A GIFT OF TIME

Episode 26

Okay I was numb and awe-struck by Nicholas sudden act. Like real, he just kissed me and I tensed. He pulled away looking into my eyes while softly caressing my cheek with his thumb as I stared at him horrified. 

"I knew you still love me. You love me Claire. How fate plays it's roles. I started liking you the moment you walk inside that restaurant to convince me and Brian. I thought it was impossible because I love my girlfriend. But, I couldn't help it Claire. And when you told me we used to share something special in the future. I didn't know how to make of it because I started dreaming of that special. I thought you love Danny so much that it's killing me. I'm so glad you still have a space for me" Nicholas smiled still caressing me but I was numb unable to talk. I couldn't place a finger why but I was dumbfounded. After much staring I was able to found my voice. 

"I love my boyfriend Nicholas-

" and you love me-

"Nicholas-

" why didn't you pull away?, why didn't you push me?, you have me in there somewhere " he stated looking at me. Of course I have him in there. He occupied every space. It's really stupid because letting him kiss me is cheating. Extremely silly to realize I was cheating on Nick with Nick. I exhaled and moved away from Nicholas. 

" I was too shocked okay, but it meant nothing. Please Nick. Do not try that with me again" I warned my eyes fierce as I glared at him before turning to go and for Danny to appear at the entrance to the living room. 

"I was wondering what took you so long?, was just worried" Danny defended and I nodded. 

"it's okay, just a little conversation with Nick. I'm good now" despite my claim Danny still shot Nick a haughty look that clearly reads 'back off' I was glad he came later. He would have beaten himself to a pulp. 

"Hey guys" I greeted moving into the living room to stop the murmuring. 

"what took you so long?" my brother complained checking out some papers with Tanya by his side. 

"sorry" I muttered giving all them an apologetic look before moving to sit down on the semi circle sectional sofa in front of the TV. Others join in so that we are all packed on the sofa. 

"about the drill-

" yeah, we'd like to know about that. I can't believe what Tanya told me yet. " Nicholas intervened making me frown. Why was he talking? And why the f**k was I getting affected. I looked over to Danny who was busy studying my reaction to Nicholas intervention. I masked it well though. 

" Um kids. I've cracked it " Mr Anderson came strolling in wearing a lab coat, a huge glass and carrying a test tube in his hands. Oh right. Another scientist experiment is it?, I thought and sighed waiting for him to start. 

"Ozone isn't only the most dangerous thing to these aliens, there's something far more dangerous than ozone or oxygen. It's dust. They react 75% faster to dust than human asthmatic patients." Brent declaration kinda triggered a memory. It was Hero reacting to dust inside the old store room beneath my room which led to the kitchen. 

" I think I can relate to that " I acknowledged and Brent nodded. 

" that is the reason why they want to destroy the center of the earth. Or the place known as center of the earth. In 1973, Andrew J. Woods, a physicist with Gulf Energy and Environmental Systems in San Diego, California, used a digital global map and calculated the coordinates on a mainframe system as 39°00′N 34°00′E, in modern-day Turkey, near the district of Kırşehir, Kırşehir Province, approx. 1,800 km north of Giza. In 2003, a refined result was yielded by Holger Isenberg: 40°52′N 34°34′E, also in Turkey, near the district of İskilip, Çorum Province, approximately 200 km northeast of Ankara. In 2016, Google Maps marked Isenberg's result of 40°52′N 34°34′E as the geographical center of Earth. In 1864, Charles Piazzi Smyth, Astronomer Royal for Scotland, gave in his book Our Inheritance in the Great Pyramid the coordinates with 30°00′N 31°00′E, the location of the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. The Great Pyramid of Giza, also known as the Pyramid of Khufu or the Pyramid of Cheops is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza pyramid complex bordering present-day Giza in Greater Cairo, Egypt. It is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only one to remain largely intact.

The great pyramid of Giza is located at the edge of the Sahara desert-

"could you make those any simpler?" Brian frowned sounding pretty confused. 

