I grit my teeth as the medics rip out a piece of glass from my leg. I clutch the side of the metal table, wanting to scream but too terrified to do anything but lie here, submissive and silent. They're wearing masks so I don't know who they are, whether they're man or woman, how old they are. It doesn't matter, anyway. Nothing matters until I find the others. This room has no windows and only one door. It's cold. No-one speaks. I could be in Germany or in Australia or in Asgard. It feels like the world has ended and there is nothing but this room. And the fear that comes with it.
They stop, eventually. The door is opened and I can see a white corridor outside and men with guns. No. Not men. Not human. Their faces are slightly too pale, eyes too big, mouth too stretched out, fingers too long. They don't move, don't blink, don't breathe.
I feel my chest tighten as the door remains open and someone grabs my arm, pulls me up and drags me towards the not-men. The fingers on my arm are cold and tight.
The not-men aim their guns at me, lips curving up into almost-smiles. I have to walk. A woman is beside me, looking human, but she's still not quite right. Maybe it's the almost black eyes or the long red hair with not a hair out of place. Something's wrong. "Miss Barnes-Rogers," she says with a smile, "such a pleasure. May I say that you've grown into a beautiful young woman. You're so strong and independent. I was hoping that you would be slightly more popular and would attend more house parties but I suppose that the whole good girl thing worked out for you, as well," she said. "You were always my favourite. I was there when you were born. You came out, screaming, at six pounds. I remember the pride on your mother's face. It almost matched the pride I felt when you killed for the first time."
"I haven't killed anyone," I tell her, almost spitting out my words.
"Oh, of course, that mustn't have happened yet. My apologies. However it will be soon so I can't be blamed for not having everything in order." The woman stops suddenly and I crash into her. "You're in here. There are clothes and a video for you to watch."
I get shoved into a room and the door is slammed shut and locked behind me. A pile of clothes is on the chair and I don't hesitate in putting them on, wanting to get rid of the hospital gown I'm wearing. These clothes are much more my style - preppy and plaid. I then notice the TV screen on the wall and remember the video I had to watch.
As soon as I thought that, it turned on and a home video started playing.
Four little girls are playing dress up.
Libby is sat on a chair whilst Ruby plaits her hair. Sam is helping Ally button up a dress. They are laughing. Smiling. Libby stands up and admires her reflection in the mirror, hugging Ruby and giggling. Then the lights flicker and there is a sigh of annoyance from behind the camera. "Clint!" Natasha yells. "Stop messing round with the electrics. I told you I'd get Tony to fix it later!" There is no reply and the camera is set down on the desk, still filming the girls. The door closes but the girls don't notice. Instead, they carry on playing, making dolls dance and pouring fake drinks into plastic cups.
The lights flicker again and a dog barks, in the distance. Then the lights turn off. There are screams but a second later, the light turns back on and the girls are unharmed. "You baby!" Ruby exclaims, throwing a teddy at Sam. They glare at each other until Libby asks them if they wanted cake.
I stare in horror at the screen.
No.
The woman stands in the corner of the room, writing something down on a clipboard.
This couldn't have happened.
The girls don't see her, even when they look right at her.
I can't help glancing round this room to make sure I'm alone.
The woman is now smiling, crouching down beside Ally, her hands stroking down Ally's hair.
Have I ever been alone?
Libby looks up briefly, her eyes meeting the woman's gaze. The woman holds her finger to her lips and shushes her. Libby shudders.
I shudder.
Her mouth opens as if to scream.
No sound comes out.
The woman shakes her head, her smile widening. Then she gets a knife out.
My heart pounds against my chest.
The message is clear.
The message is clear.
Libby nods at the woman. She understands.
I understand.
We are part of something.
The woman stands up and walks back the corner of the room, away from Ally.
We have always been watched.
From the second we began breathing.
The woman smiles and Libby turns back to the tea party.
We have always been controlled in this sadistic game.
I am afraid.
Tears run down her cheeks but she wipes them away.
I have to be brave. I wipe the tears away.
The lights flicker and the woman vanishes.
The lights flicker.
The screen goes black. End of video.
The room goes black.
End of the game.
YOU ARE READING
Avengers: Daughters
FanfictionDaughters of the Avengers unite in an attempt to save the world, using their abilities and powers for good. Unfortunately they fall out just as much as their parents do and that might get in the way of their true destiny. To avenge the world.
