My eyes slowly flutter open. I was met with a bright shining light above me. I squint and let my eyes adjust to the lighting and I notice I'm not where I was: it appears that I am lying in a hospital bed. I look around the room and I see a man standing in front of a large bay window. One of his hands is on his chin while the other is hanging at his side. A frown appears on my face as he paces in front of the glass. When I try and sit up, my head starts spinning and my vision blurs. My hand flies to my head and without knowing, a moan of pain escapes my lips. The man spins around to face me. As soon as he noticed me holding my head, he rushed over to me and held my shoulders for a moment before gently lying me back down on the bed.
"Hey, hey, hey, Doc said to stay in bed until he says not to." he states.
"Doc? Where am I?" I question.
"Yeah, Doctor Bruce Banner. You're in the S.H.I.E.L.D. infirmary above New York City. We were just about to transfer you to Stark Tower actually." he responds lightly.
"I'm sorry, what exactly is S.H.I.E.L.D. and Stark Tower...?" I ask.
"Umm... uh..-" A man comes walking in.
"YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT STARK TOWER IS?!" he yells.
I flinch and scooted backwards in fear of what he may do. Although I don't know if he's a bad man. He noticed the fearful look on my face and spoke once again.
"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you. But really, how do you not know about it?" he apologizes.
"Seriously Tony? She's been trapped in an underground torture chamber and hasn't even seen the news. So really, how do you expect her to know about any of this?" Cap whispers. Of course, he whispers a bit too loud so I was able to hear.
"You'd be correct about that Captain." I confirm.
He turns to me and frowns. "How did you hear me?"
"You whisper exceptionally loud Captain." I reply simply.
"Uh...no he doesn't...?" the other man states.
"What are you talking about? I could hear him quite clearly from over here." I frown.
A new man comes walking into the room now, with brown hair, glasses and a clipboard in hand. He glimpses at the two men looking at me in confusion and concern. He finally looks at me and raises his brow.
"And no one told me she was awake?" he accuses.
"Well we-" Cap starts.
"I kept them too occupied to tell you. I'm assuming you're Dr. Banner?" I say.
"Yes I am. I need to fill you in on your condition. Now we did a background check to make sure you were compatible to be in contact with our agents and later we'll need to interview you. Now onto your condition, you have two critically broken kneecaps, ripped shoulder muscles, and a broken shoulder. Now it appears you have a stab wound to your right thigh. If you have any questions to ask, feel free to ask me." he assessed.
I shake my head in reply and my eyes start to water. My head goes elsewhere. The memories of the pain, torture, starvation, stabbing, shooting, and drugging. The occupants of the room noticed my distress and they all came to sit next to the bed, Dr. Banner laying a hand on my shoulder. I shrug it off and a tear rolls down my cheek. I suddenly realize there were other people in that base. Others being hurt like me. But not nearly as bad as I was punished.
"By chance...did you find two girls with one-another?" I say, but it instead comes out as a strangled whisper.
"Uh, yeah. Wanda Maximoff and Cora Appleberry. Why?" Cap answered.
"I saw them across the hallway...I wanted to make sure they were okay.." I respond.
"Well, would you like a wheelchair?" Bruce asked gently.
"I can only get around one way doc. I'd be stupid not to take it." a small smile stretched across my face.
"Okay then. I'll go get one for you and we'll discuss details when I return Miss Moon." he was walking towards the door when I stopped him.
"Miss what?!" I pry.