Captain America meets the Hunt chapter 14
"Where are we going to find a pen in a city this size?" Phoebe asked
"I know where it is." Zoe stated but she had a pained expression as she lead them down the road.
"What is it?"
"I want nothing to do with it." Zoe replied as they moved on. Zoe ended up leading them to a large building.
"What is this place?"
"A museum." Aria replied Peggy had taken her to the one in New York. "Good thing it is open." Aria stated this time taking the lead inside she noticed the security guards as she entered both carrying guns.
"Where exactly is it in here?" Aria asked Zoe who lead them towards the classical studies. Aria now interested, some of these things were from Greece and were old. She stopped to look at a vase with a painting on it. She turned away walking over to Zoe who was staring at a painting of the Hesperides. Aria knew Zoe's story so she stood their for support in silence.
"Let us go." Zoe stated moving on Aria could tell she was burying her emotions but didn't say anything.
"Look it is Artemis." Phoebe stated they had stopped at a replica of the statue of Artemis with her hunting dogs. She was holding her bow with a quiver over her shoulder.
"She looks older." Aria stated
"She used to travel that age." Zoe stated making both the girls look at her.
"You girls interested in Artemis? There is some more works of her over here." A lady stated the three of them shared a look but when it became clear the lady was waiting for them to follow Aria sighed moving over to them. There was a broken clay work missing half of it with Greek writing underneath.
"That is Artemis the golden hunter." The lady stated but Aria could tell that was not quite accurate the words Artemis and golden hunter were there but other words had worn over time it was Artemis facing the golden hunter. Aria looked at Zoe but she could not get a read on her. Zoe stared at the piece of work before locking eyes on Aria. Aria wanted to ask her if she was correct, she remembered Artemis stating that she had tried to fight her before was there more than one time?
"Here is the tale of Callisto." The lady continued showing them a painting on a vase it did depict the story of Callisto but again Aria knew this was not correct. They finished on a different painting one with Artemis and Orion with her handmaidens in the background. Zoe seemed to tense at seeing him she looked like she wanted to destroy the image of him. Aria had tuned the lady out as she kept talking about different myths to do with Artemis.
As she was talking about the battle of Troy Aria had heard enough. Most of what she had said was not true and it was getting to Aria. She was annoyed and was getting ready to say something something along the lines that she had no idea what she was talking about. She was stopped however when Zoe placed her hand on her arm. At first she was surprised then she felt a weird sensation under her hand and Aria's anger disappeared she found herself relaxing.
"We thank you, for your lengthy description. But we would like to look around by ourself." Aria stated the lady stopped and seemed to blush before walking away. Aria turned to Zoe looking for an explanation. Instead Zoe walked away, Aria looked down at her arm where Zoe had touched her. The armbands Artemis placed on her seemed to be a brighter gold. As she looked at them they returned to their normal colour. She would have to ask Zoe what that was about.
"Aria." Zoe called her name they were already near the exit. She followed after them to the next room this room was different still Greek myths this one however had statues. They weren't small either. Zeus, Poseidon, Hades were the biggest statues then there was Hermes, Athena, Aphrodite and Ares. Aria was surprised there was no statue of Hera or Apollo or Artemis no Hephaestus. She looked up at the ceiling to see a painting on the roof. Apollo was in a chariot pulling the sun on one side Artemis pulling the moon on the other.
"That is wrong." Aria stated "if they wanted to tribute to the Olympians they should have them all." Aria added
"Aria not why we are here." Phoebe stated "Zoe?"
"There it is." Zoe stated pointing to the head of a dragon?
"Why is there a dragon in here?" Aria asked dragons weren't usually linked with Greek myths not one headed normal dragons at least.
