Nightingale Chapter 4, a falling skies fanfic

Chapter 4 Sanctuary Part 2

"Let go of me!"

I struggled as the skitter lifted me into it's arms, the sound of the mech echoing loud in my ear as I looked up and made eye contact with the skitter. The skitter froze, it's scaly hands tightening around my arm and thigh just before it threw me onto the leaf covered ground. I cried out in pain as my head collided with a rock and I quickly pressed my hand to my forehead as I felt something wet pool above my right eyebrow.

"What are you doing?!"

I looked up at Clayton to see him looking from the harnessed girl and me, his face full of rage and confusion.

"We do not take her kind."

I turned around and began to crawl back away from the skitter as it started towards me, hissing menacingly as it's pincer's snapped. I quickly moved onto my feet, limping lightly as I applied pressure onto my right leg so I could stumble backwards.

"Her kind? She's a human girl and she's healthy!"

The skitter hissed as it and the girl moved to the side and the mech took a couple of steps towards me. I gasped as it's hands began to whir to life and it prepared to shoot me. I looked from Clayton, to the Skitter then back to the mech, my heart pounding so fast I swore it would jump out of my chest and the mech wouldn't have to waste ammunition on me.

"She is mutated. Her eyes are not right. Shoot her."

I gasped as I turned towards the woods to run away from the mech and the skitter when I was hit with a burst of wind. I went flying towards the skitter and made a move to run away again when it grabbed me and wrapped it's scaly hands around my neck. I looked into it's black eyes as my hands wrapped around it's thin wrists, my bangs flying into my eyes as the wind picked up and rain started to descend from the heavens. The skitter began to click and growl as it tilted it's head from side to side, as if it was trying to figure something out. I gasped in pain as it squeezed my neck tighter, I felt the hair on my arms and neck stand up, and I could taste the ozone in the air. I looked up towards the sky just as white light filled my vision, sending every nerve in my body a flame as lightening struck and pushed the skitter away from me.

I moaned in pain as I fell into a crumpled heap onto the ground and Clayton came into my vision and pulled me up into his arms, sending me into sensory overload as everything went white then faded into the darkness.

"Go on Matty. Don't be afraid to play."

I laughed as Matt looked between the other kids,who were splitting up into teams, and me who was sitting on the side lines next to Rick. I shook my head with a small smile on my face and gave him a gentle push towards the group and nodded towards his brothers.

"Just go and play some soccer, okay? You'll have fun. I'll be right here for you, okay?"

Matt sighed and nodded as he turned and jogged up to Hal and tugged on the hem of his t-shirt. Hal placed his hand on the back of the young boys head and nodded his consent with a smile. I laughed lightly to myself as Matt pushed him for something he said when I noticed Ben looking at me from beside his older brother, and when he saw that he had my attention he mouthed slowly.

'You sure you don't wanna play?'

I nodded my head and waved my hand at him so he would notice that the teams where setting up their plans. I smiled as I leaned back onto my leather jacket, the sleeve's of my black jersey shirt rolled up to my elbows as I stretched out my legs. Glancing to my left I watched as Rick pulled his legs up and crossed them to where he was sitting like he was about to meditate, just staring off into space.

"You don't want to play soccer Rick?"

He hummed lowly and shook his head slightly as the game began, Sanctuary Vs. 2nd Mass. I glanced around noticing a majority of the guards watching the game instead of doing patrols. I hummed to myself as well when Mike walked up and placed a hand on my shoulder and then his son's shoulder before sitting down between us and watching the game progress.

Sactuary-3

2nd Mass.-0

I slid my hand into one of the large inside pockets of my jacket and pulled out my battered copy of The Perks of being a wall flower. I sat on the rock that Rick and I were using as a bench and picked up where I left off Where Charlie was telling his family about meeting the new's anchorman. I toed off my boots and began to flex and plantar flex my right foot to stretch out the tendons as the sounds of the game drifted over me while I read. I had about ten pages left to read of my book, I had pulled my hair up into a messy bun when I heard.

"Take it, Jimmy. Take it! Take It!"

