Chapter 42 The Accident Recall

Chapter 42 The Accident Recall
The helicopter was flying through the mountain air. It was carrying the family to a place. Iris was sitting between Lucien and the kids in the back. She had her arms around as many of them as she could. There were nine kids left. Elias, Lila, Noah, Hope, Aurora, Dawn and the three newborns. They were all scared and pressed against her.

Lucien had his arm around her shoulders. He was holding her tight. His other hand was on Eliass head. Lucien was very tired and angry. He had stitches on his side. It hurt him when he breathed. There was blood on his shirt. He had not talked since they took off in the helicopter.. He kept looking at the kids to make sure they were all right.

The pilot talked to them on the radio. "We will be at the place in forty minutes. Adams team is waiting for us. Nobody is following us."

Iris closed her eyes. Smelled the kids. They smelled like sweat and baby powder. Lila was. Talking about a cold lady. Noah was moving around. The newborns were crying in their carrier. Iris felt sad because they lost one of their kids.

Lucien leaned in. Whispered to her. "We will get Theo back. We will do whatever it takes."

Iris turned to him. Smelled his sweat and blood. "I know.. What if we cannot? What if one of them is gone forever?"

The question was hard for them to think about. They were scared of losing their kids. Lucien put his hand on her stomach. They had made love earlier. It felt good.. Now it felt like it was the only good thing left.

The kids were having dreams. Hope sat up. Her eyes were glowing. "They are all dreaming the thing. The accident. The real one."

The kids started to cry. Elias looked at his parents with eyes. "I remember now. The bad lady cut Mommy open. Took us out."

Iris felt sick. She remembered what happened. Luciens face turned white. "I failed you all. From the beginning."

Iris held his hand. "We both did.. We are here now. We are fighting for them."

The helicopter turned sharply. Adam talked to them on the radio. "We have company. Two jets are following us. They want the kids alive."

The pilot. Flew lower. The kids were scared. Iris held them tight. Sang a lullaby. Lucien went to the back of the helicopter. Shot at the jets. The helicopter was shaking.

Then something else happened. Grace, one of the kids held her head. "The original template is awake inside me. She says there is another kid. A boy. He is in a facility in Iceland. He is the key to everything."

Iris felt like laughing. She did not. Lucien was angry. Hit the wall. The kids were crying.

The helicopter landed on a lake. Victor talked to them on the radio. "You are running out of time. The shared dreams are the bridge. At midnight the kids will go to the transfer chambers willingly. Unless you give me the master key."

The family got out of the helicopter and into snowcats. They went to the place, a bunker in the mountain. The kids were cold and scared.

Inside the bunker the family was together. The kids were. Cleaned. Iris and Lucien kissed each other. Held the kids. They were all tired and scared.

Lucien and Iris went to their room. They locked the door. Kissed each other. Lucien lifted her up. They made love against the door. They were desperate. Needed each other.

Afterward they sat on the floor. Lucien touched the scar on her wrist. "I remember the accident now. I held you in the wreckage. You whispered my name before they took you."

Iris kissed him. "Then we take them back. All of them."

Then an alarm went off. One of the newborns Lily was glowing and convulsing. Victor talked to them on the radio. "The youngest are the vulnerable. Midnight is coming. Choose which kid you save first."

Iris and Lucien were crying. They did not know what to do. Grace said she could stop it. It would require a blood sacrifice from one of the parents.

Lucien said he would do it.. Iris said they would do it together. They gave their blood. Mixed it with the master key. They gave it to the newborns. They stopped convulsing.

Lucien was hurt. He lost much blood. Iris held him. Cried. The kids were crying too.

Then they got a message, from Theo. "Mommy. Daddy. I am still here. Fight for me. I love you."

The screen went dark. Iris made a vow. They would get Theo back. They would destroy The Continuum.