Chapter 7: An Almost Abduction
Author's Note: I'm sorry about the delay in this chapter's posting. A week of remote learning, and some crazy teaching days has got my days of the week all mixed up. Thank you for stopping by and reading! If you can, please leave a review.
I watched Bucky rush down the hall and around the corner, out of sight. He had no idea how his words had affected me, and now questions rushed through my mind at super speed. Did he say he was going to take me out? The first thing that made me think of was a date, and my face grew increasingly hot at the idea. A short thrill of excitement tingled up my spine as I walked back into my room and sat on the bed. I knew I was being ridiculous the moment the word date had popped into my mind. I was just going to have to wait and find out exactly what he meant.
For the time being, I was free to wander the facility as I saw fit. The only stipulations being that I didn't head into any restricted areas, or places where briefing were being held. Luckily for me, those places were easy to identify, and I steered clear of them. I walked the halls aimlessly, stopping to talk to people now and then. I ran into Dugan, Gabe, and Jim from the 107th and chatted with them before moving on towards the weapons testing area.
I found Steve sitting in a chair at a small alcove surrounded by shelves. He had a crestfallen look on his face and held his head in his hands with his elbows propped on a small table. I smiled to myself and found an empty chair and pulled it over to sit next to him.
"Hi Steve," I pulled him out his trance and he looked at me. "Is something wrong?"
I watched Steve closely as his emotions played out on his easily readable face. He battled with himself over whether to tell me or not to. After a minute of inward battling, he sighed and put his hands down on the table.
"I'm an idiot." He stated outright, making me lean back in surprise. "I accused Peggy and Howard of-of," He made an embarrassed face and I nodded.
"Of being romantically involved?" I offered, knowing full well he had accused them of "fondueing." Which mean that Howard had explained what fondue was.
"That is a way better way to say that than what I said." I smiled at Steve as he mentally beat himself over it.
Unbeknownst to Steve, his little embarrassing moment had been one of my favorite moments in the movie. He had been so cute and innocent about it, and poor Peggy had caught some cadet planting lips on Steve. But, I pulled my mind back to the moment, if that happened, then that meant one thing.
He's chosen his shield! The thought burst in my mind, and I had to control myself from laughing hysterically about it. Steve would soon be carrying his iconic vibranium shield into battle!
Steve groaned and I looked back at him as he pressed the heels of his hands into his forehead. "Why is this so hard?" He muttered. "I'm not used to this."
"Used to what? I asked, though I had an idea what he meant.
"Talking to girls and being this," He motioned to his body, and I chuckled.
"Being so muscular?" He blushed and I covered my mouth with my hand to contain my laughter.
I wanted so badly to tell Steve I understood what he was dealing with, mostly because I had watched him deal with it. It would have made things so easier, but that nagging voice in the back of my mind held me back. Instead, I let him explain to me how he used to be sickly, skinny, and just kind of an afterthought to everyone. He used to rely on Bucky for everything, and usually he was the more charismatic one out of the two of them. Now, Steve was being accosted in the hallways for doing something that was his patriotic duty.
"I'm sorry, you don't want to hear my problems with girls." He smiled sheepishly and I shrugged.
"It's all good, as long as you know that I can't really help you with them." He nodded and an awkward silence settled between us.
It was funny, as I was sitting there with Steve, I felt like he was one of my older brothers. I was comfortable around him like I had grown up with him my whole life. I marveled at the feeling because Captain America was my absolute favorite hero, someone I deeply loved. Was it possible that the love I felt for him was different than what I had thought of it? More of a mutual bond rather actual love? The more I looked at Steve, the more I came to think of him as family,
"Have you talked to Bucky today?" I asked suddenly, out of the blue. Steve looked confused and shook his head.
I dropped my shoulders a bit as I chewed my bottom lip and fidgeted with my hands. I was still wondering at what exactly Bucky had meant about taking me out tonight, and it was eating me up inside. I wanted to tell Steve, but I didn't want to come off as desperate, and I gain I was amazed at the two distinct feelings I had for Steve and Bucky.
