The next few weeks were the most gruelling and harrowing weeks of my life, my mornings were now filled with brutal training drills instead of relaxing procrastination, the drills were meant to push people to their breaking point both physically and psychologically, extensive fitness exercises meant to built up ones strength and stamina complimented with a healthy diet. It was a struggle but I adapted slowly into the ways of my new family.
During the afternoons we meditate to calm ourselves and balance our chi, you know eastern training techniques, Daniel encouraged us to focus on our inner spiritual energy a balanced flow meant a sharper mind . In the evening we get back at it again, extensive mixed martial art training and fire arm training with a variety of guns, from law enforcement utility to special forces as well as experimental armament.
I nearly fainted the first time I held a gun, such a fickle thing heavy somewhat crude yet powerful, it was strange letting a couple teenagers handle live weapons, dad didn't seem to mind though as we didn't horse around with them and we listened to Harrison.
Dad's unparalleled wealth of knowledge and experience meant we received the highest form of training and education better than any school could offer, we studied philosophy, mathematics, psychology the sciences basic human anatomy and biology including our anomalous biology.
We debated during certain times on select topic. If you wanted books the library was the place to go, it was stocked with the latest encyclopaedia, literary works and tomes you could think off, t dad could recite ancient knowledge if he wanted he was like a walking search engine.
Harrison focused on me mosty pushing me hard than the others, I though he was ruthless at first, as the first time we trained together he gut punched me so hard that I coughed up blood, he didn't even apologize, the guy was an expert hand to hand combatant able to blitz all 3 of us gaining up on him, it was like he could be in 3 places at once.
He explained that he was able to react and move so quickly because of his unlocked potential which managed to do through training apparently, we also had the potential to unlock superhuman abilities as well if we followed our training, my regeneration ability was a special case though so it didn't count.
Daniel explained to us our genealogy why we couldn't fit into normal human society due to our semi primordial features which varied from individual to individual influenced by his eldritch DNA . As such we were more likely to cause trouble, get into fights, have violent psychotic outbursts on small issues if not properly trained , he reiterated that some of us if left unchecked could develop sociopathic and sadistic behaviour becoming really terrible people, the training meant to temper remove the urges so we could be balanced.
I hated sparing day , I wasn't any as good as my siblings , hurting people was completely out of The question for me, I could make an except for Rachel who was really pushing it.
"Come on Zoo wee!!!! show me what you got "she yelled taunting me during our match.
Zoe keep moving and keep low so you don't lose your balance yelled Harrison, he was spotting us assessing each of our strength and weakness.
Rachel was quick f I could barely match up to her speed and ferocity, When ever I retaliated she would easily dodge and follow up with a counter strike.
Over the past few weeks , we had developed a love-hate relationship arguing and getting on each other's nerves from shampoo to the use of hairbrushes and combs frankly I think she is just a straight-up ...
Ouff...
"Told you, point goes to Rachel."
The training mat was now my best friend lying down on it made me feel less shameful.
"Zoe you have to do better I know you have potential but you are holding back ".
Either it was just my imagination or he had in for me, he had been pushing me harder compared to the others its almost as if everything I did wasn't good enough, screw him and Rachel too ... that.
"Come on Zoe get up you can do this baby" chanted Claire from the side-lines.
She was the most likable of all my new siblings she got along with everyone despite them acting all crazy towards her.
Getting back up to face Rachel again was hard I had to mustering all my courage just to face up to her
Come on Daddy's girl show me what you can do....
Am not a daddy's girl
I know she was trying to get in my head but I resented that term, i wasn't a daddy girl, going on the offensives I managed to surprise Rachel with an upper cut, cutting her lip.
"Thats more like it !!, now come on keep try to keep up"
she came at me so mercilessly and fast each punch hit harder than the last then, I tried to move away but everything went black.
Claire "You didn't have to hit her so hard...."
Rodriguez" I think she is awake now...."
Zoe are you okay asked Claire who knelt beside me with a bottle of water in hand.
Arrg...What happened?
You got knocked the fuck out mija....