"done a lot of research on my own. It's pretty much all I can get. But all you have to know is. The desert is what they fear the most. I tried testing it with their blood cells. Pack some of home dust for the test and I figured it practically extract the fluid in their blood. Leaving crystals of Nitrogen and some other minerals. It's extremely bad for them. While men slowly dehydrate in the desert. They lose fluid faster and become nothing more than a dry meat. It's like placing an earthworm in common salt-

"good example. I've done that before" Brian grinned and we all shot him a gate for intervening second time in a row.

"so we got what's bad for them now. Good because we need to stop them from moving the drill. We have to stop it while it's still here because there's no way we can go to Egypt to stop it once it moved. So you guys get ready. We are moving out but before that. Danny have you managed to develop smaller repulser to be placed in the car. 

"we are still working on it" Danny replied, 

"sorry" he added ruefully and I sighed. 

"Tony you think you can track the thing for us. We need to know if the item is exactly where it is before we move. We need to know it's exact location, How it's being moved and how many are guarding it. We could be ambushed if we had less information." I point out and they all nodded looking thoughtful about it. 

" until then Nicole, Hailey. You need to start learning how to shoot-

"what!?" both Nicholas yelled and I quirked by brows at them in question. 

"well it's a good thing they are not really doing anything-

" we help Mrs Evens prepare meals for everyone " Hailey protested cutting Danny short. 

" yeah" Nicole assented and I shot the two a glare. Nicole whined at the look staring at her brother for help. 

" he won't help you because you need self defense Nicole. Tanya would be in charge of our training. I could use some self defense skills myself" I resolved turning to Tanya who had a surprised look on her face. 

"I'm.. Not... Really... A... Good teacher" she stuttered probably from happiness because she was definitely beaming. I found myself wondering if by chance she had been waiting for this opportunity. 

"I believe you are. I'll ask mom if there's an empty room for self defense classes. I think we all need it now. More is coming and the best you can do is defend yourself. No one will be able to defend you because they'll also be busy defending themselves. That's the logic now" I stated firmly and from their expression I could tell they were musing on that. 

"Claire. It's hard to use the satellite with the total black out" Danny complained as I stood ready to leave the sitting room. I noticed that moment he had a mini computer on his lap and he had braided his hair. Looking more Like the Tony I know. 

"I trust you can find how somehow." I smiled about to head out for good but was stopped by the appearance of Simon and Nathaniel. They had what looks like a machine g*n with two shooters.

"Dad you finally completed it!" Brian exclaimed excitedly moving to his dad to rub his hands around the object as if examining it. 

"guys, I present to you... The Aimee, from the word aim. When we came and Brent told me about the lens. I had an idea. So I thought we need to to built a security system around the house if we want to make it a safe house. After getting a lens sample I studied it and was able to get the prototype. So with the same design I built a small camera and with Nathaniel's help built the g*n. We inserted the lens camera into the g*n. So this g*n can pick aliens. We have programmed it to shoot only those that appear green" Simon grinned. 

"wow" Tanya and Tony exclaimed at the same time. 

"are you sure of this? Has it been tested yet?" I asked studying the two older man for a while. 

"we haven't carry out a live test yet but we believe it'll work" Simon firmly assured. And I smirked. 

"we might have just the right rat for that. Bring out Lucio will you?" I turned to Charlie who shared the crazy devilish smile with me. We all moved out to the garden and tied Lucio to one of the decorative trees. 

"no, you can not do this to me. I'm too valuable for both the Chief and the prince. They won't let me die" Lucio screamed as Charlie and Danny tied him to the tree while we moved back behind the table where Aimee was. Simon moved to the table and activate the machine. Everyone in the penthouse which was now safe house to us was out to make a spectacle out of Lucio with the experiment. Actually we aren't really killing Lucio like everyone else thought. What we were using as experiment was plastic bullets which we had bought in huge quantities for training. It might stung him but it won't pierce him. It was fun watching him fret. Like guns clicking Aimee clicked on picking Lucio, it blinked red on the little signal light attached to it head before it start to shoot. I admit I was shocked when the machine rained plastic bullets on screaming Lucio until it was out of it. Simon gave his friend a high five after the test was complete. 

