•Night Angel•

CHAPTER XXVIII - AU REVOIR, VICTOIRE

Third Person POV

Sophia was silent the whole car ride from Stone Street to SHIELD HQ. She was staring through the window, her left leg bouncing up and down. She was chewing on her bottom lip so hard out of nervousness that after a while, she could taste the metallic flavour of blood.

She kept her leg bouncing, until she felt a hand position on it, stopping it from moving. She turned to look at Michael, giving her a reassuring smile and rubbing circles on it. She tried to return the smile, only that it came out as a grimace. She had no idea what was going on. Was she sick? Did they have an accident? Was she okay? Her mind was now working at a thousand miles per hour, making up every possible scenario in her head of what could possibly has happened to her mum.

She was so deep in thought, that she didn't even notice when they were at the building's parking lot. Michael got out of the car and went around it, opening the door for Sophia. He extended his hand to her and she instantly took it. As they walked to the elevator, he didn't let go of her grip and she didn't either. All the contrary, she held it tightly.

They pressed the button to go to the top floor, where the Director's office was. Sophia was a nervous wreck. She had a bad feeling. Like something had happened. She feared the worst. Michael saw how distressed she was, so he turned her around, making her watch him. He grabbed her chin on his hand and looked at her.

-Hey, listen to me. No matter what, I'm here. Everything is going to be fine.- He said while offering a small but reassuring smile.

Sophia just nodded and then Michael pulled her closer to his body, hugging her tightly. He also had no idea what was going on, but whatever it was, he was going to be beside Sophia no matter what.

After what felt like hours in the elevator, the doors opened on Fury's floor. Sophia stomped out of it as fast as she could and made her way to her uncle's office.

Once she was out, she opened the door. Nick was sitting on his chair in front of his desk, with his elbows resting on the surface and his face between them. Clint was standing at the back, in front of the window.

He saw Sophia coming in and turned to look at her. Nick saw her and stood up. He started walking towards his niece.

-Sophie, you might want to take a seat.- Nick said as he motioned for Sophia to sit down.

-No, I'm not sitting down! Tell me what is going on, Nick.- She said, her voice rising and her eyes pleading.

He turned to look at Michael, who was behind Sophia and then to Clint, who walked to where his best friend was.

-Your dad called. He and your mum were out, they went to the theatre. When they were coming out, your dad went to get your mum's coat that she forgot inside. Manuele had the car ready a few feet away. Before your mum walked towards it, a man approached her, he tried taking away her bag, but she wouldn't let him.- Nick turned to look at Sophia, her breathing was heavy and she was trying to control it. He took a deep breath, holding his emotions and kept going. -They started to struggle and then he pushed her to the ground. Before she got up, he shot her. Twice. Everyone around saw that and prevented the guy from going away. They tackled him to the ground and held him until the police came. Your dad and Manuele rushed to her side. When the ambulance arrived, it was too late. She- She couldn't make it. I'm so sorry, Sophie.- Nick finished telling Sophia. He bowed his head.

Sophia's head started spinning. Her breath hitched in her throat and she felt like she was suffocating. The walls around her started to close on her, trapping her. She felt her eyes filling with tears. It was like she couldn't breathe. She tried to inhale, but she couldn't. She felt her knees give up, dropping her to the floor. But she never did, because a pair of arms grabbed her before she could.