Authour Note: I do not own the avengers or Marvel characters
Prologue:
Annie Onslinia was an ordinary enough girl. Well, that is to say that she herself didn't know of her own power at the beginning of this ordeal. If she had, things might have turned out a little differently, not better pre say, but different. But I'm being horribly vague on the matter and you must be wondering why you should keep reading…if you are having any doubts now stop now. These dangerous events are all too real and not for the fain of heart. Once you have read this you might not be so glad you did. The life events of poor Annie will open your eyes to see the real threats and villains lurking right outside your mundane little homes.
But for those for those of you who are ready, I will begin well, at the beginning. By the way I never introduced myself. I'm Annie. And this is my life.
Chapter 1: As He Came Into The Window
"Annie are you okay?" Tony said flicking a paperclip at the girl sitting across from him.
" Yeah," said Annie shaking her head slightly to clear it.
She and Mr. Stark were in the Stark Tower lab conducting some research on micro particle acceleration. Annie was a college junior and was completing her internship at Stark Industries when a certain Billionaire had recognized her potential. Now Annie assisted Tony in the lab with whatever work he happened to be doing that week. She enjoyed it, sure Tony Stark was arrogant and not a little cocky, but he meant well and he had always been kind to her.
"Common Red, what's eatin' ya?" Tony playfully poked Annie in the side.
Annie cringed at her given nickname, due to her long red hair and freckles, and plastered a smile.
"Oh it's nothing really, I was just…thinking."
"Hmm, well we will have to finish up this experiment later." Tony said gathering up his various equipment from the lab table the two had been working at.
"Listen Red, I wont need you for a few days, I've got some shield nonsense to take care of…"
"Oh right is this another one of your superhero missions?"
"I wouldn't call myself a hero," Tony smirked playfully at her,
"No, I leave that to all my admiring fans!"
"And he's modest too!" exclaimed Annie just as Pepper Potts walked in the door. Pepper and Annie got along like sisters. To Pepper; Annie was the little sister she never had.
"Hey Pepper!" Annie said walking over to her.
"Oh hi Annie!" Pepper smiled and gave Annie a quick hug,
"Are you staying for dinner?"
"Oh no I couldn't…"
"Of course you could Annie!" interjected Tony.
"Thank you guys but I really do have to be getting home I have a few errands I need to run in the city before the weekend is up."
Annie gathered up her notebooks and data sheets and stuffed them all into her tote.
"I'll see you guys in a week or so!," Annie called out walking to the elevator.
"I'll give you a call when I need you Red!" Called Tony.
The elevator doors shut and Jarvis's voice filled the elevator,
"What floor Miss Onslina?"
"Ground floor please Jarvis."
"Yes Miss."
Annie made her way through the grimy streets of New York to her apartment. The walk only took about ten minutes she didn't even have to bother with taking the subway. Usually noise from overly pushy street vendors and disgruntled cab drivers had an oddly calming effect on her, but not today. Something felt, off. Annie threw a quick glance over her shoulder; there were people everywhere, men and women heading home from a long days work. One man stood out or maybe he blended a little too well. Whatever it was about him, he gave her a weird vibe. The man was wearing a sleek grey suit and walked with a purpose. He seemed to be following her. Annie turned down a side street only to have the man follow a few yards behind. She stopped at a vendor and pretended to be interested in some knock off ray bands, the man slowed his pace.
No, no, no I'm imagining things. I have to be. It's light out in a city full of people; you're just being paranoid. Shake it off.
Annie took the next left and ducked into an ally and stood in the shadows until she saw the man pass.
See? Now was that anything to worry about? No he was just some guy. Some guy in a nice suit who was late for a meeting. Yeah. Plus why would he want you anyway genius?!
Annie let out a sigh and pulled her cardigan closer to her. It was the middle of the summer but she had a chill that she just couldn't seem to shake. Taking one more deep breath to calm herself, Annie set out again. She made it to her apartment with no more weird occurrences and no sign of suit guy. Her fingers fumbled with the key trying to get it into the lock. And that's when she realized. It was open…
She pushed the door open tentatively.
I should go get the police. Or anybody.
She took a few more steps into the apartment. None of her lights were on.
What are you doing! This is like something out of a horror movie. You never go into the creepy situation. The smart thing to do is run and get someone!
Her body kept moving forward, making a little less noise than a mouse. Annie was slender and her footfalls made no noise on the carpeted floor as she crept into the living room.
Where's Mr. Daliard?
Mr. Daliard was her cat. He had been a birthday gift from her dad before she had moved to New York.
He had to be around here somewhere…
Everything appeared normal. Annie began to relax just a little. She had probably just left the door unlocked. It wouldn't have been the first time. Nothing noticeable was out of place…Maybe it had just bee her imagination. Then she saw it. Every muscle in her body seized and refused to move. She didn't even dare to scream. Although it might have been prudent to do so.
Blood.
Blood stains on the carpet.
Annie had to fight the urge to be sick. Her hand flew up to cover her nose and mouth.
It was Mr. Daliard. Some sicko had killed her cat.
No not just killed him.
Maimed him.
Why would someone kill a cat? They can't bark or alert the police or even fight back? No someone was doing this to scare me.
And it was working.
Annie had dropped her tote on the floor by the door when she had walked in and now she was deeply regretting it. Her tote had her cell phone in it. Leaving the bloody scene behind her Annie tried to creep back towards the front door. This was insane. She had to all the police or someone. Tony and Pepper maybe. She could stay with then until the police got this all sorted out. Annie heard a noise from the living room. She was so close almost to the door. The noise sounded closer this time.
She had no choice. She had to hide. She ran underneath the table.
Annie couldn't think. She couldn't breathe. She clasped a hand over her nose and mouth in hopes to muffle her breathing. From her hiding spot Annie saw a pair of shinny black dress shoes walk slowly past her hiding place.
"Miss Onslinia," said a heavily accented voice.
Annie kept her hand over her mouth; several tears ran down her cheeks. She blinked them away.
"This would be so much easier if you would just come quietly. I don't think I need to threaten you. I'm sure you saw the poor creature." The voice continued.
Mr. Daliard.
He did kill my cat!
Annie's face burned with rage but she kept quiet. The shoes moved away from her hiding spot towards the kitchen. This was her chance. She would run into the bedroom, barricade the door and call the police from the landline.
1…
2…
3…
RUN.
And she did. Annie ran to the bedroom and just as she made it through the door, a cold sharp pain pieced the back of her head. Then she was falling. As Annie's vision faded she saw the man in the suit kneel beside her. He reached out a hand and gently caressed her cheek. She couldn't even cringe.
"Such a waste." The man sighed, "All of this could have been avoided if you had just come quietly…"
That's when the world went black.