Yeah I'm still going with this. Let me know what you think.
Miles sighed, folding up the letter as he had done dozens of times in the week since their run in with the Militia. No matter how many times he read it, the meaning was barely sinking in. how could he be a father? There must be some mistake? Unfortunately he knew Alex was his. She had the same quiet look as her mother and the same bull headed stubbornness that he had.
He flicked through the book the letter had come in. the photos and drawings of a beautiful, smiling baby girl made his heart ache. He was looking through a life he could never have been a part of. The more pages he turned, the more that smiling baby grew. All signs of technology were lost as she passed the blackout years, but the entries kept coming. Sketches replaced photos and home made string ties replaced staples and paperclips but it had everything in it that he needed to know about the life his angel had provided the chills he had left behind. He was no father now, he wasn't even an uncle.
"Uncle Miles, do you want something to eat"? Charlie held out a small can of food and he accepted gratefully. He hadn't been able to eat much since their run in with the Militia. Thankfully the others had respected the fact that he needed time to process everything he had found out. They had refrained from asking many questions and had given him space but now Charlie was lingering, a look of pain, sadness and confusion covering her face. "Miles, can we….could you….". A tear rolled down her cheek and Miles sighed, motioning for her to join him. He held her close as he tried to find the words to explain everything. Nora and Aaron watched curiously, surprisingly patient but both of them intensely eager to know the full story.
Miles took a deep breath and opened the book, pulling out the letter and handing it to Charlie. He watched her read slowly and carefully, trying to figure out what she would say. She was still just a kid. "Why wouldn't she have told you? Everyone has the right to their family". There she goes again with a crazy curve ball from left field. He shouldn't be surprised by this point in time. "You may have noticed kid, but I'm not really father material". Charlie stared, waiting for more, looking just like her father. He sighed. "Ok, quit it with the staring. Charlie, you have to understand, when I was younger I was wild. Completely out of control. So many people gave up on me, figured I wasn't worth it. Even your dad did for a while".
Charlie was about to protest, her face becoming angry but Miles shut her up with a wave of his hand. "Don't start Charlie. He did give up on me but he was right to do it. I was not easy to deal with and by the time I got to 16, most people had stopped caring about what I did or didn't do". "Except her"? The others had joined them, Nora motioning towards the book in his hands. Miles nodded, flicking the pages.
"Yeah, except her. Angela practically grew up with me and Ben. She was a happy kid, kind, carefree and a genius to boot. When I 'went off the rails', she became my rock. She kept me grounded, well not grounded but she kept me from losing it completely. Eventually she was the only person I cared about. She was there when I hit rock bottom. If not for her, I would have been dead. The only thing I remember about that day is her terrified face staring down at me and her voice begging me to stay. That was when I tried to change. I left school, joined the army and got my brother back. Everything seemed to be going right. Not long after your parents got married, I joined the Special Forces. Being good at what I did, I was away all the time and things just became harder. I was enjoying the way my life was headed and being as stupid as I was, I had forgotten about the woman who had helped me get to where I was. When I was called away for a mission at the last minute, yet again, we fought. She had been trying to talk to me about some things but when I got the call, I dropped everything and left. I suppose I just assumed she would always be there".
He stared at the photo he had pulled from the book. The woman laughing as she jumped onto the young mans back, her long brown curls bouncing across her face. Miles sighed, returning the photo to its place. "When I got back, she was gone. She had left me a letter, telling me it was over, telling me that she had waited long enough for me to grow up and be the man I'd promised to be. My career had become far more important. It took me until she had disappeared to realise that and I didn't even have the guts to find her.". "But you saw her again, didn't you", Charlie asked, her eyes staring at him hopefully. He felt horrible that he had to crush that hope. "Not until the power went out. Your mum and dad mentioned her a couple of times but I tuned out".
He couldn't stop staring at the old leather journal as Aaron piped up cautiously. "So what happened when you saw her again"? Of course the geek would ask that. "She seemed like the same woman I had always loved. When she realised who I had become….. I don't know. It's as if she'd hoped I'd changed but as if she knew how far I'd gone down". "Did you talk to her"? Finally Nora had decided to speak. Her cool composure was overshadowed by the tears that were starting to appear. Miles nodded. "Just once". When he didn't elaborate, he saw Charlie nearly jump out of her skin in eagerness but he was done talking.
