[ 𝟏 ] 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐃 | 𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐱𝐢𝐦𝐨𝐟𝐟

𝟎𝟐.

[ NEW YORK, NEW YORK ]

"Who are you?" Iron Man asked, his repulsor aimed, ready to blast me off the building.

I hesitated. Fear and instinct screamed at me to run, to disappear into the shadows, to pretend this encounter had never happened. The urge to flee—to slip into an alley and survive on my own—was overwhelming. But another part of me, a part I'd buried deep under years of captivity, longed for something else. Safety. Understanding. A chance to take a risk that might finally set me free.

The words spilled out before I could stop them. "I'm sorry for intruding, but I'm scared and alone. I just escaped from a HYDRA base, where I was held for twelve years—experimented on. They killed my parents. I have nowhere to go. I can't even reach out to distant family because if HYDRA finds me, they'll be in danger, too." I took a shaky breath. "I know I should've approached this differently, but I need help. I need guidance. And I know you've fought HYDRA before." I paused, bracing for rejection, for suspicion. But the Avengers didn't attack. They waited. So I pressed on. "I just need to know where I can be safe. If HYDRA finds me again, I won't survive."

Iron Man, Thor, and Black Widow exchanged glances, their expressions tense. Black Widow's eyes met mine. Her face was unreadable, but beneath her hardened exterior, I caught a flicker of something—recognition, maybe even sympathy. A look I'd seen before, from other prisoners after they returned from the experimentation rooms. Thor remained rigid, wary, waiting for someone else to speak. Slowly, Iron Man lowered his arm, suspicion still evident but no longer threatening.

He narrowed his eyes. "JARVIS, scan her."

"Yes, sir," the AI's voice responded. A beam of light swept over me from Stark's outstretched hand.

"Stella Kaiser," JARVIS announced. "Age: twenty-two. Reported missing twelve years ago from Darmstadt, Germany, abducted by HYDRA. Her parents, Adam and Gaelle Kaiser, were also taken but were transported to a separate facility. Adam Kaiser was coerced into surrendering his company's assets to fund HYDRA operations. When his company went bankrupt, the Kaisers were deemed expendable. Their executions were broadcast on live television throughout Germany."

My stomach twisted. Live television? I had always believed the video was meant as a private punishment—something meant only for me. But the whole world had seen it. I wasn't sure which was worse.

"Did you ... know about that?" Stark asked, his voice carrying an edge of something almost like pity.

"Yes." My voice was hollow. "I was forced to watch it."

I had seen the video years ago. The grief had been unbearable at first. Eventually, I learned to push it down, to pretend my parents were still alive somewhere, looking for me. It was easier that way. It kept me going.

Black Widow broke the silence. "She won't last on her own, especially after twelve years of captivity. We don't know if HYDRA is tracking her. If they are, taking her in could put civilians at risk, and the police won't know how to handle it. Maybe she stays here for a night or two while we figure out a plan. We could use the high-security room Thor suggested in case Loki tried anything again."