"Better question how are we going to get up there to get the pen?" Phoebe asked back
"You mean how are you going to get it. We can not touch it." Aria stated meaning Zoe and herself. But she had a point the dragon was 12 feet off the ground. "Climb up the net. It takes you about half way then you will have to jump." Aria stated pointing to the giant fishing net hanging on the wall. Zoe ends up taking out an arrow connecting it to some rope and shot it to the roof. It went over the beam and kept going until it ran out of trajectory then it dropped. Zoe caught it and tied some knots. They now had a pulley system.
"Or that...but seriously Zoe next time give us a warning one of us should be standing guard." Aria stated after getting a look from Zoe she sighed before heading towards the door to keep watch.
"Hey you!" Was shouted at them as they were walking out of the museum there mission a success and seeming Zoë did not want to hang around they decided to leave. She turned to look at the guards who came jogging after them. Did they know?
"Yes?"
"You are to come with us." One stated placing their hand on Zoe before Aria could do anything Zoe punched the man sending him backwards.
"Do not touch me!" She stated with an icy cold tone it had the other man stopping from reacting he stared at her for a minute.
"Wench." The man she punched stated angrily
"Zoe time to go." Aria stated pulling her back the glare she was sending the men was deadly. If they were wise they should have turned around and left them. "We have done nothing wrong." Aria told the man
"Nothing? She just punched me."
"You touched her first." Aria replied standing between them to stop Zoe punching him again.
"What do you want from us?"
"You took the pen." He stated this made Aria freeze he should not know about the pen everyone saw it as a tooth.
"We didn't..."
"Anyone that comes for the pen must be stopped." The man stated this made all three of them tense.
"Who are you?" Aria asked
"Concerned humans." He replied as he went to grab her again but Aria ducked out of his reach they were not going to stay around to find out anymore.
They heard heavy footsteps behind them they knew they were being chased but they were Artemis's hunters. They knew how to run. They made it several blocks away after losing them before they slowed down.
"What did he mean concerned humans?" Phoebe asked
"Does not matter. We need to get back to New York." Aria stated
"You are not going anywhere." A voice stated behind them six men came out surrounding them. Each man had a gun aimed at them. "No moving, we know the expertise of those little arrows you carry."
"Who are you?" Aria asked she figured they worked with the guards seeming they had the same mark on their hand.
"We are concerned humans." He stated she noted again the use of the word human.
"We are human you need not be concerned about us." Aria stated trying to use the mist. "We are only three girls who are late to return home." Aria stated
"Shut up, you are abominations. We know exactly what you are." He spat
"You would shoot three defenceless girls?" Aria asked back
"We would shoot three hunters." He stated taking aim with his gun. A shot was fired Aria pushed Zoe and Phoebe behind her bringing forward her sword but it was the man that dropped. That was when the other men started shooting Aria managed to deflect the bullets aimed at them. Some of the men dropped down groaning
"Aria!" Was shouted from a very familiar voice Aria guided Zoe and Phoebe towards her she was behind a dumpster Aria moved behind them as bullets ricochet of the bin.
"I told you to leave us." Aria stated looking over at Peggy
"You seriously believed I would leave you alone?" Peggy asked
"I had hoped I said this was not your concern."
"Why are these men shooting at you?"
"They have been influenced by a monster." Aria stated she didn't know how she knew but she just did.
"The car is just down the road and on the right." Peggy stated
"Alright I will lay some cover fire. Zoe protect Phoebe." Aria stated
"Who is thee lieutenant?" Zoe asked back but started running when Aria shot two arrows rapidly but they were not normal arrows. They were fart arrows, they gave up a small smoke screen and had the target gagging. She ended up running with Peggy and her sixth sense kicked in as she tackled Peggy to the ground a burning sensation tore through her hip. Peggy rolled over and shot her gun before looking at Aria she was groaning and had her hand on her side.
"You're bleeding." Peggy stated Aria moved her hand to reveal blood on them. She couldn't help but laugh. "You're in shock." Peggy stated
"We need to move." Aria stated when she stopped laughing. Peggy helped her up and managed to get her around the corner to the others
"What happened?" Phoebe asked seeing that Aria was bleeding she moved to help hold her.
