4.20 Changing Circumstances

Stumbling forward Andrew fell to his knees. Sharp rocks tore ragged holes in the fabric of his jeans. Blood dribbled down his calves from the cuts. The mutants were relentless in their drive to continue despite his injuries and fatigue. They pulled on the ropes like someone would do with a dog trying to in the wrong direction.

Andrew lost all sense of direction and time as he staggered along. As the night fell upon them the mutants red eyes glowed in the dark making Andrew shiver with fright. It was as if their eyes absorbed the light. He found himself memorized by them. Following their disembodied eyes in the dark. He preferred to think of them that way. It was in the light that fear washed over him. Their sharp razor like teeth that could slice through skin and bone like paper.

He stumbled into a warm body. A hand steadied him keeping him from falling. He refrained from thanking the creature wondering about the kindness that prompted the mutant to help him. Was he just giving it human feelings it didn't have? Even in the human camp there had been few if any human kindnesses. It was strange.

From Andrew's experience with the so called humans this was the most kindness he'd seen. Andrew couldn't believe this was the future of humanity. His deepest wish would be that his family had long since died out before whatever happened happens. He didn't think he'd be able to cope knowing his descendants were living as mutants or humans in this world.

***

"Are you planning to stay the night?" Charlie asked the girl who hadn't budged from guarding the door.

She rolled her eyes ignoring his hostility. "I'll stay as long as it takes for Andrew to complete his task." She gave him a mischievous grin "don't tell me you're tired of my company."

"What would give you that idea?" he rolled his eyes flopping back on the couch. The dog whining beside him or at least he imagined it would be whining. It actually hadn't made a sound since Quinn had commanded it to be quiet. "If your here because of that stupid promise you made Andrew. Couldn't you just put a force field around the house so that I can't leave even if I wanted too?"

Her eyes lit up a the idea "that might be doable if it takes him much longer."

He gave her a baffled look "it better not take too much longer. I don't have that much food left."

Unmoved by his complaints she sighed loudly "for someone whose supposed to be the protector you sure do complain a lot."

"I'm not used to being the protectee," Charlie mumbled crossing his arms.

"I imagine if Andrew were in your situation he'd complain a whole lot less," Quinn said.

Charlie opened his mouth to make a comeback only to shut it a moment later. It was true. Andrew seldom complained. Oh he complained about being separated from him and Emmaline when he had been guaranteed inside the cage. It had always been Charlie who had been the more vocal one when it came to complaining. He chafed under the rules of the group they had been with. It was his fault they were out here on their own without the groups protection. His fault that Emmaline was mutant food. He laid back on the couch closing his eyes, groaning softly.

***

"I don't want to go," Emmaline shouted.

"Honey please" Caleb heard Drew entreat their teenage daughter as he came down the stairs for breakfast.

"I'm not going," Emmaline insisted her voice rising "you can't make me."

"I'm your mother...."

"Big freaking deal" Emmaline shouted "where were you when I was fighting for my life? I didn't need you then I don't need you now."

"Don't talk to your mother like that," Caleb said coming into the dining room voice sounding like thunder in the silence that had fallen between mother and daughter.

Emmaline stared at him "I don't need you either," she shouted stomping her foot before turning and running from the room.

Caleb stared at the spot his baby girl had stood. Distantly he heard her bedroom door open and bang shut. What happened? He couldn't believe that was his precious little girl. Nearby sobs broke through his reserves.

"All I wanted," Drew gulped "wanted to help..."

Gently Caleb wrapped his arms around her "you told her about taking a trip and getting away didn't you?"

Drew nodded against his shoulder "she went crazy like I was being unreasonable. Kept saying I couldn't control her. Couldn't tell her what to do." She twisted her hands in Caleb's shirt "I didn't think she'd be ecstatic to leave. I expected her to resist. I know she wants to be here when the boys get home."

"But you didn't expect her to reject you either," Caleb finished for her. He ran his hands through her long purple hair "she's not angry at you. She's angry at the situation.

"I know," she mumbled "It's just...I've already lost one daughter. I don't....I won't lose another."

"Give her time to adjust" he said hugging her close "she's spent months taking care of herself. Fighting to stay alive. It's not going to be easy adjusting to being home." Drew shuddered in his arms "I'll talk to her."

"Alright," Drew sniffed in his arms.

"It's going to get better," he soothed "I promise."

***

Emmaline found the solid bang of the door a satisfying sound. Even with the feeling of satisfaction she still found her nerves jumping at the noise she created. She half expected a horde of mutants to break down her door or Itchy would appear to snarl at her for making noise. When would she start to believe what her eyes were telling her? When would she become used to the drudgery of doing homework and not preparing for battle? When would something happen?

A knock a few minutes later had her heart racing. Her dad stuck his head inside her room. His eyes were serious. The sparkle she remembered was gone. She felt a momentary stab of guilt at what she had done. Then her annoyance over shadowed her guilt. Why did they have to insist on treating her like a child? "What do you want?" she snapped.

"That's enough," Caleb spoke keeping his voice firm and devoid of emotion "you are not our equal to be able to use that tone with us."

"I'm not a little girl either" she hurled back at him.

