Date: 3/10/2002
Location: Malibu Solstice Vineyard, California
POV- Rick Mason
The mission brief was simple.
1.Locate a 13 year old boy by the name of Matthew Stark.
2.Take the target back to a specific Hydra base that will be sent upon confirmation and get the debt settled.
Bonus mission : Figure out how to cut ties with that multi headed serpent that keeps riding my ass.
The actual situation was… very different.
"Hi."
"Hey."
Wait…
Where did that voice come from?
I stopped mid step and turned behind me to come face to face with one of the many grape bushes in this vine yard.
That can't be right, right?
Either I'm finally losing my shit or someone is somewhere in there.
"Down here" the voice called out again , a hand waving out of the bottom of a particularly thick bush with grapes begging to be plucked.
I bent down to see a kid sitting beneath it, popping grapes into his mouth like it was nobody's business.
The kid was relaxed under one of the many vine bushes that were currently nearing the end of their bearing season. His well tailored blue suit stained with grass, dirt and random droplets of grape juice that splattered from each crisp pop in his mouth .
He was supposed to be here for the wedding of the famous scientists Reed Richards and Susan Storm. It would have been the wedding of the year if the public were told about it. After all, they were scheduled to launch off the planet in about a year from now. Their research was heavily scrutinized by the media and other worldly organizations. It would be a game changing mission if they indeed find a way to live on mars .
But guessing by his current location, he either got bored or the wedding became very problematic, very fast.The kid stretched , letting out a short yawn before turning to me with a raised eyebrow.
"Need something?"
"Shouldn't you be over there?" I pointed to the ceremony that was seemingly still going on peacefully with the minor busts of laughter breaking the awkward silences.
He glances over to the group in the distance then back at me. He looked like the thought alone made him exhausted.
"I only came for the cake." he shrugged, making a 'what do you think' expression.
"But , I don't know you," my expression didn't change but my brain was going off with warning bells.
Is he suspicious? Should I just retreat for now and get him later or maybe I just grab him now before anyone notices he's gone?'
" So which station?" he asked nonchalantly, like it made sense.
Huh ?
Station? Does he think I'm with the press?
" Oh, you got me I'm with The uhh..," I looked around, spotting a sign that stated Western Wing " Western..," And ran through the most common press companies I know " Insider."
I nodded to myself, I could only hope he believed me cause what the hell is The Western Insider? A cowboy magazine?
Oh whatever
The kid looked at me skeptically. I could feel the cold sweat dripping down my back as he seemed to process what I just said.
"Okay… then" he elongated , giving me a long stare before turning back to the vine filled with grapes above him.
Oh he definitely does not believe that bullshit.
Is this seriously the kid?
"So why are you actually here Mr. Reporter," he made air coats as he plucked another grape.
"To… document the wedding? Is that not what reporters do?" I asked him more than myself , not entirely sure I was making any sense at all.
"Then where is your pen? A booklet ? literally anything to record what you see or say?"
"I forgot it."
"Not a very good reporter are you?"
My brow twitched but I quickly cooled my expression.
"It's just an off day." a simple explanation, common really. What normal person hadn't forgotten their stuff before?
"Sure it is."
He finally got up from under there , dusting off the grass that lingered on his clothes.
"Bye." he waved half-heartedly walking back to the 'normal' seeming wedding happening a ways away.
Present day: 23/04/2009
Reminiscing about the first time I met the kid felt weird.
Am I getting old?
The door opened, slamming close as the passenger let out a long suffering sigh.
"You good?" I asked looking into the rearview mirror to check him over before pulling off.
" It's just an off day." he said, lifting his head off the head rest and looking right back at me through the reflection.
Matthew had just been "kidnapped" by S.H.I.E.L.D under Fury's orders, which anyone else could guess from his annoyed look it did not go well.
I should have probably been more concerned that he was taken but it's not like hydra would let their golden boy get hurt so what's the point?