I looked up to see Jimmy dribbling the soccer ball, bumping into other players as they tried to kick the ball from him. I noticed Ben jumping up and down, calling for Jimmy to send the ball his way when one of the Sanctuary team members stole the ball and took it towards the 2nd Mass. goal- Goalie was Lourdes and from what I could hear due to the groans of the 2nd Mass. kids wasn't a very good goalie. I chewed on the inside of my lower lip as I watched Hal talk to Tessa, the daughter of the man who owns the house on the Sanctuary, who were oblivious to the glares of Lourdes and Tessa's father. I looked around at the others who had rallied up to try to figure out a game plan to try to beat the Sanctuary kids when I noticed Ben and Jimmy talking, or rather Ben talking and being blown off by Jimmy. I shook my head and placed the chain I was using as a book mark between the pages and glanced over at Mike who had glanced at his son.

"You know, there are times where I miss being in school because I want things to be simple. Then I remember how much drama there is when you put us teenagers together."

Mike laughed and nodded his head in agreement as the game progressed further, the winner turning out to be the Sanctuary team. Matt ran over to me, panting and strands of his hair sticking to his forehead as he smiled at me.

"Did you have fun?"

I smiled at the young boy as I stuffed my book back into my jacket's pocket and sat forward so I could slip on my boots. Matt nodded and flopped down onto the grass as he waited for me.

"Yeah, but we lost..."

I looked up from lacing up my left boot to see Matt ripping up the dying grass in frustration. I shook my head as he threw a handful of the grass to the side and fell back to stare at the sky.

"Well... In my opinion as long as you had fun then, win or lose, it doesn't matter. You made it through this game, so next game you can learn from your mistakes."

Matt glanced up at me, his eyebrows furrowing as he chewed the inside of his lip before a spark of mischief danced across his eyes. He moved so he was on his knees and motioned me closer as I finished tying my right boot and cupped his hands around his mouth.

"Yeah, don't pick Lourdes to be the goalie."

I pulled away and stared at Matt for a couple of moments to see the seriousness set upon his features, before laughing loudly .

"Well, that would be learning from your mistakes."

Matt smiled and rushed to his feet as I did the same and held his hands out to try to help me. I shook my head and grabbed my jacket before bending down to grab one of my crutches to place it under my right arm pit.

"You know Matt, I think I regret telling you what happened. You treat me like a doll. "

I shook my head as I handed him my jacket and we made our way towards the house, the smell of vegetable soup drifting out the doors as 2nd Mass. kids ran in and out the doors. I looked at Matt over my shoulder and we both moved slowly, a small smirk gracing my lips as I spoke.

"Besides, if I did fall I would crush you like a bug."

"Hey!"

I stopped and put my hands out to stop Matt from trying to hit me, my body shaking with laughter as his hands hit mine and a smile breaking across his face. I let my crutch drop and applied some pressure to my right leg as I feinted throwing punches at Matt while he dodged them and lightly punched my arms and stomach.

"You know, you even hit like a bug. You don't do damage, you're just annoying. Like a mosquito!"

That caused Matt to try harder so I slowly fell to the ground as he then proceeded to pile on top of me, his body shaking with his laughter and mine.

"Matt, it's not fair to beat on cripples."

Both Matt and I looked up to see Ben smiling at us, his hair a tousled mess after the game of soccer.

"She's not a cripple! "

Matt sat up a little, his elbows digging into my stomach as he spoke to his brother.

"She's getting better, don't let her fool you with her mystic eyes!"

I groaned loudly as his weight on my stomach began hurting more than it should.

"Yeah, well... me and my mystic eyes will have a burst spleen or something if you don't GET OFF!"

Matt and Ben laughed and the younger brother shoved off of me, which produced another pain filled groan at the shift in pressure. I exhaled loudly as I stared up at the sky, the clouds rolling across the sky turning greyer as they went.

" Do you guy's think it will rain?"

I heard Matt flop down beside me as I stared at the sky while Ben stayed standing, his head tilted up before looking down at us.

"I dunno, maybe. Stranger things have happened."

I tilted my head to the side as they lightened up, giving way to few sun beams before darkening again. I sighed as I closed my eyes and allowed my body to relax. I don't know how long I laid there, but the next thing I knew my right hand was being grabbed. I jerked awake and looked up to see Ben standing above me, his hand holding my right as he murmured my name.

"C'mon Jane. It's time for dinner."

