CHAPTER THREE
Alright, let's make a list, shall we? One, I got hit in the head till I was unconscious. Two, I fall down at least two stories high in a bus. Three, try surviving without food, water, or proper shelter in a forest for the past two days. Four, surviving the ever decreasing temperature and last but not least, falling into a pit about a mile deep.
Check. Check. Check. Check. Check.
Am I Dead or Alive? Unsure.
Test: Give a little touch to the back of the head.
Result: Oww! Dammit! And other sounds associated with pure pain.
Final Verdict: Barely Alive.
Only minutes ago I was struggling to hold onto whatever I could reach so that I wouldn't slip and fall back into the pit for what seemed like the hundredth time. I surprised myself with the will that I have left in me to make it out alive—due to the fact I am an old fart. Now that I did, I wish I had just stayed in there and died. No, I didn't mean that. Scratch that. I love my life. I hated it before, but love it now. And there must've been a reason why the big man upstairs didn't let me just sit and rot in there—or end my misery—or the atomic throbbing in my head.
Maybe I'm still alive. I really hope I am because I have to help the others, which I have no idea how to do. Due to the fact that I am extremely physically unfit right now. Or maybe it was the constant nagging I kept hearing somewhere deep inside of me shouting, "You can't die!" It's a mystery why our minds think of stupid shit when we're in the brink of death. Or maybe it's just me. Argh. I don't know. I don't want to think. I might blow a vein. Literally. All I know is, I woke up and found myself in the pit. For a few seconds there, I thought I was already dead and buried. But then flashes of what happened came back to me. And the bright morning sun glaring into my eyes helped too---well…not really.
Like the klutz that I am, I had fallen into the damned pit even when Ororo had warned us about it. I am so accident-prone. But that wasn't even the alarming part. My sweater was covered in blood and I thought I was going to die—still bleeding. But the bleeding had long stopped, only clots of dried blood patched on the enormous cut at the back of my head. I guess the cold weather froze it. Yeah, I don't know if that's a good thing. But hey…I'm still here. Right? Oh, and then there was the gun. Fully loaded, lying right next to me.
My pack was intact as well.
Usually I don't need to use guns to defend myself. What I had was my beautiful adamantium claws to keep my ass from dying. But no…that asshole, Brad, had to poke and prod me with the cure. And I promise you---when I get my hands on the son of a bitch---well, you get the point.
As of right now, I'm resting under this tree. Doesn't Matter what kind, really, just as long as it's strong enough to support my heavy three hundred pound ass. It had begun to snow lightly and the snowflakes dropped and rested on the glistening black gun. I held it near my mouth and licked them. The cold stung my bruised, cracked lips but moistened them in the process. I don't know where to go next. I don't know if I could even go on. Where is everyone? Are they safe? Do they think I'm dead?
As question after question started bombarding my twisted head, I drifted into an uneasy slumber.
----
"I don't think we should be making Marie walk with these ribs in the condition they're in, Scott. It's not good for her," Ororo called out as they all gathered their belongings.
"I know it's not good, 'Ro but I'm torn here. We have to get back to Logan."
"I know and I'm sure Marie would be more than happy to be reunited with him," Ororo started. "But she can't move. We can't force her to move, not in the state she's in."
Jubilee's fever went down just a little bit and she just woke up. "How about you and Jean go get Logan and the rest of us wait here?"
"No, we can't risk leaving you guys here either. What if those men find you guys?" Scott asked.
"We'll be fine. We'll go hide somewhere in the bushes and keep a look out," Jubilee said. "C'mon guys, you've done enough for Mar and I. Now keep the promise and get Logan back."
"I wish we could make it that easy but—"
"Scott, just go get Logan. I'm feeling better but not good enough to walk right now," Marie said in between gasping for air—due to the cold weather, everyone had trouble breathing.
"Hey, it's snowing," Bobby called out and cupped his hands, collecting the snowflakes. He put them to his mouth and 'drank' the flakes.
"Actually, you shouldn't really eat snow, Bobby," Jubilee said.
"No, Jubes, that's the yellow snow you don't eat."
"Oh…right. I knew that."
"Listen, it's going to be really cold soon," Jean started as she pulled her jacket closer. "Scott, let's go get Logan. He needs us more than anything."
"But baby--" Scott started. "If anything happened to these kids and Ororo…I couldn't forgive myself if anything happened to them."
"That's why you leave now and get to Logan and come back faster. You guys are able to move quickly. Once we're all reunited, we will find a way home, Scott. Please, trust me," Marie said as she stared into Scott's blue eyes.
