Natasha's POV

"We're clear on the west end."

"Good, Romanoff, head further into the east end. We need to make sure there are no stragglers."

"On it Cap." This was our second base that was supposed to house Loki's scepter. The first one had been an epic fail. It looked like this one would be too. The walls were deteriorated, the cement bricks clearly showing through the paint and starting to crumble. There had only been 10 guards stationed around the perimeter. We were clearing the rest of the building now. I was headed towards the experiment rooms. I hated seeing this stuff. It reminded me of the red room. None of the doors were locked which was strange. I found one that was reinforced steel and was locked with a complicated looking mechanism.

"Guy's I may have found something."

"Alright we're making our way to you."

"Stark, I might need your help here." I fiddled with the handle. Wishing I had packed an extra lock extractor.

"Too much tech for you Romanoff?" Stark smirked as he appeared behind me.

"Not the right tools Stark." he scoffed. "Just open the door so I can clear the room."

"I can just have JARVIS scan for any trace of the tech."

"I'm sorry sir, the walls are reinforced with titanium alloy. It is blocking my ability to perform a scan."

"Thanks JARVIS. Stand aside spider girl. Let the pro handle this." I rolled my eyes at the cocky bastard I called a teammate. He's so lucky I adore Pepper or some days, I might just kill him. He placed the lock drill that he had developed, it started to whir loudly. Stark threw another cocky smirk my way. He opened his mouth to speak but, the unit sparked. Apparently there was electronic interlays that Tony hadn't expected. A few sparks singed the paint on his arm plates. I couldn't help but smirk.

"You having problems there Mr. Pro?" Tony muttered underneath his breath. After another five minutes the lock was disengaged. All metal melts eventually. "Tony, a little light?" He started shining a little light over my shoulder as I made my way into the dark room. It was completely empty except for a lump in the far corner. The room smelled horribly. It wasn't just decay, there was something else. I moved slowly towards the lump to assess the situation. My light fell on the face of what used to be a person.

"Oh my god…" I gasped. "Guy's I found an enhanced." Its face was hollow, sink translucent, even in the dark. I'd seen a lot of things but this body, it took all of my self-control not to retch.

"Hostile?" Steve clicked over.

"No… I think its dead." I leaned forward to check for a pulse. The sight of the body was by far the most pathetic thing I'd ever seen. Skin and bones didn't cover it. I couldn't tell if this was a male or female. I touched its neck and the person jumped. Startled I drew my weapon. "Shit!"

"Пожалуйста ... Пожалуйста, не делай мне больно ... воды, вы ... (Please... please don't hurt me... Water please...)"

"What the hell was that?" Steve asked over Comms.

"A prisoner... I think it's a girl. She... she needs medical..."

"She may have information, we should try and help her." Clint suggests. "She could be an asset."

"Or an enemy..." I reminded.

"Пожалуйста, пожалуйста, не больно мне больше. Пожалуйста, я буду делать то, что вы хотите. Просто остановись…. (Please, please don't hurt me anymore. Please, I'll do what you want. Just stop…)"

"She's be tortured… she's begging for help." I murmured into the Comms. My heart churned at the sight of this poor girl. She looked like she'd been through hell. "Как вас зовут (What is your name?)" I asked as gently as I could. I wasn't a motherly person. After the red room how could I be? But this, was beyond cruel. I couldn't help but care. "Ты меня слышишь? (Can you hear me?)"

"…Да... (Yes)" she breathed. Her fear. That's what it was. She was terrified. "Шухер… (Don't…)" By this time everyone had made their way over. Tony shown the light brightly in the room. Everyone could see her.

"Jesus…" Clint breathed. Tony clambered towards the girl. He dropped to his knees.

"Not possible…" He reached forward slowly. He mumbled incoherently. "K..Ky...ra..?" he stuttered. Tony moved closer. Staggered around like he was in a drunken haze. "She was dead…. We… Kyra..?" The girl turned to Tony's voice and seemed to recognize it.

"What the hell are you going on about Stark?"

