ETERNAL.
001. | ❛ killing sprees. ❜

FLASHBACK

Caroline exhaled strongly knowing of the massacre that she went on that caused SHIELD to lock her up in one of their cells. They knew that her killing spree would strike up quite a scare with the public. Killing sprees didn't happen to Caroline as often since 1950 but that was when Peggy was around and able to control her hunger. Almost every killing spree happened around two certain dates, Steve's birthday and the day when he went under.

It's been 60 years since his death and Caroline couldn't help but remember how everything that once mattered to her had disappeared. Her mother, Bucky, Steve, Howard, and Peggy who was still around but got Alzheimer's making it even harder to go visit her best friend. It was thanks to Peggy that she was even an agent at SHIELD, making a strong case that having a vampire was better than having her against them and in the wrong hands.

"A relapse again, Miss Kingsley?" said the voice that always greeted her when she did something wrong.

"You should know, Coulson. When this happens every time, you're here to greet me." Caroline sassed looking at Coulson who had the file detailing every time she had one of her killing spree.

"It's not healthy. Have you considered going to a therapist?"

"Coulson, you make me laugh. Why would I go? So that they tell me that I should get over him? So that they can tell me that it's better to move on? Or that he would've wanted me to move on with my life like Peggy?" With the slight of each word, Coulson could see that Caroline wanted to break down. Her lips quivered while trying to push back the buildup of tears in her eyes.

"Him?" Coulson asked, with Caroline knowing that this was his way of making her to come to terms with his death. Caroline felt a tear leave her eyes as she tried to make the one name leave her lips, "Steve."

With that one word, Caroline started to let her tears flow watching as they dropped on her legs. Coulson kept his mouth shut until he tried to think of words to calm Caroline down.

"You know hearing and reading Captain America stories, I was always amazed by his heroism. But when I first heard of your case when I started at SHIELD, it amazed me. Shocked more likely. Reading your file at first would scare anybody off but I found it rewarding. And your file also lists  what you did to erase that pain."

Caroline looked back up at him ready to justify her actions but deep down Caroline knew that she was selfish to do that. It was the one regret she had in her while life beside not telling Steve that she loved him.

"Erasing your memories of him? I'm not going to lecture you on why you did it but what matters is that you repented yourself for doing that and got your memories back. Numbing that pain only makes it hurt more when you do feel it. Just remember that when you start to feel like you're going on one of your 'killing sprees', you can always come and talk to me."

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PRESENT

The streets had such a way about them that it made it difficult to imagine that it changed so much. Buildings everywhere, especially one that made everybody look in awe above. The red suit flying around who was a child of Howard, who unfortunately died. Watching Tony grow up, often stopping by during holidays to not feel alone.

Caroline would often feel proud of everything that Tony had accomplished knowing that Howard would be proud. Every Friday, Caroline would stop and catch a glimpse of his tower while heading to the Wall of Valor. Caroline would stop by the florist and purchase a bouquet of lilies , knowing it was Steve, Bucky, and Caroline's favorite flower.

The Wall of Valor was a marble wall that stretched across with the names of fallen agents. While it was being built, SHIELD consulted Caroline on the project and insisted on two specific names that should be added on. Caroline traced her hand across Steve Rogers and proceeding to trace it across Bucky Barnes. She made a special request to have the two names positioned next to each other.

"Hey, Steve. Nothing much has changed since last Friday beside that I finally pinned Natasha. You know how long I've wanted to do that. Clint finally let me use his bow and arrow, and I get why he never let me use it because I suck at archery. Phil still keeps talking about his Captain America cards. Peggy is still in the same state as last time, she barely remembered me until I brought up old times. And Tony, well, what can't I say about Tony? Sometimes he reminds me of you, but not in that way."