I groaned and sat up, squeezing his hand while rubbing my eyes. I looked around tugged his hand before looking into his eyes and saying softly.

"Help me up."

He nodded and began to pull my arm as he walked backwards so I had space to move my left foot under me. Once I was positioned right he pulled on my arm, yanking me up and slightly into his arms. I bit back a yelp as I applied to much weight to my right leg and tried to hide it in a laugh as I grabbed my crutch and said.

"Thank you Ben."

I placed my crutch under my arm and glanced up at him as I hobbled towards the house.

"I'm surprised Matt let you fall asleep."

I shook my head as we moved through the doorway, the patrol men shutting the door behind us with a solid thunk.

" I dunno about that kid sometimes. I think he's trying to lull me into a false sense of security so he can ambush me tonight."

Ben chuckled as we approached the table and he pulled a chair out for me as the other kids and adults sat down for dinner.

"Matt, would you do that? Lull Janie here into a sense of security only so you can ambush her?"

Matt glanced up at Hal as he walked behind Ben and I to sit next to Lourdes and the youngest Mason who tried to look innocent.

"I knew it."

Matt stuck his tongue out at me as we began to eat, our day turning to evening before bed. Hopefully tomorrow will be as good.

I lay on the couch in the den that was on the main floor, the sounds of everyone else getting ready for bed causing the floors the creak with every step they took. I sighed and rolled so that I was facing the doors that led to the front lawn that was turned into a makeshift soccer field. I closed my eyes and began counting from 100 as I tried to go to sleep, but the sounds of the doors opening repeatedly only caused me to lose count and start again. After failing in counting from 100 I tried to go through the process of relaxing every muscle in my body, starting with my head and ending at my toes. I huffed in annoyance as I sat up and looked around the dark room, my eyes having been adjusted to the dark since everyone went to bed hours ago. I pulled my hair out of it's ponytail that I forced it into and ran my fingers through it, pulling at the knots that my fingers found. After exhausting that and finding that I wasn't even close to being tired, I decided to try walking.

I placed both of my feet onto the hardwood floor and flexed my feet before moving slowly to a standing position. I gently shifted my weight from one foot to the other, taking note that while there still was some pain there wasn't much. I moved my right foot forward and slowly added pressure to see how much weight I could apply before having to back off. After about half my weight I scooted my left foot so I hobbled something awful, but I still moved without a crutch. I smiled to myself as I began taking more steps, not going to far from the furniture, pacing back and forth through the room. I don't know how long I was doing that, but my walking(hobbling) was slightly smoother. I wouldn't be doing any running in the near future unless I liked pain... last I checked I didn't so there... No running unless life or death.

I stood stretching my legs when I heard the floors creak, I shot up from my stretching position and turned to see Mike holding his finger to his mouth and motioned for me to sit down.

"Get your things."

I nodded and sat back down on the couch, my heart pounding as I looked at Mike and waited for him to speak while I started to pull on my socks and shoes.

"We've got to go. Clayton's made a deal with the Skitters so they can harness you kids and they are gonna be here tonight."

My head snapped up so fast it hurt.

"What?"

Mike shook his head and started moving towards the stairs, his voice still low.

"I wanted to tell you first so you would get a head start."

My mouth hung open as he rushed up the spiral staircase, my hands holding the laces on my right boot. I shook my head and hurried tying my boots and grabbed my jacket when I heard a noise in the kitchen. I froze, my heart pounding the adrenaline through my body so fast my arms shook. I stood and shuffled slowly to the doorway as someone opened the cabinets and got a glass of water. I bit my lip and peaked past the corner to see Tessa leaning against the counter, her skin pale and her hands shaky as she took a drink. I was about to move away from the doorway and grab my stuff when out of the corner of my eye I saw Hal stick his head past the supporter bean for the staircase. We made eye contact and just as that happened there was a light thud on the stairs. My eyes widened and I turned to Tessa who tilted her head and was about to leave the kitchen. I bit my lip harder and motioned for Hal to stay put as I made an exaggerated hobble into the kitchen, effectively startling Tessa.

"Oh! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to scare you Tessa. I just..."

I hobbled over to the center island causing Tessa to turn her back to the staircase.

"Needed some water and pain killers. My leg hurts more at night for some reason..."

I hobbled to one of the stools that were at the counter and smiled at Tessa who was giving me the most awful look of pity.

