Outsider

Twenty-six

Years with my new family were blended.  Let me just say that I earned Crimson Night's respect very quickly, by doing very regretful things.  No, I didn't kill anyone, but I would use my years of hiding in places as a way to steal back money from our enemies.  I learnt that Tobias was the executioner of the group, but Trish prevented me from ever seeing stuff like that.  Tobias and I didn't like each other, but when I completed my first job and managed to bring in five hundred thousand dollars of stolen money, we had a new-found respect for each other.  Only respect.  I was twelve.

I became quite attached to the TV, especially captivated in watching the news.  The freedom to learn what was going on in the world was a luxury, I was grateful and craved every new broadcast.  But, one night there was something shocking that shook the foundation of my new home:  "Tonight we have breaking news:  S.H.I.E.L.D., the organization entrusted with world security, has collapsed after the discovery that it has been taken over by Hydra, the Nazi cult supposedly destroyed by Captain America in World War II.  Captain America was found on the shore of the Potomac River and is now in critical condition.  Please note that this story is still developing, we will keep you updated as we receive more information."

"Fuck," I said loudly, which Trish heard.

Coming over to me, she asked, "What is it?"

"S.H.I.E.L.D. fell apart,"

"They deserved it!"

"But now the world knows that Hydra was taking S.H.I.E.L.D. over," I explained.

Trish questioned, "So?  If S.H.I.E.L.D. dies that means Hydra dies, which is what you want, right?"

I replied, "And that's what I'm afraid of.  If Hydra dies then that means the Winter Soldier can do his own thing, and it won't take long before he realizes that I'm not dead."  With my heart pounding faster against my ribs, I continued, "And nobody'll stop him!  Nobody will stop him from killing me."  That's when I did something stupid.  Merely a couple weeks after the collapse of S.H.I.E.L.D., Crimson Night received a call from someone in my former life.  

Brock Rumlow.

He was asking Criz.  That's the drug that Crimson Night creates, and it works like a charm for a variety of purposes.  It's helped me cope with mental and physical trauma, so I no longer get phantom pain at night.  The beginning symptoms can be quite drastic, but I learned to get used to it.  Anyway, wind howled and thunder rumbled outside.  Trish had unofficially given me a room in her apartment, which was quite larger than expected, but we were all in the living room watching TV and eating candy.  Trish, Tobias, Matt, and I.  Matt was the kid who defended me from Tobias' remarks in Russia, he was an awkward and quiet fellow the same age as Oliver would've been.  Matt was always polite and docile with me.  Suddenly, Tobias got a call.  "Hey," he said, smiling, "Looks like we've got a new client."  

Trish smacked her lips together on a jawbreaker.  "Mmf," she replied, "We get new clients everyday.  Tons of kids want Criz, have one of our street dealers give it to this buyer."

Tobias shook his head and explained, "No, Trish.  This guy is a man with power and lots of dough.  Remember the S.H.I.E.L.D. collapse?  This guy was a part of it, and worked his way up S.H.I.E.L.D.'s power chain.  He managed to grab ahold of a large portion of their money in the downfall."

"Why does he want Criz, anyways?"

"To relieve pain,"

Throughout the conversation I listened attentively.  The whole time I thought, who is this strange person?  I wanted to know what position he had in S.H.I.E.L.D., perhaps he could give me information regarding Hydra's status, more specifically the Winter Soldier's status.  I piped up, "What's this guy's name?"

Tobias rolled his eyes and answered, "The grown-ups are talking,"

"Tobias!" Trish scolded and swatted his arm teasingly.  She said, "I want to know this guy's name, too.  Spill."