure I NEVER have to come here again.”, Landon said glaring. Gina rushed over and separated them. “Stop. Just both of you stop. Landon you know the rules you aren’t allowed to use your mutant powers in our house. And Mark you can’t hit him. He’s my son and this is the only time I get him. You hit him and David will take me back to court and use it as a reason for me to never see my son. Don’t let him take my son from me.”, Gina pleaded. “Fine.”, Mark grumbled. “Whatever. I’m going to just go spend my month imprisonment in my ‘room’.”, Landon said walking away and slamming his bedroom door.

Over the next couple weeks life didn’t get any easier for Landon staying at his mother and step-father’s house. Back in Bayville Cora Lee had been begging her dad to let her go to Austin with Rose and Aurelia when Aurelia goes on her business trip. “Please daddy..”, Cora Lee begged following her dad out the front door of the Haven. David sighed and turned to look at Cora Lee. She was putting on her best sad puppy face. “No Cora Lee. That’s my final answer.”, David said. “But.. but daddy. Why?”, Cora Lee asked. “Because I know exactly what’s in Austin and why you want to go so bad.”, David replied. “There’s a concert that Rose and I want to go to that’s all daddy.”, Cora Lee said giving a half truth. “There may be a concert but I know Landon’s in Austin and you think you are going to get to see him. I can’t let you do that.”, David explained. “Why can’t I see my brother while we are there for a concert?”, Cora Lee asked innocently. “Two reasons. Reason one is Landon’s biological mother and reason two is her husband. I get him for eleven months out of the year till he’s at least sixteen and then the agreement can be re-evaluated. But that one month he’s Gina’s and even I don’t get to call him. I won’t put you at risk by showing up there.”, David said shaking his head. Aislinn stepped outside to the porch hearing the raised voices. “But why? What’s so wrong with me wanting to see my brother? What are you afraid will happen?”, Cora Lee asked. “Cora Lee please drop this. Your father has his reasons and they are valid reasons he doesn’t need to explain. You are not going to visit Landon at Gina’s house. It’s a bad idea.”, Aislinn answered. Cora Lee spun on her heels to look at her mom. “But Landon is always so sad when he goes there…”, Cora Lee argued. “I know sweetie, but we can’t do anything right now. Please understand.”, Aislinn said trying to smooth this over. “FINE! I’m going to Rose’s….”, Cora lee said before storming off.

“Do you think we should have just explained that Gina is a firm believer that you committed adultery with me before your divorce and therefore would be really unhappy to see our daughter on her doorstep?”, Aislinn asked walking down to hold David’s arm. David sighed. “I don’t want to paint a picture of Gina being a villain. I may not love her or even really like her anymore. But I can’t change that she’s Landon’s biological mother and has the right to see him in a setting that doesn’t make her uncomfortable.”, David said sighing. Cora Lee was fuming the whole way to the bar, street lamps crinkling as she walked past as her anger caused her powers to spike. She rushed up the stairs and knocked on the apartment door. Rose pulled open the door her suitcase by her feet and four tickets to the concert in her hand. She raised an eyebrow not seeing a suitcase. “Umm…what’s going on? Why don’t you have your bag?”, Rose asked. “My parents said no.”, Cora Lee said walking in and flopping on the sofa. “Wait what? Your dad? Crow said no to you? I’ve heard him say no to Landon but I’ve never heard that word said to you.”, Rose said in shock as she sat down next to her. “So what do we do? My mom said we could go if your dad said it was ok. I got Uncle John to get us four tickets so we could bring Landon. But now we can’t go.”, Rose said frowning.