Ororo turned her attention to everyone in the room and slowly turned it to Scott last. "C'mon Scott."
"Promise me you'll wait for us?" Scott cried.
"Promise me you'll get Logan?"
"Yes," Scott replied. "I will bring him back alive." And with that, Jean and Scott started on their journey back for Logan.
"Scott, wait!" Marie called out. Scott turned around and faced her. "Do something for me before you go?"
"Yeah, of course."
"If Logan is still alive, tell him I said 'thank you for everything'. He'll know what I mean. And, can you give him this? Read the last entry to 'em," Marie said and handed Scott her diary.
"What's this for?"
"Just make sure he reads the last entry once you get to him, okay? And if he didn't make it, can you read it to him? Please?" Marie asked, straining herself not to cough—knowing once she started, there's no stopping. She too knew Scott and Jean wouldn't go if they saw just what she coughed up.
Scott nodded his head, shoved the diary in the pocket of his pack and started to pull himself up. "I'm leaving the First Aid behind. Make sure you change your bandage and take some pills for the fever, alright?"
"Yeah," Jubilee said, trying not to cry too hard. "I'll miss you," She said and pulled Jean into a tightening hug.
"Hey, hey, hey," Jean called out in a whisper. "We'll only be gone for half the day. We'll be fine. We'll be back, so don't miss me too much," she joked.
"Listen Jean," Ororo started and walked over. "Just in case something happens to you guys before you get back to us---I want you to know that--"
"I love you too 'Ro," Jean cut in. "And I'm honored to have fought at your side."
"It's an honor to have lived at yours," Ororo cried.
"Hey, Scott," Bobby called out. "Worse comes to worse, I just want you to know that whatever happens to us isn't your fault."
"I love you, kid. You know that? All the lectures, scolding…it's just part of my-"
"I know, I know. I love you too. I could never ask for a better math professor to look out for me. You're the best, Cyk."
"Just…hang in there…okay? For me?" Scott reached down, pulled his student close to him and kissed the top of his head. Bobby felt the tremble of Scott's body as he cried, unable to hold it back; Bobby held on tightly and cried.
"I want you alive when you come back," Bobby demanded. "Promise me."
"I promise. Take care of my girls, okay?" Scott asked. Bobby nodded as he looked into Scott's eyes. "Promise me."
"I promise."
"I guess this is it then," Jean called out. "Take care you guys. Make sure you two don't go all crazy now and attract unwanted attention."
"Yeah, we can't promise you anything," the youngsters joked, flashing sly grins.
"Don't worry, these little monkeys ain't goin' nowhere," Ororo smiled. Slowly, Scott and Jean turned their backs on them and left. Marie watched while the two figured walked further until they were completely out of sight. Then, she found herself feeling more alone than before.
"They're really gone…" she muttered.
"Yeah," Jubilee muttered.
Marie had begun coughing yet again, only this time it got worse. When she actually did take a breath, Jubilee could hear gurgling sounds coming from her. She felt Marie grab onto her left arm tightly, pressing it down to her ribs. Jubilee wanted to scream in pain as it was straining her injured shoulder, but held it in. If that was what it took for Marie to get rid of some of his pain---Jubilee was there in a heartbeat.
As soon as it started, it stopped. But it felt like an eternity to Jubilee. Marie just laid there in a fetal position, regaining her breath and what little strength she had previously. "Take all the time you need, darlin'." She slumped next to Marie, eyes staring up ahead, looking out for the little view of the blue sky as snowflakes landed on her face. Slow death sucks.
--------
His body ached all over with bruises and cuts. His legs felt numb and yet he forced himself to trudge on—not wanting to disappoint the woman walking just a few feet ahead. Part of him was anxious to be reunited with his friend, and yet another was cursing, blaming him for leaving the others behind. How could we end up like this? None of them were cut out to be a 'survival of the fittest'. Maybe Logan if he wasn't shot with the cure—but that didn't matter. Logan was shot with the cure.
"Does this look like the right way?" Jean asked as she turned and gazed at Scott—her thoughts interrupted.
"Yeah. I've seen this bush before," Scott told her as he pointed at the small, rugged bush.
"Not to be, you know, the bad guy at a time like this but---aren't there a lot of rugged bushes in the forest?" Jean asked as she raised her eyebrow and crossed her arms.
Scott only shook his head, a small grin carved on his lips. "Thanks for that Jean," he muttered. He brushed his away the snowflakes from his eyelashes and shifted the bag on his shoulder and sighed heavily. "We have to find him fast. The snow is getting heavier," Scott said as he took a good look at his surroundings. Green bushes and trees were coated with a thick layer of snow, and puddle had turned to ice.
