Chapter 4
The quinjet’s engines hummed steadily as it cut through the sky, leaving the remnants of the HYDRA base far behind. Y/N sat rigidly in her seat, eyes fixed on the horizon, deliberately avoiding the two women seated across from her.
Wanda’s gaze was filled with unspoken longing and hope. Natasha, in contrast, exuded a calm confidence, her posture relaxed as if this were just another mission.
“We’ll be landing at the compound soon,” Natasha announced, breaking the silence.
Y/N grunted in acknowledgment, her mind racing. The “compound” the Avengers’ base of operations. A place she’d only heard about in hushed conversations between HYDRA agents.
The jet touched down smoothly, and the ramp lowered with a hiss. Y/N hesitated at the threshold, the open space before her both inviting and intimidating.
“Welcome home,” Wanda said softly, her voice laced with emotion.
Home. The word felt foreign, almost alien. Y/N stepped onto the tarmac, the cool breeze brushing against her skin, carrying scents of pine and fresh earth—a stark difference from the sterile air of her cell.
Natasha led the way, her stride purposeful. “We’ll show you to your quarters. You can rest, eat, and then we’ll talk.”
Y/N followed, her senses on high alert. The compound was bustling with activity—agents training, scientists discussing projects, and the distant hum of machinery. It was a hive of productivity, yet it lacked the oppressive atmosphere she’d grown accustomed to.
They entered the main building, the interior sleek and modern. Large windows allowed natural light to flood the corridors.
“This will be your room,” Natasha said, stopping in front of a door and pressing a panel to open it.
The room was modest but comfortable—a bed with soft linens, a desk, a wardrobe, and an adjoining bathroom. It was more than she’d had in years.
“Take your time,” Wanda added, her eyes earnest. “If you need anything, we’re just down the hall.”
Y/N nodded curtly, stepping inside and closing the door behind her. She leaned against it, exhaling slowly. The silence was deafening, the absence of constant surveillance unnerving.
She moved to the bed, sitting on the edge and running a hand over the soft fabric. It was real. All of it.
However, with the freedom came uncertainty. The two women who brought her here, her supposed soulmates, only made things more complicated.
Y/N lay back, staring at the ceiling, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts. For now, she would rest. Tomorrow would bring questions, and perhaps, answers.