Left Behind; The First Avenger
Roberto wakes up from his dream about Teddy and Ned. Roberto opens the door for Miranda and they both come in. The school office had white bricks laid out on the walls. Blue and Yellow memorabilia around the office with “Midtown School of Science and Technology” written all over. Before they walk up to the secretary’s desk, a boy wearing a costume runs across them. The both of them shrug their shoulders unsure of who was that. After talking with the secretary, they take a seat and wait for the principal to come to them.
Ten minutes later after waiting, A man is walking towards their direction wearing a white, dress shirt, a yellow tie, black pants, and shoes. He seems to be of Asian descent, most likely Japanese - American.
“Are you Miranda Bolton?” The principal asks her as he extends his hand out.
“Yes, you must be Mr. Morita?” She firmly shakes his hand asking him.
“In the flesh, ma’am. You must be Roberto Cruz then.” Mr. Morita asks Roberto.
“Yes, sir, nice to meet you.” Roberto replies shaking his hands with a firm grip. “Well mannered, knows a proper handshake, I like him so far.”
“Follow me to my office.” Principal Morita insists. Heading into his office, pinned to his wall is school memorabilia. Roberto knows that he cares about the school and his students. Roberto always been a very observant person.
“So, we welcome to you to Midtown High School.” Morita said in a gleeful and professional voice. He seems enthusiastic, maybe it’s like that with every new student.
“Thank You Mr. Morita.” Miranda expressing her gratitude.
As the conversation between Miranda and Principal Morita goes on, Roberto looks around his office staring at flags, foam fingers, and class portraits of the school. He spots a framed picture, the picture looks vintage with its sepia color and it looked folded from all its creases. The picture had a man who has an uncanny resemblance to Principal Morita.
“Mr. Morita, I have a question that may seem far-fetched.” Roberto interrupts the conversation turning his head directly to the Principal. “I’m pretty sure it isn’t far fetched. Do ask.”
“Um… are you a time traveler?” Roberto said embarrassingly knowing the question sounded stupid.
“Never mind, it is. Why do you ask that?” He responds honestly.
“It’s because of that picture.” Roberto points at it with his index with his eyes staring straight like a cat. “Oh, this.”
“Fascinating story actually, my grandfather was a howling commando.” Mr. Morita starts to explain his backstory. “And the Howling Commandos were a World War II elite combat troop led by Captain America.”
“It’s weird that you were talking about him right now.” Miranda points out to Roberto.
“It’s unfortunate that Mr. Rogers became a criminal and broke up the Avengers like as if they were The Beatles.” Principal Morita mentions.
“Anyway, my grandfather, commandos, and Peggy Carter, who became the founder of S.H.I.E.L.D. defeated the Red Skull and HYDRA.”
As he continues to tell the tales of his grandfather, Roberto begins to remember of a time where he almost died. A time where the world was in shock. Two years ago, S.H.I.E.L.D. was revealed to the world to be secretly run by HYDRA. Attacks began to commence, triskelions began to lift from the ground and hover over the heavens filling fear. Before he closes his eyes, he hears the screams of men, women, and children.
Closing his eyes, he is taken instantly into the past reliving the horrific event. Eyes shut, rapid eye movement commences, and the psychology behind him enters. One minute, Roberto was going on a school field trip with his class. Next thing, alarms sirens are piercing his ears from the high frequency and obnoxious noise. The other classmates run away like every kid for themselves.
Roberto was left behind from his entire class and drove off. Such great luck he has. His breathing keeps pacing faster as he runs faster than he ever has. Other civilians are running behind them from imminent danger. Behind all of them, an enormous triskelion falling towards them. No sun, just darkness. The concrete begins to break as the triskelion makes contact with the surface.
He trips and falls to the ground, while the destroyed triskelion is catching up to them. Being trampled on by people running for their life, not being able to move away. Not able to get away. His knees are becoming weak and bruises on his face from all the feet getting in contact. Looking at the back, he can partially see the triskelion crushing the surface.
In a terrifying sight, people are being crushed. One is a mother carrying her baby. Turning to his right, another triskelion dwells into the ocean creating a humongous wave engulfing civilians on land. He’s crawling now, crawling because of how injured he is for barely a teenager. However, the ship keeps coming closer and closer. Roberto is almost there. Roberto holds himself and closes his eyes accepting his fate.
Suddenly, a hand grips the back of his collar and pulls him fast. Being carried on the shoulder of a mysterious stranger. This man is running faster than anyone he’s ever known, even faster than someone like Usain Bolt. Thankfully, getting away from the triskelion he’s put into a hospital bed next to an ambulance. Coming face to face with Captain America himself.
A great feeling of relief comes through Roberto as his heart begins to beat slower, his breathing begins to sound quiet, and the limbs are no longer shaking.
“Hey, hey, hey. You’re going to be alright. I know you’re hurt, but no one or thing is going to hurt you anymore.” Steve Rogers comforts Roberto.
“Ok, this hurts so much though.” Roberto explains while feeling the pain. “You know, you’re a soldier right?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, you kept crawling with all of your strength trying not to give up. Us, soldiers we always to keep thriving no matter the circumstance. You show strength, ambition, and let me guess? You always help out the little guy, huh?”
“Yes sir, ow!” Roberto answers still in pain.
“What’s your name?” Steve asks.
“Roberto - Roberto Cruz.” He breathes through all the pain.
“Maybe one day, you can be an avenger like me.” Steve suggests.
“Really? You think so?” Roberto asks him with a slight smile. “I hope so Roberto.”
“Alright, you guys take him to the hospital. Stay strong Roberto.” Steve commands them while running into the battlefield.
Once the doors on the ambulance close, it suddenly becomes dark. A sound of a woman, a woman that he never heard of before was calling someone or something. He couldn’t make what she was saying because it sounds distorted. The voice was so familiar to him and soothing. He feels a grasp on his shoulder and wakes up. Breathing in and out with worried expressions in Miranda’s and Principal Morita’s face.