Torn

-|ESCAPE|-

1 Month To Katia's Graduation

Natalia was scared for Katia. She was far too young for the graduation ceremony. She would have to kill someone. Katia was always capable and willing to do so, but Natalia knew that it would ruin her young mind. And on top of that, she would have to get sterilized. At age six!

4 Weeks To Katia's Graduation

Natalia had met a man named Clint Barton while on a mission in Budapest. He had told her that he could help her get out of the Red Room and the KGB all together. And that she could work for SHIELD, an intelligence organization that serves the good of humanity. She told him that she couldn't leave Katia all alone.

3 Weeks To Katia's Graduation

Clint and Natalia had established an encoded messaging system. She told him all about the graduation and what would happen. Clint was also horrified by the idea.

2 Weeks To Katia's Graduation

Natalia decided that she could not stand by and let her... her daughter have her choice taken away. It wasn't right. She would find a way out of this for Katia.

1 Week To Katia's Graduation

Natalia asked Madame B if the graduation was really necessary. Madame B told Natalia that the graduation ceremony was a sacred tradition to ensure loyalty. Natalia had decided to plan an escape with Clint's help.

The Night Before Katia's Graduation

Natalia had broken out of her handcuffs that were attached to the bed. She looked at Katia. She was sleeping peacefully, unaware of the horrors of the graduation ceremony. She got out of bed and started working on picking the lock to Katia's handcuffs. Once they were off, Natalia grabbed a bag hidden under her matress and shook Katia awake.

"Мама, what's going on?"

"We're getting out of here Katia."

"What do you mean?"

"We're escaping."

"Why would we escape the Red Room? Isn't it our duty to serve-"

"No, Katia. The people at the Red Room and the KGB and Hydra are bad people. Don't ever trust them."

"Yes, мама."

Natalia carefully opened the window and climbed out as Katia followed. They jumped down onto the grass and ran away into the night.

Natalia led them to the rendevous point at a fast walk, constantly checking to make sure Katia was behind her. The rendevous point was a small field next to a pond. She stopped st the edge of the pond and they both waited for a few minutes. Suddenly, A jet came down from the sky and the door opened to reveal three people. These three people were Clint Barton, Maria Hill, and Nick Fury.

Katia stood behind Natalia. She didn't trust these new people. She didn't trust anyone really. Natalia went over to thank the three agents. Katia followed close behind, making sure to stay close to Natalia.

As they all boarded the large jet, the door closed and everything started to move. Katia had never been in a jet before. She had never even left the Red Room before. She had only listened to the older girls' stories of the outside world. And let me tell you, they were not always pleasant. Natalia was the only one in the Red Room to ever tell her that the outside world could be a beautiful place.

For now, though, it was scary. Rather than buckling up in a seat, Katia curled up in the corner of the jet. Natalia gave her a sad look.

"So, where are you gonna live?"

Natalia tuned around to see Clint seated to her left

"I guess I'll just have to get an apartment."

"I'm sure SHIELD will set you up with something."

"Will SHIELD really hire me?"

"Yeah, you're the best out there. If anything, SHIELD would even hire you just to rub it in the KGB's face."

Natalia laughed.

"Madame B would hate that.... I'm all for it."

Then they both laughed. Katia looked up from her curled up position on the floor. Natalia seemed to trust this man. If Natalia deemed him trustworthy, he had to be a good person. Katia got up and sat next to Natalia.

"Мама, куда мы идем?"

Mama, where are we going?

Natalia smiled sweetly at Katia.

"We are going to SHIELD. They'll give us a home."

Katia smiled at that. She had never had a real home before. Sure, she was always told that the Red Room was her home, but she knew that wasn't true. They had given her food and shelter but they had also given her pain and anguish.

Natalia looked at Katia's sleeping figure and then looked at Clint.

"I'll have to perfect my American accent."

"Oh, you don't have to-"

"Yes. I do. Most people don't want to admit it, but they will only trust their own kind... How's this?"

She spoke the last part with perfect English pronunciation. Clints eyes were wide with surprise. She grinned with success.

"From now on, I'll be known as Natasha Romanoff."

Then she heard a voice of someone coming out of the cockpit. It was Maria Hill.

"Well, Natasha, welcome to SHIELD. We made it."