Cadet [Wattys 2016]

England

London, Wednesday morning

My hand shakily opened the hospital door. I was coming to see my brother. There was a chance I'd see my parents. My sister. How would I react? How would they? Natalie would be angry I hadn't called in a month. Mom and Dad probably wouldn't care. At worst, they'd prevent me from saying my true goodbyes.

The hospital was all grey. I hated it. It was sad. At least it was lighter in color than my black SHIELD uniform. I tried so hard yesterday to distract myself, focusing on training, and I ended up losing control and taking it out on the punching bag. Ward said that's what it was for.

"I'm looking for Lucas Brynn?" I ask the hospital secretary, my voice hoarse from crying. The secretary looks up at me in sympathy. "He's in Room E210. Take the stairs on the right, and it should be on your left." She says. "Thanks." I reply, turning to head up the stairs.

There are a few people waiting outside the room. I recognize a couple. Some I don't know. I've been gone for three years. I walk straight up to the door, pushing my way through the crowd. "M'am, you can't go in." A nurse says. "Why not?" I snap.

"Because I said so." A woman steps from the crowd. Her brownish-red hair is pulled back into a ponytail and she looks as though she's been crying. It's my former mother, Lacy. "He's my brother, and you're not my mother. You have no control over me." I say. "So let me in."

"Absolutely not. You were a bad influence." Lacy says.

"I was a bad influence?"  I snap. "Who took Luke to the park to play? Who helped him with math in first grade? Me! I wasn't any influence but a good one." I shove my way past, but she grabs my arm to stop me. She can try, but I am a trained SHIELD agent. I turn and shove her off with a kick. "Want to stop me now?" I say dangerously, opening the door. No one comes after me.

Luke looks tired. His eyes light up when I walk in. "Rose!" He exclaims. "I thought I'd never see you again!" I smile slightly. "So did I. I flew all the way from America to see you." Luke sits up, his brown hair flopping into his face. "What's it like in America?" He asks. "I mean, I've seen it on TV, but what's it like actually being there?"

I sit in the edge of his hospital bed. "Well, to start, they talk kind of funny. They're obsessed with American football. Other than that, I haven't gotten out much." I explain. Luke gives me a look. "You should. Send me pictures." He orders. "You have a phone?" I ask. Lucas nods. "I got it about a year ago, when I turned eight. What's your number?" He asks. I quickly give him my number. Luke makes me promise to send pictures.

We talk about the past couple years and laugh for a while, trying to ignore the present situation. It's nice to see him again. I check my watch. It's already almost time to head out. I have about an hour before I'm on the plane back. I don't want to leave, because I know this time it will be permanent. That I'll never see my brother again. So, I decide to leave him with something special to remember me by.

"You want to know a secret?" I ask. Luke nods excitedly. I lean in close and whisper, "I'm training to be a super spy." His eyes grow huge. "Wow! Is it fun?" He asks. I nod. "It's hard, but fun. I've already been on a mission."

"What as it?" Luke asks. "That's classified." I laugh, leaning in to give him a hug. "Keep this between us, alright? I have to go, but I love you. And I promise to send pictures." Luke nods sadly. "Alright. I love you to, sis."

I leave the room with silent tears on my face. "You shouldn't have gone in there." Lacy says the instant I leave the room. I quickly knock her down to the ground with my new moves. "Shut it. You have no right to order me around anymore. I'd get out of my way, if I were you." I snap, allowing her to get up.

Lacy is persistent. "You were a terrible influence. And now this? Where does it end, Rose?" She says, blocking my path. I pull out the gun that was hidden in my pocket. "Get out of my way." I hiss. "Or I will shoot you. And I know how."

Lacy looks shocked. "You wouldn't." She says. I flick the safety off in return. "I would. I just had to say goodbye to my brother for the second time, and this time it's more permanent. I don't think there's anything I wouldn't do at this point."

Seeing I'm telling the truth, Lacy steps out of the way. "Where'd you learn to fire a gun?" She asks. "That's classified." I say, walking off. "Highly classified."