"that's a good one Mr Stewart, Mr Robinson I must say I'm quite impressed" my mom smiled at the older man. 

"we were only trying to contribute something to the kids. I mean they've done a lot and like Claire said we need to keep it together" Mr Stewart returned the smile warmly. 

"that's really impressive Mr Stewart but could you stop calling us kids?" I politely asked and the grown ups chuckle at my request. Like seriously I'm 22. What's wrong with these people?. 

"Um, Mr Stewart? " I called suddenly getting struck by an idea. 

"these is a great security system you've developed but can you develop real guns. Like this?. It doesn't have to have the cam or the lens. But something like this a g*n and Dad" I tuned to my dad. 

"you and Brent. Could you make the dust and ozone into something like a small tube that'll fit into the guns as bullets" I beamed at my idea though the grown ups looked quite confused. I ran inside get a plain sheet and a pencil and I ran out to build a g*n. I've seen guns so I likely used my memory of it just changing few things. 

"I think I get what you mean. That's so intelligent" Mr Robinson commented and I nodded. 

"we'll work on it" Brent assured with a smile. 

"also Mr Stewart. You could make more adjustments on Aimee. Hitting the target five times a time is enough. If it chooses to drain its bullets on a target. It'll be incapable of handling more than one alien intruders" I advised and he mused. 

"that's a good suggestion Claire. we'll work on that too " Mr Stewart assured carrying little Aimee and moving into the house with the rest of the grown ups. I knew this was some sort of adventure for them. It was something new that most of them are enjoying it. There was no trying to arrive early for work, there was no waiting for monthly payment. This is it. Free will that have craved for. Surviving together. I looked around me to see people sitting around walking on one thing or another. I sighed contented because I was close. I knew I couldn't do it alone. With more willingness to help, I was getting closer to stopping the Ghafils from claiming our world. It is our world and we will fight for it. I sighed crossing a date out of the calendar on the wall. It was my 20 days countdown to the second wave. The worst of all the waves. I thought before moving into the bathroom to perform my bathroom duties.

 Except from me, everyone shared a room. Just like camp. Hailey was paired with Nicole, but Tanya also shared the room with two of them. Nicholas and Brian was sharing. then Tony and Danny. No one was really convenient with Hero so the storeroom was cleared for him. Hero learned everyday and help everyone. Even if he was an alien. He was doing his best to help out. But he loved staying in the lab with my parents and Brent where he learnt new stuffs about himself everyday. I draw the plan for stopping the drill at night. 

Mrs Stewart suggested we keep the lights out at night so we wouldn't draw unwanted attention to ourselves so. I was using the battery consumer flashlight to draw my plans. And every nights the parents go round checking if we were in bed. I was glad though. Mrs Evens was in charge of the meals. She was a chef so it was easy. With the help of the girls which apparently include me we made food for everyone. Mom and Mrs. Stewart always help out too. After dinner I went straight to bed and I was slowly falling asleep when I felt someone beside me. I pray it's Danny. I thought as my heart raced because I was scared, scared to even open my eyes. I didn't want to open it because I was scared it might be Nicholas. A familiar warm hand caress my cheek and my eyes flustered open on their will. Danny smiled at me and I sighed in relief. I was going through enough battle already. I didn't want to fuel it by clashing the two Nicholas. I wonder how Danny Nick will feel if he found out about the kiss. 

"you look tired" he observed stroking my hair dotingly. 

"yeah I am. How did you manage to avoid the parent security. I mean they always manage to keep everyone in their room" I chuckled softly and he smiled. 

" moved out after they've checked on us. So I waited until your room was checked as well. Just moved in after that" he revealed and I snickered. His gaze was a little intense and I could tell what he wanted. He had that doting and admiring look in his eyes and it's make my inside clenched. Thinking about it, I was still a virgin at 20, but not at 22. The thought earn a laugh from me slightly taking Danny by surprise. 