“We still go. Dad’ll think I’m at the school where I’m supposed to be anyways.”, Cora Lee said sitting up. “But what do we tell my mom?”, Rose asked. “That my dad said yes.”, Cora Lee said. “Um you want to lie to my mom? I don’t see this going well.”, Rose said with a sigh. She hadn’t lied to her mom before, they had a rather open and honest parent-child relationship. “When she asks me what my dad said I’ll just say he said it was ok. You won’t be lying to her at all.”, Cora Lee explained. “Who won’t be lying to me?”, Aurelia asked walking in from the other side of the apartment with her luggage. She was dressed more professionally in a fitted charcoal pencil skirt, an emerald green blouse under a matching charcoal suit jacket. She raised an eyebrow looking from Rose to Cora Lee. “What’s going on girls?”, Aurelia asked setting her bag down and folding her arms across her chest. ‘Um… well it’s about the trip.”, Cora Lee said. “What did your parents say?”, Aurelia asked. “Umm..well..”, Cora Lee stammered finding it a bit harder to lie with her survival instructor burning a whole through her soul with her eyes. Cora Lee hung her head. “My dad said I can’t go.”, she said finally. “Then you both are going to stay at the institute while I go on my business trip.”, Aurelia said. “But Uncle John already bought the tickets..”, Rose said holding up the tickets. “Then he just wasted money. If Cora Lee’s parents said no then she can’t go. Now both of you downstairs and in the car. I’ll drop you off before I go to the airport.”, Aurelia instructed.

The girls headed down the stairs and into the car both with a defeated look on their faces. Aurelia couldn’t believe that they were going to try and lie to her. She wanted to yell at Rose about how they needed to have an open and honest relationship, but couldn’t do that. She didn’t want to start that argument because really she’d be a hypocrite. She had been keeping a secret from Rose her whole life and here she wanted to lecture her about being honest. Aurelia had been trying to find the right time and the right way to tell Rose that she may not actually be Logan’s daughter. With Rose’s powers having manifested it seemed less and less likely to Aurelia that Rose could be a Howlett. All of Logan’s children had his claws and all of them had the healing power. Rose didn’t have either of those. Sure her ears wouldn’t stay pierced, but even humans had that trouble where their cartilage just always wanted to grow back. Aurelia drove in silence to the school and dropped the girls off. “I’ll be back in four days. I’ve already sent a message to Duncan and David so they know that you both will be staying at the institute this weekend. Please be good. Hang out with the others, I’m sure Azriel or Colby would be happy to let you kids go swimming or surfing at their beach houses.”, Aurelia said giving suggestions for fun things they could do. She watched in the review as the girls slowly walked inside the institute.

Once Aurelia’s car was out of sight Cora Lee grabbed Rose by the arm. “Come on, follow me.”, Cora Lee instructed. “What are we doing?”, Rose asked as they started running across the school property. “We are going to Texas.”, Cora Lee said. “WHAT!? You heard my mom. She already told your dad and Professor Fearbirigh we would be at the school. And how are we even getting there?”, Rose asked. “I know all that. But one I’m not missing a Kamelot concert and two I want to find out what about Landon’s mother would make my dad tell me no.” Cora Lee said. “We’ll just sneak on your mom’s plane.”, she added as they continued to race down to the street. Cora Lee held up a hand and shouted. “TAXI!!!”, Cora Lee shouted. “You are going to risk both of us getting in trouble to see a band and to find out what they deal with Landon’s mom is? Jesus Christ you are so much like your bother it’s kind of scary right now.”, Rose said shaking her head as a cab pulled up. The girls both got into the back. “Airport, and fast.”, Cora Lee said pulling her saved up allowance from her pocket. The driver took them to the airport and happily collected his fair.

The piled out and Rose looked up at the airport; she was familiar with its layout having flown in and out of it thousands of times over her short life to visit family. “So what’s the plan then?”, Rose asked. “Simple you know the layout, so let’s get to the airstrip and we can just hide in the storage of the jet that your family uses.”, Cora Lee said. “Oh just that simple. What happens when you set off some alarm by accident with your powers?”, Rose questioned. “Plus we can’t just walk in we don’t have ids or anything to get through TSA.”, Rose added. Cora Lee’s brow furrowed as she thought. “I know, follow me. Do you know what landing strip the jet would be on?”, she asked. “Um usually it’s over in Hanger A which is over on the east side of the airport.”, Rose explained. “Then we go this way.”, Cora Lee said heading to the east along the fence. She stopped when she spotted Hanger A and more importantly there was the jet with Aurelia getting on board. “We need to hurry.”, Cora Lee said. “Well how do you expect us to get there? I’m not jumping this fence it has barb wire.”, Rose said pointing up. “We go through it duh…metal mutant.”, Cora Lee said shaking her head. She held out her hands and started to tear a hole in the metal fence. “This is such a bad idea girls”, Logan said shaking his head wishing he could actually stop them. “Duck through Rose.”, Cora Lee said. Rose sighed and went through followed by Cora Lee who quickly sealed the hole. “See like it never happened. Now let’s get on that jet.”, Cora Lee said as they started running across the airstrip. Cora Lee used her powers again to open the cargo hatch that otherwise was closed and once she and Rose were inside closed it behind them.