"Do you know her?"

"I think… JARVIS, run a full scan." A red light protruded scanning up and down the girl's haunted frame.

"Sir, her teeth are badly damaged along with the rest of her body. From what I can detect they do match the dental records you've kept in Ms. Stark's file." Tony's whole body was shook in his suit.

"We have to get her help. Now!" in a flash Tony scooped the half dead girl in his arms and barreled out of the room. Not bothered to give an explanation. The rest of us gawked at each other before we bolted for the ship.

Dr. Helen Cho's POV

My team and I worked diligently. Our latest test results had come in. We worked quickly, excited by the prospects this new data held, when the phone rang. The caller ID read Bruce Banner, never a good name to see pop up unexpectedly.

"Bruce?" I answered quickly. Concerned for my friend. The sounds in the background made my stomach drop further.

"Helen? Oh thank god!" He screamed franticly. I couldn't make out other voices as the screams all blended together in a choir of panic. Something horrid must have happened.

"Bruce wha..." I raised my voice in an attempt to hear myself over the noise.

"We need the cradle, Helen. Are you at your lab in Seoul?" His voice was loud, panicked and firm.

"Yes I a…"

"Thank god!" He didn't let me finish. His voice faded away slightly. "Tony calm down she's there! Clint change cours.."

"Already on it. ETA 58 minutes."

"What the hell do you mean 58 minutes?" Tony's voice rose over the commotion. "My sister doesn't have 58 minutes!" What sister? It wasn't clear where Tony was, but his voice caused me and two techs to jump.

"Tony you aren't helping!"

"Dammit Nata-" The sound of a heart rate monitor silenced everyone for a brief second.

"Bruce what's?"

"Shit!" Bruce never swears. "Natasha! Get the defibrillator! Steve grab an IV Bag! Helen, we'll see you soon."

"Bruce! What is going on?!" I screamed into my cell.

"Steve take the phone!" I could hear Tony in the background as he prayed 'Oh god please, please, please, please, please, I just found you Kee, please, please don't let me be too late.' His voice sounded so weak. It wasn't something I'd ever expect to hear from the great Tony Stark.

"Helen?"

"Steve? What's!"

"We found Tony's little sister in a HYDRA base." He cut me off.

"Wha-"

"I know," he interrupted again. "I didn't know he had one either, she's been missing for 10 years I guess. She's a wreck Helen." He continued softer. The background noise dimmed so I could hear him better. "Nothing but skin and bones, and her skin is missing in multiple places. She's been burned..."

"That's what I needed to know Steve. We'll be ready!" With that I hung up my cell and rushed to prepare the cradle.

This would be the most challenging patient that we have had yet. My assistants rushed around me as well. There were multiple calculations that needed to be made. We'd most likely need to rebuild skin and muscle tissue if she was as bad as Steve said. The required vitamin infusion was mixed. No one was still in the lab. I doubt any of us would rest for the next 5 hours.

The Quinjet landed and within 2 minutes the young woman had been brought down to the cradle. Her condition was far worse than I could have imagined. She was so emaciated that each bone joint could be seen. She was as fragile as glass. It was a miracle she was still alive. I could hear the wails of Tony outside the operating room but I needed to focus.

"서둘러요! (Hurry up!)" My assistants followed the command instantly and we began.

3rd Person POV

Tears streamed down Tony's face as fear gripped his heart. The whole team ran after the horde of doctors now surrounding the younger Stark. Their panicked shouts echoed through the halls. Kyra was rushed into surgery, the Avengers left behind to sit and wait. An hour had passed when Steve spoke up.

"I didn't know you had a sister, Stark" Tony hummed in response.

"She… uh was adopted." Tony stated distractedly.

"When was she taken?"

"I don't know."

"Why haven't you been looking for her?" Steve asked in shock. Tony's entire body tensed.

"Because!" he shouted "I thought she didn't want to see me." His voice became defeated and broken "The last time I saw her was at our parent's funeral." He ground out with rage and sorrow. Consumed with the memory of the last time he saw his sister.

