Chapter 2
The Asset gave the possible threat a once-over. She was a brunette with jade green eyes and crows-feet at the corners. Judging by the streaks of grey in her hair she was most likely in her late 30s to early 40s. She was about 5’5” and wearing a soft looking sweater and an ankle-long skirt. Despite the gun pointed in her face, The Asset noticed that the middle-aged woman’s face conveyed only amusement.
“If you’re going to shoot me go ahead and do so. Although I would have to ask that you didn’t, washing blood out of clothing is so tricky and this is happens to be my favorite sweater.” She frowned. “I would hate to have it ruined.”
Hearing this woman be more worried about ruining her sweater rather than being shot confused The Asset. To her understanding normal people would be scared and begging for her not to pull the trigger. Then again, this woman couldn’t possibly be “normal” seeing how she was able to sneak up on The Asset.
“Well? Are you going to pull the trigger?” The woman asked with a tilt of her head. The Asset lowered the gun but remained tense as she stood up. The woman smiled.
“My name is Matilda. And who might you be?” The Asset didn’t answer. She could see the gears turning in Matilda’s head before it seemed that she came to a conclusion. “It’s alright if you don’t want to tell me, darling. You look exhausted, why don’t you come to my cottage for some rest and a hot meal. I’m sure you’re hungry.” With that said Matilda turned and started walking in the direction of her home.
The Asset weighed her options, she could stay out here tired and exposed or she could go with Matilda. The older woman’s offer sounded genuine and she didn’t seemed to be a Hydra agent. She didn’t give off the kind of vibe that she usually got from one of them, undercover or not.
Matilda glanced over her shoulder and quirked her eyebrow as if to say ‘coming?’. The Asset decided she would go with her and get what she needed from before leaving. If anything were to go wrong she was certain she could incapacitate this strange woman. The Asset jogged to catch up, but made sure to stay at least 3 feet behind.
~
They walked in silence, the only sound being the crunch of the fallen leaves beneath their feet. There wasn’t much more to see than trees and the occasional squirrel. They continued in the same direction for several minutes before the trees started to form a circle around a large clearing with Matildas cottage in the middle.
“Welcome to my home.” Matilda said as she walked through the door.
As soon as she walked through the door The Asset felt safe and lost all the tension in her body, which was very concerning. The whole place felt warm and inviting and there was a sweet smell in the air. The fireplace was on and there was a brown cat with a white belly sprawled on its back on the rug in front of it. It didn’t acknowledge them when they walked in.
Matilda gestured at the couch. “Have a seat and I’ll get you some soup.”
She must have been more exhausted than she thought because when she sat down, she immediately relaxed into the cushions and sleep consumed her.