CRYSTAL CLEAR [PIETRO MAXIMOFF]

two

I sprint home, steering clear of moonlight in order to stay hidden. 

After climbing back up the fire escape into my bedroom, I immediately grab a piece of paper, sprawling all the information Manny had told me before I forgot. 

I pin it to my wall,  staring at it. My head starts to buzz, as I realize that I just received a whole new wall's worth of information. 

After connecting all the new information accordingly with red twine, I sprawl onto my bed with an overwhelming sensation of pain.

That's the best way I could describe it. All these secrets were bouncing around in my head, and I had to restrain the urge to puke. But I wasn't an idiot. I couldn't just believe anything this thug had to say. 

I have to do some more digging. 

This was apparent, of course. I can't afford to jump to conclusions, considering how crucial the situation was. If my parents really were S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, then this whole matter just took an even darker turn. 

It would mean the entire vision I have of my parents was all constructed, and I have no idea what kind of life the people who raised me had led. 

"This is bull," I mutter, getting out of my bed and drinking the remainder of an old energy drink bottle that was sitting conveniently on my nightstand.  I pad over to the wall decorated with paper and string, my hands on my hips. 

I read the information over and over, my brain unable to process anything. Underneath the papers, the white wall's paint was chipping, the damage becoming more evident with every thumbtack I've stuck into the fragile drywall. 

I check the time. It is 4:03 in the morning. There was no way I would go back to bed. The unconfirmed information Manny had fed my brain was all too much to bear. 

Where do I even begin to look? Where would an insignificant woman like myself be able to get a hold of any kind of clearance that might prove if any of this was valid? 

"Son of  a bitch." This is why those men in suits came into my house after the murders. Could they have been affiliated with S.H.I.E.L.D.? Is this why my father was so careful with his documents? He never talked about work much, but I had always assumed it was because there wasn't much to tell. The information about Howard Stark made my head throb. His son, Tony Stark, is fucking Iron Man. 

This was a whole new level of insane. But, there's no use in trying any harder for the night, or day, considering it was half past 4 now. 

After entering the small but decent bathroom of my apartment, I get into the shower, praying that it was steamy. To my bad luck, the water was lukewarm, getting colder by the second. 

Once I was out of the icy shower, I put on normal clothes and lay on the bed. This was going to be a long ass day. 

- 

My appetite was nowhere to be seen of course, so for breakfast I settle on bitter coffee and pour my brew into an old reusable mug. 

I pick up some clothes and other miscellaneous things around my apartment, in an attempt to tidy up a bit. No one ever comes around, but it helps occupy my time and steer clear of any unwanted thoughts. I make a mental note to do some laundry, but it was the least of my worries. 

Finally, I leave my apartment, coffee mug in hand and my bag slung over my shoulder. It pains me to take the bus in the mornings, so I decide to walk to the martial arts dojo. 

Along the way, I start to debate my next course of action. I suppose it would be best if I actually knew if this information was valid. It would be idiotic of me to work based on a hunch. 

The traditional style dojo in Manhattan is one of my favorite places in the world. That's saying something, since when my family was alive, we did a bunch of traveling. I walk in and am not surprised to find that nobody is here yet. 

Nobody other than Sensei Akio, that is. He was meditating, and it's almost like he isn't here since he won't acknowledge my presence until he's done. 

Time to perform my morning duties, then. I roll out some more meditating mats for when the students arrive, as well as brushing off some dirt on the existing padded ground. Next, I refill the water dispenser on the edge of the main room and restock the cups. I had already sanitized the minimal equipment the students used the afternoon before, so the place was set. 

"Ah, good morning Miss Masters," Mr. Akio greets me. 

"Good morning, Sensei," I reply, smiling at the peace the place had. 

"Did you have a nice evening?" He asks. My smile falters a bit, considering my night wasn't the best. 

"It was...reasonable," I answer, and I could tell he could sense my distress. Sensei was good at that, but he was also good at staying out of other people's business too. 

"Very well. By the way, we have a new student today, about your age. I want you to give him a list of rules to take home and teach him the basic stretches individually. I can handle the other younger students," he explains. 

"Are you sure you don't need my help? I understand that the twins are a bit rowdy and nondisciplinary sometimes," I question. I feel a little odd at the idea that he wanted me to work alone with someone. 

"I am sure a man in my age can take care of them," he smiles. "Also, the young man you'll be working with seems to have a lot of pride, and I'd hate for him to be embarrassed since he's farther behind the little ones." 

I laugh and Sensei Akio allows me to go prepare for this new student. We had a small room that was much more private than the others, which is perfect for one on one lessons. I open the windows and put on some soothing Japanese music. I have learned early on that there were bound to be some awkward silences whenever I socialized, so I hope the music can fill the void. 

I set out another pair of meditating mats and review the beginner's steps to be thorough. As utterly irritable as I may seem, I really do care about this job and it has helped me get through so much. 

About a half an hour later, Sensei knocks on the open door of the room, and I turn around. Before me was my mentor, and the student my age, just like Sensei Akio said he would be. I nearly gasp. 

The reason behind this is that the boy had the same green eyes as Levi, and the same tall, lanky frame. 

I take a shaky breath, since the ghost of my boyfriend has come to haunt me once again. 

The boy smiles and sticks out his hand, and I fumble with the lesson book before returning the gesture. 

"Hey, I'm Isaac," he says. 

I barely turn up my lips and reply. "Uh, hi. Anastasia." 

"Sweet. That's a pretty name," he grins back. He looks me over up and down, and I suddenly feel very small. Crap. 

"Thanks." 

"I'll allow you two to get started. I must go now, the twins have just arrived," Sensei breathes, shaking his head. 

"Good luck," I answer weakly. 

I'll take the twins a thousand times if it meant that Sensei Akio didn't have to leave me here with Isaac. 

A/N: 

- And so it continues. 

- Let me know what you think so far! I apologize for how long it's taken me to update this. 

- Don't forget to vote and comment! 

Ru. xx