"So, Colonel Phillips has basically grounded me from leaving the facility, especially since I'm refusing to do anymore drills or tests." I started and Steve nodded, following along. "Bucky came and played cards with me, and I told him about the situation, and he said he was going to find a way to take me out." I spoke at chipmunk speed, and I knew I was because Steve's eyes practically rolled as he tried to keep up with my rambling. When I was done, and he took a few minutes to think about it, he seemed to understand.
"Sorry, Maddie, I have no idea." He confessed. "I haven't seen him since this morning."
Despite that, Steve reassured me that Bucky wasn't going to do anything too fantastical. He was probably going to find some way to stay at the facility, but still help me to get out and get fresh air. I agreed, but it didn't stop my thoughts from racing as pieces of the movie came back to me with Bucky doing lots of fantastical things. To put me at ease, Steve promised to round up some of the guys to play cards. I smiled and told him that that would be good, since I was bored out of my mind.
He managed to gather up all his Howling Commandos (minus Bucky), and we all bunched together around a little table in the alcove. I ran over the rules of Egyptian Rat Screw, which was my game of choice. I dealt the cards and soon the games got intense, with hands slapping hard on the tabletop, and people crying out in frustration.
"I don't think that's a nice word for a young lady to say," James Montgomery Farnsworth commented after a rather brutal hand of the game.
"Egyptian Rat Screw? Which one of those words seems not nice?" I asked him as Dugan gathered up the cards he had just collected.
"Screw," James replied indignantly.
"Seriously?" I stared blankly at him. "We can call it Egyptian Rat Monkey if you'd like. That's how I said it around some of the children I used to tend when I was younger." I stuck my tongue out at James, who shook his head haughtily.
To make it up, after the last hand we changed games. Someone suggested poker, and I sheepishly admitted that I had never played. I had never seen a group of men so excited to teach me how to gamble in my life. I let James play with me, but that might have been a mistake as we lost hand after hand. I also didn't have anything to bet with, and only ended up losing James's money.
We spent the rest of the afternoon like this, until everyone was called into a briefing I wasn't invited to. I was ordered back to my room, and after a few protests, I stomped my way back, although just playfully. It was easier to go back to my room when I recalled the living situation I had been at in Red Skull's factory. I was happy to return to a bed and not a circular dungeon.
I took dinner in my room and read a book that Peggy had brought me. It was a beat-up copy of Frankenstein that had survived a recent bombing. I didn't mind it at all, since it was one of my favorite classics, and it reminded me of my English studies at my university. I was a little more than halfway through the book when there was a knock at my door. It opened and Bucky poked his head in. I instantly set the book aside and sat straight up as he came in and closed the door.
"Good, you're here." He said as he did so. "You ready to go out?" He held a large bundle of something behind his back.
My mouth went instantly dry, and my heart hammered in my chest. Despite that, I managed to nod at him.
"Good! You, me, and some of the guys are headed out to the bar!" He suddenly thrust the bundle into my lap, and I saw that it was a military uniform of sorts.
"What's this?" I asked softly as I unfolded the shirt and looked up at Bucky.
"A disguise! Hurry and get changed, then we'll go." He quickly left the room and I sprung to my feet.
I changed into the green fatigues of some soldier who had probably left them at the facility, or so I told myself – I didn't want to think of any other option it could have been. They were a little baggy, but not as much as that I could trip over them. I rolled up the pant legs just a little, and it looked great. I put on the boots and laced them up, then stepped out into the hall to show Bucky.
"Nice!" Bucky smiled when he saw me. He then produced a soldier's cap, and placed it on my head, gently tucking in my brown hair so that it looked like I was just a regular male soldier. I gazed into his face as he did so, noting the sparkle in his eyes over the excitement of his personal mission. When everything was ready, he clapped his hands on my shoulders.
"You're ready!"
