Journal Entry #23

Welcome to your new life. Terra Nova. A new start. That's what we were all told, and yet somehow I don't see it. Maybe because I never got a chance to make it to that new start before I was snatched up and dumped in this hell hole. Day 102. I am almost losing track, but at least I have this to help me keep a hold on reality, and to help me keep busy. I swear I am almost losing my mind just being here. Although I guess it doesn't help when you are around people who are mentally unstable themselves. But this is the life I live now. Or the life I am forced to live. Lucky me.

"Home sweet home." I sighed sarcastically to myself as I set down my journal. Really it wasn't much of a journal since my writings were scrawled on rough scraps of paper, wrappers, and leaves. Anything I could find that would hold the ink of a pen. Ever since I had come to this place, writing seemed to be the only thing that kept me sane. It was a way to keep a log of what was going on and I guess in my own way to keep proof of what was happening if someone found me. Correction. When someone found me. I couldn't imagine the idea of being trapped here forever.

I reached my arms high, stretching out my stiff muscles and rolled off my cot, making my way across the small space that I called my room. It was just large enough to hold my cot, a small bedside table and a larger make shift dresser. I had propped a piece of dark glass up on the dresser, the closest thing I could find for a mirror and glanced into it as I picked up my brush and began running it through my hair.

The girl that gazed back at me was relatively young, just twenty one years old, with dark hair and light eyes. My hair reached about half way down my back, long and naturally straight though it had grown slightly wavy during my time here. In fact, I had changed a lot since my arrival. My hair was longer, my skin tanner and my body more fit from years in the jungle. But it was more than that. I had changed as a person too. Gone was the girl who had so much hope in the world, the girl who had a clear grasp on her future no matter how unclear it may seem. I had always put so much faith in fate and how everything would work out in the future but now I wasn't so sure.

"Tess!" I heard my name called from somewhere below and I jumped, dropping the brush. A second later there was the sound of bells ringing through the camp and my heart sank. No. Not now. Not today. He wasn't supposed to be back for at least a few more days.

"Tess!" I heard my name again and this time a face appeared in the door way of my tent.

"Mira."

I just stood there, too stubborn to acknowledge her presence anymore, even as she thrust open the makeshift curtains that served as my door and strode inside, followed by two guards.

"He's back."

"Oh really." I said, not even bothering to turn around. "I hadn't noticed." I kept my tone even and bored, my only real way of rebellion.

"He's requesting your presence."

"Yea? Well he's not a damn king, he can come here if he wants to see me."

I knew my words were too bold and my thoughts were confirmed when a second later I felt a vice grip on my arm.

"Ouch!" I gasped as the guards seized me and turned me to face Mira.

"Maybe you didn't hear me." She hissed and in three steps she was across the room and bent down in my face. "He wants to see you. Now."

I tested the guards' grip on me, tugging a little but when I saw that they obviously weren't going to let me go, I sighed. "Well then, wouldn't want to keep him waiting."'

Mira must have sensed the sarcasm in my voice but she chose to ignore it and instead straightened up and nodded to the guards.

"Hey!" I said as they started to drag me from the room. "Hey, you know I can walk myself, let me go!" But the guards paid no attention as they yanked me out the door and across the makeshift bridges that served to connect all of camp. The sun was just peaking over the horizon and it was my guess that it couldn't have been more than a few hours into the morning, yet the camp was crawling with activity.

People were hurrying back and forth, some carrying crates and packages, others carrying guns. Preparing for their leader's return no doubt. Wish I could say that I was as thrilled as them.

The whole camp was set up like a giant tree house with bridges connecting each of the smaller cabins. The largest, in the middle, was where Mira usually stayed but on occasion it belonged to someone else. It was no surprise when the guards dragged me to this cabin and shoved me so harshly through the door that I almost fell. At the last second I caught myself and steadied back to my feet bracing myself for what I knew I would see. There was only one other person in the room aside from me and he had his back to me, his hands held casually behind his back as he gazed out the window. When he heard us enter he turned and an icy green gaze met mine.

"Lucas." The word slipped from my mouth like venom but Lucas just smiled.

"Tess." He turned to the guards and motioned for them to go. "It's fine. Leave us."