Rachel was unwrapping her training band aid across from us I could see the smug look on her face as she put away her sparring gear" you know maybe if you whine loud enough the first path might let you go daddy's girl "
Am going to wipe that smirk off your face I yelled lunging at her, Rachel was quick grabbing me by the arm and slamming me head first into locker repeatedly.
" your are weak, undisciplined and a spoiled brat, you won't last a second out there if you lose your head like that Zoo wee"
Rachel stand down ordered Harrison who came into the changing room suddenly Claire and Rodriguez excused themselves with Rachel following suit, I was so angry that punched the locker denting it thinking it was Rachel face.
Harrison: you should try some eastern meditation techniques they help.
She makes me so mad!!!
Hey store it okay you lost, so what?? , it's not the end of the world, it just shows you need work harder than the other guy or girl in this instance.
You don't know what's it like okay you are all use to all of this , am not a fighter, I just want to see my mom ,I slid down and sat pulling my knees closer to my face so Harry wouldn't see me cry.
"Hey get up, come on wipe those tears, you just need a break, I know a cool food place, Claire's been asking me for a fast food outing for days now go change i will wait for you in the drive way."
We drove a couple of miles down the road, I sat in back seat of Harrison's car looking out the window the entire way, Claire stole a few glances my way hoping to get my attention" I like there way you style your hair its really pretty"
Thanks I just braid it so it doesn't get out of control during training
Wow so you are good with a brush I guess, I can't seem to get mine in a neat bun no matter how much I try.
Hey if you want I can style your hair am really good , I used to braid my mom from time to time her hair is like yours . Harrison smiled as he turned into the parking lot of the fast food place, it was located on the entrance way to Blue Bay a small coastal town with a rather sleep New Saxon feel to it.
The fast food place was all but deserted seemingly normal operation procedures in sleepy Blue bay" Claire the rear booth please, claim it while I order"
Sure thing boss man
Claire pulled me along to the back of the restaurant where we had view or the highway." Gives us a vantage point you know encase the first path rolls up we will see them coming".
You guys come here a lot huh ??
"Yep Michael brings me here now and then though dad doesn't really approve , it provides a respite to the depressing sight of the acre walls"
Wait Harrison is Michael
Yup what you thought 120 was his surname or something
"Uh of course not it's just I don't really know anything about you guys you are all so reserved and closed off, I find it hard to fit in with yall"
Claire let out squeaky laugh so cute that it made me blush she was so pleasant to be around, I felt okay to let my guard down around her. " reserved honey have seen the way Rodriguez struts around the house after wash day no modicum of decency at all and dont get me started with Rachel no sense of ownership with her my hair products just vanish"
*laugh* maybe am lucky thier still reserved
"Aha, there she is I knew you had a smile hidden under that frown" mumbled Harry who came with our order setting it down.
Claire was just telling me how brutally annoying the others are
Really what did she say about me
" Michael am telling you right now you are like a robot following order like machine always there like it will be done dad sure thing... aye aye... or ave he even *snort laugh * salutes Dad like he is still in the military" squealed Claire whilst opening her food.
No I don't ....wait ...do I ....???
Yup so dont feel bummed out when you hanging with us we are all crazy....
Tv : it's been 4 weeks since the cafe incident, which saw shoot out in Kings court many witness injured, officials are ruling out a terror attack due to the assailants going after Zoe de blac and a unidentified Nubian Freedonian man, authorities are continuing the investigation which has culminated into interprovincial man hunt.
Harrison and Claire stared at me intently with wide eyes upon seeing the news insert
I didn't kill him honestly, it was the first path guy with the scar on his face, he shot him point blank I couldn't do anything. Claire slumped her shoulders a bit while Harrison shifted awkwardly in his seat upon mention of scar face guy
Harrison: was the scar running across his face and right over his left eye
Yeah like someone wanted to gouge it out, his hideous and bit hard to look at.
Harrison nodded in agreement and remained quite as we ate.
Hey you know all this time right something been bothering me, we are 4 in that house right so why am I not Zoe 124.
Claire became saddened from my question looking down
Harrison: 124 is a bit of sensitive topic right now
Oh sorry I didn't know
Claire: it's alright Harrison you can tell her she has the right to know..
