Sky and Hawks Story
Runaway
Sky swiftly lifted her small, blue rucksack from the ground slinging it over her shoulder. She held all her possessions in that small bag. Her life. Now what am I going to do? She asked herself omly the wild, wind, whipping about her head to answer her question. She new she had to leave the city, they'd be looking for her soon. But where could she go? She headed down the steep hill, refusing to look back.
She followed the long, black road, for what seemed like an eternity, finally stopping after hours of endless walking. Sky couldn't go any further. She was too tired. She glanced around her, finding herself near a small cluster of tall trees. It was dark now, a light breeze flowing through the air. She breathed in smelling the sweet sent of the fresh summer flowers. She new she was close to another city she'd visited her aunt and uncle once when she had been a young child, but then they'd moved to Denver in America and she hadn't seen them again. She missed them especially her little cousin Astrid. She and her aunt were so much like her and her mother.
Sky shook her head. Forcing her tired legs to move. It'll be fine. She told herself silently it wasn't the safest place to be in the middle of nowhere at night time, but what other choice did she have? She slumped down by a tall old tree, settling herself against it, her bag held firmly against her side. She just prayed she'd be safe the last thing she needed was to wake up and find that someone had stole her things or worse. No. She wouldn't think about that now she couldn't. Her eyes closed tightly, wishing she was far from here, some where she could be herself, somewhere safe.
Sky woke early the next morning the bright sun, burning like fire on her pale skin. The soft breeze flowing through her tangled hair. She stood, lifting a small silver mirror from the back pocket of her faded blue jeans. A frown crossed her pale, pink lips as she stared at the swollen, purple, grey bruise that had formed around her eye. She new no amount of make up would cover it, make up usually worked in fading the bruises, but this time was different she wanted people to see it to know what they'd done. No more tears, no more excuses and no more bruises. She'd promised herself the previous night and she intended to keep to that promise not matter what. She shoved the mirror into the side pocket of her bag, which she slung back on her shoulder. She headed to the city, to her new future.
Hawk stood in front of the small group that were now huddled together at the back of an alley way. He'd barley listened to the gangs suggestions on how to get money, some of the gang had managed to get jobs, part time no questions asked jobs but they were running out and with the gangs ever growing members they needed a regular income, one that wouldn't let the police or any one else find out about them.
Hawk stared at his sister who was now talking she looked so much like his mother, tall, slender with short blond hair, unlike his own which was as dark as a raven's wing. She had bright blue eyes the one genetic trait that everyone in his family had. Both he and Cecelia had been on the streets for over two years now it had been tough, but in time they'd managed to gather together a large group of teenagers who'd been orphaned, kicked out of their homes or abused by their families. They'd become a family over the years.
"What do you think Hawk?" Rea a fifteen year old, ebony haired girl with bright green eyes was now staring at him awaiting his answer. He'd been appointed the leader of the gang. He was smart, level headed and rarely let anything get in his way of looking after the gangs best interests.
"I think we should get out of here. There's cops every where and the last thing we need right now is to be escorted to one of those kids homes." Hawk led the way into the busy streets, their were crowds of people shopping, working it was easy for them to avoid being seen except when they stayed still for a long time. It wasn't a holiday so the police were on the look out for truants. Some of the gang members looked eighteen and were able to walk around the streets and not get noticed but the ones who didn't had to be extra careful.
Hawk arrived back at the old boarding school, his and the gangs home, he'd come across the place a couple of years before, it had been shut down after the head teacher had been caught having an affair with a teenage student. Once the government had decided it wasn't worth paying to repair it, the old school had been deserted in the middle of miles of fields, it was surrounded by trees which kept it from view of the local city. Luckily there was still electric which for some reason hadn't been cut off when it had been abandoned. Making it the perfect hiding place.
Hawk wandered up the long stairs, the building consisted of four floors the main held the hall, a reception area, the kitchen, two offices which were rarely used and a huge room which had once been used as a gym was now a living room for the gang with items that had been collected over the past few years. The final three floors contained around 70 rooms, there was also an open roof which over looked the whole city.
