CHAPTER 19

The red emergency lights flickered as the alarm went off. The sounds of feet shuffling about and commands of codes echoed from down the halls. It was excruciatingly painful not knowing what's to come. Allie called out for someone, anyone to tell her what was happening. But no one answered. The much louder noises canceled her voice out. Frustrated, Allie concentrated on her chi - attempting anything to sober up from the drugs they gave her. Whatever the mysterious concoction was, it had quite the effect. She screamed and cursed as she struggled against the restraints. When someone finally rushed into the room, she sighed in relief.

"Oh, thank God. I thought you guys forgot about me. What the fuck is going on out there?"

The man dug into his pocket to grab a ring of keys. "I'm here to rescue you."

She recognized him. "Helmut?"

Once his face came to the light, Allie noticed the darkness in his eyes. "Sh. Don't say my name. Don't speak, or they will hear us."

Trusting him, she obeyed as he released her from her restraints. He beckoned for her to follow him as he headed out the door. He roughly grabbed her by the upper arm and bolted into the elevator. Before the doors shut, Sam ran down the hall, calling out her name. Before Allie could react, Zemo injected a syringe into her neck.

What's your name? What should I call you? Should I call you James, since that's your name?

Your mission is to protect her.

Bucky? Bucky!

I love you.

His head was pounding and throbbing. When he attempted to move his left arm, it didn't move. Slowly, Bucky opened his eyes to find his arm trapped in an industrial vice. Steve must've taken him into an abandoned industrial building. A man he vaguely remembers walked over to him as he called Steve over. Steve, someone who was more than a friend but a brother to him, walked over. They stared at each other, unsure of what the other has to say.

"Steve," said Bucky.

"Which Bucky am I talking to?" asked Steve.

"Your mom's name was Sarah. You used to wear newspapers in your shoes," he chuckled. Steve has always been insecure about his height, especially around women. So he would fold a bunch of newspaper in hopes it would help him appear taller. Unfortunately, that didn't pan out well.

"Can't read that in a museum," said Steve.

"Just like that, we're supposed to be cool?" Sam said. "This dude tried to kill, more than once, and Allie's gone missing. Again. I am not cool."

"What did I do? Where's Allie?"

"Like you don't know," Sam muttered. "That Doctor took her."

"Enough," Steve said.

"Oh, God, I knew this would happen. Everything HYDRA put inside me is still there. All he had to do was say the goddamn words."

"Who was he?"

"I don't know," Bucky lied.

"People are dead. The bombing, the setup. The doctor did all that just to get 10 minutes with you and take Allie in the process. I need you to do better than 'I don't know'," said Steve.

"He wanted to know about Siberia. Where I was kept. He wanted to know exactly where."

"Why would he need to know that?"

"Because I'm not the only Winter Soldier."

"And what about Allie? Why take her?" Sam inquired.

"His name is Helmut Zemo. He's Allie's biological brother."

Allie was awake, but it was difficult to move. Her whole body felt heavy and light at the same time. She struggled to open her eyes and move her fingers. A woman on the television (what she assumed to be) spoke about the Winter Soldier and asking for anyone to come forward if they've seen anything. Bucky. Allie forced her eyes open still disorientated from her slumber. Where was Bucky? She tried to call out for him, but her words only came out as babbling nonsense. She was lying in bed, in what appeared to be a hotel. The sound of feet shuffled against carpet sounded close.

"Oh, you're awake," she heard Helmut say. He gently wiped the hair away from her face and caressed her cheek. "I was hoping you wouldn't wake for several more hours. Must be a side effect from the experiments HYDRA put you through."

She stared at him, suddenly feeling uneasy. "Ho did you nu da?"

"Tsk. Tsk. It seems the drug is very strong. I'll keep that in mind."

Allie's heart raced. "Wh-why-"

"Sh. Don't stress yourself. I'll tell you everything," he said as he sat on the bed next to her. "When I met you, I felt this connection. I wanted to know why a young woman such as yourself would be so interested in my son. Naturally, I did a background check. When the name you gave me didn't come up, I was going to confront you, to threaten you to stay away from my family. Then, the next morning, I saw your picture on the news. Alexandra Anne Pierce was all I needed to know. Once I typed in your name it was easy. I learned everything about you. Then, I saw your false adoption papers and birth certificate. And now I know everything."

"I don -"

"Sh. Sh. Don't speak, little sister. I promise to keep you safe for now on, sweet Petra."

He leaned in and kissed her forehead.