Escaping the Cradle

by Karen Page

Part 23

---

Part 23
DATE:FC+71

As Becky lay in her bed, she thought about what today would bring. Eos was scheduled to take the Prime Minister and some international diplomats to the alien space station. She'd planned on going along, hoping to get to see one of the alien doctors, but that was now out of the question. Jenny needed her close. At least things should be calmer than the previous evening. The police were gone, after questioning everyone in detail, and then Laura went, leaving them all to sleep.

Popping her head around Jenny's door, she saw her daughter was sat up, looking nervous.

"Hey," said Becky to her daughter.

"I'm not feeling too good," said Jenny.

"Oh? What's wrong?"

"My stomach is aching."

Becky came in and sat at the edge of Jenny's bed. She gently pushed back Jenny's fringe and felt her forehead with the back of her hand.

"Am I unwell?" asked Jenny.

"I hope not. You were checked over quite thoroughly yesterday by the paramedics, and then last night by the doctor Miss T flew in."

"Oh."

"Tell me about this aching in your stomach. Is it a sharp stabbing pain?"

"No."

"Mmm. Okay. Stay sat up. I'll be back in a minute."

Becky returned carrying a small black bag. "Let's do some quick checks. Just to be sure."

Temperature, blood oxygen saturation, blood pressure and even her heart rate. They looked at the readings together, and Jenny carefully registered the results in her 'stats' book. It was a good record of her benchmarks, so she could always see if something was off. This was something her Mummy had started, and Jenny had continued.

"So, what does this tell us about your situation?" asked Becky. A learning experience for Jenny.

"I have a slightly elevated pulse, and my blood pressure is up a touch, but nothing much different from normal."

"Okay, get up and dressed. We can discuss over breakfast. Be quiet though, I don't think Mum is awake yet."

"Mum stayed the night?" squealed Jenny in excitement.

"Yes. She wanted to stay close. She's asleep on the settee downstairs."

"That wasn't very nice of you," said Jenny indignantly. "Making her sleep downstairs like that."

"I'm not ready."

"We have a spare bedroom."

"I offered, but she said no. I'm not sure why, but it was late, so I just went with what she asked."

Like a shot, Jenny was out of bed. Becky just plodded back to her room and went into her shower. Showering, she'd found, was a great time to think about things. She suspected what was up with Jenny but had no idea the right course of action. When she checked her phone, she had a message. At first, she was upset, but as she read on, she realised what was being offered. She sent details of the test needed to Ashleigh, hoping it wouldn't wake her.

The smell of toast filtered up the stairs. Ashleigh was up and sorting out breakfast, which spurred them into action. Jenny, who was normally so full of energy for the day just picked at it. Hardly touching the cereal and just staring as if nothing were in front of her.

Ashleigh mentally braced herself. She didn't like to do what she was going to do, but they needed to know how Jenny was. "Ooh, gunman," shouted out Ashleigh, her voice filled with fake fear.

Jenny screamed and dropped onto the floor, curling up into a protective ball.

Becky was next to her in an instant, stroking her back. "There's no gunman. You're safe in the kitchen," she said reassuringly. She repeated it, and as Jenny calmed down a bit, said, "Mum was just confirming your issue. There is no gunman."

Jenny didn't say anything for a bit but just wept. Becky didn't leave her side and continued to gently stroke her back, murmuring words of comfort. Ashleigh worried that she'd gone too far, was nervous of Jenny's reaction, but joined Becky kneeling on the floor.

"I'm sorry I frightened you," said Ashleigh full of remorse.

"It proved what was wrong, didn't it," sniffled Jenny, calming down.

"You and Kelly might have been the ones taken, but the rest of the school was impacted too, " said Becky. "They had guns pointed at them, and they also feared for their lives. So, the school has people coming in to help.

"A special assembly?" asked Jenny, setting up and rolling her eyes a bit.

"Probably," agreed Becky, trying not to smirk.

School assemblies were where the whole school got together for prayer, singing and a way for the staff to impart information to the entire school at once. They happened on a weekly basis. Jenny thought they were a waste, when she could be in lessons learning. Special ones were where a specific topic was covered.

"You make it seem so appealing. If I've had breakfast, I won't be going to school early for breakfast club."

"No, there is no breakfast club today," said Becky. "But there is something else. Sam knew someone who had trouble with a gun being pointed at them. They were a bit older than you but still had issues. Anyway, they are in America and stayed up late to talk with you. If you go to your bedroom, you should have an invite in your email."

"Ma," she whined.

"None of that. The first stage of any recovery is to recognise there is an issue. Mummy told us both that many times. Look, go talk with them. If they help, great. If not, nothing has been lost, and we find someone who can help. I'll come up with you, but they probably won't want me staying."

