Journeys Anew

Chapter 11

Hello Tomorrow

"Eh? Can I help you?"

Emily had been sullenly mulling over her cup of tea when suddenly a strong welsh accent interrupted her hangover blues. Abruptly she froze unable to recall ever hearing the voice before but slowly turning around to face it. When she caught eyes with the figure her jaw slacked and her eyebrows shot up into the recesses of her hairline. A very pretty tall brunette wearing only what looked like a discarded black shirt was eyeing from across the breakfast table with disdain as though Emily was something that had just washed up into the flat unwelcome and unwanted. Piecing the clues from the familiar black shirt to the ruffled hair Emily grasped at the answer when suddenly the solution appeared behind the leggy brunette raking his hands through his hair despairingly.

Emily's eyes narrowed furiously.

"Ah! Um…Maggie…this is my sister Emily," Alfie introduced uneasily with a very forced smile that looked more like he had toothache, "Maggie…this is Emily." Emily glowered. She'd been sitting her all morning terrified with nerves about confessing the secret tattooed on to her upper arm with a splitting sore head while her brother had been…urgh! She didn't even want to think about it! Their rooms were next door to each others for heavens sake. She cringed feeling sick for reasons that she was sure had nothing to do with intoxication. Maggie smiled carelessly at Emily as the light dawned on her face, fluttering her eyelashes she cooed as though Emily was a six year old child.

"Aw! She's so cute…be a babe and put the kettle on love," Maggie said with a grin. If looks could kill Maggie would have been incinerated while Alfie would already be burning in the far realms of Hades. As it was Alfie already looked as though meeting his maker would be a kind fate compared to what he knew was going to happen to him once Emily recovered from her shock. A babe? What was she? Five? Put the kettle on? It was her bloody flat not that whore her brother had picked up who was probably only three years older than Emily herself. Brown eyes flashed dangerously as they gripped the mug of tea tightly while Alfie stood in front of Maggie almost fearfully.

"Maggie…maybe we should um…go back to bed?" Alfie suggested hopeful for a quick retreat. Unfortunately things progressed from bad to worse as Emily's bedroom door swung open to reveal a very dishevelled Eleanor whose newly dyed purple hair was curling out at odd angles while her make-up from the previous night was blotching in her eyes which she rubbed causing mascara to appear on the backs of her hands. When she blinked she gazed startled from Alfie, to Emily, to Maggie before her blue eyes widened in comprehension while Alfie let out a low whine like a kicked dog, "And this…this is Eleanor."

"Wash your face love, come on Al," Maggie said brightly tugging the dumbfounded Alfie by the arm. Emily and Eleanor watched as Alfie disappeared. A long stony silence was created in his parting while Eleanor rolled her eyes crossing her arms over her chest before checking her reflection in the microwave. Emily was torn - she didn't know who she wanted to incinerate first - her idiot of a brother or his latest bimbo? Turning away she went over towards the cupboards taking out another mug almost chipping it on the counter with the force she banged it down. All night; tossing and turning, terrified and tormented about if she bled at the tattoo parlour. How could she have been so stupid!

"Does he…do that much? I mean bring back girls?" Eleanor asked unusually shyly.

"No…well at least not while I'm here," Emily admitted adding a teabag to the mix, "He's a player Ella, It's all happy and fun when he screws up but as soon as I put a foot out of line I'm up for treason! It's all fine for Al but not for me, never for me and I'm sick of being the bad one!" Emily snapped bitterly as her shoulder throbbed painfully. If Alfie had got the tattoo he would have laughed and wondered why Emily was worried but Emily doing some outrageous, something fun was suddenly against the law. No; Emily was to stay at home and read books…it wasn't fair! There was so much she wanted to do but couldn't because everyone expected her to be the good one.

"Calm It Em, You're acting like Stacy Rogers," Eleanor reprimanded crossing her arms and glowering looking for a striking minute like an odd distorted version of her Gran, "Just cause your brothers a moron. I'll trade, you ever seen Sophie and my Dad? It's like gross!" Emily sighed adding the milk before presenting it to Eleanor.

