A GIFT OF TIME

Episode 23

"you guys make sure not to get seen by any cameras. Put on your snapback and your shades. Be careful not to make any eye contacts. Avoid any aliens-

" hey Tony relax. We're gonna be fine "I cut Tony short of his little advise as we tried to climb down the van we had driven to town to grab food and provision. Danny, Brian and Nicholas had stayed back to assemble the repulser while Tanya, Charlie, Tony and I had came together. All our parents contributed to financing the supplies. It was shocking to people at the mall, mart and grocery store the bulk of things we bought. But it's better that way to having to drive to town quite often when we can easily be spotted by any aliens. 

"all done?" I asked after climbing back into the car sitting next to Tony in the front while Tanya and my brother took the back. I mentally scoffed because Charlie would have fought me for the front seat but having Tanya at the back with him make the need to occupy the front seat worthless. 

"so, this is camp right. I mean all of us being in the same place. It's just felt right" Tony grinned and I smiled. 

"but this time we are lucky. None of us at camp back then had our parents with us. All of us had become orphans one way or another. We also barely survived" I sighed and Tony nodded. 

"we are lucky indeed. Though if you had never approached us. We wouldn't have been in this mess but I'm glad you approached us. I'm really glad to be included in something so noble. It's the greatest s**t I've done in years" Tanya's timidly said and I gave her a grateful look. 

"I wanted to ask... How did you know how to shoot?" Charlie asked and I could tell the questions have been bothering him for hours. 

"normally it's not a thing I would love to talk about, but after this s**t we've gone through. I ain't give no fuck." her face had a smug and she seem rather confident now. I guess she finally found herself. 

"my dad was a d**g dealer. One of the the freaking d**g lord in Missouri. He was into pretty dark stuff and he never hid it. My dad ain't scared of any f*****g body and he escaped trials and complaints one way or another. In one word. No f*****g body could get him to face the panels. He was a lion whom many respect in the field of d**g dealing. Papa was great father nevertheless. He ain't taught us to do the s**t and he ain't gonna allow us to take a joint or puff any smoke as long as you wanna remain his kid. He paid the bills, take good care of his mama. even though papa wouldn't let is take or deal with the stuff. He taught us self defense. He made us confident. I loved him for it. You must be curious about my mother, well papa really love my mama. He was so in love with him but I can't tell for the b***h-

"Tanya" Tony cautioned as we all flinched at her choice of words. 

"don't f*****g interrupt me Tony. That b***h caused everything. You ain't expecting me to give her any f*****g respect do ya'" Tanya snapped and Tony knew better than to argue. 

"as I was saying, the b***h-" Tony groaned but Tanya ignored him and continue. 

"she rat my papa out to the police. I mean she f*****g got them all the evidence they might need. Papa felt betrayed when he was sentenced to jail. On his way to jail papa escaped to put a bullet in mama's head for her betrayal. That got him killed. The police came over, killed him in the struggle to apprehend him before he killed mama. Losing ma parent on the same f*****g day. The s**t hurts like hell. Hurt more to talk about it but this past few days. I ain't give a damn " Tanya concluded slumping her back into the seat while Charlie stared at her wide-eyed. Well I was still shocked myself, making me still, I blinked furiously to digest the news. As much as I don't want to sound hypocrite. Tony and Tanya have one messed up of a family. We pulled into the garage, got down to announce our arrival. Hailey and Nicole help carry in the food and other supplies we got. Thankfully before we got back. Danny and Brian have managed to set up their workshop in what looks like a workout area. It was spacious, perfect for the workshop. Also mom and dad had set up their lab and was making acquaintance with other family. Perfect. I thought passing by the living room where all the parents were. As long as they are safe we'll be fine. I thought. And thankfully they've gotten over the shock of what I revealed to them. And they seem to have braced up for the inevitable.

"so, any success?" I asked moving into the workshop which was now full of computers and other gadgets. I stilled immediately my eyes fell on Mr Stewart. 

"Um," I curiously glanced at him as he help assemble the repulser with Danny, Nicholas and Brian. 

"hey Claire you're here. My dad decided to give us a hand. Through he didn't believe it'll work but he seem interested in it" Brian relayed and I forced a smile. I might not be comfortable with the older man around but if he'll make everything work. I don't mind. 

"okay. You guys should focus on that. I'll go get Hero with Tanya and Charlie" my announcement draw everyone's attention and they look up to face me. 

"how can you be so sure he wants to come back?" Danny asked and I quirked my brows in question. He moved away from the working table and walk over to me. 

"he'd been there for long Claire. If he wanted to be killed, he would be me dead by now. And if he wanted to be forced to obey them. He would be convinced by now. I really think it's hopeless" Danny's opinion really irked me. I could not believe he'd say such a thing. It made me furious that I stepped away from him. 

"I'm going for him whether you like it or not" I calmly replied with a determined expression moving out of the door and to the basement where the alien was locked. 

