Amelie Stark - The Wait is Killing Me
Amelie Stark - The Wait is Killing Me
The hours stretched on, endless and agonising. Trapped alone in this solitary room, it felt like a cage was closing around me.
The bindings on my wrists and ankles dug into my skin, a sharp reminder of my helplessness. The cold steel chair I was sitting in seemed to amplify the feeling, and I gritted my teeth to keep from screaming in frustration. I had been forced to wait, and it was becoming unbearable.
I glanced around the room, searching for any sign of hope. There were no windows and only one door where they had brought me in - no way of escape. Yet there was an eerie calm here that made me feel like I was in another world entirely.
Tiredness engulfed me as my mind went over the events of the last few hours. Anxiety and regret were weighing heavily on my conscience for how I had spoken to Loki. My temper had gotten the better of me, and now I felt bad about it. I needed to find a way to make things right again.
The more I sat there, the more exhausted I felt. I had been up for so long, and the lack of sleep was taking its toll. I felt my eyelids drooping, and the fight to stay awake grew harder and harder. I resisted the urge to sleep, and as I did, my thoughts turned to Tony and the others. In my mind's eye I could see them searching for me, desperately trying to find a way to get me back. I knew that they were doing all they could, but I also knew it might not be enough.
The strong smell of bleach that hung in the air stung my nose as I begun to lose the battle. It felt like everything was out of my control and I was just waiting for the inevitable. My captors had taken my phone away from me, hoping to buy themselves some time with a false location - what if the Avengers never found me in time?
Suddenly, the door creaked open and several people entered the room. I watched as they spoke in hushed tones before turning to me. A tall man with broad shoulders stepped forward, calm and composed. His voice rang through the small space. "Your uncle took the bait. Seems the famous Tony Stark isn't as amazing as he likes to make out. How fitting that his own arrogance would be his downfall. Luckily we were able to convey our message."
My heart lurched at his words and I felt a wave of guilt wash over me. Had they been able to get him? Fear gripped my heart as I tried to process the news, but there was no time for that now.
A smaller man snickered, hatred in his eyes as he looked at me. "He may think he's a genius, but he walked right into this one. Your uncle fell for the fake location - hook, line, and sinker. I guess the oh-so-brilliant Tony Stark isn't half as clever as he thinks he is!"
Tony's bravery and courage in risking his life despite being so heavily outnumbered... This was what he did best - always putting himself in danger to protect others, even when it meant sacrificing himself. I glared at the group. "Don't you dare think for a second that you're better than him, because you're not and you never will be. Trust me, you're not even worth his time."
The shorter one lurched towards me, a scowl spread across his face, but the taller man held an arm out in front of him as he maintained an unwavering gaze in my direction. "Perhaps not. But you certainly are."
I bared my teeth, forcing myself to maintain my composure. I needed to take this opportunity to get information. While I didn't have any special abilities or powers, I could be helpful to the Avengers in other ways. "What's so important about this bloody serum anyway? Can't you just make another one?"
The tall man's expression instantly changed as he stepped closer to me, a sinister glint in his eyes. "No. This serum is unique and extremely powerful; it's the only one of its kind in existence. We need it for a very specific purpose - one that requires absolute secrecy." His eyes bore into mine as he continued. "It's the only one... And we are willing to do anything to get the Avengers to bring it back here, no matter the cost."
"Why? What purpose? Who are you?" I struggled against my bindings futilely.
The man smiled coldly. "Information is not something you can just demand from me. You are not in a position to demand anything."
I laughed, hard and cold. "You really think you can pose any threat to the Avengers? Me? Sure, I'm just a person. But them?"
The man's eyes widened slightly in surprise before he leaned in to whisper. "You are the key. You are what binds the Avengers together, so you will be what tears them apart. You are what will bring them here."
My courage wavered as his words sunk in, but I stared him down, my gaze conveying all of the anger and hatred I felt towards this man. "No serum is that powerful. What exactly are you planning?"
The tall man straightened up and stepped back. "For now, it's best we keep that a secret." He turned to leave before adding one final thought. "But if you cooperate, you may just be able to find out."
I kept my chin up defiantly as they left, the metallic clank of a key in the lock reverberating around the tiny room.