Hope Found

Why?

I am lost in the darkness again. I like the darkness. There isn't any pain. There isn't a cell. There isn't torture. There isn't anything. There is only darkness. It is simple and peaceful.

All too sudden, I feel the darkness beginning to strip away. I feel myself returning to my body. It feels heavy and numb. Weird. Usually I'm greeted with pain. This is different. I try to move but I can't. Everything is too heavy. I try to open my eyes and it takes a lot of effort but I finally manage to peel them back. I am met with a blinding light forcing me to close them again.

"Hey she's awake!" exclaims an unfamiliar voice nearby. I try to open my eyes again only to be forced to close them again. Why is it so bright here?

"Dim the lights," someone orders. It sounds like a woman. I peek through my eyelashes to find the light much more manageable now. I open my eyes and look around. I have absolutely no idea where I am. I feel groggy but for the first time in forever I am not in any pain. My head feels heavy though. It is weird.

There are multiple people surrounding the bed I am laying on. I don't remember ever laying on a bed before. Oh well, it is so comfortable. The people stare at me which makes me feel uncomfortable so I glance around the room. It reminds me of the lab where they took me sometimes.

Memories flash in my head of needles and blood and pain. My breath comes out short and fast. I vaguely notice everyone backing up except for a man with dark hair. He meets my eyes. He's trying to tell me something but I don't understand. He starts making really exaggerated motions and finally I get it. I start breathing in sync with him until its back to a regular pace. I still don't feel great though or safe. I still see the memories and feel the pain. I don't want to be in a lab. I don't want to be here. I cringe inwardly. What test would they perform? Would it hurt?

They all seem to notice that something is wrong as various looks are shared. One of them steps forward as the man steps back. I recognize him instantly: Captain America. He looks better. I don't even see a bruise.

"It's okay, you're okay. We took you away from them. They will never hurt you again." He approaches my bed cautiously. I can't process what he is telling me. They have really saved me? Why would they do that? Why am I in a lab? What are they planning on doing to me?

Why am I here? I don't want to be here. My voice a weak whisper in his head. He scrunches his eyes in confusion. I glance around my gaze lingering on the lab equipment and needles. Something seems to click for him.

"You had a lot of injuries so we brought you here so that Dr. Banner here could treat you," he states motioning to the dark haired man. "Now we should find something to call you. Do you have anything you would like to be called?" I ponder his question. My head begins to hurt. I don't think they ever gave me a name.

They called me Subject 22. This seems to make them angry. I huddle into the bed. Nothing good ever happened when people became angry. Captain seems to notice and smiles at me slightly.

"Do you remember your real name that your parents gave you?" I shook my head slightly wincing as a sharp pain ran through my head. The Captain looks conflicted at this and glances at the other man Dr. Banner.

"I can get a list of names and you can pick one you like, how about that?" he asks me. I just nod my head wincing at yet another pain. I really need to stop moving my head. I don't really care about a name. I don't really see why it was so important. I have other things to worry about.

I don't know these people. Yes, they took me away from Them, but it doesn't mean that they are any better. They already have me in a lab. I hate labs. I start shaking as the memories flood me. I try to block them but everywhere I look another one popped up. Suddenly a girl with long brown hair steps forward. She is wearing all black except for a red jacket that cut off at her elbows.