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"You knew Rachael was still alive, didn't you"?
Aaron and Miles had sat in silence most of the day, watching impatiently as the sun moved across the sky as the crowds outside went about their lives. Now unfortunately as the sun began to sink lower, Aaron had to ask the question Miles really didn't want to answer. Thankfully they were alone, Tray having left them to start his rotation and to get his plan in motion.
"Yeah I knew she was alive".
"Why didn't you tell us? Why didn't you tell Charlie? We had the right to know"!
"Because they wanted it that way"!
Miles watched Aarons face change as he realised who he was talking about. Instead of continuing to rant, his brainy companion slumped in his chair, his head in his hands. More silence stretched between them, making Miles uncomfortable. He saw Aarons hands start to shake as he wiped his face.
"Aaron, you ok"?
A stunted giggle came from the man as he sat back staring.
"Really? That's the question you're asking me? After every god-forsaken thing that has happened in the last decade, you're asking me if I'm ok"!
He sat staring at Miles his face confused and full of exhaustion.
"Of course I'm not ok. We lost everything, then had to suffer under the damned republic, then Rachael 'died', Danny was taken, Ben was killed, Maggie's gone….".
He started pacing, his whole body beginning to shake.
"Now Rachael's apparently not dead and we're about to suicidally attempt to rescue a dead woman, her abducted son and your estranged daughter against the entirety of the Monroe Republic"!
He stood panting slightly, his glasses in his hand. "I'm just great".
Miles sighed.
"Yeah, sure. Listen, you don't have to do this. You can wait back at the tunnel hatch for as long as possible then head back to Nora and Charlie".
Before he'd even finished Aaron was shaking his head.
"No….Danny and Rachael are family and Alex…. She's become more than a fellow traveller…..".
Aaron paused again, searching for the right words.
"She's the sister Charlie never got and a good friend of mine. I'm coming".
He wiped his face, replacing his glasses, determination filling his eyes.
"Don't think you're getting off easy. As soon as we get them out, you're going to explain everything. Understand? No more secrets".
He as so forceful that Miles felt slightly intimidated.
"Alright. Explanations galore when we get out of Philly".
He reached for his machete as the door rattled but quickly relaxed as Tray came through, balancing a box in his arms.
"Hey gents, how's it going"?
Miles relaxed his grip and helped his friend with the box.
"We're fine. Is everything ready"?
Tray nodded. "All set".
He opened the box handing around different clothes for them both.
"Put these on. Also…take these".
He handed them each a gun, loaded and ready to go. Miles glanced questioningly as he took one, tucking it into his belt.
"How did you get these? Lower soldiers aren't allowed guns".
Tray grinned.
"That's true. I do have some friends in high places".
He looked them up and down once they finished dressing.
"I suppose that'll have to do. Now, once the sun goes down, we'll move out. You're both ok with everything"?
Both Aaron and Miles nodded, checking themselves once again for any giveaways of their identities. Nope, nothing. Tray had chosen their disguises well.
Anxiously they waited for the sun to disappear below the horizon. When it finally did, Miles shook Aarons hand grimly.
"See you on the other side".
Alex stared out the window of the room she was in with Rachael and Danny. Surprisingly they had been left alone for the majority of the day, except when they were brought some food. Her wounds had been cleaned and redressed by Rachael who was happy at the fact that they'd had a chance to heal. Most of the day they had simply talked; about their families, their lives since the blackout. They had been careful not to reveal anything about the power coming back on or their most recent activities. Alex knew Monroe would have someone watching them from somewhere, hoping the 3 of them would inadvertently let something slip. She for one was not going to let that happen.
Sighing, she shifted her body carefully, making sure as not to create more pain for herself. The sun was almost gone and the streetlamps had been lit below the window, the flames casting shadows across the street. She looked down as the guards paced below, preventing a possible escape.
"Penny for your thoughts"?
Rachael had come up behind her, leaving her son to doze on the sofa. His breathing had become laboured so she had spent a few hours being a mother, helping him to calm it. Now she settled herself on the window seat, a soft smile etching her features.
"You're looking for a way to get around the guards"?
Her smile grew wider as Alex nodded.
"Your mom was the same", she continued, staring. "She was always looking at ways to get around barriers or blockades. Or security".
Alex grinned. "Yeah, she did that a lot. Always solving puzzles".
The thought of her mother made tears prick at the corners of her eyes. She turned away, hoping to stop them from falling. Rachael patted her arm, a sympathetic smile on her face.
"She was a wonderful person. I'm sorry you had to lose her so young".
Alex looked over at Danny who was sleeping calmly. "And I'm sorry you had to lose your family".
Rachael's hand dropped away, tears forming in her own eyes.
