The group were making their way to another Mutant Underground hideout at Fairburn Station. Sage had heard on the police scanners that the Sentinel Services has caught wind of the mutant hideout and would be going after mutants there. The drive there was long and Lorna was speeding down the empty road.

John was on the phone with Reed Strucker who was currently at Fairburn Station along with the rest of his family. "Reed. We're on our way, less than five minutes out. What's going on?" John was saying. Winona was anxiously wringing her fingers together. "We're hiding out at the south end of the building, but we can't get to an exit," Reed said through the phone, which was on speaker.

"How many people are with you?" John asked. "Uh, just us and Wes. Uh, most of the refugees have already surrendered. Uh, Andy's hurt," he said quickly. Winona could sense that he was trying to remain calm. "How bad?" John questioned. "He's unconscious, but Cait is afraid to move him. Wes has put up a mirage to hide us. I don't think he can hold on forever," Reed answered.

"All right, we're almost there. Just hold on. We'll portal in, and get you out of there," John responded. Winona released a quiet breath of air as she felt fear creep into her. Lorna sped up the car.

When they finally arrived, Lorna parked the car in a mildly hidden area. They all quickly exited the vehicle. John stopped walking and focused, using his enhanced senses to deduce what's going on. Winona watched him intently. She bit her lip in nervousness, her fear for the Struckers and Wes growing. John turned to face them, "Sentinel Services is setting up around the building."

"Can you get us in?" Marcos asked Clarice. "Yeah, I think so," she responded, going to take a step away from them. A loud crash caused them all to freeze and look in the direction that it came from. "What the hell was that?" Lorna asked. "I have a feeling we're about to find out," Winona said. She turned around and walked to where Clarice stood.

The girl began to open a portal. Once it was big enough for them all to fit, they quickly entered. Winona quickly looked around the place. It was in complete chaos. There were mutants running around, trying to get to safety. Every thirty seconds, an explosion would shake the building. Winona was having trouble just staying on her feet. "John, where are they?" Lorna yelled over the noise.

"Go! Down the hall!" John shouted at them as they ran through the building. Another explosion hit, causing Winona to duck down. She took a breath and continued running down the hall. Behind them, doors were being blown open. The walls were being destroyed. Winona had no idea what was going on or what was causing it. But whatever it was, was definitely not good.

They ran up stone steps and continued pushing forward. John was leading the group, directing them on where to go. Winona briefly turned her head to the side, looking out of an opening in the wall. Two mutants with a contraption on each of their arms were stood outside. They were the ones causing this damage.

"This way, come on!" John yelled. The four ran after him, more explosions happening behind them. Winona covered her head as rubble flew towards her. They entered a room and the Struckers were there with, who she assumed was, Wes. She hadn't met the boy when he was staying at the Underground.

Winona breathed out a sigh and went to where Lauren was sat on the floor. She helped a very weak Wes up, putting one of his arms around her shoulder. John urged them all forward and they ran out of the room. Winona was careful as she made her way down the stairs. An incredibly loud explosion happened behind them, one that almost knocked Winona off of her feet.

She was breathing erratically as she tightened her grip on Wes. "They're too powerful! Get us out of here now!" John shouted to Clarice. She nodded her head and ran down another set of stairs before opening a portal. They all quickly ran through it and ended up back in the woods. They quickly made their way through it, ducking down when they saw Sentinel Service agents.

"We have to get out of here," Lorna hissed to Marcos as they all slowly walk forward. "Yeah.
We can't take on those Hounds. We'll never make it if they see us," Marcos agreed. Winona and Lauren lowered themselves and Wes to the ground. John took the lead again and began doing his thing. "Ugh, they're all through the woods. The car's blown. They'll be on us soon," he whisper shouted. Winona sighed, "Yup, we're screwed."

"We go that way," Andy said suddenly. Winona turned around to look at him and see where he was pointing. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "The woods are full of agents," Reed protested. "They said it was safe," Andy replied. "Who said it was safe?" Lauren asked forcefully. The boy stood up, "I know how to get out of here, okay? Just follow me." And with that, the boy took off running. "Andy, wait!" Caitlin cried.

They all stood and began following after the boy. They made their way through the woods with Winona constantly scanning the area around them for agents. She saw none but didn't let her guard down. "This way," Andy panted. They continued to follow after him. They broke out of the woods and onto the main road.

Winona let out an aggravated sigh as she saw the Frost sisters. Their eyes glowed as they used their powers on the Sentinel Services agents that were grunting in pain on the ground. "Let's go," the blonde in the center of the trio said. Andy practically slammed into the side of their fancy car as he became unstable on his feet.

Winona hoisted Wes up a little higher as she eyed the three blondes. "What are you doing to them?" Reed asked, looking down at the agents. "Giving them something to think about," the one on the left said. "I know you're squeamish about killing," they all say in unison. Winona hated them.

"More agents coming this way. Too many for us to handle," John called out to the group. The sisters pushed off of the vehicle. "Well then, I guess you better get in," they said together. Winona scoffed, "I'd rather die." John turned to look at her. The look on his face making her roll her eyes and move toward one of the Jeeps. She opened the door and got in before turning back and pulling Wes into the vehicle. Lauren got in after the boy was settled.

One of the Frost sisters got into the driver's seat and started the Jeep. She quickly began driving after the Jeep in front of them.

····

The group made it safely back to the Mutant Underground. Winona laid in her bed, staring up at the ceiling. She opted to stay out of the discussion with the Frosts. She already knew where it would lead and she wasn't in the mood to try and convince the others to not work with the triplets. She knew her words would fall on deaf ears.

