August 3rd, 1941, Brussels, Belgium.
Adeline could see the raw fear in the peoples' eyes as she and Ernst walked past, heading back to their hole up in the most expensive hotel in town.
They weren't paying of course. A few rounds with Fritz, and the hotel manager was happy to give them whatever they wanted.
She bit down on her tongue to stop her face twisting into a scowl at the thought of Fritz and the rest of her team. Even Marcus, who she had hoped was saner than the rest was crazy. In the two years since their formation, they had all been ramping up the violence, and abused their abilities to get whatever they wanted.
Adeline herself just grew number. The only thing that kept her from completely retreating into herself were the steadily shortening letters from Abraham, and the fact that her mother needed her. She had to get back to her.
Adeline opted to take the stairs, not particularly wanting to take the elevator with Fritz and his flat eyes.
The seven flights of stairs didn't even produce a faint burn in her calves anymore, and so she jogged quickly for her separate room as the elevator dinged.
She shut the door, and locked it, checking twice for extra security. She sighed, and turned back to her room.
She wasn't alone.
Her gun was out and pointing at the intruder before she recognised the gangly red-head. "Jonas…" she said reproachfully. "I could dead you."
He gulped. "Sorry about that." She threw her gun onto the bed and crossed to the minibar.
"Want a liqui– nein – drink?" she asked him, shaking her head at her bad English. He shook his head.
"I have a package for you. From Abraham."
That got her attention instantly. She set the little whiskey bottle down and looked him over.
"Where is?" she demanded, not really caring about her tone. He nodded towards the coffee table in the connected living room, and she practically sprinted over to the small brown wrapped parcel. Methodically and quickly, she tore open the wrappings, exposing a small metal case. She popped open the clasps, and frowned.
All that was inside was eleven vials of clear liquid, and a dropper.
Brows creased, she looked at Jonas in question. He shrugged. She fiddled around the case for a bit more, and found a false back. She opened it up, and pulled out a letter.
Dearest Adeline.
Enclosed is something that will help you. Those serums bury and freeze the 'x' cells of your task force. If ingested, I believe you will have an hour before their abilities return. I assume you know what to do.
Once everything is taken care of, head to the English Channel, and meet an agent there by the 5th. Her name is Margaret Carter, and she will help you get to America where hopefully we will meet up. Do not worry about your mother, Agent Carter assures me that the situation is dealt with.
Your friend,
Abraham.
Adeline re-read the letter three more times, the words burning themselves into her brain. She looked up at Jonas who was still hovering in the bedroom.
"Jonas. Thank you." She said, voice cool and calm, despite her raging emotional state inside. "I am sure I will see you soon."
He nodded, still looking confused, but backed out of her hotel room obediently. Adeline sat back on her haunches, and began formulating a plan.
She would get her vengeance.
But first, a drink was in order.
The ten men crowded around the desk in the conference room, helping themselves to the whiskey decanter. Adeline nursed her own drink from upstairs. Finally, they were all sorted, laughing amongst themselves.
She raised her glass. "Ich weiß, dass ich nie die schönsten von Kameraden gewesen, aber ich möchte zu uns zu trinken, trinken, um unsere Freundschaft, und viele Siege!" I know that I have never been the most delightful of comrades, but I want to drink to us, drink to our friendship, and many victories! Adeline began, "Ich hoffe, Ihr Freund bis in den Tod zu bleiben..." I would hope to remain your friend until death... she inclined her head around the room, an easy smile on her face. "und so, Prost!" And, so, drink!
There was a rousing cheer, and the men downed their drinks quickly, competing with one another. Unnoticed, Adeline headed for the only door in the room, and locked it, pocketing the key.
She turned back around, coming face to face with Ex. His twisted face was frowning, and he was holding out his glass. "Was machen Sie?" What are you doing? He asked slowly, deep voice growling out of him. She held his hazel-eyed gaze for a beat before her hand flickered out, and she drove her knife hilt deep into his belly. He grunted, and went down heavily. She yanked the knife out, and looked up to the now silent room. Slowly, Adeline began to walk forward.
"Wolfe… Adeline…" Marcus' voice was pleading, and his glass shattered as it hit the ground from his slack grip. She didn't stop, a feral smile beginning to spread across her face, as those grown men who took so much pleasure in inflicting death saw their own demise walking towards them – and began to tremble and beg.