He wandered down the second floor he'd moved his room a year before wanting to be away from the others in the gang after the death of Kara. He walked into his room which was reasonably large it had been a shared room with white washed walls. He'd taken an old wardrobe and a double bed from the teachers quarters, he'd also kept a set of brown varnished draws by his bed.
He slumped onto the navy bed spread and searched through the top draw pulling out a torn photograph of a young fifteen year old girl, she had wavy blond hair and pale blue eyes, her arm was draped around Hawk's shoulder it had only been taken less than a year before, two weeks before she'd betrayed him, two weeks before he'd lost her forever. He lay his head back on the pillow after placing the photograph back in the draw. The past. He told himself Kara was the past.
The dark streets were deserted as Sky reached the city, she'd remembered the journey to be a lot shorter but she'd only been 5 years old when she'd visited and her memory was vague. She looked around her eyes staring up at the welcoming, bright lights, beaming from tall skyscrapers. Sky continued down the long cluttered streets, she was afraid. The streets were full of dark alley ways where anyone could be lurking. The city was unfamiliar to her. She didn't know any one and had no where to stay. What are you going to do now? She asked herself silently looking around the streets desperately trying to find a place to sleep. She turned down another street, a loud scream in front of her caught her attention, she felt fear fill her, her heart wild in her chest. She new she should turn back but she couldn't move she was frozen to the spot. Then she saw them two groups of teenagers charging towards each other, still she couldn't move.
Her gaze moved quickly from the gang to the sound of a low female voice calling to her from the nearest alley way.
"Come with me." She turned to face the tall girl, with hair as red as fire who stood at the entrance to an alley way. She grabbed Sky's arm and roughly pulled her down the long alley. Sky was unsure she didn't usually follow strangers down dark alleys, but what else could she do, she was alone and after witnessing the two gangs charge at each other she new the city wasn't safe. "Hurry before some one sees." They climbed down a whole which led to the dim sewers. The stench was atrocious, the walls flickered with the reflection of the dirty, stagnant water. Sky obediently followed the girl from the sewers and onto the over grown grass.
They walked over the long fields for nearly fifteen minutes, the Flame haired girl had only spoken briefly asking her questions nothing personal, she hadn't even mentioned her eye. They stood outside an old boarding school which appeared almost deserted except for a small light shining through the broken front window.
They entered the building using the side entrance. Sky stared around the brightly painted building, the inside was much different from the outside. With in seconds they were greeted by around 14 teenagers and two small children, twins of only 10 years of age, each had hair as black as charcoal and eyes greener than emeralds.
"Who's this?" Tom a tall boy of around 17, with thick brown hair and brown eyes turned to the flame haired girl.
"She's a stray." The girl answered proudly as if Sky wasn't even there. Sky felt like a new toy. All of the teenagers were now observing her some from a distance, most from close up.
"Does she have a name?" Jack a boy of around 13, with light brown hair and suspicious brown eyes asked again addressing his question to the Flame haired girl.
"I'm Sky." Her voice shook a little she was nervous. After all she'd never been the focus of attention in her life and wasn't used to having a group of strangers glaring at her.
"Welcome Sky." A dazzling smile crossed Hawks lips. Sky stared at the handsome guy of around 17, he began to walk towards her down the long, winding stairs. She took at deep breath her eyes never leaving his strong face.
He'd been watching her from the moment she and Flame had walked through the door. She was beautiful, her hair a light chest nut. Her eyes amber, brown amazing eyes. So clear, so open. He guessed she was around 16. Her eyes were now a dark brown and he new she was afraid. Could he blame her? Sky had been nervous at first when she'd been swamped by the large gang. More than most. He'd known the reason the moment she'd looked up at him and he'd seen that ugly purple bruise around her eye. A fresh bruise one she'd acquired less than two or three days before. She wore a long sleeved white top than clung tightly to her arms showing little flesh. He new that she was hiding more many more bruises. He felt anger begin to consume him. But forced himself to remain calm. She was safe now and she'd stay that way, he'd make sure of that.
"I'm Hawk, and this is my gang, you're welcome to stay here as long as you like, we're all strays and runaways. " Hawk introduced himself when he reached the bottom of the stairs. Then swiftly walked over to Celia, not wanting to crowd Sky he could sense her weariness of him and couldn't blame her for it.