Okay 124 was Horatio he was older than you by a few month dad had brought him to the acre after his mother Agnes was taken into rehab, scar guy orchestrated an attack on the rehab centre abducting Horatio's mom getting news about it from mysterious source, he went alone hoping to rescue his mom, dad was away on primordial business then and had he left me in charge... I denied him permission hoping to get some backup to rescue Agnes.
I ... was to blame spoke. Claire. I helped him escape the acre and we went after scar guy going against Harrison and Dads orders of staying put, it was a trap ...we got overwhelmed by the mercs which scar guy hired, Horatio died defending me and his mom from the mercs buying us enough time for me to escape with Agnes... Scar guy killed him not before Horatio had slashed his half is face with a knife.
Whoa I didn't know that, am sorry .
Don't feel sorry for me kid I went against orders and got my baby brother killed am no better than the first path, it should have been me not him.
Harrison and I caressed Claire making her feel better.
2 weeks later
It has been a whole months couple weeks since my arrival at 120 acres, my short time there I noticed that everyone had an after training routine which they would do to settle in , Claire usually spent hours in the library reading and studying the old tomes whilst Rachel practiced her dance choreography in the lounge.
Rodriguez on the other hand loved cars, he would busy him self tuning up dads older models cars taking them for a spin now and them around the track like it was some sorta speed way or something.
Harrison was a bit of a mystery to me after training he would go of site for hours on end I asked the others about this but neither of them knew where he went when he disappeared like that.
The lull in the activity provided me with the opportunity of going off Acre to see my mother in the hospital, dad had approved my visits granted I was inconspicuous when I was in town and avoid unnecessary attention to my self. Mom was still in the coma she had held out longer than the doctor previously anticipated miraculously her cancer had begun to slow down since my visits started, I just wanted her to be alright she was the only normal thing in my crazy new life.
Mom I know you can't hear me but things have been crazy these past few week I got to know dad a little more, he is a bit reserved and doesn't talk a lot I don't know how you put up with him hmm... Don't get me started on my crazy half siblings you know Harrison right... he is a bit like dad in a way all silent and strong his still a bit of a mystery to me though but I get along with him alright. Then there is Claire she funny and warm I really like her as she reminds me of you, I think you would like her too, she likes books and playing piano she been giving me lessons as well I can play a few simple sheets .
Well that leaves Rodriguez and Rachel, Rodriguez is mischievous and a trouble maker he likes skating and driving around like a maniac, he cares alot for Rachel and Sophie the only two people his know, his generally dismissive of me can't say that I can blame him and then there is the queen bitch her self Rachel she is difficult, I don't know what she expects of me, she picks on me all the time making fun of how I dress I don't what's up with her, she looks at in way that makes feel uncomfortable I don't know.
Oh I got a tattoo by the way its range number 125 I wish you could see it, i know you will get mad but its was dad idea he says the number is sorta like a symbol of unity to each other warning to our enemies sorta like that comic book superhero Galant , oww it also prevents awkward dating mishaps you know since dad really gets around, you never know whose who.
My mom just slept ever motionless with tubes and pipes connected to her it was hard seeing her like that all helpless but I felt hope seeing her though once every 2 days, I gave her a kiss on the forehead adjusting her pillow making sure she was comfortable, I was attending to her blanket when a strange looking man walked in, he wore a black snazzy suit with a blue bow tie, he had a stylish hairstyle real swath like.
"Well this is a bit of pickle ain't it" he in a thick Gallic accent
Ahhhh Who are you?
" oh don't act all for formal, its your old Uncle Hopper, look at all grown up it was just yesterday when you were a were wee tot clinging to your mother shyly, now look at yah a proper young woman.
I think you got the wrong room sir, am going to ask you or I will call security.
" oh it's the proper room alright let me consult my navigator watch yep the strings of time are converging here "
This man was really freaking me out he acted as if we met before who was he I don't remember him but something about him seemed odd, almost unnatural I felt uneasy standing next to him.
Can you please leave before I force you out !!!
"cupcake your papa sent me"
You...you..know my father
"Yeah he asked me to take care of your mama during the crisis "
Crisis what crisis what are you talking about ???
"You might wana answer that call could be important ???
answer what.....
Ring went my phone almost on queue its was Harrison
Hello...
