[Game Saved]
[HP at max]
[SP at max]
[status healed: Bruised ribs]
I woke up in the hospital bed feeling completely numb. I tried reloading my save so many times but Sandra always ended up...
I just...
It got to the point where I needed to move on. There was nothing I could do. It just sucked. It wasn't fair, but as the saying goes, life isn't fair.
The nurses and doctors came and checked on me, commenting on how quickly I healed but I ignored them. I was frustrated at myself for not doing... something, anything, to make this turn out better.
I got out at the cost of Sandra's life, and even if Feliks is still alive (which is a big if), going back would only get myself killed.
"Lani Green?"
I was torn from my thoughts by a lady in a full-on suit. Immediately I was on edge.
Did Hydra really find me that quickly?
"I'm from a place call child protection services. I help children like you find new homes."
That... made a lot of sense. A child who's older sister died and parents nowhere to be found? Makes sense they would send someone in. Honestly, I'm surprised the police haven't been called to see if I was lying about the 'shark attack'.
"The doctors said you're all good to leave, so I'm going to take you to a friend who will take good care of you until we find your parents. Does that sound good Lani?"
"Sure. Can I go to the bathroom first?"
"Of course you can, I even have some clothes for you. Do you need any help with them?"
"No."
It was a shirt-dress thing with leggings. Not something I would wear, but I guess it's appropriate for a four-year-old. At least it had pockets.
In the bathroom, I changed before readying myself to teleport. There was no way I was going to foster home, if that was where she really was going to take me. If I'm going to be on my own, then I will be fully on. My. Own.
With that, I apparate back to the beach house I wake up in after escaping.
[Main Menu]
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[...]
[Name: Lani Chen]
[Age: 5]
[Hometown: Hawai'i]
[Family: unknown]
[Title: Rebellious: people of authority will mark you as 'bad egg']
[hp: 50]
[sp: 79]
[Strength: 4*]
[Dexterity: 7*]
[Constitution: 5*]
[Intelligence: 17]
[Wisdom: 9*]
[Charisma: 19*]
[*: -9 to physical states, -4 to wisdom and +4 to charisma due to age]
I checked my stats to see how low my SP got from the longer distance, only to find out that I was already 5. I had already spent a year in this new life. It didn't feel that long but honestly, I had no idea how long it really was. It wasn't like I keep track of the days, and even then, the only mark that the day passed was by sleeping and training.
Maybe it really has been 1 year. I just have no way of knowing. Though, it was also possible that my birthday just passed by and I didn't notice.
Holy shit I probably have a different birthday now.
It makes sense, but that was just one of those things I didn't let myself think about. Along with my family that I will never see again, the fact that I died, that I'm having to relive childhood again...
I smacked my face.
Later. I can freak out later.
I was back in the hall by the phone, which was not where I left it. Instead, it was placed back on the wall. I looked at it for a moment longer, before turning around.
Okay, I need food, water, clothes, a bag, money-
"What the hell are you still doing here?!" I yelled, pointing my finger at the Winter Soldier.
"Mission needs updating."
It felt like I was talking to a robot rather than another human being, but I guess that is just one of the many reasons why Hydra is so fucked up.
"Mission huh. Why don't you just fly back to the base and ask them yourself?"
He didn't answer me, just keep looking at me like he wanted me to give the mission update.
Wait a second...
"Are you really just going to stay here until they find you again? Since going back wasn't part of your mission?"
Again, raccoon eyes just looked at me like I was stating the obvious. Huh, maybe this is the only way he can rebel now...
Then I got an idea.
"You new mission is..." I started to say, hoping that I was right about this hunch. "To survive."
I still didn't know much in Russian, and while Bucky knows English, it seems like the winter soldier only responses in Russian for a reason. Probably some weird conditioning the Hydra did on him.
"New mission parameters accepted."
"Cool."
It was very much not cool, but I had no idea what else to say. Sorry, I would love to help you but I'm pretty sure the only one who can break your brainwashing is Steve and I have no idea when he is going to be around if he's not already. For some reason, I don't think that is the best thing to tell the winter soldier.
"Just to be clear, you are not going to follow me right?"
"Not unless you tell me to."
Right. Creepy.
