David Alleyne, formerly Prodigy. One of the Known.

10/198

David was a hero. He was an X-Men, he was a leader, he was a friend, and he was a lover.

Now: Watching her walk away, wondering why she kissed him (stupid, never liked him, oh no) wanting to know the answer, because he should. He should be able to know everything.

Then: Walking into a room was scary at first. His mind would be flooded with so much information, and he wasn't sure what he really knew, and what he only knew for now. What if one day he just forgot everything? If there were no people about, would he know anything at all?

Now: Feeling ideas trickle back, thinking he knew this answer (it was the most important) going to talk to the Three-In-One, because they would know. They could help him find this answer. The most important answer (why? Why would she do that?).

Then: Friends were hard. Emotions weren't something he was familiar with. No matter what, things didn't go right, and he just wanted to know (just wanted to help, with everything he's known). But now he knows, and he's terrified, because he doesn't do well with emotions, but they were in his not-quite-dream too.

Now: He wishes he could go back to that. It's a thought that doesn't sit right, so he tries to dismiss it. It doesn't leave. Just like the information, now. Stuck in his head forever. Just like her.

Then: The camp-out. The kiss. That was something he would remember (know) forever. The last of the good days (in comparison) before the hell that came after.

Now: He is looking. He is looking to find her. He isn't sure what he'll say, but he will figure it out. He's smart again.

Then: Information gone. Friends dead. Laurie shot, Josh crazy, bus blown to high heaven (that could have been him), blood and robots and guns and trying to protect someone he couldn't even help anymore. She almost died and he couldn't do anything. Julian had to save her. (damn him)

Now: He is passing Julian's room. He hears voices, and one is hers. (no)

Then: Through hell and back, death and life as his heart was ripped out of his chest and sewn back in again. The aftermath. The kiss. Now.

Now: He punches him, and leaves her behind. Noriko is not the question that matters anymore. He knows so much, and it is such a little question (what was it again?). The answer would be little, too. It doesn't matter.

Now David can be a hero again. An X-Men. Now: He walks away.

Noriko watches him, and whispers the answer. But he has no powers, so he doesn't know. He forgot the question.