Hey everyone! Well I've totally gotten back into this story and suddenly I seem incapable of not writing it!
I hope you're all liking the little twist I put in the previous chapter - even I didn't see that one coming. But I have continued on with it in this chapter.
Hope you enjoy :-)
xxx
Lucas:
I recalled the first time I had ever seen her. I had been marching through the thick jungle, headed to Snakehead Falls. Another part of the complex equation had been solved and I had been going to carve it into the rock at Snakehead Falls where it would forever taunt my father. As I had stepped out of the greenery I had suddenly noticed movement in the water.
That was when I had first laid my eyes on her. She had been lying on her back, floating in the sparkling blue water. I'd been stunned to see her there; no one normally went to Snakehead Falls. The Sixers knew better than to hang around in the area that I'd claimed as my own territory and the Terra Novans seldom were allowed to leave their cage. Once before, I had spotted my father studying my formulas. It had given me great pleasure observing the confusion and pain that had etched on his face.
But I'd never seen her there before. I'd hidden back in the trees, crouching behind some bushes so she wouldn't have noticed me. Then I had watched as she lazily drifted in the water. Normally, I tired of watching people, especially when they weren't doing anything. But she had immediately entranced me. I couldn't understand what she was doing there.
When she had finally returned to the shore, I had gained my first proper look at her. It had surprised me how young she was; I guessed only about fifteen. But her beauty had captured me even further. Her soaking wet hair and stuck to her sun kissed skin. Her figure was slender and toned. I had marvelled at every delicate feature of her face, from her sloping nose to her pink lips.
I could remember feeling a strong need to go and speak to her. I had wanted to know everything about her. But I had forced myself to stay away. So many people had betrayed me; somehow I had known she'd be the same.
She had laid out her towel on the ground and stretched her body back out. Slowly, the sun had dried her as she relaxed. Every second of her being there, I had remained in my hiding spot, watching silently.
When she had finally gotten back to her feet and started collecting her things, I had felt an ache in my chest at the thought of her leaving. It had seemed so strange to me then that I could feel such a powerful yearning for someone whom I didn't even know. But the moment she had disappeared into the trees, I had felt an overwhelming need to see her again.
So I tracked her. As she had made her way back to her home, which I had presumed was Terra Nova, I had snaked silently behind her. My justification had been because she was so small I had needed to make sure she returned safely to her home. But even then I had known there was something more. I could remember as I had followed her, my mother had once remarked how she and my father had been soul mates. I had been young so hadn't understood what she had meant so she explained what the term meant. I had mocked the concept entirely, laughing at her. It had seemed ridiculous that all of space and time would have brought two people together. Yet, in the moment when I had been tracking my mystery girl, even I had started to wonder that perhaps the idea of soul mates wasn't entirely ludicrous.
How could that not be real?
I was able to recall every single moment I had ever spent with Skye in such painstaking detail that I couldn't see how it could have been made up. I remembered how soft her hair was when I had tucked it behind her ear on the balcony of the Command Centre. I remembered the look of guilt and pain she had given me when she had pulled the trigger. I remembered the pleasurable sounds she made on our countless nights of passion. I remembered the sweet fruity scent her skin would have when she was fresh out of the shower.
Everything about her I could remember. Each scrap of detail she had given me about her life before I had truly known her was deeply imprinted in my brain. Even then, as I was locked away in my cell, I could feel her hands lightly caressing my body. Sometimes I heard her whispering in my ear. Whenever I closed my eyes, I could see the many shades of blue that sparkled in her sapphire eyes. She was my Bucket. She couldn't have been made up.
Yet the thought that she hadn't really endured everything I had put her through gave me some comfort. The idea she hadn't died in Terra Nova gave me peace. In some ways, it seemed better if she had never really existed. No girl of Skye's age should have ever had to go through what she had.
"Lucas." Greeted the familiar snake-like voice. I glanced up and saw Caine prowling toward my cell. Instinctively, every muscle in my body tensed as I prepared to pounce forward and strike him down. Yet I knew I couldn't break through the thick plastic wall. "How are you feeling today?" I dropped my gaze from the General, refusing to participate in his sick games. "I've told your mother you are here. She's dying to see you."
