Chapter 7

No POV

In an abandoned building, far from her home, Estelle stirs from her slumber. Pain sets in first, then panic when she realizes that she's bound and gagged by thick rope. Trapped, tears well up in her eyes.

Struggling a voice speaks up, "Don't bother, you're not going anywhere."

Looking around, she's surrounded, by...mutants?

She's confused, scared, as the mutants that surround her have shocking physical traits that shortly manifest with their gene. Scales, wings, and molded bodies that no longer look human. They stand, some looking at her with hope and others rage.

The man who took her, well one of them, stands in front of her with a thick lizard tail, adorned with spikes, and faded blood.

"Listen, we're not going to hurt you. A little birdy told me you could help us out. Take away our filthy mutant traits."

She didn't know how they found out, and she frankly didn't care. She tries to scream but it fails to reach. Bending down he grips her jaw, "I'm going to take this gag out, scream all you want but no one is going to save you."

Tears fall, taking it out, she bites her tongue, thankful at the little freedom she's been granted. Looking at the man fearfully she speaks, "I don't know if I can help you, I don't even think my powers can-"

She gets cut off by an angry woman, slamming her feathered fist against the wall it breaks and cracks.

"LIKE HELL YOU CAN'T!"

The man glares at her, making her quiet. Looking at Estelle he continues, "You can and you will. I'm going to let you go, and if you try anything funny I'll break your legs."

The threat sends fear down her spine, he unties her forcing her to stand against the brick wall.

Gripping her wrist he bruises the skin, "I'm first."

Standing in front of her, she holds out her hand. Trying to focus, her abilities connect to the subject, slowly his tail fades within him and his scales sink into his flesh.

The crowd watches in amazement, leaving the man to reveal himself in his human form. Until, he shouts, backing away from her, his tail reforms as the scales on his body rip out of his skin.

On the ground, he looks at her with rage as her tears continue to fall.

"I-I'm s-sorry."

The feathered woman, grips Estelle's neck, kicking her feet her, she struggles to breath.

"YOU BITCH!"

Throwing Estelle across the room, the feathered-woman glares at her, "Throw her in the cell."

Grabbing her arms they drag her off, blacking in and out of consciousness she stares at the ceiling. Dropping her in the room, one of them uses there abilities to form a brick wall, trapping her with no exit or entrance.

Looking at the ceiling a little light peaks out from a small window. Struggling to breathe the pain leaves her to weep on the ground.

I have to get out of here, I can't die here, I can't.

Struggling to stay awake, she pushes herself up. Stumbling a few times before she stands, using the wall to keep her up. Focusing on her chest, her hand glows as her broken ribs return to their solid foundation.

Breathing a bit better she falls, accidentally banging her head against the wall. Vision flickering she places her hands against the bricks. Staring at the window above, she seeks freedom. Focusing her powers the cement holding the bricks together liquifies. Pushing the weak foundation, she falls to the other side. Skin scratched by the floor of bricks she crawls out, thankful as the warm air hits her skin.

Finally on solid ground, she stands, walking towards the forest she trips on a wire, then alarms go off.

"SHE'S TRYING TO ESCAPE! GET HER!"

Fear fills her body as the adrenaline pumps in her veins. The pain tries to slow her down, biting her tongue tears fall from her eyes. Running, they're quick as the tree beside her grows a gaping hole from their blasters.

Within the building Logan has arrived, taking down the mutants standing in his way.

"WHERE IS SHE!"

They don't answer, using their destructive powers to slow him but it does little.

Within the woods, she doesn't slow as they creep closer. A blast hits her ankles causing her to yelp. Immobile, fear consumes her. Gripping the ground her tears blur her vision, and her hands glow softly. The open land around her sprouts thick trees, fully grown and strong.

More and more grow from the ground at a great speed creating a barrier around her, for nothing to penetrate.

Surrounded, and protected, she leans against the nearest tree within the protective circle of nature. Allowing the moon to light the darkness surrounding her.

At the edge of the forest Logan runs, growing closer to her scent. Destroying the guns, killing the mutants chasing her, he grows closer, scent getting stronger.

Stopping at the flood of trees huddling together, he finds a crack. Slipping through, she looks around, fearful until she hears his voice.

"Estelle!"

Looking at Logan, warmth fills her, vision blurry her soul calms as he rushes to her side. Holding her close, she grips onto his back taking in his scent. Feeling safe, rage fills him at the various bruises, injuries, and blood on her body, staining her clothes.

Picking her up, he holds Estelle close, secure, safe.

Walking to the edge of the circle, the trees regress, allowing a path for Logan to take. Her adrenaline fades, allowing the pain to settle. Crying quietly she nuzzles into his chest, before drifting off to find solitude.

The rest of the X-Men arrive at the distraction left behind. The ship lands, opening the hatchet to find a bloody Estelle and an angered Logan. Walking into the ship Hank is quick to treat her while the others gather the living.

Returning to the mansion, Estelle rests peacefully, pumped with pain medicine, and bandaged. Logan doesn't leave, holding her hand through the night and morning.

Hank tries to pursued him to eat, or sleep but he refuses, staying by her side stubbornly.

Gripping her hand, he begins to doze off in his seat, whispering softly.

"Estelle..."