"Why?"

"Because you might want to say things you know I won't like. This is for you to vent and get help. I'll be getting help too, from someone else, so I know how to help you."

Becky trotted behind her daughter as she went to her room. Jenny didn't say anything, but she didn't rush around like she normally did. The email was waiting for her, and she went into the meeting. The person she was going to chat with was waiting patiently for her.

She was a kind looking woman, who looked like she was in her sixties. She had grey hair, and a kind look. She smiled when she saw them both.

"Hello. Let me introduce myself. I'm Edith Covington. I take it you are Jenny, and this is your Ma?"

"Hi," said Jenny tentatively.

"And this is where I disappear. I'll be downstairs if you need me, Jenny."

"Excellent, thank you Becky."

Edith noticed Jenny was tense, so as Becky closed the door, Edith decided a bit of an ice breaker was needed. "So, you're Jenny. You're a popular woman. Did you know I had four different people contact me about talking with you?"

"Four?"

"A few things first. Everything you say is confidential. I will be letting your Ma and Mum know how we are getting on, but not what you say."

"And if you think I'm a danger to myself, please will you tell them too?"

"That's a great request. It shows you care about yourself. It also tells me you are very unsure about what happened. Just so you know how much you can tell me. People who told me to contact you in order I was asked. Sam Hood, my daughter, Stacy Haynes, and Rachel Ruiz."

"Dr Ruiz worked with my Mummy. Did you work with her? "

"I worked at a school similar to the one your mummy worked at, but in America. I'm retired now, but when I get that many pleas for help, who am I to refuse."

"Do I know your daughter?"

"Not personally, though she knows of you. I'm told the group she works for is called Overwatch."

Jenny shook her head, having never heard of that group.

"Don't worry. I've no idea what she does, just she does it well. You know Stacy though, don't you?"

"Yes. I met her and Mr Haynes, with Mr and Mrs Grant."

"Many years ago, someone tried to shoot David and Stacy. They got scared too and I helped them get past it. Anyway, we're not here to talk about them. We're here to talk about what happened and more importantly what you're going to do about it. Before we start, you seem quite a smart thing. I'm going to ask a quiz question. A teaser. It helps me know how to pitch this talk. You ready?"

"Sure," she said doubtfully.

"An American built aeroplane is being flown by a British company from France to Brazil, but it crashes on the border of Spain and Portugal. Where do they bury the survivors?"

"That's silly. They don't bury survivors."

"They don't bury survivors," repeated Edith, and paused to let that sink in. "I think this conversation will go better if you call me Edith, rather than Mrs Covington. It's far too much of a mouthful. And I think it will be a barrier. Just for these talks. Are you okay with that?"

"Yes."

"Yes, what?"

"Yes, Edith."

"Great. Now where to start. You've had so much happen. Not just yesterday, but before. I'd like to ask one thing. You and your family went into hiding when someone tried to attack in January, but reports were that you didn't panic. Afterwards, you weren't frightened. What was different yesterday?"

"I thought you would have asked me to retell it."

"I'm sure I will, but not yet. We need other things first. Did you panic yesterday?"

"I don't think so. I don't think Kelly did either. She kept calm enough to kick one of the kidnappers in the balls. He used some very naughty words."

"Yes, it hurts being kicked there. She did well to remember to do it. So, what was different about yesterday than in January."

She thought about it, and said, "The baddies. Well, the people who tried to hurt us are still around. In January, the building killed them all."

"The building killed the people that were sent. It didn't kill the people behind it. Yet nobody came for you when you got back. What's made you so scared that you will be attacked again?"

"He didn't know which of us was Jenny. As we drove down the A38, he said that when they get caught, his friends would get me. His friends wouldn't kill us, but our friends and family slowly. They would make us both watch."

"Did you tell this to the police?" asked Edith.

"No. I tried to forget it."

"I'm sure you did, but you can't stop thinking about it, can you?"

"No. And Kelly texted me. She had nightmares. It's my fault."

Edith gave a sad smile. How many times had she heard children use that same logic. "She decided to pretend to be Jenny. Not you. She made that choice."

"I know, but if we weren't friends, then she wouldn't have done it."

"And what would you have done if she was being kidnapped? Would you have done the same?"

She shrugged. "I dunno."

"Are you responsible for her actions? Did you tell her to come with you?"

"No."

"She has freedom to make her own choices. Just like you do. She chose to stick with you. I think that is a really good friend."

Jenny smiled.

"Is Kelly getting her own help?"

"She said someone from her dad's company was going to sit with her, though I don't know where that is. She doesn't talk about her dad's job. Ever."

"I bet you didn't tell her about your ma's job."

