Advancing ((Advance Industries #2)) (5 page)

His head snaps back up and his brows knit together. Ha, I’ve blown his mind with my easy acceptance of that statement. He was expecting a fight, hell, maybe even a war. Am I that much hard work? He’s the task master but I know he relinquishes a lot to appease me.

“Okay? Just like that?” He says as if I’m playing a trick on him.

I smile at him and stroke his stubble. “I already decided I’ll do whatever you want if it makes you happy. I can’t watch you be so conflicted anymore babe. If we need to go back, then I’m in.”

“Do you know what you’re agreeing to?”

“Not entirely but I’ll do it anyway.” I smile, then lean forward and kiss him. He wraps those strong arms around me, thanking me, comforting me and loving me. It’s one of those heart-stopping kisses. The kind you have when you first start dating and lust, love and a fierce need for one another controls your lips, guided by your heart, head and everything in between. It leaves me breathless.

He eventually pulls back, also sucking in a deep breath. He studies me, his eyes darkening as they bore into mine. God, I love being held in his heated gaze, love knowing that intensity is completely directed at and focused on me. He holds my face then dips slightly and Eskimo kisses me. I wrinkle my nose, it’s too ticklish but ever so sweet. I feel him coming back to me, I see the tension starting to fade. I did that. I gave him his peace back. I gave him
me
to do with as he pleases. Something I thought would render me anxious. My life, my fate is in his hands and I realise there’s no one I trust with it more than this man.

Knowing I need to break the spell he’s currently placed me under, I lick my lips and tug his hand. “Come on babe, your team is waiting. I’m sure they didn’t wander out here to watch us being mushy!”

“Bloody responsibilities!” He mutters as we walk back to them.

They’ve met up with Jonah thankfully and are already talking amongst themselves. We drop down to the sand and I can see much better as they all have their Comm torches lit up.

“I know you’ve told Kye but... What happened with my sisters? Did you get them out?” I ask hopefully.

They all avert their eyes. My skin breaks out in goose bumps and that damn sickly feeling rises from the depths again.

“Just tell me, please!”

“We couldn’t find them Faith. I’m sorry we tried, we really did. We were clearing all the rooms and then we got backed up by AIG. The scientists that escaped rallied them and they surrounded us, we had no choice but to travel out of there.”

My stomach just fell out. I look down to locate it on the floor, completely lost for a moment as those words sink in. My sisters are still there, scared and now at the mercy of Fraser. If I hadn’t already decided to go back this would have made up my mind. They probably think I abandoned them and... I did. I saved my own neck, well, technically Kye saved it but still. My whole purpose for venturing back was for them and yet I’ve left them again. I’m a terrible person. I didn’t even want to go back originally. I wanted to make a go of it here with Kye and screw everything else. I don’t deserve happiness and now I know that’s why my life has been nothing but tragic. I always have to overcome, find some inner strength and hope for the best. Good people don’t have to work this hard to live. Good people have nothing to prove and they’re rewarded for their very nature. I never set out to be a bad person, I’m not intentionally selfish and if I hadn’t met Kye then I doubt decisions would be so tough. I’m now too focused on him and us. I was worried about him choosing between responsibilities and love. But maybe all along it’s been me that has to make that choice.

My girl fucking amazes me. Seriously, at every turn, she shows me why I adore her. She’s going to come back for no reason other than to make me happy. She’s willing to disregard her apprehension and all of her concerns just for me. I struck gold with her. She’s going to sacrifice her emotions for mine and I shouldn’t let her, not on a relationship basis, but on a put- the- world- right basis I have no choice. She should be illegal, the high she gives me is more dangerous than any drug. So giving, so trusting and so deserving of a life better than I’m currently able to offer. My team are back, Faith is in and I can finally talk this out. I can finally figure it out. I pull Faith against me so she knows I’m there for her and also so I don’t have to look into those watery pools of hers as she strives to keep it together. How she stays strong is a mystery but I’m so proud of her.

