Rescue Mission (Stark's Daughter 8)

Chapter 16

*Zeke's POV*

I couldn't have driven faster. The tyres screech as I swerve to a brake in the car park. Rushing inside, I catch the elevator and jump out as it reaches the right level. I knock on the usual door and all of the Avengers are sat around the usual table.

"How long ago did you find this?" I ask.

"Thirty minutes." Ward answers.

He places a laminated photo on the table. There is three men stepping out of a black car, all with their heads low and not looking at the CCTV camera. One of them has Skye swung over his shoulder, her arms dangling by his feet as he walks. The only way I know it is Skye is by the wedding ring on her finger and the bangle that Captain bought her on her wrist.

"Where is this?" I question, looking up at Ward and some other Agent stood behind him.

"Mexico." Ward mutters.

"Mexico?"

"Yes, Mexico."

"When was this taken?" I quiz.

"We think on the night Skye went missing. But we don't know entirely." The other Agent answers.

"No offence. But, may I ask who you are?" I ask, looking this Agent up and down.

He's wearing what everyone wears here, a suit and his posture show he is confident and has a lot of power.

"I'm Mr Johnson." He introduces.

"That's just a name." I point out.

"Okay. I am a member of the Board. I am on the level above Agent Stark." He explains.

"Agent Stark? No one told me Skye would be classed as an Agent." I argue.

An Agent. That means to me that she goes out on dangerous missions that involve killing people that target certain people. That means she is putting herself in more danger then she said she would. Skye lied to me. She said this was safe. What else isn't she telling me?

"Everyone who works here is an Agent, Zeke." Tony points out.

"Mexico. We go to Mexico then."

"Where in Mexico? We don't know the exact location of Skye, she could be anywhere." Captain comments.

Ward's bleeper starts to beep and vibrate on his hip. He pulls it off, then dials on his phone. All of our eyes turn to him.

"Yes. Are you sure? 100%? Send me the coordinates right now and set up a plane. We're going to Mexico." Ward says, shutting his phone.

"You know where Skye is?"

"Yes."

"I'm coming with you." I announce.

"Zeke, you are not trained to go on this mission to rescue Skye. You do not have the skills either." Ward points out.

I take a step towards him, my hands turning into fists. His eyes dilate slightly.

"I am not requesting it. I am saying that I am coming. Skye is my wife and she is in trouble, I am going to help you bring her back." I argue.

I push the black earpiece into my ear until it's sitting comfortably. Slipping the bullet proof jacket on, I zip it up and slide the guns into the holsters hanging from my belt. They hang heavy and swing annoyingly against my thighs. How can they wear these all the time?

"Zeke, are you sure you want to do this?" Ward questions.

He strides in, wearing the same black uniform as me with army boots and similar guns hidden under his jacket.

"Yes, I am. I need to get Skye back, I can't stand another day without her, knowing that she's in danger." I admit.

"Is that the main job of a husband?" Ward quizzes.

I look up. His eyes dart away from mine.

"No. It's the main job of being Skye Stark's husband." I correct him.

I feel the plane tilt under my feet and I instantly grip the table beside me. Ward hides a laugh as he leads the way down the spiral staircase to the lab. To the right, is the laboratory with white walls and white tables cluttered with beakers.

"We've landed." Ward announces.

To the left, the door lowers onto grass. Following Ward out, I step from the metal of the plane to the grass. In front of us is a huge warehouse, with black metal doors and a metal roof.

"Are you sure this is the right place?" I ask, following in Ward's footsteps.

"Yes." He answers.

We step onto the concrete and I instantly smell stale beer mixed with bitter blood.

"I'll go the back way, you take the front. Shout if you need me. Good luck." Ward smirks and then jogs off.

I curse at him under my breath. Slipping a gun off my belt, I hold it with both hands but against my right leg. Slowly, I tiptoe forward. Finding a small, ajar door, I step inside. The walls are grey with dark stains.

Come on Skye.

Where are you?

"Zeke, you still alive?" Ward asks in my ear.

"Yes." I whisper.

Walking down the corridor, I turn left, the only way. I reach an option of right or left. Deciding to turn left, I tiptoe down another corridor. I feel the blood pump in my head. I stop in a brick doorway with no door. I hear a low and steady beeping.

"I'm so sorry Zeke." I hear the light whisper of the love of my life.

I feel my knees go weak at the sound of her angelic voice. She's still alive. Stepping into the room. I gasp. I gag.

Skye is lying on a stone table, a helmet on her head with wires and connectors snaking out of it. There's a piece of fabric tied around the top of her leg and it's soaked with blood. On the wall above her head is a giant screen. Skye is sat in the basement of our house with a needle sticking out of her wrist and her head drooping. But, I can see that she is wearing the heart rate monitor. There's no line. No pulse.

What?