Wow! I can't believe how many reviews I got on the last chapter! You guys rock and have inspired me to update sooner! Enjoy the second installment :)

~Eyes~

I lifted my head heavily off the arm of my couch, blinking wearily at the early morning sun. I had spent the majority of the night watching the door, the slightest of noises dragging me from sleep. When I did sleep it was full of shadows and darkness. My foot still throbbed painfully where it had been cut, thankfully it wasn't deep.

As I laid there catanically I couldn't help but think of my bag, it had all of my life in it: my laptop, cell phone, and more importantly my wallet, all gone. I would need to cancel my credit card today. The thought of it all fried my nerves and sent me on the verge of tears. Deep breath, 'it's okay, it will all work out' I told myself. It seemed selfish to cry over such insignificant stuff but it had been a rough night and I was feeling emotional.

I listened to the relative quiet of my apartment before I stood carefully and limped to my bedroom. I didn't want to leave the relative safety of my apartment but I knew if I stayed I would lose my mind.

I carefully selected my clothing for today. Kaki slacks and a button down top, along with oxford shoes that would cover the tops of my feet. Now I could easily run or fight if I had to, or at least more easily than if I'd been wearing a dress. I took a calming breath before leaving my apartment.

The trip to work was tauntingly calm, even the road where everything had taken place was eerily quiet. I wondered if any of those people from yesterday had families missing them.

As I walked up the front steps of the school I practically sang with happiness, everything was so normal it's almost like it hadn't happened.

The hallways of the school were bustling compared to the streets. I felt more comfortable having people around, it made me feel safer and less vulnerable. As I passed by Susan stopped me, breaking my train of thought.

For many of the teachers here she was like a mother, especially newer teachers such as myself. Whenever there were new comers she taught them everything about the school and made them feel welcome. She even looked like a mom with her curly brown hair and maternal round face that almost always had a side.

"Are you all packed for Germany tonight?" she asked. I nodded my assent, I was only too eager to leave the country after yesterday's events.

"Make your sure your punctual!" Susan said with stern smile before waving me off to class.

I went straight to my desk to grab a stack of papers that needed to be passed out. I had made several cycles around the room before I noticed with a start that my bag was sitting happily on my desk.

My heart clenched as I realized what that meant, who had brought it. I walked slowly over, as if it were a live animal. Inside my bag everything was inside; phone, charger, binder, cellphone, even my wallet, I felt like gagging.

This place was supposed to be a safe haven. Children went here. Disgusted with this entire situation I yanked open the bottom drawer of my desk and pulled out my pepper gas. I doubted that he would come here during the day but if he did I wanted a way to protect my students. Whatever he had done to those people.. I shook myself out of it and went about my normal routine.

The entire day I felt like there were eyes on the back of my neck. I had stuttered and jumped so many times I eventually gave up on teaching and started to read stories with the class.

When I got home I sorely needed a nap but I knew I couldn't spare the time, our flight left tonight and I needed to get my stuff together.

Most of the speaking engagements were business casual but there was a fancy party on the second night that I had a nice dress for. Even with formal attire I could fit everything in a suitcase and my carry-on. It was a happy accomplishment.

It would make the entire trip easier if I packed lightly, I detested dragging bags in and out of cabs, I always felt like I was misplacing something.

The cab ride today was particularly hectic because of rush hour. Something Susan berated us about in several emails, 'account for rush hour, and remember its the La Guardia airport not JFK!'.

We would meet by the flight gate an hour before our departure time so it left me a good amount of time to navigate customs and security on my own. I didn't particularly enjoy large crowds so it was preferable to only have to worry about myself.

First step, check my bag, I looked forlornly at the long line, most of the people where scowling or on a phone. This would be fun. However, the large numbers the lines were moving smoothly and I only witnessed one child meltdown.

As I waited patiently to get my passport stamped I had the eery sensation of being watched, again. As the hairs on my arms rose I turned around to find the source. Nothing. I shook my head at myself, I needed to get over this paranoia. Lost in my own train of thought I didn't hear the security guard talking to me.

"Miss?..um..Miss...Lane?" He said looking down at my passport.

"Hm? Oh sorry, I thought I heard someone calling my name." I said absently as he handed me back my passport.

It only took me a few minutes to find the group.

"Charlotte!" Martha shouted from across the terminal, she waved frantically and bounced up and down as if I hadn't seen her. I loved Martha dearly but she was as much of a child as the students she taught. Her red head bounced my way completely abandoning Susan and her husband Niall. I noted with a sigh that Catarina wasn't there yet, she was late to almost everything.

"Heeeey Charlotte, are you excited for the plane ride?" Martha asked as she dragged me over to Niall and Susan. Susan had the look on her face that made me think she was about to have a seizure. I kind of felt bad for her, she wasn't old per se, she was still in her fourties, but the rest of us were still pretty young and I think she felt like she was babysitting sometimes.

"You okay, Susan?" I asked lightly. She shook her head tersely.

"If she misses the flight we can't wait for her, she'll have to find her own way." She responded unhappily.

"It's okay, there is still plenty of time until take off." I said reassuringly. After a few minutes I gave up on calming her and retreated.

I went off in search of food, which in an airport wasn't in short quantity.

Forty five minutes later I was munching on a spicy chicken wrap waiting for boarding, Cat was still no where to be found but I honestly wasn't worried. Worst case scenario, she takes the first flight tomorrow.

The flight attendant called for first class to board and I watched a few retired people shuffle over. It was a completely booked flight so the line was already incredibly long.

I was disappointed when I was among the last to board the flight, although it did make it easier to find my seat. As I situated myself on my aisle seat, I looked around to see where the others were. Niall was across the aisle to my left, already looking queasy. Susan was up toward the front of business class and Martha was in the back chatting with some elderly people.

"We will departing momentarily, we are boarding our final guest right now." the flight attendant said cheerily on the intercom. I didn't have to look up to see who it was, Catarina came strolling in, sent me a leisurely wave and sat down next to Susan. Should be an interesting seating arrangement.

As I settled back for the next few hours I got the same uneasiness I'd had all day. This time I chose to ignore it, I would not give into paranoia. As soon as the jet was in the air I felt much safer, nobody could reach me here.

Did you like it? I thought you might like to know this story is taking place during the Avengers. I think I might change categories from Thor to Avengers because of this, or maybe a crossover. Anyway please review! :)