Thanks everyone for your reviews ! I know "Damn Mira!" Hopefully, people always get what they deserve in the end don't they…? I'm so happy to read your comments! Especially when you react how I hoped you would! Please, do continue!
I'm sorry it took me a week before to update. Actually my chapter 8 was too big so I created a chapter 9 which was not expected! So here you can read chapter 8, chapter 9 is coming really soon and for your great pleasure, chapter 10 might also be ready for the week-end!
To Emtheunicorn : thank you so much for your help! It's always nice to have someone to correct my texts!
When Taylor had found Alexandra, she had tried to run away from him. He had to convince her he was not going to hurt her. She was a mess, covered in blood, her own blood. She was pale and obviously exhausted. Once the attack had been over, he had brought her back with him. She had not said a single word the whole way back to Terra Nova.
"This girl is in shock and need some rest," Jim Shannon stated to Taylor.
He nodded. "I'll give her time before questioning her."
"She can come to my home. I'm sure it's not going to be a problem. I don't think she would be a danger to my family."
"Take her to your wife first. I want her to be checked by a doctor. Then, if the girl is ok, she can go with you."
Jim looked at Alexandra. He was not sure he could touch her. He stood just in front of her. She looked away but he was sure she was listening. "Let's go to the infirmary ok?" Alexandra didn't react. Jim held out his arm, hand open, to help her going out of the car . She gave him a blank look. She quickly looked at his arm and his face and then returned to his arm. She held out her hand and placed it gently in his. Without a word she followed him to the infirmary, her hand still in his. Jim did not open his hand, aware of the support he gave her.
Elisabeth Shannon reacted the same way that her husband. She felt pity when she met Alexandra. Her body was covered in bruised and cuts, she was dehydrated and needed to eat. After her examination, Alexandra had been allowed to go to the Shannon's house.
"You can use the shower. Here there's a towel. You'll find soap there," Dr Shannon explained to a speechless Alexandra. "Ok, I think I showed you everything you need. I'll leave you ok? I'm right there if you need anything," she added before closing the door.
The hot water burnt her body but it felt good. Her blood mixed with the dirt made the water become dark brown. Tears were running down her cheeks but you couldn't tell because of the water. She cried silently, staying under the water until her skin was so red she had to stop. Maddy Shannon had offered to give her some pyjamas and some clothes. Alexandra was exhausted and fell asleep as soon as Dr Shannon showedher the bed she would sleep in. She slept 24 hours before Dr Shannon thought it was enough and woke her up. Alexandra had not talked since she had arrived. Now Taylor wanted to see her. She would have to talk.
"What's your name?"
Alexandra didn't answer. Her arms were crossed, her gaze fixed on the ground, lips pursed.
"I'm not your enemy," he stated. "My name is Commander Nathaniel Taylor. Tell me, what's your name?"
She looked at him straight in the eyes when he said his name, her eyes widened. Taylor. It was Lucas's father.
"Do we know each other?" He asked, suspicious.
"I've heard your name before," she paused, her voice croaking. "When Mira was torturing me."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Taylor said calmly, truly sorry. "Listen, you need to tell us what happened to you, how you got there. We are here to help you, but we need to get to know you," he pleaded her.
Alexandra thought about it in her head. She knew she had to talk one day.
"My name is Alexandra. Alexandra Paris. I'm 21. I walked into the portal few weeks ago from France. I was in 2012. I lived 5 days on my own in the jungle before a man found me," she paused. "A soldier," she added. It was not the entire truth but she was not going to involve Lucas in this already complicated situation. She didn't want them to know about Lucas. She didn't want to put him in danger. She skipped the whole Lucas' part. "He brought me back to his camp. That's when I met Mira. She was sure that I was one of your spies. She asked me questions about things I didn't know about. She tortured me. When you found me, I had just escaped from her." It was a summary, but it was enough. Alexandra had said every important thing they needed. She was not going to say more.
Taylor waved at a guard and murmured something to him. Then the guard went away.
"There were only 20 soldiers at the camp. Do you know where were the others?"
"They had left 2 days before." She answered simply.
"Where were they headed?"
"A place called The Badlands? Something like that."
Taylor frowned. "Do you know why?"
"I've heard that they had found something they needed to bring back." Again, it was not the entire truth but she was not really lying, she was just not telling the whole truth.
"Where is she?" A voice suddenly asked behind her.
"Ah Malcolm," Taylor welcomed the man. "Alexandra Paris, this is Dr Malcolm Wallace, the chief science officer for the Terra Nova colony."
"Is it her?" Malcolm asked, staring at Alexandra.
"Yes it is."
"She looks normal," he stated.
"And 'she' can hear you," Alexandra said in disbelief. Malcolm suddenly realized how rude he had been.
