"There was darkness and then there was her."

Chapter 4

HYDRA base a month later (2006)

My eyes scanned the room as they brought me in. I had never seen any kids my age since I got here. It had always been someone at three times my age. I hid behind the bootleg of one of the soldiers shyly swaying back and forth. I must looked quite innocent back then. He looked down at my tiny head and took his arm around my back giving me a gentle nudge. I looked back at him only to find his head turned to someone else losing his attention on me. I walked to a secluded table and put my head down. In times like this I really missed my parents.

A girl with chestnut hair was talking to her friends when she noticed me. She bid them a goodbye and walked over to my table. Her head swooped low to make eye contact but I resisted.

"Hey there. I'm Cassidy what's your name," she said.

I kept silent.

"Not much of a talker huh."

At that I lifted my head and looked her in the eyes. She was soft and kind, not something you would usually see around here.

"Talia," I said quietly.

"Well it's nice to meet you Talia." She gave her hand out as a gesture and I took it. We gave each other a firm shake and a friendship began.

HYDRA base (2008) two years later

Being in HYDRA was like being in the Hunger Games. It was the survival of the fittest. I'm honestly surprised that Cassidy and I made it this far. Each day had a new challenge for us to face. It's not like we had to face some trail everyday to prove our worth. At least not yet. But when you give a bunch of seven year olds weapons with little to zero guidance accidents are bound to happen. Everyone was out for themselves. You had to watch your back. You never know when someone could turn on you.

Today we were working on hand to hand combat. Mrs. Hart took us outside just as the sun peeked over the horizon. It was warm with a gentle breeze. The fresh autumn leaves were seen blowing in the wind. Mrs. Hart gave us a quick demonstration and told us to get started.

I was paired with a boy. I think his name was Damien but I wasn't sure. He had black shaggy hair that would fall over his face making him use his hand to push it out of the way.

I decided to go first, sending a punch toward his shoulder. He ducked under trying to punch backo but I did a back kick over out of the way. We went at each other for a while until I sent a kick straight into his chest. He caught my foot with

his hands and twisted it causing me to fall onto the ground.

"You're going to have to try harder than that," he let out with a smirk on his face, dimples and all.

"I'm just getting started," I replied, grabbing his ankle and wrapping around it causing him to fall down with me. I let out a laugh.

"Haha very funny," he said in a sarcastic tone.

"That's what you get for underestimating my power."

"Sure tell yourself that. Let that big ego of yours fill your head.

I looked over at Cassidy. Mrs. Hart was obviously not pleased with her progress. It looked like she was about to hit her. I ran up to them and went right in between.

"Talia would you like to tell me what you're doing?"

"You know exactly what I'm doing."

Her face scrunched up and she grabbed me by the shoulder. Mrs. Hart liked to pick on the weaklings of the class and dealing with me was wasting her time.

"You need to learn how things work around here, next time you won't be so lucky."

With that said Mrs. Hart dragged me inside until we reached a far off room at the end of the building. She shoved me inside and sat down at the chair near the corner. She motioned for me to sit down on the opposite side. Looked around the room until I made eye contact with her.

"I don't know why you always defend that pathetic girl."

"She's my friend."

"Friends don't drag each other in the mud. Cassidy is weak. She probably won't survive much longer. Even if she makes it past all of this do you really think she's equipped to handle a life so demanding as your own."

"She just needs more training," I mumbled.

"No amount of training can save that girl. She's already gone. Not everyone can be an agent at HYDRA. You need to let her go. You're only going to cause yourself pain for the future."

Mrs. Hart got out of the chair and headed for the door.

"Where are you going," I asked.

The door to the room closed. I ran to it trying to turn the handle but it was locked. I slammed my fist on the door.

"Let me out," I screamed.

Nothing happened.

"Please… Please I'll do anything you want just let me out.

I crumpled into a ball on the floor sobbing, rocking myself back and forth.

"Why does this always happen to me? Why can't I just have a normal life?"

After a week with no food or water I thought I was going to die. This was the end of the line for me. My lips were crusty and my stomach was hurt like hell. I heard a brief click and the door opened. Mrs. Hart walked in.

"I hope you learned your lesson," she said with a smile plastered onto her face.

Authors notes

That's it for chapter 4. I tried to give an idea of what life in HYDRA was like for Talia. There will be two more chapters about her life there but they won't be in order. The HYDRA chapters are supposed to give insight about her actions in the present day. The next chapter will be about her going to school to get in touch with Peter without blowing her cover. I though it would be good to put her first days at HYDRA so you could compare them to her first days at high school in the next chapter.