The flight from Bayville to Austin was not the most comfortable in the cargo hold. But they made it in one piece. When they heard the door open for Aurelia to exit Cora Lee opened the cargo door for them to get out. They quickly ran to the car that was waiting for Aurelia hiding in the back on the floor. “She’s going to know we are here.”, Rose whispered. “Shh.”, Cora Lee said. Logan just sat down in the back seat in the middle looking down at the girls shaking their heads. “My kid is right. Aurelia will smell you the second she gets in this car.”, he said shaking his head. Aurelia tossed her bag onto the passenger seat and got inside and started to drive off the air strip. It was as she was making the turn out of the airport that a small hit her. It was an odd combination. First she got the scent of Logan again, it kept happening to her that she’d just randomly smell him in the air, and then she caught wind through the air conditioning of something else familiar. She skidded to a stop and looked behind her into the back. “Rose Elizabeth Howlett! Cora Lee Bryant!”, she bellowed. The girls both slowly poked their heads up. “Um Hi mom.”, Rose said waving. “Hi Professor.”, Cora Lee said smiling. Aurelia however wasn’t smiling, she was glaring. “You two deliberately disobeyed me and Cora Lee’s parents. How the hell did you even get here? You know what I don’t know if I want to know. Get in the seats and buckle up. I’m calling the institute and the haven the second I get to the hotel.”, Aurelia said. The girls silently did as they were told the only sound during the drive was the subtle growling from Aurelia in her anger.

The silently followed her into the hotel and after being checked in up to the room. Aurelia continued to growl the whole time during check in and as they got to the room. “Sit.”, Aurelia said pointing to a sofa in the separate living area of her suite. The girls quickly sat on the sofa a little afraid of what would happen if they didn’t. “Before I start making phone calls. What the hell were you two thinking? Do you know how bad things could have been? There are a million variables to this and it could have ended with one of you hurt.”, Aurelia asked looking from Rose to Cora Lee waiting for an answer. “It’s my fault Professor. It was my idea.”, Cora Lee said. Aurelia raised an eyebrow looking at her. “I’m not exactly shocked that a Bryant would cause trouble. I am shocked that you didn’t try to stop her Rose.”, Aurelia said. “I did, it’s just well you’ve meet Cora Lee. She doesn’t do well with the word ‘no’.”, Rose said shrugging. “Is this concert really that big of a deal? I’m sure that Rose’s Uncle could have gotten tickets to a different show perhaps closer to home for this band.”, Aurelia questioned. “It’s not just about the show professor.”, Cora Lee explained.

“Then what is this about? Why did you and my daughter disobey your parents and take the huge risk of sneaking onto my plane? What is so important here in Austin that you had to come when you were told no?”, Aurelia asked folding her arms across her chest her eyes focusing on Cora Lee. “Landon.”, Cora Lee said. “Landon? What does your brother have to do with any of this?”, Aurelia asked. “Every summer he’s basically forced to come here to Austin for the whole month of June. He always seems so upset about having to come here.”, Cora Lee explained. “Why is he in Austin?”, Aurelia asked. “It’s his court ordered custody agreement with my dad’s ex-wife. So every June Landon has to come here to spend a month with her. He’s melancholy the whole month leading up to it and just as bad for a few weeks after getting back. I want to know what’s so bad here.”, Cora Lee explained. Aurelia sighed shaking her head. “So you and my daughter snuck onto my jet to come to Austin to find out why Landon doesn’t like spending a month with Candy Girl?”, Aurelia questioned. “That and to find out what about her would make my dad tell me I can’t do this. I don’t get it. My dad never tells me no. But this he acted like I could get hurt for going to see Landon. And I just want to know what happens there. He isn’t allowed to call or even write while here. It’s just weird and sounds cultish to me.”, Cora Lee explained. “Ever think your dad doesn’t want you near his ex-wife for a reason? Memory serves their marriage didn’t end very well. You two are staying here till I can get you back home. Now don’t move while I go call the school and the haven.”, Aurelia said heading into the bedroom to make her phone calls, closing the door behind her.

