Primeval: Second Anomaly to the Right, and Straight on 'til Morning

By Ldynwaitin

Chapter Five – Through Hell and Back

Once Connor saw the door that led to the anomaly only opened just a crack he took his backpack off and entered the car. He was half way through when he felt something grab his ankle and pull him back out. Landing hard on the ground he looked up and found that the two future predators had returned. Laying between them he realized that there was no hope of escaping them.

"Abby, you get out o' here, NOW," he shouted.

He knew she was not going to keep their promise and would try to help him, but he also knew that he was a hopeless cause. He steeled himself, ready to be torn apart. He would have been, if the predators were not busy fighting over him. He protectively covered his head with his arms as the future predators snapped and clawed at each other, each one wanting the prize of meat below them. Connor began to see a glimmer of hope that they may just kill each other before they got to him. But that hope was shattered when something bigger and stronger attacked the two predators. Connor heard a sickening crack before one predator fell to the ground next to him, the other was flung so high it landed on top of one of the crumbling buildings.

Looking up Connor saw the biggest future predator he had ever seen standing above him. It picked up the fallen predator and actually tore its leg off and began eating it. Connor froze where he sat. He slowly looked at Abby, her face was a mask of fear. She knew any sound made would alert this giant future predator. The creature suddenly stopped eating. Its face dripping in blood it threw the half-eaten leg to the side.

Its head twisted right, then left. Connor realized it was scanning for sound. He also realized something else, the creature was blind, in the darkness of the night it was actually blind. It totally depended on its sound location to see in the night. The creature moved its head down until it was just inches from him. It swept the area, searching for any sounds of its prey. Connor instantly stopped breathing. He tried to will his heart to stop beating as the creature's head moved down, and closer to him. He felt his lungs struggling to take in a breath but he forced them to remain still. One sound, one bit of breath and the creature would be on him in a flash.

Abby wanted desperately to go to Connor, but any movement, any noise would send this giant predator towards her. With the anomaly open she feared it may go through. She did not want this beast making her time period its new killing grounds. She remained quiet, her mind raced as she tried to think of a way to kill it.

Connor saw a familiar look on Abby's face, she was thinking. That meant she was going to try to try something reckless to save his life. He had to find a way to help himself before she attempted anything. Then he saw his backpack lying close to where he lay. He slowly inched his hand towards the backpack. He quietly pulled the long poison tipped stake from his backpack. He had no idea how much effect it would have on this huge beast, but he knew that it was his only chance to get back home alive.

Slowly, ever so carefully he pulled the stick forward. He grasped the end tightly. Then he dared to take a breath, the creature's head jerked, it realized that something was right in front of it. As it leaned forward Connor brought the stake up and jammed it right into the creatures neck. It pulled back, dragging Connor up with it. Connor held on to the stake for dear life. His feet dangled in the air as the creature tried to rid itself of the searing pain in its neck. Connor only dug the stake in deeper, forcing the poison into the predators system.

As the creature twisted its body around in agony Connor's weight pulled the stake out. Falling down hard on his back, Connor rolled to his stomach and quickly scrambled away. He could see Abby on the other side of the car, but was unable to reach her. The injured creature was wailing and frantically thrashing in front of him. With the noise it was making the other predators would be there soon. Connor had to risk it, he needed to get past the predator before others arrived. Just as he was about to attempt to run past it, the creature let out the most unearthly scream and fell to the ground.

Connor was shocked, he looked down at the creature, it was dead, he actually killed the thing. He kicked it to make sure he wasn't dreaming.

"Connor!" Abby screamed. "What are you waiting for, an invitation? Get over here before the others arrive."

Tucking his stake back in, Connor picked up his backpack and jumped over the dead future predator, and through the car. Hearing multiple roars in the night he knew they didn't have long. Abby threw her backpack through the anomaly first and squeezed past the door and into the anomaly, Connor was right behind her. They found themselves in a small room. "Open the door," Connor told Abby. "When I close the anomaly it's going to get dark in here."

Abby quickly opened the door, once that was done Connor immediately closed the anomaly. Panting hard, he had to sit down on a bed in the room, he had come so close to death he smelled it. Starring that close to a future predator was something that would stay with him the rest of his life.

"Just, let me catch…me breath," he panted. Abby sat down next to him, her arm draped on his back. She lay her head on his shoulder. They just sat there, staring, afraid to see what may lie outside the room. The only sound was their hard breathing. It was Connor that finally stood up first. He slowly poked his head through the open doorway. He looked left then right, the complex seemed to be empty.

Now he was afraid, he had no idea what time period this was. For all they knew, it could be a hundred years in the future of this building. He heard Abby get up and move to stand next to him.

"Looks good, right?" she whispered.

"So far, let's see if we can get out of here, then we can determine what time period we're in."

They left the room and headed down a dark corridor, the only light came from sunlight that streamed through glass doors at the end. The first door was thankfully open. They searched for a way out. Every door that lead out was locked up tight. Coming to a storeroom they found a small exit door. It was locked also. Connor searched for something to open the door. He found a large fire extinguisher. Holding it up he slammed the end in the center where the lock was located. After a few bangs the door began to bend, then he heard a clunk and the door suddenly swung open. Throwing the extinguisher back he executed a perfect bow.

