Escaping Maximoff

Army Dreamers

Hayward was many things, but dishonest was not one of them. The attack started mere minutes after he left. Just as he had said, their plan was put into action almost instantly, with loud cracks like thunder in the distance signalling the fight ensued. Since then, a gruelling hour had passed, and the battle showed no signs of slowing down. The whole gymnasium held its breath as the ground rumbled with distorted echoes and explosions. Though their origins were a mile away, the raw power of both sides could be felt under our feet. A soft hum tingled the bottom of my fingertips as I lay them on the floor, small jolts of electricity twisting up the bone of my arm. My limbs felt heavy, weighed down by fear and anxiety. I wanted to go and help Wanda; it was obvious she couldn't keep this up for much longer, but I knew I had to wait for an opening.

Sam and I had come up with a plan. A crazy, stupid plan which, under normal circumstances, wouldn't even be attempted. But it was our only option.

Just two guards were left to look after us; the rest had been called for backup. So when one opted to take a group of students to the bathroom, we struck.

A swarm of students rushed over as Sam collapsed to the floor, a loud thud echoing around the hall and capturing the attention of the only guard left. "I think he's having a seizure," someone exclaimed, observing the way the blond writhed on the floor, twitching his limbs and rolling his eyes into the back of his head to give an Oscar-worthy performance. I bit the soft skin of my cheek, trying my best to hold back a laugh at his theatrics. When he said he was going to give 'attacked by Vecna,' I didn't exactly have this in mind.

While the soldier was attempting to help Sam, I managed to slip out of the hall undetected, making the most of my best friend's incredible distraction. Our elementary school drama teacher would be proud.

I hurried through unlit, empty corridors that led out of the school, moving swiftly yet carefully to avoid attracting unwanted attention. Outside, the sky was dark and swarming with billowing grey clouds, punctuated by streaks of thunder. The streets below were littered with abandoned cars and fallen leaves, torn from trees by the blustery wind. It felt like a nightmare; no matter how fast I sprinted down the sidewalk, I couldn't escape the sight of ransacked houses with windows and doors flung wide open. The only sign of me getting closer was the ever increasing cracks and rumbles that got louder with every step.

I didn't want to admit it, but I was terrified of Hayward. He was powerful, with complete control over an army of S.W.O.R.D. operatives and an extensive arsenal of weapons to his disposition. I knew there was no way I could physically help Wanda fight, but I thought that maybe the people working for him would listen to reason. If I showed them Wanda was no longer a threat, then maybe they would rebel against Hayward and let her go. They believed they were doing the right thing, but if they knew the truth then they might change their minds. It was a long shot, but it was better than sitting back and let them take the only person who has ever called me their daughter.

The forest grew around me, branches twisting and knotting overhead, while thick trees created a labyrinth of bark and moss. Much like the empty streets, the woods were abandoned. No birds soared through the sky, not a single sound could be heard. It was as if nature itself was at war, and it was losing the fight.

I was getting closer. The cracks and booms were no longer distant, and I could suddenly smell smoke and burning wood – the result of an attack using heavy artillery.

Something scurried over my foot, and I dared to look down, stifling a scream when I realised the cause. Hundreds of spiders and insects rushed to escape the battle, tumbling and rolling over each other in a sea of tiny stick-like limbs and black bodies. In that moment, I couldn't help but think that Wanda had been right all along – spiders were definitely my worst fear. Shivers shook my body as I pressed on, doing my best to ignore the trail of squashed bugs I left behind. Wanda needed my help; nothing else could matter. Within minutes, I had finally made it. The gross critters had vanished, replaced with a scene straight out of an action movie.

Time slowed down as I watched the events unfold in front of me. Around a hundred soldiers stood surrounding a clearing, shooting a constant stream of bullets and crazy-looking light rays from guns and cannons. Wanda was in the centre of it all – the eye of the storm. As lightning crashed, illuminating the swirling sky, the powerful woman moved calmly, her arms cutting through the air, releasing an eruption of crimson energy to protect herself from the soldiers. Her hair was stuck to her skin, sweat dripping down her dirt-covered limbs as her chest heaved to catch a breath. She never moved to hurt her attackers, only to disarm them or evade their attacks. But she was getting tired. I could see the exhaustion in her eyes, even though they were tinted red.

Before I could comprehend what I was doing, I rushed forward to the outskirts of the clearing, pushing past a soldier to make my presence known. The fighting stopped almost instantly, S.W.O.R.D. operatives stared wide-eyed at my small frame, their mouths gaping as their brains struggled to figure out what to do. It was obvious that, despite their nonchalance at hurting the woman in front of me, they drew the line at attacking children. Hisses of confusion passed between the soldiers, encircling me in whispers as I made my way toward Wanda.

Ice. I was frozen to the spot, cold metal pressing to the side of my head as my fingers clamped stiffly at thin air. My veins pumped chilled blood through my unmoving body, my heart beating so slowly I wasn't sure it was working at all. Hayward towered over me, one hand grasping my arm and the other holding a gun to my temple.

"You are going to take those handcuffs and place them on yourself, or your little friend is going to end up with a bullet in her head," he said leisurely, as if threatening to take a child's life was a daily occurrence for him. "And I wouldn't recommend using your powers after that, unless you want a thousand volts coursing through your body."

My eyes snapped to hers, silently begging for her not to comply. Her mouth was set in a straight line, a determination only I could read. She was going to fucking do it.

"Wanda, don't. Please don't," I pleaded, growing more desperate as she reached for the handcuffs. She was sacrificing herself for me, throwing her life away so I could live mine. Two soldiers grabbed her roughly, following Hayward's sluggish gesture to drag her away. Just like that, he had captured the most powerful sorceress in the universe, all because of me. His operatives would never see reason as long as he was around; he could control them, and now he could control Wanda.

"No," I choked out, My lungs collapsing as Hayward's grip on me tightened, his gun pressed harder against the side of my face. Dirt and sweat mixed with my tears as I cried silently, watching her be pulled away with unnecessary force. She looked so pale and weak I was afraid she would faint.

"Don't get involved in this, kid," he sneered, his stale breath hot against my ear. With a weak push from Hayward, I fell to the floor, my legs crumbling underneath me. I felt completely empty, utterly powerless against the triumphant asshole walking away from my broken body.

The last thing I heard was Wanda's voice in my mind telling me she loved me, then the distant crackle of electricity and a piercing scream.

There was nothing I could do. She was gone.