𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 | 𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒗𝒆𝒍

quaerere

A sharp snap of a tree branch I've stepped on breaks the comfortable silence Pietro and I have fallen into, and I let out a small sigh before turning my head to meet his eyes.

"Piet, I don't think there's anyone here. We've been walking for a pretty long time, and it's not like whoever's here would have too much of a head start to get in front of us." Pietro nods his head in response before slowing down. He releases my hand and takes a seat on the forest floor, leaning against a tree.

"Yeah," he says through a release of breath. "You're probably right. Wanna rest for a second?"

I don't respond, instead simply taking a seat next to him. I realize that I still have yet to look through the pack Gamora shoved into my arms before running off, so I take it off my shoulder and undo the buckle holding it secure. I begin to fish my hands through the crammed supplies, but quickly take to unpacking it instead, as I can't see what's actually in the bag. The first item I pull out is a small ration pack, which on a normal diet for two people would probably last a day or two, but with some inventive thinking and cutting back could easily last a week. I set that aside and let Pietro take a look at it as I pull out the next item.

I pull out a small item, covered in what looks to be a case, and at first I'm not sure what to make of it. I turn it in my hands, looking for the way to open it, and finally I resort to simply pulling at it in different directions. It takes a few tries but I finally get it to open when I slide the top to the right, and I take a small gasp as I see what it is.

"You alright?" Pietro asks at my jump, but I see his eyes widen as he looks at what's in my hands. It's a small, silver pistol, with two extra rounds in the case as well. I carefully close the case, gently placing the gun in between me and Pietro.

"Let's hope we never have to use that," I whisper shakily as I pull out the next item.

My hands wrap around a large item, and I know instantly what it is: a canteen. I pull it out quickly, but find it surprisingly light. My hope falters slightly as I come to the realization that there's most likely nothing in it, but I look just to make sure. I unscrew the cap but find that my suspicions were right, so I close it tightly then toss it to the side. Pietro stays as quiet as I do during my unpacking, probably due to both being a little tired and not wanting to comment on the fact that besides the food, not a lot of these things can help us at the moment. 

I pull out a few more small things: another pack of food, a box of tampons (which I find surprising but could be very helpful depending on how long we're stuck here), and a small vial. My eyes widen when they see the vial, and I immediately drop it. Pietro jumps for the vial and catches it, but I don't hear his scolding, my mind too preoccupied. My hands search my body for the two vials I left with, and I feel tears come to my eyes in frustration right before I find where they've been hidden. I feel a couple bumps on the inside of my right boot, and when I take it off and look inside, I see both vials taped to it, along with a note. I reach to take the note out, but take a moment to think. Whoever's running this has to be incredibly smart, and even if not, they wouldn't have an arena –especially one filled with superheroes who are there only to kill each other– be without cameras. If someone had been watching my actions before they've probably already caught on that I have something, but I don't dare to take the note out for anyone to see. I try to act casual as I look through my boot, almost as if I'm searching for a pesky rock, but my eyes stay glued to the note. It's only a few sentences, but it's enough.

Aveline,

        I have faith that you can make it out of there alive, and with many of your teammates, but you have to remember: not everyone, or everything, is an ally. People will die, and possibly because of you, but you can't let it stain your hands or your conscience. You're a good kid, Aveline. You've got heart and you've got brains. Don't let this place take either of those from you. I look forward to meeting you again.