"My mother is dead." I snapped.
Caine sighed.
"Lucas..." He tuttered. "Most people would be joyful to discover the mother they thought was dead for years is actually alive and well. Why are you so against the truth?" I squeezed my eyes tightly closed, trying to block out his voice. "Did this Skye Tate really mean that much to you?" I tried reciting the periodic table, anything to keep his voice out. "What if I told you there was a way you could speak to Skye?" My attention snapped back up to Caine. He grinned at me. "I thought that might interest you." He gestured behind him. "Skye's here. I can arrange a meeting."
I frowned.
"But you said she..." I shook my head. "She didn't exist."
"Oh she doesn't. But the equipment we have that created the illusion of Skye and Terra Nova is here. I think maybe it would help you if you saw how we made her." I could feel my grief rising, choking me to the point where I could barely breathe. "I need two guards to Cell 118." Caine ordered, speaking through a radio. "Then you can please escort the prisoner up to the labs." His black eyes shone as he smiled at me. "I'll meet you up there. I'll just go make sure everything is ready."
I watched as he disappeared down the corridor, listening as his footsteps faded. My body sagged against the wall, feeling all energy leave me. Then two armed guards suddenly were there at the door to my cell. I barely registered as they entered the small cage and hauled me up to my feet.
XXX
"Comfortable?" Caine asked me, an animalistic grin on his face. I was lying on what resembled a hospital bed. My hands and feet were bound in metal, preventing me from moving. A pillow had been placed beneath my head and I stared up at the grey ceiling. "You may recognise this place. You've been here often. This was where I brought you to create the fantasy of Terra Nova." Caine explained, his voice echoing around the room. "We've tried various methods of controlling an individual's higher brain regions, but none were as effective as this." Caine placed two cold metal devices either side of my head. I gritted my teeth as I felt something sharp penetrate the skin across my temples. "These help us regulate your thoughts and control your memories." He smiled. "It's exciting stuff." I watched as he picked up a large syringe filled with a transparent liquid. "Now you might feel a sharp scratch, but it'll be over quickly." Frowning, I could feel my arm tensing up as Caine tapped on a vein. Then he plunged the needle in and injected the fluid. Instantly I felt my eyes grow heavy. The room felt like it was spinning, causing me to feel motion sickness. I clenched my fists, but couldn't fight against the feeling. Instead blackness began descending over me. "Pleasant dreams Lucas."
XXX
My eyes fluttered open and I felt groggy. It was dark in the room that I was in, but I could see the early morning sun rays trying to pierce through the curtains that hung at the window. Sitting up, I scanned the room where I was in. To my blissful surprise, I was in Skye's bedroom. My heart began pounding at the realisation that I was somehow, inexplicably back home. But the thought of seeing Skye pushed all thoughts of how I had ended up back in Terra Nova when I had been imprisoned in the future away from my mind.
I jumped up from the bed and hurriedly yanked on some jeans. Then I rushed forward and practically pulled the door from its hinges. The first thing that hit me was the smell of cooking food. I could hear the sound of food sizzling in the frying pan. Then the sound of a female voice humming quietly reached my ears. I nearly tripped over myself to get to the kitchen, longing to see her once more.
Then suddenly there she was. Her back was turned to me, but there was no mistaking the wild hair that fell down her back. She wore nothing but one of my shirts, that only just came down to below her round butt. As she stood at the oven, she sung to herself in hushed tones. For a moment, all I could do was stare at her with my mouth open. I had thought she was dead. I had thought I was never going to see her again. But there she was.
"Bucket?" I breathed.
Skye flinched when I spoke and whirled around, clearly not expecting me to be there. Her startled blue eyes were wide as she stared across at me and her mouth formed a small O. But then she relaxed once more, taking a deep breath. She placed her hand across her heart and smirked at me.
