Primeval Fanfic - Achilles Heel (part 3)
Title: Achilles Heel
Author: Prehistoric Cat
Rating: PG
Characters: Connor, Helen, Abby, Danny
Genre: Angst
Disclaimer: Not mine, no copyright intended
Is Connor about to get the answer to his question?...
Danny beckoned for Abby to come into the office. He was on the phone. “Thanks for your help, it’s really appreciated.” he was saying as Abby entered, and then he put the receiver down. “The police have found Helen’s taxi abandoned at a service station just outside Swindon. Your case was still in the boot, but Connor’s wasn’t.”
“We should have guessed Helen would change vehicle. Do they have any idea what she’s driving now?” Abby said.
“They have a rough idea. The police were actually at the service station investigating the theft of a car. During all the chaos, no-one noticed the taxi. I’m guessing it was Helen that stole it.” Danny said. He was putting on his jacket. “I’m going to take a look at the CCTV footage, coming with me?”
Abby didn’t need to be asked twice.
-o-
“As I told your colleagues earlier, the security cameras weren’t on that area of the forecourt. You won’t see anything.” The manager said, annoyed that yet again he was being disturbed.
“I think I know who took that vehicle, it’s connected to the possible abduction of a Home Office official; so I do need to see all of your footage.” Danny said. He’d flashed his government ID card at the manager, and spouted a long list of legal jargon that made him sound very important. Abby stifled a smile; she’d seen Danny in action as a police officer when they first met, and it amused her how easily he slipped back into the role.
Minutes later, the pair of them were scrutinising the CCTV recordings. Abby was watching footage from the forecourt, whilst Danny was watching the shop recordings. “Got it!” Danny declared, and hit the pause button. Abby moved to his side and looked at the screen. It was Connor. She breathed a sigh of relief; at least he was OK. Danny pressed the play button and they watched him. He wandered around the shop, picking up a couple of bottles of water and some chocolate. They watched him at the till, chatting to the assistant with a smile on his face.
“Does something seem strange to you?” Abby said.
“He’s not acting like someone that’s being held against his will.” Danny replied. “He’s on his own, why isn’t he attempting to run away?”
Abby shook her head. She didn’t understand it at all. She was relieved to see that he was alright, but what was he doing?
“We have to assume that he’s going with Helen of his own free will.” Danny said. “He’s a clever guy, Abs. She said she wanted to talk to him, maybe she’s giving him some information, and he’s just going along with her to find out as much as possible.”
“You’re right.” Abby sighed. “But I don’t like it. I hope he knows what he’s doing.”
“We’ll still keep tabs on their movements, but at a distance. We have to trust Connor, and let him do what he needs to do.”
Abby felt sick. She knew Danny was right¸ but it wouldn’t stop her worrying.
-o-
Helen had been talking constantly since they’d left the service station, but hadn’t actually said anything that mattered. She knew the only reason Connor was still co-operating was the fact he wanted to know who his father was. Once he realised that she couldn’t tell him, she would have a fight on her hands. The longer she held off that moment, the better.
“Where are we going?” Connor said. “We just seem to be going round and round in circles.” He was getting irritable now. He knew she was stalling; stringing him along, but he had to know ... The Professor or Stephen? This whole mess would seem easier to deal with if the Professor was his father; he could live with that.
“Haven’t you worked it out yet?” Helen said. She nodded her head towards a road sign.
“Forest of Dean?” Connor exclaimed.
“The place where it began; for all of us, in one way or the other.” she said. “Seems fitting that our partnership should begin here too.”
“I’ve had enough of this, Helen! Just answer my question and let me go!” Connor demanded. “There’s no way you and I will ever work together!”
“It’s too late for all of that, Connor. You either work with me, or I make things incredibly difficult for you.” Helen sneered, putting her foot down on the accelerator.
“You don’t know, do you?” Connor said, suddenly realising why she had avoided replying.
“Sorry, Connor. I wish I did. If it’s any comfort, you do remind me of Nick when he was your age. Intelligent, enthusiastic but oh so incredibly naïve!”
The conversation was interrupted by the sound of Connor’s mobile phone ringing. He ignored it, despite knowing who it was from the music that was belting out. He felt himself redden, and he cut the call off. It started to ring again seconds later.
“Someone’s persistent.” Helen commented.
“It‘s Abby. She’s not going to give up.” Connor said.
“Answer it then. Reassure her that you’re OK and that she can call off the hunt.”
