𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐙𝐄𝐑𝐎. | ❛ Astray ❜

1864, New York.

STREAKS OF SUNLIGHT PENETRATED THE SQUARE WINDOW, blinding Jamie from her slumber. Slowly opening her eyes, she blinked and squinted her eyes as she tried to adjust her surroundings while lying flat down on her back. A tired groan escaped from her lips, feeling her muscles sore and the buzzing in her brain didn't make it any easier. Turning her head to the side, Jamie narrowed her eyes at the wide door facing her.

The door's structure seemed monstrously polished, a rather ugly brown color smeared on the entry, pulling her back from reality. She shot up from her lying position and sat down, a frown plastered onto her face as she looked around the unfamiliar space. There was a single metal bed at the corner of the room, a tiny wooden nightstand beside the bed, and a mirror hanging on the wall right beside a bathroom.

With a shaky breath, Jamie stood up, her wobbly legs pushing her up as she tried to ignore the stinging pain in her chest. Having a hand over her throat, she felt her pulse rise. Shivers entered down her spine, her skin breaking into goosebumps as she took cautious steps towards the door.

Placing her head onto the door, she slightly flinched at the cold sensation while trying to listen to any sounds or voices behind the door. Hearing indistinct mutters from outside, she brought her trembling hands on the door handle as she slowly opened the door. Surprisingly, it wasn't locked which made her heart hammer, making her contemplate if she should stay in the room or discover the unknown environment instead.

The door made creaking sounds, making her curse under her breath as she tried to be quiet as possible. Inching her head closer to the door, Jamie popped her head out and did a double-take. With a shaky sigh, she left the room and locked the door gently before sauntering towards the undisclosed place.

The dust and cobwebs on the walls made her shudder. A feeling of uneasiness washed over her body making her breathing more shallow and heavy as she walked past new faces, all looking at her as if she was an alien. A crimson painted her cheeks and looked down at her feet, trying to ignore the intense looks she was given whilst finding a way out.

The endless walls and multiple doors were overwhelming and Jamie wondered if her parents knew where she was. They must be worried sick and she let out a small scoff, imagining her mother pacing back and forth in their small living room as her father listened to her worries about her child's departure. She groaned internally, feeling frustrated at the fact that she had no memory of being put in the room, hence being withdrawn to an unknown place for untold reasons.

Feeling like an eternity of walking through the long hallway and infinite doors, when in reality it was only a few minutes, Jamie finally walked past a wide door. A flush of coldness through her, making her clench her jaw as she paused, her wide eyes taking in the busy residence from the stairway. Putting her hands inside her warm sleeves, she took hesitant steps till she reached the railing, her hands placed on the cold metal.

Watching from above, people roamed around the big area, their busy chattering echoing through the chamber. Doctors and scientists studied and observed physiques, their bodies laying carefully on a steel table while some were seated inside an examination room where they had various tests running, and if Jamie saw right, it looked like they were applying herbs and other mixtures inside a syringe.

Taking one last look, she walked down the wide stairs, her eyes taking in every detail and feature of the unknown setting. As she took cautious steps down the stairs, she reached the end of the stairway, bumping into someone in the process.

Abruptly stopping in their tracks, they turned their body towards her with an annoyed expression plastered onto their faces.  "Watch where you're going!" they said in a chiding manner before leaving the confused girl by herself, a pout forming her lips as she watched their body disappearing into the busy halls.

"I'm sorry about her, she's not really in the right state of mind at the moment," a gentle male voice told her, causing a sudden warm feeling inside her but it quickly disappeared as it appeared.

Jamie held her breath before moving her head to the sound. She shakily exhaled as her eyes took in his frame. Chisel-shaped face, high cheekbones, the freckles on his face, and a soft smile on his face made the female's heart soar. He seemed to be someone from a higher class due to his choice of clothing. He wore a simple dark to mid-gray attire that hugged his body and held a file in his right hand.

Snapping out of her daze, she averted her gaze away from his figure and shyly looked into his eyes, the emerald color sparkling into his eyes. "Uh, I, no. I-It's fine." she gulped, folding her arms together. She gave him a small smile, feeling heat pricking her cheeks when he mirrored the smile, but wider and gentle than she could give.

Thomas Avery hummed in delight, taking a step closer to the flustered girl. Jamie noticed and took a step back, a slight fear erupting inside her. He paused, an apologetic look on his face.

"I'm sorry, have I seen you around?" he asked, his curiosity itching his brain. One thing he noticed when he first laid eyes on her was how she took a look around her, and he assumed she thought she was dreaming since she kept pinching her arm once in a while going down the stairs.

     Jamie still kept her distance from him and she looked puzzled, being unable to answer. "I, I-I don't know where I am, honestly." she stuttered, her voice becoming smaller. Pressing her lips together, she swallowed nervously watching his gaze softening.

     As he was about to answer, a hand tapped his shoulder causing him to turn around. "Apologizes, sir, but Dr. Williams needs your assistance." a rough, voice told the young man, their firm posture making Jamie uncomfortable.

     Thomas nodded to them in a respectful manner before checking his clock, his eyes slightly widening. "Oh, right. I should be headed back at the examination room now." he acknowledged, thanking them with a quick nod before turning his gaze at the younger girl, who was confusedly looking around her surroundings.

     "As much as I love chit-tatting, my superiors need me. Hopefully, I'll see you around, miss." Thomas chirped, giving her a charming smile, which she tried to return.

     Watching him leave, she was still standing on the same spot he found her, but he quickly glanced at her once again, making sure she was still there. Feeling a sudden urge to follow him, she didn't. She just watched his figure getting lost in the busy crowd of people meandering through.

     Clutching her chest, she could feel her beating heart and tears began to well up in her eyes. A soft gasp emitted from her mouth and covered her hand with her mouth, feeling the hot tears stinging her eyes. No one seemed to notice the fragile girl's shaking-body sobs, racking in Jamie's body, each coming like a tidal wave, and with every sob, she let out a small whimper. She hadn't felt so lost in her life, so helpless. She didn't want to be here. In fact, she didn't belong here.

     A burst of pain hit her in the back of her skull, searing through her temples. She groaned, feeling her eyelids slowly closing. She felt her knees buckle, letting her body hit the cold floor with a thud.

She faced the ceiling, the light bulbs turning into multiple gleaming tubers, the brightness blinding her. Jamie's blurred vision made her squint her eyes as people gathered around her, some looking at her with concern, others with disdain. When her skin turned pale, she knew she was going to pass out. Her eyes rolled backwards as she let the darkness consume her with open warms.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE.

The first chapter is up! Woohoo 🙌🏼
I wanted to give you guys a little teaser from Jamie's past since her past plays a huge role in the series. I've literally written a whole ass draft about her past life so you guys will get a lot of content from her previous life ;)

Also, now I'm asking for feedback and comments because I'm a shameless thirsty-ass bitch who wants your love and support.

© AGENTOFBARNES, 2021。
Written, Produced, and Screened by Sana
Book 2 of 𝕿he 𝖁oyage 𝕾eries。
Marvel Cinematic Universe。