Universal Chaos

Chapter 22

There was nothing on the other side of the rubble but more debris and the awaiting team. Each crack and clattering chunk of concrete felt like walking over a gave. Sutton had to grip Steve's hand tightly as bile splashed at the back of her throat. Steve just murmured encouragement.

Just another step. One at a time.

One more and one more, until they were finally over and back down on semi-level road.

They tried to find a working vehicle as they kept going. Steve rummaged around under the dashboards of any less damaged car they came across, but so far the three he'd tried wouldn't start.

She could believe them into working, if she could get the suit off.

Sutton tugged on the cuffs of her suit. The material was starting to chafe and she could feel the layers of dirt and sweat as it rubbed against her skin. Maybe, maybe if they hurried and got the universes stable, they'd have a spare moment. A bit of time to really regroup and collect themselves. To shower. To mourn.

It was a surprise to see some people were still sprinkled through the city streets. The ones who weren't as injured were trying to tend to others. Some dug through the heaps of rubble in a search for survivors. There wasn't much that the team could do for them and it hurt to just keep going despite all the carnage. Everything in her screamed at her to stop and help. But the universes were still collapsing on each other. The destruction would grow worse and more people would be hurt.

Sutton reminded herself of the goal.

The idea of the many over the few was a sour thought and she'd never liked it. It wasn't so great if you ended up being one of the few. She hoped that those they did pass would be okay. Hoped that more help would come and maybe they'd be better off with all the Avengers out of the city.

How did Steve manage through World War II? How did Natasha still have a quirky sense of humor after the Red Room? The team had so much collective loss, Sutton's chest was imploding and she'd only gone through this.

Maybe most of all, the silence was unsettling. The city had never been so quiet. It was unnatural. The sound of running cars was completely absent and the rustling shuffle of people was at a bare minimum. Sometimes there was the tinkling of falling glass shards or the scrape of metal on road, but little else.

"Someone has been tailing us," Nat said as they rounded another block. Tense postures tightened; they shifted into a circular formation and luckily had enough people to cover all directions.

"How long," asked Rhodey.

"A few blocks at least. They've been keeping their distance."

"If it was one of Thanos', I think they'd have attacked by now," said Steve.

"Could be a civilian," added Sam. Nat shook her head.

"They're too careful for a civilian."

Sutton eyed Nat's expression and then glanced behind her at the empty road. Nat was wary. She didn't like it when Nat was uneasy.

It would be infinitely helpful if they found a car that actually worked.

There was no scuffling or other suspicious noises as they stood and listened, so they had little choice but to carry on. The person would either attack or they wouldn't, and hopefully they had the advantage in numbers alone. She hoped whoever it was, that they were smart enough not to try anything.

"I have to go to the bathroom," Sutton announced as they continued on. The group tittered to a stop again and looked around. They hadn't made it out of downtown yet. There were still plenty of broken, accessible stores around them. A sandwich shop was a few doors down and she gestured towards it.