"I do not hate you. I just don't want to give you the opportunity to hurt me again."
-Anonymous
"Okay, let's move," Rose said, feeling like she was on some covert mission. Which, infact, they were.
"Who made you the boss?" Ikol muttered, examining the machinery around them. Behind the trio, the former crew of three were tied up and in their underwear. They had needed SHIELD uniforms, so they acquired them. In the cockpit, Callie adjusted her comm, taking a deep breath and tuning in to the frequencies.
"Come in, mothership, over."
"Mothership is here. Who is this? Over."
"Squad 148, over."
"Have you found the kids yet? Over."
"Positive. They're with us now, over."
"Bring 'em in, over."
Switching off the comm, Callie put her hands over her eyes, giving a groan. Rose let out a breath she hadn't known she had been holding.
"Let's go."
Callie's POV
"We're close," Rose whispered, looking at the tablet she held in her hands. On it was a map of the ship, thanks to Callie's incredible photographic memory.
"Good," Ikol whispered back, "we need to get to Loki." The girls nodded, Callie motioning that it was the right time to dash across the hallway.
"Stick to the plan, alright?" Callie whispered, her hair on the back of her neck rising, a chilling shudder stumbling through her body. "No one do anything stupid. If our parents find us, we–"
"We what?" All three froze and turned in sync, their eyes wide with surprise. Standing before them, in full gear, was a true hero.
Rose winced. "Hi dad."
Shit.
We're caught.
It's over.
"So what made you three think that you could just waltz into a SHIELD airship-" Steve growled. "And take it over, while endangering the lives of three innocent agents!" Rose's father and brought the three back to his Brooklyn apartment. Callie, leaning against the wall, was trying to tune out the angry yelling and ranting. She was trying to convince herself that this wasn't over. They still had time to find Torrun, or at least that's what Callie kept telling herself. To be honest, all she wanted was for the Avengers to take this whole 'Find Torrun' thing over. The self-assigned mission had drained most, if not all, of Callie's energy.
Maybe now I can finally get a decent night's sleep.
No.
Snapping out of her trance, Callie returned herself to reality.
We've got to save Torrun.
By ourselves.
Torrun was their friend, and Calie would be damned if she was rescued by some bickering adults.
Ok then, how are you gonna get out of this?
Callie's green eyes swept the small room, looking for any means of escape. Rose sat huddled up on the couch, nearly in tears, while Ikol sat dismissively on the floor. There was a gun lying on the table, but Callie wouldn't dare hurt Captain America. As the daughter of a well-known billionaire, the girl would be easily tacked and imprisoned by SHIELD. Now that Callie had a chance to think about it, all they needed was a distraction, something to avert the focus of Steve away from his daughter and her friends. Callie needed someone strong. She needed someone expendable.
And she knew just the guy for the job.
"Ben?"
"Hey, Rose. I'm sorry about the coffee, and how you had to leave and everything. Well, it's not your fault, it's that bitchy friend of yours-"
"Aww, nice to see you too! It's Callie speaking, by the way." Callie smirked as she imagined Ben's stunned face.
"Wha-"
"Listen, there's no time for questions." Callie mumbled, careful to keep her voice low. If Steven heard her, it would all be over.
"Where are you?"
"Captain America's bathroom."
"..."
"Listen." Callie hissed. "All I need for you is to come to this address immediately." Callie carefully spelled the apartment's address out to Ben. "Come with a gun. When you get here, shoot through the door four times. We'll run outside and meet you. Oh, and make sure you have a car. Got it?"
"Yes, but-"
"Ok, bye. See you in five minutes," Callie hastily pressed the end call button, before dropping the phone into the toilet. With a satisfied sigh, she returned to the living room, where Rose's dad was now going on about flight safety, or something close to that. Closing her eyes, Callie leaned back up against the wall.
We're coming for you, Torrun.
"And that is why-" Steve huffed. "You should never do anything like that again." Pleased with his speech, he slumped into a nearby chair.
Dammit! Callie thought, casting nervous glances towards the door. Ben, I swear to god. Hurry your little white ass up!