“Baby I know it’s rough right now but none of it will matter because we’re going back, we’re going to change the outcome, okay? Just try to remember that, hold on to it.”

She nods but keeps her head downcast. I address the men giving her the time she needs to compose herself before she’s ready to join in and participate in what’s likely to be a very heated discussion. Not a foreign concept but one I need energy for and after working with Jack all day and my yo-yo emotions, I’m beat. Advance Industries has either got very adept at concealing their wrongdoings or they’re completely innocent in this time. I can’t believe that, though, evil breeds evil. After witnessing the display of authority from the AIG I know there is something to be found. We are what our surroundings make us, our upbringing shapes us so new President or not, if it’s Laudnam stock then it’s tainted as far as I’m concerned.

I have a vendetta against them, I know this but that doesn’t mean I’m wrong or deluded. They’ve learnt from past mistakes so I just need to dig a little deeper. In fact, now it’s of no consequence because this time will change back to its rightful time, with Grandparents who remember me, love me and will be delighted to see me, where May exists and AIG aren’t the law... I am!

The past few months have been filled with bad luck, loss and misfortune thrown at me whatever way I turned but I haven’t let it defeat me, define me or given up. I’m not a quitter. I’ve come close. I’ve been on the brink but looking at my team around me and my girl sat next to me I know that I can face it all, as long as I have these people, my support network, I can stand up, face another day and chip away at the blockade.

“So, I think it’s safe to say- we fucked up!” They all look at me, serious, sombre expressions on every face.

“You haven’t been back as long as us but from what you’ve witnessed do you agree that we changed something, knocked a certain moment off its path and changed our future to...this?”

“Are you sure that’s what happened? We could be in some alternate reality, existing on two different strands of time,” Arlen says.

“Whoa, Arl that was pretty profound for you. When did you start deep thinking?” Callan jokes.

“Fuck off!” Arlen replies with a grin and bumps shoulders with Callan. “I’m just saying we don’t know for sure, there could be another explanation. I don’t want us to go back only to find the event we change has no effect.”

“You’re freaking me out man, can you go back to dumbing it down?” Callan says.

“No Arlen’s right. It’s not conclusive, there could be another explanation. There’s a theory that there is more than one universe in existence – the multiverse or something like that. I’ve been trying to remember what the scientist told me before we travelled to Faith’s time.”

“What the hell is a multiverse?” Callan asks.

“I don’t really know I was too interested in moving on with the plan but he was insistent on educating me. If I remember correctly and I’m probably not, it means that every possible version of an event could take place. For example, Cal: if you went back in time to murder your Gran you could get away with it because,
in the universe next door, the Granny lives to have the daughter who becomes the murderer's mother." 

“What the fuck Kye? I have no idea what you just said!”

“Okay, just think a minute. In that story, I just told, if the multi-verse didn’t exist then you wouldn’t be able to go back and kill your Gran because then you’d have never been born in the first place. Following?”

“Yeah I guess, but that’s fucked up!”

“So that’s the multiverse theory. I still want to follow up on going back, it’s what I feel makes sense. What I need you to think about is pinpointing what change we should concentrate on going back to rectify.”

“Well thanks, that’s even harder than the last assignment you cooked up for us!” Walker joins in.

“I know. Don’t you want our time back to normal, though? Coz I sure as hell do!”

They nod sullenly so I continue, “So by a show of hands who is willing to find out?”

I wait with bated breath hoping they still believe enough in me after watching my meltdown back at the labs. Surely enough they each take it in turns to nod and raise a hand and I release the breath I was holding. Just one more matter to decide.

“By a show of hands who is willing to be led under my command?”

“What the fuck are you on about Kye?” Saunders shouts, taking me back. He’s one of the quietest of us all, our caring medic.

I glare at him hoping he’ll wilt under my stare but he’s not backing down.

