From Embers

Prologue

There was a buzzing sound in my ear, I knew what was coming next.

"Agent Carter are you in?" The voice said.

"I'm in." I replied.

"Do what you have to, and get out of there. Over and out."

I grabbed my pack off the ground and started to the building, the wind blowing in my face. I knew what I had to do, I knew it was a one way trip. I still had to do it. My family and the rest of the country depended on it. The pack felt heavy on my back, I knew what sat inside. I reached the building in mere seconds, my speed aiding me. I opened the door that led straight towards my destination: the lab. That's where I had to destroy what was being stored. A device so powerful that it could knock the power out for the entire country permanently, along with destroying all devices. As I entered the lab, not a sound other than my light footsteps echoed. I pulled off my pack and found the device, but before I could grab the explosives out, an alarm rang out. I worked quickly, turning on the detonator. I threw my pack back on and sped out of the room in seconds. As soon as I passed through the door to the lab, I was met with close to a dozen men carrying assault rifles. Shots rang out, but I was too quick. I was down the hall and disarming them before they could hit me. I grabbed the first two that were close to me and threw them at the others, taking out four more guys. I turned to incapacitate the others and they drew their handguns on me. I pulled the pistols out of two of the guard's hands with my mind before they could pull the trigger. I threw them back at the last guard before he could react, knocking him down. I turned to get out of there and started down the hallway. Before I could get out of the building, a shot rang out. I stopped in place, not daring to move a muscle. My heart thumped wildly in my chest. Pain in my chest roared and I looked down to see blood begin soaking my shirt in a dark red auburn. I turned around to see a single guard with a handgun, the barrel smoking from the discharged round. I fell to the ground. This was the end, and my family would never know what happened to me. My son would never know the truth. I felt the dark liquid pooling around me on the floor. The explosives would be going off any time now.

I spoke into my earpiece, "Operator, it's getting dark."

"The sun will never set on your sacrifice, " The voice spoke back.

I closed my eyes and just as the building shook violently, everything went dark.

- _ - _ - _ -

There was a subtle knock at the door. Mom paused from eating her dinner and wiped her mouth. She rose and walked through the dining room to the door. I heard a low voice say something. Mom didn't say anything, she just remained silent. I got up from my chair and ran to the door. There was a man in a black suit standing there, he had his hat pinned against his chest with his hand. It was raining outside, and a flash of lightning streaked across the sky. Mom didn't move or stir from where she was standing.

"Mommy, what's going on?" I asked.

She closed the front door and knelt down to me.

"Daddy won't be coming home buddy."

"Why isn't daddy coming home?"

"There was an accident at his job and he got hurt really badly."

I realized what she meant and ran away from her. I went up the stairs and jumped into my bed, pulling the covers over me. Tears streamed down my face and I cried for what felt like hours. Mom finally came into my room and laid with me until I fell asleep.

I was too young to realize what really happened and who my father really worked for. I never knew what he was capable of until it started happening to me too. I'll start from the beginning, the week after my 17th birthday. Here's my story.