Two: Everything Changes
Lucas was true to his word.
The fight hadn't lasted long at all, but the carnage left by the devastating battle was sure to remain with the people of Terra Nova for a long time to come. After the screams of torture and the sound of explosions had ceased, Skye emerged from her hiding place, realising how peaceful the silence could be.
A wave of shock and devastation shot through the colony. Terra Nova was no longer recognisable. Rubble and bodies scattered the floor, the remains of a brutal and savage battle. Lieutenant Washington knelt on the ground beside many other of Taylor's soldiers, guns aimed at their heads, their hands up in surrender.
"No," Skye muttered, her eyes wide with horror, and then she noticed the rover pull up through the gates. It stopped in front of the large crowd and a familiar young man stepped out, a smug grin painted across his stubbled face. He was elated at the sight. Looking around gleefully, in an almost child-like manner, he clapped his hands together and laughed manically.
"This is beautiful," Lucas jeered, sweeping a hand through his hair as the colony fell silent and circled around him, their faces full of hatred and fear. Nobody dared make a move, or utter a single word, for fear of the armed soldiers who stood behind Commander Taylor's son.
Lucas bounded over to what remained of the steps leading to his father's office and addressed the crowd with jubilation. Skye felt her muscles tense, the mere sight of him made her chest tighten. She prayed he wouldn't see her.
"People of Terra Nova," he began, mirth in his voice, "a new era has begun! Your colony," he added, showing off a twisted grin, "is under new management. Where is your precious Commander now, huh? The all-seeing, all-powerful man you blind fools put all your faith in to? He's fled, like the coward he is! Your leader has abandoned you." Skye noted the anger weave in to his speech, the traces of bitterness in his voice. "Today is the day you realise how it feels to have someone you're supposed to trust reject you at a time you need him the most." He paused a beat, and then the smile appeared again. "Today is the day everything changes."
His speech came to a close, and his dark eyes caught sight of Skye. She glanced away immediately, her heart convulsing inside her chest. But it was too late. As the crowd slowly began to disperse, Lucas climbed down from his newly-acquired throne and swaggered towards her, his very being drenched with all the power and intimidation of a man who was truly unstoppable.
"Bucket," he said, his voice caught between disappointment and relief. "You're here." He stopped in front of her.
She crossed her arms, her jaw stiffening. "Of course I'm here," she breathed, her heart beating in her ears. "This is my home."
"You're the one who told my father we were coming," he surmised, although he seemed too drunk on his success to be annoyed by her betrayal. "I warned you this would happen."
Skye said nothing and tried to ignore how intensely he was looking at her, how much that smug grin made her want to smack him and run for her life. He merely chuckled at her indifference and shook his head, the smile gradually vanishing as he lifted his eyes to observe the destruction he had caused.
"I told you not to come here, Bucket, and for your sake I wish you had listened to me," he told her, turning his face back towards her. He paused a beat, watching her scowl at him. "Because your so-called home is never going to be the same again."
She gnawed on her lip, narrowing her eyes at him. She watched as he stepped closer, felt her palms sweat as he brushed his thumb over her lower lip, causing her mouth to open slightly. She felt her insides twist in to knots, screaming internally, as he leant his face towards hers, making her gasp. And then she felt his lips on her cheek, lingering a few moments, the stubble on his face prickling her skin as he kissed her.
"I'll talk to you again soon," he breathed in her ear. "There's something we need to discuss, and right now I have many things I need to tend to."
She frowned and scarcely breathed until he had stepped back from her. When he finally walked away, she felt like a heavy weight had been lifted from her chest, the sweet air of freedom filling her lungs once again.
Her eyes then focused on Josh who was approaching her. His solemn frown indicated that he was coming over to see if she was okay, but on further inspection she could see that his eyes were pink and moist with tears.
"Josh? What is it?"
"Kara," he croaked in return, a fat tear rolling down his cheek. "She's dead."
Dread filtered through her and she suddenly felt like sobbing with him. Embracing Josh, she glanced again into the direction Lucas had slunk off to and feared just what other atrocities he was capable of.
