Footprints – Chapter 14

"Skylar?"

His heart thudded while he shifted towards her. Strands of brown hair stuck to the edge of Skylar's face, stained by tears that kept falling from her eyes.

"Get…back," she sobbed.

"Please. Think what you're about to do; what you're about to throw away."

He took another step nearer to Skylar and she prepared to knock the chair, blinking away more and more tears pooling in her eyes.

"Get back…or I'll let it drop."

"Is this really the way you want things to be?" he asked calmly, "You don't need to do this, Skylar. Think about your son. Henry needs you and he depends on you."

"Despite what happened, I killed his dad!"

"I know. What you did, you did it to protect Henry…and your mother."

"She was already dying!" Skylar cried.

"She died trying to save you," Bond explained, "Your mother was aware of the risks and she knew what she was getting herself into. I don't know her as well as you but there's one thing I understand, Skylar, she wouldn't want you to throw your life away."

Skylar remained on the chair and her father's words echoed in her ears. Maybe he was right. What she was doing was suicide. Perhaps that wasn't the way to end things. Her eyes flickered to Bond. Bond kept his eyes on her, moving his hand out towards his daughter.

"Untie the noose. This isn't what you want," he added.

The woman raised her hands, fingers clasping the rope as she removed it slowly. She stayed on the chair. Her eyes fixed on the noose as she let go, watching it swing on the chandelier. She felt her legs buckle while she glanced at Bond, before holding his hand and stepping off the chair.

"I'm so sorry."

It caught her off guard, the second he hugged her. Skylar didn't object and her body shook while her father held her.

"You're alright. It's going to be alright." He directed Skylar towards the sofa and sat down next to her. "Don't ever, ever do that. You have a child who needs his mother. You're the only person he has left."

"Henry's got you as well," Skylar pointed out.

"If you were dead, he'd be an orphan."

She felt her spine crawl at her father's words, understanding it was the last thing she wanted for her son. Bond continued speaking.

"Both of you still have a life ahead of you and what happened was not your fault."

"Isn't it?"

She watched as Bond removed the noose from the chandelier and paced towards the kitchen. It wasn't long before Skylar fell asleep and the last thing she recalled was being covered with a blanket.

"Mum? Mummy help, he's trying to chase me!"

She was in the building and could hear Henry. The boy's screams echoed through the corridors and she tried to find her son's location.

"Henry, where are you?

"Don't let him get me, please. Help!"

"I'm coming."

Her heart thudded as she reached in her pocket. She froze, eyes wide. The gun was gone!

"HENRY!"

Suddenly she ran, only caring she would reach her son. Skylar distinguished a shadow in the doorway and the sound of Henry's voice grew louder – and louder. She ran into the room. A wave of dread crashed over. Her eyes fixed on the tape, playing on the table. "Henry?"

Without warning she was hauled back. A hand clamped over her mouth, muffling her screams as she kicked against her captor, heart pounding wildly.

"He isn't here."

Mark!

Skylar continued to struggle but Mark tightened his grip, hauling her further out of the dim lit room. Through tears, Skylar distinguished a small body in the nearest corner. Sprawled on the ground, limp and still, was Henry. Her heart thudded and thudded as Mark pushed her next to the child. Skylar stared in disbelief, shaking all over, with tears threatening to fall.

"No." She swallowed hard, glaring at Mark.

"He's worth dying for, isn't he?" Mark reached for the gun. Skylar lunged towards him but he darted away. With his hand firmly on the trigger, Mark let the bullet fire.

Her eyes shot open as the bullet hit her. She was shaking, breathing out short ragged breaths and her muscles were tensing. Beads of sweat ran down her face. Skylar looked around, wide-eyed, making sure she was in Bond's flat. She relaxed her muscles as her head stopped spinning, aware Henry was safely asleep in her father's spare room. The nightmare played over in her mind and she breathed deeply. Mark was gone. He couldn't hurt them anymore.

Skylar was aware trying to kill herself hadn't been the way. It wouldn't have helped. She blinked her eyes; at the same time feeling staying wouldn't help her either. But she trusted Bond. She understood, despite his life at MI6, he was a good person. He may have killed people, but that was to protect others like her – and Henry. Henry loved his grandfather and while contemplating her thoughts, Skylar knew her son would be fine with Bond. This was the last thing she wanted, but keeping her distance might be better. Her father would do a better job than her of keeping Henry safe.

Skylar crept into her son's room, pulling the quilt over him and kissed him gently on the forehead.

"I love you so much, and I really hope you can forgive me."

She slipped out of the room, reaching for her bag.

XXXX

When James Bond awoke the next morning, straight away he knew something was irritating him. Moments later, he shuffled into the living room, glancing around suspiciously. He became aware that Skylar wasn't on the sofa. Perhaps she was already awake. Bond paced through the flat, as the realisation became clear. There was no sign of Skylar. It wasn't long before his eyes darted to the kitchen counter, catching sight of his daughter's phone and a sheet of paper tucked beside it. He grew sceptical as he unfolded the paper – a note:

Dad,

I'm sorry about yesterday and I shouldn't have blamed my mother's death on you. You're most likely aware that I'd been grieving and ever since the start, it's been hard for me. The night my brother died, I got pulled into a life I never believed I was significant to. At least that was the way he saw it.

It's best I mention those years when you thought I was dead. I'm sorry Mum and you had to believe it. You're my father and that wasn't fair on you. At the time, after what happened, I had to try and forgot. After what Mark did…after he killed my mum, I don't think I can cope anymore. I don't think I can protect Henry, not like you. You've got that lot to assist you. I can't protect him the way you can. The last thing I wanted was to leave you both. But it's for the best. Tell Henry I love him. Give him a good life. I love you too,

Skylar.

He stared at the letter with pain filled eyes, trying not to cry as he swallowed with difficulty. His hand slumped, still holding the letter while he rubbed his eyes, brushing away an unwanted tear. He wasn't aware of footsteps behind him and hadn't been prepared to respond; the second Henry broke the silence, sobbing and his lower lip trembling.

"I can't find her. I can't find Mum."

A/N: Thank goodness the early italic section was only a dream. I feel bad for all of them. Skylar didn't leave Henry in a bad way; she was trying to do what's best for him. I'll post the final chapter soon. Feel free to review.