Disclaimer: I own nothing, I tell you, nothing! SO EAT THAT!!!
**********************
"He's dead."
Kerri was crying, harder than ever.
"He's dead!"
Tears were running down her face.
"I killed him. He's dead!"
"No."
Bobby's voice broke into her sobs, "He's not."
"No! You're lying! He's dead, I killed him! He's gone!"
"He's not dead!"
"Dead! Gone!"
"Stop saying that!" Bobby grabbed her shoulders, shook her.
"He's gone. He's gone," Kerri tore away from his grasp.
"Stop it! He's not dead!" Bobby was shouting now.
Logan pulled Bobby away from her.
"What are you doing?" he growled into Bobby's face, "Are you trying to hurt her more?"
"He's not dead!"
"Shut up!" Logan snapped, "Listen to me. She has jus lost someone close to her. She feels that it was her fault. And you're making everything worse!"
Bobby looked Logan in the eye, "He's not dead. If you don't believe me, be my guest!" He waved a hand in John's direction, behind him.
Logan looked over Bobby's shoulder. Pushing Bobby out of the way, he peered down at John. His eyes widened.
Small clouds of frost, icy vapor appeared in short bursts above John's face.
"What is it?" Rogue asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
When she got no answer, she raised her voice.
"What is it!?" she asked, the grief-sodden hope evident in her voice.
"He's not dead." Logan said, the recognition sinking in, "He's still alive! But how...?"
Rogue ran up to Bobby, hugging him, "You saved him! You saved him!" Burying her face into Bobby's shoulder, she started to cry.
"Rogue?" Bobby looked slightly unnerved, "Rogue, why...?"
"He's alive!" Rogue sobbed.
Bobby cast a pleading look to Logan.
"You alright, darlin'?" Logan asked.
"Yes, thanks to Bobby."
"Then why are you crying?" Bobby questioned.
"Because I'm happy."
"Not. not dead?" Kerri gasped, "Why isn't he getting up? Why...?"
Kerri looked down at John's motionless figure.
"No..." Pulling away from the sight, she backed away.
Kerri's tears slid down her cheeks. She ripped a strip of cloth from her shirt sleeve, tying it over her eyes. Then she began to run, her hand trailing along the wall. She tore out of the room, traveling as fast as she could, away from the nightmare.
**********************
Rogue gasped.
Bobby was concerned, "What's wrong?"
"Kerri! She ran out!" Rogue whispered.
"What!? Why?" Bobby asked, "She should be happy!"
When Bobby took a step forward, to follow her, Logan caught him by the shoulder.
He shook his head, "Let her go."
"Why'd she run away? John's alive!"
"She's ashamed," Logan explained roughly, "For being weak when he was strong."
Rogue looked up into Logan's eyes, "... for every moment she knew him. Every second of their knowing each other, he had stood against the harshness of reality, despite-" she broke off.
Bobby and Logan stood, in solemn wonder of the poetic words Rogue had spoken.
Then Bobby tentatively broke the silence.
"Despite what?"
Rogue looked up at him, confused, "I don't know. It just suddenly disappeared..."
"What did?" Logan probed, encouraging her to continue.
Rogue shrugged, "Memories. They just were wiped away. I don't know what I was gong to say."
Logan nodded, not questioning any further. He stooped to lift John's limp form into his arms.
"Let's go. We have to get out of here."
Sam instantly ran up, realizing that the situation had changed.
"Er... Mr. Logan?" he started nervously.
"Yeah?"
"There's something wrong with... um... what was his name? The guy with the wings?"
Logan strode forward, to where the rest of the group stood, who were obviously unsure of what to do.
Warren was leaning against the wall, breathing heavily. His damaged wing was lifeless, dragging on the ground. The other wing was folded up against Warren's back, nearly reaching the floor anyway, as it was about eight feet long.
When Logan approached, Warren didn't even acknowledge him. He continued to pant for breath.
Logan could smell his fear and pain. Warren's wings weren't delicate or brittle, but they weren't anywhere near the indestructibility of Logan's claws. Damage to them could result in amputation. Which meant being unable to fly.
Logan shoved John into Blob's arms.
Turning back to Warren, "Warren? Can you walk?"
Warren didn't respond. He remained unconscious to the world around him.
Jess stepped forward, "Logan, you take the others and get out of here. I'll stay with Warren."
"No. It's too dangerous, leaving you here. I'll stay."
Jess scoffed, "They'll need you. You're the only one to protect them. Besides," Jess gestured to the dried blood caked onto her body, "I'm the one who killed the sicko who tried to destroy mutant-kind less than forty- five minutes ago."