She sighed in annoyance. Her mind wandered back to her conversation with Phoebe the other night. Winona hadn't given her biological parents much thought since she was a kid. And now Phoebe was telling her all of these things about her biological mother that she wished that she hadn't known. Like the fact that the woman was still alive.

Winona could've done without knowing that bit of information. But now that she did, she couldn't stop thinking about it. She had so many questions for the woman who knew all of the answers. A part of her wanted to know who she was. To know why she had left her on the steps of that convent. To know why she had gone down the path that she did. A tiny part of her was considering taking Phoebe up on her offer.

But an even bigger part of her was telling her that it was a bad idea. She knew it was a bad idea. But, Winona couldn't help but be curious. A knock on her door pulled her out of her thoughts. She sighed, "I already told you that I was fine, Elaine." A voice clearing alerted her that it wasn't Elaine, which was confirmed when the person spoke.

"Uh, it's not Elaine." Winona sat up in the bed and turned to face John. He stood uncomfortably in the doorway of the room and sent her a small smile. "Did you need something?" She questioned. "I, uh... Can I come in?" He said. She nodded her head and watched as he walked into the room. He gestured to her bed in question and she nodded, answering his unasked question.

He took a seat on the bed, as far away from her as he could get. She almost rolled her eyes at him. "We're gonna work with the Frosts," he said. This time, Winona did roll her eyes. "You came here to tell me that?" She asked. He shook his head. "Well, yes. And, I wanted to make sure you were okay," he clarified.

Her face scrunched up in confusion. "Why wouldn't I be?" She asked. He shrugged his shoulders and looked down at his hands. "Can I ask you something?" Winona asked suddenly. He looked up at her and nodded. She took a breath and slowly released it before speaking. "If you were adopted and someone told you that they knew who your biological parents are and where to find them, would you want to?" She asked.

John thought it over for a moment. "I suppose it depends. But, I'd be curious, yeah," he answered. She sighed, "What if the person who knew this information was not a good person and the only way that they would tell you that information is if you joined their evil terrorist group?" John stared opened mouthed at her. "What's this about?" He finally asked. Winona sighed, "The Frost sisters. Phoebe came to me the other night. Told me she knew about my biological mom and I just, I can't stop thinking about it."

"Phoebe Frost told you this and you believed her?" He asked. She shrugged and looked down at her hands. "I don't know what to believe anymore." John moved closer to her and rested his hand on her knee. She looked up at him and he reluctantly sent her a reassuring smile. "If you want, I can help you find out about your biological parents," he said. She chuckled slightly. "Right, because you were a big help in finding my sister," she said.

John's smile widened, "Hey, we found her." Winona playfully rolled her eyes at him. "Yeah," she mumbled. She looked up at him him. "I never thanked you for all of your help. And for coming to rescue us from Trask Labs. So thank you," she said. He shook his head. "Don't thank me. I'd do anything for you," he replied. Winona's eyebrows raised and he realized how that sounded.

"Because you're a mutant and it's my job to help mutants and what not," he reiterated. Winona bit back a smile as she nodded. "Right, of course," she said. Their eyes met for a moment. The two stared at one another with an intensity that neither realized was there. Winona slightly bit her lip as the two's eyes remained locked together.

John leaned in slightly, an action that didn't go unnoticed by Winona. She felt her heart rate pick up as her heart began pounding against her ribcage. For a moment, she froze. She didn't want to move away from him because in that moment, she did want to kiss him. But she didn't. She couldn't. Not now. So, Winona broke eye contact with him and turned away. She cleared her throat awkwardly, John doing the same. "Sorry, I—"

"No, no. Don't be sorry. I'm sorry. I just, I don't know," Winona muttered lamely. She ran a hand through her hair in frustration before looking at him. "A part of me wants to kiss you. Because I like you, I really do. But then there's the other part that's telling me that now isn't the right time. I mean with everything that's happened and everything going on—"

"I get it," John interrupted. Winona looked down, beginning to feel awful. He squeezed her knee that she hadn't realized he was still touching. She looked up at him again. "It's okay, Winnie," he assured. He leaned forward and pressed his lips to her forehead, leaving a kiss there. "I like you too," he admitted quietly once he pulled away. "But you're right, now isn't the best time." He then stood up.

"You should get some sleep," he suggested. She smirked, "You look like you need it more than I do." He nodded, "You're probably right." John then began walking to the door before stopping and turning back to face her. "I don't trust the Frosts either but—"

"We're desperate?" She interrupted and he nodded. "I didn't think we were this desperate," she muttered and he sighed. "I don't know what else we can do, Winnie. If you have any bright ideas, then please share," he said. She bit her lip again but said nothing. He stared at her for a moment longer before turning back to the door.

"This isn't gonna end the way you hope it will. You know that, right?" She asked. He paused in the doorway. He turned his head so that he was looking at her. "I really hope you're wrong," was all he said before walking out. Winona released a heavy breath. Elaine walked in, her eyes following John's retreating form.

She turned to look at Winona with raised eyebrows, a smirk falling onto her lips. "What were you guys doing in here?" She asked, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively. Winona groaned before throwing herself backwards on the bed.

°°°°

Sorry for the lack of updates but I've been busy preparing for college. Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. It was fun to write. Do you think Winona should take Phoebe up on her offer in order to find out more about her mom? Please leave me some feedback in the comments and also vote. Also, I might go on hiatus because Wattpad is toxic and people on here are really getting on my nerves. So, check my message board later to know whether or not I will. If I decide to, there will be no updates for this book for a while. Anyway, have a nice day.

-N