Natasha's POV
I open the last door just as cautiously as I had the first, I had learned long ago that you could never be too careful.
I was expecting this room to be empty, same as the others, so I was slightly surprised to see a young woman curled up in the corner. She looked to be about 15 or 16 years old with light silvery hair and shocking purple-grey eyes.
"Guys, I found one." I informed the rest of the Avengers through my earpiece. I notice the girl flinch back at the sound of my voice, taking note of the terrified expression on her face.
"It's ok," I speak softly, so as not to scare her more. "It's ok, we're here to rescue you. You don't have to be afraid."
I take a slow step into the room as I hear Cap's response. "Ok, I'm sending in Clint and Loki to help, the rest of the base has been secured."
"Thanks Cap." My voice is a little too loud, causing the girl in front of me to jump slightly.
I quickly return to speaking quietly, "that was just my friend, he's going to help me get you out of here. Can you tell me your name?"
I wait patiently for her response.
After a moment she shakes her head slowly.
"Why not?"
She points to her throat and shakes her head again.
"You can't speak?"
She nods, looking a little less scared but still anxious.
"Do you know how to sign?"
I doubt Hydra would have taught it to her but I'm hoping she knows something.
I watch as she nod while, somewhat clumsily, moving her hands.
Yes.
She stops nodding, hands still moving.
No?
It seems more like a question because of her hesitation.
"It's ok, you don't have to know all of it, how much do you know?"
I ask the question just before hearing Clint in my ear.
"Almost to you, Tasha, how're you doing?"
I watch her face as she holds up 8 fingers, not responding to Clint immediately.
"8 words?"
Not a lot, but hopefully enough for now.
Another nod, moving her hands again carefully.
A, B, C, 1, 2, 3, - she motions her hand in a continuing gesture - 10.
"So you know the alphabet and numbers 1 to 10?"
She nods again, seeming mostly calm at this point. I take a moment to assess her condition.
She seems healthy enough, if a little underfed, no prominent injuries or scars.
While looking her over I notice the shackle around her leg, hidden partially by how she is sitting.
"Hey Clint, got anything to remove a shackle?"
"Not on me, give me a second though."
I peer into the hallway to see Clint and Loki just turning the corner. I glance over my shoulder at the girl, "I'm just going to step out to talk to my friends for a minute, will you be ok?"
I wait long enough to see her nod and I quickly step out the door.
"She's the only one." I keep my voice low as I tell the two males. "They have her shackled to the wall in that tiny room." My irritation at Hydra is slipping into my words, no one should have to live in such conditions.
"Also," I pause, "She was absolutely terrified of me when I found her, I've only just gotten her to calm down."
I was looking at Barton as I spoke, so it startles me slightly to hear Loki talk.
"I can remove the restraint."
"How?"
I'm still suspicious of Loki, I don't trust his intentions and I don't think I ever will.
"Magic." He says simply.
"Oh."
I feel a little stupid right now, I completely forgot about his seiðr with my anger at Hydra and worry for the girl.
"Ok, just give me a moment to prepare her."
I return to the room, she's right were I left her. Not that I expected her to move.
"Is it ok for my friend to come in here to remove your shackle? I promise that no one will hurt you."
There's a slight pause before she nods hesitantly, I can see she is still scared but it seems like the lure of freedom is keeping her calm.
I approach her carefully and sit beside her, close enough to hopefully be a comfort but far enough that she still has her space.
"Ok Loki, you may come in now." I call softly, knowing he will hear me.
A couple of seconds later he is in the doorway, moving gracefully towards where we are sitting. I sense the girl beside me stiffen up slightly and I look over to see her unusual eyes widen at the sight of him.
"It's ok," I murmur quietly, "he's just here to get the shackle off."
I almost don't catch the slight nod from her, her gaze never leaving Loki.
He's now standing only a few feet away from us, waiting patiently to remove the cuff.
Before I can say anything she slowly extends her leg towards him, chain clinking at the movement.
Loki crouches before her, not yet reaching for her foot, his green eyes are on her own violet ones.
"May I?"
The words startle me, I'm not used to Loki asking permission for anything. I watch in silence as she also looks a little surprised, lips parting slightly in a soundless gasp before she nods her consent.
Loki carefully reaches for her foot, green seiðr sparkling around his fingertips as he touches the metal.
It only takes a second for the shackle to fall off of her ankle, revealing the raw skin underneath. It looks scarred from the rough metal and my anger at Hydra spikes.
Loki is quick to catch the cuff before it hits the floor, setting it down gently beside him, not saying a word as he does.
I smile softly when he then extends his hand to help her up. Waiting with seemingly endless patience as she stares at it for a few seconds before hesitantly accepting the offer.
As he pulls her to her feet though, I feel like something is off, she doesn't seem steady. I jump to my own feet just as she collapses into Loki's arms.
꧁꧂꧁ ꧁꧂ ꧂ ꧁꧂
Question: What is your favorite colour?
Mine is forest green
