Chapter Eight: Search Party
Skipper stared off into space, his eyes locked to the window outside as though he expected Sky to come up the runway with Sparky. His thoughts traveled back to their argument. It was kind of hard to believe a girl her age could believe she was forever meant to be alone and without a family. But when he remembered her story about her parents, Skipper found her attitude more understandable. If only he could get her to see otherwise; if only she could remain hopeful, maybe then she wouldn't be so angry all the time. Still, they both said some pretty nasty things to each other. Skipper stood firm by his decisions; he didn't feel it necessary to reveal his memories to a little girl, especially not…that one memory. The one that always kept him up at night. Like that night when he had that nightmare and startled Sky half to death. For some reason, he felt guilt bubbling up when he realized how much he scared her, and everything in him seemed to scream "Is she okay? Make sure she's okay!" But why? Why did he care about this random little girl Sparky brought home one day? It's not like they shared a bond or anything.
Right?
Skipper looked down as Sparky rolled up beside him. The two sat in silence for a long, tense moment. "Do….do you think….maybe…I was too hard on her?" Skipper finally asked.
"Maybe a little." Sparky nodded. "You can be a bit temperamental at times. I mean, she does need a better attitude about her situation, but I guess when you're so young you can't help yourself sometimes." He smiled at Skipper. "It's not completely your fault that you don't trust anyone with your past. I was there; I know how hard it can be on you. Sky's the same way."
"Really?" Skipper murmured, sarcasm laced in his tone.
Sparky chuckled. "Hey, that day when she blurted out her past with her parents was the first time I ever heard the story. You two have a lot more in common than you think." He turned to better face Skipper. "Just…..think about this: why did you want to hide your past from Sky even after she told you hers? You may not see it, Skip, but that kid's had quite the positive influence on you."
Skipper chuckled softly, disbelievingly. "I don't think so."
"I don't think so either." Sparky said. "I know so."
Skipper stared at Sparky, a small smile growing on his lips. But they jumped when someone knocked hurriedly on the hanger doors. Sparky answered and blinked in surprise to find Chug, Rosa, and a blonde and a brunette human woman outside the doors. "Chug? Rosa? What an unexpected pleasure. And this is…?" He looked to the extra two human women.
"Angelica and Jessa." Rosa said hurriedly. "Social workers. Tell me: is Skylar around here?"
"Please tell me you've been hiding her all this time!" Chug begged.
Skipper turned and approached the door. "What're you talking about? We haven't seen Skylar since Monday."
"Likely story." Angelica scoffed.
"Not now, Angelica!" Rosa snapped.
"Rosa, Chug, what is going on?" Skipper asked, firmly yet with concern in his voice.
Rosa swallowed. "Skylar's missing. She left for school yesterday morning but then never came back. I called the school; she hasn't been in class at all yesterday or today."
"She ran away?" Sparky asked, shocked and worried.
"That's what we believe." Jessa said, looking concerned.
Angelica, on the other hand, looked irritated. "Damn kid disappeared when nobody was looking."
Skipper immediately found he hated this Angelica lady. But he pushed it aside for now. "Have we searched town?"
"I just got done asking everyone in Propwash Junction." Chug said. "Everyone swears she's not anywhere here."
"I contacted the police in Sterling, but so far nothing." Rosa said, her anxiety growing. "I'm so scared for her."
"Why would Skylar run away in the first place?" Skipper demanded.
"That's none of your concern." Angelica snapped.
Rosa spoke up not a second later. "She's angry and she's scared. Only this time for an entirely different reason." Sparky and Skipper stared at her, allowing her to continue. "I'm only allowed to keep orphans until they reach a certain age. Skylar is the oldest child I have; when she turns eleven, she's going to be transferred to a new foster home in another state."
"But her birthday's in less than two weeks!" Sparky realized.
"That's the problem." Rosa said. "There was a small fight, and Skylar is determined to stay in Sterling."