"This is Celia, my sister." A tall beautiful blonde woman stopped forward to greet her.
"Hi." Sky greeted her with a small, shy smile. Why are you being so nice to me? She asked herself. Sky Listened carefully as Hawk introduced the members of the gang one by one, she new she wouldn't be able to remember all of them, but listened anyway.
"This is Lola." Sky looked at the women in front of her. She guessed she was around 15, her sandy blond hair flowed, freely down her slender back. A small lit up her pretty face.
"Rea." Sky observed the beauty standing in front of her. Her hair was the same colour as coal, her eyes greener than emeralds. She was around 15 Sky guessed greeting the women.
"Mitch." An older boy of around 17 stepped forwards his brown hair curling around the collar of his shirt. His eyes the same worm brown as his hair. He was strong, built similar to Hawk. She added to herself.
"Trudy." Was as tall as Rea and Lola and around the same age. Her hair was a chestnut brown with shades of blonde when it hit different lights.
"Tara." Was shorter than Lola and the others, her rich auburn hair hung in a pony tail at the back of her head. Her bright smile reaching her eyes showing off her dimples.
"You've met Jack and Tom." Hawk had observed the earlier brief conversation they and Flame had, had. He made a mental note to speak to the two guys about there manners. He had already decided to talk to Tom he'd been absent from the group the last few weeks and he'd been worried Celia had noticed too.
"This is Sugar." Sky guessed she was around 14, her light brown hair was cut above her shoulders.
"Celine." Was around 16 with strawberry blond hair and light brown eyes. Stepped
"Ebony." A tall tanned girl stepped forwards her dark black hair was braided. She looked around 17 years old.
"This is Sam." A short boy with curly blond hair stepped forward, he stared up at Sky, who guessed her must be around 13.
"Mike." A tall dark haired boy with green eyes stepped forwards Sky guessed he was around 17.
"This is Zack." A tall muscled boy of around 17 stepped forwards his blue eyes almost as beautiful as Hawks, his hair blond with highlights of a soft brown. "And then of course there's Scarlet." The young girl of only 16 who'd brought her to the old boarding school stepped forwards. "Call me Flame. Everyone else does." She shot Hawk a deadly look. Sky's smile widened at the innocent look that appeared on his face. "And these are the twins the youngest members of or our gang." Flame took the hands of two black haired little girls who were only ten years old. "Brady, Tally, this is Sky, why don't you say hello." Flame encouraged the two girls forwards. They simply muttered a quick hello and rushed off.
Sky followed Hawk down the long corridors, listening closely as he showed her where each gang member slept. She'd agreed to join the gang, after all there wasn't any other option for her and they'd all been so nice to her. She'd told herself she'd only stay for a short while, until she could get some money together and move further away.
Hawk hadn't asked about her eye. She'd known he'd wanted to many times, but he'd just continued to talk about the gang.
Hawk walked along the second corridor after he'd finished his tour of the boarding school. He'd already decided where Sky was going to sleep, he stopped only a door down from his room, he'd never wanted the others too close to him the nearest person had been Zack his best friend who's room was six away from his, but for some reason one unknown to himself, he wanted Sky close to him.
"Here's your room." He swung the door open revealing the bright room, decorated in pink flowered wall paper and bed sheets to match. A long side the bed was a small table and across from the bed stood a tall brown wardrobe. There was a window on the far side of the wall. "I hope it's okay." Hawk stared at her face hoping to see a reaction.
"Okay, Hawk it's fantastic, I thought I'd be sleeping on the streets tonight." A worm smile lit her pale face and Hawk felt something move deep inside him.
Sky walked over to the double bed which had obviously been to singles pushed together. "It's so friendly just like my mums bedroom was. When I was younger I ?" She cut off quickly realising what she was telling an almost total stranger.
"I'll let you settle in. My rooms just next door if you need anything. The bathrooms down the hall if you want a shower there's some soap and some hair products. The water goes cold fast so I wouldn't recommend spending to long in there." A grin played on his pale lips. He swiftly turned towards the door.