"You scared me!" She accused. "I didn't hear you get up." My eyes never left her face; I didn't even blink. Instead I just felt myself being pulled closer toward her. I couldn't even feel my legs; it just felt like I was floating. "Lucas?" Skye remarked, frowning. "Are you okay?"
I remained silent as I walked; only stopping when I was right in front of her. My eyes began scanning across her face, checking if she was real. I had been so sure she'd been dead. Hesitantly, I brought my hand up to her face. My fingers lightly traced across her cheek.
"Bucket." I repeated, the relief thick in my voice. Shaking my head, I brought my other hand up to her face and cupped it gently. "I never thought I'd see you again."
Skye's brows tugged together in a look of confusion. She went to speak, but I instantly hushed her by mashing my mouth to hers. I kissed her fiercely, all of the pent up grief and anger at the thought I'd lost her leaking out. Skye's small hands rubbed up and down my bare back as she kissed me.
Passion stormed through me and I couldn't stop myself from trailing my hands down her body. My tongue pushed into her mouth, playing with her own. My hands went to just below her butt and I hauled her body up onto the countertop behind us, never breaking the fervent kiss. Skye wrapped her legs around my waist and draped her arms loosely around my neck.
My fingers began sneaking under the hem of the shirt she wore. Skye gasped as I traced patterns into her inner thighs. I could feel she was wearing cotton underwear, keeping me out from her. I gave the band of her underwear a little tug, causing Skye's breath to hitch.
My lips began trailing down her jaw line. Skye tilted her head back, giving me access to her neck. Like an animal, I began nipping at the soft flesh of her neck. Skye moaned as I did so and I felt her thighs tighten.
"Lucas, what's gotten into you this morning?" She murmured, running her fingers through my hair.
"Nothing." I mumbled against her neck. "I've just missed you."
"Missed me? But I've not been anywhere." I ignored Skye's statement and continued kissing her neck. But she didn't seem like she was going to let it drop – typical of my Bucket really. "Lucas!" She pushed at my chest, dropping her legs from my body. "Lucas what's going on?"
Finally, I pulled back and looked at her. She looked so innocent; I couldn't tell her the truth about the future and Caine and how he told me Skye wasn't real. So instead I just shook my head.
"Nothing." I gently tucked a lock of her soft hair behind her ear. "Everything's fine."
Skye pouted.
"I know when you're lying to me." She muttered. She hopped down from the counter and slid away from me. "You do it often enough." She grumbled, returning to her cooking food.
I sighed to myself.
"Bucket...I'm not lying. Everything really is okay. I'm here and you're here. We're together. What could possibly be wrong with that?"
Skye looked curiously back at me.
"Why wouldn't we both be here?" I stared at her mutely, not knowing what to say. Skye sighed and turned off the oven, removing the food from the heat. Then she turned fully to face me and gazed at me sympathetically. "Have you had one of your nightmares again?" She asked. I frowned then as I considered that. Perhaps it all had been a nightmare. Where I was right then with Skye seemed more realistic than where I had been with Caine. Perhaps everything about me being in the future had all been one big nightmare. "You know none of that is real." Skye comforted, gently placing her hand on my cheek. "You got out of Somalia. You survived it. No one's going to hurt you like that again."
I smiled warmly at her and took hold of her hand that had been rested on my face. I brought the back of it to my lips and pressed a gentle kiss against her soft flesh. She beamed at me when I did.
"Can I ask you something that will probably make no sense to you at all?"
Her brows tugged together in a look of puzzled curiosity.
"Okay."
"What's the last thing you remember?"
"About what?"
"Something life changing that happened to us?"
Skye sighed.
"Lucas, whatever happened in your nightmare wasn't real." She informed me gently.
"I know that." I assured her. "I just...I'm still a bit confused as to where I am."
Skye smiled.
"Okay. Well we're in my house in Terra Nova. You invited yourself in last night to stay the night. I hope I don't have to remind you of last night because I thought it was quite memorable." I grinned at her. "Urm..." Skye shrugged. "I don't know what more to say." She remarked. "It's Thursday 2nd August."
My mind worked back to that date. It was a few days before my father and I had left.
"We were just OTG with the Phoenix Group?"
