Shadow Cadet: Rising Shadows

10 {Retreat}

Anastasiya's eyes slowly fluttered open with a wince as she was hit with a blinding white light that she soon found out was sunlight bleeding into the sterile-looking hospital room. She sat up and examined her surroundings to see that she was alone... and cuffed to the bed. Panic swelled in her chest as she frantically looked around for something to pick the lock with but came up short-handed. Just as she began to contemplate dislocating her wrist to slip herself out Coulson walked in.

"Sorry for that, it was done by the authorities. They had you under arrest but we got that cleared." He cleared his throat as he reached for the key in his pocket to undo the metal cuffs. After that he handed her a glass of water that she hesitantly took before eagerly gulping it down after realizing how dry her mouth was.

"How long was I out for?" She questioned hoarsely as she rubbed at her newly freed wrist.

"A few hours. From what Fedorov, Barton, and Romanoff told me you weren't supposed to get out of there." Coulson replies as he adjusts the sleeve cuffs of his jacket.

"I- Did Aleksandr make it out?" She asked with a little hope in her tone but Coulson solemnly shook his head causing an ache to settle deep in her chest. "Is everyone else okay?" Her eyes glossed over as she spoke.

"Romanoff and Barton are currently giving a debriefing and Malcolm is waiting outside to speak with you." He explained as Anastasiya nodded before letting her eyes drift to her own vitals.

"What happens now?" Her voice cracked as she bit down on her cheek to prevent the onslaught of tears. Emotions are weakness. She repeated over and over in her head as she waited for Coulson to speak again.

"You'll be discharged from here in about an hour or two and then we'll take you back to D.C to get your side of the story. Then you'll sign some papers and we bury this old identity of yours-"

"Waitwaitwait I have to have a new identity?" She shook her head in confusion.

"We told you, you'd be getting a fresh start. You're slate will be wiped clean, you can be someone else." Anastasiya scoffed slightly as Coulson spoke. "We already have the hospital printing out a death certificate for Anastasiya Fedorova as we speak. Death to a gunshot wound."

"What's my new name?" She asked as she picked at the blood and dirt under her nails.

"Alexa Fredrick. We'll give you a file all about it after we take you to The Retreat." He continued to explain as he stood up to leave.

"Can I bring my cat? No one can take her and-"

"Yes. Where is she?" He questioned with a nod.

"My apartment. Where you guys captured me." She sighed with relief that she at least got to keep something of this old identity—and by something, she meant her furbaby. "Did they find anything yet?" 

"Crews are still digging through the rubble. The death toll is already high, they found her body along with her brother Elias's" Anastasiya felt a weird pang in her chest.

"And Aleksandr?" 

"They've only found an arm so far the fingerprints on the hand match his. They're still looking for the rest of him." Coulson explained making Anastasiya exhale shakily. 

"Uh, can I- I need a minute. Please." Coulson only gave her a curt nod before turning on his heel and exiting the room.

The second Coulson left the room Malcolm walked in, his face red and puffy like he'd been crying. "I didn't know- I swear I didn't know." He stumbled over his words as he walked further into the room. Anastasiya just shook her head with a small smile.