𝐆𝐈𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐃

𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐔𝐄

𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐔𝐄    /     the beginning

—    it all started in 2012 , new york , battle against loki and the chitauri army . in the midst of carnage , with neither side yet gaining the upper hand , a young girl sat beside a body . she kept staring at the face of the person who was once full of life , with a kind smile and a warming touch . the person who sat through countless tea parties and dinner dates , the person who helped her build her first tree house ; the person who'd raised her from birth , singlehandedly , even through a time of tragedy . her father , joseph adler , who'd loved her till his last breath , dead on the sidewalk , body half crushed underneath a large piece of concrete . and she did not cry . not yet , at least , because in her mind her father wasn't dead ; the first stage of grief is denial .

a dainty little hand gently pressed against the cold cheek , the other gently pushing against the chest of the body . the little girl kept calling out ' dad ' , like a broken record , in hopes that he'd lift his head , lift the rubble off his chest like one of the superheroes that swarmed the area and continue to run with her for cover . but he never did .

bang!

not too far from where she sat , another piece of crumbling buildings landed on the floor . she screamed , covering her head as pieces of rock flew up from the ground . panicked footsteps filled her ears . and then another thud could be heard , making her scream once again out of sheer fright , even though the thud was much too soft to be another piece of fallen building .

" hey , kid . "

the girl slowly lifted her head . the distinguishable star on the middle of the chest and stripes on his suit were the first thing she noticed , then the shield that he held in his right hand , raised above her as a blockade to falling debris . a gloved hand was extended out toward her , softened blue eyes reminding her almost instantly of her father . she reached to take it and he pulled her up , hurrying her through the chaos to a nearby building before she could even comprehend what was happening . but she'd never forget the words he spoke to her in assurance , his voice smooth and calming to the ears .

" don't worry , you're safe now . i promise . "

he never did break that promise .