Insider

Twenty-two

Sharon helped stitch my face.  I showered and changed into a new set of clothes.  I made sure Rose and Jasmine were okay, both had fallen asleep.  But, I didn't sleep; there was work to do.

"What exactly happened when you were with Crimson Night?" asked Carter.

"It's not what we thought- Matt is dead.  Trish is in charge, but she's grieving the loss of her father.  It's almost as if she's gone mad," I said.  "She was the one who arranged Rose and Jasmine's kidnapping."

Jotting this on paper, Sharon continued, "What about her husband?  Does he have any control over the decisions?"

There was a pit in my stomach.  I could hear the solid gunshot.  "Tobias is dead." I said flatly.  "He let me escape, and died because of it."  

James glanced at me with worry and I said, "He was a good man deep down, just made some bad decisions."  The room went quiet, and I thought about how I was going to explain this to Jasmine.  

Briskly, Sharon changed the subject and questioned, "What about this new Criz?"

Thankful to change topics I stated, "Trish is supporting this new Criz fully.  She wants everyone to use it, and does not care about the deadly side effects.  I think she's using it too, just in lower doses.  I suggested that Crimson Night move to sell Criz in Washington next, I was thinking that S.H.I.E.L.D. could intercept and stop them there.  We ended up at this club for all the gangs, and then I was drugged and got caught.  Crimson Night was pissed, as well as the other gangs involved."

James assured, "You did a lot, Elissa."

"Good job, kid." Sam added.  I smiled.

"I have some good news from all this:" Sharon cut in, "We were able to track your phone from the first text you sent.  We last saw it at a restaurant-"

"It's called The Mauve." Sam told us, "We should find out exactly who goes there and when.  Crimson Night will undoubtedly be back.  Elissa, do you know who are Crimson Night's allies in Washington?"

"They certainly don't have enemies," I said, "They just don't like the government- or S.H.I.E.L.D..  Those are common enemies amongst every gang."

Shuri, who had been quiet for some time, calculated, "You could use security footage of who entered The Mauve that night.  It is likely that the club itself would not have cameras, but certainly the restaurant part.  Find out which gangs entered, and which left around the same time as Crimson Night."

"Then what?"

"The gangs who travelled with Crimson Night most likely are allies, and know Crimson Night's next move.  You track the allies down, and find out where Crimson Night is going to deploy the new Criz.  Then, you can shut down the operations simultaneously, and stop the Criz at its source." Shuri concluded.

No one had any objections, so we determined the best course of action would be to obtain security footage from The Mauve tomorrow, and follow through with Shuri's plan.  Everyone dispersed to go rest, but the Wakandan Princess made her way to a balcony.   And in my heart, I wanted to follow her.  Maybe ask an important question.  I would likely be denied, but I just wanted to try.  With a hesitant step, I followed behind until I was just about three feet from her.  Shuri jumped and exclaimed, "Please don't scare me like that!"

"Sorry," I replied, wringing my hands nervously.  

"Is everything okay, Elissa?" she asked, "You look terrible."

"Long day."

"That is understandable," said Shuri.  "How can I help?"

Shrugging, I said in a rush, "I just want to thank you for helping me,"

She smiled.  "I merely showed you the truth about Bucky."

"But it was more than that-" I cut in, "I'm a difficult person to be around.  You made me feel like I was worth something."  She was taken aback, but I continued to ramble, "You just seem like a nice person.  Why do you do it?  Why do you decide to help?"

Shuri bit her lip in concentration.  She glanced up at the sky, and then back at me.  Then, Shuri explained, "Before the dusting, I almost saw my home get taken over by a lost man.  I realized that I have all the resources to help so many people, and I wanted to do that.  What good is one person's success when the rest of the world suffers?  When I found out that there would be a Winter Soldier trial, I wanted to testify to clear an innocent man's name.  When I found out there was a girl my age who was lost as well, I wanted to help her find a new path."

"Wow," I breathed.  "You wanted to help me?"

"Sure.  You're not a villain."

It was my turn to smile, and I actually blushed a little.  Quiet yet sincere, I said, "Thank you."  She didn't see me as evil- that was a start.  Shuri then suggested we head inside to get some sleep, and as we headed towards the door I blurted, "What do you plan to do when this is all over?"

Shuri turned and for once she was unsure.  "I don't know," she admitted, "I will be heading back to Wakanda, but I do want to help S.H.I.E.L.D. again.  I want an organization that was trying to do good rise up again, without any strings of Hydra attached."

A new S.H.I.E.L.D..  That sounded nice.  Then, with my words choppy and in an anxious tone of voice, I muttered, "Do you think that sometime in this time we could become... friends?"  

She laughed, but at the same time acknowledged what I had said.  "I do not have many friends outside of Wakanda," Shuri replied, "So, yes.  We can be friends."  

Maybe in other circumstances I would've told her she looked beautiful that night, but I didn't.  I didn't want to push my luck.

In the early hours of the next day James and Sam travelled to The Mauve.  Everyone thought it would be best if I did not go, in case there were spying eyes.  Instead, I slept for a really long time.  When I finally awoke and made my way into the living area, I was pleasantly surprised.  Sharon and Shuri, with the help of Jasmine and Rose, had made breakfast.  The sweet smell of Maple syrup along with buttermilk pancakes filled the room.   As we ate, I felt calm and safe.  

When was the last time that happened?

Jasmine snapped me out of my trance by asking, "What's going to happen to my mommy?"

Both Sharon and Shuri looked at me; I had known Jasmine the longest, I should be the one answering this.  And, as if on cue, the words came.  Funny how in some instances I cannot form a sentence, but with others it feels like I could talk forever.  With a sense of assurance to my voice, I told Jasmine, "I'm going to do everything I can to protect your mother.  She's not a villain, she's just lost."

"Will you help her find where she's going?"  

I promised, "Yes.  I will do my best."  How I would do this, I knew not.

But for now, I wanted to feel calm, safe, and happy.