"Scott?" Jean asked and reached out for Scott's hand. Scott took a hold of her hand in return. "Isn't that the tree we hid behind?"
"Oh my God, it is!" Scott laughed.
"So that means the hole can't be far away, right?" Jean asked with slight laughter. Suddenly, all the pain has vanished.
----
"Damn, this is going to take longer than I though," Brad hissed as he stopped and exhaled deeply.
"I can hear the river from here. It ain't gonna be long," Mark replied excitedly.
"Yeah Brad. You saw their shit they left behind back there. We are definitely on the right track," Ted agreed.
"Listen," Brad started and hesitated before turning to the others. "I've made a big mistake."
"What are you talking about?" Mark asked.
"You two go on and go. I'm goin' back for the Furball," Brad called out.
"What?" Ted asked. "We've come this far and you're going to just stop and turn back? Are you trying to cheat us?"
"You son of a bitch!" Brad cursed loudly. "If you had a brain, you'd fuckin' use it!"
"Whoa, man…calm down—"
"If you were them, would you seriously leave your friend behind? I have a feeling at least one of them would try and go back and help his dead friend," Brad explained.
"Why the hell would someone want to help out a dead guy?" Mark asked.
"Because, Mark…they're naïve. They're stupid. They think their friend isn't dead," Brad pointed out.
"And you're goin' back?"
"Yes. We'd find 'em faster this way," Brad said with a nod.
"Yeah, I guess so," Mark said with a shrug.
"By seven tonight, I want you two to meet me at the highway again. You know how to get there from the river, right?" Brad asked.
"Duh. Give us some credit here, buddy. We practically grew up in this town," Ted said and sighed heavily. "We'll meet you at the highway."
"Alright. I'll see you guys with the money." Brad flashed his devilish grin and went off into the woods. And maybe a killing or two. Damn, I love the rush!
----
I had started walking about thirty minutes ago…but who's countin' right? Yes, I can still do that—even with this head injury. I amaze myself too. And frankly, I had no idea where the hell I was going. I must be pretty slow because, I can still see the pit from here. But, considering some screws were loose in my head and the entire traumatic event I've been through---I'm not doing bad at all.
I forgot where we were supposed to be heading, was it all the way to the left or the right? I was too dependent on Scott and Jean for directions. And now that I'm alone—I'm completely lost. So, I decided to take the right. No reasons really, just that my legs began walking in that direction.
My vision began to worsen as well. Everything I saw was extremely blurry, and then slowly, each and everything unit I looked at, became two. Funny thing was, if I put both hands in front of my face—I saw four of them. My neck became utterly sore, the adamantium skeleton began to weigh me down, and I could barely breathe.
The gun, however, never left my hand. It was, to me, really heavy but it was as though it were a guarantee that my life would be safe with it. C'mon you big gorilla---get a grip on yourself.
Frankly, I'm beginning to give up. My legs gave out several times, and the cold had taken all the heat that was left in my body and any little hope left had been ripped out as well. I can't kid myself anymore. How could anyone in my condition find six other people? Or a way out for that matter. That's when those bastards popped into my throbbing head. They were so determined to kill each and everyone one of us. I can't quit. Not now. I have to keep my promises. What if no one made it? What if help came but assumed we all had perished together with the bus? What if-
"What the fuck was that?" I whispered to myself as I heard a slight shout in the distance. Am I delirious?
----
"We could just hang out here if you want. You don't look like you can handle the walk," Jubilee said after about fifteen minutes of just lying around doing nothing. She kept staring at the sky and listened to the rise and fall of Marie's irregular breathing. Time was catching up them all.
"No," Marie whispered. "When Jean and Scott come back with Logan we're going to have to walk nonetheless." She sighed. "Just…let me sit here a little longer—"
"Alright, that's it," Jubilee called out and quickly sat up, offering her hand to Marie. "I'm going to make you walk like you've never walked before," she said firmly. "It's gonna hurt like hell, but it's for the best. C'mon."
Marie winced in pain but forced herself to get on her feet. Jubilee saw the trail of blood that had trickled down her neck and shook her head. "First we need to clean up," Marie called out. "I don't want Ororo to worry."
Jubilee reached up, wiped the blood with the sleeve of her sweater and avoided the stain it left behind. Denial always works. She slide Marie's right arm across her shoulder and adjusted the new weight that heaved down on her. Her shoulder ached in protest but she had learned to ignore that long ago.