Connor pressed the green button on his phone to answer the call. “Abs?”
“Oh thank god, Connor! Are you OK?” Abby said.
“Yes, I’m OK. Don’t worry about me, honestly.” There was so much more he wanted to say, but with Helen listening, he was worried she would do something.
“Are you with Helen?” Abby asked.
“Yes.” Connor replied. He hoped Abby could read him as well as he thought she could. Inside he was shaking with fear.
“Where are you, Conn?” Abby said, shakily. Before Connor could reply, Helen snatched the phone from his hand.
“Goodbye Abby.” Helen said, and threw the phone out of the window. Connor sat open mouthed. Helen’s expression had changed, and now he really did fear for his life. “It’s just you and I now. Mother and son, together. We’ll work out the full potential of those anomalies and …”
“Go to hell, Helen!” Connor yelled, tugging at the car door.
“Not a wise move, Connor. Jumping out of a speeding car… you’ll be killed.” she laughed. “We’re almost at the Forest of Dean, you’ll change your mind once you see how things could be. Nick held you back; he never understood just how important the anomalies could be. He never allowed you to explore your full potential. It’ll be different with me.”
“Don’t speak about the Professor like that!” Connor said, angrily. “He encouraged my work more than anyone else ever has. You’ve had your fun with me, now let me go.”
“Oh Connor.” Helen sighed. “I really hoped it wouldn’t come to this. I can see I am going to have to take out some ‘insurance’ to make you do as I say.” She turned off the motorway at the next junction and took the road towards the Forest of Dean. Connor didn’t dare speak; what did Helen mean by ‘insurance’?
She pulled up at what appeared to be some kind of large storage facility. It seemed no-one had been there in some time; the drive leading up to it was covered in weeds and the padlock on the door was rusting. “Get out of the car, Connor.” Helen demanded, pointing her gun at his chest. Connor obeyed. She shoved him in the direction of the doorway and took a key out of her pocket. After unlocking the padlock and opening the door, she pushed Connor inside. “You’ll have to stay here whilst I sort out my insurance.” she said, slamming the door shut.
“Helen! You can’t leave me here!” Connor shouted, banging his fists against the door.
“I think I just have.” Helen shouted back. She locked the padlock again, and walked away. She could hear Connor’s shouts for help as she got back into the car, and almost felt sorry for him. Still, it was his own fault. He’d been doing so well until now. What she had in mind would soon get him back on track though.
-o-
Connor slumped to the ground. It was dark and cold in the storage block, and he didn’t dare move around. Knowing his luck, he’d end up falling down a hole or something. His head was spinning; just over 24 hours ago he was getting ready to go on holiday with Abby without a care in the world. Now his life was shattering around him. Helen Cutter was his birth mother; the woman he hated with a passion, and the only redeeming part of this fact was the possibility he could be Professor Cutter’s son. He had always felt a connection to the Professor and had occasionally thought of him as a father figure. Since his adoptive father had passed away, Connor had felt lost without a male role model and the Professor had filled that gap.
Then his thoughts suddenly turned to the possibility that Stephen was his father. It was just too weird to comprehend; Stephen had been like the older brother he had never had and he’d looked up to him, envying his good looks and confidence. He’d even been jealous of him when Abby made it clear she fancied Stephen and all but threw herself at him. Brother or friend he could deal with; but father?
Connor shook his head. None of it really mattered now; both of them were dead and he would never know the truth. He tucked his knees up and rested his chin on them. His eyes began to sting, and he rubbed them with his hand. Before he knew it, his tears were flowing freely and he was sobbing uncontrollably.
-o-
A number of hours passed; Connor couldn’t be certain how many. Occasionally he thought he’d heard a car pull up and he began banging on the door and yelling for help. None came though, and he was beginning to think Helen had just left him there to starve. Then he heard footsteps coming towards the door.
“Helen!?” he yelled. He heard the padlock being rattled and the door was flung open. It was just starting to get dark outside. “It’s about time! You do realise that keeping someone under lock and key against their…”
“Shut up, Connor.” Helen spat. “I’ve been busy making sure I have enough things to convince you that you should come with me.” She held out a small netbook computer, and showed Connor a photograph on the screen. “Do you recognise this place, Connor?” she said softly.
He nodded, his chest tightening. It was the nursing home where his mum now lived. He could feel anger swelling inside; what had Helen done?
“I paid your mother a visit this afternoon. Her memory is failing her a little these days isn’t it?”
