Broken Cages (MCU)✔️

Don't Give Me Away

I became comfortable, which was the worst idea since the rug could be pulled out from under me at any minute. I started talking more, and I healed. My heart healed along with my head. I was given a taste of freedom, even with a chain around my wrist.

Tony filled my room with stuff he thought a 20-year-old girl would like. He was successful because I loved the giant stuffed animals that filled the space. The room was comfortable, warm, and filled with bright colours, a nice change from everyone's general colour pattern. I started wearing tight tracksuits like everyone else, but I preferred the pink and purples to the blacks and dark blues everyone wore. It was not like I needed to remain hidden in missions like they did.

Occasionally, I would spot someone coming back from a mission, and they would be covered in blood, theirs or someone else's. I was used to this, and it would give me flashbacks of the rest of my life. I didn't mind blood. But I didn't like violence. Violence was a way to control people. It was a favourite of my fathers. And instead of thriving with the violence, I wanted to hide from it.

I didn't shy away when I saw Peter with a split lip at lunch one morning. I tried not to shut down because I liked him. I didn't want this kind of violence for him. I tried to shut off those feelings as soon as I felt those feelings. I knew what it was like when you cared for someone but couldn't ensure their safety. And I needed to think about my future.

It was hard not to like people around here, though.

Two days ago, Tony even gave me a computer. It was attached to his so he could monitor anything I did, but that way, I could watch Netflix in my room. Something I never got to do in Russia. There were a few days I had Cassie come to check on me because I had been "binging" for days.

My tracker was still on tight, but my bandages were finally off, and my bruises had faded into yellows and browns. I started to feel better.

As usual, I was still alone most of the time, but I didn't feel as lonely. Peter couldn't tell me about the mission he was working on with Vis and another man who seems to go by Cap (but his name might be Steve?). But he would tell me about growing up in New York with his aunt and uncle when he was around. Cassie was less busy with missions, but she was taking her second graduate degree online. Everyone was brilliant here. My parents were smart, too, but no one flaunted it with no care in the world like they did here. Being smart could get you killed unless you were on top.

Peter was gone for the next week, and the building felt emptier without him. Many other people were gone, too, but I missed just him.

"Come on, Barnes. Don't be that way," Loki whined with a grin, splitting his face.

"Shut your mouth, Loki." The American was being trailed by the tall foreigner, looking much more furious. He didn't seem to see me sitting in the cafeteria having dinner alone.

Loki did because he winked at me while he shouted his next taunt. "What, or you'll do it for me?"

Barnes halts to a stop and spins around, fury evident on his face. "With my fist, Loki. Only with my fist."

Loki all but giggled as he ran out of the room.

Barnes's eyes narrowed on me, and I threw my hands up in surrender. I don't need that anger directed towards me. I have already heard how trigger-happy he really is.

He stormed out of the cafeteria, seemingly after Loki.

—

"I think we should start you in training."

I narrowed my eyes at Nat. "Training for what?"

"If you will help us take down your parents, you must know how our operations run. And how to protect yourself." They wanted to take out my parents. Sure, someone would take their place, but it would be a scramble, and during that time, it would be easier to take down other heads. If they could remove the other three organizations that wanted me, it would make things even better. And I was the link between them all.