cryptid
/cryp·tid/
noun
an animal that has been claimed to exist but never proven to exist
-----------
The investigation of cryptid creatures from the general public sparked interest within SHIELD's Enh...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"I don't trust what I see right in front of me."
Grand Forks, North Dakota November, 1995
THE Asset did not know what it was like to experience pain. What it felt were malfunctions– inherent inability to function properly as the weapon it was supposed to be. The Asset didn't– couldn't– remember if there was ever a before or a beginning. But it knew that it was created for a purpose and its only purpose was to serve. Its before self must've malfunctioned horribly to be given a punishment like this; to be hanging by its throat yet not hanging at all, its toes barely reaching the floor and its arms cuffed behind its back. It couldn't breathe without experiencing a malfunction– pain– it knew this was dutifully deserved.
But even though the Asset knew this was right, it couldn't help but think something was missing. It wasn't exactly thinking– it was a query that it needed to have answered. But it didn't have anyone to answer its query. But still, something was missing, and the Asset's malfunction was becoming unbearable because it couldn't find– it couldn't see–
The door to the room opened. It creaked and the Asset lifted its head. It gazed at the Primary Handler, who adjusted his pristine suit with a soft smile on his face.
The Asset knew him– the Asset knew him since the beginning.
"Hello, Asset." Primary Handler Sasha spoke gently. "Have you learned your lesson yet?"
The Asset blinked.
It was not allowed to express whether or not it learned anything. Primary Handler Sasha was the only one who could tell it whether or not it had learned its lesson.
Had it learned its lesson? It did not know. It needed to be told and could not know itself.
So the Asset did not respond, remaining still and watching the Primary Handler as he drew closer. It didn't move as the Primary Handler unhooked the chain attached to its throat. The Asset collapsed to the floor, pushing itself to sit on its knees. It's hands trembled against its legs and it did not know why.
The Asset felt the Primary Handler run his fingers through its hair.
"Well, I think you have." Primary Handler Sasha sounded amused.
Something dropped at the Asset's feet and it looked down to see a stack of clothes on the ground. Its mission uniform was neatly in place. The Asset didn't move as the Primary Handler leaned down, crouching in front of him
