philotherian ➢ x-men: apocalypse (ON HOLD)

2

I'm sitting outside of some grimy old bar on the outskirts of New York. I don't know exactly where I am, I haven't looked at a map for miles. Leaning against the wall, lazily puffing on my cigarette, I watch some not-so-nice looking guys walk into the bar.

  "Damn." I hiss to myself. I know I have to go in, but I really don't want to have a run in with any of those guys.

I sigh and flick my cigarette to the ground, smashing it with my beat up converse. I take my time walking up to the front door and I shuffle inside quietly. Only some people glance at me, probably because I look too young to be in a bar, but nobody says anything. I make my way over to the counter and take a seat. The bartender comes over to me and raises an eyebrow questioningly, but I shrug and ask for a Coke and a burger. He nods skeptically and walks away.

I take a quick look around and realize I'm the only minor here, which means I'm probably going to find some trouble. It's been fifteen minutes and I still haven't gotten my food yet. I haven't eaten in two days, but I can't tell the bartender that, of course.

And just as I suspected, a hand lands on my shoulder and roughly turns me around. I roll with the movement so it doesn't leave any bruises, turn around, and look up. It's the same guy and his goons I saw earlier.

"You look a bit young to be in here, girly." He slurs. Great. They're drunk. At least it'll be easy to fight my way out.

"I don't really see how that any of your business, sir." I say as politely as I can. I really don't want to get in a fight. I'm still sore from the last one.

"Leave the kid alone Rob, she isn't doing any harm." A new voice cuts in. The man, Rob, turns to my left and looks at a broad figure sitting a couple seats away from me.

"This doesn't concern you Victor. Butt out."
Rob spits at the man who he called Victor. He turns back to me with a smirk.

"Why don't you come back to my place? I'll get you warmed up real nice." Rob's smirk widens and he throws a suggestive wink at me. I rear back and duck out of his grip, grabbing my bag in the process.

"As if. Get out of here before I have to hurt you." I'm losing my patience now. As much as I don't want to be, I'm ready for a fight. Rob gives a hearty chuckle and looks back at his drunken friends. "You hear that boys? She's Gonna have to hurt me! Oh no!" He laughs louder this time. And my patience has officially run out.

"Just let me through, please." I say, exasperated. Him and his friends laugh again. I test my limits and give him a little shove. He's pushed back a few steps, and he looks mad now. He steps towards me and raises a hand to hit me.

"Why you little bit-" He's cut off as Victor catches his fist before he can strike me. Victor looks at me slowly, as if he's assessing me. He nods a little and shoves Rob back into his friends. Rob gets back up and his friends spread out. Half of them around me and half around Victor. I guess it's time for a fight. Before anyone takes a swing, I see something coming out of Victors fingers. I look closer and I see claws. I gasp. He's like me! Now I can show them how much damage I can really do.

"Back off now." Victor rumbles quietly. The men's eyes widen and dart to me. I smirk and allow my eyes to glow bright yellow. And of course right now is the time that the bartender decides to come back out. He takes one look at me and Victor and yells "GET OUT OF HERE AND DON'T COME BACK!"

"Let's go." I say as I walk by Victor, tugging on his jacket. He looks down at me, turns on his heel and exits the bar. I follow in suit.

"Hey man, thanks for sticking up for me back there." I say as I jog to catch up to his long strides. He stops suddenly.

"Whats your name?" He asks, staring me straight in the eye. I shift on the balls of my feet for a second, debating on telling him or not.

"Cleo." I say quickly. He raises an eyebrow. "Oh sorry. Cleo Reardon. You?"

"Victor Creed." He says slowly. Then pauses for a second. "What can you do?" He questions.

"I can shift into animals. My main two are a Grey Wolf and a Snowy Owl. You?" I repeat his question from earlier. He rolls his eyes "I'm a feral." I shrug.

"I don't know what that is, but it sounds cool." I tell him as I start walking away.

"Where're you going?" He asks. "Anywhere but here." I answer as I continue walking down the deserted road. "I stole some money off the guy inside. I'll be fine. In case you were wondering." I shout back. He doesn't answer. So I keep walking.