She could see Axl trying to heat up, and his panicked expression when he realized he couldn't.
She pulled out her gun, and fired two shots, hitting Ernst and Edsel in the heads. Their blood splattered on the white wall, and the pretty colour comparison distracted Adeline for a second.
Then Garin and Dedrick rushed her, yelling crazily. She let them get close enough to see their pupils expanded in terror, before she threw Garin bodily sideways, and grasped Dedrick by the throat, and slammed his head against the wall. Under her intense force, his skull gave way, and his head crushed. She dropped him dispassionately, and turned to Garin's form, stomping down hard on his throat, killing him almost instantly.
Fritz had picked up the cocktail stirrer and was holding it out in front of him. She rolled her eyes and started forward. He stabbed it forward with a yell, cutting off as Adeline's knife pierced him at the same time. Adeline pulled the blunt object out of her sternum, ignoring the rush of blood that followed it.
Hans stepped forward, and he had picked up a shard of broken glass, Kristoff following behind, also waving his own sharp piece. They stabbed at her in a frenzy, and for a second, she was overwhelmed, before Hans reared back too far and she was able to grip his wrist and snap it, making him drop his weapon with a scream. She grabbed him by his temples and twisted, snapping his neck.
Kristoff was still driving the glass into her back, his own hands bleeding from the sharp edges. As he came closer again, she threw her head back, slamming it into his face, and breaking his nose. Whilst he was stunned, she grabbed him, pulling him close, and firing a shot into his belly.
Finally, she turned back around, to see Marcus and Axl pounding on the doors, ignoring the corpse of Ex underneath them. She walked slowly towards.
"Ich habe für diese drei Jahre warten." I have been waiting three years for this. Adeline said casually. "Beobachten Sie foltern und morden Unschuldigen…" Watching you torture and murder innocents... she tutted, and shook her head. "Es macht Sie wirklich Hunger nach Vergeltung." It really makes you hungry for retribution.
In a sudden blur of speed, she leapt forward, grabbing Axl by the back of the neck and slamming him against the floor. Marcus jumped at her, but she used his momentum to throw him past her. He hit the wall and was still. She crouched over Axl's body, and wrapped a hand aroun his throat almost lovingly. She stroked down his cheek. "Erinnern Sie sich das kleine Mädchen, das du dies getan?" Do you remember the little girl you did this to? She began applying pressure, and he began to choke. "Ich mache. Ich erinnere mich, wie Sie von ihrer Mutter gezogen und hielt sie nach unten, wie Sie das Leben aus ihr erstickt." I do. I remember how you dragged her from her mother, and held her down as you choked the life out of her. Adeline's lips pulled back from her teeth in an ugly snarl. "Und ich erinnere mich, wollen die selben Sie zu tun. Und jetzt sind wir hier." And I remember wanting to do the same to you. And now here we are.
With a final gurgle, the blue-lipped man went limp. She stood up, and walked towards the weakly stirring Marcus. She squatted in front of him. He looked at her, handsome face tear stained. "Nicht so männlich, wenn der Tod ist auf der ganzen Linie." Not so manly when death is on the line. She chuckled quietly. "Wissen Sie, ich hasste Sie am meisten. Sie waren so sicher, dass ich euch geliebt habe, so sicher…" You know, I hated you the most. You were so sure that I loved you, so sure...
With a last smile, she slit his throat.
Hot blood spurted out, and she closed her eyes briefly.
Adeline stood, looking around at the terrifying scene. She felt no guilt for killing these people – despite the fact that, yes, they were people.
But she did feel empty.
Remembering her deadline, she headed for the door, and fished out the key from her pocket. She unlocked the door, and made to leave when a hand caught her ankle. She growled, and whirled on Ex, gun raised.
He coughed weakly, blood bubbling on his lips. he was holding something out to her. Some dog tags.
She frowned, but took them. As she did, he gripped her around the wrist and pulled her down, so that his mouth was next to her ear.
"Es tut mir leid, Schwester. Sei frei." I'm sorry, sister. Be free.
Adeline pulled back, face creased in confusion, but he had already gone slack, hazel eyes drifting to stare at nothing.
She looked down at the dog tags. Her face dropped as she read the name on them.
Karl Wolfe.
Her hands fluttered as she tried to process the new information.
Slowly, she dropped to her knees beside the twisted form of her brother, and voice tight, she whispered in his ear. "Ich werde sie alle töten."
I will kill them all.