I settled in quietly, staring out into the black mass that was nighttime. A small plate of uneaten food sat on the tray in front of me; I couldn't tell you what it was but I'm certain whatever it is, it's past its expiration date.

Due to the state of food quality on the plane, I sat there, starving and trying to put my mind off the fact that my own family has just kicked me out of the house and my home country and sent me to an unknown place, alone and probably forgotten by all except, with unusual hope, by my sister.

I tiredly closed my eyes and curled into my seat. I've never felt so alone.

Deciding to occupy myself, I looked at the people around me to see what they were thinking.

Let me just say that I only invade people's privacy like this if I'm at the highest level of boredom, which I'd already past two hours ago on the low-class plane.

Random person (RP) No.1 was thinking about money. Greed is not something I'm particularly familiar with since I've only had bare minimum with few luxuries my entire life.

RP No.2 was thinking of a woman, a bed and mayonnaise. I immediately looked away, not wanting to see the rest of that thought and trying not to think up the gross imagery my mind can conjure up. It made looking at the food even more unappealing and made me even more nauseous.

Anyway, where was I? Oh yes.

RP No.3 was thinking about cats, okay then. Never really liked the things ever since one of the buggers nearly bit my finger off. Granted, it was probably playing, I've been paranoid around cats ever since. Anyway, RP No.4 is thinking-

My eyes widened as sudden fear and horror filled my body; shaking me to my very core.

He sat there unaware of the world around him as he texted on his phone, his dark black hair framing his face as his eyes never left the screen.

It was what he was texting that shook me with fear: he was going to blow up the plane.

I tried to sit there calmly for a few moments so he wouldn't notice my staring before standing up and heading to the restroom, trying to keep a confident stride.

Once I reached the door, I turned and tried to grab the airhostess's attention by waving her over, pretending to face a problem with carrying something so the man didn't get concerned.

She looked at me worriedly as she walked over to me while I tried to focus on my 'problem' and not the man that glanced up at the hostess and then me.

"Yes?" she asked me as I tried to lower my voice.

"That man texting over there? He's planning to blow up the plane" I tried to not hyperventilate and keep calm as her face turned serious.

"Are you being honest?" she asked for confirmation as I nodded, not trusting my voice.

She began to walk down the aisle, trying to reach the phone at the other side of the section. I could tell she was trying not to get attention to herself.

Whether it was bad luck or fate, I made eye contact with the man and my eyes must have betrayed me since his hardened at the sight of me.

Suddenly, the second the woman past, the man jumped out of his seat and held up a detonator, unfortunately so small it could be so easily hidden.

"Listen up!" he yelled, immediately grabbing everyone's attention, most seemed dazed since it was late at night and they were probably drifting to sleep.

"No one move or I'll blow us up sky high!" he screamed, and if it were any other situation, I would have rolled my eyes at the pun. Everyone immediately froze, uncertain and panicked by the situation. I doubt anyone will be sleeping tonight. Well, by choice, anyway.

"Sir" the airhostess tried to calm him down but she was shoved back, hitting her head on the plane seat and effectively knocking her out.

Plan A didn't work then.

Sudden panic made me try and crawl towards him and steal the detonator.

It would have worked if he hadn't turned around and caught my gaze.

"Don't move!" he screamed, staring down into my eyes as I tried not to smirk.

'Perfect I thought quickly as I began to alter his way of thinking. The emotion of pride and faith I slowly began to morph in doubt and uncertainty as I filled his thoughts with sadness and regret. I slowly began to feel proud of my ability and easy control over him.

His body began to shake at the sudden change of emotion whereas mine began to form a more confident stance.

"I…" he chocked as he slowly began to crumple onto the floor but I made sure he never lost eye contact with me.

I began creating the thoughts of leaving the detonator on the floor and lay silently next to it.

He seemed to hesitate but eventually copied my thoughts as I began to make his mind focus on them.

Immediately when he let go of it, I took it away as he laid there, crying in fear and misery.

"It's ok now; you're safe" I grinned as everyone began to cheer.

"We would've died without you!"

"Thank you, Miranda!"

"We so happy to have you here, Miranda!"

I smiled before realization turned my smile into a frown.

How do they know my name?

Sudden shaking torn me from my mind as I frantically looked around me: we'd landed.

