" CHEERS! Welcome back, Ian!" Ian was welcomed back to the institute by all of the younger students, who had missed him very much.
" Ah, it's great to be back, you guys. I've missed you all very much." Ian told the group.
" Dude, what was it like in space man?" Julian asked the man.
" It was.... A trip. I mean between the constant need to throw up and the explosions... I'd say it was about an eight out of ten experience. I wouldn't recommend it though. To many things that can kill you out there." Ian explained to the boy.
" Not much of a difference here though. I mean look at all the stuff that happens here. Gods falling from the sky, hulks, old men, evil Nazi societies, Etc. It's not really much different." Cessily stated.
" I think I'd rather deal with the Nazi's than the space pirates and evil emperors." Ian joked. He took a sip from his drink and then turned to Julian.
" So, man. What's been going since I've been gone? I don't see Laurie with Josh or Max. What did they not want to see me?" Ian asked.
He started to laugh but when he saw how the faces of those around him seemed to hang low, he knew something was wrong.
" Wait. Something did happen, didn't it?" Ian asked the boy. " Guys where's Laurie?"
" Dude... You left man. A lot happened that night. There was an attack and... Well, Laurie and Max were both killed." Julian explained.
Ian felt his heart sink a little, he hadn't expected to hear such a thing, but he wasn't all too surprised. Death was becoming more than a common thing around the institute lately. With so little mutants remaining to defend themselves, the school had become an easy target.
" Guys... I'm sorry that I wasn't here. I didn't know."
" Hey man, don't blame yourself. There's nothing anyone could have done to prevent it." Julian told the man.
" What about, Laura? Is she alright?" Ian asked.
" Oh, the clo-er, Laura? Nah she's just been mopey since you've been gone. I mean more than usual.
Cessily walked up to Julian and smacked him on the back of the head.
" OW, Hey! What was that for?" Julian asked.
" You insensitive jerk. Don't listen to him, he's just upset she won't give him the time of day. Look, a lot has happened since you've been gone. People have left, people have died, and well things have just been difficult. But Laura's been strong. She's been a good help for all of us. And she's missed you." Cessily told the man.
" Oh, boy. Things have really gotten complicated, haven't they?" Ian asked.
" Hey, we got mystique and sabertooth walking around the institute. You tell me?" Julian asked.
Ian rubbed his face and sighed.
" I think I know where she is. I'll be back guys." Ian told the group. He placed his cup down and walked out of the institute towards the forest.
" Hey where you going?!" Julian yelled after the boy.
The forest was much emptier than Ian was used to. Things around the institute just seemed to be droll, dead, almost lifeless. Between the giant machines watching over the institute and the fact that there are wanted criminals apparently roaming the institute now, life just seemed to make little sense, if that makes sense.
" I get the feeling I made a mistake somewhere along the way." Iam spoke.
He continued walking, straight ahead and eventually he came to a clearing in the forest, a spot he knew well.
He looked around the area and saw nothing, but he knew better. Ian looked up and saw Laura just sitting above him.
" Hey, Laura. Been awhile." It was awkward, Ian didn't know how to address the girl after so long.
Laura looked down and nodded, a quiet response but one he had expected. He had been gone a little longer than he expected and knew she might have been more than upset with him.
Ian floated up to the tree and sat down next to Laura.
" Hey, Laura."
" Hello." Laura replied.
" You look well. How have you been?" Ian asked.
" Fine."
" That's... That's good. I heard about what happened. I'm sorry I was gone so long. I hadn't expected it to take so long, it's just that we had a lot of unexpected roadblocks put in front of us. But I'm back now."
" Welcome back."
Ian raised his arm and wrapped it around Laura's shoulder slowly. He pulled her close to him and rested his head on top of hers.
" I'm back Laura."
" Welcome back."
Ian felt Laura shaking in his arms.
She was such a difficult girl for the man, to handle. But she was precious to him. And he didn't like making her upset.
Though he had returned, in his mind he knew that the coming days were going to be even harder. But at least he still had friends by his side. Friends to protect. And he would, no matter the cost.