“You think we don’t trust you anymore? What, that you’re not man enough to lead us? You did what any of us would do if our loved ones needed us. The fact that Faith is sat right there while we talk about this shows me you’re thinking straight; you do understand what it means sending her back?”

I nod and Faith flinches.

“Well, then I vowed to follow you and I stand by it. Jonah’s good an’ all but he’s just not as pretty!” A wry grin is sent my way.

“You okay with this Jonah?” I ask.

“Why are you even asking? You’re team leader, Kye, I’m second in command. I took over because you had shit to sort out. I never wanted the job permanently you dumbshit!”

They all start talking to each other – about me. Taking the piss, agreeing I need to man up, stop being such a pussy and on and on. I sit and listen with a grin. I deserve this ribbing, putting me back in my place. They’ve adjusted remarkably well considering they got back not long ago and found everything turned on its head. They’ve coped much better than I did.

“Okay guys knock it off, you’re hurting my feelings!” I say holding my hand over my heart. This causes them to crack up again, just what I was going for. Faith becomes heavy and I flick my gaze down to see she’s fast asleep. I look back up at my team.

“We need to figure out where you’re going to stay until we’re ready to travel again.”

“Straight back to business!” They moan.

I hold my hands up. “I know, I know. But I need to know you’re sorted.”

“Daddy worried for our safety?” Cal continues, “How many times have we slept in the field? We’ll figure it out. You can even come and tuck us in if it’ll make you feel better... Daddy!”

They start rolling around on the sand, their shoulders shaking with their laughter, acting just like little kids. Daddy? Cheeky fucker!

“You’ll be lucky if I don’t smother you while you sleep!” I reply.

More cackling. “You couldn’t creep up on me baby. I’m highly trained!” He replies.

Did I really miss these guys? I think I prefer it when we’re on a mission and they’re all ‘Sir this and Sir that’.

“Okay then. I’m gonna take my girl home seeing as how you losers can look after yourselves.”

They look at her sleeping figure, probably forgetting she was even here as she’s so quiet. She’s usually the one leading them in calling me out and winding me up. The news of her sisters has obviously knocked the wind out of her. I pick her up and she nuzzles into my neck. I need to start feeding her up. She’s skinnier than she ever was before.

“She gonna be okay?” Trask asks.

I ponder the question. Is she? “When is she not?” I reply needing to allay his worry but thinking of plenty of times when she hasn’t been okay.

He nods in answer looking sceptical. I know they’re close, they’ve bonded in a way that at first I was pleased with. I wanted her to be accepted and I wanted them to make her welcome but I wonder what the depth of his feelings really are for her. He knows she’s mine but does he want her as more than a friend? Is my mind imagining things that aren’t really there? Fraser wanted her and I can’t really blame any red blooded male for their interest, she’s stunning. Perfect. But mine! As long as they remember that we’ll be fine. Should I order him to start being indifferent to her? I could. Jeez, I’m losing it, sleep is obviously needed. I pull Faith in closer, she’s shivering. Trask rifles through his backpack producing his team jacket and holds it out to me. I take it and place it over her torso. She’s gonna smell like him now!

It’s cold here. My feet are bare, my gown practically see-through, my teeth are chattering. I rub my arms which do nothing as my fingertips are like ice. I’m floating through a blue hallway, guided as if by some imaginary string. It’s pulling me onwards. The dark starts receding until I’m illuminated in a brilliant light. I can hear voices. Urgent voices. Some whispering, some shouting, some begging, all merging into one sound but I can see no people. “Help us, please!” I try to turn around but my movements are slow as if I’m wading through quicksand. “Where are you?” I try to call out but my voice is quieter than a whisper. I try again but the words fall silently from my mouth.

My movement is sluggish, the light so blinding that my eyes can’t adjust. I close them hoping to centre myself. My others senses kick into action, a breeze blowing over me as if someone is so close their breath is blowing against me relentlessly. I can still hear voices but they’re quieting and a whirring becomes prominent almost like a fan. A metallic smell hits my nostrils and then I can taste it too, rusty, tangy, disgusting.