I looked to see a half-eaten plate of rotten food and an open news tab detailing the memorial of 9/11 on my second-hand phone.

'It was a dream' I thought depressingly as I sorely began to move my limbs, which had fallen asleep in a cramped position.

I unbuckled my body as I climbed out of my seat, stretching and yawning. I rubbed my eyes as I began to follow the rest of the nameless passengers off the plane.

I dragged my legs through the crowded queue, waiting for my bag to appear on the conveyor belt.

Spotting it, I headed towards the bag and grabbed it. Somewhere during this, I managed to walk into someone else reaching for their bag behind me.

"Oh, I'm so sorry" I quickly apologized as I turned to see their face.

"It's okay. It takes a lot more to make me angry" he smiled as I returned it with a small one before giving a small gasp.

"Oh, I'm being rude, sorry" I apologized again, moving out of the way so he could pull his bag towards him.

"It's okay" he nodded before holding out his hand.

"I'm Bruce. Bruce Banner" he introduced himself as I shook his hand.

"Miranda Evrett" I introduced, looking him in the eye. I could feel his nervousness and stress being in this crowd of people. I could also feel his desperate want to just collect parts for something and leave the city.

"Well, I better get going. It was nice meeting you" he waved before walking off towards one of the exits.

'Looks like I've made a friend on my first day' I joked internally as I began to walk off in a vain direction.

I had to stop myself from being shoved in the direction of the crowd as I shoved my way to the doors.

'God, I hate this place already' I huffed, getting my energy back as I walked down the steps, exploring the area around me.

It was everything that I'd imagined: crowded, unmoving traffic, and towering buildings, making me feel so small.

"I'm not cut out for this," I mumbled as I managed to find a path through the crowds and eventually end up at a random coffee shop.

What few seats were available were soon taken up as I was forced to leave and enter the crowd again. It took at least two hours out of my day since every time I found a coffee shop or restaurant it was completely full. I don't know how I'm supposed to survive with this for more than 1 day.

I started heading in the direction where there was less people and I eventually found another coffee shop. I just wanted some sort of caffeine to wake me up; the stress of the city had taken its toll on me.

I pushed open the doors to see only the staff and a few people occupying the tables, one I immediately recognized.

"Bruce" I said happily as he looked up from his book and smiled. I took it as an invitation and headed towards him.

"Stalking me?" he joked quietly as I sat down opposite him.

"More like this is one of the few empty shops in this city," I told him as he nodded in agreement.

"Don't like crowds?" he asked as I shook my head.

"You?" I asked. He smirked as he continued to read.

"Let's just say I'm very bad under stress" he replied.

We sat quietly after our brief conversation as I ordered a drink from the timid waitress, shyly glancing at Bruce. He continued to read his book, oblivious to the attention of the waitress, before she eventually left us.

I chuckled lightly as he immediately looked up at my sudden joy.

"What?" he asked quizzically with a small smile.

"Nothing" I shook my head as he gazed in suspicion before returning to his book. I tried to get a glimpse of his lovely blue eyes but he must've noticed since he looked up at me with caution.

"What?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at my antics.

"Nothing" I lied quickly before using the attention to look into his eyes. Unfortunately, his thoughts were now focused on me and what I was doing.

He watched me for a few moments before he continued his reading.

The silence was comforting but the boredom of waiting for a drink took over me as I tried to strike up a conversation with my first friend, Bruce.

"What're you reading?" I asked curiously for his hand was blocking the title.

"A book on Nuclear Physics" he stated simply, unknowingly trying to cut the conversation, it was probably how he handled all attempts at conversations, but I tried to carry on.

"Interesting?" I asked offhand due to the fact that I was running out of good questions. He must've realized because he was trying to hide a small smirk behind his hand.

"Probably not to you" he gave a small chuckle; I couldn't help notice his nervousness during our short conversation. Even if I couldn't look him in the eye, his body language told me everything.

I tried to look into his eyes again, this time being more cautious, but even then he still noticed me and stared up at me with a serious expression.

"Something's wrong" he stated, staring me down as I squirmed under his gaze; his eyes watching my movements like a hawk.

I felt like a rabbit staring down a pair of fox eyes: frozen and anxious. I shrunk back into my chair meekly as I looked into his eyes.

