X-Men: Dark Mirror by Marjorie M. Liu Page B

touched by the person she loved.
    It did not last. She heard footsteps, a low sigh.
    "We don't have time for this," Logan muttered.
    "Shut up," Scott said. "We're having a moment here."
    "You can take a whole year for all I care, but not until we're someplace safe. Come on, Cyke. Don't make me be the voice of reason in this outfit. We're already screwed up enough."
    "He's got a point," Jean said. "Cyke."
    Scott gave her a dirty look. Logan, showing a remarkable degree of restraint, said nothing at all. He turned and walked back to Kurt and Rogue, who waited quietly beneath a scraggly tree, one of many that lined the broken sidewalk; no doubt part of an old project meant to greenify a section of the city that was, even at night, extraordinarily dour. Kurt leaned against the narrow tree trunk, rubbing his leg. He stopped when the others got close.
    "How are you doing?" Scott asked him.
    Kurt straightened, throwing Rogue a wry smile. "We were just discussing that, mein freund. I will be fine."
    "Right," Rogue muttered. "His knee is popping every time he straightens his leg."
    Scott frowned. "You've made it this far. Can you keep going?"
    "I must," Kurt said, and then waved his hands in the air. "A ch, don't look so concerned. I am not crippled. It could be worse."
    Could be, and probably would be, after this night. They had no money, no transportation other than what their feet could provide them. Jean said nothing, though. She did not imagine hitchhiking was an option, not in this part of town and not at night.
    "Screw it," Logan muttered, and stalked off down the street
    "Logan?" Jean said. She ran after him. "Logan, what are you doing?"
    "What I should have done earlier," he said. "But I was trying to be decent. Forget that."
    He stopped beside an old Chevy van parked at the side of the street and began looking at the ground, which was littered with debris.
    "Go get the others, Jeannie," he said, picking up a rock.
    No need. Everyone was already close behind, looking puzzled but not terribly surprised by Logan's outburst.
    "Logan," Scott said slowly, looking at the rock in his hand. Logan flashed them a quick grin and then in one smooth motion smashed the rock through the drivers- side window of the van. The glass shattered.
    "So much for being subtle." Scott watched the street around them, jean listened, but heard no one stirring inside the nearby buildings. She doubted that would last.
    "Don't get your panties in a twist." Logan reached through the broken window to unlock the door. He climbed in and leaned over to open the passenger side. "Everyone, move it."
    "You know," Scott said, remaining still, "hot-wiring cars only works in the movies."
    "Then you must be really bad at it." Logan grabbed a large piece of broken glass and used it to pry off the old plastic dash beside the wheel. Jean grabbed Scott's arm and steered him to the other side of the van, where Rogue and Kurt were already buckling into the large backseat. Scott grabbed the front; Jean joined the others, sliding the door shut behind her. The interior smelled like beer and cigarettes.
    Logan found two wires and stripped them with a sharp edge of glass. Scott rummaged through the glove compartment. Jean, too, cast around the back of the van, looking for anything useful. All she found were some worn Playboys and a pair of very dirty underwear. Jean nudged the soiled boxers with her foot. Rogue shook her head.
    She heard popping sounds accompanied by colorful language. The van's engine roared to life and Logan shifted gears, pulling away from the curb. He blew on his fingers.
    "I feel so guilty," Kurt said. "What if stealing this car ruins some man's life?" He glanced out the back window. Jean looked, too. The street was dark and empty.
    "Say some prayers for him," Logan replied. The wind rushing through the broken window whipped blond hair across his chubby face. He brushed it away impatiently. A hard-nosed little brat , Jean thought fondly. Logan looked like the