"Charlie must have seen me because he arrived immediately I was in, standing in front of the alien we had tied with the recovering one. 

" it's time to take me to my friend-

"Claire, we can just go tomorrow. It's getting late and the remaining hours left for apocalypse is minimal-

"all the more reason for us to go after Hero. We'll completely lose him once the entire race of Ghafil showed up Charlie. Don't you understand" I rasped frustratingly. 

"are you sure this really is a good idea?" Charlie asked inconvenient about the fact that we are going for Hero just when the sun is setting. It's a terrible idea but the only one we've got. 

"no, I'm not sure. But we have the lens. So we can easily differentiate them. It's our best shot Claire. It's what we've got till the apocalypse and we need to leave now" I insisted and he sighed. 

"so, you're going to take me to my friend now or I take it out on your little friend next to you" I threatened the female alien who wouldn't stop giving me murderous look. I deserved it though. I mean after everything. I do deserve it. I don't really have much of a choice here. 

"I'm going with you" Tony declared bouncing up to me to as I set up my gears with Charlie and Tanya. 

"no you're not. You have to install the cameras as well as monitor the surveillance-

"Well I can do that for you two. I got a toy from our shopping" he revealed showing me what looked like a plane toy.

"well good for you" I remarked sarcastically. 

"it's a drone. By the the way. I'm done setting up the surveillance and everything is in check and I can help you where you're going. Trust me-

" you can't go Tony. You can't even shoot a g*n-

"Charlie can't shoot too" Tony quipped and I sighed. 

"he's the driver" I defended and Charlie frowned as he helped Tanya with her backpack which I assume was full of bullet and anything for emergency. 

"I can help too. Claire. You have to let me go with you. Please" Tony practically pleaded. I gave an exasperated sigh before deciding to agree. He seem delighted and quickly grab a bag to shove in his stuffs and by the time he was done he looked like he was carrying a gear for paragliding. 

"why bring so much stuffs?, you're only going to be sitting in the car" I reminded but he merely scoffed. 

"this is some sort of undercover mission. And I'll be watching your back. Trust me. You're not gonna regret me coming with you" he grinned. 

"I really pray so" I said rolling my eyes while I fastened by backpack making our way to the hallway where my mom suddenly appeared at the end with a tray of pie in her hand. 

"honey. I was just looking for you. Mrs Evens made a perfect strawberry pie. You guys must be hungry so I brought some for you" my mom grinned passing the tray for everyone to have a share. We picked one each before I pecked my mom and move to the door as murmurs came from the dining room. 

"Claire where are you going?" my mom asked immediately her eyes fell on the pistol I had attached to the gear. 

"we are going to get our friend Hero mom. Don't worry. We'll be okay" I assured and she moved up to give all of us a brief hug. 

"be careful" my mom breathed and I sighed nodding vigorously as we head out in with Tony's van. Tony set up his appliances in the back and I scoffed at his actions of making the little rescue Hero act into a big rescue mission. I moved to the back of the van right before Charlie could start the engine to ask directions from the blindfolded alien which Tony was uncomfortable sitting with. 

"so, where do we head to?" I asked bending towards her as the car rumbles on. 

"he should be in the defenders home. If he was apprehended and charged guilty, he would be facing his punishment in the punishment room awaiting the judgment of the chief upon his arrival-

" so you guys run a secret sect now? "Tony asked in disbelief as he'd been distracted by the alien's answer. 

" it looks like they've been here planning their freaking attack on us. " Tanya added. 

" so where's the place?" I asked ignoring everyone's personal opinion. 

" Troll Building " she hesitantly replied. 

"you've got to be f*****g kidding me" Charlie exclaimed from the wheels while Tanya and Tony stared horrified at the revelation.. 

"that's like the third tallest building in the whole of Missouri located right in the middle Jefferson. It's an official residential office where most politicians meet. Are you you sure of what you've just said?" I asked looking apathetic at her revelation. 

"yes" she simply replied and I exhaled deeply before moving to the front.

"I don't trust this thing Claire. I feel she's lying" Tony stared staring at the woman with absolute disgust. 

"she can't lie. Or we'll kill her friend. We'll only let her and her friend go if we manage to get Hero to back with us. She won't survive either. It's her loss if she lies" I explained and relax back to the seat for Charlie to get us there. Tony was dozing before we got there. 

"yeah right he would do a good job at watching our backs." I jeered sarcastically while I fixed my guns under my jackets ready to move in after we successfully parked in the underground parking lot. 

"so which floor will Hero be in?" I asked the unknown alien who seem pretty drained and frustrated. 

"15 floor. It's where they keep the offender. Your friend should be there" she assured but Tony was awake setting up his toy. 

"why don't we confirm first." He smiled and I nodded glad he finally decided to wake up after some minutes sleep. Tony set up a surveillance drone and move it out of the vehicle letting it fly into the building. He continue to control the drone using the visual control panel which he had attached to his system. We watched the drones every move from the visual system and Tony activated the audio on getting to the 15th floor. We saw several corridors and hallways all closed. 

