Reborn - Pandora's Box (Book 2)

-.-Gracie-.-

Far away, back home at the Omaticaya stronghold, the only home she had ever known, missing most of the only family she had ever known, Gracie Miriam Valliancourt paced a hole in the ground.

"You're leaving."

"Yes, we are. It is the only way to protect the Clan. And you should come with us."

"No."

"It's dangerous if you stay here-"

"I'm not leaving! What if they come back and find us all gone? You let them take Spider, and Mum went after them - it's your fault they're gone. You go if you want, but I'm staying right here."

And stay she had. She stood by her decision then, and still did now. 

Jake was gone, Neytiri and the whole family. Neteyam.  The Clan mourned the loss of their leading family, but Gracie mourned the loss of her mother and brother. She had no idea where they were or how long they would be separated for. But what she did know was that they had been captured by the enemy. 

This being the case, were they even still alive? 

No, she could not afford to think that way. She couldn't. 

And if they were alive and being held prisoner, what were they, those who were still free, going to do about it? 

"Gracie, we don't even know where they took them," Norm said, for the hundredth time. "And even if we did, we can't attack, we don't have the resources. They likely took Nix and Spider to their home base and we can't attack them there. Out here is one thing, on our territory, but theirs, no.  I wish we could, I wish there was more we could do-"

"But there is! None of you are doing anything! None of you care!" And with that she strapped on her exopack and left the lab, pacing the stronghold.

All the scientists cared about Nix and Spider, so why weren't they helping?

Then, suddenly, she got an idea, and cursed herself for not thinking of it sooner. Maybe there was someone who could help her.

_--------------------------------_

It was a new day, and a special day at that.

It was Gracie's birthday. Unlike previous years, Nix didn't awake to her more than excited daughter pouncing on her with the new dawn chanting, "Mum wake up, it's my birthday! It's my birthday!" She was fifteen today. How the time had flown by.

 It was the first birthday she would spend separated form her mother and brother, the first they would celebrate without her.

Spider approached with a smile.  "Happy birthday, Gracie."

"Yes."

"Want to sing her songcord?"

"Yeah."

The two stood facing each other, holding both of each other's hands.

"Let's move you two," Q called. The squad was done packing up camp. 

"Just a second."

"I said let's get a move on."

"And I said just a second!"

"That's an order-"

"It's my daughter's birthday, just give me a moment," she snapped, which finally, finally and thankfully, shut him up. She turned back to Spider, closed her eyes, cleared her throat, and began to sing:

"Oh Great Mother, thank you for the gift that is the life of my daughter, Gracie. It is her fifteenth year today. And please watch out for her on this day when I cannot, and until I can once again..." 

_---------------------------------_

It took all night, but finally Gracie arrived  at the base of the Tawkami Clan. Thankfully she was recognized there.

"It is the human girl!"

"It is the child of Txep!"

"Someone fetch Tu'Same!"

Moments later, Tu himself emerged from his tent. "Gracie, what are you doing here? You came all this way on your own?"

"Yes, I need to talk to you. Please, it's urgent."

He brought the teen to the Tsahik's tent and listened to her while she explained the whole situation.  

He nodded gravely.  "I know of your mother and brother's capture, and of JakeSully's departure. And I know you came here filled with hope, but I am afraid I cannot help you."

She visibly deflated - her last hope, dashed away so quickly. "But I thought you cared about her."

"I do, but this war has already taken its toll on my people and I cannot risk more conflict. I am sorry, Gracie."

Part of her understood his logic and stance on the matter, where he was coming from. But on the other hand, another part of her didn't care, at all. The way she was feeling right then and there, she would march right into the RDA headquarters herself, and alone at that, armed with nothing more than her determination which she shared with her mom.

But she couldn't, that wasn't realistic. That was just it, she couldn't do this on her own, and no one was willing to help her. 

She fought back tears and failed, her heavy breaths fogging up the inside of her mask, blurring her visuals.  "I thought you loved her - if you truly do, then you would help her. You would help me." And with that she stormed from the tent. 

Was no one going to help her? Suddenly, she felt really, truly alone. 

(Had to have a check-in with Gracie. Talk about feeling abandoned. 

I'm sorry for the delay, I've been feeling a bit stuck with this story - but good news: I have thought of another big plot twist going forward, which I am SO excited about, so stay tuned! ;)

As always, thank you so much for your patience and reading and I hope you enjoyed! :))