Chapter 2
- That night Bill twisted and turned in his sleep. A recurring dream-nightmare haunting him.
Bill found himself in barrens again, he looked around. It was the same as he and the other losers left it. ”Billy,” he heard someone call. He whipped around to see his little brother there wearing the same yellow raincoat he wore that day. Bill’s eyes glistened with tears, his lips quiver with emotions.
”Take me home Billy, I'm scared,” said Georgie in his childish voice. Bill stood there not moving an inch. Georgie's lips wobble.
”Billy”, he said, Bill moved fast and envoloped Georgie in a hug. Soon it seems Georgie is growing rapidly. He looked up and was terrified to see Georgie transforming into Pennywise who started to laugh. Bill tried to detangle himself from the clown but no avail
”N-no NO!” he shouted
”GEORGIE!” Bill cried waking with a start. His whole body was covered in sweat. Just then the door of his room banged open and entered Steve holding his shield. ”J.A.R.V.I.S, lights on” he instructed. Steve was immediately on Bill’s side who looks shaken.
”C-captain?” Bill questioned
”J.A.R.V.I.S said there were screams from your room. Are you alright son?” Steve asked. Hearing the concern in the national hero’s voice, Bill’s heart ached, his own father never showed concern for him.
”Did you have a bad dream?” Steve asked again. Bill just nodded mutely.
”If you want to talk about it, I'm here” assured Steve. Bill blinked at him. Steve sighed getting up he was about to leave when-
”M-my b-brother Georgie died, b-because of me, I-it was m-my fault,” Bill said guiltily. Steve sat on the bed and look Bill in the eyes
”My best friend Bucky died because of me, because I couldn't save him, . I know how you feel Bill. It's hard to forgive ourselves but you have to eventually. Not only for your own sake but for theirs too” Steve said
”Did you?” Bill asked eyeing the older man with uncertainty
”It took me some time but I did” Steve said honestly
”I-i don't think I e-ever could, c-captain” Bill said curtly. Steve just sighed.
”You can call me Steve, Bill” he said offering a friendly smile then leaving.
The next morning Ben couldn't find the kitchen. He and his mom had a modest house. Finding the kitchen in such a vast building was like finding a needle in the hay. He entered the elevator and pressed the ground floor. Once on the ground floor he looked around. It didn't look like there would be a kitchen here. Just then he heard something, he followed the voice and entered the room which looked like a Gym. There in a corner was a woman with short red hair (just like Bev) he thought. Her body was pale and athletic, she was wearing a black tank top and tights. Sweat was dripping from her body, her expression stern as she punched the bag. Ben’s cheeks got warm and his shorts felt tight. He never seen a woman like this before, sure he saw Bev in her swimming trunks at quarry but this was a fully grown woman and Ben felt uncomfortable. Quickly he backed away and entered the elevator.
When he finally reached the kitchen everyone was already eating. Ban sat beside Mike, his face still flushed.
”Ben, where were you? Stan asked
”I-i got lost” he managed to say. Just then the elevator opened with a ding and to Ben’s great shock entered the same woman. She went straight to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water.
”Hey Nat, come meet the brood,” Tony said. She turned around and approached the table.
”Children, this is agent Natasha Romanoff, the Black Widow” Bruce introduced. All Losers watch her with facination. While Ben looked down feeling embarrassed.
”Black Widow eh, how many males have you eaten?” Richie asked cheekily while Steve glared at him
”More than your age” Natasha said nonchalantly. While Richie whistled. Steve got up immediately and glared at Richie
”None of you boys will talk to Natasha or any other woman with disrespect!” he said in a no-nonsense voice
”Thanks Steve for defending my honour” Natasha said while Stan was in aww. This woman has sass.
”Yeah Capsicle, Nat here is more than capable of defending herself” Tony said cheekily, while the Losers sniggered.
”He's my fiance, he can call me anything!” Steve huffed, The Losers were shocked but they grinned anyway.
Later that day Steve and Tony along with Pepper took the teens for shopping. Tony insisted on buying things from high end stores. After one hour Richie picked several Balenciaga shirts, Prada shoes and Burberry pants.
”show off” Eddie muttered walking away. While the boys were shopping Pepper took Beverly to the ladies section. While the sales ladies were showing Beverly several beautiful dresses claiming they'll match with her eyes etc, one of the turned to Pepper and said
”Your daughter is very beautiful but doesn't resemble you. must be taken after dad, huh” on the mention of dad Beverly stiffened, her blood ran cold. Pepper turned to the teen and was immediately by her side on seeing her stiff posture
”Beverly are you ok?, Beverly” Pepper said, her voice filled with panic. Something snap inside Bev as she faced the older woman ”yeah, I'm ok. Can we go now?” she pleaded no longer in the mood for shopping. Pepper just nodded took her away.
At night Tony found the boys in the living room. He plopped on the couch and asked in a casual manner
”So, could anyone tell me about Beverly’s home life? as in how it was?” Stan, Mike and Eddie stiffened
”I don't think we should,” Stan said. Tony didn't wanted to drop the subject so he turned to Eddie
”Now Eddie, if we don't know the matter, how will we help her”
”What do you mean help her?” Stan asked. Tony sighed
”Pepper said Beverly had some kind of episode at the mall when one of the saleswomen mentioned something about dads” Mike understood what might have happened. He turned to Tony and spoke
”I’ll tell you”
Bev was laying awake just then she heard a knock.
”Beverly, it's me, Natasha, can I come in?” she heard the strong feminine voice.
”Uh yes,” Bev said, not getting up. The door opens with a click and entered the older redhead. Natasha sat on the bed and spoke
”Tony told me how your home life was. Don't worry, you're safe here. Tony, Steve, Thor they are all good men, they would never lay a finger on you let alone letting anyone else do that”. Beverly opened her mouth but Natasha spoke
”your friends told Tony. You know Beverly as a woman we are subjected to many injustice. As a child I was sold to the Red Room” Natasha said with a emtionless tone
”W-what’s red room?” Bev asked, fearing the worst.
”it was a Soviet training camp which prepares children to be assassins. I've lost a lot but I refused to accept defeat and I won't let you get defeated by your past”
”huh”
”I’ll train you in self defense”