Marvel: I am Jean's Apprentice.

Chapter six:

Time passed slowly and painfully. I have no idea how we were surviving it. It hurts, life hurts. We are in a war zone and nothing is safe. It doesn't if you're a man, woman, or child. We are thirteen years old now. Pietro was kinda distant lately, and he was definitely hanging out with the wrong crowd. He is trying to keep me out of it but I have my suspicions.

I think that it might be involved with Hydra. I'm not sure of course but who knows. I finally made my way into the main room of the orphanage and I saw Pietro in the corner and he was talking to a group of people.

"Happy birthday brother!" I said and he jumped up slightly.

He then turned around and stared at me before smiling. "Happy birthday little brother!" Replied Pietro and he gave me a tight hug.

"I love you." Pietro whispered in my ear. A while smile then spread across my face.

"I love you more." I replied.

We both then released each other. "So what should we do today?" I said and he just looked at me nervous before looking at the others.

"I'm sorry bro, but the guys and I have other plans. I mean you could join us but it is probably safer not to." Replied Pietro before walking away.

I just smiled knowing that he was trying to protect me. "No thanks, I'm good. I'll see you later tonight still, right?" I said.

"Yeah of course, see you later bro." Replied Pietro before he joined the others.

I was a little disappointed but it was fine.

I then headed out of the room and accidentally ran into the matron of the orphanage. She then looked down at me.

"I'm so sorry Matron, I wasn't looking where I was going." I said with tears in my eyes.

"It's alright small one, come with me let's talk about what is troubling our birthday boy." She replied.

After she shuts the door she just looked at me. "So who hurt my small child?" She said.

"It's just that Pietro and I used to talk about everything together and now we aren't even close anymore. I know that it is probably normal... I just feel so alone in this world and on our birthday as well and it sucks." I replied with tears in my eyes.

She then took a deep breath and obviously held herself back from saying something cruel. "Look Travis, I want to be honest with you. Siblings are difficult especially after the trauma you went through together. He is going through a difficult rebellious phase but no matter what you are still his first priority. I've seen it myself so don't worry." She said.

That helped me feel better, and I knew that she was right. It's just my hormones made me emotional. It doesn't actually make it easier though.

"Thank you Matron, I appreciate it. I just want to be alone for a bit in order to think." I replied.

The world and life is a lot harder than I expected. I don't think I want this anymore but I would be a idiot to give up. I just hoped that it would get easier but I feel like I haven't seen the hardest part yet.