"You're right, not all of us are runaways some are orphans. Me and Celia were on a trip, over three years ago, my parents were driving us and Celia's twin Amelia to our aunts, we'd taken the trip a million times but this one was different. Amelia and Celia were 13 unlike Celia, Am was always in trouble she could never do anything right, never even tried, she announced she was pregnant which was a huge shock to everyone. My dad was driving he took his eyes off the road for a second to yell at her, it was then that the car came at us dad never had chance to swerve. I remember the car turning over and over then we hit some trees.
"The next thing I new was that I was in hospital, I was told that my parents had died from the impact of the other car, immediately, Celia had been lucky she'd been wearing a seat belt, she'd been weak but survived. Amelia lost the baby and was in a coma, we spent everyday by her side for two long weeks, she died from a blood clot in the early hours of the morning.
"We were taken to an orphanage not far from here, it wasn't ideal but we didn't see any other option. Until one night about a week after we'd arrived there, a guy went into Celia's room he tried to rape her. We'd met Trudy, Zack and Ebony the previous week when we'd arrived. They were out of there rooms and heard her screaming. They stopped him. We new then we couldn't stay, Zack had locked him in one of the closets unconscious and tied up, he got me out and told me what was going on. We gathered all our things and left that night." Hawk kept his voice low, unreadable. He didn't know why he'd told her about Amelia's baby it wasn't something any of the others new not even Kara. But for some reason Sky made him want to tell her everything and that scared him.
"I'm sorry." She said softly placing her hand lightly on his strong arm. Her fingers tingling at the feel of him.
"It's not your fault. What about you? What happened to you?" He lifted the back of his hand to lightly touch the bruise around her eye. She stared at him a moment unsure weather to tell him the truth. Could she trust him? He had trusted her. She'd seen the brief unguarded pain in his darkened eyes and new it had taken a lot for him to tell her to relive the pained memories.
"My mum left my father five years ago. I remember her sneaking to my room and kissing my cheek. She told me she was sorry, that she loved me and when she found some where to live she'd come and get me but she never did. I heard that she died a year later, an accident of some kind. I knew that she would have come back if she could but there must have been something to stop her.
"My father didn't take it well, he remarried a year later, Roberta was a really nice person. She seemed to like me and was really nice at first. A few months after the wedding everything changed. I'd come home from school to find they'd had an argument, they were both drunk. I went in the living room to see what was going on. Rage filled her eyes as she saw me, I remember feeling fists strike my chest over and over, she was yelling saying it was all my fault, my father just stared at her, I guess he was to drunk to think. I remember him walking out of the room leaving me on my own to be beaten by her. I never went to school for the rest of the week, the cuts and bruises weren't healed. I returned when they'd dulled, Roberta had told my teachers I'd had an accident and fell off my bike, they'd believed her of course. Why wouldn't they?
"After that she used any excuse she could, if I hadn't cleaned my room to her standards or if I'd left a cup out of the dish washer, anything. It's been going on for three years, I've been so terrified. It got worse two days ago, I'd arrived home late from school, she was waiting for me like always, standing by the fire place, she asked me where Id been. I told her I'd been round a friends. She went crazy, screaming, shouting, she grabbed my fathers belt from the back of the chair and began to strike me everywhere on my body usually she was careful but not this time. Once she'd finished with the belt she used her fists, pounding and pounding me with them. She only stopped when the door bell rang, I was sure she was going to kill me. I ran to my room packed what few possessions I owned then snuck out later that night. I knew they wouldn't look here at least for a few weeks."
"Can I see your arms?" She'd knocked one on a door handle during a tour of the boarding school, he'd seen a flash of pain in her eyes, pain that was caused from something more than a slight knock on a door handle. She nodded Slowly and began to role up the sleeves wincing slightly. Hawk stared down at the dark bruises and long slash's with roar anger clear in his blue eyes.
"How can anyone do this to another person, it's barbaric." Sky heard the anger in his voice and instinctively backed away from him. Hawk saw. He'd scared her, she was so fragile right now that was the last thing he wanted to do.
"I'll get you some cream and something for the pain." He lowered his voice, it was soft, gentle now, like it was coming from a completely different person. He swiftly turned on his heel and rushed from the room.
