Hey, who is there?

Pfft, I'm just on my guard as usual. What do you want?

You come to warn me? That's... unexpected. I should thank you, but shouldn't you worry more about yourself and your own hide?

I snort and look at him suspiciously. "So, why you're here? Did you follow me?" I try to keep the annoyance out of my voice, because deep inside, it feels kinda nice, that someone actually cares about my safety.

So it's not about me then... Huh. Fine. But they don't mean harm to me. Or you, if I recall correctly. You can go back to your business and leave me alone. The less attention we draw to each other, the better off we both are.

Pfft, as if. You're not my protector, MaXXX. I don't need your help. Besides, who said they would track me? Oh right, no one. So get out of here and leave me alone with my own problems, if you please.

I stop in my tracks, eyes widening in alarm. "What?" I whisper, feeling sick to my stomach. "Are you sure about that? Why... why would they want me?" My voice cracks and I take a step back, trying not to panic.

"Well," MaXXX says carefully, "they have been known to collect specimens of all shapes and sizes for their experiments. You fit the bill." He pauses. "And if you don't mind my asking, what exactly are you?"

"I..." I swallow hard, still trying to process the information. "My name's Tsanure. And what they want, it... it doesn't matter." Lie. It matters. A lot. But admitting that would make me seem weak and vulnerable. I close my eyes for a moment, trying to regain some control over myself.

"Look," I say, opening them again, "if they find me, I'll deal with it. But until then..." I shrug, trying to appear nonchalant. "I don't need your help."

I stand there for a moment, watching him vanish as if I'd imagined the whole thing. But the feeling that he just offered me something... It refuses to leave my chest. Something about him has me wondering what it would be like to have someone like that on your side. Too bad I don't have time for stupid crushes right now, though. There are more important things at stake.

With a deep breath and a shaky hand, I grab my cell phone and call up Jane, my contact at SHIELD. She answers almost instantly, her tone professional and reassuring. "Tsanure," she says, "we've been expecting your call." Well, that's one good thing at least. Maybe they won't ignore this after all...

My heartrate slowly returns to normal as I tell Jane what MaXXX just revealed about the HYDRA list. There's silence on the other end, and then she lets out a low whistle. "Shit," she says. "We'll have someone there ASAP to secure the area."

"Thanks, Jane," I say, feeling slightly better already. Even if it is only a little. "I really appreciate this." There's another pause as we both take a deep breath before continuing. "In the meantime, you wouldn't happen to know anything about someone named MaXXX, would you?"

"Ma... MaXXX," Jane repeats slowly. "No, no one by that name comes up in our files." She hesitates again. "But sometimes people use aliases or code names, you know..." Now it's my turn to hesitate. "He mentioned another name... said that no one can catch Plastique."

Jane sighs audibly. "Plastique... Yeah, we've heard that name a few times too. He's one of their top agents. Near-impossible to catch." I nod, though Jane can't see me do it. "Well," she continues, "keep your head down and try not to draw any attention to yourself until our people get there. We don't want you running into trouble on your own." "Will do, Jane. Thanks for the help." I hang up before she can say anything else, still not quite sure what to make of MaXXX or his offer of assistance. But at least now I feel a little less alone in this mess.

Time to find a place to lie low until SHIELD arrives... and maybe figure out just how deep this rabbit hole goes.

I don't understand why SHIELD would send someone like you to help me... But if it means getting out of this mess alive, then I guess I shouldn't question my luck too much. Maybe once we're safe, I can figure out what's going on and find a way to repay the favor... somehow. In the meantime, I should just stay hidden until Jane says otherwise.

I quickly check the time and then start packing up my things. I need to get out of here, now. There's no point in staying if they already found me. With a final glance around the room, I make my way out of the hideout and into the dark alleyway behind it. It smells awful but it should do the trick for now.

Shit! They found me... Oh no... I back up against the wall, trying to figure out my next move. There's nowhere left to go; they've cornered me! I look around wildly for something, anything I can use as a weapon, but all I see is trash and a few abandoned crates. No time to think, no time at all...

I whirl around at the sound of his voice, eyes widening in surprise and relief. MaXXX stands before me, shifting between three different forms: a huge spider, a man with skin as black as midnight and scales that glint like obsidian, and a massive wolverine-like creature with razor sharp claws and fangs. "MaXXX... You came back," I manage to say before the last of HYDRA soldiers falls silent.

"I told you, luv," he says with a wink, "you shout my name and maybe I'll be around." He chuckles again, showing off sharp teeth in each form. "Now, let's get out of here before someone else notices this little party." With that, he morphs into a giant dark feather and floats toward me. "Climb on," he whispers, as the soft, velvety touch tickles my cheek.

I swallow hard, feeling the weight of everything that's just happened pressing down on me. MaXXX's words seem sincere enough, but I can't help but feel a little nervous about trusting him so easily. He knows my name... what if he isn't who he says he is? Then again, what choice do I have right now? The HYDRA soldiers are gone, and as much as it pains me to admit it, I don't think I could've taken them on alone.

With a deep breath, I close my eyes and climb onto the feather, wrapping my arms around his soft surface. It feels almost like touching silk, only warmer and more reassuring. As he begins to fly through the night sky, I lean against him, grateful for his strength and support. Maybe... just maybe, I can trust MaXXX after all.