Scott and Storm were making slow progress with Logan, the feral breathing hoarsely and leaning on his team leader more and more as they moved down a stretch of hallway. What Cyclops wouldn't give to have Colossus there, or even Jean to give him some telekinetic help with the heavy man. Without warning Logan tensed, stopping mid-step and swaying a bit as if the loss of momentum confused his weary body.
"Whu whuzzat..?" he mumbled, shivering slightly. The loss of blood, weakened state of his body, and cool air around them as they made their way toward the upper floor was beginning to take their toll, and Scott realized Logan was likely starting to go into shock. He gave a short mental curse.
"What was what…?" Storm's calm voice was soothing, washing over Logan's frayed nerves and making him lean just a little closer to her, taking in her scent of ozone and warm spring rain. It took him a second to remember she'd asked a question, so caught up in the pleasant sensory input that he lost all track of the present.
"Noise. Rumble." Logan coughed slightly, his throat and mouth still unbearably dry, feeling weighed down by all that had happened to him. He just wanted to collapse right there, but a small part in the deepest recesses of his being still yearned to live, howled for him to keep going. He didn't see the startled looks the other two exchanged behind his back.
"More soldiers?" The question came from Scott, maybe rhetorical, but he automatically shook his head.
"Deep. Big. I dun thin' so." The words slurred, and Logan fought in vain to stay upright. His adrenaline was gone completely, leaving only exhaustion and pain from the numerous still open wounds decorating his entire body. Ororo gasped as his weight shifted and Scott had to help her maneuver him to the middle as he tilted toward her.
"Logan, stay with us! You have to keep moving, please!" Storm's voice was reaching a slightly higher octave in desperation, knowing the feral had reached the end of his strength. She hated that he couldn't stop and rest yet, but they only had to make it to the jet, and then all would be well. She suddenly heard Scott take a quick indrawn breath and looked over, concerned.
"Damn it, we have to get going! Jean just told me that the dam's been compromised and this place is going to be flooded soon." Their visored leader jostled Logan slightly, startling him from the standing half-doze he'd dropped into. The sudden jerking motion made the feral's head hurt, and he growled softly, feeling only vaguely aware of his surroundings.
"Leave me 'lone," he snarled, but it came out sounding more like a plea. He was slowing them down, wasn't he? He… he was tired. Let him sleep, he'd be okay. "G' on out. I'll… be fine. Prob'ly." Logan shook his arms weakly, urging them to let go, shivering even more. Storm hurt for him, but couldn't, wouldn't, give in.
"We can't take that chance, Logan," she replied, tightening her own grip on one broad, twitching bicep. His muscles had begun spasming slightly from the extreme dehydration. "Now get your damned heavy ass in gear!" She was nearly in tears but held her emotions at bay, frightened for them all but even more concerned with their injured friend's complete personality switch. He'd gone from a desperate fight to survive to barely even caring, if that. If Scott hadn't already dealt with Stryker, she'd swear she could fry the man herself, no matter how much she valued life. Logan gaped at her almost stupidly, his own thought processes muddled and foggy, but he knew she didn't normally talk like that. The look on his face would have been comical, hazel eyes wide and mouth open in surprise, but Ororo was far too worried to laugh in the current situation. The white-haired woman gazed up to the ceiling, sending out a quick prayer for help… and blinked when a pair of shoes appeared, followed by the rest of Kitty dropping down from above. She landed lightly in front of them, breathing heavily. The girl must have been moving at quite the high speed to get so winded!