Bucky took my right hand, interlacing his fingers perfectly with mine. The one thing about having four fingers on that hand, was that it made it perfect for handholding, and having Bucky hold my hand in this way sent sparks running through me. He led me through the facility like a small child, but my mind fixated on the fact that he was holding my hand, making me feel embarrassed and blush furiously. People gave us odd looks as they passed us in the halls, but they didn't say anything to try and stop us. I looked up at Bucky's face and saw a happy determination on it that I hadn't ever seen before, now or in the movie.
I was amazed that Bucky was risking himself to get me outside for a little so I wasn't cooped up inside anymore. I was grateful, too, because staying inside for the foreseeable future had seemed a little daunting to me. There was also talk of Captain America shipping out with his Howling Commandos soon to fight against Schmidt and his Hydra gang, which meant that I would be slightly alone. A good chunk of my friends would be gone or too busy as I stayed back to figure out what exactly Schmidt wanted with me. And even though I was still be safe, I would be lonely, and I didn't exactly know what that would mean for me.
I pushed the thoughts of the future out of my mind. I didn't need to worry about them right now. What I needed to worry about was not tripping over my feet as Bucky held my hand and led me out into the streets of London. He picked up speed as we left the facility and hit the open street. He didn't let go of my hand until we reached the bar; he let go to open the door, but the warmth of his hand stayed with me as we entered.
Loud, raucous noise erupted once we were inside the bar. Despite the gloomy times, people were still having fun drinking and singing bar songs at the top of their lungs. Loud chatter and laughing erupted int specific spots as Bucky and I made our way through the din. Smoke also filled the air as people lit up precious cigarettes or chewed on cigars. Bucky led me right to a table filled to the brim with people around it. I instantly recognized the rest of Captain America's Howling Commandos and smiled.
"Look who I found," Bucky announced as he whipped the hat off my head and revealed me to the group.
"Blue!" a chorus of voices yelled at me, and I couldn't help but grin and wince at the barrage of sound.
Even though the noise rang in my ears long after they had yelled, I couldn't have been happier at that moment. No one questions as to I was there and not tucked away at HQ; no one brought up the fact that I could be in danger by being out in plain sight. It seemed that Bucky had briefed everyone on the plan at some point in the day, or else they just didn't even care.
"What are you drinking?" Dugan asked as he waved down a passing waitress.
"Are you old enough to drink?" Steve leaned forward, a look of concern on his face. Everyone laughed at him.
"I am twenty-one, but I don't drink alcohol." I reassured Steve, resisting the urge to tease him. "I'll just have a water." A glass of water was broth to the table for me, and the fesitivities continued.
The table fell into familiar chatter as everyone talked over each other to tell stories of back home or hopes of what they'll do after the war. Soon, attention turned to me. No one knew too much of my background, and I hesitated in telling them. I didn't know what would be okay or what wouldn't be. I told myself that talking about my family would be okay, since it didn't really reveal much about my world. I would just have to be mindful of how I explained certain things.
"Any siblings, Blue?" Dugan asked, gulping down his third pint of beer.
"I have two older brothers, and a twin sister." Someone at the table let out a low whistle.
"A twin? She got the same hands as you do?" Jim called from across the table. Someone elbowed him and hissed about being insensitive, but I just smiled and shook my head.
"No, Molly, my twin sister, has all of her digits. I'm just the lucky one." I shrugged, not bothered at all by the question. Molly and I were very different when it came to medical issues. Everything else we were alike, though with our own quirks too. I wasn't going to go into detail on all of that, however.
"Are we learning more about Maddie?" Peggy's voice called over the din of the bar and our fell instantly silent.
We all turned to look at Peggy, who was in a fashionable blue dress and hells. She took a chair from an empty table, and we made room for her at ours. She flagged a waitress down and ordered a drink, and then turned to me.
"Colonel Phillips is going to have a fit when he hears about this." She winked at me.
"I think you mean if he hears about this." Bucky came to my defense with a sly smile.
I did not look forward to the loud lecture I would get from the Colonel when he did find out. He was going to blow the whole roof of the USSR and then lock me away for however long I was going to be in this strange world.
But, I told myself, that is if anything happens, and nothing will happen.
"Go on, Maddie, tell us more about yourself." Peggy invited.
