Sara continued running with Kitty close behind. Sara was running a straight line, passing easily through everything in her path. Kitty was having a little more difficulty as she had to concentrate on phasing, solidifying, phasing, and solidifying over and over trying to keep up with the girl.
"Sara, wait. Like, slow down" Kitty cried out to her. They continued running awhile when Sara finally stopped in a little building. Kitty phased in after her, causing her to jump slightly. Breathing hard between each word, Kitty exclaimed "Like…what...are….we….running….from". She was bent over with her hands on both her knees, gasping for breath.
Sara was shaking as she told Kitty to be quiet. "They might hear us" she whispered harshly.
"Who?" Kitty whispered back.
"Her dead squad." Sara said this as if Kitty should know what she's talking about.
"Death squad. Who's death squad" Kitty was still whispering and breathing hard.
"No, not death squad. Dead squad" Sara whispered back. "A bunch of zombies that wander around the graves collecting things for their mistress."
Kitty just looked at her with a blank expression, still gasping for air. "What the hell are you talking about?" Looking around, Kitty continued. "And where the hell are we?"
"This is my place" Sara stated in a low tone. "This is where I sleep. It's an abandoned maintenance shed. It's not used anymore. Now, please be quiet before they hear us."
Then, they both crouched low and looked towards the door of the little shack they had entered, waiting for some sign that the coast is clear.
**********************
"Kitty, Sara" Rogue called out into the dark trying desperately to locate them. "Where in tarnation are y'all" she questioned to herself as she hovered at an intersection of paths. She had lost sight of the little girl's glow and now couldn't decide which direction to go.
In the shadows between two tombs, red eyes stared at the hovering mutant. Yes, you will do nicely the stranger mused. She made her way into the open, staring directly at Rogue.
Rogue turned around when she saw the figure in a hooded cape approaching her. "Hey! Did you see two girls run by here?" Rogue moved closer to the stranger and noticed the eyes. "Remy?" As she moved even closer, she realized it was not Gambit, but someone else. "Who are you?"
The stranger started muttering some words under her breath and her eyes began to glow.
"What are ya doing?" Rogue started moving back.
The stranger kept chanting. Her eyes glowed even brighter. Rogue felt strange. Her head started to hurt and her ears started ringing. She put her hands on both sides of her head, her fingers grabbing her hair, and yelled for the stranger to get out of her head. The stranger kept chanting. One last scream from Rogue and then her eyes closed. Rogue's body straightened and she raised her head toward the figure. Her body hovered towards the stranger until she was directly facing the hooded creature. Rogue's eyes opened.
"What do you want me to do, mistress?" Rogue's eyes were solid white.
*********************
"Wolverine!" Gambit had been running towards what he thought were the sounds of Logan scuffling with something. But, he couldn't find him. His eyes accustomed to the dark, he was finding it difficult to see too far ahead. All dese damn twists and turns he cursed to himself as he continued searching for the wild man.
Suddenly, he froze. Something didn't feel right. His senses were screaming at him that danger was here. He pulled his staff out of his pocket and extended it. He looked all around him trying desperately to see anything in the shadows. Then, he felt it pierce the side of his neck. He hadn't even heard it coming until it was too late.
"Aaaghh" he gasped as he grabbed at the dart sticking out of the side of his neck. He pulled it out and staggered backwards into the arms of Rogue. Rogue wrapped her arms around him causing him to drop his staff. She squeezed tight so that he couldn't move and found it difficult to breath.
"Rogue, what de.." he stopped when he saw the figure approaching from behind a tomb. Instantly he recognized the glowing red eyes.
"C-C-Cassandra" he exclaimed as he struggled in the arms of his love. His head started to swim and he felt dizzy. He started losing consciousness as the woman drew closer.
"Remy! So glad ta see ya, mon ange. I knew you'd come back ta me." She reached out and moved a finger across his forehead, brushing some strands of hair backwards out of his face. He moved his head backwards, resting it on Rogue's shoulder. He held his eyes on her as long as he could and then he slipped away into slumber, collapsing slightly in Rogue's arms. The woman looked at him a moment longer then turned and started walking away.
"Bring him" she commanded. Rogue reached one arm under his legs and lifted him up in her arms like a rag doll. Then, she flew behind the woman.