The Force -Marvel-

Chapter 21

The sound of an engine roaring to life caused Lydia's eyes to flutter open. 

She blinked, turning away from the sun shining down on her. Lydia sat up on the bench she was lying on, scanning the area. A few people were walking along the sidewalk, and even more crowded around the gas station. Quickly, she got off the bench, knowing that a sleeping girl would bring unwanted attention. 

Lydia glanced over her shoulder as she readjusted her hat. It seemed nobody was paying her any attention. However, she didn't want to risk it. 

Instead, she began walking along the path. Lydia knew the others would probably be in the town soon if they weren't already. Looking for her wouldn't be easy. With Ross knowing they were in Italy, keeping themselves hidden was a priority. 

So, she did the next best thing. Lydia went looking for them. 

The town was small, as suspected, and it was on the coast. After they found her, she knew they'd leave Italy for good. It was unfortunate. Lydia loved Italy. 

There was a staircase to her left, almost hidden between the rocks. It led down to the ocean. She could hear the waves crashing against the shore, even from a distance. It made her smile. The white-haired girl decided to enjoy her last moments in Italy and ventured down the stairs. In no time, Lydia was standing in the rough sand.

The ocean was beautiful, vast and open. She stood on the damp sand, eager to get closer. To feel the water against her skin. But she knew it was better to stay dry. With that in mind, Lydia found herself wandering down the shore. The waves barely missed her feet.

She wondered if life would ever be this peaceful again.

Life on the run was not overly glorious. When she first stepped off the jet in Germany, Lydia felt different. After so many years trapped in a building, she was terrified of the world. After the Raft, for a time, it was nice seeing the world. Places she never thought she would.

Now, she wanted nothing more than to go back to Starks facility. 

She missed her old life. The life with her friends. The people who took care of her. Who raised her. Like Tony Stark. Lydia wished things had ended differently that day, but they didn't.

This was her new reality. Her life. She could never go back, not really. Even if she could, she wouldn't belong there.

Lydia had no idea how long she walked for. The next thing Lydia knew was that she was on pavement. The shore still close, but shops were nearby. She stopped, looking around. While Lydia was deep in thought, she walked away from the water. The shops ahead were still relatively close to the sea.

Lydia stood still for a moment and let the world continue to move around her. The people were moving in all different directions and paces. In front of her by the water was a family—a husband and wife with two children that were carelessly splashing in the water. They didn't have to worry about being seen. They could freely express themselves and show their faces without fear. 

She envied them. That's all she had ever wanted. 

Suddenly, someone stood next to her. Lydia felt her stomach tighten as she hesitantly glanced at the person. Instantly, she let out a breath realizing it was Sam. He was also wearing a hat to hide his face. Sam glanced at her. "I didn't think I would find you," he spoke softly.

"You did." Lydia glanced back at the family.

Sam eyed her skeptically, expecting a different reaction. Expecting her to beg to see Natasha. To hug him. To cry in relief. He was expecting anything but this. "You really scared us. Mostly the others."