"I was shot." Aria replied as they ran Aria was trying not to groan but any pressure she put on her left leg sent fire through her left hip
"We need to stop… I need to stop this bleeding." Phoebe stated
"Bullet is still inside." Aria stated, "I will not heal until it is out." Aria added
"Zoe, we need to stop somewhere." Phoebe stated as Zoe looked around for a place to rest while trying to stay alert she did not want to be cornered again.
"No something is after it, we need to get it back to the others." Aria stated
"You will lose a lot of blood by then it is too risky." Phoebe stated
"We need to split up." Aria stated
"No." That was Zoe's contribution to the conversation as she focused on watching their backs.
"Yes...Peggy can get the bullet out. I will catch up when I can. It is logical." Aria stated
"Aria we just got you back." Phoebe stated
"I know but I will only slow you down."
"It is up on the right." Peggy stated as they looked down the road to see the car parked waiting for them.
"That car there it is the one you will take, it has a map in the front." Peggy added
"Where are you going to take her?" Phoebe asked
"I will take care of her." Peggy stated she knew this area she had a good place to hide then she will find a phone to make a call.
"We will draw them away." Zoe stated looking at Aria she was trying to put on a brave face, but Zoe could see the pain in her eyes.
"Go I will be alright." She stated Zoe hesitates but nodded taking Phoebe's hand she pulled her up and started running towards the car. Peggy ended up picking Aria up and ran to the area she had in mind. There she assessed the wound, Aria was right there was only one entry point. The bullet was still inside.
She applied pressure muttering apologies as she heard Aria hiss and tried to hit her hand away.
"Wait here I will be back in a minute." Peggy stated Aria huffed muttering something about she wasn't going anywhere. Peggy ended up going over to the phone box and made a call before coming back. 5 minutes later a car pulled up in front of them. She saw that Aria went tense as she heard it.
"English?" A female voice called out and Peggy smiled standing up and helping Aria up.
"Angie thanks for coming." Peggy stated
"Anything for you English...is that...?" She stopped Aria looked over at the woman as Peggy moved her towards the car. She had been introduced to Anggie last time she was here but her true identity was not revealed she was interested to know how Peggy was going to explain this.
"I will explain everything I promise but right now we need a place to treat her wound. She has been shot." Peggy stated helping her in the car
"Shot?" Angie asked as she climbed in the car. Peggy stayed with Aria in the back as Angie drove off.
"There is a hospital..."
"No hospitals. Can we go to yours?" Peggy asked
"You better explain English." Angie states but headed for her house. They helped her inside where Peggy got her to lie on the ground as Angie got towels.
"I am going to have to get the bullet out." Peggy stated Aria nodded her head letting her do it. Peggy got everything ready as Angie sat next to her helping her in anyway she could.
"How is she still conscious?" Angie asked as Peggy cleaned the wound Aria was giving off small moans. Peggy got up and moved into the kitchen when she came back she was holding a cup. Aria tried not to take it.
"It will help with the pain." She stated
"Just get it out." Aria retorted
"Not until you drink." Peggy stated using a firm voice. Aria somewhat glared at her, but she really wanted the bullet out of her so took the drink.
"Happy? Now..." she stopped blinking a couple of times. Her head was feeling really light and she was finding it difficult to keep her train of thought. Her body felt heavy and was going numb. "Peg..." she fell asleep Peggy knew she would not be happy when she woke up but now, she was not moving as she touched the wound she began her work. Fishing out the bullet was rather difficult but when she finally got it out Angie tried to help to stop the bleeding as Aria was bleeding more easily now. Peggy began to stitch her back up once they got the bleeding sorted.
AN: hey guys here is the next chapter I hope you like it, what do you think? I love to hear what you think, until next time stay safe and thanks for reading.