A content sigh leaves my lips as I open the final crate, something about the new exhibits was just so satisfying. I was incredibly dedicated to my job, I was passionate about art and history and showing it all to the world. Hanging up the last piece, I took a few steps back to look around at my handy work. My nose scrunched as I realised I wasn't happy with the flow of the room, I had time to fix it before it opened on Friday thankfully. Glancing at my watch, I groaned realising I was going to be late for drinks with Wanda. "Guess I'll finish tomorrow," I mumbled to myself before walking to my office to grab my stuff.
"Brock, I'm heading out for the night," I said as I arrived at the security office. Frowning at the silence from him, I walked closer and opened the door. A gasp left my lips as I saw the night security guard unconscious, stepping backwards I pulled my phone from my pocket knowing I needed to call the cops and an ambulance. "You are not supposed to be here." The voice behind me sent shivers down my spine, slowly I turned to see a man standing there. "Hawkeye, you said the area was clear." The man said into an earpiece.
"Leave, before I call the cops," I said, trying hard to keep my cool as I looked at the man with a black mask covering the top half of his face. "I can't let you do that." He replied calmly. Without thinking, I threw my bag at his head and then jumped over the desk and began to run. "Cap, Blackwidow, they are heading your way." The man I'd run from said as I ran through the halls, maybe I'd have the advantage of having worked here for years. If I could just get away from them and call the police.
Rounding a corner, I saw two people ahead of me. I could tell by their build, one was male, the other female. Stepping back, I turned and climbed over a rope that took me into a currently closed exhibit. "I got this." The man said to his companion. Glancing back I saw him taking off after me. "Shit," I mumbled to myself, and I could've sworn I heard him say language as he ran after me. Running through some tarp, I bumped into a statue and let out a yelp thinking I'd been caught.
Moving away from it quickly, I realised it was starting to rock. "Oh no, I need to save it," I told myself, as I moved to hold it. "Watch out!" A voice came as I was tackled away from the statue that would've crushed me. Landing with a thump, I looked up at the man who had chased after me, which saved my life. Lying there looking up at the man with a blue mask, I could feel my heart thumping as our eyes met. "Cap, come in cap, did you get her?" Was that his earpiece? It wasn't quiet or discreet at all.
"She got away." His words sent a shiver down my spine, why was he protecting me? He stood up slowly and offered me his hand, hesitantly I took it and stood up. "Hide, we'll be gone soon." He said gently as he tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear. "Don't come looking for us Y/n, you won't like what you find." He said, gently before he ran off. I stood there stunned for a moment. How did he know my name? Snapping out of my trance, I found somewhere to hide and called the police.
"Where have you been?" Wanda said when I arrived at the bar, taking a seat I sighed. "Sorry, I was at work and we got robbed by the Avengers." I watched the annoyed look melt from her face and turn into an excited look. "Really? Did you see them? What happened? You have to tell me everything!" She exclaimed, causing me to mentally curse being best friends with a reporter. "Can I have a drink first?" I ask, chuckling gently.
Wanda reluctantly agreed and went to get the drinks in, sitting at the table I found myself thinking about what Cap said after he saved me. Pulling out my phone, I opened the browser and started to search for the avengers. "What are you reading?" Wanda asked as she sat back down. "Looking up the Avengers." You admitted with a small smile. "You know you're with an expert right?" Wanda reminded me, causing me to put down my phone.
I filled her in on what happened at the gallery, I could see she was eating up every single word that I told her. I didn't tell her what Cap said to me, but I did tell her he saved me from being crushed. "You might be the only person to have ever made actual contact with those guys, they never make a mistake, and they never leave anyone able to be a witness," Wanda explained. "Then why am I so special?" I questioned before I got up to get my round. "You're going to tell me all you know when I get back," I told her, before getting up and walking over to the bar.
"What can I get you?" A pretty red-headed female behind the bar questioned me when it was my turn. "A beer and a strawberry daiquiri please," I order with a smile. She nods and then looks around. "Clint, where is that ice?" She yelled. "It will be a moment." She said before going to find the man with the ice. I lean against the bar, staring into the distance as I think about Cap's words again. I had so many questions about what he said to me. Of course, the biggest question I had was, who are they?
"Tony, are you going to do any work?" Being pulled out of my thoughts I saw the redhead back talking to three males, one holding some sort of scotch or whiskey leaning on the bartender's side of the bar, and the other two sat at the bar nursing beers. "I might when I've finished this conversation." The scotch drinker said, before leaning forward and saying something to the two men. Watching them look toward me, I look away quickly and smile as the woman brings over the drinks. "Thank you," I say handing her the cash. "Keep the change," I say before making my way back to Wanda.
"Steve, are you sure?" Bucky asked, looking at his friend. "Yes, I am sure Bucky. You said yourself, she jumped that bench like it was nothing, and she must have a great knowledge of art. If she's working in the gallery, she's perfect." Tony sighed gently. "If you think she is, send her the card, we will see tomorrow," Tony said, making Steve grin. "He's already sent Thor to deliver it," Nat said, taking Tony's glass away. "That's nice Cap, acting without us," Tony mumbled as he walked off to get another drink.
"Tell me everything you know," I said as I sat back down with Wanda. The redhead smiled and took her drink and had a sip before she began talking about her favourite subject. "No one knows how many there are, they suspect between five and ten." She began. "They are a sort of Robin Hood organisation that steals stolen paintings and returns them to their rightful owners." I played with my beer bottle and nodded gently. "No one has ever actually come face to face with them and be able to remember much, except for you tonight. We're unsure if they travel everywhere or if there are different teams in different countries. They always leave a warning card to let people know they are coming, it's either the most arrogant move, or the most brilliant move."
I knew Wanda could talk about this all night and she did, right up until closing time at the bar. Helping her out into a cab, I waved her off and then made the two-block walk to my apartment. It felt like I hadn't been home in months, it had only been a day though. Walking up the steps, I let myself in and collected my mail from the box and headed upstairs to my apartment. Throwing the pile down onto the coffee table, I got myself something to eat and had a shower before collapsing on the couch.
Looking down at the mail, I noticed a card sticking out from under some of the junk mail. Sitting up, I pulled the card out and looked at the shiny card with an A embossed on the front. My fingers ran over it, as I felt my heart thumping hard. Turning it over, I bit my lip as I read the words. "Tomorrow, midnight Brooklyn bridge."