"Quit'ch your whinin'," Marie called out. "Leave that to me."
"You're just loving this right now, aren't you?" Jubilee said with a smile.
"C'mon, J, we have to have fun in times like this. I mean, think about it—this is like our last meal or something."
----
"Fuck!" Brad yelled as his wide eyes stared into the empty pit. His couldn't believe what he was seeing. The 'dead' man had disappeared. The 'dead' man isn't dead. Anger rose in him like never before. Even in the cold weather, he could feel the heat rushing up in every vein—boiling his blood.
He's injured, he can't be far. Brad thought as his eyes darted around the surroundings, scanning the area like an eagle looking for its prey. He could have fired his gun around him out of anger, but didn't. He underestimated his enemies---they weren't so gullible after all.
Brad sighed heavily and shoved his hands into his back pants pocket and started off when the sound of footsteps (or what he believed was footsteps) caused him to stop. He turned around and found nothing and/or no one and (making sure not to make too much noise) hid behind a tree next to the pit. You better come out, Furball. This time, I'm gonna make sure I introduce you to my bullets properly.
Scott quickened his pace to catch up with Jean, who was practically running to the pit. He wondered where Jean had gained the renewed strength to run, but admired it deeply. Lately, his leg had started giving him problems, which meant running just might make matters worse. "C'mon Scott," Jean started. "Let's wake up Ol' Sleeping Beauty!" She cried out like an overexcited child in a candy store.
Scott smiled. Something he hadn't done in the past few days, but liked the warm feeling it provided. Scott studied the area instead of running, making sure that Jean didn't get too preoccupied and fall into the pit herself. Just when Jean was about a mile away from where the pit was located, he spotted a small black figure just behind a tree. Instantly, he became anxious—his heart beating wildly. Logan! But when Scott gave that small moment of hesitation and gave a harder gaze, the figure seemed too short to being Logan. Scott strained his eyes as if he were in an action movie, where they made the hero run in slow motion. He hated it then, and hated it now.
Jean was overcome by shock. She stood on her ground when she saw Brad point the gun at her. By instinct, she'd stop him telekinetically but realized she couldn't this time. "Hey Red," Brad called out. Jean furrowed her eyebrows tightly. "I want you to say hello to my little friend."
"How original," she muttered and sighed heavily.
"Shut the fuck up!" Brad yelled and pointed the gun at her. Jean's breathing became abnormally quick as she swallowed the huge lump in her throat. The gun was shot and she could hear the stinging blast. Anytime now, and she'll be hit. Then something heavy pounced on her from the back, dragging her to the ground. She hit the ground hard with a loud grunt and felt the drastic stinging in her right leg and knew she'd been shot.
"Baby!" Scott cried out and placed his hands to Jean's leg, putting pressure on the wound. "Oh my God," he whispered. "We have to get out of here."
"You're not goin' anywhere until I get my money back!" Brad called out and cocked his gun one more time, aiming it at Scott's head.
"What money? We took no money from you people!" Scott yelled out, waving his arms like a mad man.
"Don't you play games with me, boy! You have no idea who you're messing with!" Brad yelled. "Give me my money, or the woman's dead."
"We don't have your fucking money!" Jean yelled. Scott turned to her—shocked at her profanity, but she paid no mind. "It's all burnt to a crisp with your little friend!"
"Show me your bags!" Brad yelled out. "Show me everything!" Jean threw him her and Scott's bags. "Open 'em! Now!"
Scott opened the packs and emptied them quickly, pouring everything into the snow. "There's your money!" he called out sarcastically, pointing at the contents of their bags. There was nothing but a few of their personal things.
"The others---where are they?" Brad asked.
"The other three got away. And the other, you can say hello to in there," Scott said sadly as he pointed at the pit.
"There's no one in there! Don't fucking lie to me boy!" Brad yelled furiously.
"What do you mean, there's no one in there?" Jean asked and furrowed her eyebrows.
"I'm about getting tired of your little attitude, woman!" Brad yelled out. "If you don't talk, you better say goodbye."
"Hey Bub." Brad froze. A gun cocked. "I'm not finished with you yet."
----
"C'mon Marie! Stop whining! We're walking and that's that!" Jubilee declared as she forced Marie to keep walking.
"No! Let me go!" Marie called out but didn't even fight back.
"No! You're walking, Marie. I'm not about to let you just give up!" Jubilee called out. "Don't be a wuss!"
"No need for the attitude, Jubilation! I'm stayin' put!" Marie argued.