I treaded carefully through what I could and could not tell everyone about myself. I told them about my home and where I what I was going to school for. I left out specific names because I knew that my university's name was different around this time. I told everyone about my love of reading and writing, and how I wanted to pass that on to the next generation as a teacher.
I wanted desperately to tell them about my obsession with things like TV shows and movies. I wanted to explain to them that I loved superheroes and what they stood for, and how much of an impact certain character had in my life. I knew I couldn't, so I kept quiet on that, but I was still in shock over the fact that I was sitting at the same table as my absolute favorite Marvel hero. He sipped at a glass of some drink and listened intently to what I had to say, and he was just sweet and kind.
Sitting at that table in the bar I felt so happy and safe. A warm feeling grew inside of me that I hadn't felt in a long time. I truly felt happy for once.
The clock in the bar chimed ten o'clock and Peggy announced that it was about time to get me back to HQ before anyone important found out that I was missing. Bucky and Steve volunteered to take me back, and the four of us (Peggy included) headed out of the stuffy bar and into the cool air of outside. We walked the sweet, scented streets of London, taking in the night air, and keeping a watchful eye out for any sign of an air raid from the Germans.
Bucky and Steve walked ahead of me and Peggy, cajoling each other about a random memory from back home in Brooklyn. Peggy smiled at Bucky when he claimed that Steve had done something ridiculous, and it was nice to share in the moment. As we walked, I noticed one of my boots was untied, and stopped to take care of it quickly. No one noticed that I had stopped and lagged behind, but it was okay. I worked to tie my boot and quickly rejoin them, when I felt oddly like someone was watching me.
I ignored the feeling rising on the back of my neck as I finished up and stood to follow after them. An arm reached out from the shadows and took hold of me, dragging me down into a darkened alley. I had not time to call of for help as a musty hand covered my mouth and whoever had grabbed me pulled me down further into the alleyway.
My mind spun out-of-control as I struggled hard against my abductor. My chest began to hurt from the sudden high pace my heart had taken, and from the lack of air I was getting. The familiar anxiety I had come to think was normal came crashing back ten-fold, and I looked helpless around for anything or anyone to help me. My abductor and I stumbled along until we reached the opposite end of the alley; it opened to a deserted street with piles of rubble along either side from the last air raid. I was thrown to the ground and landed hard on my hands and knees.
"This 'er?" A whispered voice asked hastily.
I turned to glare at the man who had stolen me away and was surprised to see someone who looked homeless and tired. He wore a shabby suit that had holes at the elbows and knees. His face needed a good shave, but it also looked like he hadn't seen a shower in a week. The sound of steps behind me made me turn again, and my anxiety shattered into full-on fear.
Barnard stood behind me dressed in all black, but still with his shiny boots. He looked down at me in inspection and then turned back to the man who had taken me.
"Yes, this is her." He handed the man an envelope filled with bank notes, and the man snatched it greedily and ran. I was sitting on my knees, watching it all in shock and horror. When I finally came to my senses, I quickly jumped to my feet and tried to run.
Barnard reached out and grabbed me, pulling me close to him so that my back was at his chest. He pinned my arms to my side with one of his and covered my mouth with the other hand. I squirmed in his hold, but he held onto me fast.
"Hello, Frau Maddie." He whispered in my ear. A shiver ran up my spine. "I've been looking for you."
Barnard pushed me forward, adjusting his hold so he held onto my upper right arm. Pain flared in my arm, more so since it was an arm, I had broken a few years prior in ym reality, and the bone was still sensitive. He dragged me down the street, towards a waiting vehicle.
"Let go of me!" I snapped, trying my best to struggle against his iron grip. He dragged me along, nonetheless, not caring if I stumbled, as he would pull be back up to my feet when I lost my footing.
My head grew fuzzy as the fear and anxiety made me dizzy and sick. We made a lot of noise in the street, but I saw not a soul, not even when I called out for help as loudly as I could. My mind flashed to the image of Steven, Bucky, and Peggy walking on as I had stopped to tie my boot. Why had I called out to them to wait for me? What was wrong with me? I then thought of Bucky, who had risked getting into trouble to get me out of the stuffy environment of HQ. He would probably feel devastated and responsible for what happened to me now.
