Steel Hearts

- 25 -

I had dropped into the old apartment that Sam and I shared. It was empty, holding only the memories of our drunken Sunday movie nights and many heart-to-heart conversations at four o'clock in the morning. Laying on the floor, I break down. Was this another place in my head or was this real? I really couldn't tell anymore.

I felt sick to my stomach. Tony, Ross, the news. They all thought I was dangerous. I had gotten one side of the story of the night my mother had died, but I needed to know the rest.

Peeling myself off of the wooden flooring, I take a moment to peer out of my old window. The city skyline and traffic beneath me were oddly soothing. The people walking the sidewalks looked like ants from how high up in the building I was. My father had sent the Winter Soldier after my mother. Why?

Turning on my heel, I stop by the bathroom to catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My cheekbones were more defined than I last remembered them. I looked sickly and malnourished. I probably was. What day was it? How long had it really been? My normally coppery brown hair had dulled. You could see the pain behind my eyes. The sight was saddening. Thankfully, I was still wearing my suit instead of the prison wear I had been issued.

Answers. I needed answers.

Without a second thought, I slip out onto the fire escape and make my way to the street. Keeping my head low, I tie my jacket around my waist and expose the black tank top I wore underneath. I needed to keep a low profile if I was going to get to New Jersey before the government found me; not to mention Steve found me.

✪   ✪  ✪

It didn't take me long to steal a car at the edge of the city, speeding toward the one person I didn't think I would want to speak to ever again. According to the date on the car dashboard, it's been a year since the airport.

Twelve months were spent in my own mind.

A full year without Steve and it had felt like an hour at most.

I was angry. I didn't have control of anything. I didn't know where Steve or Sam was, hopefully fine. I didn't know how I had gotten out of the prison. I didn't know what my mom was talking about when she said I was destined for more. For greatness. All I knew is that I was angry at the entire situation.

Somehow I had been able to sneak into the prison, through the guards, and into the yard. My gut told me exactly where he would be, in his cell. Keeping my head down, I march myself straight there.

The door slammed with a metallic clang as I shoved it open menacingly.

"Tell me everything," I demand, my voice low and raspy with anger.

"A hello would've sufficed."

"You don't deserve that. Tell me everything you know."

"Why?"

"You wanted me to visit, didn't you? Well, here I am," I hold my arms out to the side, gesturing to myself before crossing them over my chest.

"I was hoping for more of a 'hi dad. I've missed you.' kind of exchange," he glances up from the chapter book he was reading, closing it with an eye roll.

"Why did you have mom killed?"

"She was in my way."