Iron Will (sequel to Iron Soul)

Chapter Fifteen: Invisible Kid

        "So they were both murdered in cold blood right in front of me when I was about seven. Hydra killed them, of course I didn't know that at the time, just because my parents refused to switch to them. They were loyal to S.H.I.E.L.D. and they got killed for it. I think that was my defining moment because it made me realize that no matter what, my parents were will to give their life for this organization. If they were willing to do that, it must have been pretty important. From that day on I've pushed myself to become that dedicated to something, to create or be a part of something so important and vital that I would give my life for it in a millisecond. That became the S.H.I.E.L.D. reboot for me. I gave up everything. I became a full time student at S.H.I.E.L.D. academy, devoting my life to science and research, but also finding out who killed my parents and the real reason why they did. I dug and dug, and I still haven't figured out why. I mean, besides the fact that they wouldn't turn to Hydra. I mean the reason they wanted them. But I will one day, if it's the last thing I do."

        "I feel it. That had to be a lot of you at such a young age. I mean, what did you do? Where did you go?"

        "Fury took me in. He made me a part of S.H.I.E.L.D. at a young age."

        "Got yah." I bite into my muffin again, chewing slowly as I concentrate on trying to get into the files again. I take a long drag of my coffee, my attention strictly on the screen in front of me. I try getting into the flies again, the same beep and message coming from my attempts. I slam the computer shut. I shove the rest of my muffin into my mouth and take my coffee to go. Jordan follows my lead, shoving her bagel in her mouth and packing up quickly. I nod a goodbye to Jessie and get in my car quickly. I pull out of the coffee shop, my muffin finally gone. I get back on the highway a plan forming in my mind. Steve is level 9, so I could get in through his laptop. I just have to get into his laptop. That is most likely going to be the hardest part. Maybe I can just grab it when he is showering or something. That works. I pull into the garage, shifting into park and turning off my car. I get out, my laptop case and coffee in my hand. I walk quickly to our apartment, Jordan going her separate way. We make plans to meet in the lab tomorrow morning. I sip on my coffee as I walk through the halls quickly. I finally reach our apartment and slide my thumb across the sensor. I push open the door with my foot. It closes behind me with a reassuring bang. I sigh and slip out of my Nike Freeruns. I set my laptop down on the floor by the counter. I throw my now empty coffee cup away and start heading towards our bedroom. I push open the door quietly, finding it empty.

        "Hey Steve? Are you home?" I ask the silence. After a good 30 seconds with no response, I take it as a no. I shuffle over to his side of the bed, grabbing his laptop case from the small space between his bedside table and our bed. I unzip it and grab the laptop that is inside. I open it and hit the power button lightly. The start up menu comes up as it powers on. The S.H.I.E.L.D. log in screen shows up, requiring either a finger print or facial recognition. I curse under my breath and take my phone out of my pocket. I have three text messages from Steve over a three hour time period, asking where I am. I ignore them and unlock my phone. I scroll through my camera roll until I find a smiling picture of Steve. I hold it up to the small webcam, hoping for it to accept the picture as his face. It denys it quickly, causing another long strand of colorful words under my breath. I stare at the screening, thinking through what I could do. I enter some of the codes I learned in Hydra, each being rejected. I groan as our front door opens. Fear shoots through me as I work quickly to get the laptop off and back in it's case.

        "Jet? Are you home yet?" Steve asks, the sound of keys dropping on our kitchen counter.

        "Yeah!" I yell back. I slide the laptop into the case and zip it up. I shove it back in the little slot and get off the bed. I walk over to the window, trying to make it look like I was staring out across the field.