CHAPTER 9

*Please note that Elliot Dawes is an OC of mine and that this happens after Avengers Assembled and before Captain America 2, carrying on into that timeline*

It was like staring into death himself (although why do we refer to death as a he? I think death is neither he nor she. It is just an existence. Maybe one day I'll be able to prove what death is). The back door was opened by a woman with dark hair and suspicious eyes.

"Get in," the driver said smiling up at me.

I slipped in, too stunned to say anything. Natasha closed the door and we were away before I could say anything. I turned to get one last look at the magnificent warrior but she was gone. Sitting in the car made me uneasy. Something was going to go horribly wrong. You didn't need to be a genius to figure it out.

"Miss Dawes, may I introduce Agent May," he said.

"How the devil did Fury crack it?" I asked. "Your scientists were struggling to get remotely close before Loki blasted you with that gun,"

"Well they did," Phil Coulson said brightly.

"Also this is the second most stupid plan Fury has had," I said.

"Second?" May questioned, turning to look at me with sharp eyes.

"The first is his security system being penetrated by HYDRA," I said. "Also you are aware the car three cars behind us is following us right?"

I had noticed him the moment we drove off. He tried to be sneaky but I had been watching from the rear-view mirror. Agent May looked sharp. Coulson shifted uncomfortably at the driver's wheel. Apparently they were not aware. I sighed. This was going to be a long horrible journey which is going to land with me either back in hospital, dead or in the hands of HYDRA. Either one of those options were horrible. Although at least with death I could find out what happens. I looked around at the other cars. Ordinary, boring people going around their boring ordinary lives with not a care in the world. They weren't aware what SHIELD was or what HYDRA was trying to do. I both pitied and envied them. They were safe and oblivious to the greater evils of this world but they weren't living. I felt a thrill of excitement as Coulson swerved the car off the motorway and headed right into downtown. I watched as the HYDRA car followed. I also noticed to vans parked on the road above us.

"Two vans people watching," I told Agent May.

She nodded, now aware of what was going around her. She wasn't someone I would mess with- I've read her profile. She's just as badass as the Black Widow. Coulson had begun to sweat at the back of his neck, something he does when he's nervous. A car suddenly swerved out in front of us. Coulson slammed on the brakes and turned the car at the same time. Next thing I know, I'm flying through the air, flying right out of my seat. The only thing that saved me was the seatbelt. I saw a flash of silver and then the car smashed into the ground. Only I wasn't in the car. A large, metallic arm was holding me. I screamed and struggled against the arm but it was holding me tightly. Something sharp got jabbed into my neck. A drowsiness washed over me. I felt my eyes droop despite resisting against it. Everything felt heavy and tired. Five…five….

A bright light shone in my face, dragging me out of the heavy sleep I was in. my mind felt thick and groggy, like a fog had rolled in over it and was reluctant to leave. I could hear people move around and talk. My eye slowly opened. It felt like someone had glued them shut. I was on a table that was angled so I was lying vertical. Straps held me at the waist, wrists and ankles. Men in white coats moved around me, muttering to themselves. I noticed my satchel lying on a table, its contents scattered about. They hadn't figured out it was also a laptop. A few of the men were looking at my tablet.

"Try to hack into it you'll send an atomic bomb right at this place," I told them, groaning.

Everything felt heavy, like a thick milkshake. They turned to look at me. I grinned at them. It is true, I've devised a programme that makes it impossible to break into my stuff without blowing everyone up.

"Also, I wouldn't try to guess the password either, get that wrong five times sends a nuke," I told them, laughing.

"You think you are so clever," came that awful voice. "With your brains and technology but you are not clever enough,"

"I know, trusting SHIELD was my biggest mistake," I said brightly.

The awful red skull appeared within my line of vision. It was a face I wouldn't be forgetting in a long time. He was wearing a long, black coat and black gloves. He clasped his hands behind his back.

"I see you do not have the formula with you." He commented coldly. "Nor did my men retrieve it from your apartment,"

"Do you honestly think I am that average?" I asked in an insulted voice. "That formula is someplace you'll never get it,"

"Oh I will get it, Miss Dawes," The Red Skull said, leaning towards me. "One way or another,"