"Of course not. Ma was working on a secret project."

"Now we need to deal with what the kidnapper told you. Do you have the phone number of the police lady who rescued you from the car?"

"Yes. She made sure I had her card, just in case I remembered something."

"Good. Now go get your ma and bring her up to your room. You can ring her with all of us together with her on speaker phone. I want to make sure she gets the message."

"You think it's important?" asked Jenny, not understanding what bit was important.

"Yes. Now go get your ma."

Jenny didn't go far. She opened her bedroom door and hollered really loudly, "Ma, can you come up."

When Becky arrived, she was surprised to still see Edith there. "Your daughter has to make a call to the police," said Edith. "The kidnapper said something, and I think it's important she tells them. I've asked her to put it on speakerphone so we can all hear."

Jenny pulled out her phone and dialled the number she'd been given. She was surprised when it was answered quite quickly. "Hi. It's Jenny, isn't it?"

Edith frowned. And large text appeared on the screen "Just thank her and hang up."

Jenny saw the message and nodded. "Yes. I found your card and wanted to say thank you. You were very kind."

Becky wanted to grab the phone and just hang up but stopped when the lady asked. "Are you okay? Are you able to go back to school today?"

"I'm frightened of going back," said Jenny, being unintentionally honest.

"Yes. Well, if you remember anything, you have my number."

When Jenny had hung up, Becky said angrily. "That didn't sound like the same person I heard last night."

"Be a darling and put that number into the chat," said Edith. "I think my daughter would love to have it."

"Your daughter?" asked Becky surprised.

"She mentioned her earlier," said Jenny. "She said Overwatch."

"If your daughter works in Overwatch, then please pass my eternal gratitude."

Edith grinned. "Oh, seems they have a reputation. I will do. Becky, do you have a contact from yesterday?"

Becky went through her items and rang. "DI Johnson," was the gruff answer.

Edith nodded. This was the type of response she'd expected.

"This is Becky Head from yesterday."

"Becky. Yes. What can I do for you? Have you remembered something additional?"

"Not me, but Jenny has. We're on speaker. When she's told you, there is one other development."

"Jenny," he said, a lot gentler than his original tone.

"One of the kidnappers said something. I was talking to a psychiatrist, and they said I should ring you. One of the kidnappers. Not the driver one, said 'When they get caught, his friends would get me. His friends wouldn't kill us, but our friends and family slowly. They would make us both watch'."

"Thank you. It is great your remembered this. Did he say anything else?"

"No, but the driver muttered some things that made no sense. Something about going a certain way because of ARPN. No, not that. Sorry."

"ANPR?" asked Becky.

"YES!" almost screamed Jenny in delight. "That was it. ANPR. What's that?"

"That's the number plate cameras," said Becky, proud of what her daughter had remembered.

"Now, you said there was something else?" asked DI Johnson, bringing them back on topic.

"Yes. I was given a card by the policewoman who rescued me. I rang the number on the card to tell her, but when she answered it didn't sound right. I don't think she was a policewoman. She seemed more interested if I was going back to school."

"Do you have the number that you dialled?"

Jenny gave it.

"Perfect. Please don't touch the card. DC Singh will stop by to get it. We will want to dust for prints and DNA. Please don't mention this to Kelly. When I'm authorised to talk to her, I will want her to verify."

"What now?" asked Jenny when they'd ended the call with DI Johnson.

"You need some therapy, but you're stable. You know you have some issues and are working on it. The best thing you can do now is do what you are scared of doing. You need to go to school. Jump that hurdle. Your ma will take you. Knowing some of the people who rang me, you will find it is a lot more secure than yesterday."

"Thank you," said Jenny, feeling a bit more hopeful.

Edith noticed the slight change of attitude. She knew that Jenny had some way to go but today was a start. Get some important facts out there, which should lighten the load a bit. The hard work was yet to come.

The drive to school was difficult for Jenny. The closer they got, the more nervous she was. Instead of just dropping her off, they drove into the school carpark.

"You don't have to take me in," said Jenny, surprised.

"I've got a meeting with Mr Carpenter."

As they walked towards the school, Jenny stopped in surprise. The open entrance from the car park was gone. A quickly erected barrier was there, manned by one of the staff. In the playground, Jenny noticed other children were being accompanied by their parents to the school. Even children who lived in the village, who always came on their own, were being chaperoned.

"It's not just you affected. You might have been taken, but all the parents are worried it could have been their child."

There were a few gasps of surprise as Jenny walked into school. They knew she'd been found. The community was too small for that not to happen. There were wild rumours that one of the spaceships had been seen, but it seemed that was too fanciful for most people. When she got to her form room, she took her usual seat, the one next to her that usually sat Kelly, was empty.

