If not for the guard who shoved me in my cell for what felt like the thousandth time, I would have forgotten what day was today. Today was my eleventh birthday. That means it's been a year, a year since the shells blew up my home, a year since my parents died, and a year since I was experimented on. Somehow, everyone else they'd taken had all died, all except me.
Dr. Hummel had only beamed when he heard the news, telling me that he knew I was special. Well, the only thing special about me was the abilities the experiments gave me.
I sat on the floor, waving a finger in the air, blue energy flowing from my fingertips, surrounding one of the wooden blocks in front of me as I lazily lifted it into the air with my mind. Slowly, I spread out the energy using one hand, and the others rose up into the air too. As much as I hate to acknowledge it, my powers were getting stronger. Before I had to use a both my hands, and it such a took a toll on my mind, it gave me bad headaches that would last for hours. Everyone concluded so far that I had the power of energy manipulation, mind control, telekinesis, and mind reading.
Then there was my other one. Super speed, I think Dr. Hummel called it. It had taken me a few months to master that one. At first I kept feeling this urge to move and twitched a lot, and ran into the walls when I was only trying to walk to the other side. Everything goes in slower motion for me sometimes. Soon, I was able to teach myself that whenever my super speed acted up to go slow, painfully slow. Now I can actually walk without accidently speeding off and banging into the walls (I actually still have a few bruises from those).
Over the months, my brown hair had grown long, almost to my shoulders, my skin paled from lack of sunshine, I could see clearly without glasses, and my once brown eyes were now a crystal blue, both side effects of the experiments. I learned who my captors were eventually: an organization called H.Y.D.R.A.
Their methods were cruel, most I'd learned the hard way. I caught a peek once of what they did to people like the Winter Soldier. Reading the mind of the guards escorting until I found one with the info I wanted, his real name was James Buchanan Barnes. He had a life before he came here, but they wiped his memories so he'd be their perfect soldier. That was it.
I remember using mind control over one of the agents guarding the door to my cell to unlock it two months ago. He did as I asked, and let me out.
Call me stupid or whatever, but I didn't run away. Instead, I sneaked into the room where they kept the Winter Soldier. He was completely emotionless and hopeless, and I felt this strong urge to help him so sue me. He was their weapon, someone they simply saw as an asset, someone who had no hope or anyone left. I knew that feeling.
The room was empty except for him, and I did something that would certainly get me in trouble if anyone found out I was the one who did it (speaking of which, I'm surprised they haven't pinpointed it to me yet). I outstretched my hand, and blue energy flowed out of my hands as I went into his mind, digging through memories of his past: his friends, his life, his family. They were there, just...buried deep.
Then while still keeping hidden, I brought them all back to surface. All those things he'd forgotten, I made sure he remembered, and just like I expected him to, his eyes widened in surprise and horror once I did. He looked around at his surroundings as if seeing them for the first time. Footsteps could be heard on their way downstairs.
Whether you want to thank me or curse me out, I would suggest getting out of here before they wipe your mind again, I said into his head. Especially if they found out you remember everything. And don't you dare spend the next few seconds sitting there like a lump.
Almost instantly, he turned his gaze to my direction. The footsteps were closer now, and I ran, arriving back at my cell in seconds. Quickly, I controlled the guard to lock me inside again and to forget everything before this happened, so it seemed like I'd been there the whole time.
The next few minutes were spent trying to hide a smile as H.Y.D.R.A agents were panicking that the Winter Soldier had escaped. Now I only hope he made it out with an actual chance for a normal life, something he sure hasn't had since 1945. It had been two months, but I hadn't heard anything about him. Nothing good, but nothing bad either. That alone was good news.
I couldn't leave yet, not until I was sure I had full control. But this was as much control as I was probably going to get. At first, I had thought to wait for the right opportunity when I came here, but I was officially done with waiting. What was I gonna do, wait here forever until someone finally decides to give me an chance to run? No way.
Dr. Hummel wanted me to learn how to learn to use my new powers to my advantage, well that's what I'm doing. One corner of my lip lifted upwards as I remembered my plan. With a jerk of my hand, all the blocks in the air smashed together, exploding into tiny wooden pieces.
"Hey, Jeremy," I called out to the nearest guard. By now I knew them all by name, and two were always nice to me, Jeremy being one, which made me almost feel bad for what I was about to do.
"Yeah, kiddo?" he smiled, peering at me through the bars.
"I just wanted to thank you and Sam for being here for me," I shrugged. "And I'm really sorry because after today you're probably going to get either killed or fired-hopefully the latter-after today."
"What-" He never even got to finish his sentence before I sent the blast of energy into his face, sending him flying across the room until he hit the wall. He stayed slumped against it, his eyes closed.