"what is it?"Danny asked and I shook my head moving into his arms. You snuck into my room last night too?" I asked facing his hard chest unable to meet his intense gaze that was apparently stripping me. 

"kinda" he snickered and I giggled. He knew I was avoiding his gaze so he lifted my chin to let my eyes meet his. We might be a couple but I wasn't sure I could give him what he wants especially when he was inside Danny's body. Danny took my lips in his before he slowly invaded my mouth. He slipped his palm into my top caressing my stomach. His warm hands made my inside clench in excitement. Okay, I wanted him. I acknowledged that but there was just too much on my mind. Too much to think about, too much to plan, too much distractions. His hand playing on my waist moved me closer to press on his hardness. Good lord Danny what are you doing to me? I thought as I let out a moan while his mouth moved down to the crook of my neck to do wonders to my brain. I was getting soaked at his teasing. He slowly lifted up my top moving down to trail kisses on my stomach. I moaned moving my hand to his hair pulling him to kiss me again. For two dead person we were doing an incredible job at gaining pleasure. He moved my top over my head to expose my upper body to him. He had just snapped open my jeans button and zip it down to expose my silky panties to him when the door to my room opened up. 

"f**k!" I cursed immediately turning my back to him and whoever was at the door. 

"hey man. Couldn't sleep. Was hoping if we could continue working on the smaller repulser" that was definitely Nicholas voice. Like what the f**k does the guy want. 

"o..okay. Sure do you mind giving me some seconds" he implored looking quite taken aback by Nicholas sudden presence. I was starting to wonder out how he knew he was here myself. 

"Nah, I'll be waiting" I could tell he was smiling at Danny. A fake one to be precise. Such a dickhead I thought frowning. For some kind of reason I knew he came on purpose. It made me sneer against the sheet. 

"I don't remember myself being hardworking and persistent. But it's good thing" Danny guessed pressing against me while he whispered to my ears. 

"yeah right" I smiled masking the sarcasm in my voice by turning to give him a another kiss before he decided to make use of the door. I met Nicholas's gaze as the door closes and he f*****g winked at me.

 'Asshole' I muttered as the door finally closed. I exhaled deeply suddenly feeling lonely at the lose of contact or lost touch. I pulled the covers to drape my exposed body. Took me a very long time before I fell asleep again. I woke up to the ringing of a bell and an announcement that states 'breakfast ready' who the hell came up with that. I groaned getting out of bed to the large dining room which food had filled. The parents where at a side while the kids where at the other. I have a feeling this was my mom's idea. Making a big deal out of everything. No matter how much Simon ordered for silence there was still chatters which was mostly from Nicole and Hailey. I scoffed and concluded my breakfast with a cup of coffee. My mom stood carrying a some notes in her hands which had on it a list. She cleared her throat and started. 

"Hailey and Nicole will do the dishes. Tanya, Charlie and Brian will clean the house. Claire and Danny, will clear the gardens. Tony and Nicholas will feed the prisoners" my mom paused looking at our horrified gazes. Actually I was more shocked at what she referred Lucio and the other alien dude we were yet to go and drop for his mate. Tony and Nicholas were the only one smiling until mom dropped the shocker. 

"and also the Clinics. Hero is in charge of cleaning the laboratories" their face paled at that but Hero was beaming nevertheless. Good for the alien. 

"that'll be your morning chores. And for afternoon. Before lunch. Claire, Charlie, Brian and Hailey are expected to buy groceries and supplies. While Nicholas, Danny will work on whatever it is you're building. I'll think of where to fit the rest" my mom grinned and everyone except the parents groan. 

"now kids set to work." Mrs Stewart added. Why does mothers have to be so dramatic. But trust me my mom, Mrs Stewart and Mrs Evens ensured we did our chores before we decided to plan for the drillers and we were planning at the table during lunch when my mom gave me the list of supplies to get. Knowing Charlie was the driver, no offense it was what he was good at. I made my way to his room to get the second shocker for the day. 

"Get out Claire!" Charlie spat as he tried to cover Tanya under him from my view. Oh God I'm gonna faint. 

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