One, two, three, four.
Her feet pounded against the pavement to a steady rhythm.
One, two, three, four.
She was counting in her head. She no longer trusted the outside world enough to use earphones; she felt more alert with the sounds of the world all around her.
Skye had been jogging for at least 3 hours straight, despite Tripp telling her to only do 1 hour a morning. Ever since Ward had escaped from S.H.I.E.L.D's grasp 3 months ago, she had begun to push herself harder and harder. If she ever saw him she couldn't let his view of her be the same weak little girl he knew before, she was going to be stronger.
She stopped at the side of the path, taking deep breaths. Her head was beginning to spin. She knew she was pushing herself harder than she should, but she couldn't help it. She wanted so badly to be as strong and tough as May was. To be able to fight like May fought. She wanted to be able to separate herself from her emotions. If she had been able to do that a year ago; when she had the chance to end Ward and save so many lives. She shook the thought away. She must stay focused.
She took one last deep breath before resuming her steady pace. As she jogged she let her mind wander. She thought about her team; about Jemma, Fitz, Tripp, Coulson and May. She thought about Ward, about his betrayal.
She was pulled from her thoughts by a hard shove to her left shoulder.
"What the hell!" Skye swivelled to look at the guy who knocked her. She stared straight into his eyes for a moment before she turned and slipped into an alleyway a few meters in front of her. Her heart was racing but she couldn't decide if that was because of her jog or the old enemy's return.
A large figure appeared at the entrance of the alleyway and began to stride towards her slowly before stopping about 3 meters in front of her. Finally his eyes met hers.
"Ward, finally, took you long enough." She had waited too long for this.