With that, I left him to watch the mold grow or whatever he was doing while I search the house for stuff. There wasn't much there. Some toilet paper, bedding, energy bars of questionable age, soap. I ended up using a bag that was used for some of the sheets to fill with stuff that I would need. I even found a sleeping bag. Filled some bottles I found in the trash with water, then placed the rope straps on my back.
And almost fell over from the weight.
Right. Five years old aren't very strong.
Pulling the bag off, I took out the stuff I could live without. I mean, how often do I need to bath? I found $5.25 in spare change around the house, so I can buy food later. The water is going to stay, but just one bottle. If it keeps raining I can use that later.
Assuming that it's not acidic rain. That would really suck if climate change was even worse off in a superhero world.
I ended up keeping the sleeping bag instead of the blankets, and at least was able to stand up with it.
Might be good to keep an eye open for a real backpack. This is going to kill my shoulders before long.
It was as good as I was going to get.
With the bag that was almost big enough to drag on the ground on my back, I headed to the front of the house.
Only to pause in front of the Winter Soldier.
"You know, you don't need to stay here. In fact, if you want to survive it would be better to keep moving... right?"
"There is no danger yet."
I frowned at that. I guess it was too much to hope that he would just automatically hide from Hydra. But I felt like I needed to do something to keep him from going back there. If I can't go back to save Feliks yet, and it's too late for Sandra then maybe...
"You should come with me Buc-Buddy." I said, quickly covering up my slip up.
I do not what to having to explain why I knew his name.
Still, he stood at attention right away, and I almost regretted speaking up. But, it's not like he is going to kill me. Well, without being ordered to first. Besides, I was planning to stay far away from Hydra anyways.
Might be more risky, since Hydra will for sure be looking for him, but it will only be for a bit. Until he has enough human back in him to run away if he sees any signs of Hydra.
It should be fine.
"So, you wouldn't by chance know how to hop a train would you?" I asked a few hours later, standing over a bride that a logging train was about to pass under.
Racoon eyes didn't answer, but he did give me a "look".
"I mean besides just jumping. Even I know that much."
Looking down, the train was much further than I thought it would be. And logs weren't the best landing. Maybe I should have tried my luck on ground level.
"We should jump before it's gone." I tried convincing myself, still looking down.
It was a good thing I was never afraid of heights. Falling to your death however, it a very good thing to fear.
"On second thought-" I looked up just in time to see the man stepped off the bridge.
"Oh shit."
He landed with the grace of a cat on top of one of the logs, then had the audacity to look back up at me as the train passed. Like the ass was showing off.
Maaybe I should just teleport down.
Soon enough, I was standing next to not-Bucky. Only for the sudden acceleration of the train to knock me onto my ass.
"Did you crack the log with your landing? How are your feet still functioning?" I said instead of getting back up.
It was going to be a long trip to Seattle, and there is no way I'm going to stand four hours if I don't need to.
"I'm strong." Was the response I got long after I expected one.
"No shit sherlock."
Turns out sitting next to a super mindwiped assassin was very nerve-wracking. He never sat down to relaxed like I did; the most he did was crouch down when a tunnel came. It looked like he was ready to fight at any moment, which the more I thought about it, I realized what must be going through his head.
Too bad I can't really tell him to relax. His is going to be tacked down by hydra at some point. I just hope I can prolong it long enough for him to have some thoughts of his own.
It took about four hours of me desperately not thinking about anything before I noticed we were getting close to the city. I was moments away from dozing off, but I really don't want to save on accident. Again.
"We should get off before people can see us." I commented, getting up from my half laid down position between two logs.
I teleported down while not-Bucky straight up jumped, not even bothering to roll to displace the force.
"You're freaking insane, you know that? Don't get me wrong, that looked sick, but also you are so lucky you're not normal or all your bones would be shattered." I ranted as we walked along the tracks.
I've only been to Seattle a few times when I was interning at LIGO before my sudden death. I went to the aquarium, but not the needle since usually, it was too rainy to even see anything. Unless you like feeling you are in the middle of a cloudy void. Regardless, I was familiar enough with the city that I could tell that some things were different.
It made some sense that it would be different since I was in another universe where magic was a real thing, but it still threw me off. I was hoping for something familiar, but not too familiar, but instead I got something that was just... off.
