Hey everyone! So pleased that you are enjoying the chapters :-D Please keep the feedback coming; I love knowing my work is appreciated.

Hope this chapter doesn't disappoint.

Warning:This chapter does contain some graphic violence/torture. If you don't feel comfortable reading that sort of thing, then just skip the part written in italics.

Thanks,

xxx

Lucas:

"LUCAS!"

The soldiers were dragging me away from her. Her large green eyes stared helplessly at me. She tried to fight, tried to force her way back to me; but the soldiers smacked her across the face. Her long, fair hair fell around her shoulders. Blood trickled from the fresh cut on her lip. I fought against the men who hauled me away, but their hold on me was too strong.

"MOM!" I shouted back.

Then she was gone. I was shoved into a small, dark room. In the centre of the room was a large tub full of water. A door was at the opposite end from where I stood. My heart was pounding so hard against my chest that it hurt. I heard my mom scream from the room next to me. I shouted for her again, and tried to get away, but my captives held tight onto me. The door opposite opened, and a tall man with dark chocolate skin and black eyes walked in. He walked with an elegance that the other soldiers lacked, making me think he was the superior. His dark eyes glared at me and then up to the two men who were gripping my arms.

"What is this?" He hissed.

"This is Commander Taylor's son." One of them piped up after a moment's hesitation.

I swallowed, suddenly really regretting who my father was. The mysterious man's black eyes glinted, causing the hairs on the back of my neck to stand up. I tried not to show how frightened I was, making myself stand tall. A sadistic smile played on his lips and his teeth glistened white. I forced myself to get my breathing under control. I heard another scream echo from the room my mom had been taken to, and my eyes flashed over to the wall separating us. The man slowly approached me. The way he moved reminded me of a predator getting ready to pounce on its prey. I forced my eyes to lock onto his, not wanting to look away and show my fear. My dad had always told me not to show how frightened I was. With fear came disrespect.

"So you're Lucas Taylor..." His voice was deep and menacing.

I didn't speak, just stared into the black void. His eyes flashed to one of the soldiers standing next to me, before they latched back onto mine. The soldier on my left slapped the back of my head forcefully, causing me to flinch.

"The General asked you a question." He hissed.

"No he didn't. He stated a fact." I snapped at the soldier, unable to stop my acid tongue.

That earned me another smack around the head. My mother had always told me that my wit would land me into trouble. I heard a low chuckle from the General. I decided to bite my acid tongue, not wanting them to hurt my mother if I pissed them off.

"I like you." The General said smiling lightly. His smile made my skin crawl. He flicked his hand, and the soldiers immediately let me go. I considered running, but I knew they would either catch me or simply gun me down. So I remained rooted to the spot. "Do you know who I am Lucas?" My eyes looked him up and down, and my mind began facial recognition. I was fairly sure I had never seen him before, so I shook my head. "Well I know who you are. Your brain has impressed some friends of mine. Have you ever heard of the Phoenix Group?"

"No."

His mouth curved up again into a merciless smile. His eyes looked harsh and unforgiving. I fought the need to squirm under his stare.

"I thought you were supposed to be a genius." He remarked, and when I didn't comment he continued. "Do you know why they are called the Phoenix Group?"

"If I don't know who they are then I'm obviously not going to know their whole back story." I grumbled.

The General glared at me, and one of the soldier's fists made contact with my side causing me to fall to my knees. A small groan escaped from my mouth. I put my hand over the throbbing pain. Warm, sticky blood oozed out, and that's when I saw the silver blade glinting in the soldier's hand. Although it hurt like hell I forced pressure onto it, remembering what my dad had taught me.

"Get him up." The General barked.

I was roughly lifted to my feet. My hand kept the pressure on my wound.

"Teach him some manners, then call me again."

The General started to turn away, but I called him back. He looked at me, intrigue evident in his eyes.

"Why are they called the Phoenix Group?" I asked.

For some annoying reason my mind had to know whatever it wanted. It forced me to go to great lengths to find the knowledge it required; even if that meant pissing off armed soldiers. The General smiled again, baring his teeth.

"Because they always rise from the ashes." He said smirking.

My stomach knotted. I didn't know who that group was, but I knew it scared me. I watched as the General walked out of the room. Several more soldiers filtered in, and I was dragged toward the tub of water. At first I didn't understand what was going on, and then my head was forced into the water. I scrambled about, trying to force my way back to the surface, but I was held under. My body jerked around, as I fought against the need to breath. Liquid fire spread through my lungs as the last of my oxygen was burnt away. My mouth opened, and water gushed down into my lungs. At first it was painful, and then it became almost peaceful as I began losing consciousness. I began thinking about all the people who meant the most to me; my mom, my dad, my grandparents, Tom and Kate. Then my mind shut itself down, and the world went black.