More shouting so my eyes ping open, the light begins to fade and I see a figure, it’s crouched over hugging its knees. Head down and sniffling. As my vision becomes even clearer I realise the figure is enclosed in a metal cage. I wave my hands in front of me trying to wipe away the mist fogging up the scene. I try to move forward but my steps are stilted. I’m frozen in place. An observer and nothing more. The person in the cage looks up, looks straight at me,
through me
. It’s Hope! She reaches out her shaking hand, her eyes pleading for me to do something.

“Faith!” She calls.

“Faith wake up baby!” I’m being shaken, the room disappears and I’m left with the look on Hope’s face imprinted in my mind. I open one eye, scared that I’ll find myself in a cage. The eyes I’m met with, settle me straight away. Kye. Everything’s okay, Kye’s here. His eyes are wide; he looks dishevelled as though he’s been running his hands through his hair. He pulls me against him and kisses my head. I realise I’m in bed in the lilac room.

“Bad dreams again Sweetheart?”

“I... I guess so.”

“Same as before?”

“No... Yes... I don’t know. Just... Hold me, okay?”

“Always, babe. Always.”

I close my eyes again, snuggle into him and try to push the dream to the back of my mind. Kye’s warmth wraps around me and I sigh contentedly. Hope’s face flashes back into my head and I start retching. I can taste that metallic taste again and run from the bed to the bathroom.

I just make it and bury my head in the toilet. Nothing comes up but I can’t stop dry heaving. I hear Kye pad into the room and then he starts rubbing my back while pulling my hair to the side so I have a free hand to hold onto the seat.

I sit back on my legs and wipe the hair sticking to my brow away. I feel rough. Kye scoops me up, carries me back to the bed, then disappears before returning with a glass of water. He sits staring at me worriedly, stroking my hand and looking at me completely lost.

“I’m fine babe. It was just a very vivid dream. Stop worrying.” I smile weakly at him.

“Are you sure because I’m meant to be meeting the team. I’ll cancel if you need me.”

“No, go. I’m just going to rest. Honestly, Kye, I’m fine. I’ll Comm you if I feel worse.”

“Promise?”

“Promise babe.” He bends to kiss me and I turn my head away. Ewww I’ve just been trying to throw up, I haven’t cleaned my teeth yet so morning breath is ripe. He forces my head his way and plants a hard kiss on me anyway.

“Can’t start my day without that Sweetheart so never deny me.” He winks and wanders away to get ready. I watch him walk off staring at his bronzed perfection until he’s out of sight, then I pull the covers higher until I’m buried beneath them in a perfect cocoon.

I vaguely remember him saying goodbye. Lizzie has been in and out trying to feed me, probably on Kye’s orders. I just feel so weak. I hate that I’m having those nightmares again but put it down to the fact that a major decision was reached last night. Any grand disturbances seem to play on my mind and manifest as nightmares about Advance Industries. The fact that I found out my sisters were left to fend for themselves must’ve heightened the fear.

I can’t get back to sleep because every time I drift off I see Hope’s scared face, see her watery eyes pleading for help. I throw the covers back and place my feet on the cool tiled floor. Just as I try to stand up a vicious pain slices through my waist, almost like I’ve been punched. Bloody hell that was sharp. This is gonna be a heavy period I guess. Great! My lower back feels heavy, almost bruised and I know I’m spot on. Thanks, Mother nature.

I have a quick shower, thankful that although my period is obviously due it hasn’t arrived just yet. I clean my teeth and even though I have awful cramps I feel more human. I leave the bedroom and go in search of Lizzie.

