Rogue Code

Incoherent shouting filled Yo-Yo's ears as she came too. Before she could fully comprehend the situation, gunshots sounded. Bullets zoomed towards her head. She moved out of the way, the bullets slowly spinning right where her head would've been. Yo-Yo looked in the direction where the bullets came from. Soldiers in all black stood at the ready. She noticed a badge on their uniforms, HYDRA.

Another spray of bullets came her way. She dodged them. Looking for a gap in the regiments of soldiers around her, Yo-yo took in her surroundings. She was in the middle of a town square. When she found no opening, she ran around, knocking the men off their feet. Yo-yo dashed down the street.

Heavy footsteps followed her down every alley and around every corner. She tried her best to lose them, but they seemed to be gaining on her. She made a sharp turn into an alley. Not the best direction she could've gone. There was a fence blocking off what looked to be a junkyard. With nowhere else to go, she hopped the fence. 

Yo-yo quickly ducked behind a large piece of scrap metal. She heard confused shouts as the men rounded the corner. "Where'd she go?"

"Fall back and check the surrounding buildings."

"Yes sir."

Yo-yo breathed a sigh of relief when she heard the footsteps fade out. 

She waited for what felt like forever before getting up from her spot. Logically, it was no longer than twenty-five minutes. She steadied her breath and said a small prayer.

There were random metal objects and banged-up cars strewn about the junkyard. After walking down a few aisles, she saw a back door to a shop. She prayed to God and all his angels the soldiers had already searched it.

Surprisingly, the door was unlocked. It led her to a dirty hallway. She rounded the corner. It seemed to be an auto repair shop. The smell of motor oil and grease filled her nose.

"Uh, can I help you, miss?" a familiar voice said. 

"Mack! ¡Gracias a Dios!" Yo-yo exclaimed. 

He gave her a puzzled look. "How did you know my name?"

He didn't remember her? "Oh," she glanced down. "It's on your uniform."

"Right," he said slowly. "Well, you know my name; what's yours?"

She smiled. "Elena."

"Well, Elena, can I ask what you're doing in my shop?"

Yo-yo couldn't think of a good lie. She decided to tell the truth. "I'm hiding from HYDRA."

Mack took a cautious step back. "What did you do to upset them?"

She shrugged. "No sé."

"You don't know?"

"That's what I said."

He looked her up and down. "Are you part of the resistance? Inhuman?"

"I am Inhuman; what would that have to do with HYDRA being on my tail?" Yo-yo raised her arms questioningly.

"Look, I didn't ask for trouble," Mack said defensively. "I'm an honest man just trying to make a living to provide a safe and comfortable life for my daughter."

Yo-Yo's mouth dropped open. His daughter was alive here? 

Mack continued talking. "Elena, you seem like a nice person, but I can't help you. All I ask is you leave my shop. I won't report you."

"I can't do that, Mack. Not now that I've found you."

"What do you mean?" Mack slowly reached for a wrench on a cart near him. Yo-yo snatched it out of his reach before he could grab it. 

"How did you do that?" he asked in awe.

"That's my power," Yo-yo explained. 

"You're fast, but you snap back like a..." something flickered behind his eyes. "Like a yo-yo."

"¡Sí! Exactly." The real Mack was inside of there somewhere. Now she had to draw him out. "I have friends; they'll help us. They'll help you and Hope."

Mack gave her a concerned glance. "I never told you my daughter's name."

"Yes, you did. But you don't remember it. I'm here to help save you, Mack. You need to believe me," she pleaded.

"Why should I trust you?"

She didn't want to scare him away. It was probably best to give him the truth in small pieces.  "I swear on la Virgen María, I am telling the truth."

He stared at her as he made up his mind.

"Please, Mack. You need to come with me."

"Come with you to the resistance base?"

"Eventually, yes."

He shook his head. "I don't know. What about Hope?"

Yo-yo stepped closer. "This will help her. She'll have a better life if HYDRA is gone." She didn't have the heart to tell him yet.

He paused, sceptical of her words. "Okay. If it will help Hope, I'll go with you."

"Good. Now, ¡vamos!"

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