A GIFT OF TIME

Episode 22

"Um," my voice ceased as I found myself speechless on facing Mrs Evans after arriving at her door with Charlie who was just about joining me. 

"oh Claire. You're here...again?" Mrs Evans pointed out sounding upset at my presence after opening the door on the second ding of the door bell. I don't blame her. She's was back together with the man she was in love with it and we just kept showing up at their door ruining every moment of it. 

"well, I'm sorry Mrs Evans but you have to leave" I declared and she frowned at me before quirking her brows in question. Luckily her son as well as her soon to be step son showed up. 

"hey, Claire you're here?" Danny sounded surprised. Of course he wasn't expecting us to be back so soon. And of course we couldn't be back so soon, those stupid aliens just kept messing things up. 

"Meredith, is everything alright?" an Extremely husky voice asked from the inside. I had a feeling it was Nicholas dad that asked. 

"yeah yeah, everything is fine" she shouted slightly turning back before facing me with an irritated face. Okay that's it. 

"Danny, you need to get your mom and Nicholas dad out now. Let them pack a few stuffs and join us. Those things are now hunting our family. They'll come for you Danny, as well as your mom. So if you want her to be safe. You'll tell her to come with me now. My parents are heading down to North Jefferson. There's a place we could stay before the apocalypse. Brian and others are on their way with their family. I wouldn't be here to inform you if Brian didn't tell me what they did to his father. " I sputtered before deciding to catch a breath. 

" what is she saying? "my mom asked but Danny had a pensive look on his face. He seem briefly distracted before his face brightened and turn to his mom. 

" what she said, might sound absurd, stupid and silly. mom but it's true. We have to get out of here. It's not safe-

"Nicholas" Danny called and Nick came running to the door with a frown on his face but his face lit up on seeing me. Weird though. 

"They attacked Brian's dad. Claire said it's not safe anymore you need to get dad.... I mean Nathaniel out" Danny briefed and I wish I had given such briefing instead of having to sputter like that. So dumb of me. I mentally scolded myself forcing a smile at Mrs Evans who was giving me a wary look as the boys considered their options. Nicholas move in to get his dad who was Clad in faded blue jeans, blue T-shirt with a black suit to cover. Looking from Nicholas to his dad I could tell who he took after. He had the same ocean green eyes. Bushy brows. Same hair color and same nose. Nicholas was a carbon copy. 

"Um who's this?" Nicholas dad who I now know as a Nathaniel asked. 

"She's Claire. Our friend." Nicholas introduced. 

"hi Mr Robinson" I nervously greeted. 

"Hi" Nathaniel returned warmly. 

"Mrs Evans, Mr Robinson you need to leave now. It's for your safety" I declared and the man furrowed his bushy brows before quirking it at me as after I spewed my nonsense. Just then Charlie decided to grace us with his presence. Took him long enough. 

"we are not going anywhere" Mrs Evans sharply disagreed giving me a scornful look. 

"boys would you help me out here. We don't have much time. Brian and Tony are on their way with their Family. We only have hours until the goddamn thing. Don't just look convince your parents or we'll ditch them and leave. It'll be left to you to protect them " I half yelled making everyone flinched. By the time I was done, I was panting softly as a result of the frustration I had just gone through. 

" mom, if Claire ask us to leave. Trust me we have to " Danny turned to his mom literally half pleading. Oh f**k! We don't have the whole time in the world. 

" is she a seer or something?" Mrs Evens frown and an idea struck me. 

"yeah, I'm a seer okay. It's a gift. Remember the time my brother and I pulled a prank on you. Telling you Danny broke a leg?" I asked and she went pensive as if trying to recall. Everyone was now staring at me in disbelief because the boy was practically clueless about the game I decided to play. But I hope they catch up real quick. 

"oh yes I remember. I can't believe you'll do such a thing-

" trust me it wasn't a prank. It was to save you" I revealed and she scoffed. 

"trying to save me?" she asked arching her brows as she chuckled lightly. 

"do you remember there was a tanker explosion that day. A tank crying industrial whatever it is had exploded burning up to 21 vehicles in it's surroundings" from the look on Mrs Evans face I had finally painted the picture for her to figure out. 

"Mrs Evans, imagine if we hadn't stop you, delay you and lie to you. Do you know you were driving on the same lane with the tank?" I asked studying everyone's expression closely. 

"I would have died" Mrs Evans pointed out timidly and it seems the imagination was quite terrifying that she started to sweat. The boys had a bright look on the face and I was glad they finally got the drill. 

"I didn't see the need to tell you until now. And right now. Some strange people not even people will show up trying use you, imitate you... You're not safe here. Neither is Mr Robinson. My parents are in the same boat with you two. I had to leave with them. So I've come to warn you-

"such a great gift you have there Claire. I wouldn't believe if anyone told me but you have managed to convince me. Nathaniel" Mrs Evans turned to Mr Nathaniel who had a look of disbelief on his face. 