"Sorry, I was just so excited to meet you."
Alexandra widened her eyes. "Excited?"
"Uh… Not really excited… I mean…" Malcolm was clearly embarrassed now.
"He's here because I asked him to come. He's working on a new portal and I've assumed you two should meet." Taylor interrupted them.
"Why?" Alexandra didn't know how she could help with it.
"Because I noticed a time fracture almost 2 weeks ago which was different from ours. And now you're here! It means a lot."
"So you do believe me?" Alexandra felt relieved. Like Lucas, they knew it was possible.
"Yes I do. Well, I can't prove where it was from. But I'm sure it was from the 1st of January 2012."
Alexandra let out a deep sigh. She had not noticed that she was holding her breath. She stepped closer to Malcolm, eager to know more.
"How can you explain it?"
"I can only guess. Probably a wrong calculation. But it also means that somebody is trying to reopen a portal somewhere."
"Who?"
"It's what we have to find out," Taylor interjected. Alexandra looked deeply in the commander's eyes. They were cold blue eyes but she could see tenderness in them.
"What are you going to do with me now?" She was startled to hear her voice was shaking. Alexandra wished to stay. She wanted to stay away from the jungle, away from Mira.
"Well, if the Shannon's are ok with it, you can stay with them…" Taylor started to say. Alexandra burst in tears. She had held in so much during the last days. Taylor arched his eyebrows in surprise. He was not expecting this kind of reaction.
"Thank you," she said between sobs. Taylor came next to her and put his hand on her shoulder, trying to calm her down.
"Terra Nova is about second chances. You are welcome here."
It didn't take Alexandra too long to appreciate the Shannon's. Zoe and Maddy were the perfect sisters she never had. Elizabeth and Jim were kind to her. They treated her as a member of the family. Josh was nice to her too, but more distant. At first, she had thought it was because he didn't like her. But one day she had discovered it was because of his friend, Skye. Alexandra had met her few times and she seemed really suspicious.
When Commander Taylor had come back to Terra Nova with this new girl, Skye had not liked it. She was sure she was a Sixer's spy. How could that be different? But Taylor obviously believed her story. Her story was surely fake and full of incoherencies. A big light and suddenly she was there? Honestly, who could believe that? Obviously Taylor did. Skye didn't know why it bothered her, there was no room for her in Taylor's heart. Now everything was back to normal. Although Taylor was not as friendly as before, they were family again. Actually, Skye knew she was more upset to know that Alexandra was living with Josh. She had to admit it, she was a little bit jealous. Even after what she had been through, Alexandra was a pretty girl. And Josh truly liked her. Skye wanted to be with Josh. But since Kara died, he didn't seem to want a new girlfriend. She had spent every day with him and nothing had happened. He had never tried to get close to her. Skye was lost in her feelings and the arrival of this new girl was not helping.
Alexandra sat in front of the Shannon's house, Josh satnext to her. They didn't know what to do and they were clearly annoyed. Skye arrived, followed by Hunter and Tasha.
"Hi Josh!" She said lightly. "Alex," she nodded.
It was always like that. Sky would never say more than was necessary to Alexandra.
"What are you doing?" Josh asked.
"We are going OTG!" Hunter said.
"What does OTG mean?" Alexandra asked.
"Outside the Gates…" Tasha replied, a big smile on her face.
"Are you allowed to go OTG?" Alexandra asked, surprised.
"Not really," Josh whispered. "But we take that right!" He beamed. "Ok let's go then!" He happily said, standing up.
Alexandra didn't move, not sure she wanted to go.
"Aren't you coming?" Josh asked, realizing she had not gotten up.
"My last trip in the jungle was not a success…" She winced.
"It's going to be cool! Nothing to worry about," Tasha argued. "As long as we stay away from the slasher's territory it's perfectly safe."
Skye crossed her arms, eyes furrowed. Josh noticed it. He was a little bit tired of Skye's attitude when it came to Alexandra.
"What?" Josh whispered harshly through greeted teeth.
"Nothing. It's just... We don't even know her! How can we trust her not to tell Taylor?"
"That's ridiculous Skye and you know it," Josh whispered before walking back to Alexandra. Skye felt frustration growing inside of her. Alexandra could feel Skye's eyes boring into her, making her fidget uncomfortably. She didn't even know her, so why did this girl seem to have something against her?
"Come on Alex, I swear to you, it's going to be fine."
Alexandra deliberated. She didn't want to go but they all seemed to be sure it would be fine. And actually, she was bored of staying in Terra Nova. She needed some fresh air.
"Ok, I'm in," she smiled.
This is a chapter without Lucas in it. I know it's not fair is it? But I promise you, he'll be back soon… very soon! Chapters 9 and 10 are on the way!