"I'll pick your ass up and carry you myself if I have too, Rogue! You know I will!" Jubilee yelled out as Marie tried to walk on her own back to the camp site.
"You'll only hurt yourself more."
"I'll put up with it."
"If you're not gonna help, just shut up!" Marie called out.
"C'mon Marie. You're making way too much noise dragging your feet like that. Those bad guys are gonna hear you from miles away," Jubilee retorted.
"What are you talking about? I've not even started walking yet, crazy," Marie hissed.
"Then what the hell did I just-" Jubilee stopped. She had heard it again. It wasn't just her imagination playing games with her. She turned to Marie and watched as her eyes widened in alarm; knew Jubilee had heard it too. "Shit! Those guys are here!" she whispered.
"Go! Hide yourself," Marie whispered. "Go, now!"
"Yeah, no kiddin'. C'mon let's go!" Jubilee whispered and offered her hand.
"No, you go. I'll stay."
"Excuse me?"
"Trust me. You'll love my plan. I promise. Now go."
"I'm really beginning to dislike you right now," Jubilee said but stared into Marie's eyes and gave her plan a shot. She ran, quickly, to a nearby tree and squatted—watching Marie. "This better work."
Through tiny clearing amongst the bushes, Jubilee looked on as Marie gave a final cough and collapsed on the snow covered ground. She didn't move a single muscle. She looked extremely dead—didn't even look like she was breathing. Marie's pale face somehow had a tint of blue to it, the bloodstain smearing all over her mouth and next.
"Damn," Mark started as he looked down at Marie. Jubilee's heart fastened while she watched. "Is she dead?"
"Looks like it," Ted replied but gave Marie's leg a rough shake with his foot—not wanting to touch the body.
"She's dead for cryin' out loud. What the hell is with you?" Mark asked.
Ted gave Mark a slight look before sighed heavily and shaking his head. "C'mon let's go. The others shouldn't be much farther away." Jubilee's hearted practically stopped when she saw Mark and Ted begin to walk her way. There was nowhere to run.
"No, this way is faster," Mark called out, pointing in the opposite direction. "C'mon. I bet you the others are dead too."
"You think so?" Ted asked as the two walked away.
"Oh yeah. No doubt about it," Mark said and the two continued their conversation but it was only indistinct.
Jubilee let out a sigh of relief and watched as the figures walked away and disappeared into the forest. She hadn't wanted to gaze back at the figure lying as still as a corpse just a few feet away from her. Her eyes not wanting to believe that Marie was dead.
----
"Drop the gun," I growled. "Slowly." I had heard Scott's screams, although it took me a while to acknowledge his voice and then the blast and shot. Without thinking, I ran as fast as I could to them, but was too late. Brad had already got to Jean, and almost to Scott. But I wouldn't allow it. Somehow, amidst the throbbing headache and double vision, I made it. I had to admit, I was totally agitated by the fact the others weren't there.
"You're not gonna shoot me," Brad told me. "I have your friend under target. You pull, I pull," Brad threatened.
"Go ahead, I don't care. I have what I want," I said firmly.
"Logan--" Scott whispered in disbelief.
"Listen, bub," I started, ignoring Scott completely. "I've got y'money and I could care less if I kill you and you kill him. I still got the money."
"And If I give up my gun?" Brad asked, turning his head slightly.
"We'll split it."
"How much?"
"I ain't greedy. 50-50."
"Deal," Brad called out.
"Great," I said with a smirk. And before Brad turned around fully, I looked at Scott and winked. "Now take out the clip and give me the gun." Brad did as told and after emptying it, he turned around slowly and handed it over to me. I took the gun and shoved it into my pants, along with the clip. I looked at Jean and Scott. "Scott, give Brad your wallet."
"What?"
"Now!" I yelled. He jumped at the sound of my voice and quickly reached for his wallet. He pulled it out and started to hand it to Brad. "Brad, get it." Brad did as told and started to reach for the wallet when I stopped him. "Oh hey, Brad?" I called out. He looked at me. "And this is for fuckin' with my head!" I yelled and swung the back of the gun square into Brad's face with all the strength I had left. Unfortunately for Brad, I had more strength than I thought. I swung the gun again, hitting Brad at the back of the skull, cracking it open. I dropped the gun to my side and looked at Scott.
"Need a hand?" he asked me. I helped him and Jean up and hugged them tightly. "C'mon, let's get rid of this asshole." Scott grabbed feet and I grabbed his wrists and we both tried to lift Brad off the ground and into the pit but the attempt failed miserably. "Damn, this asshole is heavy."