He stood in the doorway to the room he'd left only 15 minutes before. His gaze settled on Sky, she sat facing a small mirror, brushing the tangles from her dripping wet hair, unaware of his presence. Unlike the long T-shirt and blue jeans she'd been wearing when she'd first arrived, she was now dressed in a long, white, silk night dress. That left little to the imagination. She was stunning even with the dark bruises trailing down her arms.
She felt his eyes intent on her. She wondered how long he'd been standing their looking at her. Slowly Sky turned to face him, her bambi eyes sparkling as the hit the light. She herd him suck in his breath.
"Hi." She said a smile playing on her lips.
"This should help." He held up a small pot of cream. Slowly he walked over to the bed, sitting beside her, without waiting for an invitation. Lifting her arm in his hands and began to apply the cool cream to the cuts, she winced slightly.
"It stings." She whispered.
"It wont for long." He finished applying the cream on both of her arms and placed small bandages over the deeper slashes, delicately taping them in place.
"Do you have any cuts anywhere else?" He kept his voice, soft and low, not wanting to frighten her again.
"No just some bruises on my back and stomach, they'll be gone soon." She added quickly.
"Do they hurt?" He wasn't a doctor but he'd wanted to make sure she wasn't in any pain or discomfort, he'd contemplated calling Julia, a doctor who'd been helping the gang out since Flame had arrived. She'd known Flame's parents they'd been neighbours and felt that she had to protect Flame and the others in the gang. He'd decided against calling her after all he doubted Sky would trust Julia enough to let her near her and Sky's injuries weren't serious or at least he hoped they weren't.
"No." She lied not wanting to course any more problems for Hawk, it was her mess and she'd deal with it. Besides she could endure the pain, she had many times.
"I'll see you in the morning." Hawk wasn't convinced something in her eyes had told him she was hurting, but he wanted her to trust him. He wouldn't push her not right now she needed time. "If you need me, no matter what time get me." He ordered keeping his voice low and controlled. He turned from her and walked towards the door.
"Thank you." She called after him. She was grateful to Hawk he'd been so kind to her but why? She'd found herself wondering as she drew back the thick quilt cover, and lay on the soft sheet. She closed her eyes tightly, realising she was free, finally free.
Sky awoke later that night the pain in her stomach and chest consuming her. She ached all over but the long gash on her stomach hurt more than any of the others. Slowly she slid out of bed. Quickly changing into a pair of black trousers and a sleeveless red top.
She found herself standing on the barely lit corridor staring at the closed door that led to Hawk's room. She didn't want to wake him but she couldn't bare the pain any longer. She lifted her hand lightly banged on the door. To her surprise he answered almost immediately. His hair ruffled, his strong chest bare. He was beautiful she observed silently, her eyes continuing to study his strong chest that was covered in thick dark hair, she wanted to tangle it round her fingers, to kiss his mouth. Quickly she shook her head. Why was she thinking like this? No other guy had ever made her think about him, the heat of him, how his mouth would feel on hers. His body above her. She had to shake her head again dismissing the sudden vivid images that were flooding through her mind.
He stared at Sky her beautiful chestnut hair straggling over her slender shoulders reaching her breasts, that were covered by a single layer of red silk. She'd changed he realised wondering why. What was she doing here? He asked himself silently. She was quiet, standing there staring up at him.
"What's wrong?" He asked immediately when he saw the flash of pain in her brilliant brown eyes.
"I lied earlier." Her hand went straight to her stomach and she moaned with the pain unable to contain it. He was by her side in an instant without thinking he drew her against him, his arms tightening around her back. He could feel her tears against his bare chest and gently set her from him.
"Let me look." He whispered softly. She nodded her agreement and followed him into his room, regretting it the moment he closed the door behind them.
Sky sat on the edge of the bed uneasily. She looked at him he was standing above her watching her. Waiting, waiting for what? her to trust him?
"Lie down." He commanded in a low voice. She did as he ordered her heart pounding so loudly that she was sure he could here it. She felt the bed give as he lowered himself on the edge beside her.
