Thanks so much for the support! I know it's been a while but I've been so busy with Uni and exams etc but some of my lectures were cancelled this week so I had more time to write this chapter, I hope you like it!
Skye tried hard not to let her anger get the best of her throughout the day but Raina's constant laughs and pointing made her furious. If it wasn't for Jemma's constant whispered reassurances and Fitz's flinches Skye would have stormed over and punched her in the face but, luckily, she managed to keep her cool.
"Right class! Today we are going to do something a little different, follow me"
Skye, Jemma and Fitz all loitered at the back of the line as the class filed out and into the main hall. They were meant to be doing science but it seemed they were in for a slightly abnormal lesson. It pained Skye to see how disinterested Leo was. Usually he was chattering non stop, especially in science, therefore this more dejected, quite Fitz worried her. As they filtered into the hall Jemma gasped as she saw what seemed to be a mock crime scene on the floor. Police tape cornered off a section of the hall whilst small numbered tags were scattered around the area. Her eyes lit up as she saw a broken door lying on the floor along with a blood splatter and body outline.
"Fitz look!" She marvelled as she dragged Fitz closer.
"Ok class, we have Mr Hunter here who is visiting us from the police department to explain how crime scenes are investigated and we also have help from one of their forensic science team if you want to explore that area a bit more too"
Immediately there was an explosion of talking as people rushed to join in. Groups grabbed the clipboards that were on the table and got to work, talking to Hunter and the scientists and writing down information.
"Let's go and get a sheet" Fitz said enthusiastically dragging Jemma but as he turned around to grab Skye too he paused. Jemma followed his eye line to where Skye was standing out of the way of the group, staring at the tape and blood as her body shook slightly.
"Skye? Are you ok?" Jemma asked.
Skye closed her eyes and squeezed her hands closed, nails digging into her palms as she shook her leg. She desperately tried to push away the visions that flickered through her mind like a showreel. Natasha screaming, a child's sobs, gun shots, blood pouring onto the floor as a man stood and laughed.
"Skye it's ok, your at school and your safe"
Skye snapped out of her thoughts and came face to face with Hunter. She let out a breath she didn't realise she had been holding in and her body became less rigid.
"Are you ok?" Hunter asked, eyes searching for any signs of anxiety.
Skye forced herself to smile "Fine thanks. Sorry I just…" she trailed off as her eyes met the police tape and blood.
Hunter internally swore. Of course this would trigger Skye. He silently cursed himself for being so stupid.
"Hey no I'm sorry. Do you want to maybe go and take a break?" Hunter asked.
Skye shook her head "I'm fine"
Hunter nodded and made his way back over to the group of students whilst Skye walked over to Jemma and Fitz who were pretending to talk a few feet away. She ignored all of the weird looks she got from other students and acted like nothing had happened.
"Was it bad?" Skye asked.
Jemma shook her head "You just sort of froze and closed your eyes. It was only about a minute or two long so it's an improvement"
Skye smiled, Jemma just understood her "come on lets be detectives".
"Was it bad?" May asked Hunter worriedly.
As soon as the class was over Hunter called May just to let her know about Skye's episode. "Not as bad as I've heard from Bobbi but, honestly, there is so much we don't know. The crime scene is what triggered it but I feel like there was more going on… I don't know Mel it's just a hunch"
May hummed in agreement "There's just so much that we don't know"
"Have you ever thought of, I don't know, investigating? Finding out what actually happened when she was younger?"
"We've talked about it briefly but we've just been so busy. Maybe we should. I don't know if Skye would want us to know though"
"Do you think it will help her? You knowing?"
May thought about it for a minute "Yes, I think so. Your right we have to do what's best for her. I know she deleted most of her records or altered them and SHIELD doesn't have a lot. I'll try talking to the Orphanage and then maybe searching old police files. Think you could help with that?"
"Anything for you" Hunter replied.
"6PM at my house see all of you there!"
Skye groaned as she found her path blocked by nearly everyone in her year as they swarmed Raina.
"What's going on?" Skye whispered to Jemma who shrugged.
"Oh Skye there you are!" Raina shrilled as she moved towards Skye. The crowd watched on with anticipation as the pair locked eyes.
"What do you want Raina?" she asked aggressively.
Raina smiled her sweet sickly smile "I actually wanted to invite you to my house party tonight. 6PM here's the address. Hope you can make it!" Raina gave Skye one last smile before flouncing off.
Skye tried her best to quell the uncomfortable nerves brewing in her stomach as she walked away from the group and towards Phil… no her dad's classroom.