"Ladies first."

Curtseying Abby went through the door first. They shielded their eyes as they walked out of the dark building. The sun was shinning brightly above.

"Good sign," Connor told Abby. "At least the day looks bright, let's hope our future does too."

"Just don't say I gotta wear shades," she said with a giggle. She was finding it hard to contain her excitement. Was this it? Did they finally find their way back home? They were walking past parked trucks, at the end they could see a wire fence. Their excitement grew as they could actually see cars driving by on the other side of the fence. Normal cars, not future ones.

"Abby, I think we made it," Connor gasped. "I think we're home."

As they stepped closer to the end of the trucks seven armed men suddenly ran out from behind the trucks with guns drawn.

"Down on your knees!" the soldiers screamed at them. "Get down now! Hand's in the air."

Connor and Abby immediately fell to their knees. Very large and dangerous guns were pointed at them. Connor shook his head, was this perhaps an alternate time line, like the one Cutter went through? Did they come through the gate to end up in a world run by a police state?

"We're not criminals," Connor shouted. "We were lost, just lost."

Sergeant Ashton had no idea who this couple was, he would find out once they had them secured. "You will not talk unless spoken to," he shouted.

Connor's hand slowly moved to hold Abby's. After all that they went through, avoiding being eaten by dinosaurs, or future predators, to end up shot by their own people. Well, Connor thought, this was his bad lucks ultimate irony.

"Did you find anything, sergeant?" Ashton heard Captain Becker say in his ear bud. "Yes sir," he replied to the tiny microphone attached to the collar around his neck. "They are well secured. We're on the left side of the building."

"I'll be there," Becker replied.

Sergeant Ashton smiled proudly at the two captives. This was going to get him the promotion he deserved. For the first time he examined the couple. They didn't appear to be hardened criminals. In fact, he saw them holding hands and looking very frightened. A fear that he put in them, yes he was good, and that would help him rise up quickly in the ranks.

Captain Becker sprinted around the corner, he saw his men surrounding two people kneeling on the ground. Guns pointed at the couple.

"Well done, sergeant," he began to say. "You've done an excellent…" Becker stopped talking once he saw who was knelling on the ground, "Connor, Abby," he said under his breath. He couldn't believe it was them. They looked so different. Their clothes were dusty and torn. Abby's short hair was now past her shoulders, they both looked like they were gone for a very long time. But it was in their eyes that he saw the most difference. He could see that they had been through hell and back.

"Sergeant, stand your men down immediately!" Captain Becker angrily shouted.

"But sir," Ashton protested.

"Do it now sergeant!" Becker nearly screamed.

The sergeant never saw Becker show such emotion, he immediately ordered his men to stand down. They slowly put down their guns and began to walk back.

Captain Becker walked up to Connor and Abby. He held his hand out to them, "My god, the two of you look terrible."

Connor and Abby's fear now turned into relief. They saw a familiar face, a familiar face that recognized them. Connor stood up first, he energetically shook Becker's hand, "You don't know how good it is to hear that."

Abby jumped up and flew into Becker's arms, she hugged him tightly, "Are we home, are we truly home?"

"Yes, Abigail," Becker told her. "You are home."

Abby broke off her hug, she looked at Connor, tears filling her eyes. She saw the biggest grin on Connor's face, his eyes were nearly closed as he no longer contained his excitement.

"We made it Abby. We actually made it home."

"How long?" Abby asked Becker. "I mean how long for you, have we been gone?"
Becker quietly rested the butt of his gun in his arms. "It's been several months for us. We began to loose all hope that you'd ever return."

"Danny!" Connor blurted out, "Did Danny get back?"

Becker looked behind them, "Isn't he with you?"

Connor sadly shook his head, "No, we got separated. But we do know that he managed to find Helen."

"How do we know that?" Becker asked him.

"We found her grave," he simply replied. "Helen's mission was to end human life. Danny must have stopped her, it was he who made the grave. We searched over a month, but was unable to find him."

"Several months, oh my god," Abby gasped. "My apartment, and Rex! If we've been gone for months I'm sure the landlord…"

Becker interrupted her, "Abby, don't worry. Once we realized you were not returning soon, James Lester made sure to keep up the payments on your apartment. He never gave up hope that the three of you would return one day."

"What about Sid and Nancy?" Connor asked Becker.

"Rex, Sid and Nancy were being well looked after. Don't worry, in fact I think they became quite spoiled while you were away."

Abby and Connor didn't know what to do next. After spending so long trying to get back to their time line they were at a loss on their next move. It was Captain Becker that made it for them.

"Look, the two of you look quite ragged. Why don't I drop you off at your apartment Abby, and Connor…"

"He'll be coming with me," Abby quickly interjected. Blushing she said, "I promised."

Becker nodded, he had no idea what they went through, but to see them whole and alive, he imagined they had to work closely to stay that way. "I'll just drop the two of you at her apartment then. You can get cleaned up there, rest for the night and I can tell James Lester tomorrow that you arrived yesterday."