Concentrating on the lock on the door, it unlocked, and I simply pushed it open. Walking over to Jeremy, I rifled through his pockets for a second before coming up with his wallet, his access card, and the small map he drew to help him remember his way around. For once, his taking extra measures with his stuff was his downfall.
A twinge of guilt found its way into my mind, but I pushed it back down. Now is not the time to back out. I'm getting out of here if it kills me, and nothing is going to stop me.
Reading the map over, and memorizing all the exits, I ran. I passed by many other guards on my way out, but I'm not sure whether they saw me or not. Either way, I didn't stop running until I came face to face with a door a few seconds later. Pushing against it with all my might, it suddenly gave out from under me, and I fell through.
I fought to stay quiet as pain spread through my hands. When I fell, I put them in front to cushion my fall. Big mistake. It took me a moment to realize I was outside. I lifted my head, and gazed in awe at the world around me I hadn't seen for so long.
Snow covered the ground, snowflakes catching in my hair. Winter was here, I almost forgot. As I lifted myself up to my feet, the cold began to set in, but I ignored it. I was actually outside again.
I exhaled, releasing a breath I didn't know I was holding. The loud alarms filling the silence brought me back to reality. Looks like they noticed I was gone. The thought made a smile appear on my face. Took them long enough. I braced myself for the long journey ahead. First things first, I'm getting as far away from here as I can. All that mattered was that I was out, and I'm never going back again.
That was a few weeks ago. Now, I've been living on the streets, making the best out of what I had. Mostly I steal food, money, and recently clothes. I needed something for the chilly weather after all. The jacket I stole was slightly big on me but kept me warm all the same.
I sat in the remains of what used to be our apartment. Despite it being a year, I still remember where I found my parents bodies. And that's where I was right now. I wanted a chance to actually say goodbye and to talk to them one last time. Here, I felt like I was here with them again. But I wasn't staying.
"So not much has changed," I said quietly with a shrug. "Other than everything. I know I said I'd always protect Wanda and Pietro, but... I've done all I could. They've...abandoned me. I've been looking and looking for them, but they don't want to be found, and I've accepted that. The thing is..."
My breath caught in my throat as tears filled my eyes. When they were alive, Mother and Father had always been there for me to listen to what I had to say, like if I'd had a bad day. They didn't judge or anything, simply let me tell them what was wrong, and help me figure out what to do. But they're not here anymore, and neither are my siblings, so I'm the one who has to decide what to do by myself.
A memory came flooding back, one that only caused my blood to boil against my skin. You would not believe the effort that goes into not letting what happen now tarnish the good times. All the good times we had in this small apartment, like how the three of us made a pact when we were seven, although I doubt they remember it. We promised we would never be alone, we'd always be there for each other, and look out for each other until the end.
"Guess the end came sooner than I thought," I mumbled out loud, venom lacing my words. No, they're not here for me anymore. I thought this would be the time we'd stick together to get through this, but I was wrong. I'm on my own. I had looked out for them the best I could, and now it's out of my hands.
"I can't stay here, in Sokovia I mean," I finally choked out. "This was my home, except it doesn't feel like home anymore. It's just another reminder of everything I've been through, and I want to start over. The only reason I would've stayed after all this happen was Wanda and Pietro, and as you can see, that's a lost cause." A wry smile pulled at the corners of my lips. "I'm leaving today. Plus it's a better opportunity to get away from H.Y.D.R.A. I love you both, and I wish you were both still here, but I have to go now."
My heart feeling heavy with each step I took away from the spot, I made my way out of the destroyed building. I already had passage if I only used my powers. They'd never know the difference. Besides, I've always wanted to travel to America, see what it's like.
Wrapping my arms tight around myself to keep warm in the frigid air, I glanced over my shoulder one last time at my old home, and walked away. Dr. Hummel was right. This was the beginning of my new life, one without my family or friends, all who are dead in my eyes, where I was a different person than when I went in. Ezra Maximoff was dead and I'm not sure who I am now, but I'll figure it out along the way.
Sleepily, I opened my eyes, and turned my head to gaze out the window of the airplane. Up here, I had a clear view of the clouds. Not many of the people on board with me really paid attention to me except maybe the flight attendant and the nice old woman sitting next to me. She kept asking me where my parents are. I told her half a lie and half a truth. The truth part being that my family had died in a bombing in Sokovia, and the lie being that I had a family member waiting for me in New York, where the plane was heading.
The sympathy she showed me was almost overwhelming, her comforting nature reminding me of my mother. But I was glad she at least cared. At first, it was a little scary, being so far from the ground, but eventually, I stopped noticing how high we were and how far we'd drop should something go wrong, and started noticing the beautiful sight up here. After I finally calmed down a few hours ago, I ended up falling asleep against the window glass.
