WINTER // A MARVEL STORY

ZERO. REBIRTH

[july 13th, 2010]

A MAN WALKED DOWN AN ALLEY. He had been tracking the strange cold front that had swept through Phoenix in the summer for a month now. All of his findings had led him straight to where he was headed now.

He glanced down the alley and saw a cardboard box. Surely, the cause of this phenomenon didn't live in there, did it? As he approached it, he noticed the temperature was dropping. For that he was thankful, as it was over 100° outside and he was sweating like crazy. He tried to make his footsteps louder than he usually would when sneaking up on someone because whoever this was could be dangerous. 

"Hello?" He called, hoping that the box-liver would reply. A few moments passed. Nothing happened. "Hello?" He called again. Slowly, a figure emerged from the box. A young girl stood and looked at the man. She had light blue swirls across her skin and an empty expression on her face. "Hi, I'm here to help you." He introduced. "I'm Agent Phil Coulson. I've recently discovered that you've been living on the street, and I want to help you out." That was true, but he didn't mention his knowledge of her power, or curse or whatever people called it.

"Why would you want to help me?" The girl whispered, her voice breaking. He knelt down and looked her in the eyes.

"Because, you are worth it."

[may 24, 2014]

A SHORT HAIRED BLONDE GIRL STOOD FACING A RED HAIRED WOMAN. They stood on a floor covered in mats.

"Don't use your gift." The woman reminded. The girl rolled her eyes.

"As if." She retorted. "And don't call it a gift, it's nothing but a curse." She corrected, preparing for to dodge a hit or punch.

"It's not a curse, Willa." The woman said. Willa scoffed. They both stood, ready and waiting for the inevitable start to the training fight.

"Yes it is, Nat." Willa responded, focusing on her stance. The redhead rolled her eyes. 

"Whatever." She said scoffed. They stood there, until one of them threw the first punch.

It's safe to say that despite Willa's four years of training, Natasha Romanoff was more experienced and a better fighter. 

The winner was exactly who was expected.

[september 31, 2014]

"I WANT YOU TO START SCHOOL." The statement shocked Willa. She began to protest, saying she'd learn more from Phil then from any class at school. "You need to live like a normal teenager." He added. She groaned.

"That's the thing, I'm not like other teenagers. I'm not normal. I was abandoned and lived on the streets for two years before being rescued and brought up in a secret government base. On top of that, I could kill someone there by accident!"

"We can take care of that." Phil said. Willa was hurt. She was being thrown out again. "I've found an ex-SHIELD agent and her family and they are willing to take you in." Willa couldn't believe what was happening.

"Phil, you always told me I was more than my curse. Why are you kicking me out?" She asked, her voice full of confusion and pain.

"I'm not." He disagreed. She sighed and looked away. 

"I thought...I thought you were different." Her voice was barely a whisper. The man who had been her father figure for four years was suddenly sending her away. "You said I was worth something. Why did you lie?" He looked as broken as she felt.

"I didn't lie. This will be better for you than the life here at SHIELD." Coulson said, his eyes full of sorrow. Willa felt tears sting her eyes. She looked at him again, anger lacing her gaze. "I don't want to do this, but it's the best option." He finished. She huffed, not believing what he said. "I'll give you the file on the family soon. Pack your bags." His tone switched. He sounded professional. With one final disappointed, angry, broken glance, Willa left the room.

[october 3, 2014]

THE CAR RIDE WAS SILENT. No music, no speaking. Willa stared out the window, feeling empty. Just when she had started to believe in people, she was tossed to the side. 

"Lets go over the file again, shall we." Agent Phil Coulson suggested, keeping his eyes on the road. She didn't say anything. "Names are Susanne Thomas, Max Thomas and Katie Thomas. Susanne, along with their father were SHIELD agents. After they got married, Susanne retired, but Roy--that's the father--didn't. He was killed on a mission." Phil recited. Willa didn't say anything. "Remember, that's a touchy subject, so don't bring it up." He added. Willa almost scoffed.

The car pulled up to an apartment building. The two got out, and Phil went around to grab her stuff. She hooked her thumb through the strap of her backpack and looked up at the building. Her new life was about to begin.

AUTHORS NOTE:

so in this prologue thingy we see little snippets of her life and what has caused her to be the way she is. she is left in the care of a family she doesn't know, which is hard for her, and adds to her self hatred and doubts.

this chapter wasn't that good, but the next ones will be better

also...i'm writing a tom holland social media fic so that's partially what led to me writing this book.

anyways, thanks for reading, comment and vote if you liked it. 

thanks!