Skye nodded.
"Yeah we were."
"What happened with them?"
"Urm well I managed to convince you that staying with them was a bad idea. So we called Taylor and he came and got us. A huge fight broke out between our army and theirs. But we won, Lucas. We won." Skye squeezed my hand. "It's over now."
"Our army beat the Phoenix Group?" I queried disbelievingly.
Skye narrowed her eyes.
"You know it did. You were there."
I bit my cheek before responding.
"Of course I was. I just...I still find it hard to believe. Their army was so much greater than ours."
Skye shrugged her shoulders.
"Yeah well their numbers had decreased. Guess they weren't so fantastic at surviving after all."
I smiled.
"Yeah I guess.
Skye touched my face again with her spare hand.
"You know you can tell me what's bothering you. You can tell me anything."
I gazed down at my precious Skye, debating whether to confide in her. Although I never liked to weigh her down with my problems, I knew she appreciated when I would tell her my darkest secrets.
"I know I can." I remarked. "It just seems too grand for me to have created in just one night." I admitted.
"Why? What happened? I have to know now."
I smirked at her. Then I pulled her to the couch and sat down with her. Keeping her small hand locked in mine, I sighed before beginning my story.
"I remember that we made our own way back to Terra Nova and the Phoenix Group declared war on us. We teamed up with Mira, believe it or not. The Sixers were coming back to Terra Nova. I went OTG again with my father and a small group of men. My father and I got stuck out there, but you'd be proud of us. We were working together." I informed her with a smile. Skye giggled back in response. "We got captured by the Phoenix Group. They took me with them, but Hooper told me later on they'd left my father behind. There were mines that they'd set off, so they believed my father was dead." Skye frowned. "It also would have damaged Terra Nova." I gripped her hand tighter. "Skye I thought you were dead. I thought I'd never see you again."
Skye moved closer to me and put her hands around my neck.
"It's okay. I'm fine. Terra Nova is fine." Closing my eyes, I buried my face into her wild mane. I smiled when I could detect the familiar fruity essence. "None of that happened Lucas."
I so wanted to believe that.
"There's more." I remarked. I could suddenly remember everything. Pulling back from her, I gazed intensely into her blue eyes. "I went back to the future. Caine was there, the man who killed my mother. But he told me my mother was still alive." Skye smiled sympathetically and went to speak, but I hurriedly cut across her. "He also told me that you weren't real and Terra Nova had never existed."
"Well of course I'm real. I'm right here, aren't I?"
I shook my head.
"I don't know." I admitted, pulling my hand free from hers. "Are you? Because I can remember now. He took me into this room and hooked me up to this machine so that I could talk to you." Skye frowned. I got up to my feet and stepped away from her. "Skye I...I don't think you are real. Not this you anyway."
"Lucas, don't be ridiculous!" Skye exclaimed, also getting to her feet. "Of course I'm real! I'm standing right here."
I shook my head. I could feel grief rising within me as I recalled the room where I supposed I was still lying in.
"Skye you're not. This is in my head. You're not really here."
"Lucas..." As she stepped toward me, I moved back. "I am real. I can prove it."
I raised my brow.
"How?"
"I shot you, remember? Look at your chest." She pointed with her finger. "You have a scar."
Frowning, I looked down at my torso. Sure enough, there was the familiar rounded white scar. But instead of being convinced, I just shook my head.
"That doesn't prove anything. I'm just hallucinating that scar like I am you." I reasoned.
"Then check when you go back to your other world. It'll still be there then too."
I frowned as I looked back at her.
"This isn't real Skye. This is inside my head." I announced. "But you are real. You have to be. You're just somewhere else right now."
"Lucas I'm standing right here!" Skye exclaimed.
I shook my head.
"No. You're not." I commented evenly. Skye looked at me exasperated. But I calmly walked forward to her. "This isn't you." I informed her, cupping her face in my hands. "But I know what I have to do to get back to you." I stroked her face gently and smiled. "And I promise you I will." I leant my forehead down against hers. "I will do everything I can to get back to you."
