Quoted By:
You knelt down to meet Cindy at eye level. <span class="mu-r">“Hey,”</span> you said, tilting your head to look her in the eyes. <span class="mu-r">“I’m gonna go pick up Flint, and after that, I’m gonna take you to see your old home.”</span> you declared. <span class="mu-r">“Alright?”</span>
Cindy gave you a weak smile and nodded. You tussled her hair a bit, rose to your feet and informed the others of your decision. They agreed to watch Cindy while you were gone, and you trusted them enough to hold down the fort without stealing anything of worth. But just in case, you texted Cindy on her new phone to keep an eye on them.
—----
You were already waiting at the location that Bobbi specified in her message when she arrived. She was uncharacteristically quiet tonight. It made it hard to remain as giddy as you had been mere moments ago. She just lifted you by the arms and flew you up to the Helicarrier in relative silence. It was a bit worrying, but you tried to remain positive about an opportunity to get your best buddy back on the ground again.
When you’d arrived at the Helicarrier, Bobbi quickly led you away from the airstrip and into the facility. While you weren’t entirely familiar with these winding hallways, you didn’t recognize the way that she was leading you.
<span class="mu-r">“I don’t think Cho’s lab is this way.”</span> you said.
Bobbi’s head marginally shifted in your direction, but her expression remained flat.
<span class="mu-b">“Flint’s been relocated to another lab for some concluding tests. Just keep your head down, and follow me.”</span> she replied, not slowing her pace. Her voice was a bit different, though. Maybe she was catching a cold?
You ignored the bad feeling in the pit of your stomach and marched forward.
Eventually, Bobbi brought you to a well-lit room where Flint stood at the other end, staring at one of the monitors on the wall. Your heart lifted, then.
<span class="mu-r">“Flint! I heard you’re finally getting out of here!”</span> you exclaimed, approaching him with open arms. But as you stepped further into the room, you noticed that he wasn’t reacting to your presence. What was-?
Suddenly, Flint disappeared entirely. He just…blinked out of existence. You turned sharply on Bobbi, just in time to see a thick, glass barrier rising up in the middle of the room, trapping you on the other side and separating you from your guide.
<span class="mu-r">“What the hell, Bobbi!”</span> you shouted, banging on the glass.
Bobbi’s silhouette shifted slightly…and then changed entirely! Now, the person standing before you was none other than the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D, Maria Hill.
At that very moment, your blood went cold.
<span class="mu-b">“I apologize for the forcefulness of my methods, but I saw no other way to get you alone without you turning around and running the other way.”</span> she said, approaching the glass slowly. <span class="mu-b">“And I’ve been letting you walk around my facility these past few weeks without confiscating your weapons, so I think you owe me this much.”</span>
(Cont.)
