Rescue Mission (Stark's Daughter 8)

Chapter 33

The tv mumbles in the living room. Pouring the boiling water into the ceramic pink mug, I mix the hot chocolate until it's dissolved. Carrying it into the living room, I place it on the coffee table.

Abi is lying on her back on the sofa, one arm draped across her stomach and another trailing the floor. Her dirty blonde hair is flowing around her young and pale face.

I showed Abi the guest room last night and she went to bed. She must not have been able to sleep.

Abi begins to murmur in her sleep. She whispers no and starts to toss on the sofa. Kneeling beside her, I place a hand on her shoulder.

"Abi. Abi wake up."

Abi starts to toss and turn more violently. She kicks her legs and starts to push with her palms.

"Abi. Please, come on. Wake up. It's a nightmare."

Suddenly, she gasps and sits bolt upright. Abi runs her hands over her face and wipes the tears from her cheeks with shaking hands.

"Are you okay?" I ask.

"Yeah. It was just a bad dream." Abi mutters.

"That's alright, I get them all the time." I admit.

Abi nods slowly. I hand her the mug of hot chocolate and she drinks it gradually.

"Do you want something to eat?"

"No thank you. I want to start training."

"Are you sure?" I question.

Abi nods again and stands up. I stand up too and lead her down the glass steps to the basement. Stopping at the door, I press my thumb against the lock and the door opens slowly. Walking into the basement, I wander over to the left wall where my suits stand. Next to them, is a door that you wouldn't know was there unless you knew it was there. Placing my thumb on the wall, the door opens and I step through, followed by Abi.

The walls are a dark grey, on the right is a large silver cabinet containing guns and knives. In the middle is a boxing ring with blue rope and on the edge is a few wooden benches. On the left is a punching bag and another door that leads to a gun practise room.

"Does your husband know about this, Mrs Stark?" Abi asks.

"No and id like to keep it that way. Also, you can call me Skye." I offer.

"Thank you...Skye."

"So, what do you want to start with?" I question.

"Fighting?"

"Sure."

Stepping towards the ring, I duck under the ropes and climb inside. Abi follows and stands on one side.

"You need your fists high and in front of your face." I instruct.

Abi raises her fists in front of her face, she licks her dry lips quickly and her eyes fix with mine. I bounce on my tiptoes, in one quick movement I take a step forward and hit Abi on the side of her forehead with the ends of my three fingers. She ducks too late and I still hit her.

"Come on Abi, hit me." I shout.

Abi jumps forward and punches but I duck under her arm, standing up behind her. She spins on her toes with a confused look on her young face. She tries the same move again but doesn't succeed, I slide under her arm and stand where I started again.

"Don't be afraid. I want you to hit me, I want you to hurt me, Abi."

She stands still, staring at her fists.