I walk into the living room and see Jack. Why is he home? I take the seat opposite him. He’s staring intently at his Comm, tapping away. His glasses are perched on his nose, he looks studious. I feel kind of awkward waiting for him to acknowledge me, also, I never spend any time with Jack alone. I used to with the real Jack but this version of him doesn’t make me feel as at ease.

After what feels like an eternity of uncomfortable silence, Jack lowers his arm and smiles at me. I smile back and attempt engaging him in conversation, “Are you busy? I can go if you need space.”

“You’ll be going soon enough, though, won’t you?” He says peering at me.

“What?”

He sighs and sits back clearly thinking about how to say whatever it is he wants to get off his chest. I fidget nervously. I don’t hold up well under such scrutiny.

“I’ve been watching him, very closely. My Lizzie has enjoyed having you two as guests, keeps her busy, stops her thinking into... well, stops her dwelling. She believes your tale but I wasn’t as convinced so I kept him close.” He pauses and I start twiddling my fingers. Could this be any more uncomfortable?

“He’s a good lad, headstrong but reliable and whether I believe or not, he does wholeheartedly. I followed him today. I know what you’re planning and my advice would be against it. I’ve told you Advancing is dangerous. He won’t listen to reason but...”

“You’re hoping I would and that I’d talk him around?” I finish for him.

He nods. “Precisely.”

“Look, Jack, I understand you mean well and I’m grateful for it but like you said you don’t believe. I do. I trust him and we believe we know what needs to be done to put things right. If we fail, then you’re welcome to say ‘I told you so’ but until then...”

“Keep my nose out?” He offers.

I smile and avoid answering. “You know Jack, you’re a lot like his real Grandad, spookily so. It’s a shame in this time you never got to have Grandchildren. You’re really very good at it.”

His eyes mist over and I immediately regret saying that. Stupid Faith!

He clears his throat and offers a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “Thank you, Lovey. That means a lot. Now if you’ll excuse me...” He pats my arm as he walks past and quickly disappears leaving me alone. Another sharp pain lances through my stomach and I curl up on the chair.

Lizzie walks through the front door wearing a massive sunhat and carrying a basket of flowers. I’ve noticed she goes into her garden every day picking wildflowers and planting. I’ve watched her a few times just sat on the soil staring into the distance. Her garden is obviously her happy place, somewhere she goes to think and be alone. She takes one look at me and drops the basket to the floor before hurrying to my side. She places her hand on my forehead.

“What’s wrong Dear? You look awful!”

“Time of the month or soon to be. I’m okay,” I tell her worried face, she’s now frowning at me.

“I best Comm that man of yours. He’ll no doubt look after you better than I can.”

“Please don’t! Lizzie, I’m fine honestly. He’ll just panic and there’s really no need. I think I’ll just go and lie down again if that’s okay?”

She stands there deliberating. He obviously told her to keep him informed. If he gets this worked up over me being sick and aching how would he cope if I was... Shit! I shake my head to remove the thought that just jumped in feet first. No way! Not possible! Is it? I feel all the blood rush from me and start to feel quite faint. Oh hell no! No. No. No! How would I even find out? I suddenly realise Lizzie is still staring at me, her face pales too as if she can read my thoughts so I stand and start backing out of the room. Must be alone! Need to think and more importantly, I need to calm down!

I’m here but letting them do all the talking. Here but really back at the bungalow with Faith. I keep playing how ill she looked this morning. How weak and frail. Not surprising as she was up most of the night shouting out in her sleep. At one point she started sleepwalking. I’ve never seen her do that before. I thought she was awake but when I called out to her she started talking about things that made no sense. Her eyes were crazy as if she’d taken something and to be honest, she scared the crap out of me. Her dreams have affected her deeply before but never to the extent where she physically wretches. I need to concentrate, she’s fine. Gran promised to Comm me at the slightest change. I need to quit this shit. I’ve never worried about another being the amount I do about her. It’s driving me crazy. I’m supposed to be planning. Figuring this shit out.

“So, tonight?” Jonah asks snapping me back to the present.