"No you're not," he nodded a hint of sadness in his eyes and voice that he couldn't hide. "I'm sorry for that. I miss my little girl."

His words were like a slap in the face. Her eyes teared up, her lips quivered. She wanted to ask for forgiveness. She wasn't sure why though. She hadn't done anything to be sorry for in her opinion. She took a deep breath her resolve hardening "I'm not going" she insisted crossing her arms "you can't make me."

"That's where you're wrong," he told her keeping his voice carefully neutral "every group has a leader. Their orders and commands are to be obeyed."

Emmaline stared at him wanting desperately to deny his logic. She kept thinking about the cold impassive face of the group leader. No one ever argued with him when he gave an order. They jumped to obey. Disobedience was punished immediately. The disobedient were expelled from the group. Slowly she nodded.

"In this group" Caleb continued once he knew he had his daughter's attention "I'm the leader. You will listen to me and anyone I say is in charge in my absence."

Again Emmaline nodded her conditioning kicking in. You always listen to the leader if you wanted to survive.

"Good. Now that we're on the same page" Caleb took a deep breath "you're going to Isla Paradiso with your mother. While you're there you will listen to your mother as you would me."

Her chin rose in defiance only to be replaced with a sullen nod "ok" she mumbled.

Turning Caleb opened the door turning to leave. He stopped "I'll let you know if and when the boys come home."

She stared after him letting his words sink in. It was reassuring to know she had a leader someone she could turn to. She had been feeling lost, confused, directionless coupled with fear and concern for her brother. She should have been there to protect him while Charlie was recovering from his injuries. Why should she be safe when they were still in danger? She wouldn't relax until they were home.

***

Caleb joined Drew downstairs. She half rose from the couch when he walked into the room. He waved her to sit back down and he joined her "she's not happy but she's going."

Drew leaned into him "what will I do if she does this while we're gone? I won't be able to control her. I" she swallowed shaking her head "I don't know what to do."

"Honey she'll be ok," Caleb assured her "I explained how things are. She lived within a hierarchy. She needed to know who was in charge. Who the leader was." He smiled down at her "as the leader I appointed you as my second in charge. While I'm gone you're in charge."

"That sounds awful" Drew shivered "we're family not a pack."

"I know but she needs time to adjust" he sighed "we'll have to adjust to meet her needs. I'm sure she's still expecting mutants to attack. I'm sure she finds being around a lot of people unsettling."

"So I shouldn't plan many group activities," Drew concluded "I'm beginning to understand."

"I knew you would," Caleb smiled "it might help if you asked her opinion on things. Maker her feel a part of the decision process. It might help her feel not so lost."

"I'll try" Drew agreed "I just want my little girl back."

"So do I," Caleb pulled her close "so do I."

***

"Have you found a new roommate yet?" Randy asked as he come inside to get the last of this things.

"Not yet" she muttered her face buried inside a book pretending to be studying instead of watching him.

Shrugging Randy walked past her frowning at the disgusting mess their little house had become since he had been gone. "You might try cleaning the place" he suggested as he walked over a pile of clothes to get inside the bedroom "it might increase your chances of getting a roommate."

As expected she came charging into the room "don't presume to come in here and tell me what to do. You don't live here anymore."

"Good thing too" he grumbled "this place is a pit"

"I like it this this way" she asserted.

"Obviously" Randy shrugged looking in the closet. As he suspected the only things in it were his clothes. He packed the few things he had left in the empty boxes he had brought. He looked up to find Indira still staring at him her eyes bright with anger. "You could have helped if you were just going to stand there and watch me," he said closing the closet door when he was finished.

"You didn't need my help," she hesitated a moment before leaving the room.

Randy watched her go. What did she want from him? He had never known. One minute she was vulnerable. The next she hated him. He had put off coming here as long as he could but since things had calmed down in Moonlight Falls with Adam's return he thought he'd better collect his things while he could. He had hoped she'd still be at home where she belonged. No such luck. She never did what everyone else would consider normal.

Picking up the boxes he made his way through the piles that made traversing the small house a hazard. After he had collected all his things he stopped in the living room "how's your family?" he asked.

Rolling her eyes she shrugged dramatically "you haven't even asked about me?"

"I can tell how you are" he said becoming annoyed "you're still a spoiled self-centered brat who expects everything to revolve around you."

She glared at him "and you're still a stick in the mud."

"Why?" Randy asked "what makes me such a boring person? Is it because I won't cater to you? I tell you the truth. I don't pull any punches." He waved his hands around the filthy surroundings "how can you live like this and still maintain that there's not something wrong with you? You condemn your brother for being gay. Yet you're a filthy lazy slob that no employer would want to hire if they saw how you lived. You're nothing but a hypocrite. Setting standards for everyone else that you don't intend to live up to yourself."

"Get out," she shouted.

"Gladly" he turned slamming the door behind him.

***

Stumbling in the dark Andrew marveled at the mutants ability to continue. Their eye sight must be better than his in the dark allowing them the agility to move quicker than he could. They seemed to be discussing what to do with him as they continued to point at him and tug on the rope as if encouraging him to hurry up.

