They wouldn't make it.

There was nowhere to go.

There was nowhere to run.

The soldiers were already shooting and Lauren threw up a shield. They must have circled round somehow, because Andy could see the X-men wannabes fighting with another squadron a short way away.

"Can you open a portal?" James asked Blink. She held her hands out and a small one formed in front of the truck. Too small, and the soldiers immediately started shooting at it.

Lauren looked at Andy.

He looked back.

There was a moment of connection, of understanding and wordless agreement.

"Stop the truck," he said.

"What?" shrieked Sheila.

"Stop the truck," Lauren repeated.

"Let us out."

"We can buy you guys enough time to get away."

"You- no, you can't, you're just kids-"

"We stopped being kids a year ago. Let us out."

Sheila looked at James.

He stopped the truck.

"No, Lauren, Andy, please! They'll kill you!"

"And they'll kill all of you. Just drive, and don't look back."

Lauren opened the door and climbed out, Andy close behind. She threw up a shield, and took his hand.

The golden glow crawled up their arms.

It craved.

Oh how it craved.

And it took, and it burnt, everything in its path.

They could feel it, every part of it, one mind across two bodies aware of every minute molecule of the world around them.

And the bullets turned to ash.