Skye frowned. I could see there were worried tears in her eyes. For a second she looked so young and vulnerable. Fear was etched across her face. But then a mask of calmness swept across her exterior.
"Okay." She smiled. "You go find me, the real me. Whatever. But urm...but first will you walk me to the hospital? I have a shift in half an hour."
My eyes narrowed.
"You don't work at the hospital anymore." I replied, pulling back from her.
"Dr Shannon came to see me the other day when you were at Taylor's. She offered me my old position back and I accepted."
I nodded.
"Good. I hoped you would. You'll make a great doctor and I'd rather you there then behind the bar at Boylan's."
Skye smiled.
"So will you walk me there?"
I frowned. I knew she wasn't my Skye. My Skye was in the real Terra Nova, not the version that I had created in my head. But she still was a projection of Skye and I still felt a need to protect her. So I nodded.
"Okay."
She beamed.
"Good. C'mon. Let's get dressed."
I gestured at the oven.
"What about the food?"
Skye glanced over her shoulder.
"I'm not hungry anymore."
"You're not still sick are you?" I commented, suddenly remembering her illness when we'd been OTG.
Skye shook her head and smiled.
"No, I'm all better."
"Did you ever find out what that was?" I queried.
Skye shrugged.
"Just a bug. Nothing too important. C'mon."
She pulled me back toward the bedroom to get dressed and ready. I went along with it to keep her happy. It was nice to be able to pretend that I was back home with Skye rather than trapped in the future with Caine.
"So tell me again what happened with the Phoenix Group?" I asked as we walked out from the house.
"Urm...Taylor and his men went to battle when they came to get us. We won." She shrugged. "There's not much more to tell."
"Hmmm. Well I'm glad we did. I'm pleased you can live in this peaceful world." Skye smiled at me. She took hold of my hand and then we strolled through Terra Nova. It was a lovely morning. There wasn't a cloud in the sky. The sun radiated down from the bright blue sky, warming the air. I breathed in the sweet air, marvelling in how clean and refreshing it was. "I wish I could stay here with you." I admitted.
Skye looked tentatively across at me.
"You're not going to leave are you? You promised me you weren't going to leave me."
I smirked at her.
"I'd never leave you Bucket and that's why I have to go. I have to go find you in the real world."
Skye raised a brow.
"You know that doesn't make sense, right?"
I chuckled.
"Maybe not to you. But it does to me."
Skye smile weakly.
"So you think you're dreaming now, right?"
My eyes narrowed.
"I don't know what I'm doing. I suppose it's like dreaming, but I think Caine is somehow controlling my thoughts to a degree. He's making me think of Terra Nova, of you."
"And in the real world, I'm dead?"
I frowned miserably.
"I hope not." I glanced across at her. Skye was watching me carefully. I could tell she was taking in every detail. "You were in Terra Nova and they set of sonic mines. It would have destroyed everything. But maybe somehow...you escaped."
"It doesn't sound likely that I would have." Skye commented. I shrugged. "Why would you want to go back there when you can stay here with me?"
"Because I can't be selfish. If you are still alive then I have to find you and save you. I can't just give up."
"And if I'm dead?"
"Then I have to find what's left of you and bury you properly." I looked at her and smiled. "Then I'll die right next to you so we can stay together."
Skye rolled her eyes.
"Well this conversation just got dark."
I smirked.
"I mean it though. I have to find you so I know for sure."
Skye nodded.
"Okay." She gestured to the hospital. "Here we are."
"I'll say goodbye to you here then."
Skye shook her head.
"Oh no you won't. I want you to walk me right up to the staffroom. If you're going to leave to go find me or whatever, then I want to have as much time with you as possible."
I grinned at her. She really was like my Bucket.
"Okay." I held open the door for her and followed her inside. "You do get why I have to go though, right?"
"Because you think this world isn't real and you want to go and find the real me." Skye answered.
I chuckled.
"You make me sound crazy."
"You are crazy. I knew that from the moment I met you."
"You make me crazy." I retorted.
Skye chuckled.
"Only as crazy as you drive me."