"It was the only way to save them".
Alex nodded understandingly as a noise came from outside the room. She and Rachael stood quickly, Rachael waking her son. A moment later the doors opened and a soldier stood to attention to the side, allowing General Monroe and Neville to enter.
"I apologise for my absence today", Monroe began, watching them carefully. "But it seems our Rebel friends have decided to increase their attacks along our borders".
He smiled confidently.
"If you co-operated more we would lose less lives".
Alex wanted so much to give him what for but instead stayed quiet, hoping to give nothing away. She noticed Rachael and Danny do the same. After a moment, the General started to walk casually around in front of them.
"I didn't think so. Well, I hope you all savoured your day of peace and quiet because you won't get another".
Alex glanced at Neville and watched a small, sadistic smile form on his face.
"Why is that, Bass", Rachael asked quietly, standing firm.
Monroe came to a stop in front of her, his face unreadable.
"Because my dear Rachael, my hand has been forced. I need the power back and my enemies destroyed now. Since you have the answers, I am now forced to use whatever means necessary to get those answers".
Alex held her breath as Monroe moved across to stand in front of her, looking her up and down.
"I figured you out", he said, finally looking her in the face.
"I wasn't sure at first…. I mean, you could be anyone from anywhere….".
He began pacing again, his hands clasped behind his back.
"But seeing how strong you have been against Neville's questioning plus by taking away all these injuries and dirt…you look just like your mother".
Alex could feel her heart beat pick up speed but she kept quiet, waiting as the general continued.
"Your stares and….mannerisms however are very much like your fathers".
She shrugged.
"I wouldn't know. Never met my father and my mother's six feet under".
She knew she sounded braver than she felt but she couldn't let them know that. Monroe smiled, almost laughing softly.
"Just as crass as your father. I happen to know for a fact that your 'old man' is Miles Matheson….".
He paused, savouring the shock he got from Danny and the uneasiness that crept into Rachael's eyes.
"I also know that you were seen in the company of Miles as well as several others who are of great interest to me not long before you were brought here".
Alex shrugged again.
"I don't know what you're talking about".
Monroe motioned to Neville who obediently ushered a young soldier into the room. His head, chest and arm were tightly bandaged and he had to use a makeshift cane to balance as well as the wall. Alex instantly recognised him as one of the men on the patrol they had come across. The young man waited for the General to acknowledge him then nodded.
"That's one of them sir. She was with Matheson and the other rebels".
Monroe nodded again to the young soldier.
"Thankyou corporal. Go get some rest".
Neville ushered the soldier out, returning to stare blankly at them as Monroe pulled a small pouch from his pocket.
"This was also found by the patrol that brought you in".
He up ended the pouch and a locket fell into his hand, making Alex curse silently. He opened it, showing them the photos inside it. Alex tried to stare as blankly as Neville, knowing she was failing.
"I stole it. Knew it could get me a good trade".
Monroe shook his head at her, sighing.
"You're lies are just as pathetic as your father".
Without warning, he backhanded her, knocking her to the floor. Danny started forward but was stopped by his mother, Neville and a guard, stepping between them. Alex tried unsuccessfully to keep the tears from her eyes. She felt Monroe crouch next to her before his hand pulled her face towards him.
"I will get what I want", he hissed, his eyes angry. "I will do whatever it takes, including tearing you apart piece by piece. Your mother knew all about Rachael and Bens work and your father could also know".
He released her roughly and as he stood, dropped the locket and pouch in front of her.
"Talking will lessen the pain", he continued, walking away. "The children will be first. Think on it".
With that they left, closing the door. Alex reached for the pendant as Rachael and Danny crouched beside her.
"It must have fallen from my gear", she muttered, trying not to cry. "I made him take it all with him".
Rachael helped her stand, her soft hands checking her face which was bruised and bleeding.
"It's ok".
She turned to her son who was waiting anxiously.
"I won't have either of you hurt anymore because of me".
She walked to the desk, pulling out a pencil and paper. Alex watched Danny bolt to his mother's side, pushing the paper away.
"You can't mom! To give this psycho more power than he already has is insane, you know that".
"Yes I know that", Rachael cried, gripping her sons shoulders. "But now he has you here to hurt you, he's going to hurt Alex, maybe kill you both…. I will not allow that to happen"!
Alex gripped the locket in her hand and took a deep breath.
"Then we won't".
Both mother and son turned to face her, confusion in their eyes.
"How"?
Alex glanced around the room just as an explosion rocked the room. All three bolted to the window as the remnants of flames and debris flew through the air. They watched as the people below bolted towards the ruckus. Alex felt herself smiling as she looked at the mother and son beside her.
"Angels Game".