"Kyyyyyrraaaaa! *hic* Thhere yoou arreeee! Here sissy! Let's drink… to Mom and Dad!" Tony exclaimed. He was wobbling back and forth as his younger sister made her way into the room. When he raised his glass towards her, he almost fell. Kyra rushed to his side, keeping him upright. The contents of his glass spilling on the floor. She didn't know what was in the cup but it didn't matter. Trying to get a gentle but sturdy grip on Tony she tried leading him towards the couch.

"Onie," Kyra started gently, knowing her brother was smashed. Tony Stark was a hot head when he was sober. Drunk; he was almost as dangerous as the explosives Stark Industries sold around the world. Their parents' memorial was in 5 hours. It was also his first public appearance as the CEO of Stark Industries. The stocks had taken enough of a hit with Dad passing, the business didn't need any more problems. Kyra grimaced at how strong her brother smelt of alcohol. He'd need at least 2 hours to sleep it off judging by the smell and the way he was wobbling back and forth. "I can't drink, I'm only 16." Tony waved his hand dismissively and Kyra struggled to keep them both standing. "Onie, you don't look to good, why don't we go lay you down? Hmm?" Kyra tried sounding sweet. Using her favorite childhood nickname for him. Tony scowled at his sister. He pushed away from her. Knowing what she was thinking by the look in her eye and the sound of her voice.

"I'm not drunk *hic*" He replied annoyed. Kyra sighed but took a deep breath. 'Great, he was plastered but still somewhat observant.' She hated when he was this kind of drunk the most. His usually arrogant attitude skyrocketed. Always. This wasn't going to be easy. But she needed to stay calm. If not for the business, then for Mom and Dad.

"Tony, you need to go sleep this off okay?" She states abandoning the sweet tone and trying to reason with him. "Mom and Dad's visitation is soon and you need to pretend to be sober."

"I'm… *hic* not drruunnk" he replied again firmer; stumbling towards the bar. Kyra still kept hold of him.

"Tony, the whole world is going to be watching this. Please, go lay down! Do it for Mom and Dad." The younger Stark tried to bargain.

"What the fuck do you know?! I said I wasn't drunk dammit!" shouting Tony shoved his sister away. They both wobbled but Kyra recovered. More of Tony's drink spilled.

"Tony, please….. I'm hurting as much as you… Please go lay down... "Kyra begged. Starting to break she ran her hand down her face. Normally she could handle drunk Tony. It was a regular thing. But today wasn't a normal day. Their parent's funeral was in 5 hours. It was the 4th day since Howard and Maria Stark had left the world. The stress of the loss had been mounting. Tony dove into a bottle the second the news was announced. Leaving Kyra hurt and alone. All of her support was gone. And she had to sit up there trying to keep her and Tony's lives from falling apart while the entire world watched. Starks were always in the spotlight. Starks had a reputation to keep. Good or bad everyone paid attention when the name Stark was mentioned. Tony and Kyra were the next generation. The future of Stark Industries started today. It needed to start well.

"What?! Huh?! I don't even know why you are being such a cry baby. They weren't even your real parents!"

"Tony. Don't." Kyra's eyes widened at the careless words. He was always an ass, and it got worse when he was drunk, but they were siblings. Blood or not. Mom always said the most important thing that makes a family is love. They loved each other. So they were family. She'd lost her parents too, she wasn't going to put up with this shit from Tony.

"What am I gonna make you cry, cry baby? Huh!" He taunted, the same way he had when they were angry at each other as kids.

"I'd rather cry and act human then get shit faced and act like an ass!" Kyra spit out, her frustration finally too much to bite back. "Go to your room Anthony Stark! You want to make a fool of yourself? Then fine! But today is for Mom and Dad, and I will not let you make a fool of them! You've got a few hours, go sleep it off!"

