Sphinx – I am glad you're reading my story. That chapter was one of my favourites too because you can really see the love between Sophie and Nathan. I enjoyed writing it, maybe one day I get a bit bolder and write one that's actually an M.
After Jean Pierre was taken down, the rescued children with nowhere to go were spread across Europe. A great part of them, including little Parker were in England; in London to be precise.
The foster home was full of children from all ages and ethnicities yet, the ones that had once belonged to Jean were the ones that stood out. You could see they were lost just by the look in their faces, their posture and the way they didn't interact with others filching at any approach...
Kids who'd never see their pasts back and lost not only their names, but their personality too, now that they were here people were giving him names like John, Harry and Mary. Those names didn't fit; those names would never fit because nobody would ever know if actually that was who they were. Those kids who'd never know who they were...
The social assistant politely guided Nathan to a pink walled room with way too many beds to allow some privacy. She was giving him weird sided glances the entire way even though she kept showing him her big white teeth.
-It's her! - She pointed at the only child currently in the room, a blonde girl siting on the last bed on the right, counting from the door. Nathan frowned.
-Why is she here? Is it a punishment? - The woman gave her one of her polite, fake smiles.
-She is currently grounded, but this is not how we punish her. She's here because she wants to; she barely interacts with other people
-Was that the reason her previous foster family sent her back? - The smile disappeared and the woman frowned at those words. That man knew too much.
-She's not as damaged as the other kids we received; she has a name and a personality she's building and maturing. We thought growing on a normal family would help her improve her social capacities; we chose the Smiths because they already have three children on their own and we never had problems between them and the children they fostered before her...
-They sent her back! - His tone was accusatory; the anger was building up on his body; closed fists and a tense posture.
-They are good people, Mr. Ford! They have a girl her age. Parker stole from her ever since day one, they tried to be understanding and explain to her that was wrong, it didn't work. They can't deal with a troubled child like this... - Nathan shot her a cold glance that said, "They knew she was troubled! If they can't deal with it they shouldn't have taken her in the first place!"
-You mentioned she's currently grounded. Exactly how do you punish her? - The woman sighed.
-Well, making her be alone to reflect on her deeds obviously doesn't work and neither does locking her because she always finds a way to get out. We take her necklace from her. - Mr. Ford cocked an eyebrow at her. - She has a necklace she adores; when she misbehaves we take it away! - The expression on his face was clear: contempt.
-I want to talk with her. - The woman smiled annoyingly once again without moving. - Alone, Ms. Potter!
He approached her carefully, not wanting to show a threatening posture on any way. She turned around and saw him, he spotted recognition on her face, she kept silent though.
-Remember me? - She nodded.
-Mr. Moreau. - She said it cold and sharp as a knife, he actually felt cut by the lack of warm or joy in her words.
-My name is Nathan Ford, actually.
-You're a liar. - She was staring at spot on the wall. No, she was staring through it!
-I came for you, darling. -He sat on the bed next to her, being careful to keep his distant though.
-Why now? - He could see a lonely tear drawing its path through her soft cheek.
She was standing a few feet away from him when the door broke open and the agents burst in shouting violently and pointing guns. He could hear the sirens outside and the chopper's paddles working on the air, dogs barking, people communicating over coms "Roger that".
In a matter of seconds he was knocked to the ground as well as Jean, the Arabic prince and all of their security guards, he could feel the cold gun against his neck and strong arms immobilizing him. "Stay down" Sterling's voice whispered to him. From the floor he could see Olivia being dragged way by two special agents. MI6, Interpol, CIA; everyone was there.
Suddenly someone shouted. "Who's that girl?", "What is she doing here?", "Somebody grab her" He was able to turn his face just in time to see her flee, slipping from the arms of at least three different agents on her way out. The last thing he saw was the look on her blue eyes. Confusion, loneliness, betrayal...
-Why not now? - She got up from the bed at his words.
-You left me! You promised you'd always stay with me, you promised you'd protect e, but you didn't it! And, I was alone and scared and these people came and kept asking me stupid questions and pretending to be nice. They dragged me to some stupid home where they promised the same as you did and they broke that promise just as you did! - She fell with her knees to the ground, all of her strength lost on those words.
He knelt beside her and started rubbing her back to calm her down.
-You stole from them, why? - She cleaned her nose with her sleeve.
-They had a daughter my age. She was mean to me; she kept telling me I was only there because her parents pitied me and laughing at me because she had expensive toys and I didn't... I stole them so she couldn't laugh at me anymore...
-Oh, Parker, darling... - He moved to hug her the same way he had so many times before. She pushed him away.
-No! I don't want you here! Go way! - He saw anger in her; he saw also hurt.
-No, I am taking you home with me!
-No! I don't want to go home with you! You're not my dad you're not anything! Just leave! - He bit his lip at those words; she was so different from the sweet child he had met. - You took everything from me! You took Jean and it's because of you I am here! I hate you!
-I am sorry! I am sorry you suffered so much! Parker, I wanted to come sooner, but I couldn't and I am here now, isn't that what matters? - She started crying again, sobbing.
He had broken his promise before so, what guarantees did she have he wasn't going to do it again? She was a thief; she was mean and she was trouble; that's what everyone kept telling her. They'd tell her there was nothing wrong with and her and that they would help her, but eventually they would get tired and leave; he was not different from them. Nathan stared at her with tears in his eyes, he finally understood, it was not as if she didn't want to come home with him, no, she just didn't want to get hopeful just to be abandoned again; she didn't want to go through that process again so it was better to refuse him in the first place.
-I won't leave you Parker and you're stealing is no problem because I am thief too! - Her eyes widened and her mouth stood open for a moment; that was a surprise!
This "story" within the story grew longer that what I had planned so, there will be a last part.
If you liked this and want to read the rest today let me know and I will update!