Secret World

7

    It was awkward, sitting there with the three of them. Wanda was polite and tried to ask me simple questions about myself, where I was from, what kind of things I was into. And I tried my best to answer them without giving too much of myself away. They were sure that the reason for my sudden appearance was because of the snap, and I didn't correct them.
   Peter knew the truth, and that was one person too many. He seemed to be as lost about my suddenness as I was, I really didn't feel like trying to explain again to these three. Plus I had no way of knowing who they worked for, for all I knew they worked for the government. That was the last thing I needed was the government here to find me, I repressed the shutter that threaten to creep up my spine.
That was one thing that could go screw itself.
"Echo, are you okay?" Bucky asked softly, leaning into me as Sam and Wanda were locked into discussion.
"Yeah." I breathed looking over at him.
"You sure? You got an upset look over your face, granted I don't know you well enough but it just seemed like something was bothering you." He responded. I looked across the table as Wanda tilted her back, laughter spilling from her. A cold blanket seemed to have been dropped over me suddenly as a feeling over dread started to wash over me.
"Yeah, just really tired." I told him, trying to shake it off.
"Guys, I'm going to show Echo to a bedroom." Bucky stated towards the other two as he stood. He grabbed my plate and his, I stood waiting for him come back. I smiled awkwardly at the other two for a moment.
"You okay?" Sam asked, his eyes narrowing at me.
"Yeah, it's just been a long day." Longer then they would understand.
"I hope you sleep well." Wanda told me as she stood taking her plate toward the sink, passing Bucky as he walked back toward me. "You'll be safe here."
That's what they all said, every time.
"Ready?" Bucky asked with a lopsided smile. I nodded my reply as he walked toward a door in the side of the room.
"Night Echo." Sam called over to me, I stopped and gave him a brief smile as Bucky opened the door, looking into the darken corridor. I bit my lip, and looked up at Bucky.
"Ladies first." He grinned with a boyish charm.
"Uh.." I stood, glued in spot as the dark before me moved, the inkiness seemed to slither like a ball of snakes and I backed up instinctively.
"Echo?" Wanda asked, her voice startling me as I hadn't realized she was next to me. I jumped away from her and into Bucky on accident. Bullets, smoke, the tang of gunpowder hung in the air, red covered the cement. Soldat!
I jumped away from both of them, sucking in air, my body tremble violently. Fear clutched me as I tried to wrap my head around what I just saw. The three of them stared straight at me, each face etched with confusion, except Wanda who's eyebrow was raised.
"Sorry.. I.. I just really don't like the dark." I replied softly, taking another deep breath.
"Oh." Bucky said softly, the smile returned as he stepped into the hall and the lights overhead flicked on. "They are motion censored."
"Okay." I breathed out, walking toward him, feeling the stares of the two on me. "Then lead away."
I ignored the whispers that no doubt were going on behind me. Following this man I had no doubt now had killed people. His easy demeanor no longer catching me off guard, he walked ahead, the swirling inkiness before him vaporizing with each step he took.
"You can relax." He spoke without turning around to face me.
"What?" How did he know? Could he sense it?
"You startle easily, I know what that's like. But I promise you, nothing is going to happen to you here." Bucky told me as he stopped in front of a plain grey door.
"You don't know that." I replied, he looked at me, brow pinched together, he opened the door for me and waved his hand inside. Lights flicked on, the concern on his face wasn't what I was expecting.
"I do know that." He replied, he sighed heavily looking in the room before looking back at me. "I don't know your secrets, and I trust you do have them, I can tell your aren't being truthful. Or maybe it's not the whole story you are telling us and I don't think your doing it out of malice. I think you're scared and that maybe you are running from something or someone, I just want you to know that... nobody will hurt you here."
"Thank you." I replied partially confused by his statement as I slowly walked into the room.
"I've been there, never knowing who I could trust. You can trust us." He stated again, I gave him a nervous smile.
"No offense, but I don't know you." I told him, taking hold of the door. "Actions speak louder then any words can. Thank you for showing me to a room. Goodnight Bucky."
Slowly I closed the door, actions, past and present. I had seen a part of his past, one covered in blood. I shivered at the calmness that had cradled me in that moment of gunfire, he had been used to the mayhem.
Quickly I set about to turn every lamp on, which there wasn't too many. Just two. It would have to work for the time, I pulled them close enough so I could lay in the light that would be provided. I took slow deep breaths knowing that tonight was going to be rough, somehow keep myself from moving so the darkness wouldn't touch me.
I felt like ages since I had laid down, exhaustion quickly began to take its hold on. My eyes began to get heavy, the overhead light flicked off. I grabbed the edge of the blanket and tossed it off the bed, causing the light to turn back on.
'Auntie, what happens when they catch me?'
'I don't know.' My aunt replied, her soft brown hair turning honey in the remaining sunlight, golden brown eyes sad.
The phone rang, causing me to jump, the lights flicked back on. I leaned over and picked it up.
"Hello?" I asked.
"Hey, it's Peter." The familiar voice came through, relief flooded my body at the sound. "How are you doing? Thought I would check in before I went to bed."
"Uh.." tell him the truth or.." how do you keep the lights on?"
"Oh, just ask Friday." He replied simply.
"Where do I find him or her?" I asked, I could here him chuckled softly before he spoke again.
"Sorry, I thought someone would of told you. Friday is the compounds AI, she operates everything and can keep the lights on for you. All you have to say is Friday, keep the lights on in this room." Peter explained.
"Friday." I stated out loud.
"Yes, Echo." A female phantom voice spoke out, I laid there in astonishment.
"Can you keep the lights on in this room, please."
"Yes, Miss." She replied in her Irish lilted voice.
"Thank you Peter." I breathed out heavily, a wave of relaxation coursed through me.
"No problem. So, I gotta go, you know school and all. See ya tomorrow?" He asked. "I mean that if you want to, I could have Happy come and get you and bring you back to Queens."
"Yeah, that sounds good." I replied.