“While she’s making her phone calls I have one of my own to make.”, Cora Lee said digging her cell phone out of her pocket. “Who are you calling?”, Rose asked. “Landon has his cell for like emergencies. I want to see if he’ll answer it. I didn’t get all the way to Austin to not see my brother or at least know he’s alright.”, Cora Lee explained. Rose sighed. “Did you not hear what my mom said? Your dad has his reasons for not wanting you near Landon’s mother.”, Rose sighed. “What if something bad is really happening there? You see how much Landon hates coming here. What if they are mean to him? How would your conscience feel if something bad is happening and we never checked on him? We are here and what if later we find out they hit him or something? Could you deal with the guilt of not doing something to help him? He’s your friend right?”, Cora Lee said. Rose nodded. “I don’t want anything bad to happen to Landon. So fine call and just make sure he’s alright. Then we do what my mom says. Agreed?”, Rose said holding out a hand to shake on it. “I just want to know he’s alright. So agreed.”, Cora Lee said shaking on it. Cora Lee quickly dialed Landon’s emergency cell number and put it on speaker as they listened to it ring.

Across Austin Landon was sitting in his ‘bedroom’ looking through some online news articles on his tablet claiming it was for an extra credit summer assignment for history class. A small sounded started emitting loudly from his duffle bag. “What the hell…”, Landon said setting his tablet down looking around trying to figure out where the sound was coming from. Then he recognized the sound, it was the music from the movie Star Wars Imperial March theme. “Cora Lee?”, Landon questioned knowing he’d set that ringtone for his little sister. He hurried to his bag hoping to find the phone before his mother or step-father heard it. As he pulled the phone out the ringtone had already been heard through the house he could hear footsteps coming down the hall. He quickly picked up to stop it from ringing. “Cora Lee what are you doing?”, Landon whispered. “LANDON! Are you okay?”, Cora Lee asked. “I’m fine. Why are you calling me? You know I’m at my mother’s…”, Landon said still whispering. “Who are you talking to in there?”, Mark’s voice boomed from outside the door. “I wanted to make sure you are alright. It doesn’t make any sense why we can’t talk to you when you are there.”, Cora Lee explained.

“Who’s that in the background?”, Rose asked. “Rose? Cora Lee you got Rose involved in this? Why are you two calling me? I come here every summer.”, Landon whispered. “I’m just talking to myself Mark.”, Landon said louder to get his step-father to go away. “What was that music then before you started talking to ‘yourself’?”, Mark asked starting to turn the doorknob. Landon hurried to press himself against the door. “Open this door now boy!”, Mark bellowed. “I can’t I’m having a private moment, go away.”, Landon said trying to use all his weight to hold the door. “I’ve got to go guys. Please don’t worry about me and don’t call again. I’ll be back in Bayville in two weeks.”, Landon whispered. “I know you are talking to someone. You know the rules you don’t get to talk to those freaks in Bayville while under my roof.”, Mark shouted as he broke the door. Mark grabbed Landon by the arm and pulled him up. “Hand over the phone now.”, Mark demanded. “It’s my phone and I don’t have to. It’s your stupid ass rule that says I can’t call home not the court. So why don’t you just go fuck yourself.”, Landon said trying to keep the phone from Mark. Mark however managed to grab the phone from him and slammed it to the ground before stepping on it and breaking it. Cora Lee and Rose were still on the line and had heard it all. “We need to go and now.”, Cora Lee said jumping to her feet. “What about my mom?”, Rose asked looking to the doors. “Leave her a note, but I’m not waiting a second more. My brother’s in trouble you heard it.”, Cora Lee said running for the door. Rose nodded and quickly scribbled a note saying ‘Landon in trouble. Be back soon’ before racing out after Cora Lee.