Like the newspapers talking about Stark Industry stock had finally risen after the two months since Tony Stark's death.
"I just wanted to know the date," I quietly complained while staring at the newspaper in the gas station.
I gave not-Bucky the spare cash I found in the house to buy food like a responsible adult while I looked around the place. I stuffed a few snacks in my pockets when I felt like it was safe and tried not to how that stuff is usually taken out of the worker's paychecks. Then I saw the newspapers.
March 16, 2009. Headlines were covered in news about Stark Industries and there was nothing about apple or iPhones. At least Obama was still president in this universe. Not sure what I would do if I can't say 'thanks Obama' for any inconvenience in my life.
I also don't remember anything about Tony Stark dying before "End Game", and it was only 75 cents, so I decided to grab it and shove it onto the counter that I couldn't even see the top of. At least my struggles made the teen working the counter smile.
"Is that all?"
"Yeah," I answered for not-Bucky, but at least he handed over the cash without promoting.
Not doubt the kid will be talking about the weird adult and kid at his work to his friends. Which means we can't stay long. Not that I was planing too but, still. No more than a week.
"We need to find a place to sleep tonight," I mentioned as soon as we left the store.
There are less homeless people on the streets then I remember, but again that could be because this is an alternate universe. Maybe the housing market didn't crash in '08 or maybe homeless people are kidnapped and used in government experiments.
Could go either way.
"If we find some more cash we could get a motel room," I suggested when not-Bucky didn't respond.
Of course, finding more cash mean we might have to steal it, but not like we have a lot of options. I don't even have to worry about getting caught since I could always just apparition to a safe location. Maybe not-Bucky knows how to steal. I can't really see Hydra paying for anything beside weapons and amour.
"How did you pay for things on your mission?" I ended up asking when my thoughts got to be too much.
"I didn't."
"Well, that is very vague and slightly ominous."
We also needed clothes. Not-Bucky doesn't stand out too much with his black clothes, but that is just because it's raining and the beginning of spring. And if anyone gets close they'll see the bulletproof vest and that is not inconspicuous at all.
But that is a problem that can stand to wait a few days.
"Okay. First things first, we need money for a room. Any ideas Buddy?"
"Yes." He said before turning suddenly.
I had to jog to keep up with him, and it only got worse when not-Bucky lead us into a crowd of people getting off the light-rail. I was not used to being this short, and it sucked major tiddies. I was like ass level with most people! It was a relief when not-Bucky continued to the nearly empty pier.
"So? What's the plan."
Instead of giving me a verbal answer, he just showed a fist full of cash before hiding it in his pockets again.
"What the- How did you do that?! That was like two minutes! Are you a ninja or something?"
I tried to keep my freaking out quiet, but seriously. I only know to pickpocket from movies and video games so I know it's not an accurate reputation, but I thought it would be at least a little noticeable. I was right next to the guy the whole time and there was no 'bump into someone, apologize, and takes some cash out' or the 'oh you dropped your wallet but jokes on you cause I helped myself to some of your loose bills in there'.
What the hell.
"No I'm not a nindzya." (ninja)
"... that was a joke. Mostly. Still, this is more than enough for a night in a crappy motel. You're the best."
[Relationship Increase: James Barnes companionship]
[James considers you to be an ally]
[Level 1: James will tolerate your jokes]
Not-Bucky just continued to stare blankly at me even as I smiled at the new text, but I was starting to get used to it. Somewhat. Good to know that he doesn't hate me at the very least.
"Come on. I for one, would love to take a bath with hot water. Also, I am totally putting you on bug squashing duty. Except for spiders. It's bad luck to kill a spider."
A/N: And Bucky joins the party! The question is for how long... at least the train trip went better this time for him.
Thank you so much for all the favorites/follows! And super-duper thanks for BlackDove WhiteDove, Lulumo, Goldenfightergirl, Doctor Doofenshmirtz, Death Fury, Charmadon't, and Cinnybun for reviewing last chapter. It really makes my day reading your reviews.
Also, the next few chapters will have lots of Bucky and Lani interactions, so feel free to give some suggestions of what you want to see and I'll do my best to put them in if I can.