Shaking himself off as he stood, he put all his things away, including the journal into Alex's bag. "Enough chit chat. We should get going. If we're going to try to get into town, we'd better get started". He noticed that no one moved and threw his hands up in frustration. "Fine! You lot stay here and I'll check out the perimeter and meet you back here tomorrow". Miles didn't even wait for an answer as he picked up his gear, along with Alex's Bag and walked away, leaving the others to watch him go.
The cement ceiling of the sparsely furnished room was covered in dirt and cobwebs. It was completely out of focus as was the rest of the room and Alex had to close her eyes to stop herself from hurling. Taking several calming breaths, she tried opening her eyes again, this time with more success. Even though her head pounded she was able to glance around the room. It contained the small bed she was on, a chair and a shelf which were just as small. Her hopes sank when she realised that instead of a doorway, the room had bars. Cold, menacing and probably very strong metal bars. Great! A cell was just what she wanted.
She tried to sit up and was caught off guard as her side erupted in pain. All of a sudden, her entire body ached and screamed as she tried to bite back gasps of pain. Memories flooded back to her of fever, fear and confusion. Strange faces were everywhere as she remembered everything that had happened since the run in with the Militia. She sat up as carefully as possible, swinging her legs around so she could sit with her back against the wall. Even that much tired her out. She looked down at her side, trying to slow her heartbeat. Her entire torso was wrapped in bandaging underneath a fresh shirt that smelt like sawdust. It was bandaged s firmly; it restricted every way she wanted to turn. After a moment she gave up and was almost instantly at ease.
The peace didn't last long as several Republic Guards came stomping down the hallway, rattling open the barred door and standing at attention inside. Another soldier, a very high ranking one entered slowly and Alex had to work to stay calm. Captain Neville's piercing gaze was unsettling and his voice was cold. "It's comforting to see you awake. When you were brought here, you weren't well at all". Alex stayed quiet so Neville continued. "But now you're better. Good. Maybe now you can answer some questions". He grabbed the chair, placing it just in front of her and sat down. "The only reason you're here is because one of my men has a soft heart for kids like you. You see, he thought you were just some kid who got caught between the Militia and some Rebels". He leant back, a small smile creeping onto his face. "I however know who you really are".
Alex felt her heart stop. "And who am I", she asked cautiously. Neville's smile got bigger. "You were with Miles Matheson and his delightful little niece in Jamestown. You were helping traitors". Alex had to swallow the lump that had formed in her throat. "You have me confused with someone else. I don't know who this Miles is". She watched as Neville shook his head and stood. "I am a very observant man. You were with them and you will talk to me about where he is. Private"! Yet another Militia soldier entered the cell, his face blank and his eyes full of concern. "Sir"! "Take her to the general. He wants to speak with her about the company she keeps".
The soldier nodded, crossing the room and picking her up from the bed. He looked apologetic as she grimaced painfully. She could feel Neville watch as she was pulled out the door and she tried to keep her voice low. "What are you doing here? What have you told him"? At first he was quiet as if fearful of what the soldiers following him might hear. "I didn't tell him everything. Besides, dad saw you there". Alex was stunned. "Neville is your dad"! The young soldier pursed his lips nervously and he continued dragging her painfully along. "Who the hell are you", she hissed at him. The soldier stayed quiet as he dragged her through the halls. He stopped at a door, and one of the men behind them opened it and he led her in. "Wait here". Just before he left he paused, his face softening. "Jason". He shut the doors quickly, leaving Alex to look around the beautifully decorated room.
A minute later the doors opened again, a short blonde man entering with Captain Neville and Jason following closely. "Hello there", the blonde man began softly. "You are feeling better. Now we can talk". He motioned to 'Jason' to close the door then offered her a chair. "Sit'. When Alex didn't move, he motioned again, his face stern. "I insist". Neville grabbed her arm and forcefully sat her down. "When General Monroe tells you to do something, you do it", he hissed in her ear. Alex's blood went cold as Monroe sat behind his desk. He wasn't what she imagined but his eyes were full of evil determination, making her nervous. "You have information we want and need. Give it to us and you're free to go". Alex waited as he continued. "If you don't, you won't last long".