Hawkeye: Agony

The Avengers' Bowman

It took hours less than it should have to arrive at the tent. There was a parade of police cars following me but I managed to escape them a few states before Iowa.

I knew exactly what to expect as I drove to the tent - torture. And lots of it. Whether it was towards my friends or me... Someone is going to die.

I saw the tent in the distant stretches of a field - a dirt path leading up to it along side a broken sign that read "Barton's farm". I paled and choked slightly. I had planned not to ever return to my childhood home, but clearly the Circus saw otherwise. Rising two of my nightmares in one go: My past, and my Dad.

I ignored everything I passed, looking down at the dirt path instead of everything around me as I drove. The sound of Circus music eventually guiding my way.

Eventually, I pulled up among the many cast trailers - which goes to prove that every member was there. Ready to welcome me in.

I got off my bike and slowly walked inside. Each step was cautious; every glance was anxious and my bow was out and ready.

I pushed up the flap and closed myself in to the darkness of the tent.

**

Everything was silent. Everything was dark. I couldn't see but I knew my way to the centre perfectly.
"Ringmaster..!"
At the sound of my voice, I could hear muffled cries coming from all directions. They were all here...

"Hello Clinton," The Ringmaster said as single spot light fell over me. I couldn't see enough past my feet to make out where the others were.

I hid all of my nerves using my S.H.I.E.L.D training - hoping he'd leave them alone if he thought I wasn't afraid.
"Let them go!" I looked around in circles, trying to pinpoint where everyone stood.
"I won't let them go. You will," The Ringmaster turned on all of the lights with a bright, lime green glow.

Natasha was hanging upside-down, her body was in a cast of titanium metal and her ankles were tied to a rope, hanging from the very top of the tent. Gagged and looking down at me with a frantic look that the rope was about to snap.

Steve was chained to the bottom of a tank of water - the lid sealed shut over his head. He was unconscious and his breath was bubbling very lightly to the top of the tank.

Thor was chained to a metal pole that was pierced in to the ground - branches coming off the pole and stabbing through him. Blood was running from his chest and his head was hung. The metal was conducting electricity from him - causing Thor to jolt and yell every time he sparked.

Wanda was in a field of the Ringmaster's magic, trying to yell to me to get away but I couldn't hear her. A tiger was in the dome with her and had clawed a few pieces of flesh from her.

Bruce was just stood in the middle of the floor of the tent - eyes and veins glaring bright green but not turning in to the Hulk due to the Ringmaster's magic. He was thrashing and stumbling - tense and in pain; yelling behind the metal gag around his mouth.

Tony was gagged in the same way, being tossed around between the two Gambonno twins - bruises all over him from their metal fists and feet - breathing sharply.

My breathing began to quicken again and I started to freak out, looking between them all frantically.

The Ringmaster was still not visible, "Either you save your friends or you run. But if you stay, you're never going to leave."

I had to force my breathing from cutting out, this time. I had to help them. I couldn't run and leave them all to die.
But I was going to regret agreeing to stay.

Wanda and Natasha were able to give me looks that pled to run, but I ignored both.

"I guess you're getting your archer..."
I whipped out an arrow and loaded it in to my bow - shooting it at Steve's tank so the water burst out of the glass; allowing Steve to breathe.
Steve fell to the floor, still unconscious and chained to the metal base by his wrists and ankles.

I looked up at Nat just as the rope snapped and shot a putty arrow at the floor which formed a comfy protection for her to land on.
She rolled off but stayed unable to move any further on the floor, unable to lift the titanium around her.

Simply, I shot two taser arrows at the two Gambonno twins which knocked them out - leaving Tony to slowly stand on his feet.
He gave me a thankful nod before running over to Nat and setting her free from her cast.
Natasha then took out her gag and Tony's and both went over to Bruce.
"Hey big guy... The sun's getting real low."
As Bruce slowly calmed - I walked over to Wanda in her field.

I knew that I couldn't help Thor or Wanda without forcing the Ringmaster to let them go.
"Show yourself you idiot!" I looked around everywhere - terrified.
"Idiot, no," He appeared in front of me - slowing every gun shot from Tony and Nat to go through his magical form, "I need you first."
He grabbed my shoulder and forced me down to the floor with ease and I did nothing in an attempt to help the remainder of my friends. Then, he pulled out a collar and attached it around my neck - grounding me to the tent.

I looked back at Natasha with a weak smile and a lost gaze - knowing she could see my fear over the entire situation. She ran over and hugged me around the neck - her hands, fumbling to try and take off the collar that had now pierced through my flesh.
"It's alright..." I was quiet as I gently hugged her back.
"They're going to kill you..." She pulled away slightly only so she could look up to me.
I didn't reply and let the Ringmaster pull her away and throw her in to Tony.

Steve came to and Thor and Wanda were freed - both standing despite their wounds though Thor wavered a lot. None of them made a move to leave.
"We're not leaving without our bowman," Steve said stubbornly though dripping with water.
I smiled at seeing them willingly stand up to protect me from my past but it was no use.

The Ringmaster laughed as he waved a hand - sending all of my friends back home to the facility.

His hand fell on my shoulder and I looked up to face him just as he punched me hard to the floor.