Lucas's Little sister, A Terra Nova Story. Eloa Taylor

Chapter 1

     I sit on the deck with my Dad, Commander Taylor, overlooking Terra Nova. We can see everyone from here. We are playing chess, and I'm letting him win. My hair is wet and is down, brushing against my shoulders. When I'm not in my uniform, I just look like a small girl in a sweater and shorts, my my trainees know better. I ran them ragged today, thats why I needed the midday shower. And why I can't seem to catch my breath.
       I am exactly what the doctors warn you about when you have babies in a dying world. My bones are fragile, my organs aren't quite the right size, and don't do quite the same job. After Somalia... I spent most of my childhood in a hospital, with Lucas reading to me.. That's probably where my ache to know everything came from, having nowhere to go but so much to learn and read. My body couldn't catch up on my mind, I however was stubborn and pushed my body to every limit it had, going to every every class everyday no matter how much my lungs screamed. I ended up attending the same college as my brother at age 15, him a medical student teaching me his textbooks at the same time that I tried to learn my freshmen studies.
       Then the portal opened, and my life changed. I didn't have to think about life expectancy or if the air would get worse and I would be confined to a hospital bed or my bedroom. Then, my focus was getting everyone through that portal that I could.
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        "It's awfully hot out there, I hope he's found some shade."
        "Don't!" He said gruffly, then softly he said. "He made his own bed. He's gotta sleep in it." I nodded. My brother was a dangerous subject, though I suppose he was always dangerous. He practically pulled me by my hair through the portal when I said I wanted to stay and help others before I went through. He simply packed my bag, grabbed my oxygen tank, and started walking. I, of course, being connected to that oxygen tank, started walking as well. Then we were through, and my baby lungs exploded in the bright sun and strong air. I collapsed in his lap and was soon being helped up by my father.
     It was my idea to start having medical personnel at the pilgrimages, oxygen tanks, and morale support for the people who had to fight tooth and nail to earn a spot through the portal.
      "I guess you win," I say to my father as his piece reaches the end of my board. I suddenly have a coughing fit that ends with blood on my elbow and lips.
        "Hey!" He says, coming to my side of the table. "What the hell were you doing today to cause this."
        "Must have just ran too fast with the trainees." I laugh, and he brushes the hair away from my eyes and pins me with a look.
        "When I suggested you work under me, I wasn't suggesting you kill yourself in the new world."
       The truth was, of course, it was my choice to join the guard, but I did it for my dad's approval, the same reason I learned everything to please my brother. I was the second person after Washington to become a lead in the guard. Usually, it was just a lot of yelling and standing straight, I don't usually have to get physically involved. But once again, I am stubborn, so I end up running with the recruits when I hear a smart comment about my strength.
       "I'll be smarter, " I tell my dad. That seems good enough to him, so he leaves me alone after that. After my mom... he's more distant with his kids,though I suppose lucas couldn't be further away right now.

     I have a secret, I have been sneaking Lucas food and survival stuff. Today i bring him a T-shirt, blanket and some sandwiches. It's never anything substantial, just a little sisters worry. We always meet in the same place, and he always beats me there. So when I am alone, I am worried until a tap on my head makes me jump. Lucas laughs as he looks down at the backpack im gripping onto.
        "Hello Little sister, what have you got there?" We trade backpacks, the one he hands me is of course empty, its how we do it, trade one backpack for another every week.
        "Make sure you are being careful of the sun. It can make you weak and a target -"
      "Yes, Ellie, I know," he says, interrupting me. "Make sure YOU are careful going back. You look tired, you should lay down when you get back." He ruffles my hair. "Can't have my Ellie Lamb getting sick again. " He calls me my first and middle name. Eloa Lamb Taylor, perfect name for a tiny gravestone, I think that's why they gave me such a fairytale name.
         "Are you any closer on your grand mission?"
       "Don't ask me about that! I think you should be on your way, the sun is about to set and you smell like cupcakes." I turn obediently and start the walk back to the broken gate I crawl through in order to get here.
       Seeing him alive is good, I can't lose anyone else, even if he is trying to destroy my paradise.