ohmutants:
He knew telling her was something that was inevitable, but also something he had been trying to avoid telling anybody. He had never read the Art of War, but it probably wouldn’t tell you to show someone your weaknesses. He had only two choices, though: don’t tell her a thing and keep walking the earth on his own and telling her everything she needed to hear, risking his life but also creating the opportunity of having an ally for the first time in a long time, a very long time.
“I know I’ve been acting a little irrational,” Alex said in a soft voice, “I really appreciate you saving my life. Twice.” And he did, he didn’t know what he’d have done in her situation. He had never been the hero-type.
“Yeah, whatever, spill the beans,” Josie answered and Alex could hear the undertone in her voice; an undertone that told him he should really tell her.
“I just, you know, erm-,” he tried, not really sure if he should just drop the bomb on her or ease her into the idea, “I just- okay, ready? I’m a mutant and they found out and I was just really scared and stuff, so yeah, please don’t turn me in.”
Josie had stopped the van at the side of the road while Alex mumbled. The boy was rubbing his hands out of anxiety; he didn’t know how Josie would react. “You want to hear something, funny?” Josie asked. “What?” Alex answered.
He was one too.
Pieces seemed to fall in their place; Josie had known that the other had a good reason to be on the run – his feelings had made her think so, at least – but she hadn’t expected this. Or, actually, she hadn’t dared to hope this: bumping into mutants who were friendly and non-aggressive was something that happened far too little. It was dangerous, of course, to be around them – as they were often wanted, too – but it was also comforting.
She watched Alex for a second before telling him she was one, too. He was anxious. Josie didn’t need any special powers to know that: he was rubbing his hands and seemed tense. Still, his anxiety was dripping into her mind, too, and she decided to release him from his anticipation.
“I’m one too.”
Relief. She felt it, but he didn’t quite show it when he said, “I think you need to follow some classes in humour, ‘cause that was far from funny.”
Josie rolled her eyes and scoffed, drumming her fingers on her steering wheel. “Yeah, yeah, I’ll keep it in mind next time I’m applying for colleges.”
They were quiet for a second, Josie’s mind racing — so now what? She felt relieved to know what was going on, but confused as to what to do with it all; Alex seemed chill, but she didn’t know what the hell to do with him.
“So what’s your power?” he asked, interrupting her train of thought.
A shrug. “Can feel what others feel and I heal. Kind of … mother Theresa, ya know?” she answered with a small smirk, tone deadpan and adding a question before he could comment. “What’s yours?”
They were still standing on the side, just miles and miles of road behind them and miles and miles of road in front of them – no cars, nothing else, so Alex unbuckled his seatbelt (he didn’t think it helped anyway in case of an accident, not with this vehicle) and hesitated for a moment, looking over at Josie – her eyes filled with something that resembled wonder, curiosity. He got upside down. Clung to the ceiling of the car. “What?” Josie said, not even like a question, just a ‘what’ as one might say ‘three’ or something else unremarkable. “That’s all? I’d expected something cool, like laser eyes or somethin’.” She wasn’t really serious, Alex could tell, but he understood her perfectly; sticking to things isn’t that great - for a mutant at least. “Just you wait and see, as soon as we get close to something a little more, uhm,” Alex’s eyes darted over at the technology of the van. Not great either. Josie shot him a look full of warning and he didn’t dare comment on what a piece of shit the van was – Josie probably knew it herself, but broken things are loveable too. “advanced, I’ll show you what I can really do.” He kind of hoped she’d be a little more impressed with his other skill, because she was now looking very pleased with herself. Not really in an arrogant way. Well, maybe, but not in a bad arrogant way. “You know, it isn’t always a whole lot of fun – feeling what other people feel I mean,” Josie said, looking in front of her and starting the engine. “So I’m glad for you, really.” However, even Alex had to admit - if you were going to be a mutant, you might as well have some cool skills, like Josie did. ------ The engine was the only thing that made a sound. Josie hadn’t put the music back on and Alex didn’t dare to touch anything on the dashboard. It was a comfortable silence, though, nothing like the ones before they had confided in each other. Although, there was just one question left. “So, what now?” Josie asked, “I mean, we could keep driving, but maybe you want to like – go somewhere? Any family to drop you off?” “No.” Alex stated. It was a small word, but it contained so much more to Alex. He shook his head to lose the thought bubbles popping up in his brain. “You know, I was actually in Portland for a reason. I heard there is a place nearby – a safe haven for mutants, like us. Mostly teenagers, as most grown-ups around here didn’t survive – but you already knew that of course, since you’re a mutant as well. This is so weird, don’t you think?” “Yeah, but it’s okay,” Josie said. She thought about it – it sounded almost too good to be true: a safe haven for teenage mutants. Nearby. “So, what do you think?” Alex asked.