"I know, sorry but I rant sometimes," Emily apologised taking a sip of tea. Truthfully she was getting more and more agitated by the minute at the whole tattoo thing. Then there was that man snooping about last night - something about him gave her the shivers. There was an air about him she couldn't place but just looking at him made her want to turn away as if he was a big blotch of ink on a fresh page, she wanted to turn the page and erase him from sight. A wrongness she could rewrite, a sort of stillness, a lack of continuity, something deeply, badly unnatural.

"Yeah think?" Eleanor smirked, "Face it super girl, you're just milking it. I bet you're glad Playgirl turned up so you don't have to fess."

"Says the girl with mascara running down her face," Emily retorted, "Fine! I admit that I might possibly be a teeny, tiny, little bit nervous." An understatement but Eleanor looked satisfied and opened her mouth probably to fire back at her friend however at that moment a high pitched giggle echoed through the flat. Emily could feel her cheeks burn as she cringed internally wanting at that moment to be anywhere but in the flat - asleep was one thing but this was a million times worse. Eleanor looked queasy as her eyes flickered towards Alfies bedroom door.

"Do you want to go out for brunch?" Emily asked abruptly.

"What about the tattoo?" Eleanor asked but her expression swiftly changed as another giggle penetrated their hearing. Exchanging a mutual nod of understanding Emily set down her mug.

"Ten minutes?"

"Give me five."

Eleanor gazed out across the harbour spread before her. The sea churned a dull green shade of grey to match the thick clouded sky above while large waves lapped against the concrete walls in burst of pale foam and spray. A few small red fishing boats bobbed unsteadily on the horizon and there was the persistent cawing of gulls echoing as they glided in smooth circles ringing around their heads. Taking a sip of thick creamy hot chocolate Ella tucked some of her new purple hair out of her eyes feeling Goosebumps prickle on her skin while the back of her neck burned as though being fiercely glared at from afar.

"If you could be any animal, what would you be?" Floated a voice from behind her. Eleanor shrugged as Emily approached her from behind carrying an identical cup full of hot chocolate from Starbucks. After their early morning getaway with a limited supply of money brunch at Starbucks had been the most any of them could afford and now that the wrappers from their sausage rolls had been tossed carelessly in the bin all that remained was the hot liquid.

"I dunno do I? It's not exactly the first thing I ask myself ever morning. Oh today I'd like to be a duck! Or a pigeon or maybe even a bloody seagull. Caw. Caw." Eleanor impersonated, flapping her arms unwittingly spraying her hot chocolate nearly throwing it in Emily's face. The younger girl laughed dodging the flying liquid neatly as she side stepped it before straightening up with an amused grin still on her face.

"No, seriously. What would you be?" Emily repeated.

"Like I said, I dunno," Eleanor answered thoughtfully as she leant back against the metal railings before perching herself precariously on the bars able to feel small licks of sea salt splash her exposed neck while in the distance she could see the tall inner city buildings and the shining memorial beaconing a shimmering teal colour like a glowing crystal marking the sight of the old Roald Dahl Plass which had been blown up by terrorists the year Ella was born. "Maybe something like a…say a horse or maybe something like a Labrador. Or one of those rare endangered species like a tiger or a polar bear. Yeah, I'd like to be a polar bear."

"O-kay," Emily said sounding bewildered.

"Well what would you want Supergirl?" Eleanor retorted swinging backwards perilously as she threw her empty hot chocolate mug into the sea where it was quickly swallowed by the blossoming waves. Emily tilted her heads towards the birds flying in circles around the sea diving every now and then when they spotted suitable fish.

"A bird of some sort," Emily said pensively, "Like a swan or an eagle. It must be great to just spread your wings and flap away whenever you feel like it, it must be wonderful to fly. What do you think?" She asked turning to Eleanor for her opinion. Eleanor considered her friend, the way her dark hair fluttered in the breeze or how her brown eyes twinkled. A bird of some sort would probably suit Emily - ambiguous, quiet yet so full of life and dreams. As though she wasn't quite attached to this world like everyone else was - as though she was just like Ella.

"Yeah…but not a swan. How about a phoenix or something?" Eleanor suggested with a smile.

"That's going a bit mythical…but yeah…well maybe minus the spontaneous combustion," Emily joked before frowning at Eleanor who was leaning back with nothing to support her from free falling into the sea, "Ella, stop it. You're gonna fall if you don't." Cautioned Emily. Eleanor rolled her eyes but secretly felt a bit pleased by the warning as she jumped off the rails on to the ground once more.