Connor clenched his fists at his sides. If Helen had hurt her…
“She has a new orderly looking after her now.” Helen smiled. “Look.” she clicked a few buttons on the computer and a new photo appeared. Connor swallowed hard and began to shake. The photo was of his mum sat next to a man dressed in the uniform of an orderly at the home. However, this was no orderly - Connor knew him simply as “the cleaner”; one of Helen’s evil clones. “So, if you were to even think about doing something stupid like running away; all it will take is a quick phone call and it will be ‘Mrs Temple, it’s time for your medication.’ and bingo, she falls into a nice long sleep.”
“You evil bitch!” Connor shouted, rushing forward to try and punch Helen. She was ready for him though, and grabbed his wrists.
“If that isn’t enough to convince you to come with me, then perhaps my other acquisition will.” Helen went to the car and opened the back passenger door. Connor gave a gasp of shock - laid on the back seat was Abby; her wrists and ankles bound together with rope and her mouth taped over with heavy duty duct tape.
“Abby!” Connor sobbed, rushing to the car. She looked up at him, her eyes wide in fear. “It’s OK, Abs!” he whispered, stroking her hair. She tried to speak, and he moved his hand to try and pull off the tape over her mouth. Helen grabbed his wrist and pulled him away. He turned to face Helen. “If you’ve hurt her, then so help me I’ll…”
“I haven’t hurt her; not yet anyway. She’ll be quite at home here whilst we start our little journey. Once I’m satisfied that you’re going to co-operate, then I’ll send a message to Danny Quinn to let him know where he can find her.” Helen said. She untied the rope around Abby’s ankles and pulled her to her feet. Abby kicked out with her right leg, attempting to sweep Helen’s legs from underneath her, but she couldn’t get a proper swing and stumbled.
“Let her go, Helen. This is nothing to do with her. I’ll do what you say.” Connor said.
“Nice try, Connor; but it’s going to take a lot more than that.” Helen pushed Abby into the block where Connor had previously been imprisoned and slammed the door shut, locking the padlock with a dramatic flourish.
“Abby!” Connor shouted, his face crumpling as he forced back tears. He was not going to give Helen the satisfaction of seeing him cry. He knew he had no choice other than to get into the car and go with Helen; he had too much to lose if he didn’t.
Author: Prehistoric Cat
Rating: PG
Characters: Connor, Helen, Abby, Danny
Genre: Angst
Disclaimer: Not mine, no copyright intended
Is Connor about to get the answer to his question?...
Danny beckoned for Abby to come into the office. He was on the phone. “Thanks for your help, it’s really appreciated.” he was saying as Abby entered, and then he put the receiver down. “The police have found Helen’s taxi abandoned at a service station just outside Swindon. Your case was still in the boot, but Connor’s wasn’t.”
“We should have guessed Helen would change vehicle. Do they have any idea what she’s driving now?” Abby said.
“They have a rough idea. The police were actually at the service station investigating the theft of a car. During all the chaos, no-one noticed the taxi. I’m guessing it was Helen that stole it.” Danny said. He was putting on his jacket. “I’m going to take a look at the CCTV footage, coming with me?”
Abby didn’t need to be asked twice.
-o-
“As I told your colleagues earlier, the security cameras weren’t on that area of the forecourt. You won’t see anything.” The manager said, annoyed that yet again he was being disturbed.
“I think I know who took that vehicle, it’s connected to the possible abduction of a Home Office official; so I do need to see all of your footage.” Danny said. He’d flashed his government ID card at the manager, and spouted a long list of legal jargon that made him sound very important. Abby stifled a smile; she’d seen Danny in action as a police officer when they first met, and it amused her how easily he slipped back into the role.
Minutes later, the pair of them were scrutinising the CCTV recordings. Abby was watching footage from the forecourt, whilst Danny was watching the shop recordings. “Got it!” Danny declared, and hit the pause button. Abby moved to his side and looked at the screen. It was Connor. She breathed a sigh of relief; at least he was OK. Danny pressed the play button and they watched him. He wandered around the shop, picking up a couple of bottles of water and some chocolate. They watched him at the till, chatting to the assistant with a smile on his face.
“Does something seem strange to you?” Abby said.
“He’s not acting like someone that’s being held against his will.” Danny replied. “He’s on his own, why isn’t he attempting to run away?”
Abby shook her head. She didn’t understand it at all. She was relieved to see that he was alright, but what was he doing?
