Enchanted Shadows

Chapter 5 - SHIELD's Intervention

POV: Maya

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The mission was supposed to be straightforward: infiltrate, retrieve the target, and leave no trace. Natasha moved like a whisper in the dark, leading our unit through the maze of the compound with the ease of someone who had done this countless times. I trailed behind her, my senses on high alert, the weight of our earlier argument still heavy on my mind.

We reached the secured room, the target-a set of classified documents-locked behind a reinforced door. Natasha motioned for me to cover her as she worked on the keypad. I took my position, every muscle tense, my eyes scanning the dimly lit hallway for any sign of movement.

"Almost there," Natasha murmured, her fingers flying over the keypad.

I nodded, though she couldn't see it. My heart pounded in my chest, a reminder that this was my chance to prove myself. I had to do this right. I had to show that I was more than just her shadow.

The door clicked open, and Natasha slipped inside, beckoning me to follow. As I stepped into the room, an alarm blared, piercing through the silence. Red lights flashed, and my stomach dropped.

"Go!" Natasha hissed, grabbing the documents. "We need to move!"

We sprinted down the corridor, our exit now compromised. I could hear the sound of footsteps approaching, the guards responding to the alarm. Natasha veered left, motioning for me to follow, but I hesitated. A different path called to me, a route I was sure would be faster.

"Maya!" Natasha called, her voice sharp. "Stay with me!"

But I couldn't. Not this time. "I'll meet you at the extraction point!" I shouted back, turning down the alternate corridor.

"Dammit, Maya!" I heard her yell, but I was already running, my mind racing with the decision I had just made.

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I barely made it around the corner before I was confronted by a group of guards. They raised their weapons, shouting commands I didn't understand. I ducked low, my training kicking in as I slid between them, using the element of surprise to my advantage. But there were too many of them. I could feel the panic rising in my chest as I fought, my movements becoming increasingly desperate.

Then, out of nowhere, an arrow whizzed past my ear, embedding itself in the wall just inches from my face. I froze, my eyes widening in shock. Arrows? What the-

Another arrow followed, this one aimed at the guards. In the confusion, I caught a glimpse of a shadowy figure moving with precision and purpose. The guards fell one by one, taken down by expertly placed shots.

I turned, my eyes landing on a man in black tactical gear, his bow raised and another arrow nocked. His eyes met mine for a split second before he moved again, taking out the remaining guards with a fluid grace that rivaled Natasha's.

"Who are you?" I demanded, my voice shaky despite my attempt to sound commanding.

"Your ticket out of here," he replied curtly, not taking his eyes off the corridor. "Move. Now."

I hesitated. "I can't leave without Natasha."

He shot me a look of irritation. "Romanoff can take care of herself. Right now, you need to come with me."

"No," I insisted, standing my ground. "I'm not leaving without her."

The man sighed, lowering his bow slightly. "Listen, kid. You're in over your head. We have a team in position, and we're extracting both of you. But you need to trust me."

I opened my mouth to argue, but before I could speak, a familiar voice rang out.

"Maya!" Natasha appeared at the end of the corridor, her eyes wide with a mixture of relief and anger. "What the hell are you doing?"