"Have a good day, Acelia. Daddy will pick you up after school." Acelia gazes into the dark brown eyes of her mother. It was her very first day to kindergarten, and she was very nervous. 

"Will we make the buckeyes when you get home?" The 5 year-old asks. Her mom smiles, tucking a strand of Acelia's dark hair behind her ear. 

"Yes. And you can dip the peanut butter balls in the chocolate." Acelia smiles, then nods. Her mom kisses the top of her head and leaves the room. Acelia turns toward the group of children that were now her classmates. She was just about to walk to a seat when a dark-haired boy comes to her. 

"Hi. Are you new? I'm Shawn." The boy asks, his brown eyes twinkling. 

"I'm Acelia. This is my first day." She replies. 

"That's cool! You can sit next to me." Shawn gently grabs Acelia's hand and takes her to a seat next to him. She sits down with a smile as the day begins. 

-5 years later- 

Shawny: So, the 5 turns to 4 and the fraction is 3/3, correct? 

Ace: Yes, so the answer's 12/3. 

10 year-old Acelia was helping Shawn with their math that was due tomorrow. The clock shone 10:23 PM. On a normal night, Ace would've been in bed an hour ago, but her dad said that she could stay up later to help Shawn. Homework now finished, she sends Shawn a text. 

Ace: Going to bed. Will txt you in the morning. 

Shawny: Kk. See u tomorrow. 

Acelia puts her phone on the shelf next to her and dives under her bed covers. She was almost asleep when she hears loud talking. She recognizes her parents' voices and becomes curious. She quietly leaves her room and creeps down the hall to the front door. Both of her parents stood at the door, blocking her view of the third speaker. Her dad was obviously agitated, while her mom looked fearful. Ace feels immediate anger to the person at the door. Whatever he was saying, her parents didn't like, and Ace was always made when something upsets her parents. 

Ace almost walks forward when a loud bang rings out. Ace's mom screams as her dad falls to the floor. Another bang rings and her mom falls as well. Without a backward glance, Ace runs back to her room. Quickly locking the door, she runs to her window and opens it. Thankfully, she lived in a one-story house and easily drops to the outside ground. Running toward the backyard woods, Ace looks back. A man was standing at her window, watching her run. She catches a glimpse of a mechanical arm before disappearing into the woods. 

-the next day- 

Steve watches as the bodies of James and Clara Anders are carried away. He had gotten a call about them being found dead. He had immediately left New York, thanks to the private jet Tony had lent him. Now he stood in shock as to who did this. He also thought about where their daughter, Acelia, was. She had not been found in the house, but her room window had been open. Steve knew she was clever, and that she had most likely escaped. 

Gazing around, Steve spots a flash of pink in the corner of his eye. He immediately turns to the woods and meets the dark blue eyes of a scared and filthy Acelia. Her dark hair had twigs sticking out, and mud from the previous day's rain caked her ripped pajamas. Her face was red, eyes bloodshot from crying all night. Steve made the mistake of calling out. 

"Acelia!" The girl bolts back into the forest, Steve running after her. Steve pours on his speed as he quickly closes the distance. Ace was fast, but not fast enough. Steve manages to grab the back of her shirt and stop her. She fights him before realizing who he was. 

"Steve..." Ace whispers and collapses into tears. Steve pulls the girl close. 

"I know...I know, Acelia, I'm sorry." He stands there, comforting the girl. After a while, he picks her up and heads back. "I'll protect you." 

-5 years later- 

Acelia Rogers, now 15, looks around the camp eagerly. Steve had just dropped her off at the camp. The main idea of the camp is to allow the campers to learn about nature. Ace didn't have to go, because of personal reasons, but she wanted to anyway. She didn't get far when a girl comes up to her. The girl's bright green eyes were filled with curiosity. 

"Hey, we both have the same hoodie!" The girl says. Ace looks down at her own hoodie, then at the girl's. She was right. Ace smiles. 

"Yeah, I guess we do." The girl holds out her hand. 

"Robin Fareway." Ace shakes it. 

"Acelia Rogers."