From the Journal of Bobby Drake

From the Journal of Bobby Drake

Chapter 1

From the Journal of Bobby Drake, aka The Iceman

I'm not quite myself lately.

Well, if I'm going to be totally honest here, I guess I am myself, but I don't know who that is anymore. Or rather, who that's going to be soon -

Black Tom did something to me. I don't know what - I'm guessing it's what they keep calling "secondary mutation". Secondary - as if mutating once wasn't bad enough. At least my "primary" mutation left me pretty much myself, most of the time. This one - well, I'm not sure what the end result is going to be, but "ice sculpture" comes to mind.

You see, I'm not healing where I got injured in the battle with Black Tom. Oh, the wound is gone, but it's been sealed up with ice. I can't change it back to flesh and blood. The question that comes to mind is, what's next? I mean, a patch in my chest is bad enough, but a shirt covers it pretty well. I'd be concerned about my love life, but let's face it, I don't really have one.

I thought I was going to, yesterday. This new girl at the Institute came on to me. Man, was she hot. Unfortunately, she also came complete with empathic powers (no wonder everything moved so fast) and a husband made of mud who was intent on killing me. Now, I suppose if I was married to someone made out of mud, I'd be looking too. But then, how is being made out of ice any better? I guess I shouldn't talk. I'm also guessing I can kiss my chances at "true love" goodbye. No one wants to date a human popsicle.

If that's what's coming. I don't know for sure, but I'm expecting the worst. I haven't told anyone except Annie, the new nurse, and she promised not to say anything. What's the point? It's not like they'll be able to stop whatever's happening, anyway.

Kurt came to visit, before. Wanted me to go with him to collect some of Stacy's stuff. I'm afraid to leave the mansion at this point - what happens if I get into a fight and crack my head open? Will it fill up with ice, too? Seeing as that seems to happen with unfortunate regularity when the X-Men go on "normal" errands, I think I'll just stay put. No sense advancing this any faster than necessary.

I blew up at him, though, which was totally uncalled for, and I'm sure I hurt his feelings saying stuff about freaks, and that the originals were the only real X-Men. I don't really know why I said it; I guess I was just thinking about how, with all the new students and visitors, no one is going to need me around anymore. Hell, when he came in I was trying to make ice figures move. I figured I might as well practice; it may come in handy some day soon. Unfortunately, all I can do so far is to simulate movement.

Pretty soon I may be simulating life, too.