She's Afraid and Forgotten - Winter Soldier

The World Crashes Around Me Chapter 3

Present

I freeze as a loud explosion erupts from somewhere outside. What was that? 

The whole building has been on lock down since nightfall. Someone started attacking HYDRA. I don't know who, but I don't feel safe here. I need to leave-No. No. I can't. What if he comes back and finds this place empty? He needs me and... I need him! He taught me everything I know. I won't survive without papa. 

Another explosion racks through the building again, the walls shaking and the ceiling cracking slightly. Dirt and dust falls onto me with bits of the ceiling. The ground shakes and the walls rumble. The ground cracks under the impact of something big. A loud, inhuman like roar shakes through the air, sending shivers down my spine. Someone big is here. Someone big is attacking the building. 

I clutch a small, dirty stuffed rabbit to my chest. I remember when papa brought it home for me. He went out on a mission, just like any other time, and came back with the bunny for me. They wiped his memory before he could give it to me, but he managed to keep it on him when they brought him here. It took papa weeks to remember me. When he finally remembered me, he gave me my bunny. It's my first, and only stuffy. I love it so so much. Papa helped me name him. 

The building shakes once again and I cower farther into the wall corner. The door opens, slamming against the wall. I bury my head into my stuffed bunny, squeezing my eyes shut to block out the world. I hug Bubby, my stuffy tighter than before. It'll all be over soon. It has to be over soon. 

There's a loud crackle. It sounds like the walkie talkie the guards use. " What'd you guys find? Clint? Steve? " A man's voice asks.

" We found...we found a little girl? Maybe...11 years old. " A man replies.

There's a loud crackle. " Get out of there guys!!! " A woman yells. Her voice fades in and out of the static. " The building's gonna collapse! "

The guys whisper to each other before one of the men walks towards me. He's got a shield. " Sweetie, I know you're scared. It's okay. We're gonna get you out of here, alright? You just need to come with us. " He asks gently. 

I shake my head and scoot away from the men. He could hurt me. I don't know him. What if they hurt me like the officers? 

" Steve, there's no time. We have to get out of here, now. The building's breaking down. The building's going to fall! Come on! " The other man rushes in panic. 

" We can't just leave her, Clint! She's just a little girl. " The Captain America man turns back to me . " Come on kid. We're going to get you out of here. " 

I shake my head. " No! I can't go! Leave me alone. G-go away. " I cry in fear. " I have to wait for papa. " I scoot farther into the corner. 

" Let's just grab the kid, and go. Come on! " The other man yells. 

I jump in surprise because of a sudden loud crack. I look up and scream when the ceiling starts to fall on me. Someone grabs me and holds me close, blocking the falling ceiling from hitting me. I clutch Bubby to my chest and struggle against Captain. " Move it Clint! Come on! " Captain America yells. 

" No! Let me go! I have to wait here! He'll be back! Papa'll be back!  " I yell. I kick and thrash against Captain America. " He'll be back. He said he'd be back!! He always comes back, even if he...he can't remember! Let me down!! Put me down!! Papa!! Let me go!! " 

" I'm sorry kid...I can't do that. " Captain America sprints down the hall with his buddy at his side. He uses his shield to block more falling pieces of ceiling. 

I kick and hit him hard, sobbing. I have to go back. I have to wait for papa. I have to. I need him. He needs me. We need each other. What if he comes back and doesn't find me? I manage to squeeze out from his grasp and fall to the ground. I pick myself up as fast as I can and bolt back down the hallway towards my cell. 

" No! Kid! Don't do that!" The man with the arrows yells. He shoots down a guard that was trying to kill him. 

I scream as some arms wrap around my waist, grabbing me. I cry harder in the Captains arm, weakly pushing against the man. " I have to go back!! " I beg. " Let me go back! Papa..." I sob. I push against him for what seems like forever before giving up. " He'll be back. He said he'd be back. Papa'll be back. He has to come back. He's all I have! Don't you understand?! " I weakly yell at the man. 

" I'm sorry kid. I'm sorry. " The Captain mummers. 

I wiggle out of his arms again, falling onto the ground. This time, I don't land on my bottom. I land on my head. The world spins and the last thing I see is Captain America reaching for me.

Papa...