Predator

Part 14

I walked back to the house where 'Hunter' dropped me off. He'd know I'd be there, maybe he'd be waiting for me. I needed Ward out of my life for good. He'd have to leave willingly or I'd have to do something I'd regret. 

I walked into the house, listening out for any signs of life that was in there but I heard nothing. I walked to the living room slowly, looking around on the way but there were still no sign of anyone. 

I grabbed the phone from my pocket and called Ward, waiting for him to pick up. As soon as I heard that the call went through I froze when I heard a ringtone come from upstairs. He was here, lurking in the shadows as usual. 

"I'm not playing games, Ward" I kept my voice strong and loud as I put the phone down and back in my pocket. "Face me" I looked around, trying to see which direction he would come from but he never appeared. "God dammit Ward!" I shouted and heard movement from my right. My body jerked to the right and I held the gun in the air, aiming for...Nothing? He was playing mind games with me, making me disorientated.

I started walking forwards, keeping my gun aimed as I scanned around trying to find any sort of movement. He will not manipulate me anymore.

In a blur, my gun was swiped from my hand and then aimed at me. Ward stood there, watching me sadly.

"I didn't want it to be like this" He whispered as I stood there, staring at the end of the gun. "I just wanted to protect you, to keep you safe and show you that picking your brother wouldn't help you be happy.  When you chose him I had to make you realise how it would plan out. You'd be abandoned by him again, you'd be sad again"

"And you'd never let me go" I simply replied. "No matter what I choose, no matter what I do to avoid you...You'll just be there lurking in the shadows. Waiting for the right time"

"I don't trust them with your life!"

"And I don't trust you!" I shouted back. He stared at me hurt, confused by my actions like he had done nothing wrong.

"Jess-"

"You say you want to protect me yet you have a gun aimed at me" I shrugged as he slowly lowered the gun.

"I cant give you the gun back. I know how you feel and how easily you could pull the trigger-"

"Damn right" I glared at him but he just put the gun into his pocket stepping towards me. "Don't.  Shield are near and if I don't shoot you they will"

"No. They won't" He smiled slightly, trying to cup my face but I pushed him back taking him by surprise.

"You're toxic. You're evil and you're so manipulative! I can't trust you, you can't change! I don't want you in my life Ward. I want you gone"

"I'm not going anywhere" A fierce look swept over his face as he grabbed my arm. I remembered what he taught me, what Daisy taught me and in a swift move I soon got out of his hold, grabbing the gun and stepping back aiming again. "Are you sure you can shoot me Jess? Are you sure you can go through with it?" He questioned me as if he was egging me on. Pushing me to pull the trigger and to end his life. Is that what he wanted? He didn't seem scared, worried and he didn't have any doubt. He had it stuck into his head that I wouldn't pull the trigger. Could I? Now that he was standing in front of me? Would I be able to pull the trigger on someone I used to love? I took in his expression, his face and all the details making it harder, making my hands shake. Why did I have to fall in love with someone so evil? If I didn't pull the trigger he'd probably try to kidnap me again, I couldn't have that happen. It was me or him.

"What I felt for you, It wasn't real. I fell in love with a disguise. This real you is a monster" I frowned, holding back the tears that were forming. "It was all a lie. You led me into a deadly trap where I couldn't escape until Shield came and pulled me out...Now you want to pull me back into it!" 

"I do truly love you Jess. What we had was real, we just had distractions and people out to get us but it doesn't have to be like that" 

"You're right...It doesn't" I closed my eyes tight as I pulled my finger back, pushing back the trigger. The gun shot rattled my ears and soon after, I heard a body hit the floor. I could feel the tears make their way down my face as regret, fear and anxiety swept over me, consuming me completely.

"Jess!" I dropped to my knees, dropping the gun and covering my face with my hands. I knew what I had done. I knew that it was the only way I'd ever be free. It was the right thing to do, right? 

I felt arms wrap around me as I was dragged outside. I slowly lowered my hands to see Daisy next to me, helping me outside.

"I killed him Daisy" I whispered and she stopped walking, putting her hands on either side of my arms. 

"Jess, you did the right thing. He was destroying us all and you put a stop to that" She whispered, pulling me into a tight hug. I held her, crying into her shoulder as she comforted me. 

"We need to get everyone on the plane" I heard Coulson's voice as Daisy pulled away. I turned to see him, standing there looking at me sadly. 

"Yes Sir" I whispered following Daisy. I had nothing left but one thing, my family. My family belonged to Shield which only meant one thing for me. I'd have to go back, I'd have to be an agent again and I'd have to watch out for them as much as they did me. I'd have my family by my side, fighting for a greater cause. I'd be protecting people which would make me happy, hopefully. There was no more Ward and there was definitely no going back from that.