Written by QuakeUniverse

Context: So I'm writing a story about what it would be like if Phil Coulson and Melinda May had taken in Daisy (Skye) as a kid. I've seen this done a few times and love this concept, so thought I'd take a swing at it. That being said, I'll try to keep it as original as possible!! Enjoy!!_

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Chapter 1

Skye's dark brown eyes flew open, and her mind raced with the information she had received before she'd fallen asleep. The room where all the girls slept was hardly light, as the sun had just begun to rise. It cast a little bit of light on the faded wallpaper. She couldn't see well, but judging from the soft snores and heavy breathing she heard around her, the others were still asleep.

Sister Diana had seemed uncharacteristically enthusiastic when she had broken the news that a couple had agreed to take her in. Skye hated the way she talked to her, making it seem like she was a little kid. She was old enough to be treated her age.

She's probably glad, she thought. I don't know why, since she has to know by now I'll be back.

The heavy reality that nothing was truly permanent weighed on the little ten year old girl as she laid in bed under a sheet, refusing to let her eyes well up. She was stronger than that. She would not cry.

I don't want to go, she thought to herself defiantly, but knowing there was nothing she could do to stop it. She sighed and a quiet yawn escaped her. How many times had she been told she was going home, only to end up a little more broken and right back where she started?

Skye had lost count.

Right there in her bed, as sat up brushing her tangled hair away from her face, the little girl determined she would not get attached. She would not hope for this placement to last, because she already knew it wouldn't . She wouldn't give them any reason to dislike or scold her, although grownups always seemed to find fault with her regardless. She would not open up to them either though. It was just easier that way; Easier to pack up and leave it all when the time came. Despite her young age, life had taught her that hoping was never a good idea. the people you'd given your trust to would inevitably use your weaknesses against you.

The first days back at the orphanage after a failed placement were always tough ones. Skye shivered in her bed as she recalled the mean words from other children, who teased her for always coming back. She tried not to let it get to her, and always had to remind herself that they were only jealous they hadn't ever gotten to leave in the first place. However, when she remembered some of the worse foster placements she'd gone through, it wasn't all that bad, besides not having any computers or technology for her to use, which was one of her only hobbies.

She looked around the room, still dark for the most part. Knowing that soon someone would come to wake them all anyways, she silently slipped out of bed and tiptoed across the squeaky, old floors to the washroom, taking care not to wake anyone else. As she splashed water on her face, the feeling of nervousness grew more intensely.

Bad memories flooded her. Unfamiliar faces. All the yelling and shouting. The sting of being constantly compared to the other children around her, and the dull ache of her heart that never really went away, not fully. She replayed the hopeless, empty feeling of many lonely nights in places she did not recognize.

Why does this keep happening to me?

A lump rose in her throat. How could she endure it another time?

You're not a baby anymore, she told herself harshly, scrubbing her pale face and looking at her reflection in the smudged mirror. Her complexion was pale, and the worn, forest green hoodie she slept in had seen better days. It was two sizes too large, and she examined the tear in the sleeve, unsure where it had come from. She knew she was thinner than she ought to be, and hated how small years of being underfed and treated harshly had made her look. She brushed through her hair quickly, trying to work through the unruly mess. Eventually she gave up and tried her best to put it into a braid, although she wasn't very good at it, and some bits were left out.

People probably think I'm five, she thought, frowning. But maybe that's not so bad. People like younger kids.

Many times when entering a new placement, she had put in as much effort as possible to ensure she at least looked responsible and nice, but this time she didn't bother. It never seemed to make any difference in the past, so why would it now?

Despite her efforts, as she packed up her small collection of belongings into her tattered backpack, she found herself wondering what the new family would be like. Sister Diana hadn't mentioned any other children. As much as she disliked being compared to non-foster kids in her past family experiences, she thought that maybe that would be a little better.

At least then they'll be more likely to ignore me, so maybe I'll finally have a little bit of freedom, she reasoned.

Being neglected had proven better in the past than being watched like a hawk, even if that meant Skye had been forced to take care of herself. It had been difficult, but regardless of the countless things she had never had the privilege of being taught how to do, she made it work.

The morning dragged on, and felt as though it was lasting far too long, until the door to the orphanage slammed loudly, leaving her standing in the cold and making her ears ring. Her little nose was red and her body shivered in her light clothing. She angrily tossed her bag aside and sat down on the stone porch. Tear streaks remained on her face from the incident that had just taken place at breakfast, and she tried to wipe them away with her hand.

Her mind had been on what the next few hours would hold, and as usual, she hadn't been paying much attention. Daydreaming caused her to ignore what was going around her. One of the boys had whispered something about her to the girl next to him, and as her chest tightened in anger, Skye had shot him a dirty look. He then reached out and pulled on her braid, causing it to come undone, and as she tried to stop him, she bumped into her milk, causing it to spill all over the table. At that moment sister Catherine walked into the room, and roughly pulled Skye out of her chair when the boy blamed the incident on her. Frightened by the scolding, she had tried to apologize, but nevertheless, she now deliberately covered a part of her cheek with her dark hair to hide the bruise she could feel forming as a result of Sister Catherine's anger. It wasn't the first time she had been punished for carelessness, but it stung, making her face hot against the chilly November wind.

I never want to see this place again, she thought, upset at the way the day was unfolding and trying to stop herself from sniffling. It made her feel weak. Though she wouldn't admit it, at heart Skye was still a scared little girl who didn't want to go away, but who just as much didn't want to stay. It didn't make much sense at all.

Then a new thought struck her. She realized that she was alone, with not even any other children around. It was a rare moment. She was hardly ever left unattended.

What if I just….left? Her heart skipped a beat at the thought of running away. Where would she go? Did it even really matter? Her pulse quickened as the thought pushed her to get up from the bench. Running away quickly became the only thing that made sense to her. She didn't stop to think about the dangers of being alone with no way to provide for herself. After all, she was only a child.

I have to be fast, she told herself, glancing at the closed door to the orphanage and making sure no one was observing from the inside.

She knew that getting caught would not end well. Her mind flashing to a memory of a few years before when her friend Jake had attempted to run away. He had been returned and punished, and it had frightened Skye very much, but she had made up her mind.

I won't get caught, she reassured herself. I'm too smart for that. Smarter than Jake anyways. I have to do this.

She hiked her backpack containing all she owned on her shoulders and walked down the path leading to the orphanage with a new determination.

I- I just can't go through it all again.

Her heart dropped a little when she thought of how disappointed the people would be when they arrived to get her, only to realize she wasn't there. They would surely be there to get her soon, but she shrugged the feeling off. They can just take someone else, she told herself, her pace becoming quicker and her stride more confident. She was sure a lot of confusion would take place once everyone realized she was gone. All of the sisters would likely argue, and a small smile edged its way onto her face at the thought of it.

For certainly not the first time, Skye was on her own. She was leaving it behind her. Leaving all the pain and the cruelty the world had given her, and if there was one thing she was adamant about it was this; She was NOT coming back.