Logan examined her determined face for a moment, then nodded, "Keep an eye out for anyone else."
"Don't worry. I can fight if the need came."
"I wasn't going to."
Jess nodded, running her fingers through her long, pale green hair. Then she turned away, dismissing him.
Logan nearly smiled. Imagine, a teenage girl, telling him when he could leave. Next thing you know, the Prof'll be growing hair.
Gesturing to the others, Logan walked over to one of the walls. He sniffed the air experimentally. Extending his claws, Logan began to rip a large hole into the wall.
Sam glanced at Bobby, who shrugged.
Moments later, the hole was big enough for them to realize the plan. Logan had discovered which wall led outside. They could get away from the building through the exit he created.
Wanda spoke up, "What about Gambit?"
"Gambit?" Logan growled.
"He fell..." Wanda pointed to where her teammate lay, crumpled on the floor.
"We'll have to leave him, too."
"But-"
"We can't risk moving him. It's too dangerous," Logan walked out into the sand that lay just beyond the building.
"We'll be back, don't worry," Rogue tried to reassure Wanda.
Wanda shook her head, "Something's not right..."
"What do you mean?" Sam questioned.
"I'm not sure... something's happening..."
**********************
Jamie woke suddenly, and looked around himself. He seemed to be in a room that hadn't been cleaned for years. He was covered in dust from laying, unconscious, on the floor.
Brushing himself off, Jamie muttered, "How did I get here? Oh.. wait.."
**********************
Jamie began to remember vaguely how he had ended up in the filthy room. Peter had told him to climb the tree, so they could find their way out of the forest. Once he had gotten to the top, something had snatched him from the branches. Jamie had turned to look at his attacker, but there was nothing around him, except the tops of trees. That's what he thought, until he realized that there was a thick vine encircling his waist.
Jamie had cried out in surprise and fear. The vine reminded him of the old horror movies he had watched with Roberto. But then, the vine began to shrink, bringing him nearer to an old oak tree. When Jamie drew closer, he realized that the vine was alive, but a tree wasn't attacking him, it was a person.
"Who are you?" Jamie asked curiously, as the vine transformed itself into an arm, after setting Jamie down on the strong boughs.
The mysterious mutant didn't answer Jamie's question, but asked, "What were you doing?"
"I was... looking for a way out."
"Out of where?"
"Here," Jamie was nervous, afraid of the person in front of him, "The forest."
"Is there anyone else with you?"
"Yes, down there," he pointed down at the foliage below them. Jamie glanced up, "Who are you?"
"Louis."
"What-" Jamie started, but Louis put up a hand, to silence him.
Louis suddenly jumped onto the next tree, gesturing for Jamie to follow.
"What? What is it?" Jamie asked.
"The tree, can't you hear it? It's groaning in-" Louis stopped in mid- sentence, "Get off now!"
But it was too late, the tree began to fall forward. Jamie struggled to stay upright, but he toppled off of the limb, and crashed through the leaves, falling far down, down to where he was sure would be his death.
Jamie watched, helplessly as he smashed into a branch, and bounced over to the side. But instead of running into another tree, he flew into a window, shattering the glass. The last sound he heard was the tinkle of the splintered glass hitting the ground.
**********************
But now, Jamie found that he had no serious injuries, just multiple bruises and scratches. And speaking of multiples, Jamie was surprised to find that he hadn't created any copies of himself, even through all of the banging and bouncing. Normally, the smallest bump could cause another Jamie to appear.
Despite his situation, Jamie grinned, shouting for joy. He cold control his mutant power!
Jamie did another quick sweep of the room. Off to the side, was something he hadn't noticed before. A small door, just big enough to crawl through, was set into the wall.
Walking over to it, Jamie knelt down, and turned the doorknob. To his surprise, the handle turned, allowing Jamie access to the dusty tunnel behind it.
Not perturbed at all by the dirt, Jamie began to creep through the small space. The tunnel gave no hint of ever ending. But what he didn't know, was that he was closer to the huge building than he had thought. And that when he turned the corner...
**********************
I really don't like the end of this chapter, I think it's kind of a lame way to finish the climax-y thing... but hey, I updated!! There, happy, BobbyD12? 'Course you are. Anywho, thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far. Because I live on reviews. Poor Kernl Toad Sandrz. He doesn't get any reviews. Too bad. On the bright side of things, however, I don't have writer's block, so I can start on the NEXT chapter. Although, I have no idea when I'll finish it...
'Submit Review'? I wonder what that means... Why don't you click on that little button that says 'Go', and find out?
