Chapter Six: Through the Flames
The bar was a war zone. Smoke curled through the shattered windows, and the faint flicker of flames licked at the walls. The boy clung to Rogue's arm, his small frame trembling as he stared at the unconscious mercenaries strewn across the floor.
Logan, scanning the room, turned to Rogue. "We need to move. She'll be back, and next time, she won't come alone."
Rogue nodded, brushing a gloved hand over the boy's hair to soothe him. "What about him?" she asked, her voice quiet but firm.
Logan's gaze softened as he crouched in front of the boy. "Kid, you got a name?"
The boy hesitated, then whispered, "Liam."
"Alright, Liam," Logan said, his tone surprisingly gentle. "You stick close to her, got it? We'll get you somewhere safe."
Liam nodded, his wide eyes darting between Logan and Rogue.
Logan stood, his claws retracting with a metallic snikt. "Let's go. Before we have another welcoming party."
The Road Out
The trio slipped out the back of the bar, the bitter night air biting at their skin. Snow had begun to fall, blanketing the ground and muffling their footsteps. Rogue carried Liam on her hip, his small arms wrapped tightly around her neck.
"Where we headed?" Rogue asked, her breath visible in the cold air.
"North," Logan said, leading the way. "There's an old safehouse about ten miles from here. We'll lay low until we figure out our next move."
Rogue arched an eyebrow. "Ten miles? In this?" She gestured to the falling snow.
Logan smirked. "What, can't keep up?"
Rogue rolled her eyes. "Just lead the way, tough guy."
They moved quickly but cautiously, weaving through the dense forest that bordered the town. Logan's heightened senses kept them one step ahead, his ears tuned for the hum of engines or the crunch of boots in the snow.
Every so often, Rogue glanced at him, her thoughts swirling. There was something about the way Logan moved—steady, unyielding, like he'd been through hell and come out stronger. She admired it, even if she'd never admit it to his face.
"You keep starin', Rogue," Logan muttered without looking back, "and I'm gonna start thinkin' you got a crush."
Rogue snorted, her cheeks heating despite the cold. "Don't flatter yourself, Logan."
"Didn't say it was me you were starin' at," Logan shot back, a teasing edge in his voice.
Rogue huffed but couldn't suppress the grin tugging at her lips.
The Attack
The quiet was shattered by the sudden roar of engines. From the darkness, headlights pierced the trees, illuminating the trio like prey caught in a trap.
"Damn it," Logan growled, his claws extending.
"Get behind me!" Rogue shouted, pulling Liam close as a trio of armored SUVs skidded to a halt, their doors flying open.
Mercenaries poured out, rifles raised. The woman with the green eyes emerged last, her smirk visible even in the dim light.
"You're persistent," Logan said, stepping in front of Rogue and Liam.
She shrugged. "I get paid for results. And you, Wolverine, are worth every penny."
Logan growled, crouching into a fighting stance. "Hope you brought more than last time. 'Cause you're gonna need it."
She laughed softly, raising the glowing device in her hand. "Oh, I did."
At her signal, a hulking shadow stepped out of one of the SUVs—a towering figure encased in sleek black armor, its mechanical limbs hissing with hydraulics.
"Great," Rogue muttered. "Another one of Pierce's tin cans."
"Not just a tin can," the woman corrected. "Meet the Sentinel Mk. IV—custom-built for targets like you."
The Sentinel's glowing eyes locked onto Logan, and it charged with terrifying speed.
Fight in the Snow
Logan met the Sentinel head-on, his claws slashing against its armored chest. Sparks flew, but the machine barely flinched, swiping at him with a massive hand and sending him skidding across the snow.
"Logan!" Rogue shouted, setting Liam down behind a tree. "Stay here, sugar. Don't move."
She launched herself into the fight, her flight propelling her like a missile. She slammed into the Sentinel's side, denting its armor and throwing it off balance.
The mercenaries opened fire, but Gambit's quick reflexes—charging random debris and flinging it into the enemy ranks—kept them from overwhelming the trio.
"Logan, you good?" Rogue called, dodging a blast from the Sentinel's wrist-mounted cannon.
"Peachy," Logan growled, charging back into the fray. He leapt onto the Sentinel's back, his claws digging into its shoulder joint as he tried to sever its power core.
The machine bucked violently, throwing Logan off and into a nearby tree. Rogue caught him midair, her superhuman strength steadying his weight.
"You owe me for that," she teased, setting him down.
"Put it on my tab," Logan grunted, shaking off the impact.
Turning the Tide
As the fight raged on, the woman with the green eyes watched with growing frustration. "Enough of this," she muttered, raising the device.
The Sentinel froze mid-attack, its glowing eyes intensifying. It began to emit a high-pitched whine, its chest opening to reveal a devastating energy cannon.
"Scatter!" Logan shouted, grabbing Rogue and pulling her out of the blast's path as the cannon fired, obliterating everything in its wake.
Trees splintered, snow melted, and the shockwave knocked even the mercenaries off their feet.
Rogue and Logan hit the ground hard, the force of the blast ringing in their ears.
"Logan," Rogue gasped, struggling to sit up. "We can't keep takin' hits like that."
Logan looked at the Sentinel, its cannon charging for another shot. His jaw clenched. "We take out that cannon, or we're done."
Rogue nodded. "Cover me."
Without waiting for his response, she launched herself into the air, dodging another blast as she closed the distance to the Sentinel. She landed on its chest, gripping its cannon with both hands and pulling with all her strength.
The Sentinel thrashed, but Logan took the opportunity to strike from below, his claws ripping into its exposed wiring. Sparks flew, and the machine let out a metallic screech before collapsing into a smoking heap.
The woman with the green eyes cursed under her breath, retreating into one of the SUVs. "This isn't over," she called as the vehicles sped away.
The Aftermath
The snow was silent again, save for the crackle of the destroyed Sentinel. Rogue leaned against a tree, catching her breath as Logan approached.
"You okay?" he asked, his voice rough but laced with concern.
"Been better," she admitted, brushing soot from her jacket. "But I'll live."
Logan nodded, his gaze lingering on her for a moment before he turned to Liam.
The boy peeked out from behind the tree, his eyes wide but filled with awe.
"Come on, kid," Logan said, extending a hand. "Let's get you somewhere warm."
As they walked into the night, Rogue glanced at Logan, a soft smile tugging at her lips.
"Thanks, Logan," she said quietly.
He grunted in response, but the faintest hint of a smile flickered across his face.
For now, they had survived. But Rogue knew this was just the beginning.