"Do.. Do you think you could help me? With the water and the pain killers?"

She nodded and moved towards the first aid kit that was under the sink and began looking for the medicine. I looked at Hal and jerked my head to tell him to get a move on.

"So, you know why I'm up. Your turn."

Tessa looked at me over her shoulder and gave me a shaky smile as she continued to look through the medicine.

"Upset stomach. Happens every time I make vegetable soup."

I nodded and glanced over to see Hal pushing the kids to the front door, Mike was already at the door keeping an eye out for the guards.

"I see. You know, that used to happen to my aunt. There was to much acid for her stomach. You should try some anti-acids, they do more than water."

She smiled as she pulled out a bottle of Ibuprofen and shook out two before pulling out a clean glass and filling it with water and placing it on the counter. I smiled back and grabbed the medicine and water and took it all in one go, making sure she didn't make any move towards the stairs. I exhaled loudly as I put the glass down and stretched before turning slightly so I could go towards the den.

"Well, now that that's done do you mind helping me back to the den?"

She nodded and moved towards me before stopping short and looking at the ground. I swallowed thickly as I looked down and saw what she was staring at. My boots.

"Why are you wearing your boots?"

I bit my lip harshly before running my tongue over where I bit and looking up at her, my face forming a grimace as I spoke.

"They help with the pain, especially when I am up and around. They keep my ankle stable."

She furrowed her eyebrows and tilted her head to the side as if she was thinking. I glanced over her shoulder to see that Hal, Ben, Rick and Lourdes were frozen as they stared at us. I flicked my eyes to the door to get them to move but they wouldn't move. I looked back at Tessa just as she began to speak again.

"I think I remember one of your crutches being by the stair case. Let me go get that for you."

I jolted forward as she turned and began walking towards the stairs, only to stop short at the sight.

"Hal? What are you guys doing?"

He stepped forward his gun on his shoulder as he made eye contact with me so I could start moving towards the door.

"Clayton made a deal with the Skitter. Please tell me you don't know about this."

She looked down for a moment before looking over at me, causing me to freeze and give her a questioning look which caused her to turn away and look at Hal.

"I-I was gonna talk to them about you, fix it so that you could stay."

Hal's mouth dropped open as he motioned for Ben and the rest to go. I was about to make my way to grab my things when Tessa started screaming. I spun around and made eye contact with Hal before jumping towards her, my hand covering her mouth as I spoke in a loud whisper.

"Go Hal! GO!"

"Not without you Jane! Now come on!"

I shook my head as her muffled screaming got louder and she tried to fight me off.

"Lourdes, get him and go! I can't run and I would rather die than have someone carry me."

I looked at Tessa as she licked my hand and tried to bite it, I pressed harder against her mouth her height advantage by two inches making it hard.

" Go Hal! While you still have time!"

Lourdes grabbed Hal by the elbow and yanked him towards the door, and as soon as they walked over the threshold I felt Tessa's heel hit my knee. I yelped in pain as she turned around and grabbed a fistful of my hair and slammed my head onto the counter before pushing me to the ground as she ran up the stairs. I groaned as I reached up to the counter to pull myself up when I felt arms under my armpits, pulling me up and to the door.

"C'mon Jane. I'm making sure you see your Grandfather."

I moved my legs as fast as I could as Mike and I ran from the house, the sounds of the guards and other fighters filling the night as Tessa woke everyone up finally. I pulled my hands from my face as Mike and I made it to a broken down truck, with Hal a couple of feet in front of us when they began shooting.

"Go!"

Mike turned around and began firing back at the Sanctuary Guards before turning back to Hal. I looked at Hal and glanced to my right at Rick who just stat staring into space, as if nothing was wrong.

"Mike, come on!"

I looked between Mike and Hal before speaking out loud as I pulled out a handgun that Mike gave me before cocking it.

"We got this Hal."

He looked at me then back to Mike who was shaking his head at me.

"No, you three keep going."

I rolled my eyes as the shooting began again only waiting for it to stop before breathing in deeply and pivoting on my left leg and aiming over the hood of the truck before firing two shots. I heard the sounds of a man groaning as I turned around and looked at Hal then to Mike.

"I'm staying Mike. Nothing you can do about it."