His hands trembled as he pushed up the soft, silk stopping just below her breasts. He forced himself to concentrate. He found himself staring at a long, deep, red gash surrounded by ugly purple bruises. He touched his finger lightly to the deep red around the wound. He felt her flinch beneath his fingers and instantly drew them away. "I'm going to put some cream on and a bandage over it. It'll sting but I'm going to give you some pain killers and something to help you sleep."
She held herself still even as his fingers lightly traced over the wound. She wanted to scream, to cry but she didn't. She wouldn't allow herself to. She could feel his hands as they gently rubbed the cold cream into the open wound. When he'd finished he gently pulled her top back down over the band aid.
Silently he walked with her back to her room, after he'd found the pills that she needed. He'd waited outside until she'd changed back into her night dress. Then he entered the room watching her as she took the few pills he handed to her. He sat on the edge of the bed watching as she drifted into a deep sleep.
He stared down at her pale face, bending his head his lips lightly brushing hers. He didn't know what it was about her, but he wanted to protect her.
Sky's eyes flickered open, the sun beaming through the crystal window. It took her some time to realise where she was. She scrambled out of bed, rushing over to the wardrobe, pulling out short black skirt and a long sleeved white T-shirt. She quickly slipped out of her night dress and into them. She could feel the slight stinging of the slash on her stomach. It was easier now she realised grateful to Hawk.
Sky arrived on the main floor nearly five minutes later, she wandered slowly into the living room which was mostly used for meetings and for the gang to relax. It was decorated in cream wallpaper, there were two burgundy sofa's pressed against the walls, two coffee tables placed at opposite sides of the room and a small white rug which was placed in front of the small fire place at the front of the room.
Sky's eyes continued to scan the room, she saw Hawk then looking up at her from one of the sofa's he stood to greet her, slowly walking over to where she stood.
"Hey, did you sleep okay." She watched the worm smile play at the corners of his soft lips. She smiled back at him unable to help herself. Would he mention the previous night? She watched as he walked from her and knelt in front of the fire place, placing wood and a box of matches neatly in front of the open fire place.
"Yes thank you." She lowered herself to sit beside him on the soft, white rug unsure of what she should say to him.
"Where is everyone? Only I didn't see anyone in the kitchen or in the halls." She was grateful for the change of subject.
"There's a competition where members of different gangs get together every three months and fight each other, there are three rounds at the end of each round the winner receives around three hundred and there are beats where most of the money's earned. A guy on Cranberry road pays the winners he makes a fortune from it and so far the police haven't found out. Or at least the one's who have bet on it so they're not going to report it." Hawk explained his eyes moved from the empty fire place to settle on Sky's face.
"Hawk, will you teach me how to fight? I know that the gang has to fight other gangs and I want to be able to help." He stared at her not saying anything for a long time, he wasn't sure he wanted her fighting, she could easily get hurt and for some reason he couldn't bare the thought of anything happening to her. It was funny he hadn't even known her a whole day but he cared about her more than he'd ever cared about the others when they'd first arrived.
"If that's what you want." He agreed reluctantly.
"Yeah, it's what I want. Thank you."
The sun was scalding as Sky stood in the centre of the open field. Her eyes fixing on the long blades that tangled about her ankles. She'd changed so much this past week. It was amazing how different she'd become in a short space of time. She wasn't afraid every second of every day. She didn't jump at the sound of footsteps on the hallway outside of her room and she didn't have to lock herself in her room.
Sky stood now watching as Hawk walked towards her. Her first lesson. She'd wanted to start learning when Hawk had agreed to teach her but he'd insisted on her waiting. He'd been concerned about the gash on her stomach and had insisted on checking it over the previous night. He'd poked and prodded at the wound for all most 10 minutes until he was satisfied that it didn't pain her any longer.
Sky clutched the long, brown pole firmly at both ends. She had to contain a shiver as Hawk's strong arms slipped around her waste, his body tightly pressing against hers.
"Move it slowly, side to side." He spoke softly into her ear, his breath worm on the back of her neck. Slowly he guided her hands with his. Guiding the pole one way then another.
