I got called to go on a solo mission. To take down a Hydra base...but it is a small one. So here I am on a jet to the base.
"Get ready to jump, Kid!" The pilot called from the cockpit.
I got my suit on, it is black and blue and it's a catsuit like Natahsa's and has a little skirt like Wanda's.
"Hey, kid!" The pilot called.
I looked over and saw a soft look on his face as he told me," Be careful out there, okay?"
I smiled and nodded with tears starting to pool. I jumped out and thought
'A total stranger cares for me more than my teammates old and new ...wow that says something'
I landed in the woods right next to the base. I snuck around and waited for the guard change to sneak in. Once I was in I realized this is a freakin HUGE base. I still had to finish the mission or I would just be the useless 9 year old that everyone thinks I am.
I went to the tech room and knocked out a few Hydra agents ...I don't kill. I downloaded all the data and headed out to help the prisoners. I had to knock out about 20 guards to get to them but once I did my heart broke at the sight.
Kids of all ages shaking in the corner of their cells. I saw kids that looked no older than 3 and teens that looked to be 16. Those kids were getting ready to fight someone.
" Okay, hi-ummm, I am Aria and I am going to get you to safety, okay?"
The younger kids lit up, the older looked skeptical. Probably cause I look my age. I got the older ones out first and asked if they would help me carry the younger ones out.
They immediately agreed. Once everyone was out I led the way to the exit, when a huge group of guards came out yelling," get down! Get on the floor now!"
I put a force field over the kids and got to work fighting. I punched and kicked and fought them. They definitely weren't pulling their punches no matter the age. I got stabbed slightly in the abdomen and got bruised if not cracked ribs from the battle, but that didn't matter.
What mattered was the kids were safe and I was going to get them out of here.
Once I was done and all the guards were knocked out I was slightly swaying, but I dropped down the force field and the kids rushed towards me," Hey Aria, you okay? Do you need help?" One of the eldest looking asked.
I just waved " This way follow me." We all walked out to where the pick up area is. I got out my transponder and set out the signal to come for pick up.
" Are you sure you're fine? I could help carry you until we get to safety." The eldest asked again.
" No I am fine you guys just make sure everyone stays with us." I said as the jet landed.
" Okay everyone in the jet!" I told the kids.
They all piled in and I went to the back first aid kit and found a seat that happened to be by a window.
' wow it must be a thing with me in a window seat' but I didn't dwell on it long and instead got to work dressing the wounds.
As I was working the pilot came in with the eldest kid leading him to me," There she is, see she got hurt and won't expect our help." The eldest boy whispered to the pilot.
The pilot immediately came over to me and squatted in front of me.
" I thought I said be careful little miss." He said in a joking tone.
" I was, this is just the aftermath of the mission, I am fine I just need to finish dressing these." I told him.
" It Matthew by the way." the pilot introduces himself.
" Aria, Aria Espenosa." introduced myself.
" How do you know how to dress wounds so well at such a young age?"
" Because no one else would do it for me so I do it myself, plus I am the healer so it's a skill I need to be useful." I shrugged.
I didn't think it was such a big deal as Matthew did. " Well, why don't I help you out?"
" Okay, If you want I don't want to bother you."
He just shook his head and motioned to the wounds and I nodded and we sat in silence while he worked. Once he fished I thanked him and he left to get back to the cockpit. I put on my headphones and freaking out by Caroline Kole came on.
One foot in front of the other
Keep it up, keep it together
Moving on to bigger and better things (yeah)
It's not a race if there's still a finish line
My own pace, I wanna take my time
Don't need permission to do my thing
I wanna fly just like everybody else does
But I'm not sure (yeah)
I'm gonna be good as everybody else is
They're tellin' me to jump, might get a little higher
Tellin' me to trust, but I'm walking on the wire
And I've never been good at that
'Cause if I fall, there's no turning back
Sayin' don't stress out, it'll be fine
Take a leap of faith, baptism by fire
And I've never been good at that
No, I've never been good at that
So, I'm freaking out
Hope I look back and laugh when I'm older
I've got my head on my shoulders (yeah)
But my mind keeps keeping me up at night (oh)
I sat and thought like I always do in the window seat
' how can it be that a few strangers have shown me more kindness than all my teammates combined?'
'Maybe it's because they don't know me very well yet, cause I think once anyone gets to know me they start to hate me. That must be the reason I don't think anyone can truly care for me for very long before I mess it up somehow and they hate me or just don't care.' I thought and tears started rolling down my cheeks as I realized that almost everyone I have ever known starts hating me and I don't know why so I can't fix it.
Once I get back I feel like passing out. I am so tired and in pain that I didn't care when Tony made a snide joke," hey kid what took you so long the little Hydra base is too much for ya? This is why you should leave it to the adult kid. We know how to get the job done right."
I heard people start laughing as the elevator doors close.
" Miss, I would suggest you seek medical attention, you seem to be injured." J.A.R.V.I.S warned me
" I will be fine but thanks." I responded.
' Wow.. an A.I cares more than my teammates I guess it makes sense because he has too, I bet soon enough he will hate me too, just like Matthew.'
Those were my thoughts as I walked out of the elevator into my room where I got ready for bed and sat and stared at the ceiling thinking,' All I can hope for is someday I will have a beautiful life where people love me unconditionally.'
I sigh as silent tears roll down my face into the pillow realizing that will never happen because if I want someone to love me I need to be of use to them and when that use runs out I will get shipped off or just get left alone. I guess that life is just a childish fantasy...