Inferno: Remember Me

Vintage

Rain pattered heavily on the roof of the tent. It poured down incessantly, filling the air with a chill, and rags of the mist tickled the lake as it passed by. In the moonlight, the ripples of water let out a resonating vibration, perceivable to the most sensitive ears.

The biting cold filled your lungs with every breath of the stale air that filled the cramped tent. The warm exhale was more palatable, but you braced for fresh shards of ice to stab your throat again. Hail pierced the skies.

Strangely enough, you were used to the cold. Every moment of your life, you were devoid of heat. A VERY ironic side-effect. After sipping your cup of ice-cold green tea, you got startled at the noise of your folder falling off your desk, spilling it all over your skirt.

"Perfect," you growled, annoyed. Sighing ( a grave mistake ), you snapped your fingers, and a flicker of flame filled the dark surroundings. In just a few seconds, all the lamps were gleaming brightly. You brought the flame close to your dress, and slowly, your skirt dried out. Unfortunately, the smell remained.

"Carter! CARTER!" a booming voice rang around the clearing. Of course, it was Colonel Philips.

"Yes, sir?" you yelled back.

"We need some help! The tent's flooding!"

Cursing the weather, you slowly rose out of your chair, your files strewn across the overcrowded floor.

Snapping your fingers again, a now fully formed flame rested above your palm.

You trudge through the murk, wincing whenever something slightly wet comes into contact with your feet. Colonel Philips stood at the foot of the now-demolished tent, snarling at the inanimate objects standing next to it.

"Third time this month - Carter! Hurry along now. We need to dry this place up before we all drown!"

"I'd stand back if I were you," you replied, calmly, and smirked slightly as he jumped back.

Scowling, you concentrated on the flame, enlarging it until it reached the height of the tent itself. Encompassing the tent cautiously with the fire, you lowered the intensity of the heat, glancing at everything else surrounding it. A dome of fire now encircled the campsite, and rapidly, all remaining water evaporated. Streaks of red now filled the air, and the crackling was boisterous. As if on cue, the pouring rain ceased. Lowering your hands, you vanished the flames before the billowing, thick black smoke could engulf anyone besides yourself. Waving your hands around to clear out the smoke, you quickly signaled Colonel Philips that everything was alright.

He looked surprised at this feat, as he always was, but composed himself soon enough.

"Thank you, Agent Carter. You're excused. Make sure you don't expose your... abilities... to anyone else. Do you know where Stark is?" he enquired.

You thought for a minute, trying to recall where you last saw him.

"Sir, he's gone over to the headquarters to meet with the chief of the State Department. They've established an expanded Office of Security, and we need their help to coordinate the activities of the agency." you answered.

Colonel Philips stared at you, puzzled.

You smiled faintly, and responded with, "I'm only joking, sir. He's at a science convention, showing off his flashy gadgets.".

He chuckled - something he rarely ever did - and rubbed his hands together. You had forgotten how cold it was. Touching your fingers, you conjured up a wisp of smoke, enough to keep the Colonel warm.

"Very Howard-y, of him, wouldn't you say, Helen?" he rumbled, amused.

"Affirmative, Sir." You grinned at him, flashing your teeth. The tiniest bit of light-heartedness ascended your hopes faster than you could even fly. You sort of hated yourself for letting the optimism get to you, at a time like this. Then again, isn't it all the world needed? A fragment of hope?