I watched as Hal rolled his eyes and grabbed Ricks arm and tugged it slightly before looking at us.

"You can't out-shoot all those guys."

I shrugged as another round of shots echoed into the night and Mike smiled slightly.

"We can try for a while."

Mike looked at Hal just before he and Rick took off.

"Take care of Rick, Promise me."

I turned my back on Hal and fired off a couple more rounds, resulting in another man groaning in pain. I turned to see Hal and Rick running off, Hal sending me a look as they entered into the forest. I looked at Mike who shook his head at me before saying,

"You need to go, they might kill you."

I rolled my eyes as I checked to see how many bullets Mike gave me and spoke.

"I'd rather die than be harnessed. Besides, if they do intend to harness us they won't kill me. Maybe I can save you too."

Mike chuckled lightly as he held his rifle and looked me in the eye while speaking.

"You're a good shot Jane. If this goes south, take care of yourself."

I nodded as one of the Sanctuary men called out.

"Line in the sand, is that it?! Or maybe you think you're just somehow better than us!"

I bit my lip as I tightened my grip on the gun, the edges digging into my palms as my hands shook slightly. I stared at Mike who leaned his head against the side of the truck, his grip tightening on his gun.

"They harnessed my son! I know what they're doing to these children!"

Mike looked down at his feet as he positioned his gun so he could jump up and begin firing.

"Maybe... Maybe I can't stop it... But I sure as hell won't be apart of it!"

"The world's coming apart, Mike."

We spun around just in time for Clayton to shoot Mike in the chest, causing me to scream out as blood sprayed across the side of my face. I pointed the gun towards Clayton, aiming for his chest as he walked towards me, his gun aimed at me.

"Put the gun down, Jane. I don't want to hurt you."

I gave a shaky chuckle as I pulled the hammer back on the gun and shook my head at him.

"Now, why do I not believe you?"

"Your cynicism is surprising Jane."

I scoffed at him as he stopped 5 feet from me, his eyes cold as steel as the wind began to pick up.

"We bring you kids into our home, feed you and give you a place to rest and this is how you repay us?"

"You're gonna sell us out to the Skitters! How else do you expect us to react?!"

"I don't know. But I do know, that if you try to fight your way out of here you will die. You're a smart girl Jane. You were always sneaking around, finding things out before anyone else did. Always thinking ahead to, now why didn't you run? Right, because you're already injured and you would have slowed down the group."

Clayton crouched down and stared unblinkingly into my eyes as the wind began to die down. I tried to control my shaking and breathing as the last of my adrenaline was burnt off.

" You knew you would be caught either way. Now, we're gonna find your friends. But maybe, if you cooperate, we won't hurt them anymore than we have to to get them back. Put the gun down Jane and they won't get hurt."

I clenched my teeth together as I looked at my knuckles that were turning white. What were my options? Yeah, I said I would rather die than be harnessed... but if I don't cooperate then they might hurt the others when... if they catch up to them. Should I take the risk? I glanced over at Mike's body out of the corner of my eye as his last words to me echoed through my head. Sure... being harnessed would be an awful way to live... but it's not as permanent than dying... That I certainly can't come back from.

"My Grandpa... is he...?"

"Alive?"

I nodded my head jerkily, not meeting his eyes as I waited for his answer. I knew I probably shouldn't trust a single thing he said... but if my grandpa is alive... then I need to survive... for him.

"Last I knew, yes."

I exhaled lightly and squeezed my eyes shut as I felt the gun get pulled from my hand. I heard the sounds of footsteps coming towards us from the house and looked up to see Tessa's dad staring between Mike's body and me.

"We have two men down, one shot in the stomach and the other shot in the arm."

I gave a sardonic smile as I glared up at the two men.

"Well, if I'm going down... Glad I took two down with me."

Tessa's dad glared at me and moved towards me as if he was going to hit me, when Clayton grabbed his arm.

"No, take care of them. I'm gonna go ahead to the pick up sight with her. When I get back, we are all gonna go find those kids. Got that?"

He nodded as he yanked his arm out of Clayton's grasp and began walking away, his shoulders tight as he began to bark out orders. I glared at Clayton as he aimed his gun at me and motioned it up.

"C'mon, we don't have all night."