"You're such a goody two shoes," Eleanor teased linking arms with Emily. Emily smacked her playfully on the arm.

"I am not! Forgive me if I wanted to spare myself the icy plunge trying to save you from drowning," Emily protested as she dealt out another slap to the arm. Eleanor laughed as the two of them cross the road heading towards the memorial which was the quickest short cut to the shops. Last night had made her feel suddenly rebellious. Whatever Captain Jack had said about it being coincidental she knew it was never just a coincident; the thought of being watched scared her. It felt like they were slipping more bars around her restraining her just like it had felt last year at that school. All these people deciding and writing her life for her, recommending what research projects she should consider, what she could do. NASA, MENSA, UNIT, Cancer Research, the UN, the EU - so many people demanding her attention. They couldn't leave her alone treating her like a machine.

"You know what? When we're older we should like rent a campervan or something! Tour America or European! What d'you think?" Eleanor said brightly. Emily's expression suddenly lost its light and Eleanor felt like she'd went and rammed her foot in something very fragile like glass as those brown eyes turned away.

"Yeah…sure…" Emily said quietly before turning her eyes towards the memorial podium as she dropped hands with Eleanor and dashed up towards the slim elegant monument. Eleanor followed suit and approached it behind her staring at the list of names in thin golden writing. The first official memorial dedicated to those who had perished from alien attack raised on the ground of the old Plass. Names listed from all the attacks from the metal men to the flying pepper pots. Every single civilian listed, all in all about three hundred people. It seemed to go in order of age with the youngest being nearer the top making the teenagers about height level. Nathan, Justin, Claire, Rose, and so many other died. Emily seemed to stare for an eternity with a strange expression on her face as she stared at one of the names. Rose Tyler. Apparently some girl who was only twenty or something - it was tragic and frightening. The fact that anything seemed to crash into their world unannounced.

"You okay Em?"

"I'm fine," Emily sighed tracing the name before averting her gaze to the other name listed below - Noel S Cupnus only eighteen. She turned back to Eleanor looking almost sad as she spoke, "Do you think everything out there wants to kill us?"

"Probably," Eleanor said doubtfully eyeing up the list of names that progressed steadily and steadily younger with the worst case being six month old baby Ashley. "Maybe not though. It's hard to judge isn't it?"

"I was speaking to a old lady yesterday in the hairdressers. She reckons anything alien should be killed, anything that isn't human," Emily said turning her back on the memorial as she walked through the reborn Plass towards the shopping district with Eleanor at her heels. There was a bite unrecognisable in Emily's voice that Ella had never heard before but she shoved such thoughts aside.

"That might be a bit extreme," Eleanor murmured - she was far from normal herself. They always said her intelligence out limited anyone else's, that it came from beyond this world. She had never ruled out the possibility of alien intervention taking into account Torchwood's particular interest in her life. It didn't matter though where her intellect had came from only what she could do. The way they all feared her because she could do things they couldn't understand.

"Yeah, just a bit," Emily said lightly as they arrived at the traffic lights near the road. The crowds were heaving through the streets at the midmorning rush and world turned into a mirage of multicoloured jackets and hair as people shoved by them. For a split second Eleanor caught a thin glimpse of familiar brown and whirled around catching a quick glance of a tall lean figure next to the metro Tesco on the opposite side of the street. Tugging her friend's arm she gestured across the road although she swiftly regretted it as a familiar expression of dread trampled upon her friends face.

"What's he doing here?" Emily demanded a mixture of exasperation and weariness.

"Shopping perhaps?" Eleanor suggested meekly since it sounded better than the explanation of 'keeping an eye on me.' Anger rippled through her like a furious animal biting from within a tightened cage. Now she couldn't even enjoy a day of shopping without being stalked by Torchwood! She eyed his brown weather-beaten jacket with contempt and wrinkled her nose in resentment. "Doesn't he ever change his stupid clothes! He must stink!"

"He likes the jacket," Emily blurted out before quickly changing her tone, "I mean…he must like it? Look can we just get out of here. It's bad enough in school." Eleanor nodded avidly dragging her friend into the nearest Debenhams super store away from those knowing brown eyes that for a slip second collided with her own before they were lost amongst the flood of humans. Once inside the sanctuary of the humongous department store Eleanor released a breath she had no idea she'd been holding in as she inhaled the fragrances of sweet smelling perfumes.

