Fractured by N.O Darling

V

Trake the packet of biscuits from Luke’s hand, as he calls aff. The date on them is almost a year from now. These must have been bought recently. I have the urge to run out de and shout for Harper, but I know that won’t help. If there are Greys still here, then my shouting will just alert them to our presence, and then they’ll disappear.

“Raff has a team on the way. They are going to port in quietly and surround the place. They’re bringing a shield to ward the place so if there is anyone here they won’t be able to port out,” Luke says quietly.

“So we need to not draw attention to ourselves until they get here,” Then nors.

I move to the net–covered window. It’s hard to see clearly because of the years of dirt layered on the glass, but there are small patches of less soiled where I can just see into the distance. My eyes scan the other pods, looking

from for any signs of life and I say a silent prayer that this is it, that Harper is here, and we are just moments away finding her.

Theo and Luke come to stand beside me, Theo offering a supportive hand on my shoulder. I’m taken back to when I just had these two with me before we were confirmed as bonds. I had no idea back then how amazing but difficult our lives would become. If someone had told me back then that I’d have five bonds and six kids, I’d have probably made a run for it. Now though, I wouldn’t change it for the world.

I try to distract myself and stop myself from charging outside and tearing each of these pods apart by replaying the happiest moments of my life. Those first few days with Harper, with all of us trying to navigate being new parents, and then watching Theo trying to change that first dirty nappy. He had tied a towel around his face in an attempt to mask the smell, and we had all laughed as he had gagged his way through it with his eyes watering.

Then there was when we found out I was pregnant with Atlas. Deacon had practically melted, dropping to his knees to press his head to my stomach and talk to the tiny life we had created. Atlas‘ birth had been perfect, probably the easiest of them all. He had come into the world so calm and collected, just like his father, and he was still very much like him in his mannerisms.

My labour with Joel had been so long. It had taken 19 hours of contractions before he had finally arrived, but that just made the moment he let out that first cry even sweeter He had been worth every single second of that marathon labour. Luke had been amazing and attentive, talking me through every single contraction, and telling me how much he loved me and how special I was. It had been a tender moment for us both and one of my most cherished memories.

Sammy had come into the world fast and had been a whirlwind from the start. He and Theo were like two peas in a pod, chaotic balls of energy that kept me on my toes but made me laugh every single day.

The twins had been a test. Juggling two newborns whilst having four young children to take care of had been a real team effort, but like always, my guys had risen to the challenge, and together we had bossed it. Despite our current situation, I am immensely proud of us all. We have been good parents. We may have made mistakes along the way, but which parent hasn’t? What matters is we have learned from those mistakes, just like I know we will learn from this one. I’m just not 100% sure what the lesson is yet.

Movement in the distance catches my eye and I point out a small group of four men creeping through the buses towards a pod. The hand signals of the men tell me two things. The first is they’re military, and the second is they’ve found something.

A teenage girl suddenly runs out of the pod the team are closest to. She holds the hand of a boy, who looks no older than five. The pair run down the stairs and I gasp, scared they might fall.

In

intercept en Moving in from behind and watching them ath a bend

the kids, whilst the other two minutes later and one shakes his head, which I assume nie

and Theo and I follow him

They’re just kids, they are not the in up the stairs and Into the pod. They reappear is there

Raff says as he jogs towards us. I try not

so transfixed by watching the kids trying to escape that I had missed all the other

Greys?” Luke asks.

sure, she was

Chapter 0166

V

he calls aff. The date on them is almost a year from now. These must have been bought recently. I have the urge to run out de and shout for Harper, but I know that won’t help.

port in quietly and surround the place. They’re bringing a shield to ward the place so if there is anyone here they won’t be able to port out,” Luke

to ourselves

because of the years of dirt layered on the glass, but there are small patches of less soiled where

this is it, that Harper is here, and we are just moments away finding

a supportive hand on my shoulder. I’m taken back to when I just had these two with me before we were confirmed as bonds. I had no idea back then how amazing but difficult our lives

being new parents, and then watching Theo trying to change that first dirty nappy. He had tied a towel around his face in an attempt to mask the smell, and we had all laughed as he

his head to my stomach and talk to the tiny life we had created. Atlas‘ birth had been perfect, probably the easiest of them all. He had come into the world so calm and collected, just like his father, and he was still very much like him in

He had been worth every single second of that marathon labour. Luke had been amazing and attentive, talking me through every single contraction, and telling

had been a whirlwind from the start. He and Theo were like two peas in a pod, chaotic balls of energy that kept

challenge, and together we had bossed it. Despite our current situation, I am immensely proud of us all. We have been good parents. We may have made mistakes along the way, but which parent hasn’t? What matters is we have learned from those mistakes, just like I know we will learn from this one. I’m just not 100% sure what the lesson

group of four men creeping through the buses towards a pod. The hand signals of the men tell me two things. The first is they’re military,

out of the pod the team are closest to. She holds the hand of a boy, who looks no older than five. The pair run down the stairs

In

to intercept en Moving in from behind and watching them ath a bend over their mouths to stop