Rea, having a photographic memory plus enhanced hearing, heard about how Karpov was planning on moving subjects to another Hydra base in Prague. They also knew that they were most likely to be transferred. Yet their gut told them that this could be their way of escaping. Her heart was racing at the idea of finally getting out of the hellhole they had been kept in for so long. And yet, she knew that if they were to escape, both boys would suffer the same way she had. And they knew they couldn't let that happen.
That same evening, while returning to their cell from "training"—Hydra's twisted term for their torture machine—she knew she had to make a move. Krevo, the man in charge of transporting their "subjects," suddenly seemed to have an uncontrollable craving for a cigarette. Letting go of Astraea's arm, he sped toward the nearest exit.
That was a clever little trick they had been working on for a while—amplifying a person's craving by invading their mind. The assassin was indeed as cunning as a fox. They knew they couldn't waste any time. The moment Krevo let go of their arm, she ran toward the control room at the end of the hall.
It was abandoned, of course—she had barely enough energy left to amplify the cigarette craving for the three soldiers inside. As the men followed Krevo to the exit, she stepped into the room, knowing she only had thirty seconds before they realized what was happening. The so-called fox easily found the documents regarding the transport to Prague. Chatty, drunk guards and their photographic memory made it quite easy, after all. Still, she barely had enough time to change the name of the transported prisoner from her own—though only her number, 59448, and the codename "Fox" were listed—to James and Milo's names. She also adjusted the amount of requested Hydra personnel to one. Then, they dashed back out into the hallway, returning to where they had been left.
After a confused group of men went back to their posts and the clever little girl was brought to her cell, she turned to the cells on her right. "You'll be home soon," they whispered to the boys. "Knock him out as soon as you're out of Russian airspace and then get as far from the plane and Hydra as you can."
"What do you mean?" James interrupted, confused, his eyes scanning the bruised and bloodied girl. "Are you okay? How bad is it?" he asked, worry lacing his voice.
Before Rea could answer, the oldest of the three, Milo, spoke. "Why do you think we'll be home soon? Tiny, what about you?"
That damned nickname. He had to make this harder, didn't he? She couldn't look him in the eye. If they did, they could imagine the way both of them were looking at her—James with those adorable brown eyes, always looking at them like he didn't just see the murderer she was. And Milo with his worried big blue eyes, looking at them the way a big brother looks at his siblings. No, she couldn't bear to even think about it.
Instead, she tried to keep her voice steady and as emotionless as she could. "Tomorrow will be your only chance. Don't waste it. Find Natalia and tell her... tell her I'm sorry."
This was the moment it seemed to click for them what was about to happen.
"I'm not going to leave you—"
"Why would you do that?"
"Rea, please look at me!"
Their voices overlapped, fear and confusion filling the air. The little girl could feel their emotions—fear, worry, and yet, hope for escape.
"You should rest. You'll have a long day ahead of you," was all they answered before lying down with their back toward them, trying their best to shut out the emotions swirling around them.
The realization of what she had done only seemed to dawn on them when someone kicked her to the ground the next morning. Krevo and a man they'd only seen a few times, Malick was his name, stood in the back, watching as the abuse unfolded.
"That's enough," one of them said—Rea wasn't sure which one, as the ringing in their ears was deafening. A bad omen, or simply from the hits they received, they weren't sure.
It all seemed like a blur—people moving, lights flashing, voices talking. So many voices.
"It's time for him to get a new host. Why not bring him an Inhuman gift, maybe—"
They didn't hear the rest before a needle was inserted into their neck, and the world became dark.