"Are you done?" Rose sniffled, her eyes still welled up with tears. Callie felt a sudden urge to go hug her and dry her tears. Sure, she may have deserved this, but it still felt wrong to Callie. Rose was emotionally vulnerable. Her dad should have known that.
"Hey." Callie strutted over to Rose. Reaching out, she put a comforting arm around her shoulder. "Are you ok? You know you were crying about plane safety."
"I-I know." Rose hiccuped. "I j-just-"
"I know." Callie sighed. "It's been a long day for everybody." Turning to Steve, Callie narrowed her eyes. "So what? Are you going to send us back to SHIELD?"
"Well, I'm going to let your parents decide that." Rogers returned Callie's iron gaze. "As for my daughter, I think I'm going to keep her here for a while. She'll be safer from Loki."
"Since when did you start to even care about Rose?" Callie snarled. Looking down, she noticed that Rose had fallen asleep on her lap, exhausted from her bout of tears. Callie tentatively stroked her hair, earning a satisfied snore from Rose.
"Listen, California. I don't have time for your whole-well, thing with Tony."
"Hey," Ikol's voice broke the tension. Gazing down at her lover, Callie found her eyes locked with his green ones. "Can a guys just get some peace and quiet?" Stifling a laugh, Callie leaned back into the couch? Trying to appear relaxed, Callie let her clenching fists unfurl
Why isn't he here by now?
" Listen, kids." Steve shook his head. "If you don't pull any more shenanigans, they'll go easy on-"
BLAM
BLAM
BLAM
BLAM
Four shots rang out across the apartment. The bullets broke through the door and whizzed by California's head, nearly hitting her. Callie grabbed Rose and pulled her to the ground. Steve, who had ran into the kitchen, emerged with his shield shining in the light.
"Stay here." He ordered, before turning towards the door. He held the shield up in front of his body, tensed and ready for the next attack.
With a grunt, Callie pulled the still sleeping Rose off the ground, carrying her bridal style. Ikol stood next to them, his face pale and sweaty.
"Sorry, Cap."
"California, what-"
The kick sent Rogers flying across the room, hitting the door with a sickening thump. Carefully stepping over his body, Callie and Ikol bolted down the hall. It was harder with the extra weight, but Callie and Ikol managed to get halfway down the stairs before they heard Steve coming after them.
"Callie!" Ikol wheezed, stopping to catch his breath. "What the hell is going on?"
"We're getting out of here!" Callie huffed. It was only now she felts warm liquid run down her arm and splash onto the cement floor. For a second, Callie froze up, anticipating that she might have been shot.
But nothing hurts.
Callie breathed a sigh of relief.
The bullet must of just skimmed me.
"Hey! kids, where are you?" Steve yelled. He was now just a floor above them.
"Ikol, c'mon!" Callie nudged her friend. Steve was getting closer and closer, his footsteps becoming louder by the second. They started to run back down the stairs.
Only one more floor to go.
Callie could feel her throat burning, but that didn't stop her, and neither did the aching in her legs. She had to at least get Rose and Ikol out of here. If SHIELD caught them, they would probably both be locked up. And if they caught her?
It would be a matter of time before they realised what she really was, putting her mission on a temporary set back. And if they tested on her?
She knew what SHIELD could do to regular people. Why should they do anything different to her?
But if it ever came to that, she would escape, and only turn back to watch it burn to the ground.
As they burst through the metal gate, Callie quickly sweeped her eyes over the empty lot, looking for a car.
C'mon, c'mon-
There!
They tumbled into the car, everyone panicking, ignoring Ben completely as he put the pedal to the metal.
Behind them, Captain America tried running after them, but Callie had hit him too hard.
Shit. He's going to tell them.
Panic had no hold on Callie anymore, though, so instead she looked at Rose, who was… still sleeping?
And that's when she noticed the blood.
"Fuck!" She yelled, and Ben swerved, startled. "You shot her! Oh my god, do you even know who her dad is? It's Captain America, fuckboy! You are screwed."
She didn't tell him that ol' Cap would be the least of his problems.