"Jean said she already told you, so let's get going!" She turned around before grabbing at them, getting Scott's hand in her right and both Logan's and Ororo's in her left, her frightened grip nearly crushing their fingers. Then she concentrated, focusing on thinning out their density until the light, floating feeling saturated every part of her. Kitty adjusted her ability, sending them rising up as quickly as possible until they emerged on the first floor. The sudden reversion again to actual weight seemed to hit Logan the hardest, and he stumbled, held up only by the three of them. Without thinking Kitty flung herself forward and Storm and Cyclops were right with her, their heartbeats racing with the need to escape. Logan could hear the fear in their panting breaths and stuttery, pounding pulses, but couldn't seem to raise the same emotion in himself. He half ran and half staggered, long legs barely keeping up, even with Kitty's much shorter strides. Every part of him felt achy and cold, but he knew if he didn't at least try to keep up they would stop to help him, and that would put them in harm's way. He didn't know what was wrong, having been in his own hazy world when Scott relayed the urgent message from Jean, but his instincts were flaying his nerves and giving him a barely held reserve of energy. Logan could feel something coming, a faint rumbling in the concrete under his bare feet, and he didn't want his friends to be caught up in it. They surged through walls and rooms, the scenery flying by without his noticing until they emerged suddenly into snow-reflected sunlight and an extreme change in temperature. The absolute chill hit him like a sledgehammer in the chest, but he barely had time to feel it freezing the air in his lungs and stinging his bare feet before they were moving again. The shivering that was taking control of his muscles got even worse, and he felt weighed down, body seeming to get heavier with every step. Kitty had released them from her awkward hold so she could run better, and he had a vague thought to wish she'd held on to him with her power just because it would have made it so much easier to sprint.
"We're almost to the jet, just keep going and we're out of here!" Scott yelled as they crunched recklessly through snow and underbrush. Logan could feel sharp rocks and bits of debris piercing the soles of his feet, but paid little attention. What were a few more stings? The sound was louder out here, a distant wall of something ominous that caused the others to pick up the pace just a bit more. The worn feral looked ahead, blurring vision catching sight of the Blackbird's dark shape against the snowy background, and almost-relief flashed through his mind. Get aboard and sleep, get aboard and sleep… The mantra echoed in his mind, but his body didn't want to listen. It was done. It demanded immediate rest, and it refused to take no for an answer. Wolverine didn't even feel it coming. He just dropped, landing in a crumpled heap in the snow and making Storm trip over him, unable to stop herself in time. His gaunt form trembled all over, and he was barely breathing.
"Damn it, no! Jean, help!" Ororo's desperate yell made Scott pause and look back. Looking ready to curse himself, he urged Kitty to get onto the jet with himself right behind. He moved past Jean just inside with a few quickly spoken words before the redhead was running down the ramp with a horrified expression, darting toward her teammates on the snowy ground. Storm had gotten to her feet, but there was no way any of them could physically carry Logan's limp form.
"Oh God, oh God, oh God…" Storm could hear Jean's whispered plea.
"We'll finish getting the Blackbird ready. You can do this Jean." Ororo's tone was urgent and reassuring before she ran to the ramp and disappeared inside the jet. Jean inhaled a steadying breath and then exerted her power, focusing on keeping Logan steady as his limp body rose up and began floating toward the Blackbird. They had precious little time, but she couldn't panic or she'd never be able to concentrate enough to move the heavy mutant. Even without Logan's hearing, she could make out a very faint rushing sound getting louder, the cracking dam finally giving way to the inevitable. Jean determinedly ignored all else, the sense of dread in her stomach, the slight tinge of blue on Logan's lips, and her own fears and doubts. She just was, pulling at that power inside of her to help her teammate, her friend. Foot by foot she moved them toward safety, taking precious steps in the jet's direction. Jean was admittedly feeling a little shaky herself but pushed through, feeling relief wash through her in a warming rush as her next step made contact with the ramp. Kitty was right there, helping guide him back to the small medical area and getting him onto a low, bolted down cot. Scott and Ororo were finishing up at the controls, and Jean could hear the ramp pulling up against the jet's sleek body. They both hated to do it, but Kitty reluctantly used two thick, leather straps to buckle Logan into the cot, working as quickly as possible. The young mutant fervently hoped that he didn't wake up, because he'd truly be pissed at being restrained. It was a necessary evil, though; none of them wanted him getting jostled around during the flight home with the risk of deteriorating his condition even further. His wounds still weren't healing, and she thought she could see some blood actively oozing, if weakly, from a nasty gash on his right shoulder and several of the bullet holes in his broad chest. Jean and Kitty hurried back to the front once Logan was settled. There would be time in-flight to better take care of their wounded teammate, but with Wolverine's secured status, a more pressing matter reared its ugly head. Through the clear expanse of the Blackbird's windscreen, a rushing wall of water could be seen heading directly at them, pushing over trees and churning up debris. Scott's awed and worried tone spoke for them all.
"Holy shit…"