**********************
"He's dead."
Kerri was crying, harder than ever.
"He's dead!"
Tears were running down her face.
"I killed him. He's dead!"
"No."
Bobby's voice broke into her sobs, "He's not."
"No! You're lying! He's dead, I killed him! He's gone!"
"He's not dead!"
"Dead! Gone!"
"Stop saying that!" Bobby grabbed her shoulders, shook her.
"He's gone. He's gone," Kerri tore away from his grasp.
"Stop it! He's not dead!" Bobby was shouting now.
Logan pulled Bobby away from her.
"What are you doing?" he growled into Bobby's face, "Are you trying to hurt her more?"
"He's not dead!"
"Shut up!" Logan snapped, "Listen to me. She has jus lost someone close to her. She feels that it was her fault. And you're making everything worse!"
Bobby looked Logan in the eye, "He's not dead. If you don't believe me, be my guest!" He waved a hand in John's direction, behind him.
Logan looked over Bobby's shoulder. Pushing Bobby out of the way, he peered down at John. His eyes widened.
Small clouds of frost, icy vapor appeared in short bursts above John's face.
"What is it?" Rogue asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
When she got no answer, she raised her voice.
"What is it!?" she asked, the grief-sodden hope evident in her voice.
"He's not dead." Logan said, the recognition sinking in, "He's still alive! But how...?"
Rogue ran up to Bobby, hugging him, "You saved him! You saved him!" Burying her face into Bobby's shoulder, she started to cry.
"Rogue?" Bobby looked slightly unnerved, "Rogue, why...?"
"He's alive!" Rogue sobbed.
Bobby cast a pleading look to Logan.
"You alright, darlin'?" Logan asked.
"Yes, thanks to Bobby."
"Then why are you crying?" Bobby questioned.
"Because I'm happy."
"Not. not dead?" Kerri gasped, "Why isn't he getting up? Why...?"
Kerri looked down at John's motionless figure.
"No..." Pulling away from the sight, she backed away.
Kerri's tears slid down her cheeks. She ripped a strip of cloth from her shirt sleeve, tying it over her eyes. Then she began to run, her hand trailing along the wall. She tore out of the room, traveling as fast as she could, away from the nightmare.
**********************
Rogue gasped.
Bobby was concerned, "What's wrong?"
"Kerri! She ran out!" Rogue whispered.
"What!? Why?" Bobby asked, "She should be happy!"
When Bobby took a step forward, to follow her, Logan caught him by the shoulder.
He shook his head, "Let her go."
"Why'd she run away? John's alive!"
"She's ashamed," Logan explained roughly, "For being weak when he was strong."
Rogue looked up into Logan's eyes, "... for every moment she knew him. Every second of their knowing each other, he had stood against the harshness of reality, despite-" she broke off.
Bobby and Logan stood, in solemn wonder of the poetic words Rogue had spoken.
Then Bobby tentatively broke the silence.
"Despite what?"
Rogue looked up at him, confused, "I don't know. It just suddenly disappeared..."
"What did?" Logan probed, encouraging her to continue.
Rogue shrugged, "Memories. They just were wiped away. I don't know what I was gong to say."
Logan nodded, not questioning any further. He stooped to lift John's limp form into his arms.
"Let's go. We have to get out of here."
Sam instantly ran up, realizing that the situation had changed.
"Er... Mr. Logan?" he started nervously.
"Yeah?"
"There's something wrong with... um... what was his name? The guy with the wings?"
Logan strode forward, to where the rest of the group stood, who were obviously unsure of what to do.
Warren was leaning against the wall, breathing heavily. His damaged wing was lifeless, dragging on the ground. The other wing was folded up against Warren's back, nearly reaching the floor anyway, as it was about eight feet long.
When Logan approached, Warren didn't even acknowledge him. He continued to pant for breath.
Logan could smell his fear and pain. Warren's wings weren't delicate or brittle, but they weren't anywhere near the indestructibility of Logan's claws. Damage to them could result in amputation. Which meant being unable to fly.
Logan shoved John into Blob's arms.
Turning back to Warren, "Warren? Can you walk?"
Warren didn't respond. He remained unconscious to the world around him.
Jess stepped forward, "Logan, you take the others and get out of here. I'll stay with Warren."
"No. It's too dangerous, leaving you here. I'll stay."
Jess scoffed, "They'll need you. You're the only one to protect them. Besides," Jess gestured to the dried blood caked onto her body, "I'm the one who killed the sicko who tried to destroy mutant-kind less than forty- five minutes ago."
