Tracing the Webs

Chapter 3

Skye's voice broke through some of the fog in Gwen's mind. She appreciated Skye's consideration.

Skye's own experience likely made her more sensitive to issues regarding family.

"No, I just..."

What should I say? Do I ask for help?

Gwen's mind suddenly remembered Skye's attitude in the first season.

She is a good person, if a little loose with respecting secrecy laws. She offered to help Mike in the first episode without even knowing him. There's no better person to ask for help in this situation. I just- Why am I so hesitant?

"I-"

If I do ask for help, how do I say this?

"My parents aren't around. And I don't have family. And I have no place to live," she rushed out without giving herself a chance to hesitate even more.

Skye stood there, her eyes widening. "Oh." She didn't seem to know what else to say for a bit.

After a brief silence where Skye just looked at Gwen in surprise and Gwen looked at the ground, Skye finally said, "Um, were you in the foster system? Are you 18?"

"I-something like that. I don't know what to do. I've been staying in a shelter for now, but I have no job and no place to live." Saying all of this out loud made Gwen feel even worse about it.

Skye put a hand to her chin, thinking. "Look, why don't you stay with me tonight, and we'll figure something out in the morning?"

When Gwen looked up at Skye, Skye smiled, and the negative thoughts that were swirling around Gwen's head dissipated.

It'll be okay. I'm not completely alone now. I just need to take it a day at a time for now.

"Thank you."

It was nighttime, and Skye's van was parked in an alleyway near a diner. The night air was cool and the moon shone brightly outside.

Inside the van, Skye was sleeping on her 'bed' in the back. Gwen had insisted on sleeping on the floor of the van, as she was small enough to fit and didn't mind enclosed spaces. She borrowed a few blankets and pillows from Skye to create her own 'bed' on the floor of the van.

The van was bigger inside than she had anticipated but it certainly wasn't large. And while she didn't mention it to the girl who was nice enough to let her crash here, Gwen did think the van smelled a bit.

The events of the day caused Gwen to fall asleep rather quickly. But in the middle of the night, she started to toss and turn. Half-asleep, she became vaguely aware of her temperature rising, and of pain resonating throughout her body.

She kicked off her blankets, but it wasn't enough to cool her down. In her sleep-addled brain, she couldn't even think about getting out of bed.

She slept the rest of the night hot and in pain, only vaguely understanding that something was wrong with her. It wasn't until the morning that her symptoms subsided and she fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, Gwen woke up and saw on the dashboard clock that it was late in the morning.

"You slept for a long time. Which is probably normal considering what you went through yesterday. How are you feeling?" Skye was sitting in the front seat, laptop on the counter in front of her.

Gwen yawned and stretched her arms over her head. "Better, a lot better. And hungry."

"Good. We should rebandage your wound today," Skye suggested. "By the way, I did some looking online and...well..."