Becker dropped me off in the flat then took off back to work leaving me alone to ponder what was going to happen now that my brother was safe at home. I sighed and dropped backwards onto the sofa and sank into the pillows as my words to Hils ran through my head from the first time that I had met him, I had told him when I first arrived at the ARC that I wasn't staying in the centre permanently.

I closed my eyes and listened closely to the cars passing outside and the birds flying through the trees oblivious to what is happening to humanity below them.

Before I knew it I was being shaken awake, I slowly opened my eyes groggily and looked up at Lester who was watching me with relief in his eyes. I sat up with a yawn, rubbing my eyes and looked up at my father wearily.

"What's wrong?" I asked cautiously

Lester sighed "I phoned the flat but you didn't answer"

"I didn't hear it" I yawned sleepily

Lester chuckled and sat down next to me "I realised that, come on bed"

I drowsily rested my head on his shoulder as he lifted me up from the sofa and guided me towards my room. He placed a soft kiss on my cheek then left me alone as I collapsed on my bed and fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

I shot up with a silent scream as my nightmares came back to plague me. My eyes flitted across the room scanning it from the threat that my mind had yet to process as a nightmare. I ran quietly into the bathroom linked to my room and threw up the contents of my stomach. I clutched the edge of the toilet until my knuckles were white and started breathing heavily trying to fill my lungs with well needed air. After I finally calmed down I climbed back up onto my feet and rinsed my mouth out with water.

I looked up at my reflection and sighed; my hair was a mess and needed to be washed after my latest trip into the terrors that my subconscious holds. My skin had become a translucent pale white with not a trace of colour, while my eyes were red and bloodshot with tell tale signs of lack of sleep. I closed my eyes and placed my head on the cold surface of the mirror, when I opened them again, I looked up at the clock behind me and saw that the time was only five o'clock in the morning, which meant that it was a decent enough hour for a run.

The hot water of the shower cascaded over me as I tried to wash away my night terrors. After changing I packed a light backpack of clothes for work as well as a bottle of water. I skipped breakfast, not liking the idea of it all coming back up after only a minute after eating it.

I took off on my daily jog and at six ended up at the centre. I soon ended up walking through my daily routine of getting ready for work. I walked into the menagerie and was greeted by Rex who flew to my shoulder and nuzzled my cheek affectionately.

"Hi Rex" I whispered to him stoking his head "Guess who's home buddy?"

Rex looked me in the eye and tilted his head to the side with a croak. I smiled at him and watched with a light grin as he took off in flight to the cabinet where he could watch the doors. I smiled at the little reptile then went into the other cages; I stayed with the sabre-toothed the longest and was brought out of my brooding thoughts by a knock on the window above me. When I looked up I saw Abby and Connor watching me with worry evident on their faces.

"Bye little one" I cooed to the tiger who rubbed up against me as I left.

I climbed up the stairs and entered the main room where I was pulled into a hug by my big brother. I clung to him tightly as I took in the familiar comfort that had been missing for years.

"What were you doing in there?" Connor demanded.

"He likes me Con, its okay" I told him lightly as I pulled away from him.

Connor looked at me carefully and sighed in defeat. I smiled at him and was given a small smile back so I turned to Abby who was watching me curiously. I grinned at the woman who had stolen my brother's heart. I skipped up to her and held out my hand to her with a grin.

"Hi, we didn't get a proper introduction yesterday but we have met before, I'm Cameron Temple although I've been going by Kirk lately" I babbled

Abby was startled but grinned at me anyway as she shook my hand.

"I do remember you" she told me lightly

I smiled back then followed them out of the menagerie since Connor and Abbey were both being led back to the control room where Lester and Phillip were talking quietly, with Becker by the computers with Jess. I ran up to Becker and jumped on his back before he noticed me. He jumped and almost fell forward as I wrapped my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck.

"Hi Becks" I greeted lightly with a grin and a kiss to the cheek.

Becker glared up at me playfully then walked over to Connor and Abby with me still on his back.

"We can't allow you to stay" Phillip told them as we walked closer to the group "You have no military training and we already have someone that has taken over Mr Temples role here"

I frowned as I heard that, I jumped down from Beckers back and walked to Connors side, lacing my fingers in his.

"I was only staying here until Connor got back Phillip" I told the man "You all knew that from the start"

Phillip and Lester both looked at me, one with annoyance, and the other with surprise.

"Miss Kirk" Phillip started "You have military training, Mr Temple does not"

I glared at the man in front of me then looked over to my surrogate father and boyfriend. Both men were watching me cautiously, I sent them both an apologetic look and then turned to Phillip with a glare.

"Well Mr Burton, I did not start work here for your government or the stupid military, no offence Becks, I came here to keep an eye out for news on my brother and now that he's safe I will not take someone's job from them just because of some training when they have real life experience. So either you let Connor and Abby stay working here or you say goodbye to both candidates for this job, your choice?"

The four people surrounding me looked at me in shock as I glared at the rich man in front of me. Phillip glared back at me as if challenging me.

"I refuse to be bullied into a decision by a little girl" he sneered

"Fine" I told him "Do your own dirty work"

I walked away from him towards my locker and shoved all of my personal things into my bag and shouldered it leaving the locker room behind me. I walked out of the locker room and started towards the exit only to have Lester and Becker catches up to me.

"Cami stop" Becker called running to my side

He looked at me closely then wiped away a tear that had fallen without me realising it. He then pulled me into a hug and held me close to him.

"Cameron, you do not run off like that" Lester scolded half-heartedly "and where were you this morning, hm?"

I smiled lightly at him after Becker released me from the hug "I woke up early so I went for a jog then came straight here"

Lester watched me cautiously "Usually you only do that after setting up a prank"

He eyed me suspiciously as I huffed and pouted. I glared at him lightly and watched him as he eyed me more carefully taking in my appearance, then he sighed.

"Or after you've had a bad nightmare"

I relaxed and nodded at him as he pulled me into a hug.

"Maybe now that Connor is home, your nightmares will calm" he murmured to me then turned to Becker "take her home for me"

Becker nodded and took my hand, guiding me towards the elevator.

"And Cami, try to get some rest or at least eat something, okay?" Lester told me

I nodded at him and followed Becker, not long after I got home and had something to eat did I fall into a fitful sleep filled with horror and pain.