A Tale of Mischief and Mutants

The Best in People

—Sam—-

I wake up from a nightmare screaming and in tears it was that bastard from the Hydra base again. I don't know why that incident has stuck with me so much. I almost call out for Loki but though I'm confused, scared, and I'm not really even remembering where I am at the moment when I see Steve crouched on the floor not far from me some part of me reminds me I'm not supposed to do that right now.

"Sam hey it's ok."

'Steve.' 'I trust Steve.' 'Steve's safe.' I move closer to him shaking not caring about personal space or social norms I just want to be near someone who I can trust. He takes this as a sign that it's ok to touch me and puts a hand on my back. I hug him tightly he seems surprised for a second but puts his arms around me. Everything starts to come back to me now. I've woken up Wanda with my screaming.

"Is she ok?"

"I don't know she just woke up screaming then came over to me."

Wanda looks me over in concern.

"What's going on in there?!"

A guard has opened the slot in the door and is looking in on us it's the perv from yesterday. I start shaking more violently and whimper slightly. I'm in a full on panic attack now. Steve notices this and holds me protectively.

"I think she just had a nightmare."

The guard looks annoyed.

"Well she needs to keep it down."

Wanda looks at him angrily.

"She's already scared and you are not helping!"

The guard looks furious.

"You dare speak to me that way?! Why I ought to-"

"-Son, just don't."

The guard actually looks a little intimidated by Steve who's glaring at him. The guard thankfully backs off.

"Just keep it down."

The guard slams the slot shut.

———————————————————————

My anxiety eventually becomes less intense and I lay down on the floor still staying close to Steve. Steve's a good friend for dealing with me and this crap. So is Wanda I'm thankful that they were the ones chosen for this mission. I close my eyes and attempt to go back to sleep.

I hear the slot open again and look up in fear instinctively grabbing Steve's arm. I am surprised to see Ingfred looking back at me. Steve looks at me and reassures me not knowing that I've made a connection with this guard.

"It's ok Sam."

He glares at Ingfred.

"What do you want?!"

Steve actually sounds mad.

"I'm sorry it's just... the other guard told me about what happened with Lady Sam and well I know you've been sleeping on the floor so-"

Steve looks confused.

"-Sam?"

"Yes I was in charge of taking her to wash up."

Ingfred looks really intimidated by Steve at the moment though he's unsuccessfully trying to hide it.

"She tried to take a towel with her when she left... and I just saw these laying around so I thought..."

He gives up on words and shoves a stack of folded blankets through the slot. Wanda and Steve both look stunned at this sudden gesture of kindness from one of our captors. I manage to smile a little though I sniffle a bit as I speak.

"Thank you Ingfred."

He looks surprised that I remembered his name while Steve and Wanda look surprised that I even knew it to begin with.

"You and your friends seem decent, not like what Amora told us about Midgardians."

Steve stops glaring at the guy.

"And what did she tell you exactly?"

"That you're unruly and barbaric. That you commit atrocities against one another."

I have every reason to agree with this statement yet I find myself objecting to it.

"That's not true of most of us."

Though I have experienced the worst of humanity I've also experienced the best of it. I genuinely think most people are good even if they don't always show it. Ingfred doesn't seem to know what to say to this.

"I... I better return to my post."

He leaves. Steve looks at me in wonder.

"How do you always do that?"

"Do what?"

"Bring out the best in people."

Obviously I don't always do that otherwise I wouldn't have suffered at the hands of monsters for five years but I kind of see what he's talking about. People seem to like me I don't really know why. I had just chalked It up to pity before but from the way he asked I wonder if there's more to it than that.

"I... I don't know."

Steve drops the subject and retrieves the blankets he puts one around me and I lay down. I ponder Steve's question for a while but it isn't long before I fall back asleep thanks to being wrapped up in a warm blanket.