When my eyes reopened, I was lying on the floor. A soldier was pumping my chest. I choked up water, and spluttered for the oxygen I craved. Sadistic laughter filled the room, as I gasped for air. The soldier who had been resuscitating me smiled cruelly down. He scooped me back up and pushed me toward the tub. I felt weak and sick, and my legs felt like they may give way. My head was pushed back under the water and again I fought to free myself. For the rest of the afternoon that was what happened; they drowned me, forced me to breathe again, before drowning me once more. It got to the point where I didn't even bother fighting anymore, finally understanding that I was not going to get away.

XXX

When I became conscious again I realised I was soaking wet. Panic hit me and I thought I was in Somalia. I jumped violently, causing myself further disorientation. My head whacked into the side of the rover, but my mind processed that as me being hit by a soldier. I yelled out, overcome by crippling fear. Then my eyes locked onto my father, and for some reason seeing him helped calm me.

"Dad?"

The moment I spoke pain rushed through my chest. I winced. My father was unconscious. His head was on the steering wheel, and blood trickled from a gash on his forehead. My eyes moved around the vehicle. Water was gushing in through the metal slits in the doors. I could see we were in a river, and the rover was sinking quickly. I couldn't recall how we had ended up in there. The pain in my chest screeched as I forced myself to move; but I ignored it knowing I had to get out. The water was already up to my waist, and I wondered how long I had been out.

The door was stuck; I guessed the water pressure was forcing it shut. I forced myself around in my seat. I gripped the chair under me and began furiously kicking at the door. My teeth gritted against the agonising ache. I forced the pain to the back of my mind and continued kicking the door. I kept kicking until I started feeling like I might have passed out again. I could not afford to lose any more time. Feeling frustrated I punched the door with my fist.

My eyes rushed around the rover, frantically looking for an escape route. They settled on the radio. I grabbed it and tried turning it on, but it was dead. I threw it toward its holder. It hit the dashboard and splashed into the rising water. I climbed into the back of the rover and tried the back doors. They were also stuck. I could feel the panic begin to rise. Since Somalia I had always had a fear of drowning.

I closed my eyes and made myself breath. My mind conjured up a perfect picture of Skye, and calmness washed over me. I reopened my eyes and looked around again. I fished around in the back, looking for the guns. The rover lurched backward, causing me to slam into the back doors. I gasped for breath and instead breathed in water. The conditioned fear set in and I sprung up, gasping for air. The excruciating pain flared in my chest and I couldn't breathe. I could feel my body shaking, and I swore I heard my mom screaming.

Something nudged against my foot, and I jumped violently backwards. Tentatively, I moved my foot back forward and felt something hard on the floor. I reached my hand down. Water lapped up onto my face but I managed to seize the gun. I climbed back into the front and began hitting my door again with the gun. I could see it slowly beginning to dent.

Despite the throbbing pain I kept hitting the door furiously. I could see it beginning to give way. I went back to kicking at it. When I sat back, the water came up to my chest. I knew when the door gave way the rover would be instantly flooded. I braced myself and continued impacting on the door. With one final kick the door bolted open.

Water rushed in, and I began rushing out. I stopped in the doorway, turning back to look at my father. His face was completely submerged, and he was still out of it. That shouldn't have bothered me; I should have left him there. But then I imagined Skye's face if she learnt he had died. She would be devastated, and it would destroy her if she knew I could have saved him. I found myself turning back and going into the rover. I grabbed my father and heaved him out. The pain was unbearable, but I imagined Skye's face and that kept me going.

Once we were out of the rover, I swam to the shore, pulling my dear old dad with me. I made a mental note to tell him to lose a few pounds. Once we were on the bank I checked he was breathing. His chest wasn't moving, but he did have a pulse.

I began hammering on his chest, checking his vitals every one minute. Finally the water dribbled out over his mouth, and he slowly began breathing again. I sat back, breathing rapidly myself. It was pitch black out there, and I realised with complete frustration that in my desperation to get out of the rover, I had left the gun.

I cursed and considered going back for it. I probably should have, and would have if it hadn't been for the pain in my chest. Every breath brought agony, making breathing difficult. I collapsed backward onto the ground. My hand moved up my shirt and I felt something hard under my skin.

Definitely broken a rib I thought to myself.

I looked up at the sky. It was dark and cloudy, hiding the stars. I allowed myself a moment rest, before I began considering building a fire. Usually fire was a good thing; it was warm and tended to deter dinosaurs. However, the beasts from the Badlands saw fire as an indicator that there were humans nearby, and were often drawn to it. If something decided to make me its lunch then, I knew I didn't have the strength to fight it.

My eyes felt heavy and my mind began to wander. I could see Skye lying naked in her bed, reaching her hand out for me to come and join her. I wanted to go to her; I could feel my mind beginning to drift to her. But the logical part of my brain told me I had to stay awake, reminding me that Skye wasn't really there.

Yet she seemed so close. I could hear her soft voice begging me to join her. Warmth radiated from her skin, caressing my frozen and drenched body. I was even able to smell that sweet, fruity scent of her hair. Although I tried to stop it, my mind eventually went to her completely, unconsciousness claiming me.