Heart Of Stone

Chapter 12

When I woke up, it was due to the sunlight coming in from the window. Strange. I don't remember leaving the curtains open. In fact, I could've sworn I'd closed them. I shrug to myself. Oh well. It's not the end of the world.

I get out of bed and get dressed. Choices weren't that hard; it was either I stayed in my nightdress, I put on my bikini when my usual swim wasn't until later this afternoon, I put on my old formal attire left over from many years back or I wore my usual outfit. I never really needed anything else; I kept everything clean, so what was the issue?

I help myself to some bread as my breakfast, then pick up my barb and take it outside with me. It's time to hunt. If I don't, I have no food for later. The summer months are here, so I don't need to do my usual routine of luring in animals. I prefer to be lazy, but if I'm honest with myself I do enjoy a good and honest hunt once in a while.

I climb a tree and watch below me, waiting patiently. The lake should draw in animals sooner or later. It takes all but ten minutes for a large brown hare to hop out of the bushes. Without hesitation, I toss my elongated barb at it, striking it right through the head. Looks like I'll be having rabbit stew tonight.

I took the rabbit home and skinned it, then prepared the rest of it. By noon I had myself a lovely stew, which I ladled into a bowl and sat outside to eat.

The sun was high in the sky, bathing me in its warm glow as I ate happily. I watched a few woodland creatures bound around me, fearless as I was having my midday meal already so there wasn't any reason for me to hunt for them.

I watch the animals with a smile, allowing my thoughts to wander. It's a beautiful day. Then again, pretty much every day is beautiful here. The rain never bothers me, in fact I welcome it's presence. When it snows in the winter months I stay indoors and use up my winter supply, though occasionally I'll go outside to have a little fun.

Overall there wasn't much that I disliked about my little home. I was secluded and out of everyone's way, though close enough to civilisation that I could pop out should I ever need to, which was rarely a situation. I could get full-time access to the lake, which I never felt the cold of, I could hunt whenever I pleased, I was never forced to leave... actually, are there any issues with this place at all? I can't think of any off the top of my head.

I finish up my rabbit stew and head back inside, washing the bowl out for another time. Then I decide to have a nice swim, so I change into my bikini and leap into the lake. The water relaxes me.

I let myself just float around on my back for a while, looking up to the beautiful blue sky. There are fluffy puffs of cotton wool drifting peacefully up there, just like I am down here, but the clouds never get in the way of the warm golden sun.

Are you there?

Natasha's voice catches me off guard. She must've projected her thoughts and hoped I'd catch on. Her mind is being very loud right now.

Are you alone, Romanoff?

Of course.

Do you need an escort?

I think I can handle this.

I will be waiting.

I right my position and wait for her to get here, checking the minds around me. Surprisingly, I find that I can latch onto another mind. It's a mind that's all too familiar to me.

I'm about to comment on their presence telepathically when Natasha arrives, two people with her. Both are familiar, I just couldn't reach one of their minds. "Wanda Maximoff... Steve Rodgers..." I test out the names Natasha telepathically gave me in case I didn't remember the names.

Wanda opens her mind to me again, but I quickly shut myself out anyway. Her thoughts are... tragic, I suppose would be a suitable word. Upsetting.

"Why did you bring them here?" I question Natasha. "You can trust Wanda and Steve was freaking out and checking all over the country for you to make sure you were safe," Natasha shrugged. "Wanda's also here to make sure he doesn't do anything stupid."

"I have to admit, it is not everyday that I babysit a one hundred year old man," Wanda smirked slightly to Steve, who just glanced back at her with a pointed look.

His eyes then returned to me. "Sorry to intrude, I just needed to know you were alright." "Well you know," I snap coldly. "Now leave. It is not safe for any of you to remain here."

"Fury wants to speak with you," Natasha said. "We didn't bring him along, but we've got orders to make sure you get to him. By any means necessary."

I back away slightly, reminding myself that I'm safe in the water. "You have no right to take me anywhere. I will not go anywhere, least of all with any of you."

"I don't want to have to do this the hard way, Lexis," Natasha said calmly, but she was taking a gun out of her belt. "Rote ins dark realm, irowoof lacksi-forgiv!" I hiss darkly, then, realising I'd switched to Tamatari, translate.

"Rot in the dark realm, merciless bitch."