They reflected his confusion at my actions and his nervousness at the thought of what was wrong, each becoming progressively worse until secret spy for the government ended up at the top of my list.

"You won't believe me" I surrendered, looking away at the waitress who still hadn't gotten my drink, even though I only asked for a 7UP.

"Try me" he replied, shutting his book before turning away from me and putting it in his messenger bag. He turned back to face me, crossing his arms in expectation as he lent back on the chair.

His eyes bore in mine and I felt it was him staring at my thoughts and not the other way around.

For some unknown reason, I trusted Bruce. He's had no thoughts of violence or sadistic acts so far since meeting him. In fact, he seems the opposite of someone who wants to do harm.

I smirked at him, already guessing his reaction since it would most likely be the same as everyone whom I've shared my secret with.

"I can read minds. I needed to look you in the eyes to see what you were thinking" I stated blankly as he nodded in what I knew was fake understanding-

"You could just ask. You know, it would be easier and respect peoples' privacy. Polite thing to do anyway" he shrugged nonchalant as he clasped his hands behind his head.

…Wait, what?

I stared in dazed shock as the waitress finally graced us with her presence while carrying a small glass of 7UP.

"Thank you" I mumbled, not tearing my eyes away from Bruce's form.

"Can I get you anything?" she asked him carefully, as if expecting a reaction from him. By the nervous tugging of her uniform, it wasn't a pleasant reaction.

"No thanks" he nodded at her before she quickly scrambled off, making her way to the other customers in the near-silent café.

'Something tells me she was purposefully delaying our table service' I thought offhand, still focused on Bruce, as the shock seemed to dissolve into a kind of bliss.

"7UP in a coffee shop?" he asked, eyeing the drink I was holding while I placed it on the table.

"I don't like hot drinks" I shrugged casually as I felt eyes on my back.

The customers staring at us gave us a weird look, eyeing up Bruce in particular. Theses peoples' reactions were making me uncomfortable but I've had my share of looks too so I'm not quick to judge.

"So…you don't care?" I asked Bruce, bringing my attention back to the faintly tanned man opposite me.

"Should I?" he retorted, smiling lightly.

"Well…yea" I chuckled, tucking my hair behind my left ear.

"I mean…aren't you uncomfortable with someone reading your thoughts?" I asked, even more curious about him.

"I can always wear sunglasses" he joked as I smiled; giving a genuine laugh, something I hadn't had in a while.

"Happy?" he asked as I began to quiet down, the goofy smile never leaving my face.

"You have no idea," I told him honestly.

He gave a breathless laugh before taking a water bottle from his bag and gulping it down.

"I think it's time I should leave," he told me, packing his water bottle before standing up.

"Will you be staying in the city long?" I asked, hopeful that I'd at least know one face in the nameless city.

"Not if I can help it" he smiled quickly at me before strapping his messenger bag over his shoulder.

"It was nice meeting you, Miranda' he nodded as he began to leave the shop.

Sudden panic hit me as I leapt from the seat, grabbing my bag and leaving payment for the untouched 7UP.

"Bruce!" I almost yelled as I pushed the door open to see him walking down the street before turning in the direction of the voice.

I suddenly lost my voice as he looked at me quizzically.

"I…" I began but couldn't finish. I was rare of me to ask help from strangers, especially someone I'd only just met but desperate times call for desperate measures.

"I need your help" I chocked out as he turned to face me fully.

"Ok…" he said, crossing his arms cautiously.

"I…I don't know…" I shook my head. I had no idea how to explain it. He seemed to notice my panicked state as he walked closer.

"Are you okay, Miranda?" he asked, confused and slightly worried.

"Can we go back in the coffee shop so I can explain?" I pleaded as he sighed, pulling back his sleeves to check his watch.

"Okay" he said defeated as he walked past me and held the door open.

I smiled gratefully at him as I walked into the shop. We sat back in our previous places, except I now had his full attention.

I sighed, trying to figure out where to begin.

"Take your time," he said gently. Looking into his eyes, I saw his thoughts were filled with curiousity and nervousness. Suddenly, a strong amount of encouragement filled his mind as I smiled happily. He must've realized what I was doing.

"Well, if you haven't realized yet, I come from England where I was sent away by my stepfather, Alan, because he feared my sister, Elizabeth, would get hurt because of me" I began as his eyes began to squint together.

