Chapter 14

I wake up in a shock but then groan from a massive headache that I suddenly got.

'Erm – you're squeezing me.' A quiet voice spoke, I look down and see my arms tight around Aurora. I immediately let go because of my fear of killing people.

'I'm sorry, kiddo.' I apologise as I rest my head on my hands.

'All good.' She says kindly, looking up at me.

'Did I harm you?'

'No.'

'Good, good. Do you know what time it is?' I yawn, the kid looks at her watch and then looks back up at me.

'It's 7:30 in the morning.' I look around the room warily, Aurora wipes a bit of sweat off the side of my head. 'Are you okay?'

'Yeah, I'm fine.'

'You're not, what's wrong.' I sigh in defeat and then look at straight in her emerald eyes.

'I just had a nightmare, that's all.' I mumble tiredly, Aurora yawns and then leans into my chest again like she has done when she was sleeping on me.

'Comfy there?' I ask with a smile.

'Yeah.'

'You do know I'm as hard as a rock.'

'I don't care as long as I'm with you.' I stiffen for a moment, letting those words sink in.

'Aurora.'

'Yeah?'

'Why do you care so much about me? I'm a horrible person who has done terrible things.'

'Because I believe everybody deserves a second chance and that they have good in them, but it's up to them whether they decide to use it or not.' She answers confidently, I lean my head against the wall and look up at the roof.

'Thank you for staying with me, I appreciate it.' I mutter so only she could hear; she looks up at me with big happy eyes. She grabs my right hand and starts stroking the lines on it, honestly, it was soothing. A small smile appears on her face, so it must be for her as well.

'I'm glad I could help, apart from your nightmare, it seems you slept well.'

'It appears so.'

'Well, your eyes aren't as red as they were when you fell asleep, and you seem to be in a happier mood.'

The door barges open, Bucky and three other people entered. When the door closed, one of the new people stepped towards me, I narrow my eyes and clenched my metal hand. The kid recognises my reaction and immediately stands up, she puts on her strict face.

'Stop! She doesn't like you moving towards her!' The man that attempted to come towards me stopped and then took a couple of steps backwards. I look at Aurora and her strict face. 'Just stay there until she feels comfortable, especially you Tony.'

'Can we at least get chairs kiddo?' Tony asks, the kids nod and he goes and gets four chairs.

'I suggest you introduce yourselves to Ember.'

'Alright, I'm Tony Stark.'

'Natasha Romanoff.'

'Steve Rogers.'

'You already know me.' Bucky says, I didn't answer them but I study the new people. Aurora looks from me to the new people and back, she takes my right hand so she would have my attention.

'The new people are heroes, the Avengers specifically. But they are good to talk to, you're safe.' She says gently, I look back at the new people.

'How can, you be sure?' I mumble, Aurora sits down next to me.

'Because they helped me become comfortable, and they've given me a new home.'

'But they treat you differently because – well – you're a kid and you were in a different situation.' I mumble again.

'Trust me, it'll be okay.' I sigh, I remember the emerald she gave me yesterday, her trust.

'She says it's okay to come a little closer.' The kid informs, everybody moves their chairs closer until they were a couple of meters away. Aurora leans against me while sitting in my lap, she begins stroking the lines on my metal hand.

'Emberly-' Natasha starts.

'Just call me Ember, Emberly's too grand and sounds too much like Emily.' I grumble, not wanting to have this conversation.

'Ember, we only want to talk. We don't want violence; we would like to ask some questions.' Nat says.

'I do not intend to be violent unless it is necessary, you're lucky Aurora is the only thing stopping me from doing so.' The kid looks up at me, her eyes full of curiosity but she keeps tracing the lines on my hand.

'Alright, how old are you?'

'About 92.'

'Ha! Another oldie! You-'

'Tony!' The kid snaps in anger, Tony shuts up and apologises quietly. Romanoff continues asking the questions that were off the sheet of paper she is currently holding.

'Ember, have you been getting nightmares?'

'Yes.' I hiss against my will.

'Now, could you tell us a bit about yourself?' Nat asked, well, it wasn't a request. I growl and narrow my eyes at her, Aurora taps me on the shoulder and I look at her.

'It'll help, trust me.' I sigh in defeat, knowing that she was right.

'Fine, my full name is Emberly Jane Atlas. I was eighteen when Hydra raided my town and captured me, they've continuously freeze me so I could stay young, stay in shape and that I could serve them longer. I was born and raised in the country side in Victoria, Australia, before Hydra happened.' I could see Aurora look up at me with sad eyes but I don't look down at her, instead I maintain eye contact with Natasha.

'I was constantly abused since the age of three since my mother died when I was two, it's also why I am afraid of everyone. I had a shitty father-'

'Language.' Steve says in a warning tone, I roll my eyes.

'Fine, I had a bad father who was always intoxicated and violent. I had one friend who died about a month ago, I had no siblings. Erm – what else do you want to know?' Aurora unexpectedly hugged me tightly, I sigh and hug her back.

'I'm sorry!' she cried.

'Hey, hey. You did nothing wrong sweetheart.' I say gently, I rub my right hand up and down the kid's back soothingly.

'I'm sorry you had to go through all of that torture.' She began crying, she snuggled into my chest. I put my head on hers and rocked slowly, her arms were tight around my neck but they weren't choking me.

'Why don't you go to Bucky, or Tony?' I ask gently but she shakes her head.

'No, I want to stay with you!' She says loyally, I sigh and continue rocking her. Tony, Nat, Steve and Bucky were watching with sympathy.

'Is there anything else you need to know?' I mumble, Nat checks the piece of paper.

'How'd you get your metal arm?'

'Surgery by Hydra.'

'Who were your parents?'

'Amanda Atlas and Jonathon Atlas.'

'How'd your mother die?'

'Mystery murder but I have come down to two conclusions.' I growl.

'When were you born?'

'8th of June, 1922.'

'How long did you know Naomi for?'

Since the age of six, so about…eighty-six years?'

'How-'

'Desire, Rusted.' I freeze, Bucky and I knew exactly what was happening though Aurora, Tony, Steve and Nat didn't. I immediately stand up and hand the kid to Bucky.

'Quick, take her somewhere safe!' I say impatiently, everybody else stood up except for the kid, Bucky and I.

'What! No! I want to stay with you!' Aurora complains, I shake my head.

'Sorry kiddo, it's too dangerous!'

'But-'

'Seventeen, Dawn.'

'Leave! NOW!' I yell, everybody but me leaves the room. Bucky locks the door even though he knows it won't stop her.

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Bucky's POV

I sprint out of the building with a terrified Aurora, Steve and Tony and Nat are sprinting after me, confused. We get to Stark's limo and I strap the kid in one of the chairs.

'Bucky! What happening?' she cried with fear, I look into her eyes.

'Go with Steve, Nat and Tony to Avengers Tower and stay there.'

'I'm going with you Buck.' Steve says stubbornly, of course he has to do this right now. 'You can't go in there alone-'

'She trusts me more than she trusts you!'

'Bucky! Is Ember going to be, okay?' Aurora yells to get my attention.

'I – I don't know but Steve and I are going to go help her, now go!' Stark and Romanoff get into the limo and drive off, I turn to Steve.

'Are you sure you want to come?'

'Positive.' We sprint back into the building.