"Good now push it outwards as hard as you can." He guided her pressing her back against his chest. He felt desire now, strong, stronger than he'd ever felt it before. He wanted her and he new if he stayed as close as he was to her now, she would feel his desire and he might just take her here and now. He couldn't allow that to happen. Even though he was sure she wanted him as much as he wanted her. He released his grip on her hands and quickly stepped back.
"You're doing great." He ignored his desire, concentrating on the movements and tricks he was showing her.
Sky slumped onto the long grass, beneath a tall old tree. They'd been out here for an hour now and Hawk hadn't even come closer to her than he had to. Not since he'd pulled away from her. Why had he done that? Had she done something wrong? She shook head dismissing it for now.
"How long do you think it'll be before I can fight on the streets?" Hawk turned his head to look at her, how could he tell her he didn't want her to fight? It wasn't any of his business what she did. He had no claim over her or at least not yet he didn't.
"You don't have to fight the gangs, we fight to stop them taking over. We don't expect you to." She saw something clear in his blue eyes fear. But why? What was he afraid of?
"Hawk, I'm part of this gang right?"
"Right."
"Then any problems the gang has is my problem to right?" Hawk reluctantly nodded he new he wasn't going to win this fight. "So when?"
"You're a fast learner, if you train everyday I'd say 3 maybe 4 weeks." He lied if she trained everyday then she could fight in 2, 3 weeks at the most, but the longer he could delay her the better.
"She's just like Kara." Hawk complained standing in the entrance of his sisters bedroom. Celia swiftly turned in her seat to face him a knowing smile crossed her painted red lips. Her blue eyes seeking his.
"Stubborn?" Celia guessed.
"Yeah." Hawk replied his dull expression made Celia's smile fade quickly. Her eyes followed Hawk as he seated himself on the edge of her bed.
"Do you still miss her?" Celia asked knowing how upset he'd been after Kara's death, for two weeks all he'd done was drink and sleep. Zack had been the one to finally persuade him that he had to pull himself together. Celia had been worried about him. It hadn't just been Kara's death that had cut him so deeply, but her betrayal of him that had added to his misery. But for the past week he'd been smiling and joking like before he'd met Kara it was like he'd finally forgiven her. Finally let her go.
"Sometimes at night mostly. There are some days when I don't even think of her any more. Then something will remind me." Hawk said glumly his blue eyes pained, a pain that Celia new she couldn't take away. "It was a year yesterday." His eyes lowered to the navy carpet. "Sky there's something about her, that reminds me of Kara."
"That's not why you like her is it?" His eyes darted up to meet Celia's.
"No, Sky's different. I like being around her for who she is. She's beautiful, smart and sweat and she's so fragile. Kara was never fragile."
"Kara's gone Hawk. You can't compare Sky to her. It isn't fair on Sky or you. Kara's not coming back, you have to move on."
"I can't forget her, I loved her."
"I know. But if you wont my advice don't use Sky to get over her or to hang onto her. If you want Sky make sure it's for who she is. Not because of Kara."
Hawk stood in the door way to the living room, casually leaning his shoulder against the doorjamb. His blue eyes scanning the room, finally settling on the chestnut haired women sitting before the blazing fire. Sky lifted a book and began to read to the twins Brady and Tally. He found himself smiling when she pulled a face or made a noise to make the characters more interesting. He saw the eager faces urging her to go. He was wrong. Sky was nothing like Kara, she wouldn't betray him and she was wonderful with the kids. Unlike Kara who had rarely spoken to the younger gang members.
She could feel his gaze burrowing into the back of her neck. Slowly she turned to see him smiling at her. That smile sent an unexpected warmth shooting through her body. She flushed and smiled back unable to help herself. Her brown eyes followed him as he walked over to a small table in the corner of the room. He pulled out a seat opposite to Tom who she doubted had noticed his presence. She turned her attention back to the eager face's in front of her.
"How's things?" Tom's dark eyes darted up to meet Hawks.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean with Tara the two of you have been moping around this place for weeks now. Isn't it about time you got your act together?" Hawk stared Tom in the eyes.
"You know nothing about it Hawk!" Tom stood swiftly and hurried from the room. What was going on between him and Tara? Well if Tom wouldn't talk maybe Tara would. He stood slowly his eyes once again returned to Sky's beautiful face. He wandered over to her them and knelt beside her.
