[COMPLETE/EDITING]Be My Hero

Sixteen

I awoke with a start, drenched in cold sweat with my heart pounding. I turned over to check my phone and blinding white light flooded the room. It took moments for my eyes to adjust so I could check the time. It was noon. How had I slept in so late? I couldn't remember when I went to bed last night. I had a few drinks to get a small buzz going, but not enough to get a hangover, thank God. I slowly sat upright and rubbed my face. I wasn't a fan of nightmares, but they happened so often these days, it was hard to even remember them. Today was the day. Four hours from now, we would all be headed to V4 with barely any knowledge of the place. With a knot of dread weighing down my stomach, I got up and stretched. My mind quickly landed on Steve and I couldn't help but smile as I headed towards my closet to find my suit.

The way he looked at me and the way he held me was intoxicating. I wanted more of it. I wanted more of him. As I got out of my old clothes and into my suit, I was once again hit with the realization of what was going to happen tonight. I was so worried I felt sick, but I knew I had to keep my composure. As I was zipping up my suit and securing it, I heard a rap at my door. I fumbled with the straps that stretched across my chest and approached the door. I was finally situated as the door slid open, revealing a very calm, collected Steve who was still dressed in loungewear. "Why are you in your suit?" he asked with his brows drawn together. I looked down and shrugged. "What's the point in wearing anything else? We'll be leaving soon."

Admittedly, I was so nervous I could be sick, and I didn't have an appetite. "I'm worried too," Steve said with a smug frown. "We have to focus and stay sharp. We have to be alert. You need to eat something."

"I know." I looked at him and rubbed my jaw. "I just don't have an appetite. I'll eat before we leave though."

Steve stared at me for a moment, scrutinizing me closely. He finally nodded and headed off. I quickly followed after him with a sly smile. He had relieved some of my anxiety for the time being and I thanked him greatly for it.

---

I was standing outside, more anxious and jittery than ever. All the people going on the mission had huddled around Zack as he explained where we needed to go. We would go in pairs of two and split up before meeting in the center of the facility where we would more than likely have to battle our way to the other superhumans and mutants alike. Zackary had found an old map of the place although it wasn't up-to-date. Either way, we figured we could use it in case it was somewhat correct. Natasha and I would be going through the vents. Steve and Tony would be going through the underground channels, as would Bruce and Sam. Scott would be going in through a trap door located on the side of the building. I could tell that everyone was anxious, especially when we boarded the airship that would take us to the outskirts of V4.

I sat next to Nat who anxiously played with her braided hair and stared off at nothing. I wasn't feeling much. In fact, I felt incredibly numb. I had eaten a rather large meal before regrouping with the others, and I felt fine. But perhaps the reality of my situation would hit me again later. It took only four hours to get to the outskirts of the facility and we landed quietly in an open area. We would have to walk a few miles in order to reach the building and we had not a clue what was around us. As we got out of the aircraft and secured our weapons and equipment, we headed to the facility. My anxiety had been pushed into the back of my head, but every time I looked at those around me, it came back. Steve was calm and collected, as was Natasha. She had fallen asleep on the ride over and I knew that she hadn't slept well. The trek up to the facility was tedious and required everyone to be as quiet as possible in case there were traps set up to keep us out. No one talked.

As we neared the building, tensions began to rise and the silence was so thick and heavy it felt as if it weighed down on my shoulders. This was all too easy. There had to be something here, there had to be traps in place.