"Ikol, do your thingie." Rolling his eyes, Ikol came over and healed Rose's shoulder. She started stirring, and Ikol leaned back, pale and sweaty, looking half dead.
"...What?" Rose started before Callie just shook her head.
"Not important. What is is that we need to find Loki. And get rid of your boyfriend. I vote throwing him off a cliff."
"We're not throwing Ben off a cliff!"
"Watch me."
Rose's POV
Well, everything had gone to hell.
Her dad had probably told SHIELD to be expecting them, so how were they supposed to get to Loki now?
Ben was really quiet, and Rose had no idea why. He had been chatting her up last night, why stop?
And probably the worst of all, Rose was still mad at Callie.
She knew Callie tried her best to understand Rose. Rose thought of her childhood and could not think of anything worse. Her parents hated each other, they hated her, and they hated having to raise her.
Rose thought Callie was an idiot to think her life could be just as bad as Rose's. Callie didn't have to have a disappointment for a mother because hers was never around. She was probably off, pregnant with another billionaire's baby.
Besides, Callie doesn't deserve forgiveness. She gets whatever she wants, when she wants, including the best guy in the whole wide world.
And what had Rose caught her doing? Callie had been getting it on with some random partygoer.
Rose knew the tension between them was all in her mind, because Callie had the memory of a goldfish. But Rose knew that if Callie even looked at her again, Rose would let loose a punch.
Maybe she could break that perfect little nose.
"Rose?" Callie asked, her eyes heavy with concern. "You feeling better?" Rose nodded, careful not to move her shoulder. Even though Ikol had healed the wound, the spot was still sore.
"Uh, sorry about shooting you." Ben mumbled.
"It's ok." Rose replied. "You were shooting through a door." Looking over at Callie, the girl noticed Callie cast a hateful glance Ben's way.
Jeez, what's her deal?
Why does she hate him so much?
It wasn't like California was knew to this whole "romance" thing. Rose knew of her plethora of lovers, from one night stands to men who lasted her months before breaking it off.
"What's your problem, Callie?" Rose spat out, unable to keep a bind on her mouth.
"Excuse me?" Callie asked, turning to the girl.
"You heard me loud and clear," Rose spat, her hands itching to punch Callie in that face of hers.
"Sure I did," Callie drawled, her hand combing through her hair. There was something in her eyes, like she was warning Rose to drop it, or something bad might happen.
"So answer the question!" Rose yelled, anger getting the better of her. Callie sighed with displeasure, infuriating Rose even more. It was like Callie didn't even care, dismissing Rose as if she was just a small annoyance. "Callie!"
"Listen, Rose." Callie hissed through her teeth. "You don't know what you're talking about, so just stay out of it, ok?!" Rose suddenly lunged forward, hate and anger fueling her attack. In one quick swipe, she had left three thin, claw-like lines of Callie's cheek. Ben, seeing what had happened, swerved the car off the road and brought it to a halt.
Oh my god.
Looking down at her blood-soaked fingernails, Rose nearly cried out. She had acted on an impulse and hurt her friend-
"Callie…" She started, gazing at California for forgiveness. Callie, however, made no indication that she was hurt. Instead, she turned back towards Rose.
"Rose," Callie said. She tried finding some kind of anger or fear or something, but her voice was perfectly emotionless. Rose did not reply. "Could you get me the bandages." Leaning down, Rose grabbed the bandages out of a small white box. The group watched silently as Callie tentatively placed the bandages on her cuts.
"What are you waiting for?" She growled, glaring at Ben. "Drive the stupid car!" The car lurched forward and swung back onto the road. The highway was surprisingly empty, the worn roads stark and barren.
"Callie?" Rose tried again, shocked still by her attack. Reaching out, her finger barely brushed against Callie's shoulder.
In a flash, Callie had Rose pinned against the side of the car. Ben let out a yelp, swerving as he saw what happened, slowing down to a stop. Ignoring it, Callie hissed in Rose's ear, "touch me again, and I won't be so gentle. You understand, girl?"
What?
Rose stared into her friend's eyes and saw the anger in them. With shallow breaths, Rose nodded. Girl? Since when did she call me 'girl'?
