Hey everyone! I am so sorry for not updating sooner. I have a huge procrastination streak this summer, and I feel really bad about that. Honestly, I get so easily distracted when I don't have to work or anything and I just forget to do my projects. But, I finally have the next update up! Sorry for making you all wait!

The next days after that continued in a very similar fashion. Every day I had expected Steve to be gone and for me to never see him again, but every day he proved me wrong. He always seemed to be able to find me, and he always gave me food. I was troubled by this. Surely, I was unworthy of his kindness. I was a killer, a monstrosity. Who in their right mind would be nice to me? We talked more and more every day, Steve and I, and, although I hate to admit it, we were actually becoming quite close. He was like either a father or a brother to me, I do not really know for sure, since I had neither relationship in Hydra. He told me he was a soldier, so my suspicions were correct. I told him I was simply a kid who lived on the street and quickly changed the subject, "So, where do you come from?" I asked, "Since you said yourself that you're not from Russia."

"Ah," Steve said, "I'm from America."

"America?" I asked, I had never heard of such a country before. It had an interesting name. "What's it like?"

"It's pretty different from here. There are places that are nice and warm. We have lots of places to eat and people there have a bit more freedom."

"I see. That's . . . interesting." This country did seem interesting to me, but freedom was something I had not experienced until recently. What did he mean by more freedom? Was a life free from Hydra merely scratching the surface? Where was this country, anyway? Perhaps I would taste its freedom myself. "How far away is it from here?"

"It's on the other side of the world. Only way to get from here to there is by boat or plane."

I smiled slightly at that idea. Across the ocean? That was perfect. It was a nice, long distance away from Russia and Hydra. They'd never think of looking for me there, thinking I'd never be able to get that far. "That sounds really far away," I said, stating the obvious, but, then again, I was posing as an innocent, uneducated street kid, was I not?

Steve nodded, "Yeah, it is. So tell me, kid, how did you come to live all by yourself?"

I widened my eyes slightly. Of course, I had anticipated on him asking that question, but I was too busy trying to survive to even come up with a story to tell him! I couldn't tell him I was from Hydra, it was obvious he was one of their enemies. I looked to the ground as I walked, if I told him of my origins, he wouldn't look at me again. I'd be all alone again, and then what would I do? It was obvious that I had to lie to him, so I took on a solemn expression and sighed, deciding to tell him what I thought to be a believable sob story. "Well, when I was really little, my mommy and daddy didn't want me and they couldn't find anyone to take care of me, so they decided to send me out on the streets. My big sister liked me, though, and ran away to help take care of me when she found out that mommy and daddy wanted to get rid of me. She eventually got sick and . . . well . . . she never got better. . . She died before she could name me, since mommy and daddy didn't want to waste their time naming something they didn't even want."

"Ah," Steve said quietly, obviously believing my story, "Sorry to hear that."

"It's okay," I said softly. It was a lie, anyway, no need to feel pity for me.

"What was her name?"

I thought for a moment at that question. I didn't want to use Anya's name for the lie, it would only upset me even more, besides, I had a feeling she wouldn't approve of it. I hesitated a moment before responding, "Mischa. Her name was Mischa." He didn't even know about my name, so it made no difference to me if I used it for my imaginary sister's name. I wasn't planning on using that name anyway, when I would find a way to get to America. That was my plan. I would get to America, change my name, and disguise myself as one of them to get as far away from Hydra as possible. Hopefully it would work.

"I am sorry for your loss," Steve said softly.

I sighed, "Ah, well she's happier now, I bet."

"So you have no family left?"

I nodded, "Yeah. Only family I had was my sister, and she's gone. I could honestly care less about my parents. They gave up on me, so I gave up on them."

"Ah," he said quietly. We walked on down the street in awkward silence before he spoke up again, "How would you feel about getting a new family?"

I looked up in sheer surprise, "Huh?"

"I mean, it would take a bit of time to get some paperwork in, but I could adopt you and you could be a part of my family, if you wanted."

I stared at Steve with wide eyes, "Really?"

He nodded at my reply and smiled, "Of course!"

I stood there in silence, my mind whirling in confusion. He wanted me to be a part of his . . . family? That word was unfamiliar to me, but it seemed to hold good memories with most humans. But, why would he want me to be in his family? I only cause death, destruction, and chaos, don't I? What good would that bring him? And wasn't I a creature unworthy of forgiveness? Steve giving me food was nice, but taking me in like this was too much kindness towards me, a complete stranger. In fact, everything he knew about me was a lie. I couldn't let him do this, and yet, I needed him to. Steve could be my ticket out of Russia and to a better life. I thought about this for a while, was I so desperate to get away from Hydra that I would use this kind man to help me? Yes, actually. If I didn't leave, they'd find me eventually anyway, and then what would that get me? Nothing but pain, torture, hatred, and sorrow. With Steve, I could get a life of happiness, peace, and freedom. I looked to Steve after my long thought and nodded, "Okay, where do we start?"

Steve smiled and ruffled my hair gently, which I proceeded to smooth out quickly as soon as his hand left my hair. "We have to call the police and get some background checks done before we can do anything."

I tried to hide the crestfallen emotion I felt hit me like a wave as soon as I had heard that. The police have to get involved for this? . . . Shit. . .