If they wanted to follow her she was going to make it as difficult as possible.

"I thought you said you had no money left!"

"I lied a little," Eleanor shrugged noncommittally as they crossed the busy street towards HMV. Emily shuffled through the crowds feeling disorientated and adrift amongst so many people. She felt as though millions of unfriendly eyes were watching her; was it because of last night? If they had her blood then she had just signed her life and the life of her brother over to a Torchwood that would show them no mercy of leeway. "Two eyes are seeking but only one shall find, you must make sure they are the right ones." A cryptic warning that Emily was starting to decipher. Torchwood and something unknown wanted her and her brother.

The only certain thing was that it must not be Torchwood.

"When I was drunk there was somebody carrying me," Emily called as they barged their way into the neon lit super shop, "Who was it?" That man - he had felt so wrong that he could not possibly be human. If he was alien then what if he wanted something from them, what if by being here they had now endangered Eleanor's life? That every moment in her presence was slowly killing her - they needed a way home. A way back into a world that didn't shun them, a way back to their family. However the thought of leaving Eleanor was starting to effect her and as much as she hated to admit it she was getting attached to seeing her fathers face - as if some small part of him was still alive and preserved in this world.

"A friend of the family…well more like an acquaintance. I can't stand him!" Eleanor hollered over the heavy metal music pouring out of the speakers. Racks and shelves were stacked with an abundance of CD'S, DVD'S and various games. Eleanor eyed the place like an alcoholic might eye a bar during Happy Hour and blue irises were drawn like magnets to the New Releases display. Emily grinned watching as Ella ran over and began to sort through the shelves raiding them for her favourites. There was something funny and warming about her friends passion for music. Turning her eyes away she felt a jolt flow through her like a static shock. A creeping feeling of uneasiness clenching her gut in an iron fist squeezing tighter. It wasn't right, something wasn't supposed to be here and it was right over there.

"Ella…Ella…"

"Not now, They've got Aku Ookami's new album out!" Eleanor protested viciously as Emily tried to part her from the precious new Japanese album. However Eleanor's face abruptly paled and the album almost slipped through her fingers before she flung it back on the shelf as if it had scalded her flesh. In unison both of them gazed towards the automatic doors which was shadowed by a tall man with a long blue jacket on. Admittedly he was handsome with dark hair and a strong physique but his looks were disenchanted by the uncanny aura he radiated.

"Come on," Emily hissed grabbing her friends arm. She couldn't explain it but there was a furious desire to run away from him, to turn and get as faraway as possible because he was wrong. Dragging her through the shelves and down the escalator she searched for a way out desperately until she located a room set aside from the rest of the display of the latest game consoles. Opening the door she gently shoved Eleanor in before shutting the door finding herself in a room with vivid lilac painted walls and a navy blue lino floor with multicoloured butterfly chairs surrounding a shiny sleek black console and flat screen television.

"I ain't having this!" Eleanor thundered her face red with rage, "Why the hell are they stalking us! When I get a hold of them I'm going to kill them!" Emily felt guilt gnaw at her as she flipped out the sonic device from her black handbag and clicked it surreptitiously at the door and again at the security camera. Nobody was coming in and nobody was able to see them.

"Calm down, there's no point getting angry," Emily snapped collapsing into a yellow butterfly chair. Her shoulder was throbbing painfully again as a constant reminder of her foolishness. Locked in the testing room of HMV with heavy rock music crashing above them and Torchwood scouring the store for them. She was going to need to tell Alfie as soon as possible. Unless they already had him and were waiting for her? Panic curled through her stomach making her feel suddenly sick as she took out her mobile phone and began to type in a frenzy while Eleanor let off steam pacing the room eyeing the console and the shiny luminous pink microphone.

"They've got sing-star XI," Eleanor exclaimed picking up the game, "That only came out last Thursday."

"Fun," Emily muttered dryly as she sent the text praying for a quick reply. It was all her fault, she'd gone and ruined everything with a stupid drunken mistake. Frustration swelled inside her along with guilt forging a dam breaking from the pressure. Then; interrupting her gloom there came a loud cheerful melody blasting through the room causing her to yelp in surprise bolting upright as the television screen glowed with a game menu.