"I'm a fool?!" Tony bit out. His head cocked back with a bitter angry laugh "HA! I'm a fucking GENIUS!" He staggered towards his sister with angry eyes "I graduated MIT at seventeen! I'm the BEST THING Mom and Dad EVER did! And you?!" he raised a shaky hand he pointed at Kyra. "YOU don't have a RIGHT to cry you aren't even a STARK!" Rage began to contort both of their faces "You aren't blood! YOU DON'T BELONG HERE! THEY PICKED YOU UP OFF THE STREET LIKE A PIECE OF TRASH!" By this time Tony was a foot away from Kyra. He screamed at the top of his lungs. "So don't you DARE act high and mighty with ME!" Tony bellowed before he turned and stumbled. Luckily he fell onto the couch. Kyra stood frozen. Tony's words echoed in her head. The last little bit of courage and resolve that she had was broken.

Kyra had been adopted. She didn't remember her real parents or anything before her mother found her half dead on the side of the road when on her way to a meeting. Her whole life she lived in Tony's shadow because he is the heir to Stark Industries, and was technically a genius. Kyra hadn't struggled in school and was smarter than average. But that was never enough for her father. He wasn't ever purposely cruel, but he never seemed interested in the small girl. When they were younger Tony teased her that it was because she wasn't really their daughter. Their Mom put a stop to it right away. But the words had already made their impact. There was nothing Kyra wanted more than to be wrapped up in her mother's loving embrace and escape from the world. But she couldn't. Her mother was dead. With a glance over at her now unconscious brother she knew her worst fear had come true.

She was alone.

"Kyra left that night. Packed up her car and drove away. There were Stark homes all over the country. She could stay there if she wanted. Kyra left all bank accounts that were in her name. She went to a dealership and bought a cheap used car, traded in her Bentley. The last time anyone saw her was as she drove out of that shitty dealership with that crap car. After that she … just disappeared." There was a heavy silence in the room. "I was too busy partying as the new CEO of Stark Industries and America's most eligible bachelor to notice. A few weeks later I was almost sober. Pepper was nagging me about it so we pulled up the security footage. That's how I know what happened. I don't even remember seeing Kyra before the funeral. I figured she was mad. She should have been. Pepper sent out people to find her. But there was nothing. I told her to stop worrying, she'd come back. When she didn't I figured she found people who deserved her. That she didn't want to be a Stark anymore…" Tony stopped himself and ran his hand through his messy hair and took a deep breath. "… Turns out I was wrong." He looked into the door of the operating room where the best doctors in the world tried to save his sister's life.

There's a lot of my past I regret. Well at least I regret it now… With minimal distractions here I'm stuck to face the ugly consequences alone. It's been over a month and Kyra has yet to wake up. Helen is positive she will. Apparently Helen was sure Kyra wouldn't make it the first 48 hours. She did. Her heart hasn't stopped in the last two weeks. At day five the rest of the team got called back to New York. Bruce was the only one really reluctant to go. He's the closest thing I have to a friend on the team. You say HYDRA and Steve runs off. Plus with his whole 'Captain America' stick, he's got to be the leader. The hero. I don't really care what Maria found on the scepter. It makes me feel worse honestly. All this information at our fingertips, at my fingertips, and I never looked for her. I found her on a fluke. The guilt is too much. Pepper stopped by as much as she could, it's only been twice in the last month and a half. But she's the CEO of one of the biggest companies in the world. Constantly watched by the press. We'd both agreed to keep Kyra's discovery out of the eyes of the press. It was for the best. I dropped off the grid occasionally, so no one would bat an eyelash, just shrug and think 'he's just being Tony Stark'. But Pepper was much more consistent. Too many changes would draw attention we couldn't afford. Helen had given me one of the smaller lab rooms to crash in. I never stayed long. I hardly slept, all of the memories of our childhood play in my mind constantly without my approval. It's like my brain wanted to torture me. No matter what I did, nothing distracted me. I couldn't escape. One moment I'd be lucid, then the next I'd be trapped in another memory. A large crash sounded down the hall. A metallic boom shook the glass windows, and my mind yanked me back into the past.

