#tension

Chapter two: The Visit

1 Week Later

We haven’t talked much about what we saw In the mine. We didn't need to. The news stations did enough of that for us and after being in the hospital the past week it was inescapable. Everyone knew about happened.

Everyone knew what I did and everyone likes to act like they knew what happened everyone but me it seems.

“Finally!!”

My dad was relieved the moment we entered the front of the house. Having suffered a broken leg from the beam he felt like a week in the hospital wasn’t necessary. That’s just the kind of man he is. Always down playing injuries even when they are very much so serious.

"Come on honey, it wasn't that bad"

"Cafeteria food and cameras in our faces Isn’t exactly what I would consider paradise.”

“I don’t know about you mom but I’m with dad on this one. It'll be nice to stay home for longer than just the time it took for us to shower and grab dad more clothes.”

“Fine, fine, I understand. Now go get yourself ready for dinner. It shouldn't take too long to be ready. "

I went upstairs to my room and grabbed me a fresh pair pajamas and head to the bathroom to shower and wash all the hospital off of me. I looked up from the sink and into the miror staring at my reflection. I haven’t been able to focus this past week worrying about my dad in the hospital but whenever I get quiet moments to myself like this I think back to that day.

what was that?

what is wrong with me?

And why are both of my parents not addressing it? Everyone else in the nation seems to care more than my parents maybe they’re in shock like me. Trying to piece together any other logic explanation how that beam was moved.

As I was still deep in my thoughts, forgetting the original reason I was in the bathroom in the first place my attention was redirect to the knock that just landed on the front door.

I started my way down the stairs when my mom opened the door.

"Hello, are you Mrs. Bennett?"

| couldnt see who was at the door all I could hear was what sounded like a woman’s voice.

"Oh. Miss Romanov, Mr. Rogers, yes I’m Mrs. Bennett. Come in. Come in."

By this time I am already at the bottom of the stairs, bare feet transitioning from carpet to cold floor.

Rogers? Romanov? As in two of the most well known heros in the world?

Surely not.

I got the answer however when the two of them made their way into our home. It was them. But why?

"You must be the other miss Bennett." Steve Rogers said after I came around the corner.

He was tall. Muscular. And Seemed to be wearing a tight shirt one size too small. He looked even more God-like in person compared to the clips of him on the news. Accompanying him was no other than Natasha Romanov, who like Steve looked even more impressive in person.

“Yes. This is my daughter Victoria. Come this way. I just made dinner. Would y’all like dinner? Have some dinner with us!”

My mother responded for me in a confused, hectic and if I’m not mistaken, worried.

I don’t blame her however. I would be lying if I was confused and worried as to why these two super beings would be here. In my home. Especially after what happened a week earlier.

“Oh no thank you ma’am. Actually we were hoping to talk to you, your husband and your daughter. As quickly as possible.” Steve responded in a semi-stern, semi-polite, as if he needed to make sure what he was saying came off as more of an order than a request.

"Oh... My husband is in the living room. Come on Tori."

I could tell my mothers worries were increasing and so was I.

Once all 5 of us were gathered in our small and simple living room Natasha began.

"So, I know this is a weird situation and we are probably the last two people y'all were expecting to see today but we were sent here on behalf of S.H.I.E.L.D. to discuss the recent events that have occurred."

Natasha looked at me near the end of that sentance and I felt the palms of my hands start to sweat. As if my mother could tell, she grabbed my hand.

"I know that what we're about to say is going to come off sudden and maybe even a little scary. Especially since you're only, what, 17? 18-"

"19. I'm 19." I cut in. I wanted this conversation to get over with as sudden as it had started.

"What we're trying to say," Steve started, "We are going to need you to come back with us to the agency. We need to talk about your powers and how they transpired."

"Powers? No, No, you're mistaken. What happened was something else. I don't know. Some science thing happened, that's all!"

I was scrambling desperately for any logical explanation as to why what happened had happened. Anything to get me out of this. I wasn't going to leave. I am not going to Washington.

"Listen. Miss.Bennett, even if there's a chance that what happened was of a supernatural nature you'll need to come with us."

Steve was persistent.

"It's Victoria, and why do I feel like I'm getting arrested right now? I didn't do anything wrong! Mom? Dad?"

"Hon, maybe you need to."

The first time my dad spoke through this whole "intervention" and it felt like a stab in the back.

"Dad!"

"Tor, think about this logically. I was there. We both know what we saw that day. These people deal with these things everyday. They're government officials, what ever this thing is that is happening right now, we can't just ignore."

"I know this is sudden sweetie but it won't be for long I suppose. They'll help you."

I was losing it! Why are they talking like something is wrong with me. Like I have something that needs to be fixed. Why are they so okay with just letting me go?

"Help me?! There's nothing wrong with me!"

"It won't be for long. We just need to figure out how this originated, if it'll happen again, and if you need to learn how to control them. It could be as short as 2 weeks."

When Natasha spoke she provided comfort and understanding, as if she is familiar with the idea of feeling different. Feeling like something is wrong with you. Unlike Steve who made it seem like just another mission to execute.

"Think of it kind of like a trip Tor. We have never been able to show you the world. You are stuck in a world of nothing but ash. This would be good for you."

My mom sounded hopeful and on board with the idea.

"2 weeks? That's it?" I asked Natasha.

"Potentially."

My head was spinning. I don't know what the right thing to do is. My dad just got out of the hospital. I can't just leave.

"But dad, you just got home from the hospital. And what about work? What if you need help around the house?"

I was rambling.

My mom grabbed my face and kissed me on the forehead.

"Tor, go, We'll be fine. I know this is scary and new but it needs to be done, we both know this. I can't have you live the way you had been leading up to that moment again. No sleep. Nightmares. I want this to help you and I know you want that too. Sue will understand."

After another minute of hesitation I could tell Natasha and Steve were eager for the approval that they can take me and I broke.

"Ok, ok, fine. I'll go."

I wasn't sure how much or what I needed to pack so I kind of kept it to my usual wardrobe. I had everything I need. Including a picture of my parents I had folded into my jacket pocket. I can't believe I'm doing this. For the first time I am leaving the only place I've ever called home. It shouldn't be for long and then I can go back to my normal, simple life.

I walk my bags half way down the stairs before Steve met me in the middle and grabbed them for me. My parents waited for me by the door.

"Oh honey, you're going to be just fine."

I hugged my mom and then went over to my dad.

"You'll be back before you know it."

The goodbye felt long. Hard. Painful. It felt as if this was goodbye forever. They hugged me so tight as if I was genuinely moving away for good.

"We need to get moving." Natasha said while resting her hand on my shoulder.

"Okay. I'm ready."

Steve was already at the truck, putting my luggage in the back. I walked out with Natasha and she led me to the front seat. After we all got in and settled I looked over to my parents standing on the front porch. We waved goodbye as I drove off into the unknown.