Author's Note: And now for the Explanation! Please don't hate me for the Cliff-hanger, I hadn't realised I actually did it. Well two chapters in one day! I am on a roll!
Disclaimer: I don't own Primeval or any films/books/songs that are featured in my books.
Rating: T for mild swearing.
Siblings Are Menaces
Chapter 6 – Explanations:
Becker took in a deep breath and hollered. He pulled Jess into a cuddle, wrapping his arms around her and holding her closely. Jess leant into his chest and waited for him to begin.
"Do you know what happened on the 27th of December 2009?" Becker asked slowly.
"Yeah, I read about it. It was the fourth rescue mission." Jess replied calmly.
"And you know what happened?" Becker asked.
"Yeah. Sarah was killed." Jess answered sadly.
"Not just Sarah. I saw all my men, ripped to pieces by Future Predators. They didn't stand a chance. Sarah was only one death that day. 18 of my soldiers will also killed." Becker told her sadly. "I quit that day. As soon as I got back to the ARC, I told Lester I couldn't do it anymore and then I walked out…" Jess listened intently as her boyfriend than began his story.
Becker got into his truck and drove right out of the ARC. Tears stinged the edged of his eyes, his clothes were torn slightly, he had a nasty cut lip and blood was still on his hands, though it wasn't his blood. He just wanted to get out of there. He had to get far away from the ARC. To be honest; he wasn't sure where he was going. But he just couldn't be here.
Becker didn't know how long he drove for, he wasn't really paying attention. He drove into the country. Soon he pulled into a car park in the small market town of Romsey. His home. He pulled on his army jacket and got out of the truck.
Becker walked for who knows how long. It was late evening. Stars shone in the sky and the moon hung in the sky. Snow lightly covered the ground. Becker sat down on a bench and just sat there. He didn't know what he was waiting for or whether he was waiting at all. Images of his men and Sarah kept flashing before his minds eye. Becker closed his eyes but that only made them more vivid.
"James?" said an elderly man's voice. Becker opened his eyes and found himself staring right back into a pair of hazel eyes. An elderly man, wearing a tweed jacket, a pair of trousers, big old tatty army boots and a farmer's cap, stood before him.
"Granddad." Becker choked out.
"What happened to ya, lad?" Becker's Grandfather asked.
"Something bad." Becker replied hoarsely. His Grandfather looked at Becker; he was on the very verge of tears but seemed to be suppressing them. His Grandfather sighed and shook his head sadly.
"C'mon lad, let's take you home." His Grandfather said, pulling Becker to his feet and leading him away.
The two of them walked for a while until they came to an old slightly run down truck. Becker managed a small smile. It was old Betty, his Grandfather's truck. There was a sense of reassurance about it. His Grandfather at the age of 77 would be seen driving around it in all the time.
His Grandfather drove him back to the Becker House, right outside of Romsey. When they arrived, Becker and his Grandfather walked around the house, went through the backdoor and into kitchen.
"Miranda!" called his Grandfather.
"Hello Granddad, have you got time for a cuppa?" Mrs Becker called from the living room.
"Not right now. You might wanna come in here, love." His Grandfather said darkly.
"What do on earth do you-…" Mrs Becker was saying as she entered the kitchen closely followed by a 15 year old Boots. She trialled off when she saw the state Becker was in.
"Jamie!" exclaimed Boots, she lacked the piercings, but her hair was died black.
"James! What happened to you, darling?" Mrs Becker said, pulling Becker away from his Grandfather and sitting him down. She began examining his cut lip.
"Edward, get down here now!" She cried, tears welling up in her eyes. Becker just kept staring at the floor, willing the tears not to fall. Boots sat down and tentatively reached over the table. She carefully grasped Becker's hand. He looked up at her and saw the sadness in her eyes.
"Oh good heavens." He heard his father say.
"Jamie!" exclaimed 16year old Shane.