A large crash of thunder had rattled our mansion as a fierce storm raged outside. Mom and Dad were out, as usual. They had left me with the brat and the nannies. I wasn't overly bothered. It was just a storm after all. I kept occupied in my room with a book. Another clap of thunder shook the windows, unexpectedly my bedroom door flew open. My newly adopted sister sprinted towards me as fast as her small legs would allow.

"Onie make it stop…." she had cried and climbed onto the couch. She shoved my book to the side before she launched into my arms. Her tiny body shook as she held onto me for dear life. 'God, she's like a boa constrictor. I can't feel my arm!' I was about to shove her off the couch when another bolt of lightning hit. Kyra jumped and pushed as close as she could to me.

"Don't be stupid. I can't stop the storm." I'd stated annoyed. 'Please make her leave. Please make her leave. This is why we have nannies. This is exactly why we have nannies.' I had thought. Kyra looked up at me with big golden eyes. Fear and confusion evident on her face.

"But Onie… You're my big brover. And you're da besthesth smartest big brover ever." Another clap of thunder sounded, and she hid with another squeak. I didn't get it. I'm nothing but mean to this little squirt. I don't even know why Mom brought her here. At least she knows how amazing I am.

"Stop it brat." I bit out. I tried to shake her off of me. The girl wouldn't budge. 'What the heck?!' I thought. I had managed to get her detached until the power went out. I'd never admit it but I jumped too. Kyra started to cry. The power would come back on soon, but she was panicked, like the world was ending. I didn't really know what to do here. Affection wasn't really something I experienced often. Let alone comforting someone.

"Don' weave me Onie, Pwease." She was whimpered and begged. Starks don't beg. Dad had this talk with her. Apparently he'd have to have it again.

I remember being scared like that though. I ran to the nannies because I couldn't find mom or dad. She was alone too. Begrudgingly I bit out a soft "Come here." And opened my arms for the girl. Without hesitation Kyra latched onto my waist. 'The guys will never let me live this down if they ever hear about this.' I worried. "You will never speak of this again. Got it brat?" Kyra nodded softly. That takes care of that. Her head was on my chest. She seemed to be listening to my heartbeat. "I'm sow wucky to have da coolesth big brover ever… I wuv you Onie…" Kyra stated, her small voice muffled by my shirt. I looked at the squirt with wide eyes. She'd known me for 3 months. And she loved me? She clung to me like a lifeline. As the storm calmed a small smile appeared on her face. She trusted me. She ran to me when she was scared. 'Why?' I couldn't help but wonder. The power came back on soon after. By then I had relaxed into her embrace. No one was around, I could be soft this one time. But it was a onetime thing. I had a reputation to uphold. When her breath leveled out. I almost smiled at the small girl. "You aren't that bad brat." I mumbled, but she'd never know that.

I should have told her every day. She was nothing but sweet to me. To everyone. But that was a problem a lot of the time too. Everyone loved her. Even Dad. And I hated her for it.

I was walking down the hallway towards Dad's office. When I heard old music on the record player.

"You're my everything. Underneath the sun. You're my everything. All rolled into one." Dad was listening to his stupid old people music. I walked closer and heard Kyra's young voice call "Ooo! Daddy! Will you dance with me?!" I scoffed mentally. 'Like Dad would ever stop working just to do something as stupid as dancing.' I heard Dad sigh softly. I could see through the crack in the door now. Kyra was staring at Dad with hopeful eyes. Dad let out a soft chuckle. "…Sure sweetheart." Kyra squealed with delight. My jaw dropped open. "I need a break from this paper work anyway." Kyra bounced with excitement. Dad walked around his desk. His back was towards the door. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Dad never, I mean NEVER stopped working. He'd skip dinner if he was in the middle of something. He'd stay up for days if he was in the middle of something. Just lock himself up in his lab or his study. Nothing would distract him. Yet here he was dancing with this stupid four year old girl. Dad looked down on the brat as he swung her around. A genuine smile on his face. Dad never smiled like that with me. I started to grind my teeth and stormed away. Furious that this homeless brat could get the attention that I deserved. She wasn't even doing anything interesting!

