Chapter Text
June 13th, 1961...
“Bye mom! Bye dad! See ya later!” Bella yelled to her parents as she left for school. Hoisting up her heavy backpack, Bella walked down the street to her school. Listening to the latest hits on her Fidelipac while walking. As Bella walked down the sidewalk she started getting lost in the music. Crossing the street she was lost in her own little world. Blissfully unaware, she failed to notice the Chevrolet cruising right towards her. The driver rounded the corner, not seeing the little girl. There was a screech as the wide eyed driver slammed on the brakes. But it was too late. The girl slammed into the car with a sickening thud. Bella rolled on the ground as she was launched forward from the impact.
Everything happened in a blur, all Bella saw was the car hitting her. Next thing she knew, she was laying on the ground staring at some odd red markings on the pavement next to her. The man in the car came rushing out a phone in his hands as he called 911. After making his call he set down his phone in a daze. His hands shook as they hovered above her as if he wanted to touch her, to comfort her or do something to help. Tears streamed down his face as whispered just one word repeatedly, “sorry...sorry…” Bella fought for breath and in a shaky voice spoke to the man. “Please, I don’t want to die. I’m not ready to die. It hurts.” Sirens could be heard in the distance as the man only half listened, the other half of him was blaming himself. ‘You’re a murderer. You killed a little girl.’ Bella started crying, “I didn’t say ‘I love you’ to my parents. Please tell my parents that I…I...” at this point she was struggling to breath. “I...gasp...love...gasp...th- them…” The man panicked, “Please, please just hang in there. You’re going to be alright, just stay awake.” The sirens were now blaring as the ambulance finally got here. Men came running out of the trucks carrying various equipment. Everything was a blur now as Bella’s eyes fluttered shut. A paramedic came and sat beside Bella, going to check her injuries. The paramedic tensed as the rising and falling of her chest ceased. Checking for any vital signs, the paramedic solemnly stood up. He told the others that the girl had died. The other’s heads bowed in regret. A few hours later, Bella’s eyes blinked open. She sat up and stretched.
Looking around confusedly, she noticed she was on a park bench. ‘What the heck? I’m supposed to be dead?’ Bella wandered around for a bit in a confused state. Walking up to a nearby woman she asked where and when she was. The lady gave her a strange look, “It’s June 13th, 1961. You’re in Westchester County, New York.” Bella nodded and thanked her as she walked off. ‘I should go tell mommy and daddy I’m still alive! They must be so worried!’ Racing off she looked for her house. Once she found it, she knocked on the door smiling. An old man answered the door, shocking Bella. “What do you want?” He answered in a gruff voice. Bella shakily asked, “Does Mr. and Mrs. Hawthorne live here?” He grunted, “Who?” Bella’s eyes widened, “Nevermind, thank you sir.” The man rolled his eyes and closed the door mumbling something about kids these days. Walking back to the park, she sat on a random bench in a daze. What’s happening here? They left me. I’m homeless. A young lady gently walked up to Bella in concern, “Are you okay, Sweetie? Where are your parents?” Bella just answered out of habit, “I’m okay. My parents know where I am.” The lady cocked her head to the side, “If you say so…” after that she walked off, leaving Bella all alone again. Bella had been living two months in hell. She slept on the bench each night for a few days before a police officer told her that she needed to go home. ‘As if I have a home.’ For the first few weeks, she had tried getting by, by begging for food or money. But lately, she’s had to learn to pickpocket. For a while she would always get caught and would either have to run from the police or would get beat up for it in an alleyway. But now she was starting to get the hang of it. Now she knew how to defend herself a bit, or outrun the cops.
Sometimes she would even get lucky and not even get caught. Shivering in the rain, Bella looked around her. She spotted a nice looking pair arm in arm underneath a navy blue umbrella. They look like an easy target. Bella crossed the street and started walking a little way behind them. She pretended to bump into the man as she slickly stole his wallet. “Oh I’m sorry,” the man apologized with a rich British accent. Keeping her head low she apologize as well, “Oh no, that was my fault sorry.” After that she sped away nervously as she started hearing voices. Her breathing quickened as more and more voices started filling her head. Where are all these voices coming from? What’s happening? She heard so many voices as she past groups of people. She collapsed on the ground clutching her head. She heard men and women all around inside her head. I’ve got to get to work. Damn I can’t believe she left me. Did you see the game last night? So many voices flooded her head. So many voices… make them stop...stop… “Somebody help me, please.” Bella whispered to herself, crying.
Suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder and all the voices quieted. She then heard a distinct and somewhat familiar voice in her head. “It’s alright. Let me help you.” “Who are you?” “My name is Charles Xavier and I just like you.” “I don’t even know what I am.” Xavier smiled at her gently and Bella gasped as she realized he’s the man that she just stole from. Xavier chuckled, “Don’t worry,” he said in her mind. “I won’t bear any grudges.” “What’s wrong with me? How can I hear you in my mind?” “There’s nothing wrong with you. You have an amazing gift. I can help you learn to control and use your gift if you come with me. You don’t have to be alone anymore.”