* * *

The meeting with the headmaster didn't take long. He went through a list of measures that the academy trust had authorised in a late-night meeting. It was a small country school set in an area that was quite idyllic. The thought that inner city issues would plague them had been unthinkable. Now they knew they needed to act and they were doing so. Outer levels would happen over the weekend. Retaining the open view, but extra deterrents. The walls would be raised, and spikes added at the top to stop climbers. The looped fences at the front would be supplemented by thorny bushes. The school gate would auto lock during school time. Inner security was also coming under scrutiny so if they did get to the school, they wouldn't be able to easily get past reception.

* * *

Becky walked into the office at the old Anchor pub. Ashleigh was there, but Evan and Henry were down at the factory, keeping an eye on Eos. They were taking the Prime Minister and a group of delegates to discuss what it would actually mean to join the council. What the humans would give, and what they would expect in return. This mattered, as it impacted the discussions back at home and what politicians would tell their constituents.

"How's it going?" asked Becky, getting on communications.

"We're here," came back James. "How's Jenny?"

"Shaken. She was reluctant to go to school. Thank you for all your running around last night. It was really helpful. This communications link is impressive. Instant communications over150 light years."

"Our pleasure," responded James after a beat, "There is a slight lag but not the three seconds the ship takes. It's too much to play World of Warcraft though."

"If Jenny didn't want to go to school, then she is really scared," added Evan from the factory.

"I heard something about some explosions in London. Did that impact you?"

"Slightly," said Evan. "Someone tried to disrupt by firing mortars at the Horse Guard Parade grounds. We were diverted to an alternative landing location, actually in Downing Street."

"I'll watch the news later," said Becky. "I bet the cameras loved that."

"Ooh, I've not thought of trying that," said James. "Can I get BBC News out here."

"Call one of your friends on the Space Station," added Henry.

"I like that one," grinned James. "It'll make them so jealous."

"What are the other two doing?"

"They're working with one of the transition alien representatives, documenting different ship designs and what races they belong to. I've found they have a pilot lounge, but we've not got to that level of authorisation yet."

"I wonder what they'd think of human beer," mused Henry.

Becky selected a different channel. "Evan. Any ideas why communications has less of a lag than the ship? I know the aliens said their ships were slower than comms, but they implied there was a bigger differential."

"It's all down to tunnel structure. We had to structure it differently for communications. We can't use the same design though for the ships. It is something I've been discussing with Liam, but we've no idea yet."

Becky's phone beeped with a breaking news headline:
'Earth First denounces splinter group Earth Fist. They say that murder, kidnapping and bombs are not the solution.'

* * *

Becky was unsure what she would find, but Willow House looked the same as normal. There was an extra car there, but that was it. However, the door was answered by a stranger. Security. Either the Browns were taking no chances, or it was from Clive's job. Becky thought it unwise to ask.

"I wanted to just see if there was anything I could do to help," said Becky, when she was welcomed into the house. Kelly was sandwiched between her two parents on a lounge settee.

"How's Jenny doing?" asked Grace.

"Anxious. Worried the gunmen are coming to get her. She had a web call with a psychiatrist, which helped enough that she went to school."

"She's at school?" said Kelly shocked. "But isn't she scared?"

"Yes, but she's also scared of missing lessons. I think she got a lot off her mind when she talked to someone. She remembered something, and the psychiatrist got her to ring the police with that information."

"Yes, I was asked about it earlier. Seems it confirmed what Jenny had said."

"You were very brave going with Jenny like that," said Becky. "But remember, it was Jenny they were after. They aren't going to come after you. But it seems people are beginning to work out who is behind the spaceships and where we are. Jenny is aware of that, and worries you might get pulled in. She blamed herself for you being kidnapped with her."

"That's silly," said Kelly. "I went because I didn't want her on her own. She is my friend."

Grace and Clive were nodding. Grace said, "And we don't give up on friends, just because their parents work on dangerous projects."

"School have put in some new measures so that this type of issue can't happen again. I was quite surprised what was done already, with more going in this weekend."

"Can I go to school?" asked Kelly.

A look of terror crossed Grace's face, and a Colin pursed his lips. They were frightened for their daughter, but how could they say they didn't want her going to school.

"Are you sure?" asked Grace, when she'd regained the ability to talk.

Kelly hesitated. "Yes. Please take me before I change my mind. I don't want to give in."

"Don't let the terrorists win?" asked Clive with a bit of sarcasm.

"Yes, like the PM said on the television earlier about not giving in. She still went to deal with the aliens even though the terrorists tried to stop her. I've been sat here worrying and nothing has changed. Worrying isn't going to make things better. Jenny is my best friend, and I don't want her to have to slow down for me."