Logan examined her determined face for a moment, then nodded, "Keep an eye out for anyone else."
"Don't worry. I can fight if the need came."
"I wasn't going to."
Jess nodded, running her fingers through her long, pale green hair. Then she turned away, dismissing him.
Logan nearly smiled. Imagine, a teenage girl, telling him when he could leave. Next thing you know, the Prof'll be growing hair.
Gesturing to the others, Logan walked over to one of the walls. He sniffed the air experimentally. Extending his claws, Logan began to rip a large hole into the wall.
Sam glanced at Bobby, who shrugged.
Moments later, the hole was big enough for them to realize the plan. Logan had discovered which wall led outside. They could get away from the building through the exit he created.
Wanda spoke up, "What about Gambit?"
"Gambit?" Logan growled.
"He fell..." Wanda pointed to where her teammate lay, crumpled on the floor.
"We'll have to leave him, too."
"But-"
"We can't risk moving him. It's too dangerous," Logan walked out into the sand that lay just beyond the building.
"We'll be back, don't worry," Rogue tried to reassure Wanda.
Wanda shook her head, "Something's not right..."
"What do you mean?" Sam questioned.
"I'm not sure... something's happening..."
**********************
Jamie woke suddenly, and looked around himself. He seemed to be in a room that hadn't been cleaned for years. He was covered in dust from laying, unconscious, on the floor.
Brushing himself off, Jamie muttered, "How did I get here? Oh.. wait.."
**********************
Jamie began to remember vaguely how he had ended up in the filthy room. Peter had told him to climb the tree, so they could find their way out of the forest. Once he had gotten to the top, something had snatched him from the branches. Jamie had turned to look at his attacker, but there was nothing around him, except the tops of trees. That's what he thought, until he realized that there was a thick vine encircling his waist.
Jamie had cried out in surprise and fear. The vine reminded him of the old horror movies he had watched with Roberto. But then, the vine began to shrink, bringing him nearer to an old oak tree. When Jamie drew closer, he realized that the vine was alive, but a tree wasn't attacking him, it was a person.
"Who are you?" Jamie asked curiously, as the vine transformed itself into an arm, after setting Jamie down on the strong boughs.
The mysterious mutant didn't answer Jamie's question, but asked, "What were you doing?"
"I was... looking for a way out."
"Out of where?"
"Here," Jamie was nervous, afraid of the person in front of him, "The forest."
"Is there anyone else with you?"
"Yes, down there," he pointed down at the foliage below them. Jamie glanced up, "Who are you?"
"Louis."
"What-" Jamie started, but Louis put up a hand, to silence him.
Louis suddenly jumped onto the next tree, gesturing for Jamie to follow.
"What? What is it?" Jamie asked.
"The tree, can't you hear it? It's groaning in-" Louis stopped in mid- sentence, "Get off now!"
But it was too late, the tree began to fall forward. Jamie struggled to stay upright, but he toppled off of the limb, and crashed through the leaves, falling far down, down to where he was sure would be his death.
Jamie watched, helplessly as he smashed into a branch, and bounced over to the side. But instead of running into another tree, he flew into a window, shattering the glass. The last sound he heard was the tinkle of the splintered glass hitting the ground.
**********************
But now, Jamie found that he had no serious injuries, just multiple bruises and scratches. And speaking of multiples, Jamie was surprised to find that he hadn't created any copies of himself, even through all of the banging and bouncing. Normally, the smallest bump could cause another Jamie to appear.
Despite his situation, Jamie grinned, shouting for joy. He cold control his mutant power!
Jamie did another quick sweep of the room. Off to the side, was something he hadn't noticed before. A small door, just big enough to crawl through, was set into the wall.
Walking over to it, Jamie knelt down, and turned the doorknob. To his surprise, the handle turned, allowing Jamie access to the dusty tunnel behind it.
Not perturbed at all by the dirt, Jamie began to creep through the small space. The tunnel gave no hint of ever ending. But what he didn't know, was that he was closer to the huge building than he had thought. And that when he turned the corner...
**********************
I really don't like the end of this chapter, I think it's kind of a lame way to finish the climax-y thing... but hey, I updated!! There, happy, BobbyD12? 'Course you are. Anywho, thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far. Because I live on reviews. Poor Kernl Toad Sandrz. He doesn't get any reviews. Too bad. On the bright side of things, however, I don't have writer's block, so I can start on the NEXT chapter. Although, I have no idea when I'll finish it...
'Submit Review'? I wonder what that means... Why don't you click on that little button that says 'Go', and find out?