In the bedroom Aurelia was busying on the phone talking to Duncan. “Yeah I know. I’m equally upset with them perhaps more. I’ll bring them back with me. Don’t worry I’m calling David next. We can discuss punishments when I get back. See you then, bye.”, Aurelia said before letting Duncan go to call David. She dialed the Haven number. “Hey David.”, Aurelia said. “Um hello Aurelia. What can I do for you?.”, David questioned. “Your daughter and mine have decided to do something very stupid and very bad.”, Aurelia explained. “Describe very stupid and very bad.”, David asked folding his arms. “After I dropped them off at the school they managed to go to the airport, break into the airport, then onto my jet.”, Aurelia said. “They did what? So where is Cora Lee now?”, David asked. “She’s here with me. They are both in the hotel with me. Don’t worry I’m not letting them anywhere near your ex-wife. I plan on putting them in lock down in the hotel till I can get them back home.”, Aurelia explained. David groaned and sat down on the couch. “At least she’s safe. I don’t want her near Gina. It won’t end well.”, David said sighing. “I’ll keep her here at the hotel, don’t worry.”, Aurelia said. “Alright did you call the school?”, David asked. “Yup already called Duncan and the girls are going to be in his version of detention for this stunt for a few weeks.”, Aurelia explained. “Good and I’ll have to discuss with Aislinn what kind of punishment Cora Lee should get for this. Thanks for the call.”, David said before hanging up.

“AISLINN! We have a problem!”, David yelled. Aislinn came upstairs from the basement with baby Charles in her arms drinking his bottle. “What’s going on?”, Aislinn asked. “Our daughter decided to sneak her way onto Aurelia’s jet and is in Austin right now.”, David explained. “She did what? What are we going to do then?”, Aislinn asked shifting Charles to burp him. “Aurelia has her and Rose in lock down at the hotel and says she’ll keep Cora Lee from Gina’s house. I don’t know how well that’s going to work. I just, I’ve never had to punish Cora Lee before. Landon sure I’ve grounded him once or twice. But I’ve never had to give out a punishment to my little girl..”, David said shaking his head. “You need to stop thinking of her as that if you are going to be able to punish her. This is a serious thing David. Lord knows how Gina will react if Cora Lee shows up there to see Landon.”, Aislinn said setting a hand on David’s shoulder. “I know. That’s what I’m worried about. Landon said his mother doesn’t use her powers anymore, but so help me god if she turns Cora Lee into a piece of candy….”, David said. “Aurelia is there she’ll keep the girls safe.”, Aislinn said. “Just have some faith. I better head back downstairs to help Solangel with the other little ones.”, Aislinn said. David nodded. “Yeah. You go back to work. I’m going to figure out how to punish Cora Lee when she gets home.”, David said.

Back in Austin Cora Lee and Rose managed to grab a taxi to take them to the address Cora Lee had written down as Landon’s mother’s. Aurelia having finished her calls stepped back out into the living area and started to growl seeing the girls were gone. “Where the…”, Aurelia growled as she noticed the note. “Landon’s in trouble? Jesus Christ which means they are in trouble…”, Aurelia said rushing out of the room pulling her phone out to call David back. “Where does Gina live?”, Aurelia asked without greeting. “Um why? You’re supposed to keep my daughter away from there.”, David asked. “The girls took off while I was on the phone. Rose left a note simply saying Landon’s in trouble. Does Cora Lee know Gina’s address?”, Aurelia asked. “She probably found it on some papers I have here for our custody paperwork. She lives at 1568 Elm Creek Dr.”, David said. “I need to find a way down there if Landon’s in trouble.”, David said starting to think how he could get there. “I’ve got this David, trust me. I’ll call you back when I have the kids.” Aurelia said plugging the address into her gps before hanging up. “I can’t just sit here….but how the hell am I going to get down here…”, David said pacing in his living room. He quickly grabbed his phone and called Isis. “Isis, hey this is going to be weird. But is Kurt there?”, David asked. “You want to talk to Kurt? Um alright. Is everything okay?”, Isis asked before walking the short distance from her office at the school to Kurt’s. “It will be okay I just need your husband’s help.”, David explained. “Kurt, David’s on the phone and he wants to talk to you. It sounds urgent.”, Isis said handing the phone to Kurt.