"I found him in the City centre. He looked like he'd seen a Ghost. And I reckon I know what happened to him." His Grandfather said to his mother.
"Well what?" Mrs Becker demanded.
"He's lost people." His Grandfather said darkly. Finally tears from Becker's eyes. He looked down at the floor to hide his face as best he could. His family stared at him, with an expression mixed with sadness and concern.
"So that's it? You turned up in tears the day Sarah and those soldiers were killed?" Jess asked slowly. Becker shook his head, there was more than that. He took in another breath and Jess waited patiently.
"No matter what happens with my family, I'll never deny that they are always there for you when you need it. They were there for me over the course of the next month. I was a mess and they helped me as best as they could. I stayed here." Becker explained.
"But something odd started happening. A couple of weeks after I turned up in tears; people started to go missing. People I knew and grew up with. Pretty soon; bodies were found. Torn to pieces. People said it was the Beast of Romsey, an old local myth. But I knew better. For me; it wasn't hard to figure out what was going on." Becker continued.
"Another body has been found." said Becker's Grandfather as he entered the kitchen that morning holding a newspaper. It was January 1st 2010. A new year. But it seemed that the year before was now chasing Becker. He looked at the front page, a picture of what was suspected to be the Beast of Romsey.
"That's the sixth person they've found. That's it; no one's going into the woods and we're not leaving here at night." Mrs Becker said sternly. 12year old Rocky entered the kitchen, closely followed by Cookie and Lottie. Though Lottie was married, she had come down to see the family and had decided to stay for a few days. She was pregnant, but only by a few weeks.
"I just got off the phone from Evy. She and Mel are coming down today. They're worried and wanted to see everyone. Evy's not bringing the girls." Cookie told them.
"That's fair enough, especially with this monster running around." Mr Becker said from behind the paper. Becker was mixing his cereal around his bowl, deep in thought.
Why hadn't the ARC done something? Thinking about it; why didn't the ARC do something about the Stegosaurus in the House of Commons? Yeah, everyone was saying that was a practical joke, but he knew better.
"What's troubling ya, lad?" asked his Grandfather, bringing him out of his thoughts. Becker looked up at him and sighed. He may not work for the ARC anymore, but he still couldn't tell them.
"Nothing. Excuse me." Becker said, standing up and walking out of the kitchen. Everyone watched him leave with concerned expressions.
"Something is defiantly off about him." Lottie said darkly.
Becker went upstairs into his old attic bedroom. He flipped open his mobile and dialled a number.
-"James Lester speaking."
"Lester, it's me Becker. What's going on with the ARC?" Becker asked coolly.
-"You quit. I'm not legally allowed to tell you anymore." Lester replied from the other end of the phone.
"Lester, I'm serious. I know something isn't right; the Stegosaurus in the House of Commons, why didn't you do anything about it? I watched the army go in and kill it. Tell me what's going on." Becker said firmly.
-"You quit and walk out and I don't hear from you in three weeks. And now you're demanding to know what's going on with the ARC even though I'm not legally allowed to tell you anything anymore!" Lester stated incredulously.
"Lester…please…" Becker sighed sadly.
-"Fine, as it's you." Lester said in defeat. "The ARC has been put under investigation following the death of Doctor Page. They'll probably give you a call to set a date to question you. But we can't do anything, believe me I've tried." Lester told him.
"Right, thanks Lester, I knew something was wrong. And I'm sorry that I just left. But I just had to get away from it all." Becker said slowly.
-"I know. Good bye, Captain. I hope you change your mind." Lester replied calmly.
"Good bye Lester." Becker said before pressing the END CALL button.
He put his phone in his pocket, sighing. He began to pace up and down his bedroom, thinking hard. Obviously the 'so-called' Beast of Romsey was actually a creature. The ARC had been put under investigation and was currently closed down. That meant; they couldn't do anything about it. That meant; more people would die. Then…he'd have to do something about it.