"Skye?"
"What?" Skye snapped whirling around to face Jemma.
Skye tried not to feel bad as Jemma flinched "I was just asking if you were alright"
Skye sighed "Sorry, yes I'm fine. I have a party to prepare for."
When Skye asked her parents whether she could go to Jemma's house for dinner that night they readily agreed. As long as she kept them updated and wasn't home too late there didn't see any problem with Skye having more of a social life. So at 5:30 Skye left. She had made an effort tonight, sporting a medium length dark blue dress, leather jacket and boots. She had never been to a party before and wanted to blend in.
"Why are you doing this? Just come to my house please" Jemma begged as she followed Skye in the direction of Raina's house.
Skye thought about it. Why was she doing this? Was she looking for a fight or did she want to prove that she wasn't scared? Honestly she didn't know but her legs kept propelling her onwards. Fitz had decided to sit this one out but agreed to meet tomorrow so she would see him then. Skye made sure to take as many twists and turns as she could, hoping that for once no one was watching her or trying to keep her safe. Hopefully her last minute decision to go meant that Bobbi and Hunter would assume she was at Jemma's.
Skye stopped in front of a large modern home. The blaring music confirmed she was in the right place. Taking a deep breath she opened the door.
A wave of heat smacked her in the face as she pushed her way through the immense crowed. Lights flashed as bodies jumped up and down in time with the rhythm.
"What now?" Jemma yelled above the music.
Skye shrugged as she grabbed Jemma's hand pulling her through the crowded living room and towards a sliding door. Once she was outside in the cold November air it was easier to breathe. There was a massive pool and a couple of teens hanging around it drinking.
"I can't see Raina" Skye said peering back into the living room.
Suddenly Skye had an idea. She was voluntarily allowed in her enemy's home… why not use this opportunity? Moving quickly Skye found the staircase and ascended with Jemma following. It wasn't hard to find which room was Raina's there were flowers painted on the white door and as Skye peered in she gasped. The room was massive. It had simple blue and black walls with a wooden floor with white furnishings and flower pictures on the walls.
"Skye please lets go. We shouldn't do this!" Jemma pleaded but Skye continued on.
"We have to find something… I don't know what but there must be something here that links her to Ward or my father… uh Cal. But what I don't understand is I thought Cal said Raina was one of his orphans…" Skye trailed off in deep thought.
"Maybe she was adopted? Or she does love running around places, jumping from social group to social group so maybe she just knows everyone" Jemma suggested.
Skye hummed in acknowledgment as she started sifting through Raina's things. Suddenly she growled in frustration "nothings here!" She yelled kicking the wardrobe.
"Skye come on lets go" Jemma started but before she could continue they heard footsteps.
"Quick in here!" Skye whispered dragging Jemma into the wardrobe.
"Ouch that's my foot!" Jemma hissed.
"Sorry!" Skye replied moving slightly. It was incredibly cramped but somehow, they managed to keep quite.
"Yeah I mean they want to move onto the next phase soon but with SHIELD's constant protection it's going to be hard"
Skye carefully peered through the crack in the door, watching as Raina paced phone pressed tightly against her ear.
"I'm trying! She's well protected… uhuh… well maybe next time you should actually get her." Raina sighed "I know… I'm sorry, I'll be better. Give me another chance. Everyone in the school thinks she's crazy and her friends will soon be leaving her alone so she will be vulnerable. Let her run away again or do something reckless then it's your chance... Wait really? Are you serious? That will be helpful… I'll keep trying to find out more information but there's been no signs of anything unusual yet. Ok im meeting him now… thanks bye"
As soon as the footsteps had retreated Skye breathed a sigh of relief. "That was close" Skye laughed.
"Skye this isn't funny, lets go now!"
Skye groaned as she followed Jemma back down the stairs and towards the door. However before she reached it someone blocked her path.
"Skye you made it!" Raina sneered.
"Yeah thanks for the invite" Skye sneered back.
"Where's Fitz couldn't he make it? I very much wanted to see him" Raina laughed along with her friends and by now a crowd was starting to form.
"Skye" Jemma hissed trying to pull her away but Skye stood her ground.
"How about we go outside?" she suggested and Raina nodded following Skye's lead.
Once they were out in the open Skye turned and rushed towards Raina.
"What the hell is your problem? Hurting Fitz?" She yelled.
Raina laughed "that's the price to pay being friends with a freak like you. What's the matter Skye? Didn't mummy and daddy teach you manners growing up. Oh that's right you didn't have any. They took one look at you and threw you out with the trash. Even Lincoln would rather kill himself than be with you."
