They Say He's Different (Zeb)

[Avalanche]

"Then why don't you just leave? Go somewhere where he'll never find you and then you will never have to see him again, that is, unless he's a mutant as well, " Quade said, though he had gotten the impression that Zeb's father was not a mutant.

"I don't think I've ever killed someone, " he said. "Badly injured, yes, but killed. No." He said the last word quietly. " Don't worry, I don't really care. Just less people to hate us I guess."

[Zeb]

Zeb laughed softly. "Its not as simple as that. I tried running from him once, back to Xavier's. I didn't get far. He constantly has people watching over me, making sure I don't betray him or run away. If I do, he'll... kill my friends." The boy's expression saddened slightly. He hugged his knees to his chest, looping his arms around his thighs and setting his chin on his knees.

"Yes, he's a mutant too. He's the only reason I'm alive, the bastard. I'm some sick experiment of his, to see how a mutant will fare in extreme... situations." Zeb grit his teeth in anger, squeezing his eyelids shut and buring his face in the creavas where his knees met.

[Avalanche]

"Well, I don't know, but if I can help, I'd be glad to, " he told the boy, not sure how he would take to this, considering that had barely known eachother for five minutes, though it was worth a shot. Quade didn't like to see people in pain of any sort, including emotional.

"I'm sure there's some way for you to come back to Xavier's. That's probably where I would be of the most help."

[Zeb]

"No. Theres not." He shook his head, "There are too many people there who want to kill me. During the short time I was there after running away from my father, I was blinded. I-" He winced, gasping and clutching his left forearm. "Damn..." He said softly as he was pulled to his feet. He stumbled forward, seeming to be being dragged forward by some unseen force.

[Avalanche]

As Quade was waiting for the rest of the story, he saw Zeb rising. It didn't seem as though it were voluntary though. Out of instinct, Quade reached forward and grabbed the boy's hand, not sure whether to pull.

[Zeb]

Zeb whimpered softly, digging his heels into the ground. Squeezing Quade's hand in fear, he tried to fight the pull. He knew what it was, who it was. It was Adam, and he was trying to take him away the exact way he had gotten him out to the woods.

Tears were streaming down his cheeks again as the pain in his limbs grew. He knew if he could fight it long enough, Adam would give up and leave him alone for awhile. All he had to do was-

Suddenly, the force dissappeared. Zeb lost his balance, toppling backwrds.

[Avalanche]

As his hand was gripped, Quade decided it was best to pull. He had no idea what was happening, though he got the impression that Zeb did, though he didn't think this was the time to question about it.

As he was pulling on Zeb's hand, the only power he couldn't control decided to spring up on him. In his head, he saw Zeb falling backwards. Quade felt Zeb's hand slip away from his own and he immediately reacted. He sprung forward, just in time to catch Zeb before he fell on the ground.

[Zeb]

Zeb felt a pair of arms around him; his first instinct was to lash out in defense. He didn't though, thank god, before making sure it wasn't Quade. Seeing as it was, he gripped the other boy's shirt in fear, buring his face in his chest. "Why can't he just leave me alone?" The boy said, obviously choking back his tears, "Why does he have to have me?"

[Avalanche]

"You really are selling yourself short, " Quade told him.

"I mean, look at yourself. Why wouldn't he want you, " Quade asked him, a single eyebrow arching. He let the boy continue to let his face lay on his face. Quade hadn't any complaints.

[Zeb]

"He only wants me to make him money. He doesn't care how I look, as long as I attract customers..." He withdrew his face, pushing back and sitting back down on the ground. He covered his head with his arms, shaking slightly. "He only wants me because I was the one that got away."

[Avalanche]

"I'm just not understanding why he just can't give it up? Is he mad because you're the one that left him, and he's not the one who left you? I am utterly confused."

[Zeb]

"Left him? We were never together," The boy murmered from beneath his shelter, "He... forced me into prostitution. He'd sell me out to some old man for the night for money to fuel his cocaine additcions and alcohol consumption. He and two other men stole my virginity from me when I was fifteen; after that, I'd work nearly every night." His voice cracked with emotion, "I don't know why he doesn't just give up."

[Avalanche]

"Wow, there's a story. Not one I'd be willing to tell, but it's definitely a story, " he said, surprised by what had happened in his life.

"Wait a minute, when you're eighteen, you'll be able to leave, won't you? Your dad, Adam, and everything else, " he asked? "And when you do, consider coming back to Xavier's?"

[Zeb]

"No. I'm hooked in with my father for life. Even when I'm eighteen, if I try and leave, the people I love will get killed. I cannot defy him without risking everything." Zeb looked up, tears staining his cheeks, "Thank you... for listening, for trying to help, for helping... you didn't have to do anything."

[Avalanche]

"Anytime, " Quade told him. "We really should find a way to keep in touch, " he told Zeb.

((I'm really sorry their all so short)

[Zeb]

OoC:|| No problem. Mine are pretty short too.

BiC:||"Yeah...we should..." Zeb said softly. He was quiet for a moment, then smiled. "Quade... are you... straight?" He asked the question carefully, blushing slightly as he spoke.

[Avalanche]

Quade had not been expecting this question. It almost made him feel awkward, but since Zeb had given him an answer on his sexuality, he might as well give his. "No, I'm not. I'm gay, " he told him, not sure whether he made a mistake.

[Zeb]

"I had a feeling you were..." The soft blush over Zeb's cheeks deepened slightly, "You're a good guy, Quade. Let me buy you a drink to say thanks?" His tone was level, his face portraying no emmotion.

[Avalanche]

"Feeling, eh? Or was it the fact that I kept my arm around you, " he asked, an eyebrow arching once more. He was glad that they both knew each other well now. Quade really didn't have anything else to hide.

"That sounds great, though only if you let me buy your drink, " he tells him, winking in his direction.[/color

[Zeb]

Zeb laughed. "That makes no sense. I buy you a drink and you buy mine... Ah, what the hell. Sure." He said, standing. "Come to think of it, you did keep you're arm around me a little longer than needed..." He said, a sly, coy grin playing over his face.