Rescue Mission (Stark's Daughter 8)

Chapter 40

"Abi? Have you seen Zeke?" I shout, stepping into the living room in the clothes I fell asleep in.

I pull my hair out of its ponytail and let it flow down onto my shoulders. Abi looks up from sitting on the sofa, flicking through a magazine with a glass of orange juice in her hand.

"No. Not since last night." She answers.

"Did he say anything about going anywhere today?" I question.

"No. He just brought in the take away and said you had fallen asleep. Is everything okay?" Abi quizzes, confusion written on her face.

"Yeah, it's fine. I just don't know if he's coming to the celebration tonight." I admit.

"I don't know, he didn't say anything."

"Okay. Have you had breakfast?"

"Yes."

"Good."

Walking back to the kitchen, I take the phone from the wall and dial in the number on the inside of my hand. The steady beep fills my ear.

"Hello, you've reached Carters Institution. How can I help you?" A cheery woman asks.

"I'm ringing for an update on Lucas Stark please."

"Yes. Do you have the code we emailed you?"

"Yes. Hold on, give me a second to find it." I say. Grabbing the letter from the kitchen counter. "It's SF058KL7M44E."

"Okay. I will put you through to the doctor now." She explains.

"Thanks."

The line goes silent for a few seconds. Then I hear deep breathing.

"Good morning, I'm Steve White."

"Hi, it's Skye Stark."

"Can you state your personal password for me please?" he questions.

"Geranimo."

"Good. Thank you. That's just for security reasons so the media don't get hold of any information." He points out.

"I understand. How's Lucas?"

"When he arrived, he was crying and shouting about not being sick. We had to sedate him as he was scaring other patients. He's in his room right now, he is okay. We've been monitoring him and he has calmed down a lot more then when he arrived. I've visited him frequently and he's agreed to attend classes every day."

"That's good. What about long term?"

"If Lucas continues these classes then he should be ready and well enough for visits within the next 6 weeks, but only if he wants to. Then, a few months after that he can return home. But I am going to warn you, Mrs Stark, this process could take a lot longer, it all depends on Lucas willing to change." He explains.

"Okay. Thank you very much. Is there anything I can do?"

"I'm afraid not, Mrs Stark."

"Fine. Well, thank you."

"Have a good day."

"Bye."

I end the call and dial a new number. Waiting for the end of the beeping, I recite my SHIELD code and wait for the long single beep.

"Hello Agent Stark." Sir says, his voice deep.

"Morning." I reply.

"How can I help you?"

"Zeke Matthews returned home last night and he has bruised lips. I want to know why." I announce.

"Did you try asking him?" He quizzes. My patience lowers.