"She's just scared to leave." Jessa assured. "Sterling has been her home for so long. It only makes sense she would want to stay. But policy in Minnesota dictates that wards of the state need to grow up around other children their age so to not hinder their development psychologically. This applies to both school and home, the latter being where we had an issue."
"Did anyone ever think to ask if Skylar Amelia even wanted to leave?" Skipper demanded.
"She's a child." Angelica said snidely. "She doesn't know what she wants."
"That is the weakest excuse I've ever heard!" Skipper suddenly shouted, making Angelica recoil.
"Then she doesn't know what she needs!" Angelica snapped. "That's what Jessa and I are here for."
"You're wrong." Skipper growled. "She's a smart girl. That's how she's been able to stay hidden for so long and that's why I'm confident she does know what she needs. Sparky, let's go." He began rolling outside, Sparky hurriedly following.
"Where are we going?" Sparky asked.
"We're going to find her." Skipper said.
"Let the police handle it!" Angelica snapped. "You'll never find her!"
"Try me!" Skipper snapped back, not even pausing.
Chug sped off after Sparky and Skipper, Rosa and Jessa close behind. "Hold up, you two! I'll get the trailer hooked up and I'll take ya where you need to go."
"Chug, we're going to Sterling." Skipper said. "I know she's there; we just have to look for her."
"Then I'll take you all the way to Sterling." Chug said determinedly. "Just let me hook up the trailer!" His tires squealed a bit as he hurried away.
"Here." Rosa pulled a cell phone from her pocket and handed it to Sparky. "It's my emergency cell. I'm going to get a ride back now and ask the children if they know where Skylar might be. I'll call you if I find something."
"I'll help her." Jessa offered.
"Done." Skipper nodded, waiting impatiently for Chug to return. Skylar Amelia….just hang on…
Sky prided herself in her ability to stay hidden. When she was younger, she used to pretend to be a ninja and sneak up on children to scare them. Now, those ninja-like tactics came in handy as she ducked out of sight from police officers and other adults she knew. Apart from that, she just wandered around the city of Sterling like she did for the past two days. An ever-present frown glued itself to her lips, her normally bright blue-green eyes dull and stuck to the ground. Her stomach growled often, but she couldn't bring herself to go so low as to steal something. She tried searching the garbage cans, but found nothing.
Orphans are nothing more than dogs in a pound, waiting to be adopted. Sky thought miserablely. Now, I'm the stray, wandering around the city and hoping I'm not caught or killed as I try to live.
Like most miserable children would when in her position, Sky's thoughts traveled back to everything bad happening in her life.
One: her parents abandoned her for being a psyche human.
Two: she hasn't been adopted since then.
Three: she's on the verge of being held back a year in school.
Four: someone's forcing her to leave Sterling, which would mean she would leave her only friend.
Five: she had that huge fight with Skipper.
Sky paused in her self-loathing at the thought of Skipper. For some reason, she felt a longing to be near the old Corsair again. She used to think the only good thing in her life was her friendship with Sparky. The forklift was the only one who could wiggle his way into her heart and make her feel like she was wanted and loved. So why did she feel the need to be near Skipper of all people? He was a stubborn, ill-tempered old crankshaft who didn't even like Sky when they first met.
But what about now? Despite their arguments, including the last one, Sky found there were a number of times Skipper proved to be more than she expected. Like when he forced an answer out of her when she was in her bad mood last Friday. Or when he took the weekend to show off his home to her. Or when he seemed genuinely concerned after his nightmare scared her. Even that day when he ordered Sparky to help Sky with her math homework. Still, even with their evenly balanced ups and downs, did that mean he actually cared about her? And she did really care about him?
Did it even matter anymore?
I screwed up, so I can't turn back now. There's no choice. Sky thought, still miserable. I have to start over. Away from Sterling. Away from Rosa and Sparky and Skipper and Chug and everyone. Maybe I can walk down the highway to another town or another state. Then I can find another foster family to take me in and I'll be adopted faster. Bobbing her head in agreement, Sky began walking towards the edge of town.