"you don't expect me to believe this do you?" Mr Robinson asked Mrs Evans giving her a cynical look. 

"I quite believe her dad. Because she's the reason we are all here together in the first place. She showed us what we did wrong by cross-examining Danny and I. It was her that showed us what we took from you, happiness. When we decided stop your relationship. I quite believe her" Nicholas put in and Mr Robinson shot me a curious look. 

"Claire" a voice called behind me and I could guess it was Brian. 

"we met your parents in the RV told us you were here. Tony is watching the car though. Uncle" Brian brows furrowed on noticing Mrs Robinson. 

"Brian what are you doing here?" Mr Robinson questioned carefully prying Brian with his eyes. 

"he's escaping with his family" I answered for Brian suddenly getting another idea. 

"Brian, you told me your dad is a close friend of Mr Robinson right?" I asked and for the first time he tear the bewildered look he had on Mr Robinson away. 

"yeah"He replied meeting everyone's eyes in confusion. 

" why don't you bring your dad to share his sudden experience with him. He doesn't seem to believe us"I smiled at Brian and he looked at Nathaniel with a sullen expression. 

 "he can't walk-

" what do you mean he can't walk? "Nathaniel asked with furrowed brows. 

" He was beaten. Perhaps you'll like to talk to him. He's in the car" Brian informed pointing to the direction of the car with his thumb. 

"you have to be joking." Nathaniel scoffed. 

"I wish I was Mr Robinson . I wish I was" I muttered meeting Nathaniel's fierce eyes. 

"this better not be some hilarious prank! Show me to him Brian" Nathaniel ordered taking long strides towards the street where Brian's car was parked. It was right behind my family RV. 

"Simon" Nathaniel muttered in disbelief on seeing his dejected friend. 

"Simon what happened to you?" Nathaniel questioned but his friend could only manage a groan. 

"strange people. They bash me up Nathan. They bash me up" Mr Stewart groaned. He abruptly turned to me his breathing getting erratic and his eyes dancing in nervousness. 

"we don't have much time. Join my family in the RV. I'll take my mom's car. We'll explain everything in details when we get to our penthouse. Hurry" instructed and he sighed immediately joining my parent in the car.

"is there anyone that should be going with us but isn't?" I asked immediately we were all set to leave

"yes my mom-

" my sister-

"the aliens we Locked in the basement" Brian, Nicholas and Charlie replied almost the same time. I exhaled deeply. 

"Charlie, you and I, are gonna go get the aliens. Brian I'll give you my dad's car keys. Go get your mom. Nicholas, you and Danny" I paused on seeing how puffed up Danny was on hearing his name. 

"you both go get Nicole" I completed leaving Danny's mouth agape. 

"but.. I-

"I'm sorry Danny. You have to go" I declared firmly cutting Danny's protest off before deciding to move to my parents who seem to be in an intense conversation with the rest of the parents. 

"Mom, dad. You can't tell them anything until we get to the penthouse. They don't know what's going on" I whispered to my parent after getting close to them. They nodded and gave me an assuring smile. 

" dad. You'll have to take the wheels. You'll head to the penthouse. Tony our friend will be right behind you-

" hold on a sec, what about you? "my mom question her face suddenly lit up in worry. 

" Charlie and I have some stuffs to pick in the house-

"what about Nicholas?-

" and Danny-

"and Brian" Nathaniel, Meredith and Simon asked sounding as much worried as my parents for us. 

"we'll be after you shortly. Let meet at the junction leading to North Jefferson. Right now Nicholas and Danny went to pick Nicole. And Brian went for his mom. It's only safer if we are all together. So no one would have to worry over another. We'll be behind you shortly " I assured and they all nodded before I exited the motor home. After informing the guys of the plan we all separated doing our part of keeping our family safe. Mom had set up and IV and even remove the bullet of the wounded Alien so by the time we got into the basement. He was a little better. With my guns pointed to Them Charlie blindfolded them though it was my idea. We moved them to the car and kept them in the back before making our way down to North Jefferson. Everything was extremely silent as my brother and I made our way to the junction until my phone rang. 

"hey, it's Brian. Picked up my mom and I can see your car. I'll be right in the second lane" he informed and I hummed. 

"great. Just follow the lead. We are getting close too-

" I see our RV" Charlie informed and I nodded. 

"we just spotted my family RV. We'll soon be- what the f**k!" I exclaimed as I saw green indicator move up to seat on the a car roof from the inside, the car was close behind my family RV and the f**k, he was just settling a freaking missile. 

"Holy s**t what's that?" Charlie frowned watching the alien set up a g*n missile on the car roof. 

"Claire. Are you seeing what I'm seeing?" Brian's voice was flat. It sounded like he was in awe, he must have seen it from the car too. 