Back at Gina’s house Landon and Mark were having it out. “You smashed my phone you dickhead.”, Landon shouted driving his shoulder into mark’s gut and pushing him out of his bedroom. Gina came rushing in to try and break it up. “Both of you stop please!”, she begged. “We told you that you don’t get to use your phone here. I don’t want you associating with those things back in Bayville when you are here.”, Mark shouted shoved Landon away from him. “They are people you narrow minded twatwaffle! And the person who called me was my sister for all I know there was an emergency.”, Landon yelled. “Both of you enough. Landon you know the rule about phone calls. I think you both need to have a bit of space. Landon go back to your room and stay there. Mark come on a game is on and I’ve made you some snacks and have a cold beer waiting.”, Gina said trying to defuse the situation. Mark grumbled and headed to the living room. “If he touches me one more time or any of the things I own I’m finding a phone and I’m calling dad. Dad will come get me the hell out of here and never make me come back.”, Landon warned before slamming his ‘bedroom’ door. Gina sighed and headed back to the kitchen to finish getting some cookies ready that she’d been making to try and cheer Landon up.

Landon picked up his broken phone and frowned putting it back into his bag. He punched the window jam in anger. “I hate this place…”, he grumbled. “Then let’s leave..”, Cora Lee said pushing the aluminum cased window up from the outside as she climbed inside. “Cora Lee? What the fuck are you doing here?”, Landon said stumbling back. “Saving you..”, Rose said pulling herself through the window next. Landon sighed shaking his head trying to push them back to the window. “You both need to get out of here now. I can deal with my mother and Mark.”, Landon insisted. But as he tried to usher them out of Rose noticed the forming bruise of a hand print on Landon’s upper arm. “He hurt you didn’t he?”, Rose said her nails growing longer. “Chill out Rose..”, Landon said noticing the claws forming. “He pulled my arm trying to get the phone from me because you two called me. Mark doesn’t like mutants.”, Landon explained. “He married one…”, Cora Lee said confused. “I know that, but since getting with Mark she doesn’t use her powers or really do anything that she used to. But you two need to leave before this gets worse.”, Landon insisted still trying to get them out of the window. Gina however walked in holding a tray of cookies. “Landon sweetheart please let’s just talk…AHHHH”, Gina said before screaming seeing two unknown girls in her house, dropping the tray. She screamed even louder when she saw the red haired girl had claws.

Hearing her screams Mark grabbed his shotgun and raced back pointing the gun at the two girls. “Get the hell out of my house you freaks.”, he said making his assessment based on Cora Lee’s hair and the other girl having claws. “Freaks? The politically correct term is Homosuperior turd for brain.”, Cora Lee said. Landon turned and held his arms out to place himself between his step father and his little sister and friend. “Back off Mark! Stop pointing that gun at my little sister or ELSE!”, Landon said firmly. “Or else what you little freak?”, Mark said cocking the gun ready to fire. Cora Lee started to laugh. “Seriously dude? You are pointing a gun at the daughter of The Crow? That gun is metal you idiot.”, Cora Lee said shaking her head. “The what?”, Mark retorted. Gina reached for Mark’s arm. “That’s my ex-husband’s codename and he is a metal bender…”, Gina explained. “Oh look she remembers. Well guess who takes after dad? Oh that’s right me..”, Cora Lee said and pointed at the gun and then up to the ceiling bending the barrel to point up. “Get the picture now?”, Cora Lee said. Mark threw the gun across the room at them. “So this is your sister? The offspring of that whore that stole your father from me?”, Gina asked glaring at Cora Lee. “How dare you come to my house and threaten my husband.”, Gina added.

“Excuse me?”, Cora Lee said. Landon moved to keep his sister back. “What did you just call my mom?”, Landon asked. “She’s not your mom I am.”, Gina retorted. “You gave birth to me that’s it. She raised me and has loved me for who I am without a second thought. That’s why she’s my mom and you are just some bitch I’m forced to see one month a year. And I don’t know what you think happened but let me clear something up for you. My dad never cheated on you. NEVER! It wasn’t till after your divorce that him and mom got together. So don’t you ever I mean EVER say something like that about my mom again.”, Landon said glaring at Gina. “Don’t talk to your mother like that.”, Mark interrupted. “Face it your dad was a cheating piece of shit and that freak there is probably the product of that cheating.”, Mark said pointing at Cora Lee. “That’s it!”, Landon shouted taking a fighting stance rather than just trying to block Rose and Cora Lee. Rose’s claws were fully formed from her finger nails and her sets of fangs were out and being barred. Cora Lee shifted her weight and held out her hands her metal bracelets flying off and hovering above her hands ready. “I don’t want to hear another word out of your mouth you narrow minded PIG!!!!”, Landon yelled putting extra emphasis on the word ‘pig’.