"Can I help?" Jean asked as she held her hand out. She furrowed her eyebrows tightly and Brad became only a little lighter, due to the fact Jean did get the cure so she wasn't as strong as before. Scott and I then threw him into the pit and watched as he fell into darkness. Jean peered into the pit and listened until Brad landed with a loud thunk. I then watched as Scott walked to her, grabbed her forearm tightly and slightly pulled her toward him.
"C'mon sweetie. He's gone. He can't do anything to you now." Jean turned to him slowly and smiled. The smile was weak, but it was nice to see it, nonetheless. I smiled back, limped to them and wrapped my arm around Scott's shoulder.
"Can we get the hell out of here, now? Please?" I asked with a chuckle and started on. After a few moments, I turned around and faced them, watching as they slowly joined me.
----
Jubilee kept her eye on Marie, knowing she'd have to get out of her hiding spot, no matter how long she has stalled it. The fear of the bad guys possibly finding her behind the bushes had diminished, but finding Marie lying in the snow completely lifeless was something completely different. After a few moments of her body making up its own decision, Jubilee found herself slowly walking towards Marie while her brain was still in the process of making up that said decision. Talk about your body being quicker than your head. Jubilee squatted near Marie and sighed heavily. The body remained still.
Marie's lips were still blue, bloodstains were now dried and cracked, her face pale and lightly covered with snow. "C'mon Rogue," Jubilee cried. "You can't die on me like this. I can't do this alone." She looked up into what little blue sky poked through the clouds and shook her head as though she were looking for an answer. "Why?"
"Quit your whinin' already."
"Wha—" Jubilee started and quickly turned around, finding Marie looking up at her with a smirk across her lips.
"What's wrong J?" Marie asked and sat up—although it hurt like hell doing so. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
"How the hell did you pull that off?" Jubilee asked with a chuckle. "How did you stay so still like that? You didn't even twitch! It's, by far, the best prank you've ever pulled."
"Logan taught me everything he knew," Marie said with a chuckle. "I'm telling you, the man is excellent at 'playing dead'."
"I bet."
----
"Ted, it's nearly five thirty. Don't you think we should turn back for Br—"
"No," Ted called out. "Brad wants us to meet at the highway, and that's just what we'll do. Besides, we're almost there."
Mark opened his mouth to argue more, but only shook his head in reply and walked further with Ted at his side. "I was just sayin-"
"Yeah, well don't. How about you just keep your fuckin' mouth shut, Mark? You'll annoy me less if you do so."
"Why the hell are you talkin' t'me like that, Ted?" Mark asked loudly. "Seriously. How far do we go back? We've known each other since kindergarten and not once have you talked to me like this. Brad's really gotten to you, hasn't he?"
"What the hell are you talkin-"
"You know exactly what I mean. Every time I suggest something, you agree to it. But once Brad protests against it, you're instantly with him."
"Maybe it's because you tend to make idiotic decisions?" Ted hissed.
"Who was it that decided to hijacked the fuckin' bus, Teddy?" Mark asked. "Me. And because of me—"
"We're stranded in the middle of fucking nowhere!" Ted finished. "Now shut your fuckin' mouth before I shoot you in the goddamn head," Ted demanded, pointing the gun right below Mark's jaw. After a few moments, he removed the gun and began walking away.
Mark rolled his eyes, shook his head and exhaled deeply. "Asshole."
----
It wasn't until later when Scott handed me Marie's leather diary I bought her last year for Valentines Day. Why he had it, I wasn't quite sure, but he told me to read the last entry. I did as told. I was surprised by how neat her handwriting was, no matter how cold the weather was—it never betrayed her. The ink was a dark green, Marie's favorite. I sank down to the ground and sat against a tree as Scott and Jean hovered to read it as well.
Logan, Scott and Jean,
"If you're reading this, than that means you're still alive. Look, the only reason why we told Scott to let you read this in the first place is because we need to tell you something."
"Tell me what?" I asked Scott. He turned to me and shook his head. I furrowed my eyebrows and read more.
"Notice the word 'we' instead of 'I'? That's because I'm writing this entry with Jubilee at my side. This is our entry together. Anyways, guess what? Your two youngest students finally agree on something. See, last night while everyone was asleep, I realized we had been going the wrong way all along. I could hear the soft sounds of the river not too far away, which only means one thing—the highway. Highway equals freedom. This also means we don't have to use that compass of Bobby's anymore."
"Anyways, I'm not doing so great. Jubilee either. I began coughing up blood and believe me that was like, a major 'whoa' moment for the both of us."
