~MILLER~

My fingers skirt the lining of a plush couch, the soft leather complimenting the modern room. I sigh, the thought of my laboratory being among the rubble upstairs making me sad. My work space is among one of the many lost, with floors 42-56 unsafe or non-existent. Pepper Pots calls my name, beconing me into a temporary office. She leaves quickly, leaving me alone with Mr Stark.

I bite my lip, the beginnings of a smile beginning to form, knowing that this could only mean two things, a promotion or being fired. "Congratulations." Mr Stark says. A gasp escapes my lips. "Oh my goodness! Thank you so so so much. I can't wait to get started. Thank you, I really wanted this job-" I begin. "Don't thank me, thank your new boss, Director Fury." He says, grinning. I smile broadly, almost squealing with delight. I shake his hand vigorously, turning and leaving the room.

I reach the front desk on the lowest level, only to be interrupted by my friend, Naomi, waving frantically at me. Rolling my eyes, I walk over. Her brown-stained lips turn into a smile, her pearly whites putting my crooked grin to shame. "Did you get the job?" She asks. I bite my lip. "Yep!" Her smile grows even wider. "I knew you would. Celebration drink? How about Joel's at six?" I nod.

"Definitely."

***

I walk briskly down the hall towards the elevator, my blue sneakers thudding on the damaged floorboards of my apartment block. Pressing the alert button, I watch the numbers click down from twenty-two as the elevator nears. When it finally opens, I am greeted by the cheerful sound of elevator music. Another woman with some sunglasses and a hoodie walks in, a scowl on her face.

I still haven't managed to get the smile off of my face, the beam plastered on. The girl scoffs, taking off her shades as the doors close. Putting them in her breast pocket, she turns to me, revealing her whole face. My face. He blonde locks mirror mine, along with the freckles and blue eyes.

She pushes her forearm into my neck, forcing me into the wall. I gasp, trying to breathe. "Help!" I scream. "Please!" She pulls me away from the wall by grabbing my collar, quickly thrusting my head into the wall again. Black spots dance across my vision and I try to blink them away.

I feel a sharp pain on the back of my head, followed by blood. She repeats the process once more. Numbness starts to overwhelm my systems, all feeling concentrated on the one spot on my head. The woman grabs me again, placing my hand on my forehead as she slams me into the wall for the final time.

The pain stops upon impact, along with my heartbeat.

~ANIMALIA~

I stare at the woman's stiff body before me. Her glasses have a crack on the left lens, a thin, silvery line stretching across it's diameter. The back of her head is covered in blood, a large smudge on the wall from where she hit it. I roll her over, grabbing her handbag and shoes, replacing them with my own. Making sure the elevator hatch is open, I lift her body above my head, pushing her through the gap.

I slide on her glasses, using her head to push her through the final gap in the hatch, quickly closing it. My robotic movements allow me to finish the job quickly, leaving three floors until I reach my destination. I grab a wipe from my bag, using it to erase the blood on the metal wall. Smoothening out my clothes, I take a deep breath.

The metal doors of the elevator slide open, revealing the dusty hallway. I walk towards Jessica's apartment, her keys jingling in my hand. A keychain hangs from them, featuring a pink donut with yellow sprinkles. I slide the key into the brass keyhole, turning it. The door opens, revealing a very neat apartment.

The walls are a soft blue, with a spotless kitchen emerging to my right. A light brown couch sits before a small television, adorned with pink and blue cushions. Many blue and pink objects are placed around the apartment, such as vases and pictures. I look back at the keychain, a small laugh escaping my lips. It surprises me and I quickly stifle it.

I walk into the bedroom, which is equally pink and blue. I place the handbag on the armchair in one of the corners. My gun lies inside, along with some ammunition, SHIELD identification, my fake drivers license, some money, several prices of a sniper and a com. Slipping it into my ear, the line crackles to life. "Target neutralised. Stage one complete." I say.

I hear crackles on the other end, followed by Melony Vandenberg's cold voice.

"Good. Tomorrow, you may begin Stage two."

***

I lay on Jessica's soft, pink bed, where the room smells of baked goods. The room sets me on edge, with all of the innocent colours and pictures eyeing me in every direction. I close my eyes in an attempt to go to sleep, but the bed feels as if it's consuming me, engulfing me whole. It's suffocating, along with the fake-scented air.

I sit up, running my hands down my weary face. Taking in deep breaths, I start to feel the urge to throw up. My chest hurts, a stabbing pain hitting my lungs. I gasp for air, over and over in an attempt to breathe. Somehow, I make it to the bathroom, where I empty the contents of my stomach. I slide into the bathtub, the cool surface calming me. What the hell is happening to me?

Worry gnaws at my mind, like I'm missing something. It overwhelms me, making me want to gag again. The pain on my chest stops, but the unease won't leave. There is something very wrong here, I know it. I just can't seem to remember. I sigh, trying to relax. My eyes close. The position in the bathtub feels familiar, like I'd done it before.

Fatigue starts to pull at my mind, pulling me into a deep sleep.