The death and return of Hollie Barnes

Chapter 4

"We are a go. Everything is set up and ready." Nick's voice sounds fuzzy as he speaks to me and my parents. Pops lays his hand on my shoulders as gently as possible to stop my shaking. Emily and MJ sit beside me, MJ's hand intertwined with my metal arm, her ring clanking against it. Emily wiggles on MJ's lap, her 5 year old patience running thinner every second.

Dad turns to look at me, his hair up in a loose bun, small strands of it falling in front of his face. He stands taller then my Pops, who's hair is short on his head. He doesn't look as tired as dad. His face is one of anxiety and dread. Dad speaks his voice soothing. "Are you sure this is what you want little bird?" His eyebrow raises up and he looks at me questioning. "Once you do this kid, there's no turning back." Pops crosses his arms in a serious manner.

"Yes." My voice comes out shaky, my breathing pace becomes faster as I fight off an anxiety attack. "This is something I have to do." I grab MJ's hand a little tighter. "Something we have to do." My wife nods her head and smiles weakly. The pregnancy has begun to take it's tole on her. The mornings are rough and I often find myself making breakfast and taking care of our daughter. At the same time I'm telling MJ to lie down and holding back her hair as she empties the contents of her stomach.

"Ok Mrs. Barnes. The helicopter is outside waiting for you and your daughter. I trust you have gathered together your belongings?" MJ nods at Nick her eyes welling up with tears. I grab her shoulders and gently touch her cheek. "It's ok honey. Dr. Cho is waiting at the safehouse and she'll take care of you. I'll be there in a couple weeks I promise." She puts her hand over mine and kisses my palm. "I love you holls." "I love you too MJ." I look over at Emily and her confused expression. "Why are me and mommy leaving mama?" She furrows her eyebrows in the most adorable way.

I pick her up and ruffle her long dark brown hair. Her eyes shine blue and her face tilts her face questioningly. I chuckle at her expression. "You and mommy are going to a house with lots of fun toys and people to keep you safe." She pouts her lip. "Why can't you go mama?" I smile and brush back a strand of hair that has gotten in her face. "I have a few things I have to do sweetheart. I'll meet you at the house in a little while I promise." "Pinky promise?" she reaches her small finger out and I wrap my metal finger around it in return. "Pinky promise hun." I shake our fingers together. Emily reaches out and wraps her arms around my neck. "I'll miss you mama." "I'll miss you too babygirl."

Emily jumps down and holds on to MJ as they enter the helicopter. MJ turns around and blows me a kiss and Emily waves over and over. The helicopter takes off and before I know it, I can no longer see them. And just like that, there's no going back.

-~-

Nick stands his hand on my shoulder as I rest my flesh arm on the side of the couch. "I've set phase 2 in action. The avengers believe you're missing. They know Emily and MJ are somewhere safe." I look down and sigh. "How did they take it" Nick tries not to look upset but fails to hide his expression. "In all honesty? Not well. They're extremely worried about you." I dig my metal arm into the roots of my hair. "Shit." "Look kid, this is going to take one hell of a tole on them when it's over. You knew that when you signed up for this." I tug slightly to give myself some sort of feeling. Anything at all. "I know Nick I know." I steady my breathing as it threatens to become fast paced once again.

"When will you move on to phase three?" "In a few days. A supposed 'villain' will show up and want to get ahold of you. That's when your parents come in. Barnes will help try to catch them along side the team in order to save his daughter. Then him and Wilson will be captured as 'bait' for you. You go and the villain tears you to pieces. We let them find you, they take you back to the compound at then-"

"I already know that part." I interrupt before he can say the words I dread so much. "I know it quite well I assure you." Nick furrows his eyebrows in concern. " I know you don't want this kid. I'm sorry. You're too young to go through this. For what it's worth, I wish things were different for you Hollie" "It's worth a lot Nick. A lot more than you know. Thank you. For everything. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you." He pats my shoulder in reassurance. "You were well worth my time kid. Well worth my time."

-~-

"No! No! Please!!!! MAMMA PAPA!" I scream at the top of my lungs, hoping the men grabbing me will put me down. They seem to block out the cries of the 5 year old in their grip. Instead they pick me up and hold me tightly in their grasp, making sure never to let me go, I wiggle and try to scream my way out of the situation but the men keep going. That is, until they're knocked out.

One of the men lands on top of me, causing me to cry out In pain from the weight on my small body. Blood trickles down his head and onto my face as I freeze in shock. I shake nervously and tears silently find there way onto my cheeks. Suddenly the weight is lifted off of me and I can breathe again. There's a dark skinned man standing there that looks rather intimidating. I move backwards slightly, afraid he's come to take me somewhere just as bad. He reaches his arms out and speaks gently. "Hey kid. Its ok. I'm not going to hurt you." I let him pick me up, a sudden wave of trust running through me. "My names Nick. What's yours?" I look up at the man holding me and speak. "I don't have one sir. They call me 8109." He looks at me once more, his face saddened. "Well how would you like a name?" I smile my answer evident. "Let's see.... How about Hollie." I nod in confirmation of the name. "Well Hollie. Let's take you home."