Chapter 4

The Red Angel made a name for herself. Not as a songwriter as she had once dreamed of, but as the best assassin and spy in the world. She had killed and interrogated countless ministers, presidents, emperors, kings, senators, and drug lords for Hydra. Even though it was filled with knowledge and potential, her mind belonged to them. Endless torture had forced her into obedience. Now, two years later, the Red Angel was on a special mission in Perugia, Italy.

It was 10:30 at night and raining. She was wearing a black trench coat and pants. Her hair was tied up so as to keep her red hair from standing out in the darkness. She walked down the small road until she came across an abandoned building. It seemed to have been out of use for a long time. It looked plain and bare so not even adventurous teenagers would bother to peek inside. She walked into the dark alley next to the warehouse and stopped at a door. She looked around to make sure she wasn't being followed and quietly turned the handle, not surprised when it opened with no resistance. She checked left, right, and even up at the fire escapes and rooftops before entering.

She was in a drab hallway that looked as empty and unused as the exterior. She pulled a out a gun and held it up as she walked slowly and quietly forward. If she was correct, a S.H.E.I.L.D. agent was taking refuge somewhere in this warehouse. She also had reasons to believe that he had information on Roberto Pannunzi, an Italian drug lord that was at the top of Hydra's list. The hallway had no doors except for any opening at the end. She had a guess that her target probably made camp on the top floor so as to be able to look out for anyone who came looking for him, someone like her. The hallway ended opening up into a huge room with large windows and a metal staircase that went up to a railing. She could see what looked like a duffelbag and a blanket.

She had a very uneasy feeling. She felt too vulnerable walking across the open room to the staircase, but she was strong and knew she could handle herself. She started slowly moving towards the stairs until an arrow zipped past her ear. She quickly turned and pointed her gun at the area of origin. There on the railing was a man with short brown hair and a black armored vest, pants, and boots. Most noticeably, he was holding up a bow and arrow pointed right her.

"So you're the Red Angel?"
He had a sarcastic tone and smirk on his face.
"A little underwhelmed, I must say."
She pulled a pin out of her hair and shook it out while still pointing the gun with her other hand.
"You might want to speak more kindly to those who want to kill you."
The man's laugh echoed through the open warehouse.
"Now that's more like it."
She tensed up when the man started moving towards the stairs.
"I assume you're Hawkeye."
"Guilty as charged. But if you want to get personal, my name's Clint."
Now this was her time to smirk.
"You can call me Anne."

Suddenly, pictures of faces and places flashed across her mind. She let her guard down for two seconds and felt something push her side, knocking her to the ground. A sharp pain shot up and down her body. She looked down and saw an arrow sticking two inches into her body, missing internal organs and any important blood vessels.

She looked up and saw Clint standing over her.
"I'm disappointed. This was too easy."
"No need to worry."
She grabbed her gun and quickly shot him in the leg.
Clint yelled out and fell to his knees.
She got up and punched him square in the jaw, sending him flying backwards. She quickly pulled the arrow out of her side, letting out a yell to relieve the pain. She then took off her trench coat and revealed her black jumpsuit.

Clint got up in time to see her tuck her gun into a holster and pull out a Gerber Mark II, the deadliest combat knife in the world.
"Ha. Looks like your Hydra's spoiled child,"
He said as he wiped blood of his mouth with the back of his hand.
"I know you're trying to delay our fight. How's that leg?",
she smirked.

Clint's face suddenly became serious.
"You're one of the best assassins in the world. Why is it you let your guard down when you said the name...Anne?"
Again, faces and places flashed across her mind, this time more clearly. She saw Dr. Beaumont. Her stomach twisted at the sight of him, which was strange, since she didn't remember feeling fear towards him.
Then she saw a place with an overabundance of ads and signs, cars and taxis crowding the streets, people on the sidewalks pushing aggressively against each other. New York City.
Another place appeared, green grass, tall trees and a small pond. At the sight of this she felt a feeling of warmth, a curious feeling that she didn't understand.
Then she saw a face. A woman, with sandy blond hair and green eyes filled with kindness. She was looking at her,
Anne.

Anne.

Next thing she knew, everything went black,
for the first time in a long time.