According to the announcement, we've reached our destination. I stretched a bit, hearing my stiff bones crack, and watched as we flew closer and closer to the ground. In a few minutes, the plane was down and I got out, hiding myself in the crowd of passengers, keeping my head down.
Throughout the entire trip, the only thing I brought with me was a messenger bag filled with whatever I pleased to fill it with. Most of it was stolen anyway, but hey, do you see any better way to get what I need to survive? No.
Every once in a while, someone would glance my way, probably wondering what an eleven-year-old was doing by himself at an airport. I simply kept my head down, and struggled to keep my breathing even though my anxiety had my heart pounding in my chest. I've always been nervous around people ever since H.Y.D.R.A kidnapped me, although in my defense, that's not something that makes you feel safe around large crowds, especially if you're walking through an airport filled with an endless sea of people. It came to the point that when a man grabbed my shoulder, I cried out, whirled around, and shot a blast of blue energy at him. He landed on the floor, and when he pushed himself up, looked at me in amazement.
Horror-stricken by what I did to an innocent person, and filled with fear at what would happen now that everyone here had just seen everything, I did the only thing I could think of. I pulled my messenger close to my chest, and ran. I ran and ran until I ended up in an alley somewhere. I pressed my back against the wall of the nearest building and slid down, pulling my knees to my chest as I laid my face on them and wrapping my arms around my legs, probably looking like what I was: A homeless, hopeless little kid with no one left.
Tears that had been threatening to fall for a long time finally came running down my cheeks. All the tears from being abandoned, of my parents death, of my captivity in a H.Y.D.R.A base, of facing the unknown alone were coming out. Once it had gotten started, it was hard to stop.
When I finally determined the time for crying was long gone, I pulled myself together. No time for a pity party. Time to face it all head on. I could do it. After all, I would be strong for Mother, I had to be.
"Hey, kid, what are you doing down there?"
My head shot up at the sound, catching sight of the owner. A man with dirty blond hair peered down at me with a mix of curiosity and pity. I wiped my eyes that felt puffy from crying with the heel of my hand, and glared at him. I wasn't in the mood for any interrogating.
"None of your business," I snapped. "I'm fine."
"Sure you are. People always say they're fine even if they're not," he replied calmly, unaffected by my cold tone. A bit unsettled, I moved over so a few feet separated us as he sat beside me, knees drawn up and laying his hands on his knees. "So where're your parents? I'll take a wild guess and say you're not from around here."
"If my parents were around, do you really think I'd be here?" I sighed, my anger burning out. "They're dead. And what gave me away, my accent?"
For a moment, silence passed between us. Then the man sighed, "Maybe. Or it could be that there's a report on the news about a kid who looks exactly like you who shot a bright blue light at a man at the airport. Speaking of which, he's fine, and he's actually the one who told me to look for you." I widened my eyes, and made a move to get up, but he stopped me with a hand. "You're not in trouble. He's an agent for an organization called S.H.I.E.L.D who was curious why you were wandering about by yourself, so am I. And your accent is pretty thick."
The last part was a tease, and I couldn't help but smile. "Is not."
"Is too," he smirked. "Name's Clint Barton. If you come with us, I promise you'll be safe."
"Really? You promise? My siblings promised something too, and they haven't kept it. They're still alive, yet they decided to leave me to fend for myself," I said, unable to help the bitterness that entered my voice. Once I actually said it out loud, it made me realize how hurt I really was by it. As much as I tried to convince myself it was fine, it wasn't, it never would.
"Whoever they are, they must be horrible at their job. Looking after each other is a full-time occupation, and they'd probably have their hands full with you. Don't worry. I cross my heart and hope to die you'll be safe with us," he smiled. "So, you in, kid?"
"First of all, my name isn't kid, it's Ezra," I retorted, folding my arms across my chest. "And second, if that's true about me being a handful, I'll probably make you guys miserable."
"Hmm, I'll take that as a yes then?"
"What do you think?"
With that, he got up, and held his a hand down to me. After a few moments contemplating my choice, I took it and got up. "So what are you going to do with me?" I asked.
"Well for now you're too young, but maybe when you're older, you can be a new agent for S.H.I.E.L.D. At the moment though, let's just say my boss doesn't like you being out in the street where you can cause more trouble so...how do you feel about being our new addition to our family? It does get a bit boring at Stark tower after all," he said casually, walking with me on the sidewalk. I've heard about Stark a few times, but I can never remember where. "I doubt my teammates would mind a little kid such as yourself running around. Better there than here."
Despite myself, I smiled at the word family. I haven't had a family for over a year already. A gut feeling told me everything would be alright, but I couldn't help being a little cautious. "I'll try you guys out, see how you do," I smirked cockily with a shrug of my shoulders.