Connor patted his backpack. "Good, I have something I need to show him." He meant the magazine cover of the primitive future predator, as well as the anomaly device. With Cutter and Danny gone the only one he could trust to show them to was James Lester.

The ride to Abby's apartment was a very quiet one. They both stared out the window, soaking in modern life. When Connor stepped into their time line the first thing he noticed was the smells. The cretaceous period's air was clean and filled with wonderful scents. Here the burning of petrol stung his nose. For just a second he knew what Helen must have felt when she first returned back to her time after being trapped in the past.

But he still could never forgive her solution to solve the human problem. Tomorrow Connor decided he would have a very serious meeting with Mr. James Lester. They needed to start searching for a way to prevent the bleak future of the human race before it even started.

An hour after entering Abby's apartment Connor was walking out of Abby's bathroom. He found it hard to leave the hot shower, he just wanted to stand under the warm water for hours. He scratched his bearded chin. He stood in front of the mirror for over ten minutes before he decided that he quite liked the beard. For now it stayed. Dressed in clean clothes he saw Abby standing in front of him, at her heels was Sid and Nancy, Rex was sitting on her shoulder.

"Becker had them brought over," she told him. Rex was stroking his face on her chin. "I see you kept the beard." She grinned appreciatively, "Good call." Connor squatted down on his heels. Sid and Nancy jumped up on him, they rubbed their large heads on him, their stubby tails wagged energetically as they growled happily. "They got bigger," Connor said. They had grown a bit since they were away. "Oooo," he cooed, "How's my babies?"

They spent what was left of the day playing with their pets, trying to get back to feeling normal. As night came they realized that they were very hungry. Unfortunately, the refrigerator was empty. Hearing a knock on the door they were surprised to find someone had ordered them dinner. The bill was signed, Becker.

They quickly devoured their dinner. They really had no idea what it was, they ate it so fast, but it tasted so bloody good! And it was nice not having to kill for their supper for a change.

They watched the news for a while, Sid and Nancy were snuggled up to Connor while Rex sat on Abby's shoulder, his long tail curled around her neck. As they watched the news they realized that nothing changed while they were gone. No one knew just how close the human race came to being wiped out from time.

Once the news finished Abby let out a huge yawn. "I'm tired Connor, I can't wait to lie on my soft, clean bed." Yawning again she grabbed Rex and walked to her bedroom.

"Right," Connor said. "I'll just go to the loft then." But he stayed by the couch, after sleeping together for so many months he was unsure what to do. Sid and Nancy made a nest of pillows from the couch and instantly fell asleep. Connor remained next to the couch, until he heard Abby say, "I can't sleep."

He walked to her bedroom. He saw her lying on her bed, looking up at him. "I think I miss the snoring of the Maiasaura."

"It was very comforting," he replied from the end of her bed.

Abby reached out her arms, that was all Connor needed to see. He moved to the side of the bed and lay down. He slept sitting up for so long, he didn't realized that he sat up on the bed, propping his back against her headboard. Abby moved next to him, her arm hugged him tight.

"I never told this but, you were my rock, Connor. All the time I was there. You helped me to keep my fears hidden." She hugged him tighter. "You did it, you were brilliant. I knew you would get us home, knew it all the time."

Connor closed his eyes in thanks. For the first time he allowed himself to take in what happened to them. They were alone and trapped in a land of ferocious dinosaurs. He was her rock? All the time he was there he was as frightened as a child, but he kept his fears hidden in a little box in his mind. For her, it was all for her. But now that they were home, now they were safely lying on Abby's soft bed, he finally allowed that fear he kept locked away to be released.

Abby felt Connor shaking. She looked up and saw tears flow from his eyes. He looked down at her, his expressive eyes wide like a frightened puppy. She could see his tears sticking to his long lashes. She knew what he was feeling, for she felt it too. It all came flooding in, washing away their façade of being brave and fearless. Now that they were home and safe, and that dangerous world was far behind them they both allowed their fears to come out. Abby sat up, Connor placed his hands on her face. He wiped the tears that ran down her cheeks. Leaning forward they kissed, it was a kiss he wanted to give her for months, but knew that the time was not right.

They were trapped in the past, fighting for their lives. They had to push back that part of their emotions to survive. But now the passion he'd always felt for her ignited, it rushed through him like the fires in the forest. He pulled her to him, she fell into his arms. She too had locked away her new found love for Connor. She knew they had to put all of their energy and will into just staying alive. But safe in her bed, finally back home she returned his embrace with all the passion and fervor that he gave her.

They hugged each other tightly, both realizing what they had gone through, together. They fell asleep that way, hugging, crying, shaking. But in the end they knew they made it because they were together. They had gone through hell and back, together. And tomorrow, when the sun dawned, and bad luck would surely find its way back to them. They would face it again bravely…together.

The End

Authors note: I hope you all liked this story. I tried to write it like an episode of Primeval. I hope I succeeded. Thank you one and all for taking your time to read my writing. Let me know how you liked it, and what I needed to make it better. Thankee very muchly!