Becker re-entered the Kitchen, looking thoughtful. He picked the paper from his father's hands and tore the front page away. His family watched him, looking confused. Becker flattened the front page and looked at the rough sketch of the Beast of Romsey. This had been the only sighting of the creature. It had been so brief that the person who had seen the creature, only saw that it stood like a Gorilla. He folded the front page up and put it in his pocket. He turned and found all of his family was looking at him with very confused expressions.
"What?" Becker asked innocently.
"You okay, kiddo?" his Grandfather asked slowly.
"Fine. I'm going out; I'll be back before dark." Becker replied shortly. With that said; he pulled on his jacket and left. His family stared after him, deeply confused with his odd behaviour.
Becker went the News Agents and got every paper for the last week. He then went to the police station. Using his Government Access badge, he got all the information on the bodies that had been found. Then he headed home.
When Becker got back, he made himself a cup of tea and then went upstairs to his bedroom, where he locked himself inside. And so began his search to try and figure out how creature was killing people.
He tapped up head-shots of the six victims that had been killed, with their names scribbled at the bottom of the pictures. He tapped up the rough sketch of the supposed creature. He then cut out all the articles on the Beast of Romsey and tapped them up on his wall. He read through all the details of how each of the victims was found.
Becker got out his laptop and started searching through all the creatures and dinosaurs that were known by the ARC. He was glad he had the ARC data-base linked up to his laptop. There were plenty of matches in the rough sketch of the creature, but none of the creatures would have been able to do the sort of damage that Beast of Romsey had done to its victims.
Becker then Googled the myth of the Beast of Romsey. This wasn't the first time people had gone missing and been found ripped to pieces. He found out that it happened twice the previous century. So Becker supposed that the anomaly the creature had come from was a re-occurring anomaly.
So over the course of the next few days, Becker tried to figure out what this creature was. But nothing seemed to fit its identity. Much to his frustration another body had been found. Evy and Mel had also arrived. They had decided to stay as Becker was now acting odder than before, so this was worrying his family even more.
Becker ran his figures through his hair as he paced up and down his bedroom. It was 10Pm. He'd skipped dinner. Becker was frustrated; he was getting no where with this Beast of Romsey. He'd been able to pinpoint specific traits to the creature.
It had the stance of a Gorilla.
It was a predator.
It was dangerous.
It was fast.
Becker stopped and looked at the rough sketch of the beast. The answer was right in front of him, he was so close, and he knew it. So why couldn't he figure it out? Then something clicked. Becker pulled out a pencil and started filling in the gaps of rough sketch. He rubbed out the eyes of the creature, and then gave it claws. He figured it out.
"It's a Future Predator." Becker said breathlessly. Images of his soldiers being torn apart flashed before his eyes. Memories of every time he'd faced a Future Predator filled his mind. He let out a shaky breath.
Suddenly Becker turned around and briskly walked across the room. He pulled a shoe box out from under his bed. He opened it and inside was a G18 machine pistol and a silencer. He put the box on top of his bed.
Becker walked briskly over to his wardrobe where his old ARC army jacket was still inside. He pulled on a black T-shirt, a pair of grey jeans, his army jacket and then his boots. He put the G18 in his back pocket and the silencer inside his jacket pocket. Becker tiptoed downstairs, all was dark. He went to the backdoor and left, closing it silently behind him.
Becker walked for sometime into the woods. All was quiet, deadly quiet. Becker made sure not to make any noise. He had his G18 drawn out and the silencer was attached. The snow had melted and left a muddy wet landscape.
Becker stopped by a stream and looked around. It was time. It was very possible that he could die. But he had to take this thing out before it killed anyone else. Common sense would have had him call Lester and get back up. But instinct won the battle. He didn't want that thing in his home, near his family. He'd take it out himself.
Becker detached the silencer aimed his gun into the air and fired. A loud bang echoed all around the woods. Quick as a flash Becker re-attached the silencer. He then raised the gun and span slowly around. His eyes and ears strained against the eerie silence.