“We have to assume that he’s going with Helen of his own free will.” Danny said. “He’s a clever guy, Abs. She said she wanted to talk to him, maybe she’s giving him some information, and he’s just going along with her to find out as much as possible.”
“You’re right.” Abby sighed. “But I don’t like it. I hope he knows what he’s doing.”
“We’ll still keep tabs on their movements, but at a distance. We have to trust Connor, and let him do what he needs to do.”
Abby felt sick. She knew Danny was right¸ but it wouldn’t stop her worrying.
-o-
Helen had been talking constantly since they’d left the service station, but hadn’t actually said anything that mattered. She knew the only reason Connor was still co-operating was the fact he wanted to know who his father was. Once he realised that she couldn’t tell him, she would have a fight on her hands. The longer she held off that moment, the better.
“Where are we going?” Connor said. “We just seem to be going round and round in circles.” He was getting irritable now. He knew she was stalling; stringing him along, but he had to know ... The Professor or Stephen? This whole mess would seem easier to deal with if the Professor was his father; he could live with that.
“Haven’t you worked it out yet?” Helen said. She nodded her head towards a road sign.
“Forest of Dean?” Connor exclaimed.
“The place where it began; for all of us, in one way or the other.” she said. “Seems fitting that our partnership should begin here too.”
“I’ve had enough of this, Helen! Just answer my question and let me go!” Connor demanded. “There’s no way you and I will ever work together!”
“It’s too late for all of that, Connor. You either work with me, or I make things incredibly difficult for you.” Helen sneered, putting her foot down on the accelerator.
“You don’t know, do you?” Connor said, suddenly realising why she had avoided replying.
“Sorry, Connor. I wish I did. If it’s any comfort, you do remind me of Nick when he was your age. Intelligent, enthusiastic but oh so incredibly naïve!”
The conversation was interrupted by the sound of Connor’s mobile phone ringing. He ignored it, despite knowing who it was from the music that was belting out. He felt himself redden, and he cut the call off. It started to ring again seconds later.
“Someone’s persistent.” Helen commented.
“It‘s Abby. She’s not going to give up.” Connor said.
“Answer it then. Reassure her that you’re OK and that she can call off the hunt.”
Connor pressed the green button on his phone to answer the call. “Abs?”
“Oh thank god, Connor! Are you OK?” Abby said.
“Yes, I’m OK. Don’t worry about me, honestly.” There was so much more he wanted to say, but with Helen listening, he was worried she would do something.
“Are you with Helen?” Abby asked.
“Yes.” Connor replied. He hoped Abby could read him as well as he thought she could. Inside he was shaking with fear.
“Where are you, Conn?” Abby said, shakily. Before Connor could reply, Helen snatched the phone from his hand.
“Goodbye Abby.” Helen said, and threw the phone out of the window. Connor sat open mouthed. Helen’s expression had changed, and now he really did fear for his life. “It’s just you and I now. Mother and son, together. We’ll work out the full potential of those anomalies and …”
“Go to hell, Helen!” Connor yelled, tugging at the car door.
“Not a wise move, Connor. Jumping out of a speeding car… you’ll be killed.” she laughed. “We’re almost at the Forest of Dean, you’ll change your mind once you see how things could be. Nick held you back; he never understood just how important the anomalies could be. He never allowed you to explore your full potential. It’ll be different with me.”
“Don’t speak about the Professor like that!” Connor said, angrily. “He encouraged my work more than anyone else ever has. You’ve had your fun with me, now let me go.”
“Oh Connor.” Helen sighed. “I really hoped it wouldn’t come to this. I can see I am going to have to take out some ‘insurance’ to make you do as I say.” She turned off the motorway at the next junction and took the road towards the Forest of Dean. Connor didn’t dare speak; what did Helen mean by ‘insurance’?
She pulled up at what appeared to be some kind of large storage facility. It seemed no-one had been there in some time; the drive leading up to it was covered in weeds and the padlock on the door was rusting. “Get out of the car, Connor.” Helen demanded, pointing her gun at his chest. Connor obeyed. She shoved him in the direction of the doorway and took a key out of her pocket. After unlocking the padlock and opening the door, she pushed Connor inside. “You’ll have to stay here whilst I sort out my insurance.” she said, slamming the door shut.
“Helen! You can’t leave me here!” Connor shouted, banging his fists against the door.