"Today would've been like any other day that I've visited you but looking at the calendar I realized that it's coming up on your anniversary. Another year that you're gone. And I didn't forget about you, Buck. I think I'm getting better at the so called killing sprees, but Phil has started to call them bloodlust. It been almost 10 years since I had one of those. There's another mission that's coming up so you can wish me luck on that. And I brought you both lilies," Caroline said putting them in the flower holder.

"I know how much you guys like them. I know I say this a lot but I just want you guys to know how much I miss you."

Caroline found it harder every day to leave them at the Wall but it was better than having her aggression built up inside her. Spinning around and seeing the same figure which she resembled as her father figure.

"Phil, what are you doing here?"

"I was trying to find you and I realized that today was Friday." Phil said, "Captain." He saluted and turned back to Caroline.

"You found me. You always do. But you still haven't answered my question."

Phil sighed before continuing, "Agent Kingsley, we need you for a special operation."

"The operation that has to go down Tuesday?"

"Unfortunately, this operation is a complete different one that's going to need your abilities," Phil said while handing Caroline a tablet with clear information of the mission.

"Avengers Initiative? You guys couldn't have picked another name?"

Phil completely disregarded Caroline's comment and went forward to explain what exactly it was. "The Avenger Initiative. It's an idea S.H.I.E.L.D has had for a very long time. Bringing earth's bravest and mightiest heroes to work as a unit. The idea to bring together a group of remarkable people, see if they can become something more. See if they can work together when we need them to. To fight the battles that we could never fight."

"Phil, why am I even on this list for the Avengers? I'm rarely anything special." Caroline handing the tablet back to Coulson with him, pushing it back to Caroline.

"You're on this list because you are brave and mighty just like the rest of them. Caroline, you may think that the world fears you, but this can show the world that they need you."

Caroline had a uncertain look about the Initiative knowing that this could be the thing that could help her make a difference.

"Who else is on the list for the Avengers?"

He pointed to the tablet that contained so much information that tickled her curiosity. She watched footages containing a green monster smashing trucks easier that herself, called the Hulk, an alter ego of the scientist named Dr. Banner. Then it was her best friend, Natasha Romanoff, one of S.H.I.E.L.D's best assassins, her beautiful scarlet hair, and deadly with her knifes and tricks. 

She came across Thor's file even though he wasn't on Earth at the moment, the events of New Mexico, battle of Puente Antiguo, and the information that SHIELD had on the realms. She swiped left turning a page to another member of the team: Tony Stark. The footage was from a few years ago when Caroline was in the same exact room as Tony.

"I'm just not the hero type. Clearly. With this laundry list of character defects, all the mistakes I've made, largely public. Yeah, okay. The truth is... I am Iron Man. "

"Does Tony even qualify to be an Avenger? Don't get me wrong he's like a brother to me but why is he?" Caroline questioned

"We need all the help we can get" Phil responded so casually.

The next swipe was the file that shocked her.

"Why is he included in this file?"
Caroline showed him as she checked out the videos they had on him. His pictures, his shield, and one photo containing Caroline, Steve, and Bucky.

"Caroline, you might want to-"

"Might want to what? Phil, answer why Steve is in this file."

"You might want to ask Director Fury."

Caroline's anger was building up slowly and Phil knew that his last comment would be the death of him.

"I'm asking you, Phil. What are you hiding from me?"

Phil watched the next bunch of words he was going to utter, and at the same time watching as Caroline's anger boiled. "Steve, he's alive."

Caroline stood there emotionless, almost like she was in a trance. Steve was alive. Her love. The guy she thought died, was alive.

"For how long?" Caroline asked with small tears leaving her eyes.

"That doesn't-"

"For how long!" Caroline demanded making Phil a little scared if he gave her anytime of answer.

"Not for long."

"Can I see him?" Caroline asked with a pleading look. The angered vampire turned into the sweet, docile, and gentle Caroline that Phil had gotten to know.

"Yes."

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i feel like this version is better than the one before, I definitely cleaned up some of the grammar and gave more of a flashback and how Caroline and Phil got to be close.
Do you prefer old Eternal or new Eternal?