Power

Part 38

I thought I heard a clock ticking. Maybe it was just the constant buzzing in my ears since I left HYDRA. I stared at the ceiling of the medical bay, trying to think, fighting my sleep.

They never meant to leave me. They cared. They didn't have to, it wasn't an obligation, but they cared about me. They wanted to see me safe and happy. And it hurt them that I wasn't any of those things anymore.

I felt my heart heavy as I took out my phone. My mum was calling me. I felt my stomach twist as I swiped on the screen and lifted the phone to my ear.

"H-hello?" I stammered.

"Tony called me and told me about everything. I'm so incredibly sorry you had to go through that, baby..." she said, and I could tell she was crying.

"Mum...I need you" I whispered.

She took a shaky breath before answering.

"I can't come, I'm sorry... There's something I haven't told you, but it's time you find out...please listen to me, sweetheart".

I felt the panic rising inside my chest. But I listened.

                                                                                              ****
"I-I don't...I don't understand" I muttered. "How? How could you not tell me you have powers? That's...insane, mum".

"I wanted to protect you...And your dad was normal, so I hoped you wouldn't inherit them..." she sobbed.

"D-does dad know?" I asked, trying to process the information and hide the absolute horror in my voice.

"I haven't told him" she sniffed. "He might have suspected something since I always open the pickle jars easily" she tried to joke through the tears.

I forced a chuckle, but it sounded like a gargle.

"And what...what is this...this power? Superstrength?"

"If you know how to use it, yes. If not, you might never even know you posses it... You need to learn to find it within you. Find the power within you".

I massaged my temples.

"I don't understand, this sound like some kind of cliche motivational speech."

She giggled softly.

"You're amazing, I love you! But it's true. And now that I know...HYDRA wants you- she chocked a little- you are going to need to learn how to use it".

"So...I'm like...the Hulk?" I asked.

"A little more girly" she laughed. "You don't turn into a a green giant. Oh, and, you might be able to do telekinesis. I was never able to master it, but who knows?"

"Boy, can you be casual about this." I said, laying on my back, trying to understand what she was saying. 

I had powers? That sounded pretty cool...But now I had other worries. HYDRA took it all out of me, and I just needed my mom.

"But...why can't you come here? Or...or get me home?"

She sighed.

"I'm sorry, I know how hard this is to hear...But I would endanger you. You wouldn't be safe if I  came, and you wouldn't be safe in London, either. Right now, I want you staying with the Avengers all the time. They will pick you up from school and you will never walk alone, you understand? They saved you once and they are the only ones able to protect you right now".

"But-"

"No. Please do as I say. I want you to be safe, honey. I know you miss me and I miss you, too, but you have to believe me, I know HYDRA's tricks. You need to stay there".

I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"Okay, love you" I murmured.

"I love you, too. You are so strong, honey, you're gonna get through this" she said in a brittle voice before hanging up the phone.

I curled up in a ball, my head feeling heavy from all of that information. I missed my mum so much... And superpowers? That, I sure wasn't expecting. But I knew who I had to talk to about this, and the thought made my stomach twirl.