X-natural

Chapter 10: A Dark Place

Juliana's POV

These men had hurt so many people and destroyed so many lives. This was so much bigger than what I had originally thought.

Warren had taken us to a small condemned house where he and several other people lived together, recovering from the trauma they had been through. Warren began introducing us to each person.

There was a brunette man sitting on a two-seater couch with a little girl on his lap. The man had to be in his late 20s to early 30s and had tired brown eyes. His hair was in a short ponytail and he looked like he hadn't shaved in weeks. The girl had wild Auburn curls and icy blue eyes. Jason and his daughter, Ava.

Jason (32)

Jason's daughter, Ava (4)

Next to them was a woman around our age (early to mid 20s) with mousy brown hair in a messy bun, a man with a buzz cut (lots of scars and tattoos), and another woman with short, straight black hair. Melissa, Andrew, Sonya.

Melissa (26)

Andrew (28)

Sonya (19)

"Is this everyone?" Dean asked.

"There were more of us..." Jason said in a slow, tired tone. "But they either died from injuries, couldn't get out during the big escape, or they went their separate ways."

"They were fucking idiots," Andrew growled. "There's strength in numbers.

"Papa he said bad word," Ava giggled. Jason shot Andrew a glare.

"Andrew please." Melissa placed a hand on his back and rubbed it gently. "There's nothing that could have been done."

"If they had listened...if they had stayed with us or at least went out in a group..."

Sonya stood and walked over to us. "There were at least forty-six of us in the compound they had us in. Twenty-five of us escaped but only fifteen made it to our previous hideout." She said.

"As you can see, there are only six of us now." Warren added. "And some of us are gifted. Which only makes us more valuable to them for selling."

"G-gifted?" I took a step back and glanced around, wide eyed. There was no way. No way he meant...

Dean rolled his eyes. "Gifted? What the hell do you mean gifted?"

"You're mutants?" I asked in a whisper. Warren turned and gave me an odd look. Jason and Melissa had the same look on their faces.

"You're one of us, aren't you?" Warren smiled sadly. "Every mutant knows that look."

Dean looked at me, shocked. "If that true? Are you...?" I nodded my head, tears forming. Dean quickly engulfed me in a hug. "You could have told me, baby."

"If they actively collect mutants that means Dri is in more danger than I thought," I sobbed. The others seemed to resonate with this statement and stood up.

"My daughter can freeze over any cameras and security. I can make help scope out the perimeter." He smiled down at his daughter. Melissa squeezed Andrew's hand tightly.

"I'll fight if I have to. And find as many hostages as I can." Andrew said. He looked down as Melissa, who was clearly very short once standing. "And Melissa, you can check help them to the van for escape."

"We can do this!" Melissa chirped. "And put an end to all this!"

"After your daughter freezes the surveillance cameras outside, I can hack into the system." Sonya ran a hand through her hair. "I think if everyone picks and role and sticks to it, we can do it."

Dean nodded. "I have guns and regular ammo in my car." He grasped my hand in his and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "We can do this, baby."