“I think I just have.” Helen shouted back. She locked the padlock again, and walked away. She could hear Connor’s shouts for help as she got back into the car, and almost felt sorry for him. Still, it was his own fault. He’d been doing so well until now. What she had in mind would soon get him back on track though.
-o-
Connor slumped to the ground. It was dark and cold in the storage block, and he didn’t dare move around. Knowing his luck, he’d end up falling down a hole or something. His head was spinning; just over 24 hours ago he was getting ready to go on holiday with Abby without a care in the world. Now his life was shattering around him. Helen Cutter was his birth mother; the woman he hated with a passion, and the only redeeming part of this fact was the possibility he could be Professor Cutter’s son. He had always felt a connection to the Professor and had occasionally thought of him as a father figure. Since his adoptive father had passed away, Connor had felt lost without a male role model and the Professor had filled that gap.
Then his thoughts suddenly turned to the possibility that Stephen was his father. It was just too weird to comprehend; Stephen had been like the older brother he had never had and he’d looked up to him, envying his good looks and confidence. He’d even been jealous of him when Abby made it clear she fancied Stephen and all but threw herself at him. Brother or friend he could deal with; but father?
Connor shook his head. None of it really mattered now; both of them were dead and he would never know the truth. He tucked his knees up and rested his chin on them. His eyes began to sting, and he rubbed them with his hand. Before he knew it, his tears were flowing freely and he was sobbing uncontrollably.
-o-
A number of hours passed; Connor couldn’t be certain how many. Occasionally he thought he’d heard a car pull up and he began banging on the door and yelling for help. None came though, and he was beginning to think Helen had just left him there to starve. Then he heard footsteps coming towards the door.
“Helen!?” he yelled. He heard the padlock being rattled and the door was flung open. It was just starting to get dark outside. “It’s about time! You do realise that keeping someone under lock and key against their…”
“Shut up, Connor.” Helen spat. “I’ve been busy making sure I have enough things to convince you that you should come with me.” She held out a small netbook computer, and showed Connor a photograph on the screen. “Do you recognise this place, Connor?” she said softly.
He nodded, his chest tightening. It was the nursing home where his mum now lived. He could feel anger swelling inside; what had Helen done?
“I paid your mother a visit this afternoon. Her memory is failing her a little these days isn’t it?”
Connor clenched his fists at his sides. If Helen had hurt her…
“She has a new orderly looking after her now.” Helen smiled. “Look.” she clicked a few buttons on the computer and a new photo appeared. Connor swallowed hard and began to shake. The photo was of his mum sat next to a man dressed in the uniform of an orderly at the home. However, this was no orderly - Connor knew him simply as “the cleaner”; one of Helen’s evil clones. “So, if you were to even think about doing something stupid like running away; all it will take is a quick phone call and it will be ‘Mrs Temple, it’s time for your medication.’ and bingo, she falls into a nice long sleep.”
“You evil bitch!” Connor shouted, rushing forward to try and punch Helen. She was ready for him though, and grabbed his wrists.
“If that isn’t enough to convince you to come with me, then perhaps my other acquisition will.” Helen went to the car and opened the back passenger door. Connor gave a gasp of shock - laid on the back seat was Abby; her wrists and ankles bound together with rope and her mouth taped over with heavy duty duct tape.
“Abby!” Connor sobbed, rushing to the car. She looked up at him, her eyes wide in fear. “It’s OK, Abs!” he whispered, stroking her hair. She tried to speak, and he moved his hand to try and pull off the tape over her mouth. Helen grabbed his wrist and pulled him away. He turned to face Helen. “If you’ve hurt her, then so help me I’ll…”
“I haven’t hurt her; not yet anyway. She’ll be quite at home here whilst we start our little journey. Once I’m satisfied that you’re going to co-operate, then I’ll send a message to Danny Quinn to let him know where he can find her.” Helen said. She untied the rope around Abby’s ankles and pulled her to her feet. Abby kicked out with her right leg, attempting to sweep Helen’s legs from underneath her, but she couldn’t get a proper swing and stumbled.
“Let her go, Helen. This is nothing to do with her. I’ll do what you say.” Connor said.
“Nice try, Connor; but it’s going to take a lot more than that.” Helen pushed Abby into the block where Connor had previously been imprisoned and slammed the door shut, locking the padlock with a dramatic flourish.
“Abby!” Connor shouted, his face crumpling as he forced back tears. He was not going to give Helen the satisfaction of seeing him cry. He knew he had no choice other than to get into the car and go with Helen; he had too much to lose if he didn’t.