"Zoe oh gosh you alright bzzzz... The first path.... attack.... bzzzz don't come back to the acres.."
Hello ...Harrison. Harrison....
The call cut off suddenly...When I looked up both my mom and the mysterious man had disappeared, the entire bed and the machines she was hooked up too just vanished without a trace, I was about to go call for help when two nurses walked in, they glanced at me then at the empty space where the bed was.
Look I can explain there was this weird man he was acting all crazy I got distracted looked away and ..and.. I think he kidnapped my mom .. he took her and we need to find him..
The nurses didn't pay me any mind as one of them simply closed the door and secured the latch.
It dawned on me, these went the nurses I greeted at the counter, heck they went nurses all from the markings tattoos about them, First path operatives.
"You are coming with us Zoe "
stay away .!!
The lead nurse pulled out a syringe filled with a green fluid "I wasn't asking"
My battle sense kicked in when he lounged I floored him quickly . The second nurse tackled me from behind and we fell over the bed where he gave me a gut punch that knocked the air out my lungs.
"You think you tough little girl I've killed far stronger people " he gloated whilst choking me, I was overpowered and overwhelmed by the man strength his grip straining my neck, my eyesight became blurry as my air passage closed off I was blacking out.
" go to sleep little lamb"
My cell phone rang a second time distracting the nurse giving me enough time to break his hold and retaliate with a throat jab, the nurse held his neck which allowed me to push him off me, I lept over the bed tackling his comrade knocking him off his feet.
Scrambling for the door pulled the latch aside and escaping into the corridor screaming for help, there was no one in sight, it was like the entire hospital was deserted, I could hear the goons footsteps echoing behind me, there were in pursuit. ducking into a storage room I hid and waited for them to pass, the duo ran past " The boss isn't going to be happy about this "
"Shut up and look she can't have gone far"
The cell phone rang again and this time it was to their advantage
"She is in there, the little fucker !!!!
" come on out of there you little brat there is no use hiding !!! "
Harrison's teachings kicked in "use your surroundings to your advantage " my surroundings was storage room filled with buckets, mops, and brooms
Okay am coming out now
"No tricks or you are dead "
When the storage door opened I throw a bucket hitting the nurse square in the face then bonging the other one on the head with a mop breaking the handle in the process knocking him out cold. I grabbed the syringe stabbing the dazed nurses making sure they didn't get up this time.
Scrolling through the phone I redialled my brother number
"Zoe where are you yelled Harrison on the other end"
At the hospital, there was a bit of network trouble...
" 120 acres is compromised meet us at the dinner....Rodriguez take cover" bzzzz "
Is everyone alright hello harry dammit?
I sprinted down stairs to the lobby half expecting to find the gentleman who took mom, it empty just like the above floor like everyone in the hospital had disappeared including the staffs and the patients as well, I hurried to the parking lot getting into the mini coupe . I was in 3rd gear by the time I exited the parking lot heading towards the dinner, my thoughts were occupied with what transpired at the hospital who was that man and how did he know dad and my mother was she still alive.
I narrowly missed a few pedestrians as I ran a red light threading through light traffic with the agility of high-speed racer. Arriving at the dinner in no time, I found everyone standing outside looking all agitated and scared.
Harrison was the first to approach he had a cut above his right eye which bled profusely.
Are you okay???..
"Am fine Zoe its just a scrape"
Everyone was accounted for except for Claire and dad.
Where is Claire....????
Harrison shook his head as my phone rang...
Phone: private number
" Hello miss de blanc" spoke a grave husky voice
Who is this
" Someone wants to say hello"
help !!!!! screamed the familiar voice on the other end
If you touch her...
" Turn yourself in and we will let her go "
I don't trust you
" you don't have a choice. My dear ." ....
Harrison: Zoe who was it
Zoe ...???
It was the First Path they have Claire...
Declassified information
Hopper "The Time Jumper"
Nature: benevolent
Gender: male aspect
Anomaly #003
Threat Index: Triple Omega level
Hopper time personified he manages the timeline so the world doesn't go off a specified course, everything he does is according to a set plan which preserves the balance he has control over the space-time continuum appearing when the timeline shifts and requires revision.