I grinned at her. I could feel my heart was lifting thanks to her presence. I loved her so much and it hit me then how much I had missed her. But then suddenly I could feel my happiness sinking once more. It wasn't real. It was a fantasy; a delusion inside my mind. Caine was controlling my thoughts. I wondered if he had made Skye say that.
"Skye," I stopped walking, causing her to halt as well. She looked questioningly back at me, our hands still joined. "I need to go now."
Skye shook her head.
"No. Not until you've walked me to the ward." I frowned, feeling confused. "Please Lucas. I feel like I'm going to miss you, even if I'm not really real. Let me spend a few more minutes with you."
I sighed.
"Fine."
Skye beamed and then began pulling me down the corridor once more.
"I'm so lucky to have someone like you." Skye announced as she walked onto the ward. "I know it's not always been perfect, but we've made it work, haven't we?"
I nodded and smiled.
"Yeah we have."
Skye looked back at me. I frowned when I saw the fresh tears in her eyes.
"Because no matter what's happened, we've always gotten through it together."
"Bucket, what's wrong?" I questioned, stroking her cheek with my thumb.
"We always forgive one another, don't we?" Skye squeezed my hand. "Because we love one another." I frowned at her, a bad feeling creeping over me. "Lucas, I called Dr Shannon this morning. I'm really worried about you."
My eyes began hurriedly scanning the room. It was then that I noticed Elisabeth Shannon standing not too far from where we were, observing us carefully.
"Skye, what have you done?"
"I think you should speak to someone. You've never really dealt with everything that happened. I might help you."
My eyes widened.
"You want me to see a shrink?"
"No I...I just think if you talk to Dr Shannon or another doctor if you'd rather, that it could help you."
I shook my head.
"No." I dropped her hand. "I can't. I'm not mad Skye!"
"I know you're not, but I think you could do with talking to someone."
I started backing away from her.
"I can't believe you did this."
"Lucas..."
"Just stay away from me Skye!"
I went to turn and run, but two very large security guards were suddenly there behind me.
"Lucas, just come with me. It'll all be okay, I promise." Skye encouraged.
My blood ran cold when I realised what was happening. Caine was trapping me inside my own head. He must have been forcing Skye to act the way she was; I knew the real Skye would never send me to the mad house.
So, acting upon my first instinct, I made a run for it. Behind me, I heard Skye shout my name, but I ignored her. Desperately, I tried to escape. I had to get back to the real world so I could find my real Skye. But I was forced down to the ground, lying flat on my stomach.
I tried fighting against the people who held we down, but it was no use. I felt a sharp scratch in the back of my neck. Then my eyes began drooping and suddenly I was spiralling into darkness.
XXX
I gasped as I awoke from unconscious and tried to sit up, but I was bound to the bed. The room I was in was dimly lit; I had to squint so I could see.
"Skye?!" I called out.
I heard my own voice echo around the room, repeating Skye's name. But it wasn't her voice that answered back.
"Awake so soon?" Caine prowled forward, his teeth bared as he grinned savagely. "I would have thought you would have wanted to stay for longer."
I scowled.
"They drugged me. Skye...she...she betrayed me." Then I shook my head. "But that wasn't her, was it? That was you. You were controlling her!" I accused.
Caine smirked.
"Lucas, I've always been controlling her. What you saw there was the reality that you've been living in for the past few years. That really was the Skye you had fallen in love with."
Shaking my head, I started tugging at my binds.
"That Skye wasn't real, but my Skye is. I will find her."
Caine sighed.
"I knew it was a mistake keeping you in a delusional state for such a long period of time. I suppose this is my fault. I should have brought you out of it sooner. But I had to test you Lucas. I had to see how you would survive in such extreme circumstances. That was why I made it so that your father would banish you from Terra Nova. I needed to give you the opportunity to flourish."
"My father banished me because I was betraying him."
"Yes that was what I made you believe." Caine smiled. His black eyes glanced at the door then. "There is someone here who I'd like you to see." He announced, glancing back at me. "Maybe then you'll see I'm not the bad guy." I watched as he walked over to the door. "He's ready to see you now." Caine muttered as he opened the door.