"What?" I asked, almost too loudly. "How come you guys didn't tell me this?" I asked them furiously.
"Logan we had no idea. If we did, we wouldn't have left them alone. We would have brought them with us and helped them," Jean told me. "Truly."
Jubes is developing a fever and a headache, not to mention the shoulder. So anyway, we feel that if we were to follow Scott and Jeannie to find you, we would slow them down and you could be dead because we came too late to save you. (Hey Scott, if you're reading this that means Logan's dead. That would suck, but anyway, same rules still apply).
Tears slowly formed in my eyes and my throat tightened. I hadn't wanted to finish the entry and I knew I couldn't continue—but my eyes wouldn't stop. What happened to Marie in these woods? Did the broken ribs change her suddenly? How can she think all this? And since when had Jubes agreed to anything that Marie suggested?
Why suddenly were we the ones who seemed helpless even when we are better off than them? Scott took the journal from me and put his arm around my shoulder and pulled me nearer to him. Somehow, the hand on the shoulder thing helped a bit. He continued where I left off, seeing that I wouldn't be reading any time soon and time is what we don't have.
My original plan was to take Jubilee with me and have you guys not come back to us because we wouldn't have been here to wait for you guys. No, you wouldn't have found our bodies lying here lifeless. We were going to go for the river and if luck is by our side, we won't be dead by then. So the next thing to do is try to find some way to survive before you guys get help or you know, just die. But the reason why I changed my mind was because of Jubilee. I know she needs me, and I need her too.
Now, we both know we're slowing us all down, which only means one thing…those bastards are gonna get us quicker. This also means you guys need to get here and quick so those said bastards don't find us. Hopefully we'll survive the cold while you all are gone looking for Logan. But if we don't make it before you guys come back, it isn't your fault. It just means we aren't as strong as you guys. We love you guys.
Scott closed the journal and shook his head slowly as tears formed in his eyes. Jean and I, let's just say we were way too shocked to find the right words to even begin to speak. The throbbing in my head began to quicken its pace, as if asking me to make a decision and now. I realized, I should have blacked out right then and there with all the straining I put on my head but fought it. I made a promise. I have to do my part. No matter what decision we make, I'm going to make sure I get them back alive.
I feel like Mel Gibson in Braveheart.
-----
"Where the hell have you two been?" Ororo asked in a loud whisper as she crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. Jubilee and Marie looked at each other and sighed heavily—then quickly looked back at Ororo before beginning their own explanation—simultaneously. Ororo furrowed her eyebrows, glanced at Bobby (whose mouth was gaped open at the girls) and shook her head. "Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!" Ororo called out, waving her hands towards the girls wildly. "Forget that I asked."
"We were just taking a walk—" Marie started.
"In the condition you're in? Marie, why would you even—"
"Because Jubilee told me I'm going to have to walk anyhow when Scott, Jean, and Logan get back. And she's right. I'm going to have to learn how to get over it. We can't keep slowing you all down like this. The more we slow down, the more we're not going to survive this thing. But if we just get over it, and hurry---we'll survive quicker."
"Oh," Ororo said with a single nod. She looked over at Bobby and then back at the girls. "Whatever."
"Besides, there's something we have to tell you."
"What?" Ororo asked and sat down by a tree, yawning.
"Marie and I realized we've been going in the wrong direction this whole time," Jubilee explained. "Just the other night, I heard the softness of the river just a few miles in the opposite direction, which is north of us. The river only leads to one thing—"
"The highway," Bobby whispered.
"Exactly."
"So when Scott, Jeannie and Logan come back, we'll head north?" Ororo asked.
"Exactly."
"Sounds like a plan."
----
"So, we're goin' north," I said in more of a statement than a question. Scott and Jean nodded their heads. "Alright, guys. Let's go get the others and get the fuck outta here."
And so we walked. It seemed like forever, but had only been a good thirty minutes. And all I hoped was they weren't too much farther. And thanks to my special effect double vision, I could hardly see anything beyond a meter in front of me. Funny thing that got me was: I was from Canada. I should be used to this kind of weather—to the woods. And here I am walking through the forest like some…city boy. And hey, just because I live in New York now, don't mean anything.
Scott walked to my left and Jean to my right. None of us wanted to lead the way. Not that I could anyways, but that's beside the point. I had to admit, having them on either side of me, made me feel safe. And should my head just suddenly refuse to function and in return switching off the energy my legs so desperately needed to keep moving, they'd be there to catch me.
"Are we there yet?" I asked, almost in a whine. Scott stopped, turned to me and sighed heavily.
