“Get the fuck out of here, you fucking freak!” the man who punched him yells. He doesn’t get another word out before I punch him so hard he hits the ground on his back. I point a gun at his face.
“Don’t fucking touch him,” I snarl as a different man tries pulling a gun on me. I smack it out of his hand so fast that he doesn’t even notice until the gun is pointed at his head.
“You must exit the area immediately,” August demands.
A man tries getting close to August, but Landon throws a trash can in his path which the man stumbles over. “We don’t have to do shit, super freak. Go fuck yourselves!”
“We’re trying to help the people inside,” Ellison says. “So back down.”
“We don’t need help from mutants like you,” a woman screams.
A security guard comes out and I assume he’s going to help, but he simply stalks toward Ellison.
“Get the fuck off these grounds.”
“You are legally required to step out of the way and let us pass,” August orders.
“We have rights too! It’s not all about supers!”
“Go on then, head on in there, and if you die, the other dumbasses with you sure can’t blame us,” I snap.
“Don’t feed into them,” Ellison says.
“I’m not planning on feeding into them, I’m planning on feeding them to your illusion,” I explain.
“I’m going to freeze time and we’re going to move into the building,” August says. “Count of three… two… one.”
The assholes around us freeze and August hurries toward the door. Iaccidentallykick the one who punched Ellison on the way to the door. Landon rips the door right out of the wall with a wave of his hand instead of simplyopeningit and we all dash inside.
Time starts up again as I point out the stairs and begin heading up them.
“Can’t we take the elevator?” Landon asks.
“Honey, there’s a fire or something going on upstairs. You can’t take the elevator during a fire,” August says.
Landon shrugs. “I guess everyone’s going to burn up, then.”
“I have faith in you. You’re the strongest man I know,” August says.
I ignore their sappy talk and charge ahead. “Ellison, do you know what floor your father would be on?”
“Top floor. August, Landon, and Lex, can you get the people out of the building who might still be in it?” Ellison asks.
“Leave it to us,” August says.
“Brandon, can you come with us?” Ellison asks, not telling him that we’re going to use him as a meat shield. I’m more than prepared to use his body to protect Ellison.
“Of course!” Brandon agrees as he follows us.
About halfway between the thirteenth and fourteenth floor, there’s a flash of movement when El appears before us. I jerk back, pulling Ellison to safety, but Brandon’s a bit slow on the uptake as El kicks him in the chest hard enough he falls backwards and starts sliding down the steps.
“Get the fuck out of here,” El snaps.
“Why do you insist on ruining my life?” Ellison asks. “Are you not happy until I have no one?”
“You understandnothing!” he screams as he comes for Ellison, but I slide in front of him.
“I understand,” I tell him.