One burly creature must have become impatient and charged towards him. Andrew screamed in protest when the mutant tossed him over his shoulder and continued on picking up the pace over terrain Andrew knew he wouldn't have been able to manage. In a strange way he felt grateful the creature had picked him up giving him the chance to rest. At the same time he was humiliated that even the mutants recognized him as a weakling.

He was dumped unceremoniously on the floor in the middle of a well lit room surrounded by several boiling bots and skinned animals.

An older female mutant moved towards him sniffing. He tried to pull away hoping she was not sniffing him in the prospects of cooking him for dinner. The mutant put a hand on his stomach grimacing at him in a way that he was sure was a meant to be a smile despite her razor sharp teeth. She grunted in what appeared to be satisfaction emitting happy sounding grunts. Her happy grunts turned to squeals of displeasure when someone moved a little too slow for her liking.

He was presented with a bowl of steaming hot soup. Sniffing it made his stomach growl with anticipation. It smelled delicious. Unsure how long he was going to be inside with the mutants Andrew knew he had to keep his strength up. He lifted the bowl to his mouth lacking utensils to eat it any other way. He took a hesitant bite then another finding it to be as good as it smelled.

As his hunger abated he slowed finding time to look around his surroundings. He was definitely in a kitchen of some kind. Some large animal carcass was hanging skinned and flayed. It was familiar looking. He had a feeling he should recognize what kind of animal it was. He averted his eyes not wanting to look at it too closely preferring not to know. There was a pile of fur to the side and skin drying nearby. Were they trying to make leather from the skin?

He looked into his bowl almost tossing it the floor upon finding a fingernail floating in it. A fingernail he could handle. Some mutant cook lost it while preparing the meal. It meant nothing to them evidently. In a place like this they couldn't afford to be picky. He tried to convince himself that all he had to do was pick it out and pretend it wasn't there.

He may have been able to do that if it weren't still attached to the finger it belonged to. He felt the soup he had eaten rising inside him as he dropped the bowl to the floor retching. The flayed animal carcass. Not an animal. Human. The pile of fur. Human hair. His mind reeled in revulsion as he realized he had eaten some unfortunate human. He couldn't stop heaving even when his stomach was empty. He could here screams and grunts all around him. None of it meant anything to him. Not even when the behemoth picked him up and threw him inside a cage. The ropes removed replaced with a vile smelling blanket.

He shivered under the filthy blanket glad to be inside the cage. Was this his fate? Soup? When he was too old or feeble to make mutant babies. What about his unborn child? What if it wasn't a progenitor? Would it become soup? He'd rather be dead then let that happen to his child. He felt the bulge of the beacon in his pocket. Was he close enough to where it needed to be set? Regardless it was being set here come what may.

4.19 The Only Plan

"Bring him back" Charlie demanded voice rising running towards the door.

"You can't get out that way," she laughed at the young man "I did agree to keep you here while Andrew did as required."

"You heartless bitch," Charlie raged trying to get past her "he can't defend himself. He doesn't know how."

She raised an eyebrow at his comment "that sounds like a grave tactical error on your part."

"It wasn't my idea to come here," Charlie snapped "we were in my room getting dressed. Then we're here in the middle of mutant hell."

She shrugged nonchalantly maintaining an impression of aloofness "that's no concern of mine."

"No of course not," Charlie grumbled "as long as Andrew does as you say you could care less."

Quinn's lips quirked at that. She wondered what the boy would think if he knew she was doing this because she care a little too much? "That still doesn't change the fact that you're not leaving."

Ignoring her he grabbed the door handle. Pulling on it had no effect. Shoving on the door proved no better. "Let me out," he shouted.

She polished her nails on her dress "that's not going to happen."

Frustration and anger made his skin feel as if it had been electrified. "He needs help," Charlie almost pleaded "he can't do this on his own."

She looked at him. Her green eyes softened with compassion "I'm sorry. It has to be this way."

Screaming in rage and frustration Charlie rammed his hand into the wall. Pulling it out. The pain barely registered as he surveyed the damage he had caused.

"That's going to hurt," Quinn observed a humorous glint in her eyes.

"Shut up" he hissed holding his injured hand "just shut up." He staggered to the couch cradling his hand to his chest. The pain he hadn't felt a moment before was becoming a red hot inferno.

His groans of pain was wearing thin on Quinn's nerves. "I can fix that," she said walking towards him.

He turned attempting to hid his injury "leave me alone" he growled.

"You're such a baby," she firmly took his hand drawing it close to her. She said a few words in a language he didn't recognize. Then blew on his hand, her breath feeling warm on his skin. "You should be feeling much better now," she said releasing his hand.

Flexing his fingers his eyes growing large "what are you?" he asked beginning to see why Andrew believed her.

She smirked at him saying "not you."

***

Andrew shivered in the bright overhead sun shining down on his head. He had never felt more alone before. Someone had always protected him. Had always taken the brunt of whatever situation he was in. No that wasn't true. He shook his head trying to rid it of memories of when he had been kidnapped. It was after that he stopped being confident in himself. Always afraid to put himself out there.

Looking around the lonely deserted street he knew he had to find cover while he figured out where he was going and what he was going to do. He couldn't stand out in the broad daylight in full view of anyone and everyone. He was a hot commodity around here. Everyone and everything wanted him. His protruding stomach confirmed that fact he was a progenitor. If he was caught by either mutant or human he'd be caged for breeding. The thought made him want to gag.