"Are you alright?" I asked, looking into his eyes, only to be horrified at the imagery.

A younger boy sat crying at the side of the room while a tall man holding a bottle of whiskey began to punch and kick the boy into the wall.

Suddenly, a fair-haired woman pushed the man away from the boy as she ushered the boy into a small hiding spot behind a seat in the room. The man slowly got up and swiftly slammed the whiskey bottle on top of the woman's head, making her collapse onto the floor as the bottle broke in half.

The man began to use the broken bottle on the woman as he began to jab it into her side repeatedly, pools of red soaking the beige carpet as two bright blue eyes stared wide-eyed through the gap.

I forced myself to look away, heart racing, as I covered my mouth with my hand.

'Oh my god, it was like something out of a horror. So much blood…' I thought panicked as sickness settled in my stomach. The customers stared uneasily at me, not knowing what was happening.

I breathed heavily as I looked up at Bruce to see him staring down at the table with a hard, cold stare.

"The boy…he was you, wasn't he?" I managed to ask, beginning to calm down, as he remained silent.

"And the woman…that was your mother, wasn't it?" I continued, removing the hand from my mouth.

"And the man…" I whispered as Bruce looked up at me slowly, a green tint highlighted the edges of his glazed-over blue eyes.

"Was my father" he bit out, his eyes darkening.

His thoughts were suddenly filled with anger but also a hint of panic and distress.

Out of nowhere, a large, green man with bulging muscles and torn trousers came into his thoughts as his emotions grew.

The green man screamed in ager and rage, swinging madly.

"Bruce-" I began, reaching out but his tightened fist slammed onto the table, gaining a few people's attention; some of them hurriedly left the coffee shop the instant he slammed his fist down.

He breathed slowly but heavily as I could see he tried to weaken his emotions.

I felt an overwhelming urge to help him calm down, though I couldn't tell if it was for his sake or for mine. Something about the green man wouldn't settle in my stomach.

I grabbed his face with my hands as I forced his eyes to face mine. I tried visualizing his emotion of anger turning into happiness, his emotion of panic turning into contentment.

As I did, however, I felt the anger and panic come into me. I bore with it until I could tell he calmed down.

I dropped my hands, gripping my forearms, as I now had to calm down.

'Why am I so angry?' I thought confused as I looked up to see Bruce staring at me curiously.

"What did you do?" he asked, pressing his hand into his forehead and kneading it like he was trying to erase a painful headache.

"Just be thankful" I bit out as I immediately regretted it. I forced my emotions to calm down and replace it with curiousity.

After a few minutes, it eventually worked as I looked back up at him.

"Sorry" I apologized sincerely, hoping my eyes would convey my meaning.

"No, I'm sorry. I…I'm still getting used to this" he looked down, avoiding any eye contact as he probably wanted to be alone with his thoughts.

After a few minutes of silence, I couldn't retain my question any longer.

"Who was the green man?" I asked as he looked at me seriously.

"Me" he stated simply.

"Whenever I get angry…I turn into him…I've been trying to handle it…but, I lose control sometimes" he explained as I listened intensely.

Any normal person at this point would fear him and run away screaming from him, which is probably the best thing to do right now.

Although, I'm anything but normal and so I remain the stupid girl who willingly enters the danger zone. Brilliant.

"Scared?" he asked as I looked to see he was thinking that I would act normally and run away. I felt sad for him that this was the reaction he came to expect.

"Of course" I told him honestly as he watched me like a hawk.

I knew he was waiting for me to run with my tail between my legs, so I decided to stick to the initial plan, which would most likely end up the worst decision I've made since stepping off the plane.

"Bruce, you are literally the only person I know on this entire continent. I only have so much money with no place to go. Yes, I'm scared, Bruce. For more reason than you think" I confessed fully to him.

In the end, I was no more than a child, orphaned on an unknown continent filled with unknown faces and a grim future.

"So you want to come with me," he stated, knowing what I was getting at.

"I can look after myself. I just need to know someone," I pleaded with him.

"You saw who I am and you want to go with me?" he asked, surprised and slightly worried about my mental health, his thoughts were anything to go by.

"I can help you, Bruce. I don't know how but I will" I told him.

He took off his glasses before rubbing his face, sighing.