Author's Notes: Logan's thoughts appear like this. Marie's appear like this. and Carol's appear like this.
The interior of Marie’s mind was a battle ground. A jumbled mass of confusion that made absolutely no sense. Marie couldn’t tell her thoughts form Carol’s. It was al just one big long train of thoughts that merged into one.
Until something else broke through.
What’s going on, kid?
For a brief instant, Marie felt hope. She still had Logan on hr side. He was in her head and he could help her fight Carol.
Log--
Oh no you don’t, little girl! Carol shouted, making her presence known loud and clear.
Her connection with Logan was broken instantly.
Don’t even think of running crying to your sugar daddy ‘cause he can’t help you. Not in here. This is my domain now, Carol taunted, a maniacal glee in her voice. This body is mine to play with.... As soon as you’re gone anyway.
Marie screamed at the flood of images that entered her mind.
An ordinary looking ranch house in an ordinary looking suburb with an ordinary looking family living inside.
A black lab named Winston playing in the front yard with two children.
A piano in the living room. Music drifting through the entire house. Bach and Mozart with a small hint of jazz every so often.
Kid, talk to me. Tell me what’s going on.... Marie! Logan shouted, the desperation obvious in his voice. Kid, I’m beggin’ ya, talk to me!
Vast expanses of snow dotted with perfect drops of crimson blood. The chill from the snow was bone deep. An all consuming coldness that could not be escaped.
A sudden pain.
I’m begging ya, kid. talk to me. Let me know that you’re all right, Logan pleaded, his voice brining a sudden halt to the images. The ones that were a part of his mind. Come on, baby, let me know that you’re all right.
Marie’s heart soared for a second. Logan had called her ‘baby.’
Of course, Carol was right there to interrupt the happy moment. I’m sorry, but Marie’s not here right now. Please leave a message after the scream....
Gathering up all of her strength, Marie let loose a volley of noise directed at the man that she loved.... LOGAN!!
“Come here, Rufus! I’ve got your bone!”
Has anyone ever told you that you’re too clingy? Carol snickered.
All Ah want is fer ya to leave me in peace! Marie sobbed amidst a fresh barrage of mental flashes. Leave me alo--AAAAAHHHHH!!
“Hello, mah name is Marie an’ Ah live in Mississippi.”
Dark brown hair tied back in pigtails that David used to tug on.
Dancing around to the music being played on the piano in the living room.
Rufus burying a bone in the front yard.
Get outta mah head! a don’t belong here! Marie screamed, struggling to push away the memories that weren’t her own.
“Carol, would you please stand up and recite your ABC’S.”
“Weapon X appears very resistant to the implants.”
Giggling madly, running through a curtain of bubbles.
A curtain of oxygen bubbles shielding champagne glass bearing doctors from sight.
Just hang in there a little longer, kid. I’m coming.
Before Marie got a chance to respond, Carol shoved her to the side. She was laughing hysterically, taunting Logan. You’re acting as though I care, big boy. I ain’t Marie.
Then who the fuck are you, bitch? Logan roared, his voice drowning out all of the confusion for at least a few moments.
Claws tearing through the tender flesh at the knuckles, creating a stinging pain.
Insults, insults, Carol drawled, teasing an already pissed off Logan. Be nice, big boy, or I’ll hurt your precious Marie.
A razor slicing across a pale, slender wrist, creating rivers of blood in intricate patterns.
You touch her and I swear I’ll gut you! Just try me, bitch! Logan threatened, his voice a deep rumbling sound.
Carol burst into a fit of insane laughter. Gut me and you gut your precious Marie. We are one, Wolfman.
Marie could feel her connection with Logan snap as Carol’s power increased. He faded away with little more than a snarl into the same place that Carol wanted to lock Marie.
Get outta mah head, bitch! Ya don’t belong here! Ya belong in yer own body! Marie cried, struggling to force Carol to give up control of her mind.
Marie could sense Carol’s desire to roll her eyes as she spat out, Yeah, I’m gonna become a human vegetable when I have a nice, lively body right here. Sure. Okay, little girl.
Well it’s yer own damn fault fer doin’ what ya did. Ah tried ta make ya let go o’ me, but ya wouldn’t. Ya’d still be alive if ya had,” Marie reminded her.
A large map hanging on a wall above a bed.
A trail marked from Meridan, Mississippi to Anchorage, Alaska. Glittering in the sunlight.
Stuffing a few meager belongings into a duffel bag.
Flying fifty feet above the ground. Rotating in circles and screaming into the wind.
An angry growl piercing the still, night air.
Yer gonna hafta go eventually. They all fade after a while.
Metal glinting in the sunlight. The scent of freshly drawn blood.
But I’m stronger than they could ever even dream of being. You’ll never be rid of me. NEVER.
Marie growled, the threatening sound sounding a great deal like Logan’s would have.
That’s not gonna scare me, little girl.
Deep in the back of her mind, Logan was growling. It was low and resonating and very present. Marie felt more confident when she heard it. The last time Logan had started growling like that he had saved her from the angry mob in Washington barely more than a week before.
He can’t help you, little girl, Carol told her, her voice deceptively calm only moments before a loud, maniacal laughter spilled from her lips.
The sound of flesh hitting flesh.
Metal echoing in the blow.
Wind rushing through long, blonde hair.
Beating off a three-hundred pound drunk intent on getting something small and fiery in his pants.
Fighting through an unknown wilderness in subzero temperatures wearing nothing more than a pair of shorts.
Adamantium enriched bones being manipulated by an older mutant.
A loud scream coming from somewhere far away.
Terror for the person screaming.
Being blown through the air on a gust of wind.
Landing on a platform.
More screaming.
Fighting to save her.
Touching her skin.
Feeling her softness.
Love.
For her.
Marie.
AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!
“Easy there, kid. I’m here now.”
Marie forced her eyes open and saw the face of the one person she knew could help her. A tiny smile tilted the corners of her lips as Carol became silent for at least a short while. She felt his hand in her hair and let out a deep sigh, feeling safe for the first times since Carol had appeared in the woods.
“Ah knew ya’d come back, Logan.”
“Always, kid, there’s nothing that could keep me away from you. Nothing at all,” Logan promised her. Marie could hear the pain in his voice and see the pain shining in his eyes along with the tears.
“I love you, Logan,” Marie told her, wanting to make sure that he knew.
Logan smiled sadly and pressed a brief kiss to her forehead. “I love you too, Marie.”