I sighed as I looked down at the ground before looking at Mike, his eyes were still open as he stared at the woods. I leaned over him and gently touched my fingers to his eyes, closing them as I spoke softly.

"Don't worry Mike... We'll be okay."

We've been walking through the woods for about twenty minutes before I finally spoke.

"Why are you guys doing this?"

I looked back at Clayton over my shoulder to see he still had his gun aimed at my back. I shook my head as I looked forward again, stumbling over a rock as pain shot up the side of my right leg. I bit my lip as tears sprung up into my eyes as Clayton sighed in annoyance.

"You might as well tell me. We have time."

"Fine, the short version since we're pretty much there. The skitters need you kids as workers so they don't die. We give them kids and they let us live."

I shook my head and turned towards him, my hair spinning around me like a fan as I trained my mismatched eyes on him.

"It must be wonderful... not having a conscience. You're letting innocent kids become slaves! Just so you don't die!"

I took an uneven step towards him, knowing full well that the barrel of his gun was pressing against my sternum.

" I hope the 2nd Mass. finds you. And I hope, that you never find my friends."

"We thought you had more Terry Clayton. This is just one girl."

I froze as the sound of a Skitter and a Mech echoed behind me. I bit my lip and closed my eyes as a blonde headed girl stopped at my side, looking between Clayton and I.

"Yeah, we had a slight bump in the road. Nothing we can't handle. You'll have the rest by tomorrow night."

I heard the skitter walk up behind me, it clicking a little before the girl spoke again.

"You better Terry Clayton. We won't be as forgiving if you come up short once more."

I gasped as I felt an alien hand on the back of my neck and behind my legs before everything went sideways. My eyes sprung open as I began to scream and squirm.

"Let go of me!"

I struggled harder as the skitter lifted me into it's arms, the sound of the mech echoing loud in my ear as I looked up and made eye contact with the skitter. The skitter froze, it's scaly hands tightening around my arm and thigh just before it threw me onto the leaf covered ground. I cried out in pain as my head collided with a rock and I quickly pressed my hand to my forehead as I felt something wet pool above my right eyebrow.

"What are you doing?!"

I looked up at Clayton to see him looking from the harnessed girl and me, his face full of rage and confusion.

"We do not take her kind."

"Her kind? She's a human girl and she's healthy!"

"She is mutated. Her eyes are not right. Shoot her."

I woke up to the sound of people arguing. My entire body throbbed along with my heart as I slowly picked my head up and opened my eyes. I moaned softly as I moved to put my hands to my head when I was met with resistance. I blinked rapidly to try and clear my vision as I tilted my head back to see that I was tied to a post in what looked like a barn. Great.

I looked around seeing a set of stair that led either to a loft or something... I couldn't know for sure, my head was buzzing. I heard the sound of someone crying out before a gunshot sounded. I froze in my spot, unable to do anything but wait when I heard the sound of kids crying slightly. I inhaled deeply and tried calling out only to find that any attempt at talking hurt more than placing your hand on a stove. I coughed, wincing at how painful just that action was, tears welling up in my eyes as I heard the sounds of the kids fading away. I gritted my teeth as I hit my head against the beam I was bound to, only to cry out in pain as my entire body felt like it was a voodoo doll.

"Hello?"

My eyes snapped open and I bit my lip before trying to call out again, only being given the same response as the first time. I let out a loud sigh before gritting my teeth and hitting my head against the beam again, my voice echoing out loudly and full of pain. I heard the sound of someone running as I shook my head slightly, trying to calm my senses and the cruel throbbing that I brought upon myself.

"Jane?"

I looked up slowly to see Lourdes standing at the top of the stairs, her eyes filled with disbelief as she ran to me. I smiled meakly as we made eye contact, her entire body relaxing with relief.

"We thought you were taken by the Skitters! Clayton said you were."

I shook my head tiredly before looking around the room more. Lourdes tilted her head at me before it finally clicked in her mind that I was looking for something so she can untie me. She grabbed a piece of broken glass and ran behind me and started sawing away at the rope. I bit my lip as the fibers caused the sensation of needles to spring to life on my skin, when finally my arms were free. I sighed in relief and placed my head in my hands as I tried to soothe my aching head.

"Alright, C'mon Jane. I'll help you."