There was a building he could take cover in if he could reach the second story ladder. He hoped it would be safe from mutants since they lacked the dexterity to jump up and grab hold of the lowest ladder rung. He ignored the voice in his head telling him he was a lumbering tub of lard with his big belly and extra weight. He ran towards the building jumping up straining to reach the lowest rung. He caught it and swung in the air while his arms cried out in pain at the sudden dead weight of his body swinging below him. Grunting he struggled to pull his body up by his arms one rung at a time. If he fell he'd break something then he'd really be in trouble.

Breathing hard he landed hard on the floor of an abandoned warehouse. It was scary to think this was what humanity had come to. Rubbing his stomach he wondered what the future would be like for his grandchildren. Would he be instrumental in changing the future? Was it only his gullibility that was egging him on? He wanted to believe that Quinn was telling him the truth. Wanted to believe that by doing this he was making the way for a better future for both himself and his children.

Once he caught his breath he pulled out the instructions. He whistled softly understanding why Charlie had been so upset. Even his meager understanding told time the route would take him into the heart of Mutant territory.

He glanced at the broken window. He could see movement along the street below him. Mutants. His heart pounding in his ears he wondered if he was safe where he was. Should he risk going some place else? Eyes darting around the darkening warehouse he took in the empty pallets. Nothing. No hiding place. No weapons. Nothing.

He looked at the beacon nearby on the floor and the open map and instructions The door opened below. Had he inadvertently entered a mutant storage area? He always had a feeling the mutants were more intelligent than they appeared. Grabbing the beacon he put it inside his pocket. Charlie wouldn't like what he was about to do. It was to his way of thinking the only hope he had of surviving this.

***

Caleb stumbled to his daughter's bedroom. Her shrieks of terror jolting him from a deep sleep. It had been a month since she had come home. The nightmares were steadily getting worse. Opening her door he found her hugging her favorite teddy bear to her chest. Gently he pulled her close to him while she shivered in his arms.

"I keep seeing them," she muttered as he wrapped his arms around her slight frame.

"Seeing who baby?" Caleb asked hoping that this time she would tell him.

"The mutants," she gasped burying her head in his shoulder "I keep seeing their red eyes coming towards me. Mouth's salivating wanting to eat me."

"They can't hurt you now," Caleb assured her squeezing her tight.

"I killed them Daddy" her voice was low, difficult to hear "I shot them and left their bodies on the ground."

Caleb felt like someone had taken hold of his heart squeezing it tight. He couldn't imagine having to shoot another living creature "they were going to kill you. It was them or you."

"I know Daddy" she covered her face with her trembling hands "they were living breathing things and now they're not. I killed them." She squeezed her eyes shut in a vain attempt to blot out the horrors of watching their bodies writhing on the ground. Their high pitched whining as they died in agony. She tried not to think of them as living creatures but they were. She killed them. "I'm a monster," she cried clinging to her father.

"No sweetie you're not," he contradicted her "you're a young girl put into a terrible situation. You did what you needed to do to survive." Caleb's thoughts turned to Andrew. How was his boy standing up living in such a situation? He was even more sensitive then Emmaline. He had no doubts that Charlie was doing his best to protect him. Kissing her forehead he said "it's ok to feel bad for killing someone. It makes you human. You're safe now. They can't hurt you." He held her tight against him "I love you."

"I love you too," her eyes drooping as she began to drift off to sleep.

He waited until her breathing became deep and the tremors assaulting her body had ceased before he laid her back into bed. Kissing her cheek he walked back to his own room.

***

Drew looked up at him as he came into the room "more nightmares?"

"Yeah" he sat on the bed pulling her close needing to feel her warmth against his chilled body "I wish there was something we could do to help her."

"Maybe.." she bit her lip.. She'd suggested this before only to be shot down each time.

"I know," Caleb sighed "I wish she could speak to someone. It's just not that easy. I worry what they'll think when she talks about mutants with red eyes who want to eat her and killing them before they could. What if they think she's some psychopath?"

"Put like that I can see why your reluctant but what are we going to do? She needs help." Drew rested her head on his chest sighing softly.

"I know," he wished he knew how to get her the help she needed without someone jumping to the wrong conclusions. It had been difficult to hide her disappearance from the school explaining they had decided to home school her. Now that she was back homeschooling was the only option they had. Emmaline couldn't stand to be surrounded by a bunch of people anymore. He was sure she half expected a mutant to attack her. His little girl was slipping further and further away and he couldn't stop it.

"Caleb" Drew's voice brought him out of his dreary thoughts "maybe we should go someplace different like a vacation."

"Isn't that a little like running away," he asked.

"I don't think so," Drew sat up to look at him better "I think she needs a break from all of this. This house is filled with memories of Charlie and Andrew."

"New surroundings won't make her dreams go away," Caleb pointed out.

"I know that but she won't be constantly waiting for them to come home. I think she needs to focus on something else for a while." Drew leaned over to kiss him "at least let me try. Please."

Pulling her down on top of him he kissed properly "yes give it a try. I'm willing to do anything to help her."

