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After a day of training with short breaks, America couldn’t wait to get into bed and finally rest. She jumped onto her bed, still in her training robes and passed out minutes later.
Something or maybe even someone suddenly forced her out of sleep. All she felt was terror and confusion. Her heart was beating rapidly and she couldn’t place as to why. Her breathing was uneven and fast.
And worse of all, America couldn’t move. She was completely bounded to her bed.
“America…” A voice called to her in the dark.
America tried to speak, but even her throat was caught in her fear. Suddenly, she felt hands at her neck and saw a red mist surrounding the bright red eyes that stared down at her. Americas breathing suddenly became meek and shallow
“I’ve returned to come for you…and now you can’t run.”
The Scarlet Witch. She’s here to settle things.
American can’t scream. She can’t move. She can’t call out for help.
Stephen…help…
“And in such a perfect setting too…no one can hear you scream. We’ll get this over with silently.”
A booming noise sounded behind her bed. Books and many miscellaneous items flew and flailed around in her room, but the witch’s grip on her neck was still tight, and America swore it was getting tighter by the second. America closed her eyes as frightened tears fell onto her pillow.
Suddenly, her door opened. Out of the corner of her eye, America could see the light from the hallway.
Stephen? Please please please…
“Kid, kid! Hey! America!” Stephen ran over to America’s bed and shook her gently. In the blink of an eye, the witch, the red mist, and her paralysis was gone. America shot up and hugged Stephen tightly. She sobbed into his chest.
“Hey, hey, calm down. You have a portal open right now and things are flying. Take some deep breaths.”
America gasped softly and took a few deep breaths. The star-shaped portal slowly closed, and the flying items glided down slowly.
“What happened?” Stephen asked, gently patting America’s back.
“S-s-she was here! She was trying to take my power again a-and I couldn’t move or even speak!”
“Wanda…?”
“Mhm. I felt so helpless! And I-“ America started hyperventilating again.
“It’s ok, it’s ok. Deep breaths, ok? I think I understand what’s happening.”
America’s breathing slowly became more steady, and her grip on Stephen loosened. Stephen let go and kneeled beside America’s bed.
“Let’s go into the kitchen. I think some food will calm you down.”
America sniffled and nodded, following Stephen as they left her disordered room.
“Looks like you had a sleep paralysis episode, America. Also, you’re a little too close to the microwave.”
America gave a meek “oh” and stood back.
“Sleep paralysis?”
“Mhm. Just something that happens during the sleep cycle. Hallucinations, paralysis can all occur. Do you usually sleep on your back like that? Have you been getting enough sleep?”
The microwave beeped and America got her pizza out, and slammed the microwave door.
“Sorry. That was a little loud. Anyways. No, not usually. I didn’t realize i fell asleep. I was just so tired after training that i just fell onto the bed. Sometimes i train rather than sleep.”
“That’s not good for you, America. You need to sleep more. Remember that your health is of the most importance.”
“Mmm. Alright then. Thank you, Stephen.”
Stephen chuckled and stood up to go back to whatever he was doing previously.
“‘You might as well just stay up. Night, kid.”
“It’s 4 in the morning.”
“Oh. Well then, morning. Eat a hearty breakfast before training. Pizza doesn’t count.”
America could only chuckle before heating up two more slices of her leftover pizza.