-?Caught in her Web?- (black widow)

Red room

"You're aware that you're still a global fugitive, right?" she asks, almost casually.

I nod. "You know the facility. There must be some way to land it."

"Instruct them to confine us to level zero. Once I'm out, I can activate the landing protocol. We can descend within the hour. There's one problem, though. I only have one earpiece set," Melina says with determination before handing me one.

I take it, but the reality sets in. "We don't have enough for all of us."

"I'll give it to Yelena," I reply, resolve building in my chest.

After what feels like an eternity of waiting, I hear the sound of a plane's engines humming to life. I knock Melina in disguise as me out

Seconds later, I see Yelena emerging from the room, her eyes wide as she spots „me". I'm sorry, but I can't hesitate—I shoot a Widow Bite at Yelena, knocking her out cold.

I turn just in time to be hit by Cleo. She's fighting me, and I don't want to hurt her, but the instinct to survive is too strong. Over and over, she rises, and I'm not sure how long I can keep holding back.

Suddenly, Red Room soldiers burst into the room. One presses a button, and I watch in horror as Cleo crumples to the floor, her body convulsing in pain.

I start to reach for her, but the soldiers are already on her, cuffing her hands. One of them shoves a needle into her arm, and she falls limp to the floor, unconscious. The soldiers drag her away, and all I can do is watch, helpless, as they carry her toward the plane.

I can't let this happen. Not to her. Not again.

But I don't have a choice. My hands tremble as I glance around at the chaos. The Red Room soldiers are closing in, and I have to make a choice.

I won't lose her. Not again. Not like this.

I steel myself and follow them toward the plane, my heart pounding in my chest. I'll make sure she survives. Even if it costs me everything.

*time skip

walk down the long, cold hallway, my footsteps echoing off the walls. Passing the training room, I can hear the muffled sounds of combat within. The door is slightly ajar, and curiosity gets the better of me. I pause for a moment, peeking inside. The training session halts as soon as the room notices me. All eyes turn to me, each of them waiting for me to make the next move. Without a word, I simply nod and continue walking. It's always strange being in this place, but the familiarity of it—no matter how much I despise it—reminds me of a life I can never fully escape from.

I finally reach the door to Dreykov's office, and before I can even raise my hand to knock, it swings open on its own. There he stands. Dreykov—the bastard who's responsible for the suffering of thousands of girls, including myself. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the confrontation. He's smirking, that infuriatingly calm and smug expression on his face.

Dreykov chuckles as he looks me up and down, "My God. Look at you. So, uh, how was the family reunion?"

I try to keep my voice steady as I reply, "Oh, it was awful. They were clingy, too emotional, and needy," I lie, trying to play it cool.

He laughs again, as if we're sharing an inside joke, one I'm definitely not a part of. "Just like old times, huh?"

I give him a small, forced nod. "Hmm."

Dreykov's eyes narrow as he takes a step closer to me, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "Yelena Belova. What's the deal with her? She was the only one affected, right?"