"This game is fantastic," Eleanor explained ecstatically, "It actually does it according to the capacity of your voice training you up each level. I love it…I…um…never mind." She finished lamely her face flushing with unexpected nervousness and shyness as she introverted into herself. "Um…forget it yeah? Sorry, not the right time"

"No…not really," Emily admitted before guilt did twinge and a reluctant smile appeared on her face, "Go on. We might as well distract ourselves." Eleanor grinned happily as she clicked enthusiastically on to the screen menu and on to her selection of song.

"All the old retro stuff, they say it's got over ten thousand choices," Eleanor announced proudly, "I love some of the stuff from the early 2000's. The Killers? Um…Kelly Clarkson will do." Watching her so nervous and yet so alive with obvious love was a new experience for Emily. It reminded her of Alfie when he was confronted with a brand new advanced computer model. Something that made a person feel so strongly about something, so wrapped up in it that it was a part of them. A reflection of their soul in it's truest form and Eleanor seemed to transform when she raised the microphone to her lips.

"Grew up in a small town

When the rain would down

I'd just stare out my window

Dreaming what could be

If I'd end up happy

I would pray…"

Emily was engrossed in astonishment and admiration. Eleanor's eyes were half open and the light shone off her purple hair illuminating it's vibrancy and emphasising the ivory of her skin. The voice was the shocking though; the emotion and energy poured into each note, each word carefully spun to captivate as her voice rose and fell like waves in perfect synchrony. There was something beautiful and amazing about how this could come from Eleanor. It was like an opera singer turning to punk rock, it was completely unexpected.

"So I'd pray

I could breakaway

I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly."

The chorus drowned out the head banging music from above. Emily felt her worries drowned out by the power present in that voice and the expression upon Eleanor's face as she performed like a professional begging to sway slightly in time to the rhythm. By the time she had finished Emily sat gawping until her brain caught up with her body and she clapped jumping off the seat and hugging a surprised Eleanor who looked slightly dumbstruck.

"That was amazing! Why didn't you tell me you could sing Ella? It's not fair! I can't even hum in tune!" Emily ranted beaming vividly.

"Uh…I dunno, It's not really something people are interested in," Eleanor mumbled looking faintly pleased with herself.

"You're kidding me! That was brilliant!" Cheered Emily although the euphoric moment was thoroughly ruined as a knock from the door quickly shoved the atmosphere from one of elation to devastation as Emily felt her hearts pound against her ribcage half expecting them to be kicked in at any minute. However her fears were misplaced when a female voice called through the door.

"Hi? Isn't this the sampler room?" There was a faint American accent and breathing a sigh of relief Emily subtly pointed the sonic screwdriver at the door. There was a low humming noise and a click that went unnoticed by Eleanor who staggered into a chair obviously liberated by the news that it was an ordinary stranger as opposed to the Torchwood heavy agents coming to arrest them. The door swung open to reveal a youth only a few years older than them. A pretty girl whose long ebony hair was bound in a braid running down her back while at her throat there was a silver chain like necklace similar to Emily's own. She looked politely bewildered at them both.

"I can go if you'd like?"

"No!" Eleanor and Emily jumped in waveringly.

"Thanks, we were just leaving," Eleanor said determinedly seizing Emily and dragging her from the room leaving behind the older girl who shrugged.

Her job had been done anyway.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU GOT A TATTOO?"

"Keep it down will you!" Emily snarled. Alfie raked his hands through his hair feeling as though he had been rammed roughly into a brick wall watching as his sister - his sixteen year old sister - covered up her tattoo. A Celtic rose surrounded by some sort of Asian kanji which was now hidden under her purple cardigan. He should have known this morning was not a good omen but the most he'd been expecting was Emily yelling at him and he could cope with that - he'd hoped to appease her with the reason he'd been seeing Maggie but now all his plans had been blown out the window by the whirlwind that was his little sister.

"It was an accident alright? I'm sorry! Sorry that the one time I slip up I get turned into the villain! Like you've never screwed up before Alfie! I was drunk okay? I'm not proud but don't you dare point the finger and judge me!" Emily roared her face red with fury as tears slid down her cheeks, even her foot stomped restlessly on the floor. Alfie felt two strong forces collide inside him - one a raging storm of anger and the other a whirling pool of guilt. He understood, he emphasised but now she'd landed them up in their necks with trouble.