Becker was suddenly thrown to the ground, his gun flew out of his hands. A Future Predator was on top of him. It swung down, Becker raised his forearm in defence and its claws ripped his jacket and cut into his skin. He hissed in pain, but now was not the time to think about it. He kicked the Future Predator, making it jump back. It went to jump on him again, but rolled away. He got to his feet and ran, pulling off his jacket as he went.
The Predator was on his tail. Becker hid behind a tree, just wanting his heart beat to slow down. The Future Predator sniffed around, looking for him. His jeans, shirt and arms were covered in mud and blood now seeped from the wound on his forearm.
Becker made a break for it, he jumped down into a ditch, sliding on the mud slightly. He heard the Future Predator wheal around as new sounds came to it's attention. All went quiet. Becker peered out from the ditch, the Predator was gone. He could see his G18 lying on the ground.
Tentatively Becker climbed out from his hiding place. Something was odd. Future Predators didn't just give up on their prey. His eyes darted from left to right. Nothing. Becker walked over to his gun and went to pick it up. But he was caught off guard. The Future Predator appeared again, slamming him into a tree. It swung its claws furiously; Becker raised his forearms again, protecting his face and chest.
It jumped back and growled at him. Becker panted in exhaustion. He was pressed up against the tree with no way of escape. This was defiantly the end. The Predator just growled at him, staying in its preparing to pounce stance. Becker narrowed his eyebrows in confusion. Why didn't it just finish him?
Then he realised. For Future Predators, hunting wasn't a need. They could kill and eat whenever they liked. It was easy for them. They were the most dangerous creature in the future. Hunting was a sick game for the Predators. It was their way of having fun. They wanted their prey to run. They wanted their prey to try to fight back. So he had two choices. Try and fight back, but eventually die. Or stay put until it gets bored and kills him anyway.
Becker was suddenly struck with realization. He'd gotten out of tighter scratches. He faced a PACK of Future Predators and lived. And he'd come too far to be killed in the woods he grew up in. He wasn't going to let this glorified wingless bat kill him.
Becker dove to the right, rolled and grabbed a large broken tree branch. The Future Predator pounced at him. The branch went straight through the Future Predator's stomach. The Predator choked and slumped to the ground, dead. Becker sighed and fell to the ground himself, sitting beside the dead body of the Future Predator, catching his breath.
Slowly Becker got back onto his feet. He limped over to his jacket, he'd sprained his ankle. He pulled it on over his cut arms and then he picked up his G18. He detached the silencer and put it back into his pocket. He tucked his gun into the back of his trousers. He then played out a lighter and set alight the Future Predator. He stood and watched as the Future Predator's lifeless body burnt away. He couldn't let anyone find the body or they're would be a lot of questions, which he didn't want to answer.
With that done; he left, walking back out of the forest.
Becker arrived back home. He came through the front door and quietly locked it behind him. He winced as he shrugged off his jacket. He put his gun and silencer on the table. He turned on the hot water and scrubbed off the blood. The lights suddenly flicked on, Becker jumped and looked up. Mrs Becker stood there, staring at Becker's arms with wide eyes.
"Bloody hell, Mam. You made me jump!" Becker sighed, turning back to the water and rinsing his arms again, the water turning pink from the blood.
"What-what happened?" She stuttered slowly.
"Nothing." Becker said shortly.
"EDWARD!" Mrs Becker yelled, making Becker jump again.
"What the hell, Mam?" Becker exclaimed, looking at his mother in shock. Mrs Becker's yell hadn't just woken Mr Becker up. It had woken everyone else up. So much to Becker's dismay, his siblings entered the kitchen along with their father, who was holding a baseball bat.
"What happened to you?" Cookie cried. 14year old Kyle and Jake exchanged frightened looks. Rocky was gripping Shane's arm. 13year old Luke was looking at Becker with concern. Evy, Mel, Cookie and Lottie were staring at Becker with worried looks. Boots had her arms crossed and her eyes moving from Becker to his gun. Mr Becker just looked shocked.