"If you ask that one more time, Logan, I'll kill you myself," he said firmly. I only laughed at him. "Why are you laughing? Do I look like I'm joking?"
"It's great to have you back, One-Eye."
"Metal-head," he mumbled just before walking away. I stiffen up some and inhale deeply, readying myself to start a comeback when he interrupts. "Don't start Logan, you might burst a vein." I furrow my eyebrows and turn my attention to Jean, who was trying to hold back a chuckle. "You comin'? Or are you gonna just---stand there all night?"
"Oh c'mon, Scott. I feel like a walking zombie," I told him and started walking again with Jean at my side.
"Yeah, well…" Scott started and stopped, waiting for us to catch up. "You don't look real good either."
"Oh, and you do?" I said and caught up with him.
"I look better than you." Great. My terrific headache just turned excellent. From the top of my skull right down to the neck and shoulders, it ached beyond description. I wondered if it could spread to the rest of my body. Let's hope it doesn't. So wait, would that be called a 'headache all over'? That's a new one.
Then it started—the ringing. Slow and weak at first, then it got louder and clearer—ringing in my head as if to encourage the throbbing to go faster and harder. Now I was hearing images. I couldn't believe it. Just what the hell is going on here?
"What was that?" Scott asked, holding me back, cautioning me to stop. I stumbled into him and turned to him.
"What are you talkin' about? My head is killin' me," I said and placed both hands cupped around my face—willing the ringing the stop.
"That sound," Scott mumbled. "What is that?" I wish he would stop asking me stupid questions at a time like this. I hadn't heard any other sounds than the ringing bursting my eardrums. "Jean, you hear that?"
"Yeah definitely," she said. "What is that?" she asked. Argh. If they can't even tell what they're hearing, how would they expect someone with a case of serious head trauma, like me, to know the answer?
I sighed heavily and rolled my eyes, trying to forget the noise ringing in my head. It became overpowering, which only caused my head to throb even more. "I don't know what you guys want me to say. All I'm hearing is the ringing in my ears. It's killin' me," I told them and tried to cover my ears to rid the noise but, the attempt failed miserably.
"That's what we're hearing too, Logan!" Scott told me and looked around him.
"Wait, are you telling me, you can hear what I'm hearing?" I asked and pointed to myself. Scott and Jean turned to me and nodded excitedly. I furrowed my eyebrows tightly and shook my head. "Please tell me we aren't going crazy. How can you hear what I'm hearing? It's all in my head!"
"No, I heard it too, Logan," Jean told me and shook her head. "It's not your head."
"No? Then what the hell is it?" I asked, waving my arms around wildly.
"I don't know. It sounds like…like a-"
"It sounds like a cell phone or something," Scott called out, interrupting Jean, and looked around his surroundings more.
"Yeah," Jean agreed as she took looked around. I honestly, didn't hear what they heard but—I guess the ringing could be mistaken for a cell. So, I just went along with it. "Where's it coming from?"
"Logan?" Scott called out to me. I turned to him and noticed how dark his blue eyes were. They were full with exhaustion and excitement all at the same time.
"What?" I asked, my heart pounding harder than before.
"It's coming from your bag."
"No way. There can't be a cell in here. I've checked, multiple times!" I called out as I slowly pulled the pack and started to unzip it. I got down on my knees and pulled everything out. "See? There's no cell phone in here."
"It's coming from your bag, Logan!" Jean yelled out to me. Thing was, I had already emptied out the whole damn thing. How she figured it was still in my bag, I'm not quite sure…but she looked determined. I turned the pack around to where the back faced me. That's when I became quite angry at myself. There, I found the small pouch compartment at the back, hidden from everyone else. That was where I usually kept my little things I didn't want touched. And as far as I'm concerned, I never put my cell in there. I rarely carry one anyhow.
"I forgot 'bout my little compartment here," I announced and unzipped the pouch. "And I'm still sure I didn't stick it in there. Last time I had my cell phone was when we were in my car and I was talking to Samantha with it, but I left it in the car," I told them firmly and when I looked down, I found several pictures of Samantha and I (Samantha is my fiancé) and a cell phone I've never seen in my entire life.
Good thing was…it was ringing.
I looked up at Jeannie and Scott in complete shock. I hadn't known what to do, yeah it was silly of me, but that was how I felt. Scott looked at me as though he were saying, "If you don't pick up that phone right now, I'll gladly kill you." Jean, however, looked at me like, "What are you a dumbass? Answer it!"
"You gonna answer that, Log?" Scott asked me, bringing me back to reality.