"I guess I am" I muttered disconnecting the car and opening roof myself. Immediately I was comfortable where I was at. I sent a bullet flying to the man before he could set his aim. And funny enough it got him straight in the head. I moved back into the car and dialed Tony's number. 

"Tony

" it's Tanya. Tony's at the wheel he can't really pick at the moment, what's up?-

"there are here. They are here Tanya. They are right behind you. They f*****g brought a missile-" I paused as Tanya poke her head from the window. Just then another alien move in the dead one and replaced him. I saw Tanya brought a rifle out and started to shoot. I dropped the phone and focused on Tanya's action. 

" f**k! Tanya knows how to shoot "my brother was awe-struck at the scene of Tanya firing. She kept firing at the car even after the alien trying to aim them was dead. She didn't stop until the car blow right behind them. That stirred commotion as surrounding cars almost collided with the burning one. Cat got out of lane and more got into accident trying to avoid the car but Charlie was swift in swerving away from cars that had created a traffic jam as more accidents ensued. I could make out my mom's head from the RV. I think that's dangerous. I thought to myself before my lens pick three greens from three other cars. In different lanes but parallel to each other as they race behind Tony's vehicle. 

"Tanya" I called into the phone after a brief dial. 

"there are three car behind you. Black Chevrolet. The same brand all aligned parallel behind you" I informed and she poke her head again and this time gunshots have started from the cars too. I was about to start shooting when I found out someone else was shoot at the car right on the third lane. 

"Nicholas is here. Danny is doing the shooting" I smiled informing Danny who also sighed in relief as I refilled my g*n before sitting on the window while we rained the cars with bullet. I got the tire of the one in our lane and it went moving to only God knows where. Moving to his lane to the right lane until it collided with a car. But before our car passed it. I shot the driver. I noticed then the car in Nicholas lane exploded before so three focused on the one now closing in on Tony. It seems one of our bullets got the driver and it went driving out if the way. We stepped on the pedal and moved the car until I was right next to my parents RV. 

"Claire!". My mom squealed on sighting me. 

"tell dad to step on it!" I screamed so she could hear me. 

"we can't do that we are on the highway" My mom refused acting the all classy citizens. 

"you have to overtake the freaking cars mom we aren't safe here" I shouted and I could tell she was talking to dad and before we knew it we were zooming into new Jefferson. 

***

"Holy Mary this is like a freaking hotel" Tony exclaimed on climbing down his seat after arriving at mom's penthouse. It was near a river which I have no idea what it's name was. Everyone looked exhausted after we get down. 

"Dad" Nicola called running into Nathaniel's arms immediately he got down the RV. 

"it looks like camp". Danny told me after walking up to me. 

"yeah. Except this time our family is here" I smiled at him and he nodded. 

"mom how many room is in this giant house? " my brother questioned as he stared at the house which was built on rocks shining and glistening like the walls were made from gems. 

"20" my mom informed and everyone got stunned. We made our way into the extremely huge house and everyone stood next to their family. Everyone seem have curious faces because most have witnessed what happened on the highway. 

"this is the best place for camp". I muttered staring at the high walls and glasses.

"looks like a place good for vacation" someone I recognized to be Brian's mom talked. 

"this is not a vacation. It's a horrible nightmare. I let my job. My town to come to this place because some stupid people-

" they are not people Nathan " Simon cut in. 

" what are they then? " Nathaniel sharply snapped. 

" aliens " I said almost the same time with Simon. Nathaniel broke into laughter and I smiled watching his actions. 

"Charlie. I think I think it'll be a good idea to show them an example" I told Charlie who smirked and moved out. I saw fear spike up the faces of so many. They should be scared because they have no idea what we are dealing with. I thought as everyone clung unto their families. Charlie brought the woman who looked exactly like my mom from the car and removed her blindfold to face everyone. Everyone gasped as they noticed the striking resemblance to my mom. 

"she's not me believe me, neither is she my twin. She imitated me" my mom briskly explained. I removed my g*n and point it to the alien whose eyes widen as me in fear and disbelief. 

"show your true nature" I ordered and she hesitated. 

"perhaps Danny can help me here" I turned to Danny who smirked mischievously as he moved leaving his mom's side to point his own g*n at the tied up alien but he didn't just point his g*n. He shot the floor making a hole right next to the aliens feet. The poor thing shrieked and started to change. Everyone watched horrified at the sight. 

"hold your puke everyone" I informed as everyone wears a look of disgust. Even those that have witnessed the scene. 

"this is what I'm talking about. So, who's ready for a story. Why don't you all grab a seat while I explained this to you" I smiled at the horrified faces surrounding me. This was one of my best achievements for far. Saving my family, my the survivors team and their families. I felt new courage fill me up. I think I'm ready to face those motherfuckers now. 

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