"That's not the point Em! You know what happens if they get us! I'm just disappointed, I thought you were better than this! This isn't a holiday Em! Mum isn't here to protect us, we're on our own and you can't do things like this!" Alfie shouted towering above her using his height to plant the growth of intimidation. Emily back away her brown eyes shimmering with fresh tears.

"I know!" Screamed Emily, "I get it Al! I'm a thick little immature selfish girl! I messed up, I'm sorry! I'm…" Her voice trailed off as it wavered with heavy sobs that shook her body. Ashamedly there was a small portion of his being enjoying her suffering as it appeased his temper however the greater majority rules and he hugged her close to him kissing her forehead. She was right, he had no place to judge when he had done worse at her age…but still in these circumstances with everything hanging in the balance everything was different. Perhaps he had set the wrong example - treating it like a vacation, encouraging her to make friends knowing that it wouldn't last. He should have been putting more energy into concentrating on the rift which was operated primarily by Torchwood at their base.

"I'm sorry…I'm just scared…Em…forgive you're prick of a brother? We can't afford to fight…not when it's just the two of us. Me and you versus the world eh? Don't worry; I'll look after it. Just leave it with me," Alfie promised. There was no choice; tonight he would have to go to the tattoo parlour and erase the memory of Emily ever being there. All footage showing her entering the building, all proof of her ever stepping into the building would have to go. If there was any blood it would have to be destroyed so nobody could analyse it. Damn Torchwood; he was starting to contemplate shutting them down entirely but knew he might possibly bite off more than he could chew.

"T-Thank you," Emily sniffled, "I keep screwing this up for us…I just want to go home. Everything I do is wrong…I can't stand it. That man made me want to vomit today…just the way he felt and then seeing him again. What if we're shoving Ella in danger?" Alfie rather doubted Eleanor would be endanger from anyone least of all Torchwood who seemed to guard her like overly pompous guard dogs.

"Nah. They want to protect their interests and investments. Probably think we're going to contaminate her or something," Alfie chuckled, "Did I tell you why I was with Maggie?"

"Do I want to know?" Emily muttered sarcastically with some of her old spark.

"Hey! There was a reason," Alfie protested indigently, "Maggie was a travel agent…and after a few drinks we came to an arrangement…"

"Al!"

"Not like that! Bloody hell Emily, what have you told Ella? The last thing I want is her running around thinking I'm Casanova!" That had been one of the most embarrassing points of his life so far. As if Emily wasn't bad enough he'd wanted to erase Maggie on the spot as soon as Eleanor entered the room. He wasn't quite sure why but her seeing him with other women made him feel almost guilty. Actually it was a bit worrying, he felt like he was on the onslaught of a terminal illness.

"I just told her the truth," Emily murmured innocently.

"Thanks little sister," Alfie grumbled, "Real smooth. Anyway like I was saying Maggie does travel and I figured since it's the Easter Holidays and you have nothing better to do…"

"You didn't?" Emily said incuriously looking up at her brother with shining hope in her eyes. Alfie grinned manically pulling the flight tickets from his pocket.

"I did! Three tickets to Athens departing in five days!"

"Oh my God Alfie!" Shrieked Emily jumping up and down dementedly as she hugged her brother, "Who's the third ticket for?"

"The third ticket my little genius is for Ella as a thank you for putting up with us and looking after you. I trust you can persuade her parents to part with her for one week?"

"Alfie! I love you!"

"Yeah, amazing what tickets to Greece can do."

I know it's been ages since I updated this one but my love of Doctor Who and Torchwood has been reignited and so I am more determined to continue. I've started a Torchwood fiction called The Secret of Immortality that you might want to read since one of the characters will be appearing in this fiction and you might catch something interesting in it. The fiction is set before this one but the reprocussions are concerning Alfie and Emily. I'd appreciate some reviews for it so check it out!

Coming up for this fiction the next chapter is more Doctor - Torchwood central. After that it heats up back at school with a school trip which spells fatality for Eleanor if Emily cannot save her first. Somebody's gonna end up hurt and somebodies gonna find out that more than two aliens roam the school...

R&R

Daydreamer!x