Inescapable

Ch. 46

2014

SOMEWHERE IS SPACE BETWEEN MORAG AND VORMIR

"We're a long way from Budapest..." Clint smiles towards Nat, to which she returns. The colors of space would be beautiful if you didn't know what was waiting for you all in Vormir. Nat noticed your sour mood and gave you a quiet look. You shook your head and tried to give her a small smile. She dropped it, for now. Once the ship came out of hyperspace Clint was able to land it easily onto Vormir.

"Wow- under different circumstances... this would be totally awesome." Clint says, walking towards the back of the ship and opening the hatch. A chill went up your spine as the Vormir cold air whipped your skin.

"Maybe. Under different circumstances..." you replied softly as you passed him walking out into clearing. Clint and Nat followed you silently as you started to make your way towards the mountain. Eventually Nat speeds up to walk beside you. Her voice is low when she asks, "are you ok?"

You turn your head and look at her, giving her a soft smile. "Yeah. Everything's fine."

"You sure? I know that far off look in your eyes... Is there something we should know about?" She presses further, getting closer to you and reaching out to pull you closer to her. You squeeze her hand on your forearm and give her a small smile as you say, "everything's fine Nat. Trust me."

She eyes you warily before letting you go, giving you a small nod. "You know I do Y/N."

"Good." This time you smile wider, knowing that trust is going to become very important. As the three of you start to climb up the mountain, Clint starts to talk. "Now why couldn't I go to New York?"

"I bet the racoon didn't have to climb a mountain." Nat complains.

You chuckle, "He's not a racoon, technically..."

"Whatever. He eats garbage."

Then a voice calls out, chilling you to your core. "Welcome."

Clint and Nat automatically draw out their weapons. But you just stay frozen in place, knowing all too well you've reached your destination. Red Skull sulks out of the shadows and continues to speak. "Natasha, daughter of Ivan. Clint, son of Eidth. Y/N..." he smirks at you as he continues, "or rather Verdandi, daughter of Yggdrasil."

"Who are you?!" Nat demands, her weapon trained on Red Skull with deadly precision.

"Consider me a guide. To you, and to all who seek the Soul Stone." Red Skull responds, smirking.

"Oh, good. You tell us where it is. Then we'll be on our way." Nat counters.

"Ah, liebchen– If only it were that easy." He turns and leads us towards the cliff, and I know exactly what he's going to say, yet I remain quiet as he does.

"What you seek lies in front of you... as does what you fear."

"The stone is down there." Nat supplies.

"For one of you. For the other... In order to take the stone, you must lose that which you love. An everlasting exchange. A soul, for a soul."

Both Clint and Nat lower their weapons at his words, both of them looking mystified. It's then that Nat turns to me, a questioning look in her eyes. Instead of answering her, you turn and sit on the log nearby, trying to take a breather before everything.

They both join you, sitting on either side of you. Clint is staring daggers at Red Skull. He finally sarcastically waves at him, "How's it going? Jesus..." He turns to look at you, "please tell me he's making this shit up."