I know I disappeared, and I'm so sorry. Feel free to hate me. Busy life really sucks sometimes!

For everyone that's stuck with me, I love you more than words can say! Thanks so much!

It is summer break for me so this story should be done really soon providing that life doesn't get in the way.

Hope you enjoy. Remember to review! If you catch any errors let me know, this isn't beta'd.


Natasha held her hands over her mouth as a large grey beast snarled at her apparent twin. Her chest clenched as the creature slammed the other her into the door frame with its large clawed hand. Her hand moved to her throat as the creature's razor sharp teeth severed the twin's throat.

Ice filled her veins as the creature turned its eyes on something down the hall. Natasha squinted, attempting to make out what it now sauntered toward. Please don't be the cub.

She shoved her fist in her mouth as she saw a human dash out of the shadows—his red eyes focused on the twitching body. In the blink of an eye, the creature leapt at the human. A terrifying growl left its lips. The two beings rolled down the hallway, snarling, and disappearing into the darkness.

Stifling a gasp, she gazed down the hallway in a hypnotic state. What had just gone down? What was going on? Was the cub dead?

One heart beat.

Two.

A small gray figure slinked from the shadows. Relief flooded her veins. The cub was alive.

She watched as it moved toward the twitching body of her doppelganger—she could faintly hear the death rattle coming from its lungs over the snarls in the darkness.

The cub nudged against the doppelganger's thigh. Natasha watched as the cub's ears went backward. In the next second, it backed up—tail between its legs—and the twin's skin turned blue. Natasha clamped a hand over her mouth.

For the last several years, Fury had been scouring the globe in search of a person who was able to change shape. Her original form consisted of blue skin, and she was apparently what was termed a mutant. For some reason the shape-shifer—whose name Natasha had heard as Raven—was a top security matter. She had heard whispers that Raven was wanted in connection with a missing senator who disappeared around right years ago. What else is kept in this hell-hole?

She shook her head and took a deep breath. Now was not the time to get sidetracked.

Seeing that the cub was frozen, Natasha whistled softly between her teeth. The cub's ears twitched as it came alive and started down the hallway. Its blue-grey eyes searched the darkness. Natasha thought about calling out, but the snarls in the distance were softening to growls. She swallowed roughly as she realized the fight was ending.

Whistling softly again, she watched as the cub began to tot toward her. As it turned the corner she hid by she lowered the whistle and snatched the cub up by the scruff of the neck.

Wrapping the cub tightly in her arms, Natasha sprinted down the hallway and away from creatures veiled in darkness. Her breath echoed in her own ears, as she felt her heart attempting to escape her chest. How did I end up in this mess?

At some point, she found a stairwell and bolted up it—two steps at a time. When she reached the top, she tossed the cub to the ground and turned back to the double doors. One creaked closed followed by the other. She searched the metal handles for a lock and then checked the door. A shiver ran through her spine as she looked to the cub.

"Find me something to bar them with!"

The cub watched her with wide eyes. It seemed to be shocked she was alive. Natasha opened her mouth to criticize the cub for standing there when it turned and began searching the area.

She attempted to take deep breaths as she waited. Instead of her heart settling down, it slammed against her rib cage. She was certain it would be bruised by the end of this.

The next thing she realized, the cub was at her feet with a metal pole. She took it from the cub and wedged it into the door handles—efficiently locking them for now.

As the first bits of silence radiated through the area, Natasha leaned against the door before collapsing to the ground—breath heaving in and out of her lungs. Her fingers thread into her long, snarled hair as her heart continued to race. How had she gotten here? What had happened? What had she done to deserve this? That last question actually has a long list of possibilities.

Her eyes closed as she breathed out. Where was Clint? Was he dead? He had to be. He would have found her by now. Nothing ever hindered him from finding her. She cringed again as she realized how much she now depended on him.

However, if she returned home, who would be her new partner? Who could she trust? There was no one on payroll that she wanted to work with—nor that she believed would have her back. That's what happens when you're born Russian.

Natasha startled as she felt a tug on her pant leg along with a growl. Zombie?

She looked to see the cub staring at her. It tugged at her pants again indicating it wanted her to follow. Does it have a plan? For several moments she didn't move. Finally, she took a large breath and rose. If she was going to get out, she had to keep moving.

"Alright, where too?"

The cub turned and led her through the new territory. Her feet—as well as the cub's—kicked up little wisps of dust. She crossed her arms. Despite the determination the cub displayed, it looked frayed and worn down. Natasha had already seen Hell on Earth but she was positive the cub had seen worse. Her head bowed as she sighed.

Who knew how long she was going to be in here? Who knew if she was going to get out? And if she did get out, she didn't know how she was going to lay Clint to rest.