Protecting You

Chapter 18

"Hattie, please open the door!" Uncle begs, banging his fist on it.

Looking open, I can see the wooden door shaking each time he knocks. Im sat against the wall furthest away, the window above my head. I've lodged a wooden chair under the door handle so it won't open, I can hear my Uncle sighing.

"I'm sorry, I lost my temper and I'm not going to make excuses except I was angry at my father. I forgot about you for a second." Uncle justifies.

"I thought you were going to hurt me!" I shout.

"I won't hurt you."

"You know what, Uncle? You had the same look in your eyes that Loki had when he found out I had powers and he ordered someone to take my blood. You're so much more alike with Loki then you realise." I explain.

"You may be right." He whispers.

"I don't want to talk to you anymore, go away!" I order.

"If that's what you want."

I hear his clunky boots get quieter, as he walks further away. Unfolding my legs from my chest, I straighten them out in front of me.

*

"I'm going away for the night, Harriet." Uncle Thor announces.

Six year old me sits on the white tiled floor, looking up at Thor with confused wide eyes.

"So you're not going to be here tonight?" She questions.

"No, child."

"But what if I have a nightmare again?"

"Steve has suggested that you stay at his house for the night."

"Yay!" I exclaim, standing on my toes and clapping my hands.

I spent the night at Steve's, we watched lots of Disney films and he read a few stories to me, changing his voice when he read the dialogue. I cried when he told me it was time for bed, at first Steve was really confused, until I admitted I was scared of the nightmares.

I did have a nightmare that night, but Steve carried me to his bedroom and he whispered stories to me until I finally fell asleep. When I woke, he was already awake and smiling at me, still holding me in his arms. Steve made me pancakes for breakfast, which was the first time I had them.

Then, when it was time to go home, Steve opened the front door and outside were lots of camera people, all shouting and fighting to get into the house. I started crying and he closed the door.

"They're not going to hurt you, Hatz, I'll protect you. Okay?" Steve promised, crouching in front of me.

I nodded, tears streaming down my cheeks. Steve picked me up and carried me on his hip. I wrapped my arms around his neck, hiding my face.

"Just keep your face hidden and they won't get your picture." Steve instructs.

He opens the door again and the sound of people shouting fills my sensitive 6 year old ears. I placed my hands over my ears and hide my face in Steve's neck, his hand on the back of my head.

Steve yelled at a few of the reporters, after he strapped me into the car seat and closed the door. He told them all to back off and then drove to SHIELD.

*

He's kept that promise. Always protecting me. He saved me from Loki a few times, he let me stay at his house and he protected me from my Uncle.

I'll always think of Steve like a father. But right now my real father needs me.

Slowly standing up, I cautiously step to the bedroom door. Pulling the chair from under the handle, I push it aside and wrap my hand around the door handle. Opening it, I glance at either side.