Part 5

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        Lucas did not visit me that night. All was quiet until I woke to the sound of yelling voices. I saw the light filtering through my window, the climate control lightly shifting my curtains. I took a shuddering breath as I remembered the events that led to me waking up in this room. The bomb, Kara, the cage, Lucas. My brother had done it. He'd overthrown my father, gained terra nova, and trapped me. He was going to bulldoze it to the ground, and I, the trained soldier with years of training, was his pet, completely powerless to stop him.

        No, I'm not. I won't let myself be.

       I stood up, walking towards the door with a bundle of clothes to change into. I turned the knob to find it unlocked, weird. I took the opportunity to walk out into the hallway, spying my brother at his seat at the desk, and headed to the bathroom. As soon as I saw the toilet, any overly familiar feeling came, and I found myself heaving over the toilet. Thankfully, the only in me was that frut and stomach acid, so it was a short interruption. 

      I took this opportunity to take a shower, washing off a week of blood, dirt, and horror. Even deigning to brush my teeth and wash my hair. Lucas must have either never checked the bathroom when he was Ellie-proofing or simply didn't see me as a threat. Not only was my razor on the bathtub, but also my fathers straight razor. It was then that I was grateful for my fathers approach to toxic masculinity, which is too cool for school to use a regular mens razor. Honestly, I can't believe my dad left anything of mine in the shower after I left, I guessed he had hoped I'd come back.

       As I exited the bathroom, straight razor, now hidden in one of my makeup compacts, I saw Lucas had left his seat in the office and now stood in the hallway waiting for me. When I reached him, he put his hand to my forehead. 

        "Nausea?"

       "Puked my guts out, so yea." His expression changed, almost empathy, if he was even capable at this point.

        "You are a little hot, but don't worry, both are side effects."

        "From whatever you jabbed me with?" Suddenly finding my voice again to be angry.

       "Yes," then he smiled. "Be glad it isn't morning sickness from that Josh Shannon of yours."

        "You're not funny," I announced, strolling past him to the couch where my book and blanket still sat.

          "You still aren't walking well," He said, returning back to his desk. "You should lay back down, relax."

       "Do you enjoy sleeping in a bed again?"

       This seemed to have taken him by surprise. "Parden me, little sister?"

      "You know, in the jungle. No shower, comforter, or indoor plumbing. It's nice being back, right? Bringing back happy family memories!"

       "I have few happy memories here."

      "So where are all your guards today?" I asked, motioning with my arms. "Decide I'm no longer a threat?" He simply stood back up, brought himself over to me, and put both his hands on my shoulders and gently pushed me down so I was sitting on the couch. 

      "Just get some rest, so your leg will heal. I don't feel like fighting with you this early in the morning." He did look quite tired as he sat down in my fathers chair, gripping his head like he had a headache. Did he get any sleep last night? I suppose he won't allow himself rest until our father is found.

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      Lucas, not wanting to fight with me, would not last long. Hours later, he suggested a walk, saying that I hadn't been outside lately.

       "I'm okay, I really don't want to see my home destroyed."

       "Come on, it's not like there are any dead bodies."

       "Just rubble, enemy soldiers, and a lot of scared friends of mine."

      "Okay, it's not a request then. Go get changed, or you can happily go outside with me in those pajamas." I gave up walking back to my old room. Luckily, I had changed sizes, so my discarded shorts and button-up blouse still fit me when I slid them on after finding them in a drawer I must have missed when I left. "Hurry up!" I heard from outside.

      When I left the room, he took my hand, interlacing our fingers as he led me through the door and down the stairs. We journeyed through the main square and towards the market. I had nothing to say, and I guess he didn't either cause we walked in silence. Soon enough, we were where a market was supposed to be. But what I saw instead made me gasp. People were lined up in front of a group of soldiers handing out food. Many were bandaged or limping. I spotted Josh and his father, who was on crutches. I couldn't control the sob that came from me at seeing my home, my best friend, my safe space like this. Lucas just tugged on my hand, urging me forward.

       This market was where Skye and I helped Josh decipher the strange wares and foods Terra Nova offered. Where we had laughed as he chased us around. Where I tried not to see them making gushy eyes at each other. My own family had turned a place of joy and fun into a place of captivity and suffering.

      As I looked up, I figured out where the walk was going to end. Boylans bar

Lucas's Little sister, A Terra Nova Story. Eloa TaylorWhere stories live. Discover now