Tears stung my eyes, but I didn't allow them to fall. A new feeling of anger began to bubble inside me. It was the same bitter anger I had felt before standing in front of Johann Schmidt. It was the same bitterness I felt for my roommates whenever I encountered being totally normal outside of school, like they had never even driven me to think of suicide. As we got closer to the car, I took a desperate kick at Barnard's legs, catching him in the right shin and tripping him up.
I took the chance to wrench my arm out of his grip and take off running in the opposite direction. I raced back to the alley the stranger had dragged me down, gasping for air. The fear and anxiety from before had stirred up my asthma considerably, and I was unprepared for the sudden burst of aerobic activity. Black spots danced around the edge of my vision, and I saw that I was getting closer and closer to the alley. I was going to make it!
I was so wrong.
Barnard was quick to recover and easily caught up to me. He tackled me to the ground; pieces of burnt building, glass, and rocks cut up the skin on my arms, and I felt my knee skid on pavement as we collided with the ground. Stars now dotted my vision and Barnard pulled me back to my feet, wrapping his arm around my neck as he pulled me back towards his vehicle.
"Hey!" A clear male voice called out, and Barnard stopped.
He whipped us around, pulling a gun from somewhere in his coat as he did so. He placed the muzzle to my temple, pressing it into the thin skin around my head. Bucky stood at the end of the street, looking angrily at us. There was the sound of rapid clicking heels, and soon Peggy joined him.
"This doesn't concern you, American!" Barnard snapped, spitting out the word American like it was filth in his mouth. "The girl comes with me."
"We're not going to let that happen!" Bucky yelled, balling up his hands into fists. Barnard's hold around my neck tightened, and I struggled to breathe, or cry out to them.
"Just go!" I choked out, but I knew my voice barely reached them. "Please," I wheezed as Barnard began walking backwards towards the car, more determined than ever to get me in it and out of there.
The sound of more footsteps behind us made Barnard turn around, and Steve came out of nowhere, jumping up and pushing out to separate me from the crazed Hydra soldier. He took Barnard down in a sort of tackling punch as I dove forward to the ground. The gun that had been in Barnard's hand skittered to the ground. I grabbed it frantically and whirled around to face the two fighting men.
Steve and Barnard were locked in a tight fist fight, moving quickly and lashing out at each other as much as they could. Sometime seemed different with Barnard, maybe in the way he moved, and the calculating look in his eyes, but I didn't care to carefully observe, other than that he was able to keep up with Steve. He knocked Steve to the ground and turned to face me. I was sitting on the pavement breathing heavily and with a wheeze. I lifted the fun and pointed it at him. He chuckled darkly, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth.
"You will not shoot." He said to me. My hands trembled. Did I really have the mental stamina to shoot another human being? Could I even face myself if I managed to kill someone?
The strange, blue strings appeared and swirled around Barnard, and I feared that I really could shoot him. I moved my eyes over his body, and the strings followed, swirling, and straightening out at various points where I could shoot. I could shoot, I was confident in that, but I knew I would never kill. I looked over at a spot around Barnard's shoulder, and when the strings tightened once again, I squeezed the trigger.
BANG!
The bullet caught Barnard and made me stagger backwards. He yelled out in pain and frustration, and behind him Steve watched him with wide eyes. He looked from the wounded man to me, and then back to Barnard. I dropped the gun, covering my face with my hands as I hid the tears falling down my face.
I had shot Barnard. Not to kill, but to injure, and he had looked pissed! He growled angrily as Steve gathered up his wits and prepared to tackle him down once again. He never got the chance as Barnard took off running, got into the car that had been waiting to take me along with him, and sped off.
Peggy and Bucky joined us, both looking as shocked as I felt over what had just happened. I lowered my hands to see all three of them looking down at me, and a new wave of tears flooded my eyes. Bucky helped me up to my feet, and I clung to him, sobbing into his chest as he held me close to him.