I looked up at Lourdes and smiled in thanks as I took her hand so she could help pull me to my feet. She wrapped her arm around my waist before pulling my arm over her shoulders and we began to shuffle to and up the stairs.

"You know... you look awful."

I chuckled lightly, wincing at the action, before shaking my head in agreement as we made it outside of the barn and towards the house on the Sanctuary.

"Hey everyone! Look who I found hiding in the barn!"

"Jane!"

I looked up at the multiple voices calling out my name, Captain Weaver being one of them surprisingly... I glanced to see Matt come running up to us and he was about to hug me before Lourdes stopped him.

"Careful Matt, she's hurt real bad."

I smiled weakly at the young boy as Lourdes brought me over to the stone bench. I nodded my thanks to her before giving the motion for something to drink. She turned and rushed into the house, leaving me to be surrounded by Masons.

"Jane, we were so worried!"

"Don't you ever do that again you dumb ass."

"What happened to you?"

I looked at the three Mason sons before looking around to see Tom and Captain Weaver talking as some of the 2nd Mass. fighters wrapped Mike's body up in a sheet. I looked at my hands that lay limp in my lap before bringing them to my face to scrub away the feeling of Mike's blood on my skin. Lourdes rushed up to me and handed me the glass of water, pulling me out of my slight freak out. I drank the water in one go, not stopping to breath or anything, just wanting something to soothe my aching throat. I coughed and found that my throat didn't hurt as bad as before and decided to try talking again. I looked up and the boys and smiled at Matt before speaking to Hal and Ben.

"S-Skitt-er...L-long st-or-y."

They nodded and smiled at me before sitting either beside me or in front of me. I smiled back at them all before coughing again and shaking the empty glass, looking at one of them questioningly. Hal chuckled and pulled himself up before taking the glass and getting me more water. Ben began telling Matt how he ran from the house they had hidden at until he ran into their dad and then he ran to the school to bring as many 2nd Mass fighters as possible.I smiled softly to myself as they talked, Matt giving his input every now and then with a smile on his face or his eyebrows furrowed as he asked a question. I began running my fingers through my hair, untangling the knots from the golden strands as I wondered where I could find a hair tie once more. After de tangling my hair I looked around at the fighters who were gathering up supplies, and those who were part of the 7th Mass. How many kids did they give up for their own lives?
I don't know for sure how long we sat there, but I was shaken from my thoughts as I felt something nudge my right arm. I jumped slightly and turned to see Hal holding a hand up and showing me the glass of water. I gave a small smile and took the water from him, drinking it all in one go like the previous glass of water. I sighed in relief as my skin finally stopped tingling and throbbing. I looked at Hal and smiled wider before setting down the glass and looking behind me to see Captain Weaver walking towards us. I sighed as he came to a stop beside me.

"Boy's, why don't you go see your dad. He's been worried sick about ya' and I'm surprised he even let ya' outta his sights... Go on."

The boys glanced at each other before moving over to where Tom was standing by the make shift goal.

"Now Jane... I don't know what happened and I don't want you having to tell the story over and over again so we'll wait till we get back to the school so Dr. Glass can take a proper look at ya."

I nodded my head as we made eye contact and for the first time since I knew met him, Captain Weaver looked startled. I tilted my head to the side as a look of confusion settled upon my features. He shook his head before motioning me up.

"C'mon kid, it's time for us to go."

I hesitated for a moment before complying, slowly standing up as my back began to sting a little at the movement. I turned towards the house and was about to start limping when I felt a hand fall onto my shoulder. I looked to my side to see Weaver holding my things in his hands, a small smile gracing his features. I nodded my head in thanks as I gingerly took my things from him as he turned and called out.

"Alright everyone! Let's head back to the school!"

I pulled my bag over my shoulders, hissing in pain as the stinging sensation came back. I looked around as the kids held onto their parents or talked to their friends. We were all variations of beat up, physically or mentally. Most of all we looked tired. I would hate to see what I look like, but I'll have to face that sooner or later.

I sat in the chemistry lab watching Sarah talk to her new born daughter Charlotte. I vaguely noticed Anne walk up to me and begin speaking to me until her hand gently cupped my cheek. I jumped slightly at the contact and gave Anne a shaky smile as my bangs fell in front of my eyes.

"Jane, do you want to tell Weaver and I what happened?"