"Good I'll make the arrangements in the morning," Drew laughed as his hands wandered across her back "will you come with us?" She knew it was pointless to ask. She knew he would want to stay here in case the boys came home.

"I should stay here," he said "unless you think Emmaline needs me."

"Let's try it first with just the two of us," Drew said "if the nightmares come back or get worse you can come out for a few days."

"Sounds like a plan," Caleb smiled as the tension around his eyes relaxed.

***

Indira splashed water over her face. It was the second time in three days she had woken herself up screaming. She never had nightmares. She refused to admit she was worried about her brother. It was all the stress of trying to catch up academically. All the finals she had to prepare for. The hassle of finding a new room mate. There were a hundred different things that could be stress inducing and giving her bad dreams. It was definitely not worry.

It had been a relief to be back in her own environment even if it were a tad bit lonely. She refused to admit she missed the steady reassuring presence of Randy. Randy had been a pain. Always reminding her to put her clothes away. To clean her dishes. To put her trash in the bin instead of in a pile beside her favorite chair. 

She missed him. The house was an absolute pit. Her clothes scattered across the floor regardless of whether they were clean or dirty. Trash was piled beside her favorite chair. Gnat's flew around the full sink of dirty dishes she never found time to clean.

Shaking her head she told herself she only missed him because he kept the place so clean. It wasn't his purple hair that was so soft it left her feeling jealous her hair wasn't that soft. It wasn't the way his presence made her heart forget to beat. Definitely not the way he kissed that left her wanting more. It wasn't the way he could motivate her to do things she wouldn't even consider. She always failed to change but he made her think she could.

Staring at her reflection she wondered if she really had things that needed to be changed. Was she all that bad? She knew her family didn't understand her but wasn't that more their problem then hers? What was so wrong with wanting to be the best? What was wrong with wanting to surround herself with only the best and getting rid of anything or anyone who didn't measure up? It's not that she disliked her family they just didn't fit the image she wanted to project. Sighing she turned off the light and headed back to bed alone and lonely.

She closed her eyes thinking about the last time she had been with Randy. How she had almost gotten past his reserves. Then something happened and he all but pushed her away and he ran away. Why did everyone think family was so important?

***

"How long are you planning on staying here?" Charlie grumbled eyeing the green tinged girl standing by the door.

"As long as it takes," her voice loud inside the room.

"What if I promise I won't leave?" Charlie asked patting the dogs head that was lying at his feet never taking it's eyes from Quinn.

"Nice try," Quinn chuckled "as soon as I leave you'd be gone."

Squirming like a little boy caught with his hand in the cookie jar Charlie sighed "I don't need a babysitter," he mumbled "what I need is Andrew back."

"I can hear you" Quinn sing songed back at him.

"I don't care" Charlie called back feeling like a child in a senseless argument.

"If you really want to help your boyfriend" Quinn said stepping away from the door "you'd comply with his wishes and stay here."

Charlie crossed his arms shaking his head "Andrew needs me to protect him."

"Does he?" Quinn asked "or is it you always take care of him so he doesn't have to? He's a grown man not a child. I'm doing you a favor."

"In what way are you doing me a favor?" Charlie demanded standing up facing her.

"By showing you that Andrew can take care of himself," she told him "he's not a child. Sooner or later he's going to become resentful being treated like one."

Charlie stopped considering her words. He had never thought of it that way before. Protecting Andrew came naturally to him once he allowed himself to care about him. Could she be right that he was treating Andrew like a child? He didn't know what to think but he doubted letting Andrew face a pack of blood thirsty mutants was the ideal way to say 'hey I don't think you need my protection.' It felt too much like throwing someone into the deep end of the pool and saying sink or swim except in this case sinking meant dying.

***

Andrew could hear the mutants clanging up the stairs. Stupid stupid mistake thinking the broken ladder was the only way up. But...an idea was nagging at the back of his brain. He could use this to his advantage. He could hear Charlie screaming at him not to do it. Saying it was too dangerous but was it any safer wandering the streets alone? He could run into groups of humans who wanted a progenitor. If he did he'd never be able to escape on his own. He'd never see Charlie again. He couldn't take that chance.

Standing he waited for the mutants to find him. An easy enough task since he didn't bother to try and hide. He just stood there waiting for them to surround him. He cringed as they sniffed him. Touching his protruding stomach. Grunting with satisfaction. He resisted the urge to run as they looped ropes over him leading him like a dog on a leash.

He observed the mutants. They definitely had some kind of communication. Animalistic but there none the less. They tugged on his leash when they were ready to go and he followed hoping that no human tried to stop them from taking him back to their lair. Any human seeing him would no doubt assume he needed help. They wouldn't know this was the only plan he had of getting the beacon where it needed to be. His only hope once he got there and set the beacon Quinn would be able to get him out. If not he hoped that at least Charlie was safe.

Another tug reminded him to keep moving despite the pain in his feet each time he took a step. He had been on his feet for too long. He could feel them filling with fluid with each step he took. The mutants were gentler than he expected. He suspected it was due to his obvious condition that he couldn't hide from them. They had caught a valuable commodity and would no doubt fight to the death to keep. 

4.18 The Decision

Author's Note: This chapter follows closely after the events in this chapter from the Van Winkle Legacy, 4.18 Terms and Conditions. I'd suggest reading that chapter first to get the most out of this chapter.

