Footsteps – Chapter 10

Bond arrived in Rome, strolling swiftly through the airport. As soon as there was a signal, he activated his earpiece, awaiting instructions from Mallory.

"Ah, Bond."

"Mallory."

"Alright, listen carefully. Patrido will be arriving by evening. He'll be going to the Colosseum. Looks as if he's meeting an associate there. We strongly think it's some sort of exchange or agreement, connected with bombing Westminster Underground. Whatever it is, it's clearly not good. You're to find out who he's associated with, and who made all the plans for the bombing. Patrido will likely try to kill you."

Bond almost smiled. "Well, he's not the first."

"Remember, he'll be here in a few hours. Find out who Patrido's associate is. Once you know, assassinate Patrido. We're relying on you, 007."

"I know what to do."

Bond switched off the earpiece.

XXXX

Patrido's flight landed a few hours later. Bond drove to the Colosseum, following clear instructions from Mallory, knowing Patrido would be there. Bond pulled off the junction, parking opposite the Colosseum. He stared ahead, seeing Patrido's car parked close by. Bond assembled the gun, loading it with bullets. 007 kept a sharp surveillance on Patrido, following him into the ancient battleground. He stayed in the shadows, advancing towards his target.

Patrido came to a sudden halt; his senses alert. Someone was here. He glanced back. A shot sounded. Bond dodged the bullet. Patrido took off, running. Bond followed; close in pursuit, eyes fixed sharply. He continued to fire bullets. Patrido narrowly missed them, running further into the Colosseum, and heading for the highest walls. He stumbled on the stairs and the gun fell from his hands. Bond heard Patrido's gun clatter. Genius move. He had him now. Seconds later, Bond reached Patrido. Patrido heard him approach. Timing it right, senses sharp, Bond lunged for him. He swung his fist at Patrido. Patrido tried to reach for Bond's gun. Several times, bullets fired. Bond overpowered Patrido, dangling him from the edge of the Colosseum.

"Who planned the bombing?! Tell me! Who else are you working with?!"

Patrido laughed cruelly and said, "It was all a distraction, a way to get you out the way. We know who she is. We're coming for her."

Bond glared at Patrido; confusion plastered his face.

"Coming for who?!" he demanded fiercely.

"The girl. Sky–"

Bond froze, letting go. He felt as if the bullet had fired. His blood ran cold. The realisation struck him; sharp, powerful, numb. His heart beat uncontrollably against his ribs. The truth loomed heavily:

They were after his daughter.

XXXX

It was late and the streets were dark. Skylar and Johnny weren't far from home. They only had a few minutes left, until they reached their flat. Johnny began to yawn. His sister glanced at him.

"We haven't got far to go. We'll be home soon."

"My feet are killing me," he complained, "You know, maybe we should take a shortcut."

Skylar felt the hairs on the back of her neck slowly begin to crawl.

"We're fine here. The quicker we walk, the quicker we'll get home. Johnny, my feet ache a little, too."

"Can we at least stop for a minute?"

"Yeah, quickly."

Johnny lent against the wall for a few seconds. Then, he and Skylar continued walking. The sooner they got home, the better.

The streets became silent. There was nothing to be heard, except for the faint wailing of a distant siren. That wasn't what trapped Johnny's curiosity. A dark Range Rover, with blacked out windows, stopped close behind him and his sister. In the sharpest corner of his eye, two dark figures emerged. Johnny saw them, following behind him and Skylar. His spine crawled, and he nudged his sister nervously.

"Uh, Skylar…I think we're being followed."

Skylar's eyes darted back the other way. She saw the two men, causing adrenaline to surge through her body.

"No shit, Sherlock." She muttered quietly; her voice dry in her throat.

Their pace quickened, scurrying down the street. The thugs advanced towards them. Skylar's eyes flickered back. Her heart flung against her ribs. Guns were poised in her direction. She screamed, her face contorting into a mask of fear.

"Johnny!" she yelled, "RUN!"

Skylar tugged frantically on his arm. They began running, hearing the thugs close in pursuit.

BANG!

And he was down; gasping, quivering, clenching his jaw to hold back a scream, and blinking away tears in his watery eyes. Blood continued to spurt from his leg; pooling around his jeans, soaking them in dark crimson red.

"JOHNNY!"

Skylar tried to reach her brother. Strong hands grasped her, hauling her away. In vain, she attempted to struggle. Her phone clattered on the ground, falling beside her trembling brother.

"You bastards! HE'S JUST A KID!"

They smacked her against the car; head smashing hard against the cold solid metal. She was pulled inside, as darkness clouded her vision. The car pulled away. The last thing she'd seen was Johnny, lying in a pool of his own blood.

XXXX

It could have been minutes, hours, seconds. But he still felt it; the bullet tearing through his leg, blood soaking his jeans, pouring onto the street. He turned his head weakly, seeing his sister's phone beside him. Oh God. She'd dropped it. His breathing was ragged, and his heart beat desperately. Every minute, every second, he felt his strength weaken; pouring out, like the blood from his wound. He fumbled for the phone, dialling the emergency services. The operator answered. Johnny began explaining.

"I-I've been s-s-shot. I'm b-bleeding. T-These men, they s-shot me and t-t-they took my sister. Her name's S-Skylar…."

His eyelids closed, tired and heavy.

A/N: Reviews are definitely welcome.