With the shout of that final word Gina jumped back as Mark turned into a brown pot belly pig. Cora Lee started to laugh, however Rose’s fangs and claws withdrew as she was just shocked at what had happened. “Landon…”, Rose said she could see Landon was visibly shaking in rage. “What did you do to him?!”, Gina shouted. “I made him exactly what he is.”, Landon said his breathing short as he had used more energy than he’d ever had before. “Change him back, you change him back now!”, Gina demanded. “I’m not going to change him back but here…”, he said pointing to the Mark pig. “Sucker.”, he said firmly as the pig changed into a brown colored sucker. “Now he’s a shit lollypop. A piece of candy. You change him back Candy Girl. I’m leaving with my sister and our friend. And I am calling dad and I am NEVER coming back here again.”, Landon declared. Gina bent down picking up the lollypop that was once her husband and began to cry. “Let’s get out of her now..”, Landon said grabbing his bag and quickly shoving everything back inside. Rose jumped out of the window followed by Cora Lee and then lastly Landon.

Back in Bayville David was trying to find a way to Austin. “Um Hi David. What can I help you with?”, Kurt asked a little confused since David never called to talk to him. “I need a teleport to Austin, Texas. Cora Lee and Rose went there to try and find Landon and left a note for Aurelia saying Landon is in trouble. I don’t want to think about what my ex-wife is going to do to my kids.”, David explained. “Um alright. I’ll be right over to take you.”, Kurt said hanging up. “What’s going on?”, Isis asked. “Landon’s in trouble and both Cora Lee and Rose went to rescue him from his mother Candy Girl… so I’ll be back soon I’m going to take David there.”, Kurt explained. A worried look covered Isis’ face. She didn’t really want to think about what Candy Girl would or would not do to three kids one being her own. “Alright, just be careful.”, Isis said giving Kurt a quick kiss goodbye before he teleported to the Haven to get David.

The three kids were making their way up the street when Landon collapsed to the ground. Cora Lee and Rose both stopped quickly and raced back to him. “Landon!”, they called kneeling down next to him starting to help him up. “Are you alright?”, Rose asked. Landon blinked a few times and nodded. “Yeah… I’ve just never used that much power before.”, he said trying to get back to his feet. “Whoa, let’s just sit for a minute.”, Rose said helping him to sit on the curb. “That was pretty scary back there. You’ve never transformed a whole person before.”, Rose said concerned. “That was pretty damn epic! Wait till Aunt Solangel hears about this. She’s going to be uber proud of you Landon.”, Cora Lee said sitting on the other side of her brother. Landon nodded putting his hands on his head to see if he could get the world from stop spinning and fading in and out. “Epic. Yeah. I turned my step-father into a pot belly pig then a shit lollypop.”, Landon recapped. “Yea and it was epic. You did it to defend us and to defend mom’s honor.”, Cora Lee said giving him a side hug. “Epic or not it was scary. You’ve never shown that kind of power before. And now you’re weakened.”, Rose said frowning. “I just need a minute and maybe something to eat. I might have something in my bag still..”, Landon said. Rose quickly rummaged through the bag, pausing with a smile seeing the picture of all of them from last summer. Under that frame she found a tin with some goodies Aislinn packed him.

“Here have a piece of soda bread.”, Rose said take a slice out and handing it to him. “I see you packed this too..”, Rose said holding up the framed picture. Landon nodded taking the piece of bread and quickly eating it. “Yeah. I’ve got that and the picture from the Haven’s 4th of July last year. Need something to remind me that outside of this hell there are people I care about and want to be around.”, Landon explained. Rose smiled and put the picture back. “That’s why we came. We get worried about you when you are here. And back there justified our fears.”, Rose said. “Why didn’t you ever tell any of us about your step-dad and what he’s like?”, Rose questioned. “Aitf knows, but not because I told him. Seer and all. He knew something like today would happen, just never saw you two in the vision.”, Landon explained. “Well just rest for a moment and then we can see about finding our way to the hotel.”, Rose said putting an arm around Landon’s shoulders.