“Sorry?”

“We go back tonight? Early hours to be precise?”

I nod.

“And you’re sure about the location?” He continues.

“As sure as I can be,” I reply.

“Okay then, let’s break, get some rest and reconvene then,” he tells the team.

They start to leave and Jonah walks over to me, taking the seat at my side.

“Are you really gonna be able to do this?”

“I have too, don’t I?”

“I guess, I just never thought you’d give up so easily, especially after all it took to get her back.”

“You think I’m giving up? You think I want this? That I’m happy about it?” I yell, “This is the hardest choice I’ve ever made. I fucking hate it! I don’t know... I don’t know what else to do. I don’t know how I’ll survive it. Happy?”

“Look man...”

“Don’t! You might know my inner most feelings now but that doesn’t mean I won’t do it; it just means... it’s not as easy as you all seem to think I’m finding it.”

“Kye...”

I cut him off, I don’t need a heart to heart. I just need to convince him I’m in, he’ll get May back and they can count on me. “Doesn’t matter. Go on, get your head down too, we’re gonna be up early and need to be prepared and alert.” I wave him away with my hand and after a few seconds of sizing me up and holding his tongue, he takes the hint. He walks towards the door but turns back when he reaches it, “I’m just gonna throw something out there. Something I don’t think you’ve considered.”

“All I’ve done is consider other possibilities, but be my guest.”

“Maybe you were meant to save her, but you ever think the problem could be that she was meant to stay, fulfil something and that by bringing her here
that
caused this change? You’ve fixated on the fact that rescuing her did it, no one said you should have left her memory less and confused, just maybe you shouldn’t have taken her from her time.”

Not once did I consider that. Is that it? She’s needed in her city for a purpose and by bringing her to the future she wasn’t able to carry it out? Did that cause this change? Fuck if I know, either way, that still means she has to go back.

“See you tonight!” He calls over his shoulder.

Tonight! I haven’t run this past Faith; I haven’t told my Grandparents. I’ve just agreed to this momentous decision without clueing in the people who most deserve to know. They need time to get their heads around this not just have it thrown in their laps and expect them to deal with it. Why the fuck am I still sat here? Time’s a wasting! I leap to my feet and fly out of the room we found to meet in. Is Faith even well enough to travel tonight? How will Gran cope when I break it to her? I shouldn’t care as much because she’s not real, I’m doing this to get my real Grandparents back. But still, I know this will upset her, she’s grown attached to us and I really don’t want to hurt her.

I amble through the streets now reluctant to get back to them. Gramps reaction could go one way or the other, same for Faith. My Comm beeps and I read the message. It’s from Gran asking if I’ll be long. I frown. I message back saying I’m on my way and asking why is Faith worse? She answers with ‘no just wanted to get dinner on’. She’s lying. She’s never asked me that before and I’ve been here for weeks. My sixth sense kicks in and I pick up my pace. I’ve gone from lacklustre to Olympic legend in seconds.

As I’m in a rush everyone else seems content to move at a snail’s pace. Typical. I could just Advance back there in a flash but I tend to agree that travelling should only be done as a necessity. Who knows how many turns it takes before you become addicted? I try to be patient and use an amiable approach – it doesn’t last long. I start shouldering people out of the way so much so that I catch the attention of the AIG who are patrolling. Shit! They start walking towards me, I’ve never backed down to those on a power trip before but I’m no use to Faith if I’m dead so I hold my hands up placating. I aim for impassive, exercising a huge amount of self-control. Yeah doesn’t work. They take an arm each while the third guard scans my Comm. Shit! Not good! His puzzled face conveys that much. My Comm may work to message and communicate but it isn’t updated, that’s why I can’t use it to make purchases or summon a hoverride. My saved details won’t make any sense to these people. He whispers into the other guard’s ear and they all look at me as though I’m a being they’ve never encountered before. They start carting me off.