Skye immediately saw red. Her right fist collided with Raina's face as Raina stumbled backwards, nose bleeding. "That's for Fitz". Skye then kneed her in the stomach. "That's for Jemma". Next she twisted her arm pressing it hard against her back "this is for Lincoln" and finally Skye let go… Raina flying into the pool "and that's for Natasha!".
Instead of feeling scared of the water Skye felt energised. She wanted revenge. For a second all she felt was freedom like she was a separate entity until the world came crashing down. Suddenly she was aware of people screaming, loud sirens and pounding footsteps as people started to flee. Skye looked up and saw chaos.
"Skye!"
Skye followed Jemma's pointed hand to the water and to her horror saw that Raina wasn't there.
"Shit" Skye swore in her anger she must have knocked Raina unconscious and she was drowning…
"Jemma I can't" Skye spluttered. The water. She couldn't. Visions of Natasha and herself in the well exploded in her mind. Then the night in the lake… she couldn't jump in. She couldn't.
"Help!" Skye screamed. She wasn't a murderer, it was an accident. She had gotten angry and…
"What's going on?" A policeman came storming over "there was a noise complaint"
Skye froze and Jemma spoke up for her "Our friend she fell into the pool and she hasn't come up" Jemma explained quickly.
The officer quickly called over his partner as they started to rescue Raina.
"Quick let's go" Skye whispered to Jemma but before she could make a run for it Aida was there.
"Sir it was her! She hurt Raina and then pushed her in the pool I have it on my phone!"
Skye groaned as an officer immediately blocked her path "What's your name?"
"Mary" Skye lied smoothly. Jemma shot her a disapproving look but said nothing.
"Well Mary how about you take a seat over there?"
Skye sat down on the patio chair the officer had pointed at. "Jemma go home it's ok. It's already late, I'll text you later"
After hovering about for another minute Jemma left bidding Skye good luck. Skye watched as the police officer gave Raina first aid. The girl was unconscious but looked as though she was breathing which was good.
The next half hour went by in a blur. An ambulance arrived to take Raina to the hospital, her grandmother, after turning up horrified and worried went with her to the hospital. After Raina was sorted the officers spoke to witnesses and saw the footage on Aida's phone.
"Mary lets go to the police station and sort things out there ok?"
Skye nodded and allowed herself to be escorted into the police car. Skye tried to ignore the guilt roaring inside her… May and Phil… no mom and dad were going to freak out. She had already put them through so much what with Lincoln and running away from school it felt like it had been non stop action.
"It's 8:30 Phil and she won't answer her phone. She's usually good at keeping us updated"
Phil sighed "Calm down Mel she's probably having fun with Jemma. We agreed to give her some space, all we've done lately is worry about her but she's ours, our daughter and that won't ever change. Plus SHIELD is keeping an eye out and Hunter and Bobbi are watching her."
Mel sat down on the couch "Your right anyway there's something I wanted to talk to you about… I asked Hunter to do some digging to see if there were any more files on Skye about her childhood." Melinda took a deep breath before pulling out a file from the draw next to her "he sent me this. Not everything's there, this is only what he found earlier but it's something. I wanted to wait until we were alone"
Phil nodded and sat down next to her "are you sure we can't just ask her?"
"She might not fully remember or want to tell us but we need to know. After todays attack I realized we need to know more. She won't talk to Andrew anymore…"
"We will try to get her to talk to Andrew ok? I'll talk to her"
Melinda nodded and opened the file. On the first page were a list of estimated homes Skye had been to. Hunter had stuck a post it note on which read: I managed to put this list together from a load of different files and information from the Orphanage.
"42 homes that's about 3 homes a year" May gasped
"No, not homes" Phil said as he turned the page.
"Now I'm going to ask you again, what's your name?"
Skye sighed and leant back in her chair "Mary Johnson"
The man let out a frustrated groan "Look kid at worst all we are going to give you is a warning. Raina's grandmother was understanding and doesn't want to press charges and it looks like Raina will be ok. All I want to do is talk to your parents and the easiest way to do that would be if you would tell me your name"
Skye went to speak before he cut in "real name"
"Her name's Skye"
Skye snapped her head up as the door opened and Hunter came waltzing in "my my, someone loves to cause trouble don't they?"
Skye rolled her eyes as Hunter sat down opposite her eating an apple "Bobbi and I went to Jemma's house to keep an eye on you but you weren't there. So then we hear on the police comms about a teenage party which got out of control. Know anything about that?"