"You're hurt." Mr Becker stated walking over and trying to take Becker's forearm. But Becker wrenched it away from him. He was a doctor and he'd know what he was seeing.
"I'm fine. It's nothing; I just fell into a thorn bush. Just go back to bed." Becker lied, pretty unconvincingly as well. Mr Becker looked at Becker sheepishly.
"You're hurt, James. Let me look." Mr Becker said, trying to look again but this time Becker took a step away from his father.
"I'm fine." Becker said through gritted teeth. But this was a downright lie. He was exhausted both physically and emotionally.
Rescuing Abby's brother. -Future Predators surrounding them. -He running out, firing his pistol into the air. -Future Predators following him. -Claws. -Pain. -Getting away. -Back through the anomaly. -Helen. -Christine Johnson being dragged away by a Future Predator. -The plan. -Danny. -Abby. -Connor. -Rescue Mission One. -Future Predators. -Death. -Getting away. -Rescue Mission Two. -Future Predators. -Pain. -Claws. -Death. -Getting away. -Rescue Mission Three. -Predators. -Death. -Getting away. -Rescue Mission Four. -Dozens upon dozens of Future Predators. -Predators surrounding them. -His men being torn to pieces. -Sarah being tackled to the ground. -Sarah dead. -Getting away. -Facing Lester. -Quitting the ARC. -Getting far away. -Driving. -Home. -Granddad. -Family. -People going missing. -Bodies found. -Beast of Romsey. -Future Predator. -Claws. -Teeth. -Pain. -Future Predator dead.
All the memories were chasing each other around their head. All the things he could do to prevent things. More memories started joining them. Cutter and Jenny being among them. All the misery, guilt and frustration was building up inside of him and one wrong word from his family could set him off.
"Why won't you tell us what happened, Jamie?" asked Boots curiously.
"Because I can't." Becker whispered, shaking with all the suppressed emotions he was holding in. He was pretty sure if he was able to get to his bedroom, he'd break down crying. Or maybe just punch the wall.
"James, something is really upsetting you and you need to tell us. Because we're your family. And as your family we need to know what has happened to you." Mel said softly. And that was enough to blow the lid off the bottle.
"I DON'T WANT YOU TO KNOW!" Becker yelled, making everyone flinched and take a step back. He leaned against the wall, all his muscles aching. He just wanted to lay down and sleep.
"I don't want you to think badly of me. I messed up big time. People left, people went missing and people died all because of me. People got hurt because of me. And I ran away. I just quit and I walked away because I wasn't cut out for it. I was coward." Becker said in a quieter voice, tears threatening fall.
"And I don't want you to know what has happened to me over the last year. Because I don't want you to be ashamed of me." He added sadly. "So please, don't ask me any questions. Because I can't tell you."
Becker's family stared at him in shock and worry. Boots walked across the room, pulled open a draw and pulled out a roll of bandages. She walked over and started to bandage up his arms. Becker stared at her, shocked by her actions.
"We'd never be ashamed of you." Boots said sadly after she finished.
"And that's what happened. An anomaly opened and let a Future Predator loose. I took care of it. But I was such a mess emotionally, I ended up having a breakdown in front of my family when they tried to get too close. From that day on; I just didn't want them to see me like that again." Becker finished his story.
Jess stared at him sadly. She then leant up and pressed her lips softly against his. Every time she kissed him it felt like a whole new breath of fresh air. She pulled away, smiled softly and began stroking his hair.
"Thank you. And I'm sorry you had to go through that." Jess whispered.
"It's over now. I'm okay." Becker said smiling at her. They leant and kissed each other again. This was why he wanted to marry Jess. She didn't judge him or get angry him. She understood. She was the only one who ever really understood him.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Author's Note: So that's what happened! But don't worry ladies and gentlemen, there is still so much to come! And we still have to meet Granddad Becker! I can't wait!