"I thought this was an official building. Why does it look so much like a hotel" Tony muttered as he Zoom in the room numbers. Placed evident on the doors. I moved back to the alien feeling nervous all of a sudden. 

"which room is he?" I asked trying to calm myself as I was sudden to terrified. 

"23" she muttered and I heard chuckles lightly. I have no idea how he did it but the drone burrowed a hole to the door of room 23. The drone projected a camera into the hole so we can see what's going on in the room. 

"Holy s**t" Tony cursed and I gasped seeing about 15 Ghafils all in their real form writhing in pain. They all lacked the green color and was slowly turning from brown to chocolate. I rushed back to the blindfolded alien in our car and held her by the collar. 

"did you know about this? Did you know what they do to the ghafils there?" I raved angrily at the scared ghafils who was now whimpering at my hold. 

"I don't know. They call it room of punishment. I've never been there but we are always been scared of the place. I don't know" she replied giving out soft whimpers. 

"how do. We found your friend. I can't seem to recognize him among the pile of aliens in that room" Tony informed and I run my hand through my hair extremely frustrated. I studied all the aliens in the room but none looked like Hero. But... 

"zoom in" I instructed and Tony did just that zooming in until my eyes fell on him. It's Hero. It's really is him. He was seating with his back rested on the wall unlike the others who were writhing and whimpering on the floor. Hero seem to be managing his pain just fine. 

"I think that's him" Tony pointed out and I smiled. 

"yes. It is. It is him" I grinned feeling contented. 

"Tanya, you ready?" I asked noticing for the first time her and Charlie had joined us to watch what was on the screen. 

"here. Guys. Here is a air bud and I've connected it so we can talk. With the drone. I'll be able to keep track with your movement" Tony smiled giving Tanya and I two ear bud which we quickly fit into our ear making our way to the elevator. 

"Tony" I called into the ear bud hoping he was connected to us. 

"yeah I can hear you" Tony notified and I sighed. 

"good but right now the elevator isn't allowing for 15th floor" I informed and he paused.

"what about 16" he finally spoke and I pressed on the 16 floor button but it wasn't working. 

"not working-

" and 17?" he further asked. 

" that's working " I informed sounding a little surprise myself. 

" good, go to the 17 floor and take the stairs down to the 15 floor and Bingo " he exclaimed and I scoffed though that was the only choice we had. We did just that but the door leading to the 16th floor was locked and the lock looked like a finger print system. 

" Holy s**t "I heard Tony curse and I wondered why. 

" Tony you okay? "I asked and he coughed. 

" yeah yeah. Look I think they've got security too. They know you are in there. Because right now some security guys with guns are coming up there-

"what?!" Tanya exclaimed in shock. 

"we can't open the door Tony. How do we open the goddamn door" I complained hitting the door with my leg. 

"hold on a second" Tony instructed and groaned loudly. We heard footsteps right from above us. 

"Tony-

" just a sec-

"Tony" I groaned even louder. 

"done" he informed and the door opened. We moved in right before the people or aliens stomping down found us. We saw the drone right in front of the door immediately it was opened but we just walked past it. Well basically because we know Tony was in control of it. 

"I'm about hacking into their security system. They cannot know you're in there" Tony informed but I shrugged leaving him to do the work while looking for the room Hero was. The door was locked too but after five bullets it was left ajar and we merely opened it to see the whimpering aliens. Hero stood immediately he saw me. I gave him a smile and stretch out my hand but instead he moved to me and hug me even though he was basically an alien at the moment. Every other Ghafil in the room was shocked of our action but I didn't mind the look of shock on their faces as I grab Hero's hand and led him out. All the other aliens weakly rush out of the door immediately we moved out. We met a huge alien at the door and he seem to be instructing the ones who just rushed out. 

"he's bargaining. He said if they could us catch us. He was going to give them freedom" Tanya translated while we tried to find another entrance out of the hallway full of Ghafils. Hero whimpered and hissed at Tanya and I could tell he was telling her something since he figured she understood. 

"he said they would not take the bait. He said he already told all of them about their deceptive character" Tanya translated and I smiled watching as all the imprisoned and weak Ghafils bombarded the big one. 

"progress I assume" I scoffed before the elevator dinged open. 

"oh good" . I exclaimed moving into the helicopter with the others. 

"Claire don't take the elevator." Tony half yelled and I swore his information was deafening because it was extremely loud. 

"but why, it's the safest-

" they are waiting for you on the ground floor-

"I doubt they'll recognize us-

" Claire " Tanya called my attention and I noticed the gas leaking into the elevator and when we tried to get out. We couldn't. The elevator was locked. We started to cough except Hero of course. 

" Claire, Claire. Are you okay?" Tony asked from the other line and I coughed in response. 

"gas... They release some sort of gas and I'm starting to feel-" the loud thud of Tanya's body on the floor made my sense blur. I felt myself also hitting the ground in no time. 

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