Skye smiled sarcastically "Not a clue"
Hunter let out a small laugh "you do have some balls kid. May and Phil are on their way but between you and me Raina deserved it." Hunter winked before walking out the room.
Skye jumped as the door opened again "let's go".
As Skye walked out into reception she saw May and Phil standing at the door. May's face was stoic whilst Phil's was etched with worry. "Are you ok?" Phil asked hugging Skye immediately. Skye nodded, keeping her eyes on the ground.
"Get in the car. We'll talk when we get home"
Skye tried not to flinch when May said that but her voice held a coldness that Skye had never encountered before. The ride home in the car was deadly silent and as soon as Phil stopped the car the couple walked straight inside and into the living room. Skye followed suit picking up Arthur for support.
"Sit down" May ordered. Skye complied. "Want to tell me what happened?"
Skye sighed "not really". After seeing May's glare Skye started recounting what had happened. "Raina invited me to her party so I had to go but I knew you would never let me. I just wanted to find information and you know make sure she knew I wasn't a coward"
"No what you did was stupid and reckless. After everything you - we have been through together, to protect you, to help you and you lie to us? You know first-hand how dangerous it is out there! And picking fights? Skye you were arrested and I'm sure it's not the first time you have had a bad label on your record. What if they decided you needed to go to juvie, or I don't know, that we aren't good enough parents? We're trying so hard and this is how you repay us? By lying and hurting others!"
Skye was frozen to the spot. The anger and pain in May's eyes made her want to sink into the ground. May didn't understand "She beat up Fitz and after everything she deserved to be taught a lesson! Everything is her fault!" Skye yelled back standing up.
"Don't you dare talk to your mother like that!" Phil scolded.
Great so now it's two against one. Skye had enough. She had more important things to be worrying about like seeing Cal and finding out who was after her. All of Skye's bottled up emotions just blew up all at once.
"Up until a few weeks ago I didn't even have a mom and I did just fine without one!" Skye screamed back.
The hurt and unshed tears bubbling in May's eyes made Skye pause but she wasn't done. Her mouth had started and she couldn't stop it now.
"Raina deserved what she got and I… I wanted to hurt her! She should die for what she's done and you can't talk about lying. Ever since you met me you've been lying! SHIELD and my dad and everything!"
"You know we didn't know anything about that. SHIELD kept us in the dark too" Phil tried to reason.
May and Phil were at a loss. They were angry about Skye's decisions and what she was saying to them but they knew she was hurting and confused.
"Skye how about we talk about this tomorrow?" May suggested "once you've calmed down"
"Just send me back. I'm a bad person, you should get another kid" Skye replied furiously, before running to her room.
May sighed "I don't know what to do. She got arrested!"
Phil embraced Melinda tightly "I know but kids make mistakes. Besides you can't say that Raina didn't deserve it"
May rolled her eyes "It's not that I'm mad about. It's the lying. She told us she was at Jemma's, what if something bad happened? After everything she's been through, I would have thought she would have been more sensible"
"She is your daughter" following Melinda's glare he let out a small laugh "look at it from her point of view. Besides Ward and Garrett, Raina has messed up her life. And right now, Raina is the only one that Skye can take that anger out on. She's been spreading rumours, hurt Fitz and god knows what else. And after Lincoln's um… episode and Cal asking to see her she's seeking out fights. You know what that's like. She's expecting us to change our minds about her, thinking all of this is too much trouble. She's testing us. Yes, we've adopted her but realistically we've only known her nearly 4 months, everything's happened so fast."
May sighed "I know I just wished she would talk to us. Although I would rather this version of Skye than the scared to death, sick one. We still need to set rules and boundaries though and despite how much Raina deserved it we need to show Skye that unprovoked violence is not ok. This parenting stuff is hard"
Phil hummed in agreement "I think we also need to talk to Nick. All this SHIELD stuff filling her head. I don't think she was ready and I don't really want her joining the academy either. You heard her, she wanted to kill Raina."
"We've killed many people"
"Yes but we weren't fourteen. She's growing up too fast. We need to slow it down, make her worry about school assignments not perspective murderers"
May laughed "We'll talk to her tomorrow, I don't know ground her or something and keep a closer eye on her. I understand all too well how easy it is to hurt others to make yourself feel better"
Skye slammed the door behind her and jumped onto the bed. Tears spilled down her cheeks and her phone screen blurred as she tried to focus. After finding Jemma and Fitz's names she sent the message:
Meet me tomorrow 7AM it's time for answers.