I didn't understand why they cared so much. She lightened up the whole Stark home with one smile. I didn't get why she was so happy. All the time. It was annoying. But no one else seemed to be bothered. I didn't get that it was because she felt she needed to be.

Mom stormed into my room while I was working on a model. "Anthony Edward Stark! What did you do to your sister?" I rolled my eyes I hadn't said a word to the brat all day.

"Nothing Mom! I haven't even spoken to her today." Mom crossed her arms and leveled me with a sharp glare.

"Then would you like to explain why your nine year old sister is locked in her room crying and will not come out?"

"How should I know? I can't read her mind! I didn't do anything to the brat! Why are you blaming me?!"

"Because Tony, you always make her cry." Mom replied accusingly. That stung. I don't always make her cry.

"What you'll listen to that brat over your own son?! She isn't even a Stark Mom!"

"Anthony Edward Stark, if you ever say that again. I will make you regret it. Do you understand?" I winced. Mom's voice was cold and venomous. Like I had insulted her or something.

"But it's the truth! You picked her up off the street!"

"Anthony. Blood is the least important thing that makes up a family." Mom said in a disappointed tone. "I hope you get that through your thick skull someday." Mom left my room with a shake of her head. That brat was always getting me in trouble! I'd had enough. I put down my tools and made my way to her room. I could already hear her cries. "Open up you brat!" I demanded while I pound on the door. I didn't hear her move towards the door to open it. So when it swung open, I accidently hit her in the face. Her red puffy eyes looked up at me in shock. I was shocked too. More tears sprung from her eyes as she looked at me.

"What?!" she cried.

"Why the heck are you crying? Mom is blaming me! What did you tell her?! Huh? I haven't done anything to you today!"

"I didn't say anything to Mom! And I wasn't crying because of you!" She puffed up her chest in defiance to my accusation.

"Then why the heck did Mom blame me?!"

"I don't know Tony!" I finally took in her appearance. She was covered in scratches.

"What the heck happened to you?" I asked softer.

"I got into a fight!"

"You what?" I laughed out. There was no way this little pipsqueak would ever get into a fight. Everyone loved her.

"I got into a fight Anthony." She stated my full name just to annoy me. Her face absolutely serious.

"Why? Did someone steal your lollipop?" I laughed again.

She straightened up to her full height of 4 feet 7 inches and stated "No!" She looked away and softly mumbled. "The girls at school said mean things to me." She looked back at me with fire in her eyes "Starks never back down from a challenge! We don't take anybody's crap! Daddy told me that." I was startled, she never raised her voice like that.

"What did they say?" I asked a scowl on my face.

"Why, so you can go and give them pointers on how to insult me?" she scoffed

"No. Because I want to know. Now. Tell. Me." I demanded. She sighed and looked away.

"They said that I was stupid and didn't belong there. That I was trash. And the only reason I was there was because Mom felt sorry for me." She started to tear up again. "That I was worthless and would never belong. That I wasn't worthy of the Stark name." I could see Kyra try to choke back a sob. Mom rushed over.

"Oh Kee Kee, darling, that's not true!" she cooed.

"That's what everyone says Mom! I'll never be as smart as Tony or as great as you and Dad!" Sure I would tease her about it all the time. But I stopped being serious about it a long time ago. Kyra was a gem. Even I knew that.

"Who said these things to you baby?" Mom demanded lightly. "I'll call their parents and sort it out, okay?"

"No Mom! That won't help!" She threw her hands in the air. "They'll still think it! And then they will hate me more! That's why I didn't say anything!" Kyra groaned pushed Mom away and slammed the door. "You can't change the truth Mom! Just… please… leave me alone." Mom rested her head on the door sadly. After a few moments she turned around and faced me.

