Escape Clause
Posted on Fri Feb 23rd, 2024 @ 5:40am by Charles Xavier & Theodore (Theo) Winters
1,495 words; about a 7 minute read
Mission:
Episode 3: X-Tra Ecclesiam
Location: New York
Timeline: August 24, 1990 Evening
The last thing Theo remembered with any clarity, was the judgmental glare his father had fixed on him. "Theodore Alexander Winters," his mother had said, disdain evident in her tone, "I am very disappointed in you. You knew the truth and you turned away from it. You know What the Bible says about that don't you?"
Theo had nodded silently. He'd been forced to memorize Scripture for years. But he'd had no intention of answering his mother's query.
His father's frown deepened, if that were possible and he said. "Hebrews 6-4-6 says For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. "
"And," his mother added, II Peter 2:20-22 says For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”
"But we are not giving up on you son. Reverend Stryker has plans for you son, big plans. Just turn your eyes upon him and surrender to him. It will go well with you if you do."
Theo hadn't been able to help himself or resist the urge to be a smart ass "I thought we were to trust in God and not man. You're not the only one who can quote the Bible. Jeremiah 17: 5 Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. "
"I will never comply with you," he'd said. And he'd meant it. Right up until his mother had put the collar on him and everything had gone blank.
He wasn't sure how long he'd been held out of it. But when he came to he was looking at a man in a wheelchair and he'd been released from the collar. "Where are we, why am I here? Who are you?"
"Hello, Theodore..." The bald man in the wheelchair held a smile that somehow promised everything would be alright. "My name is Charles Xavier."
~I have dedicated my life to helping individuals like yourself~ Somehow Charles Xavier's voice echoed inside Theo's mind.
"You were recovered from the scene of an awful situation by the authorities. Right now you are recuperating at Cohen Children's Medical Center in Hyde Park. In just a moment, a social worker will be notified that you're awake and will have some hard questions for you. Where you go from here will depend on how you answer. I would like to assist you if I may, but I cannot do so without your consent."
~I have a sanctuary filled with many young people who are learning to use their gifts safe from the world that would seek to destroy or abuse them. Tell your caseworker that you wish to come with me and you can have a place there~
Theo was a little intimidated by having someone inside his head. He wasn't sure he wanted someone being able to read his thoughts and inner secrets. At the same time, however, he did need somewhere to go.
"What about my parents? Don't they have a say? Not that I want them to but I am just fifteen."
"Your parents have been placed under arrest," the Professor said, "for charges pertaining to criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, and a host of other federal charges that will likely put them behind bars for the rest of their lives. While you have not yet been made a formal ward of the state, you're currently being treated as one. I understand these events are happening rather rapidly, but once you enter the foster system, it will be more difficult for me to aid you through official channels. That's why if you're willing to take a chance on my offer, I'm afraid you'll have to make that decision very soon."
"They. Have. Been. Arrested?" the teen asked, though, after a minute's thought, he was not surprised. "I still love them, even after everything they've done, but is it wrong of me to feel good about it?"
From even the surface scans of the young man's mind, Professor Xavier could detect an extensive level of indoctrination and programming that might take some time to unravel. He thought for a moment and then quoted, "Remember Isaiah...' Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow.' In light of that, I think 'good' is a very appropriate feeling to have in this moment, considering the terrible situation you had faced. Although I will say you are entitled to any and every feeling that may come."
"That is what I want to do. Seek justice Stand up for those who are oppressed. Do you think you can help me do that? There really would be a place for me?"
"Yes," said Xavier. "My representatives have already reached out to Child Protective Services. Your caseworker will present you with a number of options. Choose Xavier's School For Gifted Youngsters from among them and I will grant you sanctuary while you learn to control your abilities." He paused for a moment, his face etched with concern. "Time is short. Make your decision."
A knock came at the door before a middle-aged woman came into the hospital room. "Hello, Theodore. May I call you Theodore? You may call me Angela if you'd like. I'm with Child Protective Services for Dutchess County. My job is to help you transition from here into a safe new home with good people who will feed you, clothe you, see you off to school, things like that. What do you think? Is that something you'd like to discuss?"
"Not to be rude ma'am, but I'd prefer you call me Theo, I don't like Theodore much. But yes I want to talk about it. "
When Theo went to look back at Charles Xavier, he was surprised to see the man vanished! Theo lay there in his hospital bed as if he had been talking to nobody the entire time. Had it been a dream?
~It was not a dream~ The Professor's voice was in his mind again. ~Choose well, my young friend~
Seeing Xavier vanish like that made the fifteen-year-old, even more confused. If the social worker hadn't been there he would have vanished too, or at least teleported away. But he caught himself he didn't want her to know.
"My parents weren't bad people you know. I mean they made some shitty choices, but that doesn't mean they didn't love me."
"Sure, Theo," Angela said gently. "And no one thinks your parents did not love you in their own way. However, your parents made some wrong choices and are about to face consequences for them. While they do so, we need to find you a safe place to stay. Now I have some options that I'd like to go over with you. Are you okay with that?"
"Yeah, yeah Angela I am." the teen said with more confidence than he felt.
"I have a friend," Theo lied, "his name is Alex. I met him when I was living on the streets. He told me about a school for gifted kids. Is that one of my options?"
Angela crinkled her nose in curiosity. "Well, as it it happens..."
Back at the X-Mansion, a weary Charles Xavier laid in a bed of his own alongside several of his students. They were all hooked up to the advanced autodocs which worked to repair the injuries and physical trauma they'd sustained. While it would be ages before he fully processed the horrors of what he had nearly performed, Charles was grateful for his X-Men who had not only rescued him but brought down an evil group of zealots and rescued others in their thrall.
Using his last reserves, Charles had arranged for Theo to be delivered to the Mansion on the following day. The psychic apparition he had projected into Theo's hospital room made him even more exhausted. All it would take was for Theo to say yes. Unfortunately, Charles lacked the strength to stay awake long enough to observe which choice the young man would make.
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