They hesitated and irritation flashed across his face.

"Go."

The guards glanced at me, but then gave a curt nod and left the room.

Lucas watched them go before turning to fix his eyes on me, his expression calm once again.

"Wow." He said softly. "You just get more and more beautiful every time I see you."

"Aww." I said sarcastically. "I'm flattered."

"You should be." Lucas said, turning away from the window and casually strolling over to me. He stopped when he was just a step away from me, so close that I could feel the warmth of his body. He looked at me for a moment, running his eyes over my body and studying me so hard that I shifted uncomfortably. That was the thing about Lucas, he was so intense and that combined with his physical beauty made you almost forget all that he had done. And the fact that he was practically insane. Almost.

I turned my head slightly, trying to hide how flustered I was suddenly feeling. I could feel heat slowly creeping into my face and I fought it furiously, angry and confused as to why I was reacting to him like this.

Lucas smirked, almost as if he could read my mind.

"Thinking about something?" he asked and this time I was tempted to turn my back to him, but luckily he strode over to a wooden couch that sat in the corner of the room and settled down, giving me some much needed space.

"What do you want, Lucas?" I asked as he picked up a paper weight off the table in front of him, a piece of rock that had been split in half to reveal that the inside sparkled, and studied it.

He didn't answer, but instead glanced up as if he hadn't heard me, then motioned to the spot next to him. "Come, sit."

I hesitated. The idea of being close to him was not exactly appealing right now but I saying no wasn't exactly an option, so I crossed the room and sat down. I edged as far away from him as I could but he placed a hand on my thigh. The move was so sudden and possessive that it stopped me. I wanted to swat his hand away but once again I knew that I couldn't so I just sat there stiffly, trying to will him to let me go.

"Lucas." I said after a minute. "What. Do you. Want?" I said the words slowly; half to try and get his attention and half because my patience was slowly beginning to wear thin. Being near him like this was making me uncomfortable and bringing up some old memories that I did not want to re-live.

Lucas had been studying me again but at my words, he blinked and seemed to come back from wherever he had gone, his lips turning up in a smirk.

He removed his hand and shifted so that he was angled towards me. I could feel his eyes on me but I didn't look up.

"How are you?" he asked. He reached out and brushed a piece of hair away from my temple and I flinched. He chuckled softly. "I've missed you you know. I get lonely sometimes, out there in the jungle alone."

He was baiting me I knew. Teasing me and trying to get a reaction. I kept my eyes glued on the ground, not willing to give him the satisfaction.

"The nights especially...It's cold without someone there next to me."

He reached out to touch me again but this time I moved, jerking away from him.

"Don't touch me." I snapped, suddenly unconcerned with the consequences. "Don't you dare."

This time Lucas let out a full on laugh. "Now there's the girl I remember. You had gotten so quiet you had me worried." He smirked evilly. "What's the matter? Not used to having me around anymore?"

"Guess I was enjoying the peace and quiet." I said irritably. "What are you doing back here anyways? Made any progress with your precious little project?"

Something flashed in Lucas's eyes but then it was gone and replaced by another grin.

"All in good time. But that's not what I'm here for. I'm here to see you."

"I would ask you for what but I have a feeling you would just continue with all these compliments and cryptic bullshit. So if you don't mind-" I went to get up but Lucas caught my wrist. I tugged but he wouldn't let go.

"Not so fast." He said, his voice low and dangerous. "You're not going anywhere. In fact, you're coming with me."

"What?" I asked, startled. His words had caught me off guard. "No." I tried tugging again but he refused to loosen his grip.

"Yes." He said coldly. "You are. I'm only in camp for one night. I came back to get you. Tomorrow at dawn I leave again and you are coming with me."

I felt as if the breath had been knocked out of me. I would hardly call this my home, but I didn't want to leave. Especially with him.

"No." I said again. "No I won't go with you. I'm never going anywhere with you, damn it let me go!" I tugged so hard that Lucas lost his grip on my hand and I went tumbling to the ground. I gasped as I landed hard, knocking my wrist against the floor. I sat up, cradling my wrist in my hand as Lucas got up and towered over me.

"I suggest you pack your things." He said, and with that he strode out of the room, leaving me alone.