Chapter 2
She had to laugh, really. The irony of this entire situation was humorous, hilarious even. Being someone, something she said she wasn’t. Bloody her knees to prove a point. Begged, sobbed, screamed. Everything in her power to prove otherwise.
Who is she trying to fool? Power? Her kind has no need for power, her kind doesn’t know what to do with it.
As she drags her cotton covered feet across the cold, harsh pavement. She couldn’t help but stare at her reflection in a nearby shop window. While the moon tried her best to gain her attention by glowing bright in the window, she couldn’t look away from the monstrous figure she now commanded.
A ugly snort leaves her loose grasp. What was she expecting? Dying in quite a dramatic way and then reviving dramatically. It doesn’t do wonders on her skin that’s for sure.
She doesn’t know how long she stood there, just staring at herself but it required a shadow to take a hold on her wrist to pull her away. Gently, as if she would break.
“Apologies, friend. I got a bit distracted there. Still not quite used to the rotten smell wafting every time I take a step.” Her steps get heavier and her heels dig into the earth. “Can you smell it? Do you have senses?”
The shadow wavers, letting go of her wrist before nuzzling its way up her neck, under her chin. She giggles and returns the affection with a kiss. The shadow slinks back into itself, deciding it is now done with this conversation.
She continues walking. Humming a familiar tune to keep her company.
>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<
The Avengers were weird. A billionaire flying around in a tin can, a fossil in tights, Katniss Everdeen,(Who ever that was, Wanda is still quite behind on Western media) a nerdy doctor with anger issues, a literal God, and the world’s greatest assassin.
Wanda herself isn’t any better she admits this and accepts it with a smile. An awkward one but still a smile. Her point is that if the Avengers are weird that means that everything around them is weird.
So when they get a report about a ‘zombie invasion’, it doesn’t surprise anyone. They fought weirder. However, looking at the video Nick Fury sent them. Having Tony and Bruce explain the science and the severity behind the situation made Wanda question why she agreed to be an Avenger.
The video plays once more at the insistence of Steve. So they watch it once more. A frail body limping around New York at the dead of night. The security cameras actually becoming useful for once.
Wanda bites her thumb at the footage. While it is grainy and poorly lit, it was still genuinely upsetting to witness. It seems that everyone in the room agrees with her. Tony scoffs out a laugh but his foot taps repeatedly on the floor. Clint sighs like he just got back from a nine to five, Wanda supposes that this is his nine to five. Natasha steals a glance with Wanda to make sure she’s not shaken up, once satisfied she kicks her feet on the table and leans back, shaking her head in disbelief.
A woman. They assume she’s a woman. Choppy hair reaching just the top of her shoulders. A dirty nightdress dragging along the roads and pavements. Hallow eyes, bloody lips, sunken cheeks, pale skin. Everything that points to a dead body was also a way to describe this woman.
Her appearance wasn’t the most concerning detail however. It was her mannerisms that made the hair on the back of Wanda’s neck stand up. Her mouth moves repeatedly, mumbling and whispering what seems to be nonsense. She moves around by limping and stumbling around. Clawing onto nearby structures to balance herself, panting as if she just ran a marathon. She was injured, still might be injured. Why would she be still be walking around though? Why not shout out for assistance, for help?
The woman seems to avoid the policemen like the plague anytime one comes up to her. Sometimes they are even called on her to do a wellness check but she always somehow slither out of their concerned stares. One time a policeman got physical with her. Put his arm around her wrist with a grimace and begins to pull her towards his car. In a matter of seconds the once confident man stood then he changed. Falling down on the ground, screaming bloody murder. Putting his hands over his ears and rocking back and forth as the woman walks away, a pleasant smile plastered on her face.
That’s how they found him. Lying on the ground still screaming and rocking, a thousand yard stare in his eyes.
The footage snaps off once more, leaving the room in complete silence. Steve huffs and goes to click to button to replay it, Tony groans before he does.
“Again? Absolutely not. We aren’t gaining anything from just watching the same thing over and over again.” Tony complains as he stands up, glaring at Natasha’s shoes on his table. “How about we track her down? What we know from her is that she only stalks around at night. Sooo…Why don’t we set up camp or something?”
Clint sighs again, rubbing his temples with his forefinger and thumb. “Yeah. Why don’t we go say hello to the zombie? What could go wrong?” Tony pouts. “Well, what else are we supposed to do? Wait until she creeps her way up to our front door? Fat chance.”
Natasha rolls her eyes before looking exhaustingly at Wanda, brows furrowing sternly as she slaps Wanda’s hand away from her mouth, stopping the little witch from chewing on her cuticles. Wanda at least had the manners to look somewhat guilty. Steve crossed his arms over his chest as the addresses the room.(read:Tony) “We still don’t know what she is. I don’t want to risk anything by going out there straight away.”
This is the time where Wanda spaces out. When she knows Tony and Steve are just going to argue for thirty minutes straight. Instead of listening, she thinks about the woman in the video. Wondering if she was okay, if she needed help. What did she do to that man to make him like that?
Natasha coughs obnoxiously loudly, snapping Wanda back to reality. Tony seems pleasantly proud of himself which Wanda came to learn is never a good thing. Steve sends her a tired smile before he stands up and exits the room.
“Good to know we are all on the same page! I shall see you guys here again for tonight.” Tony slurs as he picks up his glass full of whiskey and walks away with a pep in his step to his lab. Clint snorts, patting Wanda on her shoulder to gain her attention.
“Get ready for a late night, hm? We don’t know if we’ll even find her. Get some sleep for now.” He nods his head to Natasha before vanishing to the same door Steve left from.
Stretching out her arms out in front of her like a cat, Wanda stand up. Her back cracking in protest. “I-er…I’m gonna head to bed, if that’s okay? No more training, yes?”
The witch doesn’t wait for a reply before practically sprinting down the hall to her room.
Natasha shakes her head with an amused smile on her lips. A fond memory of a young, blonde girl invading her head. This time she promises to keep her safe.