Since when could she pin me down?
Since when did she threaten people?
Rose watched, her whole body shaking, as Callie relaxed her grip and slid off Rose. Turning towards the window, Callie placed her cheek on her fist and averted her gaze away from the trembling girl. Rose took one, two three deep breaths, trying to calm herself. Her throat was still sore from where Callie's hand has been clamped.
"Hey," Ben looked back at Rose. "You want to come up here?" He motioned to the empty passenger's seat. A small smile graced Rose's features as she clumsily climbed into the passenger's seat.
"Thanks," She breathed. Whatever she did to Callie–and what Callie did to her–Rose felt the need to be away from the girl. Even though Rose knew that a flimsy seat would offer little protection if Callie attacked again, it was still comforting to know that something was there.
And when she looked at Ben, she knew there was something there too.
Callie's POV
California Stark was more than angry. She was furious. Boiling. Full of hate.
And when she looked at Ben, who she knew quite personally, she felt her fury soar, like an angel of heaven.
Yes, an angel; not some guardian pussy with a fluffy halo. A warrior of paradise, full of wrath and power.
An angel would suit her nicely.
Callie felt her mouth twist into a satisfied smirk. Her gaze drifted to outside the window, and settled on the blur of color that whizzed past them. At that moment, they were driving near stark tower, the sky now bright and the people now oblivious.
She couldn't wait to see her faces.
She wanted to tell the people around her these thoughts, but knew that they would be confused and most likely delay what she was soon going to do.
Of course, Callie always knew something these idiots didn't.
For example, she knew Ikol loved her, and she was counting on using that to get what she wanted.
She knew Rose was ignorant and selfish, in the way that she had never even seen the world and couldn't imagine anything worse than her life.
She knew Ben was using Rose, and she hated it. Because he was 'Ben', and they had a history going far back into their childhood, even before knowing about her dad.
And she was trying to use Rose.
Of course, this did not mean she didn't think they were her friends of sorts. They had had some fun in that compound.
But Callie's hate and anger was burning through the disguise she had thrown up to trick these people. It was raging along her skin, and her true self was being revealed.
Along with this hate was knowledge. She knew if she slipped up, her life would be ruined. SHIELD would be after her, and her father would be questioned, and she'd have to run.
Although, it wouldn't be too bad. At least then she could leave this dirty place, with these dirty beings.
California knew she was part of these people, at least some of her. And she knew she served a higher purpose than these weak things that were ants to her, easy to find, easy to kill, easy to get rid of.
And she would do whatever it took to help her people, even if it meant genocide.
An angel indeed.
"Callie?"
Callie ignored Rose's comment, her eyes fixed on the stars above. Ikol, the current driver, had pulled the van over to the side of the road. They all unanimously decided it would be where they slept, as none of them could bear driving any longer.
"Callie? Please, just look at me." Rose whimpered. She hated this, having to listen to her friend sniffle and cry all the way to an apology. Turning her head in disgust, Callie shot Rose a hateful glare.
"Callie, I said I was sorry like a thousand times."
Ignore her.
"And I think it's time for you to apologize."
Surprised by Rose's words, Callie shot up and locked eyes with Rose. Rose's violet eyes, once filled with tears, held a stern and angered look. California raised an eyebrow. This was not the Rose she knew. This was someone else.
"Huh." Callie was at a loss for words. She was so used to Rose being weak, caving into her every desire. It felt odd for Rose to completely challenge her.
"I said–" Rose hissed. "Apologize. For leaving that bruise on my neck." In a flash, she had grabbed Callie's wrist and started to twist it, almost with superhuman strength. Callie bit her lip, trying not to cry out. It was obvious now. Rose was gone. But Callie was not one to back down.
"No," Callie said, her voice bold against the quiet of the car. Rose twisted more, enough to break a normal girl's wrist. Unfortunately, it would take a bit more than that for this girl. "It's not like you're going to get a scar from it. Besides, you attacked me." What if she was one of them?
"APOLOGIZE." Rose bared her teeth, like an animal. Almost instantly, she had Callie pinned down on the seat, her hands wrapping around Callie's wrists and her knees digging into her friends lower thigh.
