The next day.
Sharon Carter parked her car, stepped out, and stood before Hawk's front door with a quiet sigh before knocking.
She hadn't even planned on being here today. Yesterday she'd already packed, ready to head to the airport. Christmas was around the corner, and she had no interest in being force-fed someone else's "sweet couple life" during the holidays. She'd bought tickets to Texas to see the rising stunt star Johnny Blaze's motorcycle show.
It had taken no small effort to get those tickets.
And then—her commander called.
Now, standing at Hawk's door, Sharon felt a pang of regret. If she could turn back time, she would never have taken that ride with Hawk back from Quantico.
The door opened.
Gwen appeared, smiling warmly.
"Good morning, Sharon."
"Gwen."
They hugged, and Gwen quickly apologized. "Sorry to trouble you again. Yesterday was… special circumstances."
She welcomed Sharon inside, then lowered her voice and summarized what had happened to Carrie the night before.
Bullied.
Drenched in pig's blood at her school prom.
Good God.
When Gwen had first heard Carrie's story, while handing her fresh pajamas, she'd been horrified. To her, the worst kind of bullying was the nonsense pulled by Midtown's resident thug, Flash Thompson.
But even Flash would never humiliate someone at prom—an event meant to be one of the most cherished memories of high school life.
And yet, there had been a girl cruel enough to destroy that moment for another.
Back in her bedroom later, recounting it all to Hawk, Gwen had heard that he'd already "ended" the school tyrant's life. Her reaction had been simple:
"Good job."
Even kind, gentle Gwen admitted—had she been treated that way, she would have done the same.
Forgive?
Forgiveness was God's work. Gwen would simply send the girl to meet Him.
Hearing Gwen's retelling, Sharon was equally appalled. "There are really women that cruel?"
"Yes," Gwen agreed.
At that moment, Hawk came down the stairs, greeting Sharon with a smile.
"Morning, Sharon."
"Morning," she replied.
"You're here about last night?"
"Yes."
"But it's fine now."
Hawk nodded. "Good. Actually, I've got something to ask you."
Sharon, who had just been thinking of her flight, blinked.
Hawk went on. "Back in Africa, Commander Hill mentioned that S.H.I.E.L.D. has a witch, right?"
"…Yes."
"What's her character like?"
"Uh…" Sharon faltered.
Hawk sat beside Gwen. "Carrie—the girl I rescued—just awakened. My friend asked me to find her a witch teacher. Nothing advanced, just the basics. Once her magic stabilizes, she'll inherit Salem's legacy herself. I thought of what Hill said."
Sharon's eyes lit up.
A witch.
A newly awakened witch with a built-in dimensional inheritance.
That was beyond rare. And Hawk was offering to entrust her to S.H.I.E.L.D.
She could barely keep her composure. "Yes, yes—we do have one."
"Good character?" Hawk pressed. "My friend wouldn't want Carrie led astray."
He had considered calling Anna. But Anna was Hydra. Handing Carrie over might create a disaster—a doomsday witch.
There were other witches he knew: Wanda Maximoff, the Scarlet Witch, still green and unawakened at this time. Not suitable.
Agatha Harkness, a capable teacher—but one who consumed the power of other witches. Handing Carrie to her would be handing over a skeleton.
That left S.H.I.E.L.D.
Even if the agency was destined to collapse within a year, it was enough time for Carrie to gain control and access Salem's inheritance.
Sharon absorbed all this, then hesitantly asked, "Hawk… what exactly is your definition of 'bad'?"
Hawk blinked and glanced at Gwen.
"Destroying the world?"
"…"
Gwen opened her mouth, then shut it again. Fair enough. World-ending was indeed "bad."
Sharon sighed with relief. "No, she's definitely not like that."
Hawk grinned. "Good. Not harming others—that much you can vouch for?"
"Yes," Sharon confirmed.
"Then I'll hold you to it. If she turns out wrong and my friend comes after me, I'll be coming after you."
Sharon nodded seriously. "Understood. She's trustworthy. She was once part of Captain Rogers' Howling Commandos. Now she's our supernatural consultant."
Hawk raised an eyebrow. "A Howling Commando?"
"Yes."
"Then that settles it."
Hawk knew Captain America's character. Anyone he trusted with his back in war, Hawk could trust to guide Carrie.
Not long after, Carrie came downstairs. Still uncertain about her future, she had nonetheless made her choice.
The Hell Witch had told her the truth: she wasn't a demon's daughter. She was a witch. A Salem witch. She could trust Hawk to place her with the right teacher.
As for Maine? She had no desire to return.
The vision shown to her—of her mother trying to kill her—was enough.
So, quietly, obediently, Carrie left with Sharon.
Hawk and Gwen, meanwhile, headed off to Helen Stacy's apartment for lunch, at Helen's request.
…
(End of Chapter)
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