A week after Emmaline arrived in Moonlight Falls they went home to Sunlit Tides. Chase and Caleb lingered outside each dreading the upcoming conversations with their spouses. Emmaline ran inside calling "mom, mom I'm home."

Drew was in her room sitting alone on the couch looking through old photo albums. Gently running her fingers across the faces of her babies. Heart breaking thinking she would never see them again, feel their arms around her giving her a hug or hear their voices echoing down the halls. The album slid from her lap unnoticed when Emmaline's voice reached her ears.

Was she dreaming? Pinching herself the pain barely registered through her shock and excitement upon hearing her daughter's voice. "Emmaline," she cried running for the door "Emmaline" she called again running for the stairs.

"Mom," Emmaline cried running for the stairs. Reaching the landing Emmie threw her arms around Drew "mommy I've missed you so so much."

Tears of joy ran from Drew's eyes as she stroked her daughters bright pink hair. She held her daughter close afraid if this was a dream she'd disappear if she let go. "I've missed you too," Drew cried. She bit her lip to keep from overwhelming her daughter with a million questions. She wanted to know so much. Where was she? What was the future like? Why wasn't and Andrew and Charlie with her? Were they alright?

Emmaline breathed in deeply relishing the feel of her mother's arms around her. She'd never leave the safety of this house again. "Mom I love you," she murmured feeling safe for the first time in months. She was home for the first time in what felt like forever. If only Charlie and Andrew were here too. She looked up in time to see the sour face of her older sister. What was she doing here? She let her mom pull her into her room while asking Indira to bring up a tray of hot chocolate and cookies. The thought of Indira playing maid almost made Emmie snicker.

***

Chase was greeted by two excited teen girls squealing in delight at the sight of their father. Caleb scooted past them quickly. He wouldn't say he was envious but it would have been nice to have been greeted like that by his daughter. He had hoped when Indira came home it was a sign she had changed. Evidently he had expected too much.

Leaving Chase to his homecoming Caleb went inside. Climbing the stairs he checked on Drew smiling to find her curled up on the couch with Emmaline beside her drinking hot chocolate and nibbling on oatmeal cookies. "You'd think she'd been kidnapped or something," Indira said harshly at his side

Frowning he turned toward his eldest child. Scowling he asked "what's wrong with you?" He couldn't keep his anger and hurt contained any longer.

"It's only been a few months," she shrugged "what's so detrimental about going to the future?"

"Have you spoken with your sister about her experiences yet?" he asked trying to reign in his temper. "Have you?" he repeated his voice sounding like thunder.

"No" she shook her head "she's just gotten home. When would I have done that?"

"So you don't know what she went through in the future" Caleb stated wondering how his daughter could be so clueless. So self absorbed.

She sighed rolling her eyes "I don't see what the fuss is all about."

Shaking his head at her he couldn't muster the energy to help Indira understand the gravity of the situation. "it was nice of you to come home but I'm sure you're wanting to get back to school and your friends..."

Something flickered behind Indira's eyes but all she did was nod "does that mean I can leave now?"

"If you want to" Caleb sighed heart plummeting at what he perceived was a heartless disregard on Indira's part for her family.

"Good" she smiled "I'll leave tomorrow. I have some papers I need to work on."

Absently he nodded his head distancing himself from the stabbing pain he felt from her lack of concern. He watched his daughter turn and walk away. He turned and slipped into the room where Drew and Emmaline were. Pasting a smile upon his face he saw Drew look up at him from where she sat immersed in conversation with their youngest child.

***

"Is something wrong?" she asked.

Shaking his head he said "Indira has decided to go back to school. She's leaving in the morning."

Tears sprang to Drew's eyes "I thought...I hoped she'd want to stay."

"Mom" Emmaline put a hand on her mother's shoulder "I'll go talk to her. I might be able to get her stay a little longer."

"Oh sweetie that's a nice offer but you don't have to," Drew wiped at her eyes "I'm just a sentimental old fool."

"No you're not," Emmie contradicted saying "Indira's the one that should be sorry."

Caleb bent down and kissed the top of his daughter's pink head. This was the little girl he had missed so much. The spunky fiery spit fire that didn't take any prisoners. "Go talk to your sister. Don't be surprised if she doesn't change her mind though," Caleb told her.

"Oh I won't. I fully expect her to put up a fight and leave," Emmaline said standing up fire in her eyes. She walked to the door. Reaching for the door knob she hesitated, turned and ran back to her dad. Throwing her arms around him she cried "I'm so glad to be home."

Temporarily speechless Caleb just held her close stroking her long hair. "I'm glad your home too," he managed to say over the lump forming in his throat.

Pulling away Emmaline wiped at her eyes before leaving the room. It wouldn't do to show weakness in front of the enemy. She entered Indira's room without knocking. She watched her sister throw articles of clothing into a suitcase muttering to herself all the while.

"You should be ashamed of yourself," she said heaving a heavy sigh tired of watching her sister pack in such a frenzy.

Indira looked up smirking "I wondered how long you'd stand there silently judging me."

"What's your problem?" Emmaline asked "why do you hate us so much?"

