Grant Ward - Prey

Part 8

I wanted this nightmare to end. I had too many emotions coursing through my body, it wasn't healthy. How I still kept sane through all this was a miracle, unless I was insane and I didn't know it.

Maybe this was all a nightmare and I'd just wake up...But the pain I felt when my knuckles hit the punching bag felt very real. I had been training for hours, my muscles were screaming at me and so was my brain. I was training to kill my own brother and I just let it happen.

"You're stronger than you make out to be" Ward told me but I didn't feel strong. I felt weak for being captured, for feeling so much pain inside and for letting myself give In and to train.

"If I don't kill Hunter, will you kill me?" I asked, letting my arms drop to the side to rest for a moment. Ward just kept quiet and pointed at the bag. I'd rather die than kill my own brother.

"Fists up" He tried to pull my arms up  but I chucked them down and shook my head frowning. The guards In the room raised their guns slowly but I didn't care anymore.

"I cant" It came out as a growl which surprised Ward.

"Yes you can" He stepped forwards towards me crossing his arms. "You can't just give up because your arms ache"

"I'm giving up because I'm not training to kill my brother. I'd rather die" Ward shook his head softly and sighed.

"If you don't want to kill him you don't have to" I looked at him confused, why the sudden change of heart? "But then I'd have to kill him and trust me, I'd make it hurt. I'd drag the pain out and make him beg for death. He'll be crying for you to end it but you won't because you gave up" He smiled. "I was trying to let you do the nicest thing for him but if you don't want to..." I couldn't hold my anger back any longer, in a blink of an eye my fist swung and made contact with his cheek. He stumbled to the side and held his cheek. I heard the guns click all around the room but Ward gestured for them to lower them.

"You fucking asshole" I growled stepping forwards. "How can you be so messed up!? Why!" I screamed at him swinging my arm again but this time he caught it and held it.

"Good. Again" He smiled which made me want to explode. I kept swinging and he kept dodging and catching, even when I used my feet to kick him he managed to stop me from hurting him. I felt tears stream down my face as I went on an all out attack. All my emotions, all the pain I felt was coming out and Ward was the target.

"I hate you!" I threw one last punch before Ward spun me around and wrapped his arms round me, pinning mine down so I couldn't move.

"Now breathe" He whispered as I let my legs give in, I let my pain flow out of my eyes as I burst into tears.

I spent a few minutes crying and struggling, the guards slowly left the room leaving me and Ward alone. I didn't want to be with him alone but I had no choice. I took some deep breaths and controlled my tears, my lip was shaking and I felt so weak.

"Better?" He asked softly, loosening his grip on me. I sat on the floor and wiped my eyes slowly nodding. I needed some sort of release. I mean, I still hated him and that hate would stay but I needed to grieve, I needed to let some emotions out to stay healthy.

"Thank you" I whispered. I knew why he said all those things, I knew why he brought me to train...He knew I had to do this. I slowly looked at him but he just stood there looking blank.

"Let's get you back to your room" He whispered offering me a hand.

"Can we talk first?" I asked catching him off guard. He nodded slightly and waited for my questions.

"Why didn't you just kidnap me from the cafe? Why did you wait till shield had me? Surely that was more risky?"

"I needed to let them know. See how they reacted. They didn't really put much effort into hiding you though. They must not of cared because you was In their way" He explained, watching me and waiting for me to reply but I stayed quiet. Maybe it was true, maybe I was just in the way and they didn't care.

"Grant, when we met and I was at my parents funeral you said you knew what I was going through, was you lying to me then?" I asked him and he tensed up.

"I meant what I said. My parents were cruel to me and my siblings. I only felt pain when they were alive though" He whispered and I decided it was best if I didn't pester him about his family.

"Okay, final question...Why are you being so nice to me? I mean, you've kidnapped me! It's nice but weird. I don't understand" I sighed and he smiled at me slightly pulling me up so we were both standing.

"Because you've got dragged into something you're not supposed to be in. That was partially my fault and I believe you don't deserve to die when you haven't done anything. Your brother on the other hand has done something wrong" We started walking together back to my room. "You haven't hurt me, you haven't done anything bad so why would I kill you? It's not your fault your brother is in shield"

"But I'm in the way" I whispered and he stopped walking, frowning slightly at me.

"Jessica, I'm protecting you now. From them. Technically yes you are in the way which is why I'm keeping you here. I won't let them hurt you" Ward seemed soft, gentle when he spoke to me which was comforting. It was nice to have someone to speak to who seemed to care, more than Hunter did actually.

"You don't have to protect me, Ward" I smiled slightly, "You've taught me some bad ass moves I can use on anyone who tries to hurt me now" That made him laugh slightly before he opened a door in front of us. 

"Get some rest, I expect better humour from you when you get up" He smirked slightly and I shot him a sarcastic shocked face whilst walking in.

"You laughed which means it was funny" I shrugged.

"I laughed because if you tried them 'badass' moves on a shield agent you'd end up on your ass" He smiled at me before closing the door. For a long time all I've felt inside me was pain and this strange coldest that filled my body, but now I feel warmth. Warmth consuming me and warming me up. I can smile, I can laugh...Is that even normal considering I'm still a hostage? I don't even care. I'd take any sort of comfort and relief to push the pain away.