"I'm sorry for yelling at you Tony, sweetheart. I just… hate to see either of you sad." I swallowed the lump in my throat then nodded to Mom. She took a deep breath and straightened up as she bustled down the hallway. I stood there at Kyra's door kind of awkwardly. I wanted to knock. I just didn't know what to say. I signed and headed back to my room. 'I love you brat.' I thought to myself. I couldn't say it to her face. She wouldn't believe me anyway.

Why should she? I'd never given her a reason to. As we got older I was being groomed to take over Stark Industries. My birth right. But Kyra was just as interested. She wanted to help anyway she could. She was always trying to help.

I had caught a stupid cold. My nose was stuffed and my head pounded like Phil Rudd during a drum solo. I was left alone in my room with nothing to do. Then the door squeaked open. I threw a scowl at the intruder. I didn't want to be bothered. Kyra. Of course it was Kyra. She walked towards my bed with a cart behind her. On the cart was a bowl of soup and orange juice. I raised my eyebrow.

"What the heck do you want?"

"I brought you lunch Onie" Kyra stated simply as she pushed the cart next to the bed. She started to loosen something on the cart and the tabletop started to turn. She tightened the bolt again once the tabletop was placed above my lap. "I made the table" She stated proudly. "And the soup. I'm sure you are bored and I thought having a table to use would help." Kyra rocked back and forth on her feet. I scowled at the primitive table cart. It was wobbly. I shook it gently and the tabletop quickly swiveled. The soup spilled all over my bed. Her eyes widened in horror as the table fell apart. I screamed in pain as the hot liquid stained my sheets.

"Dammit! Why did you even try to make this! This table is pathetic! Get Jenna! I need new sheets and clothes!" Kyra was still stood there with wide eyes.

"I'm sorry Onie!" she breathed.

"I don't care if you are sorry!" I roared "Get out of here!"

I always told her I wanted her gone. But, when she finally left absolutely everything fell apart. Now I know where she's been. She might not even wake up. I might not ever get to apologize. I'll lose my last family member, and won't be able to say good bye.

Again.

Kyra's POV

When you've spent the last 10 years of your life in pain; nothingness is desired greater than heaven. At first I had prayed to be saved. I was an important person. And someone would come to find me. The hope stayed in the farthest parts of my mind. The ones that HYDRA couldn't take over. I prayed for months. But no one ever came. I turned out no one cared. Then, there was only HYDRA. So I prayed to be freed. Finally I was. Free from my wretched body. From the captors that made me the monster I was. Then destroyed their own creation out of fear. Free from the constant pain and loneliness. Right now; I felt nothing. The pang of hunger that haunted me day and night was gone. My throat was no longer as dry as a barren wasteland. The ache from the multiple broken bones that had sustained during my last 'therapy' session was gone. I couldn't even feel my bones. Now that I tried to feel my body, I didn't seem to have hands or feet. My scarred skin had disappeared. I didn't have eyes or a mouth. I felt nothing. I was nothing. It was the greatest thing I could hope for. And I welcomed oblivion; without a second thought. As I floated on I saw faces. They were all happy and smiling. Were they people I knew. I think I knew them. I wasn't sure. But they were all gone now. I felt warm when I saw them. I remembered faintly that used to happen before. It hadn't since I lost…. Someone. I didn't know who. Did I love them still? Can you love when you are part of an infinite stretch of warmth? Love. It was a strange word. Beautiful blue eyes flashed before me as the word passed through my mind. Hard, lonely eyes, as cold as snow. Who did these eyes belong to? The eyes stayed longer then faded away like everything in this place. Those eyes. I wanted them to stay. To come back. I felt like they had left before. Were they truly gone forever? Was I truly gone forever? Why was I even here? Where was here? Was I alone? I hate being alone. I don't want to be alone. I want to be with those eyes. Forever.

I started to sink into the expansive warmth. The movement was slow. Like sinking into your bed after a long hard day. Gradually the speed increased. My stomach was soon in my throat as I began to plummet through the dark. I didn't know where I was headed. Then those beautiful blue eyes were back again. Curiously I followed them.