"I don't hate you," Indira objected "I just have better things to do than play nurse maid to my mother."

"The least you could do is wait until Andrew comes home" Emmaline told her taking a step forward 

"Our parents need all the support we can give them right now."

"Oh come off it," Indira scoffed "you act like they're enduring something horrible. You were only gone for a few months. Quit making more of it than it was."

"You have no idea what it was I went through," Emmaline's face contorted as images of mutants writhing on the ground dying because she had shot them. She killed living breathing things. She clasped a hand over her mouth running from the room. She was going to be sick and if she could prevent it she'd prefer to be sick somewhere her sister wouldn't be able to watch her.

***

Settling onto the couch beside his wife Caleb pulled her close. He needed to feel her warmth next to him. "I need to tell you something" he said holding her tight.

Nodding Drew sighed looking up at him "you're going to tell me some powerful being brought Emmaline home. Now you have to agree to do something so that they'll bring the boys home." Her tone was light, joking. Her eyes twinkled behind her lashes. She lost her smile when he remained silent staring down at her with a tortured expression upon his face "that was a joke," she stammered "please tell me that's not what really happened."

Her half panicked plea moved him to open his mouth "I wish I could" he murmured "I can't." Holding her hand he told her everything that he knew, thought or guessed about Quinn, the dimension watcher.

She was silent for several minutes as his words hung between them. She leaned her head on his shoulder "if it means bringing the boys home then agree to her terms. The boys will understand."

"That's what I was thinking. I worry about how this will impact their children's lives." He stared across the room feeling the burden weighing heavily on his shoulders. He wondered what made his father so special. Growing up he never thought Levi was that special other than being an awesome dad. He did understand better his mother's position when she chose Noah over him as the heir. It's scary to put all that responsibility on someone. The best he could hope for is that he lived long enough to be a good guiding  influence in his grandchildren's lives."

"Caleb," Drew snuggled into him "I love you." She lifted her lips up to him kissing his jawline before traveling over to his lips. Hovering above his mouth, her breath warm on his skin "I've missed you" she said bringing her mouth down upon his as if seeking to rediscover forgotten territory.

***

Once his daughters wandered off to find their cousin to ply her with a million questions. Chase walked towards Jennifer. He fell into her arms squeezing her tight "I've missed you so much giving her a quick kiss.

"And I you," she replied taking his hand leading him inside. Sitting on the couch she asked "it's not over is it? Charlie and Andrew aren't here."

"Not yet" Chase averted his gaze unable to meet her eyes without hearing Quinn's voice in his head.

"What aren't you telling me?" she asked.

He smiled sadly "you always could read me like a book." He held her hand while he told her about the dimension watcher.

"No absolutely not," she cried bouncing up prowling the room.

"Sweetie please calm down," Chase tried to take her into his arms only to have her shrug his hands away from her.

"You're talking about sending our babies to another dimension," she shouted tears spilling down her cheeks.

"Not right this minute," Chase told her keeping his voice free of urgency.  He knew this was going to be difficult. "We have time before this happens. They still need to be trained and taught how to be time keepers."

"How long? A few years?" Jennifer demanded crossing her arms.

"I don't know," he sighed "maybe ten, twenty years at least." He continued to tell her about how Quinn planned to bring balance to the dimension.

"What if we refuse?" she asked her chin jutting out defiant.

Chase recognized the signs that his wife was preparing to dig in. Refuse to cooperate. "If we refuse the imbalance remains...." He walked over to her taking her face between his hands "which means we'll lose them anyway. The dimension watcher is only awakened as a last ditch effort to keep the council from intervening and resetting it. Once that happens everything we know is gone."

"What do we do?" she cried looking to him for answers.

"We take advantage of the time we have," Chase told her wiping away the tears that poured down her cheeks "it's not like we'll never see or hear from them again."

She looked up at him a curious glint in her eyes "what do you mean?"

"They'll be time keepers. I'm a time keeper," he smiled down at her. Kissing the top of her nose "time keepers can contact other time keepers in every dimension that exists."

"It won't be the same," she whined.

"No it won't but even if they stayed here they would grow up and live their own lives without us. We'll make the most of what we have to work with." He pulled her close smiling when this time she let him.

"It's better than the alternative I suppose," she murmured leaning into him

***

Later that night Caleb and Chase sat in the living room alone anticipating a visit from Quinn. 

Glancing at the time they began to wonder if she was going to show up. It was well past midnight already.

"We'll give it another hour," Chase said smothering a yawn.

Nodding Caleb stretched out on the couch closing his eyes wishing he was upstairs holding his wife in his arms.

"Isn't this cozy," a woman's voice startled them.

They sat up rubbing their eyes "can't you come at a decent time?" Caleb complained

"What's life without a little surprise every now and then?" she asked laughing at them "so have you come to a decision?"

"We have," Chase spoke for both of them "we'll do as you want."

"Awesome" she clapped her hands with glee "and you?" she asked turning her gaze on Caleb knowing that Chase had answered for both but she needed to hear from him.

"Yes I agree to your terms," he mumbled still not liking the idea but having no idea what he could do differently to get his son back.

"Good," she bestowed upon them a joyful smile.

"When can we expect them home?" Caleb asked sensing the woman was about to leave.