I looked at her for a couple of moments before looking around finding Captain Weaver standing at my right. I sighed and looked down at my hands, gathering my thoughts before clearing my throat and breathing deeply before speaking out loud in a broken up voice.

"A-Aft-er we fo-ound out w-what Clayton was up too... We tried le-eaving as quietly a-as possible. I-I was on th-e main floor a-and Mike tried t-to get me out f-first... But I h-had to distract one of the Sanctuary kids.. I was-sn't successful so we made a mad dash.. I knew I couldn't make i-it without s-some-one-e carrying me... I stayed with Mike..."

I bit my lip as I fought tears of pain at my throat and at the memory of Mike being shot in front of me. I shook my hands to stop myself from picking at my thumbnails, which I didn't realize I had begun picking at until I focused on my fingers. I inhaled deeply before continuing with my story.

"Anyway... a-after Mike... I was set on rather being shot than harnessed so I aimed my gun at Clayton... Then he's taking me to a clearing and I'm telling hi-m how awful he is when the Skitter, Mech and a harnessed girl showed up."

I was about to continue speaking but everything began to blur.

"I... I think the skitter had me... Then... th-the next thing I know my hair is on end and everything is white... Then I woke up in the barn."

I chewed on the inside of my lip as I waited for Anne to respond. I was unsure as to how long I was waiting when I heard the sound of the curtain closing off my bed from the rest of the lab. I looked up at Anne who smiled at me and handed me a hair tie.

"If you wouldn't mind pulling your hair up? I Just want to take a look at your neck."

I nodded and did as she asked as she walked up to me and tilted my chin up. I stared at the ceiling as I heard the faint grumbling of Pope and the soft whimpers of Charlotte. I winced lightly as Anne added pressure to my neck while letting out a sigh of her own.

"Well, you've got a nasty bruise. It looks like the Skitter had a pretty tight grip on you when..."

My eyes lowered to Anne as she walked behind me and pushed my head down while throwing my hair from my pony tail over my head. I sat there staring at my jean clad lap just feeling Anne staring at the back of my neck. She didn't touch my skin or say anything for a while until I began to fidgit restlessly. I felt Anne's finger tips barely graze me skin when I jumped off the table with a yelp as an electric shock ran down my neck. I gripped my neck and stared at Anne for a moment, trying to see if she did that on purpose, when I realized that her face wore the same surprise that I felt.

"What.. was that?"

I jumped and looked at Captain Weaver realizing that he was still there, before looking back at Anne. She shook her head, her mouth opening slightly as if about to jump into an explanation before closing again as she looked down at the bed I had sat on. I watched as she walked out past the curtain and began to open and close drawers looking for something and I fought against the tremors that I felt all the way into my stomach. Anne walked back behind the curtain with two mirrors and handed me one before standing behind me. I hesitated for a moment before looking at Captain Weaver, a confused look matching the one that was on my face. I lifted the mirror up to my face and over to my left a little bit when it aligned with the mirror Anne was holding to my neck. At first I didn't know what I was staring at until Anne motioned Captain Weaver over to where she was so he could see and touch my neck. I fought to keep the hand steady as I stared at what decorated my neck when Weaver pressed a gentle finger to my skin. I let out a small scream as I watched a bolt of electricity jump between my skin and his finger and I dropped the mirror. Time seemed to slow as I watched it fall to the floor, cracks spidering across the smooth surface like lightening as it dances across the sky.

Like the Lightening that scarred my neck in a faint white glow.

A/N~Hellooo my lovely readers! I thank you for sticking with me through all of my awful no timed posting. But now that I am starting to get my life back together( I am finally kicking Lyme in the Ass. Sorry, language but the story is rated M.). I am starting to go back to work, which I work at a comic shop so I should be pretty good on inspiration unless my boss works me to death. I will be going to college and what not starting this fall soo I am just going to be on the safe side and say I'll post about every month or two. I mean I want you guys to have good chapters that have substance! Also, if you haven't noticed, the story is going a bit more A.U than the usual OC Ben stories. It's a slow burn guys, sorry sorry sorry! I'll have little hints here and there but I have a good idea when Ben and Jane will get together and that isn't until season 3 if I am imagining things right.

You have read it soooo...

Review?

~MP~