Footsteps – Chapter 11
Bond continued to stare into the darkness. He shifted away from the Colosseum window; unsettled, uneasy, his body tense. He couldn't allow his emotions to get to him. Not now. This wasn't the time for all that. He released a sigh, somewhat agitated…somewhat scared. Well, he would be. Skylar was in danger, and he was stuck all the way out in Rome. Fighting to conceal his fear for his own daughter, Bond switched on the earpiece. He alerted Mallory, speaking sullenly.
"This was all a trap."
"What?"
"They tricked us. They wanted us out of the way."
"What do you mean? Bond, what's going on?"
"There's been an abduction – back in London."
Mallory didn't reply. Bond continued speaking.
"It was all a distraction, so they could carry out the abduction."
"Alright. What about Patrido?"
"Job's done. He's dead. You wanted him dead, didn't you?"
"Yes." Mallory paused, thinking. "I'll make arrangements to get you on the next flight back to London."
"Thank you."
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He paced around the terminal, twitched and frustrated. His daughter was in danger. He was tough, he had to be; but the weight of this was heavy on his heart. He had to get back to London. The flight was delayed for over two hours. Oh yes. That helped him completely. The pressure, the emotions; everything began to mount up inside him, like his fear for Skylar. He knew there was nothing much he could do. He'd just have to face it all.
XXXX
"I am so, so sorry."
"Not your fault." Bond released a heavy sigh, as he climbed into the passenger seat of Eve Moneypenny's car. He stared ahead, emotionless and numb, while Eve drove back to MI6. Eve attempted to lighten the mood.
"It's not everyday I get stuck in rush hour."
Bond glanced at her and said, "Mm, where I have to wait thirty minutes, after being delayed for two hours."
"Try not to get upset." Eve smiled. "It happens to everyone."
Neither of them spoke for the rest of the way.
Bond and Moneypenny headed straight to the office. Mallory and Q stood in front of the computer. Bond concealed his emotions, yet again, knowing this wasn't the time or place to let them get to him. After all, no one else knew the truth about Skylar. He continued approaching Q and Mallory.
"Anything?"
"Since the department received your message of an abduction, I've been searching all reports of any recently reported kidnappings," Q explained, "And I found a match."
Q loaded up a photo of a young woman in her twenties. Her face was young and slender; her hair was a golden shade of blonde, in curls past her chest; and her eyes were a sharp piercing blue. She looked like Bond. Bond continued to stare at the screen, his eyes transfixed sharply on the photo.
Eve glanced suspiciously. "Do you know her?"
Bond nodded. "Yes. She was the woman, I accidentally ran over the other day. Her name is Skylar." He sighed; heavily in thought, blinking back tears beginning to pool at the edge of his eyes, making them glint under the lights. "She's my daughter."
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Lou waited; her eyes restless, her muscles tense, her body still. Where were they? Skylar and Johnny were supposed to be home by 8.00. Now it was 11.00 and they still weren't home. It wasn't like her son or daughter to be late. It wasn't like them at all.
"Skylar, where are you sweetheart? How far are you and Johnny from home? It's late. I thought you'd both be home hours ago. Ring me when you get this, yeah."
"Johnny, it's late honey. I though you and Skylar would be home by now. Let me know where both of you are, okay. I'm worried about you both."
Yet again, she tried calling Johnny and Skylar. There was no response. Every time, the call went to voicemail.
Lou shifted anxiously, attempting to ignore the sinking feeling, beginning to arise in the pit of her stomach. The phone alarmed her, pulling her from the depths of her worries. She leapt for the phone, pulling it from the charger. Her face contorted in a mask of hope, and her heart began to race.
"Skylar? Johnny?"
"Hello, my name is Anna. I'm a senior nurse at Saint Thomas'. Are you Louisa; Jonathan Brent's mother?"
"Yeah, I am." Lou felt her spine crawl. Her voice became a plea, her hand trembled, causing her to grip the phone tightly; her fingers stiff and tense. "What's wrong with Jonathan? Tell me what's wrong with my son. Is his sister with him?" She felt immobilised, as dread filled her gut.
"I'm afraid his sister's not at the hospital. Louisa, I know this is going to be hard for you, but it's best we tell you."
"What's going on?" Lou swallowed hard, choking back a sob. Tears streamed from her eyes. "What happened to my son?"
"He was shot in the leg and he's bleeding severely. It's best you come and see him."
A/N: Oh my God, I feel bad for Lou :(
There's gonna be a lot of angst coming up. You might need a load of tissues. Anyway, don't forget to review – feedback's good.