"As soon as they accomplish their task," she told him.

"What task?" Caleb demanded confused "I thought you said it would be my grandchildren who would need to do the time traveling."

"Yes that's correct" she sighed. She hadn't wanted to go into detail what that meant. There was one task that had to be done now in the future to make all the subsequent changes matter. Pull it altogether. It was dangerous. A risk Caleb would not want to take. "A beacon must be set in the future so that everything that is changed in the past will correct the imbalance."

"So you want Andrew to set that beacon before he can come home," it was a statement not a question.

"I'll instruct him in what needs to be done. The rest is up to him." She moved away from him not wanting to tell him that Andrew's success probability was about 30-40 percent. "I can't physically do anything to change things. I can suggest, maneuver and manipulate to get things done but I can't make the changes myself. That's why I needed your willing acceptance to my terms." 

***

"Do you believe that Emmie is home?" Charlie asked keeping his arms wrapped around his fiance.

"I have to believe it," Andrew leaned back closing his eyes "otherwise I let her go off by herself to die. I can't....." 

Charlie kissed the top of his head holding him tight. He didn't voice his opinion. It'd only crush Andrew to know that he believed that Emmaline had become mutant food.

"I shouldn't have let her go," Andrew cried burying his face into Charlie's shoulder "she's dead and it's all my fault."

"Don't talk like that," Charlie tried to soothe the tremors he felt run through Andrew's tense body "you have to believe that when we get home she'll be there."

"We're never going home," Andrew sobbed "I'm such a gullible idiot. Fantasies have no place in this god forsaken place. I'm the guy who'd buy beach front property in the middle of a desert."

What Charlie feared most was starting to happen. Andrew was unraveling right before his eyes. If they had any hope of surviving he had to find something to give Andrew a reason to hope. He feared all he could do was let Andrew cry on his shoulder.

The dog whined scratching at the floor by their feet. The mangy thing always became upset when Andrew was upset. Charlie had learned in the days since Emmaline disappeared he had to be cautious in how he approached Andrew. The dog seemed to have adopted Andrew as his new master.

Eventually Andrew cried himself to sleep lying half on top of Charlie on the couch. Absently Charlie ran his fingers through Andrew's hair wishing he could come up with a way to get the both of them home. The idea of raising their child in this place was terrifying. With each successive week it brought them closer to the day Andrew would go into labor. Than what? He didn't know how to deliver a baby. Where would the baby come out of? Would he need a c-section? There were so many questions and so few answers.

Andrew moaned in his sleep calming when Charlie ran his hand down his arm. One day Charlie knew he was going to have leave him alone while he went out for supplies. He would put it off as long as possible but their meager food store would eventually run out. He dreaded that day. He knew Andrew wouldn't want to be left behind but Charlie knew with the baby and his now protruding stomach he wasn't able to move as fast or maneuver the way he needed to avoid mutants.

The dog growled by his feet baring it's teeth it stood growling. Instantly alert Charlie jumped to his feet ready to defend Andrew to the death. A small woman stood silently by the door a lopsided grin upon her pretty face. "Dog be silent" she waved her hand deafening the room in silence. "That's better," she smiled please with herself.

"Who are you?" Charlie demanded standing defensively in protection mode.

"That's her," Andrew said standing from the couch tugging on Charlie's arm "that's the woman I told you about."

"Ah" Charlie acknowledged without taking his eyes from the woman's face "what do you want?"

Ignoring him Quinn directed her comments to Andrew "your father agreed to my terms."

Andrew sucked in a deep breath. What had his father agreed to? 

"He's eager for you to come home. However you need to set this beacon for me," she produced a small device. Holding it out to him she waited for him to take it.

Andrew reached for it only to have Charlie swat his hand away "we don't know if we can trust her."

"If it weren't for me you'd be dead by now," Quinn told him "I healed you so that Andrew would believe I could do what I said I could."

Charlie stood immobile obstinate in his refusal. "Charlie please," Andrew tugged on his arm "you were awfully sick when we brought you here. She did heal you."

"I suppose you believe she sent Emmie home too" Charlie said sounding confused, miserable and angry.

"I want to," Andrew said his eyes pleading "what's the harm in doing what she wants? If she's on the up and up than we go home."

"If she's not?" Charlie demanded wanting Andrew to see the consequences of his actions.

"Then you'll be no worse off than you are right now," Quinn supplied the answer growing tired of the conversation.

"I still don't like it," Charlie grumbled letting Andrew to take the beacon "if you're on the up and up I want to take advantage of it to get Andrew home."

"Good boy" Quinn nodded her approval. She understood his logic could appreciate it "take that device. Follow the directions exactly as I've written down for you."

Charlies eyes narrowed "we can't" he objected upon reviewing the map "this will take us into the middle of mutant territory."

"I can do it," Andrew said with a tremor in his voice "I'm the only one who can. I'm pregnant. They won't kill me. I can't become one of them. I'm a progenitor remember?"

"I won't let you go alone," Charlie shook his head "absolutely not. I forbid it."

"I'm not a child. It's my choice. I'm doing it," turning to Quinn "I'll do this if and only if you keep Charlie here."

"Very well," she rolled her eyes, clapped her hands and Andrew was gone.