As they sat there on the roadside a car went speeding by then suddenly skidded to a stop and was thrown in reverse. When the window rolled down a familiar face was looking angry yet worried at the same time. “What the hell were you thinking!”, Aurelia shouted getting out of the car. She stopped seeing Landon slumped between the girls. Aurelia knelt down in front of Landon to look at him. “Are you alright Landon?”, she asked. “Mom I’m so sorry. But it was an emergency..”, Rose started to apologize. Landon looked up from his focal point of his sneakers to the eyes of his survival teacher. “It’s my fault Professor. I shouldn’t have answered the phone when Cora Lee called it.”, Landon explained. “What happened? I want exacts?”, Aurelia asked. “I’m not supposed to use the phone or contact anyone back home when I’m here. But I heard Cora Lee’s ring tone and I just needed to stop the ringing before my step-father heard it. And well I answered because well I guess I wanted to hear my sister’s voice. Mark wouldn’t have gotten mad and they wouldn’t have snuck here to see me if I had just ignored the call and let it go to voicemail.”, Landon said shaking his head. “This is not your fault Landon. They shouldn’t expect you to just isolate yourself from your friends and family and there not be an issue. Now tell me what happened beyond that?”, Aurelia said.

“We got there and well shit got bad.”, Cora Lee said. “Mark hurt him mom.”, Rose said pointing to the bruise on his upper arm that was just peeking out from under the sleeve of his black t-shirt. Aurelia carefully moved the sleeve to get a good look her eyes narrowed and she started to growl. “He hurt you….”, Aurelia said starting to get up. “Professor, stop. I’ve already dealt with him.”, Landon said reaching for her. Aurelia stopped and looked at him. “What do you mean dealt with him?”, Aurelia asked. “Well first he pointed his shot gun and Cora Lee and Rose.”, Landon explained. “But I took care of the weapon easy.”, Cora Lee added. “And well then Gina freaked out about Cora Lee being there and had some inappropriate comments about our mom. And when I told her off Mark stepped in and well he just pissed me off. So I umm…” Landon said his voice trailing off. “You did what?”, Aurelia asked. “Turned him into a pot belly pig.”, Landon said. Aurelia sighed. “I’m glad you have developed your powers further but not sure using them on your step-father was the best idea. I doubt he was pleased when he was changed back. You did change him back didn’t you?”, Aurelia said. Landon looked back down at his feet. “I changed him just not back..”, Landon said. “What did you change him to Landon?”, Aurelia asked. “A shit lollypop and told Gina she could change him back since candy is her realm of mutation.”, Landon admitted. Aurelia covered her mouth to not laugh at the idea of his step-father becoming a shit lollypop. “That was not the right thing to do you know.”, Aurelia said finally. “I know, but it sure felt good. I need to call my dad before he freaks out.”, Landon said.

Aurelia handed him her cell phone. “Here give him a call.”, she said. Landon quickly dialed his dad. “Aurelia where are the kids. Kurt is going to teleport me he just needs more details about where we need to go.”, David greeted. “Dad’s it’s me.”, Landon said. “Landon? Thank god. Are you alright? Is Cora Lee alright?”, David asked. “I’m alright dad and yes Cora Lee is right next to me and she’s fine. I can’t go back to Gina’s.”, Landon said. “Landon I’ve told you…”, David started. “Dad she crossed the line. She and Mark threatened Cora Lee said inappropriate accusations about you and mom and well Mark left a bruise on my arm. I’m not going back and I’m never calling her anything but Gina again.”, Landon interrupted. “He hurt you? I’ll fucking kill him. Someone find me Solangel! I have a new resident for a snow globe!”, David shouted hoping to get Solangel’s attention. “Dad it’s alright. Cora Lee took care of his gun and I took care of him.”, Landon explained. “Gun? That asshole dared to point a gun at my children?? And what do you mean you took care of him?”, David questioned. “Well I kind of shocked us all but um, I turned him into a pot belly big and when Gina told me to turn him back I made him into a shit lollypop and told her to change him her damn self since she was the Candy Girl.”, Landon explained. David just started laughing. “Dad?”, Landon questioned. “You know what I’m not even mad anymore. That is just too priceless. You and Cora Lee better listen to Aurelia from this point forward. Tell your sister no more disappearing and I’ll see you both when you get back.”, David said. “I’ll tell her dad. Thank you.”, Landon said. “Get a picture of your bruise and I’ll make sure that you never have to back there again. I love you Landon.”, David said. “I love you too dad. Bye.”, Landon said hanging up.