Hi, Ariel here.
The day after I got home, I found a strange large envelope on my porch. For Ariel was scrawled across the top. I took it inside and opened it. The first thing I pulled out was a letter.
Miss Dalton, I'm sorry about having to tell you like this, but there was no other way. S.H.I.E.L.D. has not been entirely honest with you about some things. Look at the copies of the lab reports, you will understand. Feel free to tell Ivy, but under no circumstances should anyone else know.
I wasn't surprised to find the note unsigned. I removed the contents of the envelope and took it upstairs to my room. It was lab reports of various kinds, with notes and definitions scribbled all over the place. Energy readings, ones indicating I was giving off some kind of energy – a powerful energy that they couldn't name or identify. Then DNA tests, comparing my DNA against someone else's. The name had been blocked out, but the DNA was said to belong to my brother. I don't have a brother. I'm an only child.
Scribbled underneath this was Sorry I couldn't get a copy that didn't have everything blacked out. Your brother's name is Clint Barton.
I set the reports down on my next, next to some sheet music, and sank into a chair. Oh my goodness. Oh my goodness. I grabbed my phone and dialed Ivy's number.
"Ivy, I need you over here. Now," I said.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm not sure."
Ivy showed up three minutes later. I thrust the reports at her the moment I opened the door.
She stepped inside the doorway and took them from my hand, inspecting them. She released a gasp. They fluttered to the floor.
"Who gave you these?"
"They were on the porch when I got home. Did you know?"
"I didn't know. You have to believe me, I didn't have a clue."
"Of course I believe you. You've let me believe things that weren't true because you thought it would be dangerous to tell me otherwise, but you've never lied to me." I retrieved them and sat down on the couch. "So, Ivy. What should I do?"
She sat down next to me. "Don't tell anyone. The secret cannot leave this room. That is the most important thing. Not your parents, not anybody."
I nodded. "What else?"
"We need to find out who sent you this and how this is even possible. I can do some checking. I know people."
"Do you know Hawkeye?"
"I haven't heard from him lately, but I have met him, yes. I'll do some checking," said Ivy again. "I know people I can talk to, people who might know something. In the meantime, go on with your life. Do not, under any circumstances, try to look into it yourself. Every move I make is watched, and now they'll be keeping a close eye on you too. Any research you make into it will trigger alarms for them. They didn't want me to tell you. But they think I know, so if I do some, it'll be less suspicious."
"They think you know?"
"Don't ask."
"Who do you think it was?"
She shrugged. "I don't know who would know about this, let alone who would send it to you."
My personal suspicions on the subject probably shouldn't go out on the internet. Just in case someone finds them. I don't want to get anyone in trouble.
"So what now?" I asked.
"We wait. Hawkeye's in Age of Ultron, if nothing else. I haven't heard from him in a while. But go on with your life. Don't put everything aside while you wait. Have fun with the musical." She scratched her neck. Something smudged slightly. Was she wearing concealer on her neck? Ivy doesn't like wearing a lot of makeup. Or any at all, really. Did she even have any makeup. She quickly turned up her collar to hide the spot. "I'm going to have fun if it kills me." She played with her collar. "I'm going to take my own advice and enjoy a bit of my life while I have it."
"Are you hot?" I asked. "You keep tugging on your collar."
"No. It's just… you've got questions and I've got answers, for the first time in a long time."
I have no idea what she was talking about. But the look of utter bliss on her face told me the answers had changed her somehow, for the better.
And that's it! For now.
Thank you for those who followed and favorited, and thank you to callieandjack for reviewing every single chapter.
I have another sequel, featuring Ariel and Ivy, in the works. I'm not sure when it'll be up - reasonably soon, I hope. It'll be in the Phantom of the Opera movie section when it does.
The Captain America: Winter Soldier one is also in the works. I have absolutely no idea how long it'll be until that's done.
Beyond that... I have plans.
I'd like to hear what you all thought. Things you would have liked to see? Things you would like to see in future? Your opinions on plot/characters/my writing in general? Feedback is very much appreciated!
That's all for now!
The Most Random of Random Writers
