A Girl of Smoke and Shadow

Tough Cookie ~ Chapter 3

My feet were balancing precariously as I leaned back on my chair, golden blonde hair spilling out of my half-ponytail and hands occupied on a balisong which I twirled masterfully around my fingers.

Who knew you could be bored, terrified and exited all at once. 

I was exited at the fact for once in my life real action, the genuine unplanned make or break stuff was finally happening. I didn't know what my mom got up to when she left on her trips, but I felt proud. Like I was handling the situation I had been thrust in well, and hoped she would be proud of me.

Alternatively that came with a lot of terror mixed in at the thought of messing up without her here to clean up my messes. And the fact some unknown, unnamed organisation was out for my neck and thought I was some kind of alien immigrant. 

Still, that came with kind of a rush either way.

The bordem, however, stemmed from Big Jim, who ran the Tough Cookie gym in queens which was notorious among the underworld for illegal fights and connections to almost anyone a criminal could wish for. Big Jim had known me since I was maybe about 11, and although he dabbled in the dark side of society, he was a good person. Not nice. But good.

When my mother had unwillingly dragged me into the gym on Easter morning, unable to train me anymore as I couldn't bear to actually hit her, so that someone else could teach me hand to hand combat - Big Jim hadn't exactly approved. He had taken my moms money and made sure I always trained with someone he trusted, but I often heard him telling my mom it was wrong to bring a child into this life, and push her so hard.

He was currently sat, making us both cups of tea whilst he mulled over the whole weird story I had just told him. 

He had been silent for two minutes and twelve seconds according to the clock behind him, which I kept glancing at. It's green face and hulk arms spinning around made me grin. What kind of sadist puts avengers merchandise when you have the job Big Jim does.

I watched at Jim heaped two sugars into his own and another two into my own, then set the cup in front of me.

Setting down the balisong, I picked up the cup.

Taking a sip, I shifted in my seat, bringing my legs off of the ground and underneath me.

I was just swallowing when Jim sighed, and put his head in his hands.

"I always told your momma you were too young for this kid."

I stifend and frowned, putting my cup down.

"I'm not a kid anymore. I'm 18-"

"Elodie you can't legally drink get don't give me that shit." Big Jim cut me off.

I closed my mouth and shook my head.

"Look, I can take care of myself. I just need you to get a message to her whenever she comes back."

Absentmindedly I rubbed my fingers together. When would she come back? Did my mom ever remember that she had a kid at home who needed her as much as whatever job she had did. Big Jim seemed to pick up on my nervousness and I sighed, leaning back in my chair and letting my arms droop over each side. "Please Big Jim."

Jim sighed, and looked at me in the eyes. After what felt like forever he shook his head, "I'm not happy about it kid. I'll tell yer mom, and if it was anyone else who was after you I'd ask you to stay with me- but I'm not messing with SHIELD."

"SHIELD?" I straightened in my chair, alert. I had never said anything about SHIELD, only a Hill and then being hell bent on deporting my 'interstellar' ass.

Big Jim rubbed his neck and seemed to pale, "I shouldn't of told yer that." He ran a beefy hand over his bald head, "Look kid, I have connections with people who SHIELD don't take kindly too. People like your mom y'know. I don't want the folks from the tower or wherever they hide now suddenly getting interested in my business."

Like my mom? Why would SHIELD not like my mom? I frowned, knots forming in my stomach. I had always hoped deep down my mom worked for someone like SHIELD, doing good and stuff like that.

I nodded, watching Big Jim through guarded eyes who seemed to return the look.

"Thanks. Tell her I'll be waiting for her in Rio."

Rio my ass, I'd be still in the city, biding my time and waiting to see what SHIELD agents crawled out of the woodwork's to come find me. I hope my mom would see that there is no way I'd up and leave to Brazil of all places.

Big Jim smiled sadly and nudged the balisong I had been playing with across the table to me. "Consider it yours, for your loyal service and graduation from being my student."

I returned his smile, and slipped the mother of pearl butterfly knife into my pocket, one hand clutching at it desperately. A little memento to hold onto.

A warm, sparkling feeling pressed against the back of my mind, and I stiffened in my seat. The gem! It tugged gently at my mind, making me glance towards the door like it had physically pulled my eyes.

"Thank you Big Jim. For everything." I rose, talking distractedly and shook his hand, still watching the door as I felt that presence prod the back of my mind like it wanted me to get going.

"Take care kid."

I nodded and smiled grimly before turning and walking as fast as possible out of the door. As soon as I had closed the door behind myself, the tugging ceased and the voice return.

Hello Elodie.

"What do you want?" I demanded furiously, walking down the corridor, eyes glaring up at my brow's which were just visible, as if they housed the alien energy.

The voice laughed musically and it's presence overtook my mind, coating it like a blanket. A weird feeling, like my head was suddenly a bit heavier. It was warm though, and soon melted into my own body temperature so it felt like I was wearing a beanie.

I have no want, except to guide my new guardian in her path.

"Guardian?!" I stopped walking and snapped loudly, earning a strange look from one of the gym members who were texting on their phone. I blushed and kept walking, cursing myself and muttering that I'd have to talk to the thing in my mind actually IN my mind lest people around think I was crazy.

Yes Elodie. I am a being from another galaxy, I cannot exist without a temporary form or host to inhabit. A guardian to care for me. I am a being of great power. Able to move energy from my home galaxy through a wormhole within you to use in this one. I also seem to be able to manipulate the energy in this world too. Many seek to destroy me or use me. And so I pick suitable beings to host me and my powers until they perish.

Perish? I though pensively, opening the door out of the gym itself and into an alley which I turned down and onto a busy street quickly, losing myself in the crowd.

Yes. The voice said. To die, or pass on.

I know that it means, I snapped, and almost bumped into a woman carrying a baby.

I muttered my apologies and ducked back into the throng of people. It was mid-afternoon I guessed, and I shrugged my hood over my head. 

When I had walked a block I returned to my thoughts, taking my attention off my surroundings.

Why did you pick me? I asked.

The voice paused, as if in thought. 

Because I had no other choice.

Even though I didn't want this thing inside of me, I felt a bitter flash of resentment and pain at it's words. I frowned, and pushed it's presence away, although I could feel its frustration at my actions. I had to find a way to get this stupid thing out of me and fast. SHIELD and god knows who the man in the suit was working for are bound to be closing in.

I had no time to react at the pulse of fear from the thing inside of me as white netting covered my face and electricity sparked through me, wrenching control of my muscles and sinking my ripping away my vision until all that remained was black ...