I wake up slowly, amidst sounds of honking cars and city life. As I sit up, a hand tied fleece blanket slips off of me and onto the floor. Someone has turned off the television and sunlight filters softly through the windows. I pad into the kitchen, the silence of the tower pressing down relentlessly. Where is everyone? I find my answer on the table- Gone on mission. Be back later. Suddenly infuriated, I throw it in the trash. I turn the tv back on and try to find a news channel.

The day starts slow-I shower, change into a lavender sweater and dark jeans. After walking by and glancing at myself in the bathroom mirror, I dart back over to it. What the..? Dark bruises line my throat, almost as if someone has tried to strangle me. I skim my fingers over one and wince as it twinges. I sit on the white counter and peer at it. They're definitely set in the shape of fingers. How? The realization is gradual, and I pull my feet up onto the counter with me. "O net," I whisper. There is something in my head-something darker than the rest of me. "O net," I say a little louder. I finally climb down, oddly glad that no one is here to see this.

I go into Natasha's room and dig around in her bathroom. Izvinite, Natasha. I find what I'm looking for after a long search- a half-full tube of concealer. I daub it on, making it and the bruises unnoticeable. Perfect. No sense worrying anyone.

I get the bandages on my ear changed, but Jarvis remains silent. I try to immerse myself by reading the book from yesterday in front of the television, but my stomach twinges nervously whenever it reports on the Avengers. After a sudden memory- shadows dance across a wooden wall as someone behind me giggles. Is this...?- I finally turn off the tv. I put my head in my hands. Why do I care? A few days ago, I was ready to kill these people. Now I'm worried? I really am broken. I... I'm so damn broken. I'm a stupid little girl, who doesn't know where she's supposed to be, or what she's doing, and who's covering up her own hurt by hurting others. I scream into my arms a little. It feels... Good? Ugh. I should probably turn the tv back on to see how everyone's doing, but why bother developing a moral code now? If I'm right, I might not wake up again. The thought makes me hollow.

I gather myself up and venture into the training room, taking my book with me. I'm scared, I'm hurt, I'm lonely, so, obviously, the one productive thing I can do is take it out on something else. I cough uneasily. "Jarvis?" It takes him a moment to respond. "Yes, miss?" "Please pull up a simulation." He gives me an expressionless hologram that swings at me clumsily. "Level one! Begin!" Another voice announces. I defeat it easily, but it doesn't help. "Jarvis, please put on some music," I ask the silent AI. He gives me a thready maroon violin solo, and I find myself fighting in time. Better. "Level six! Begin!" The assailant is slightly sharper, though not by much. I take it down quickly. "Level eleven! Level sixteen! Level twenty!" By the time I get to level twenty-three, I'm panting. The song has been replaced by one fast and electric blue. I remember some of the lyrics from Natasha's car. "I chime in with a 'haven't you people ever heard of closing the goddamn door!'" I sing under my breath as I pin the holo. I feel less empty. That's always good. With a twinge, I realize that my plan begins in only two days. Break out with Racks, go to Belgium... Leave. "Level twenty-four!"

I don't register it fast enough, and the hologram swipes me down. I land crouching, ready to continue, and launch upwards. "Pour the champagne, pour the champagne," the song continues. I feel off-kilter and dizzy. The simulation ends, and I stop it fully before the next level starts. It's helped somewhat, but training in a sweater... Why have I done this to myself? It slips off one shoulder, making me feel oddly childish. The song winds down, and a new one begins, soft and blue-y yellow. "I don't like walking round this old and empty house..." I find myself, oddly enough, still moving. I tap my foot to the beat, and leave the music on. Charlotte, what are you doing? I have no clue. But I kind of like it.

I smile a little as the song rises. "Don't listen to a word I say! Hey! The screams all sound the same! Hey!" I whirl to the rhythm, following the translucent tracks of color in the air. I jump in the air, and for a single, shining moment, I feel like I will never come down, but gravity takes hold, and I stumble as the song slows, stops. "You're gone, gone, gone away, I watched you disappear..." I might not wake up again. It hits me like a wave, and I turn off the music via Jarvis. I might not wake up. What else is new? A little voice tries to reassure me. I look around me at the training room. I sit down, crouching on my haunches. "What are you doing, Char?" I ask myself. Honestly? I have no clue.

But for once in my life, I don't want it to end.