Almost Dusk {A Black Widow Story}

CHAPTER FIVE

(Clint's Perspective)

Backup had finally been called in and they came bursting through halls and stomping their way through the building.

The only problem was that the backup team wasn't on our side.

It was on theirs.

I took a second to reload my guns in another empty room, already having checked it for any little assassins on my way in.

I want the comfort of my bow and arrows back, but this wasn't the kind of place for those weapons. Here it had to be stealthy (knives), inconspicuous (small grenades) and lightning fast (guns).

It seemed that after the first round of bullets flew through the air, a certain alarm had been raised among the others and now they were out for blood.

Every couple of rooms would have hidden kids inside ready and waiting for me.

And they were quick too.

I couldn't seem to hit a mark on them.

But I was determined, so I kept going.

Weaving in and out of rooms, jumping from one end of a hall to the next, that was my only plan.

I had to find Natasha.

Without our radios, there was no way of knowing each other's whereabouts.

If I have to check every room in this damn building, I think to myself with scathing irritation.

With my guns cocked and loaded, I take a deep breath and then launch myself out of the room and pull on the triggers.

A revolver in each hand, I storm the halls as the cluster of armed men rain fire down on me.

I duck and weave. At one shot I backwards roll into the room opposite me, kicking the door down as I land.

Panting, I pull out one of my hand grenades and pull the cap with my teeth before tossing it out the door and backing up.

There are shouts and then the grenade goes off.

The floor rumbles beneath me and the lights flicker but remain working.

Trying to catch my breath, I listen to any incoming attacks.

Nothing. Only the crackling of destruction as broken glass pops and sizzles with charred smoke.

As the embers fade, I head out again, ready for the next wave.

I make it only a few feet from the room I was in when I hear it.

Shit! I scream in my head.

I didn't check that last room for any little Romanoff spawns.

The girl stands at the door way and I squeeze the trigger as I rotate back to face her.

The bullet makes contact with the raised arm, just grazing the skin but enough to draw her back into the room.

But not before she let her shot fly and lodge itself in my calf.

The sudden fire of its contact stuns me, and as soon as I know the child has retreated, I turn down to my leg and pull at the pant material to get a closer look.

Yep, she got me that cheeky little bastard.

It was a clean shot though; straight through.

I set my weapons on the ground beside me and tear the bottom of my pants into one long strip. Using the material I quickly but efficiently bandage the wound and tie a knot in it to keep me from losing too much blood.