Chapter Four Playlist:

•Crawling ~ LINKIN PARK

Note:

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A second.

Many things can happen in one... split... second.

A baby taking its first steps.

A kiss.

A car crash.

Glass was shattered everywhere, the Lincoln Navigator crushed and tossed aside; far away from the road, near the trees.

Lori and Rogue lay unconscious, near Logan —who had been raised up in the air, dangling, with his claws extracted; separated —and unnaturally— bent.

He had been roaring her name, and some other things she couldn't quite make out.

Rubbing her eyes, Johanna groaned. Her ribs felt like they were being squeezed, and her chest ached as she took tiny breaths.

She had initially thought Logan may have fallen asleep at the wheel.

That is... until she saw him.

Approaching Johanna slowly, was the very man who made her want to flee. But all she could do was attempt to crawl away; ignoring the shards of glass that cut her hands.

Snatching Johanna up by her hair, making her yelp, the man —Mr. Hunter— lowered his lips so close to her ear; his warm breath giving Johanna chills that raced down her spine.

"Where do you think you're going, Hybrid?"

"H-h-hybrid?" Johanna coughed. "What's that? And who even are you?"

Mr. Hunter narrowed his eyes, studying Johanna —as if she had uttered something that had finally made sense; his mouth slightly agape. "So it was true. You really don't know."

"Know about what?" Johanna snapped, attempting to stand —punching and scratching his arm; slumping back onto the concrete as he released her.

Mr. Hunter took a calm, deep breath, before pressing Johanna onto the ground, shoving her face down into the rubble —ignoring her screams; his bare hand choking the back of her neck.

"When I was created, I was given the name Orion. But most know me as The Hunter," he paused. "Andy'know... I recall yourmother having so much faith in you, Johanna," Orion tsked, shaking his head in mock shame. "The last thing she told me, was that one day, you were going to kill me. Me. The most powerful mutant hunter in the world. It's a shame you couldn't make her proud."

Trying to break away from his grip, thrashing and kicking, Johanna growled. "How did you know my mom?!?"

Orion chuckled darkly. "How else do you think I got this scar?" He probed. "Your mother was a strong one, I have to admit. And it was definitely interesting to hear how the doctors pronounced her dead by the virus... when I was the one who killed her."

Johanna became very still.

So her mother wasn't sick. She was murdered. Her best friend. The only person who understood her, was gone... because of thisdemon weighing her down.

Because of him, she had no family.

Because of him, she felt completely alone.

Because of him, most dreams were cursed, haunting her with glimpses of her mother singing to her, laughing, or just hugging Johanna. Often she would wake up, screaming and sobbing, calling out for her mother who would never respond back.

And because of him... other people were now hurt.

Like flipping on a switch, rage consumed Johanna, and the events that happened after were a bit of a blur.

Something had ignited deep within Johanna, and a warm energy coerced throughout her veins —her brain feeling excruciatingly tense and fiery. Her body felt like it had exploded, sending Orion flying many feet away. A big, blue light began to envelop Johanna completely —her whole body feeling numb; yet her pain, in that moment, was suddenly gone.

Every step she took —though— was a struggle. All she could think about, were the last moments spent in the hospital. And as she got closer and closer to Orion, she saw her mother.

"You have to be strong, Johanna." Her mom encouraged.

Her newfound powers now taking over —her eyes flashing a vibrant dark blue— Johanna raised Orion from off the ground, turning him around to face her.

"But... what if I'm not strong enough? I... I can't lose you, Ma." Johanna gripped her mother's hand, convinced that if she held onto her a little longer, everything would be okay.

Clenching her fist —Johanna's nose beginning to bleed— Orion's body violently trembled, his veins throbbing beneath his skin; and his eyes looking like dark pits.

"You won't lose me, sweetheart. I'll always be with you. Always."

His bones were cracking, and Orion's insides were boiling.

"Now get me a bottled water and a warm blanket, will you?"

Although she appeared healthy —even on the test results— her mother's seasonal asthma began to flare up; and although Johanna didn't want to leave her side, water and warmth would temporarily make the coughing stop.

Getting some change from her purse, Johanna kissed her mom, and promised to be right back. But little did she know, this would be the last time Johanna saw her mother alive.

With one, deep roar, Johanna obliterated Orion; turning him into dust.

And then, everything went dark.