{5. Trust is a mutant's nemesis}

Dreamer's POV

I wasn't sure how to feel after having that strange conversation with Raven. She was not really what I expected- as a person. She has such a fierce personality and it was evident that her facial muscles rarely exercised the art of smiling. Although I adore her eyes, yellow or brown, that glare she shoots my way has me swallowing back every attempt to warm up to her.

I had told her to trust me, because I'm not dangerous, and in that split second I saw a flicker of confusion. But she composed herself quickly and gave me a humph sound. I don't understand what I did- no- it's not what I did, is it? It's what I am. I'm unnatural. I don't belong among the humans or mutants.

I gulped.

I can't possibly be excluded like this, but what else could explain the way people generally repel from me? I mean Charles is nice but he has to be in order to gain access to my memories. Hank appears friendly, but only because I am scientific spectacle. Same goes for Mr Verite. Wow. I really have no-one who genuinely likes me for me. But at the same time, who am I, as a person? I have only just developed emotions aside from my monotonous and timid nature.

I have shown great desperation and defiance in finding Mr Verite. I have spoken up for myself against the redhead in my Genealogy class. And strange enough, I have explicated attraction towards a male figure who sadly turned out to be Raven in Alex's form. I sighed.

Had I made the right choice to become a part of this school?

I knew it would be hard to integrate into society, as soon as I stepped off the train, as soon as I bumped into someone who I didn't recognise, I knew things were bound to go wrong. But I guess I also saw this as an opportunity, like to breathe in the air I could only conquer in my daydreams.

"Dreamer!" Raven hissed. I blinked away my thoughts and looked at her, stunned. "Are you deaf?"

"Sorry-"

"Look, Charles said that you cannot share a dormitory with the other mutants because your identity is suppose to remain confidential, blah, blah, blah. I'm going to show you to your room. We have a curfew for you, you cannot leave your room past ten thirty. Got it?" She raised a pointed eyebrow at me. I nodded vigorously. Being complaint was what I was subjected to all my life. Rules won't be too hard for me to follow.

I trailed behind Raven until we reached a vast bedroom with regal furniture. It was beautiful and definitely something I am not accustomed to. Everything just seemed so comfy and inviting. I beamed. I could get used to this.

"There's a bathroom and a mini fridge with drinks and snacks. If you need anything there's a phone that directs you to Charles, Erik, Hank or me. But for future reference, do not call me in case of an emergency." She said but there was no trace of malice.

"Why?" I tentatively asked.

She gave me a look I could not decipher.

"Because," she shrugged. "I could be the culprit." And with that she left.

I stared at the locked door for a moment and shook my head. I couldn't understand Raven. She makes me want to question her motives but I know it's futile to demand anything from Raven other than a friendlier tone. I sighed again. Well, I have this place to myself now. Shouldn't be too bad.

*

Charles' POV

Once Raven had exited with Dreamer and Hank followed out afterwards, I was left with Erik. I noticed, almost immediately that something was different about him. I could tell it was about Dreamer, he seemed enthusiastic enough to help fill out the paperwork at the New York ME, but something changed. He couldn't possibly have second thoughts about this girl. She's important.

"Erik." I said, trying to get his attention. I was so tempted to peak into his mind, he seemed to notice my eagerness and glared at me.

"What if she's faking." He replied. I widened my eyes a bit. That would be outrageous!

"Don't be ridiculous, Erik. If she was, I'd pick that up, and so far I am as confused as she is. We need her here. We need to protect her-" I paused. "Is that what this is? You don't want to be held accountable for her?" I challenged him. He did not answer or meet my eye. "You and I are account for everyone in this institute. Everyone." It really annoyed me, the way he was acting out.

"How long do you reckon you can contain her before they find out what she really is? You said it yourself, we could lose everything. I have worked with you for many years, we made sure to keep the mutants off the streets. We housed them, fed them, nurtured them-"

"What are trying to say about Dreamer?"

There was a long pause. I scrutinised him for a response, but as usual, he kept a neutral face, giving nothing away.

"I don't trust her." He finally murmured.

I invisibly slapped my forehead. It's too late now. We've signed the papers. There's no going back, the Mutant Embassy doesn't exactly have a return policy and Mr Verite would get into a lot of trouble for assisting us with a genetically engineered mutant. It's all too risky.

"Erik. She's just a girl and I can't turn my back on her. I just need to unlock her memories and find out who this crazy scientist is and how he gained access to our surveillance cameras off our radar. That should be our number one priority, finding the breach in our security. Trust will eventually form on it's own." I reasoned. I understand that for a person like Erik to trust someone would take a lot of effort. He had been kind to the other mutants but never attached. His closest assets were me and possibly Raven. Other than that, people should not expect much from him.

"Charles, this is just my intuition telling me that she cannot be trusted," I just looked at him, prompting him to elaborate on why he was so against Dreamer all of a sudden. He sighed and turned away. "I remembered something...from my past." He said, absently.

"What do you mean?"

"Project GEM is more than just playing God. It was about creating a mutant. A special type of mutant. I remember the documents, scattered across his desk and the look on his face when he found me lurking." Eric's face contorted in pain and I braced him, eyes wild.

"Erik, who is he?"

*

Dreamer's POV

It was a very calming night. After I a hot shower I changed into a nightgown and walked onto the cold balcony. I stared ahead into the distance, everything was awfully quiet and there was no movement in the darkness. I rested my head on my hands. I couldn't sleep just yet and I didn't really want to speak to anyone. Especially not Raven.

Speaking of Raven, I think I see the silhouette of Alex emerging from the playground, the guy she turned into to test my trust. He kept his head down as he walked but sensed my watchful eye and turned to face me.

"Raven!" I called out, randomly. I don't know why she would transform into Alex again...or why she's roaming alone at night, but it's too late to back away now.

'Alex' looked at me baffled.

"Did you just call me Raven?" He asked. Oops. I swallowed and tried to act natural. He seemed mildly amused as he approached closer. "It's actually Alex." He introduced himself. I felt humiliated and turned away to hide my furiously blushing cheeks. "You must be the new student I was supposed to escort today. I had Raven transform into me, she's a shape-shifter." He explained , even though I already of Raven, I kept quiet about it.

"Yeah, she showed me around."

"How is it?" He asked. I peered down from the balcony to meet his face. I couldn't help but feel those strange feelings I did when Raven turned into him. Was it attraction? He was definitely an attractive guy, that sly grin that played on his lips was contagious.

"It was good." I beamed.

"Why won't you come on down here, and I'll show you around like I was supposed to. The school's quite different at night." I was completely shocked by his request because one, I was told to stay in my bedroom after curfew and two, I barely know Alex.

Well, I barely know anyone.

And the entire time I kept reciting Raven's words in my head. Trust is a mutant's nemesis. But every time I looked at Alex, I just couldn't bring myself to reject him. She did say he was a sweetheart, right?

Lets make trust a friend.

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A/N

Sorry about the extremely late update, I will try my best to be more consistent, please vote and comment, it really gives me a good indicative as to whether I'm on the right track or not and it's definitely motivating :)

I hoped I left you with a series of questions ;)