Who: Rogue with mention of Roman and Spencer, both used with permission What: Rogue leaves the prison When: After this Where: Prison Warnings: Nope
Rogue moved to shove the phone in her pocket but her hand just trembled. No. Fuck no. It couldn’t have lasted longer than a few seconds but to Rogue it might as well have been an eternity for the violent and desperate struggle she put up to remain in control. This couldn’t be happening, not when she was so close to putting an end to all of this. She focused on getting her hand to drop the phone, throw it, put it down, anything to prove that she wasn’t being pushed out but as soon as the switch started, it ended.
“You can stop fighting now,” Rogue’s voice sounded bored, “you let your guard down, it’s too late.”
She wanted to deny it but she knew this helpless feeling all too well, and already she could feel her consciousness fading to the background in favor of Erik and a few others. However, it didn’t stop her from fighting every inch of the way, she couldn’t just give up, not if there was the smallest chance that she could force everyone back.
“Unlikely, but if you want to waste your time and energy, by all means, go ahead.”
Erik ignored Rogue’s continued weakening struggle and glanced down at the phone in his hand. Dr. Banner would prove to be a problem if he really was as brilliant as Rogue heard he was. That meant they all had little time to waste before the man arrived at the prison. In spite of that fact, as soon as he saw Lorna’s response to Rogue’s post, he wasn’t able to resist leaving his daughter a quick message. It was tempting not to give in and have a full conversation over the fact she saw fit to keep her paternity a secret and that she was in a relationship with a human boy. Of all the choices she had, she settled for the weakest and most useless species living in town. It was disappointing and not a little revolting. In any case, he couldn’t do anything about it as much as he wanted to, not now.
He slipped the phone into his pocket and took a glance around Rogue’s cell. He could pack a few of her things but that would draw unwanted attention and they needed to act quickly so that was out of the question. He was reluctant to leave without any supplies but her body had on a thick jacket and it would have to do. He’d survived with far less before and this body had the advantage of her touch, stealing what they needed would be easy enough. The problem at hand was getting out of the prison without being noticed. We could always touch whoever’s at the gate, John suggested.
“We could but I’m fairly certain someone would notice an unconscious body or an empty post. The point of sneaking out is to give us time to get as far away as possible before anyone raises the alarm.”
John huffed but agreed with the point. What about that tall kid with the eyes? Erik perked up at the mention of Roman, and felt chagrinned at having Jimmy be the one to remind him. You can shove it, asshole, I don’t give a shit if you think I’m weak ‘cause I’m human but we’re stuck here together.
“Ever the charmer,” Erik said dryly. The man was foul even for a human but that was something they could deal with later. In the meantime, they had a boy to see.
If he remembered correctly, Roman more than likely wouldn’t be in the mood to see Rogue thanks to John. Actually, that might just work in their favor. He sent a private message to Roman asking him to meet him in Rogue’s cell, giving him a little of the truth, that she was sorry for what she’d said and that she’d been keeping something from him. He’d reluctantly agreed to come over to give her the chance to explain in full. While he waited for the boy, Erik slipped off Rogue’s gloves and folded his arms over his chest, hiding his bare hands as he tried to look apologetic.
He suddenly heard the sound of footsteps approaching the cell and Erik hunched further into himself to look all the more pathetic and regretful. “Hey.” It seemed to work, somewhat. Roman’s face softened a little but not entirely.
“I know you’re mad and you have all the right to be,” Erik started, “but I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean anything I said. I’ve been on edge lately and I shouldn’t have taken it out on you. I’ve been having nightmares, really bad nightmares.” He turned Rogue’s face up and let a few tears slide down her cheeks. “I can’t even think about sleeping without wanting to vomit.”
“Well shit, Rogue,” Roman muttered.
Erik waited a beat and sure enough he felt arms slide around him a couple seconds later. He carefully put his own arms around Roman, making sure he didn’t see. “So we’re okay,” he said into Roman’s chest. As soon as he was certain he felt Roman nod, he pulled back just enough to smile at him as his hands slid up to settle on the boy’s cheeks.
Roman’s look was one of shock and confusion. “You really do need to pay more attention to people, dear boy. You fell for that far too easily” Erik watched Roman’s veins bulge with idle curiosity as he felt his life force drain away and pour into him. It was different and quite frankly he didn’t understand why on earth Rogue would deny herself this feeling. It was tempting to hold on long enough until he took everything Roman had to offer but again, a dead body really would draw too much attention. He reluctantly pulled his hands away and just managed to hook his arms under Roman’s before he fell to the ground, unconscious.
It took a bit of doing but even in this small body, Erik managed to put Roman in Rogue’s bunk and tucked the blankets around him. If anyone had the urge to peek in, they’d just see someone napping, if someone tried to wake him up on the other hand, well, at least it would still buy them sometime. He took one last look around the room and spotted Rogue’s holster hanging on the edge of the bunk, gun and all. He’d always looked down on humans resorting to such a primitive weapon but he didn’t have his own powers now and he wasn’t foolish enough to forgo protection against zombies. He strapped the holster underneath the bulky jacket and slipped in extra ammunition into his pockets. Time to go.
Erik walked out of the cell, avoiding people as much as he could without kicking up suspicion. It was absurdly easy when the girl had been doing just that the past few months. He nodded at those that caught his gaze but otherwise, they all mostly kept to themselves as he made his way over to the prison gate. There was a solitary brunette keeping watch where people signed in and out. Damn, they couldn’t have made it easier for us, John said with a snort.
“Don’t get cocky now, we’re not out yet.” Erik had no doubts about them getting out now but experience had told him to be ready for anything unexpected. Charles had fouled up enough of his plans that were seemingly perfect until the last minute and everything fell apart.
The brunette, Spencer if he remembered net posts correctly, turned her gaze his way and gave him an expectant look. “Where’s your buddy? I can’t let you leave without one so save your breath if you think you can argue otherwise.”
Erik slowly smiled and caught her gaze. “I don’t need a buddy and you’re going to let me outside.” It looked like Spencer wanted to argue but she merely nodded instead. Perfect. It really was a shame that this power was only temporary. “Step aside.”
Spencer moved out of the way but her gaze didn’t stray from Erik’s. “You’re going to look straight ahead to the prison and count to thirty, slowly, when you reach thirty you’re going to forget you saw me and carry on like I wasn’t here.” He didn’t wait for Spencer to turn her head and immediately walked out.