It must be her superhuman genes.
Right?
"Rose, get off." Callie said calmly, resisting the urge to throw the girl across the car. Rose only growled in response. Callie gulped, unsure of what to do. She could call for Ben, but he would only have his human strength to help him. Ikol could use his magic to subdue Rose, but she could hurt him in the process.
I've got to distract her myself.
And I know exactly what to do.
Without warning, Callie sat up and latched her mouth to Rose's, resting her hand behind the girl's head. Callie watched with satisfaction as the girl tensed up, her pupils shrinking at an alarming rate. Rose's legs slipped from Callie's and rested on either side of the billionaire girl's jean-covered could feel Rose's lips shut, preventing the brunette from entering her mouth. Pulling back from Rose's blushing face, Callie sighed.
"Sorry, Rose." Callie felt her feet collide with Rose's stomach. Rose flew across the van and hit the wall with a sickening thump. Callie breathed a sigh of relief. She had seen something in Rose as she pinned her down, something beyond human. Animalistic was a good way to describe it. The way Rose moved, the way she growled and hissed, reminded Callie of a wild beast, finally pinning down her prey.
At least I know she's strong. Callie crawled over to Rose's limp form and moved her over to the seat. Slowly, Callie draped a blanket over her body. Leaning back up against the cold, frosted window, Callie studied Rose's body. As she did so, a soft glint in the moonlight caught her eyes, Grabbing Rose's hand, California brought the girl's soft fingers up to her face.
Claws.
In place of Rose's fingernails were razor-sharp claws, diamond hard and shining in the moonlight.
What the fuck?
Where did she get these?
Carefully, Callie set Rose's hand back down. Wrapping a blanket around herself, Callie shut her eyes. The discovery of this new Rose intrigued and scared her. The way the girl hand pinned her down-Callie had never experienced anything like that before, especially from Rose. The fear she had felt, the way her heart almost beat out of her chest, and all induced by a small, frail girl. Not as strong as Callie was, but her weak appearance gave her the upper hand.
She could be useful. Callie's last thought crossed her mind before drifting off into a shallow slumber.
ROSE'S POV-
"Where are you-"
Rose giggled, running through the long, empty halls. Her short brown curls bounced as she skipped, stopping every so often to check the rooms. In the corner of her eyes, a flash of red and brown dove into a doorway behind her.
"Callie, I know that was you." Rose smiled as she pushed the door in. In the middle of the room, Callie stood, frantically looking for a place to hide. Her hair was done up into two small pigtails that swung from side to side. Her dress was short, white, decorated with lace outlining the edges. It was simple, yet cute all at the same time.
"Did you find Bruce?" Callie giggled, raising an eyebrow. Shaking her head, Rose sighed.
"Not yet, but we will." She said determinedly.
Little Callie pouted. "I don't want to be it yet!" She stomped her foot. "It's not fair!"
"Fine," Rose rolled her eyes. It would be more fun to find Bruce Jr. Besides, the game was about finding everyone.
And not leaving anyone behind.
Rose shot up, nearly breaking her wrist. Confused, she yanked it again, hearing a jingle. Confused, she looked down to find herself handcuffed to some bed. They were probably in a hotel by now.
"Yeah, um, sorry about that," Ben winced. Rose swiveled around, her eyes wide. "Callie insisted."
Ah, yes, Callie. That girl was a demon if anything. Why didn't she apologise when Rose told her to? How annoying.
"Can you let me go?" Rose asked sleepily. She could use a bath, maybe in Callie's blood.
"Um, oh, this is awkward," Ben scratched the back of his head. "Um, yeah, okay, it wasn't exactly Cal who handcuffed you." Rose's eyes popped open, clear like pure amethyst.
"Did you say… Cal?" No one called Callie that. She'd punch you in the face with her dainty looking hand if you called her that.
Ben gave out a cold laugh. "Oh, oopsie me. I seem to have… what's the term? Slip up."
Who was Callie? Why was she so mad at Ben?
Why did he call her Cal?
