Black Hood

Hidden Away

(Trigger warning: This chapter contains some self-harm.)

Tony's POV

Since the party, Sophie's been hiding in her room, refusing to see anyone. She's locked her door and doesn't respond when people knock. She's been like this for two weeks, only leaving her room at night to eat - a fact only discovered two days ago by Clint when he decided to steal some cookies from the kitchen. When he saw her, Sophie ran from the room. He tried to chase after her but lost her quickly.

Sophie's POV

I really don't want to interact with people right now. I nearly had to with Clint the other night, but I managed to get away through the secret passage that only I seem to know about. Fortunately, Clint didn't see my face or my arms.

I look around my room. It's a mess. My clothes and sheets are strewn across the floor, most of them ripped. In my bathroom, there's blood on the floor and the wall and a bloody knife on the sink. I know I need help, but I can't bring myself to seek it. I double-tap the side of my head and look in the mirror. The black has spread. There is no colour left in my eyes. I go to double-tap my temple again, but stop when I hear a knock at the door. Suddenly, I start crying, shedding the tears that had refused to fall for the past fortnight. I sink to my knees, then crawl out of the bathroom to the door of my bedroom. I hear footsteps walking away.

"Wait!" I call out. "Please, wait."

The footsteps stop. I open the door.

Loki's POV

Sophie crawls from the room, tears falling. I quickly walk over to her. She looks up at me. My eyes widen. Blood leaks from her face, mixing with her tears. I look down. Her arms are covered in cuts and bruises.

Not sure what to do, I sit beside her.

Sophie's POV

"Friday," I sob. "Please get..."

I take a deep breath of air.

"Please get my father."

I start to sob again. Loki sits beside me. His presence is comforting.

I hear footsteps. I look up. I see my father. His mouth opens and his eyebrows furrow in concern. I crawl over to him, my trembling body unable to stand. My father kneels beside me, wrapping his arms around me.

Tony's POV

Just as I start to hug her, Sophie springs away, screaming. She covers her ears and curls up in a ball, screaming so loud that my head hurts. I put my hands over my ears,  just like Loki does. I feel something wet. Pulling my hand away, I see blood dripping down it. She's sobbing again. She sees Loki. She stiffens. He kneels beside her and says something softly to her. She nods. He gently picks her up. I see her face again: she looks so child-like and afraid.

Sophie's POV

Papa's trying to trick me. He tried to make me think he cares about me by hugging me. But he didn't get a hold of me fast enough. I pulled away and paralysed him with screams. The man who promised to help me escape is taking me away to a medical room because of what Papa did to my arms. They'll scar. Just like the other ones.