It felt as if all the breath had been sucked out from my lungs. My whole body froze, unable to move. It was like I was in that state where you were conscious and yet still trapped in a dream world. My muscles were locked and I could barely breathe.
"Lucas."
That smile, the smile from my childhood memories, greeted me. She looked just the way I remembered; long, flowing blonde hair and eyes that exactly matched mine in colour and shape. Her skin was pale, yet she looked well. The clothes she wore made her look neither a prisoner nor one of them, but perhaps something in between.
"Mom?" I breathed, not trusting my eyes.
She beamed at me, tears gathering in her eyes. Then she sprung forward and embraced me, her face burying in my shoulder.
"Oh Lucas! I never thought I was going to see you again! I've missed you so much!"
I shook my head.
"No!" I tried to move away from her, but I couldn't. I was still tied down. She straightened back up and looked concernedly down at me. "You're dead. This isn't real!" I squeezed my eyes tightly closed, blocking her out. "This isn't real." I repeated.
"Lucas." I felt her fingers tenderly stroke my hair. "Of course this is real." I peeked back at her, feeling mistrust and confusion. "You know you're awake now." I turned my face away from her hand, trying to prevent her contact. "Oh my darling," She cupped my face in both her hands and forced me to look at her again. "I know this is all confusing and scary, but it'll all make sense soon. I promise."
"I watched you die." I murmured, tears stinging my eyes. "I saw them slaughter you."
She shook her head and smiled gently.
"I didn't die Lucas. They're not animals. They don't kill unless they have to."
"They killed Skye! They set off those bombs and destroyed Terra Nova and murdered everyone inside."
She narrowed her eyes at me then as if puzzled.
"Who's Skye?"
"If I may interject?" Caine asked stepping forward. My eyes flicked to him and my mother turned around to face him. "I told you about the illusion we've had Lucas in all this time. He was in a world known as Terra Nova and Skye was a girl he'd met there."
"Oh." My mother looked back at me then. "Oh darling then you must know she didn't really die; she never really existed."
"No!" I snapped. "I don't believe that!" My eyes closed again as I thought back to my Bucket. "She...she said this could be my nightmare. This isn't the reality." I reopened my eyes and studied my mother's face. She couldn't be real. "Skye's right. This isn't real. You're not real."
My mother laughed.
"Well of course I'm real! Saying I'm not real is like saying you're not real. I gave birth to you Lucas!"
"Mom you died. I know you died."
She sighed.
"Listen my darling, to test a soldier's abilities they put them in a sleep like trance. That way they can place them in the most extreme environment without having to put them in any actual danger. Everything you've been through is all a test." She smiled at me and stroked my face again. "And they told me you passed with flying colours. They say you have had one of the best test scores ever recorded. You should be proud of yourself."
"But what about Skye?" My voice choked as I said her name.
"I'm sorry. I can tell you cared about her. All I can use as comfort is that she didn't really die."
"She has to me." I announced. "I need her, mom."
"No you don't." My mom cupped my face again. "I'm here now. It's you and me against the world, okay?"
"I think Lucas might benefit from having some rest." Caine chirped in. My mother's face fell from the thought of leaving me. Yet I actually supported Caine's decision. "I'm sure we can arrange another meeting between the two of you for tomorrow."
"Fine." My mother leant down and kissed my forehead. I felt myself cringe at her contact. "I will be back first thing tomorrow, I promise."
I didn't say anything. Instead I watched mutely as she retreated out from the room. Caine then approached. He sneered down at me.
"I told you this was the real world."
"Being with Skye felt more real than this."
"So what? You now believe you're dreaming this world up?"
I didn't comment. Instead a gloomy frown formed across my brow. I no longer knew what to believe. All that I had to hold onto was my hope that somewhere, Skye was still waiting for me.
Confused yet? Any idea what's real and what's not? All will be explained soon! I'll try and update ASAP :-) Hope everyone has a great weekend! Bye for now :-D xxxxxx