"Hi." He said softly his hand reaching out to brush a stray, strand of hair from her cheek.
"Hi." She smiled back at him.
"Sky what happened to the wolf?" Sky stared at the little girl before her. She'd completely forgot what she'd been saying. She shook her head desperate to clear her mind.
"Why don't the two of you go and find Rea while I talk to Sky." Their emerald eyes stared up at Sky filled with question.
"Go on. I'll tell you the rest of the story later. Okay." Satisfied the two girls hurried away leaving the two of them alone.
She turned to face him. Her dark eyes on his strong face.
"What can I do for you?" She asked softly, a smile playing on her painted lips.
"I wanted you to talk to Tara for me. I'm sure there's something between her and Tom, they've both been miserable lately." He reached out his hand, his fingers lightly stroking her cheek. He couldn't help himself he had to touch her.
"Wouldn't it be better if Celia spoke to her. After all she's known Tara a lot longer than I have."
"No." Hawk shook his head. "I think Tara will open up to you more. Besides I want you to do it." Sky hesitated for a moment then nodded her head.
"Okay. If you think it's best." He smiled at her then leant forward his lips lightly pressing against her cheek.
"Thank you." His breath was warm against her cheek. She couldn't hide the shiver that ran through her body.
When she arrived outside Tara's room almost 2 hours later she could hear the low sobs coming from beyond the door. Slowly she lifted her fisted hand and lightly tapped on the door in front of her. There was silence for along moment, then she saw the a face peer out of the crack in the door. Slowly it opened. Tara stood before her. Her emerald eyes sparkling with crystal tears. Her cheeks were flushed and stained with tears.
"Are you okay? I herd you crying and came to see if there was anything I could do. You know I'm a good listener." Sky quickly followed Tara into the room, shutting the door behind them.
"Do you wanna sit down? The place isn't usually in such a mess it's just I've preoccupied lately." Before she could say any more she slumped onto the bed and burst into tears, burring her head in her hands she whispered. "It's such a mess." Slowly Sky lowered herself on the edge of the bed and draped her arm across her shoulders.
"What happened?"
"Tom ... He ... We. Oh god it's such a mess." Tara hiccuped back her tears desperate for them to stop.
"Tom was one of the first people I met two years ago when I arrived here. Not long after Hawk, Celia and the others. Tom had known Zack when they were younger, he was desperate to get away from his parents so Zack told him to come and live here. I knew how I felt about him from the moment I saw him, but I knew he wasn't interested in me. How could he be? I was just a stupid little girl to him.
A few months back he started to see me as a woman. I wasn't the silly 13 year old girl he'd known me as before. I've grown up a lot since I came here. I've had to." She paused a moment catching her breath. Her hand darted across her eyes, banishing the falling tears. She breathed in deeply then continued. "He started to become a friend to me. It was hard at first. But I knew that was all he wanted so I went along with it.
"Then two weeks ago he kissed me. God Sky that kiss it was like nothing I'd ever imagined in my life. Tom wanted more than a kiss I know he did. So did I but I couldn't let him. Not when I had no idea how he felt about me. I'm not quite sure how it happened but we ended up having a fight. I said so many things that I never meant. And I hoped he did to. He stormed out then. I went to his room later that night. I wanted to apologize. I was going to tell Tom that I loved him and that I wanted him to make love to me. I wanted him to be my first.
I walked into his room, maybe I should have knocked. But I didn't. I wanted to surprise him. I sure did that." Tara's eyes darkened as she recalled how she'd felt opening that door and seeing the two of them together. She shuddered at the memory. "He wasn't alone. He was having sex with another woman. I thought he cared. How wrong can someone be? I've tried my best to ignore him. But how can I when we live together? How can I when I love him so much I feel sick with it?"
"I'm sorry Tara I don't know what to say. Have you tried talking to him? Maybe the two of you can work things out. You said he was angry when he left. Maybe he wasn't thinking straight. Maybe he wanted to hurt you. Because you'd hurt him."
"Well he's succeeded." Tara remarked bitterly.
