Chapter Two

"And you're sure you can see me tomorrow?" A lady asks in her slightly grating voice.

I hold the phone with my shoulder, scrubbing the stove of my small kitchen. I may not have much, but if a local restaurant is willing to let me use the back in exchange for recommending them, I'm happy. "Yes, ma'am. I'll be able to see you tomorrow unless there is a serious emergency."

The lady huffs. "You'd better, Ms. Smith." She hangs up without bothering to say goodbye, and I sigh wearily, setting the phone on the counter.

"That sigh better not be because of me," Zoe says, stepping inside with large bags of groceries. "This stuff was expensive, and I might be late to work now. It had better be on your conscious forever."

"Of course," I start unloading, her following my lead wordlessly. "You don't have to help, Zoe."

"I want to," She says simply, setting everything on the table. "Why do you buy their groceries again?"

"Because they let me use their kitchen, and this way I earn a little more," I set the milk in the fridge. "They pay for groceries, and I can keep any extra."

"I'm being used."

"Maybe,"

She rolls her eyes and glances at the tiny watch on her wrist. "I have to be there in five."

"Go," I wave her off, gathering a pile of cans. "I can handle things here."

She leans forward, bracing her palms on the table. "How are you really feeling?"

I shrug, focusing on stacking cans. "I feel fine. I just needed some sleep."

She nods once. "Last night feels like a dream. It's insane- no one would believe us, Maggie."

"Which is exactly why I don't tell anyone." I turn and put my hands on my hips. "You're going to be late."

She glances at the watch again and curses, scooping up her purse. "See you later!" She slams the door shut behind her, making me wince, and I toss the rag into the sink before hearing the door to the restaurant ding.

I wipe my hands on my pants and move towards the dining room. "Can I help you?" I freeze in my tracks, staring at the man who shot at me last night.

He gives me a roguish grin. "Hello, Margaret," He says smoothly, making me flinch. "I've come for a lesson."

I swallow carefully. "I'm afraid all of my appointments are full."

He chuckles darkly, sending something cold down my spine. "Oh, it's not for me," He steps closer, pulling a gun out of his jacket and pointing it at me. "It's for you."

I take a cautious step back. "What do you want?"

He tilts his head. "Isn't it obvious? I want the girl who's close to Captain America,"

I blink. "I'm not close to Captain America." I say quietly, my mind reeling. Why would I be close to Captain America? He helped me last night, but that was nothing more than his sense of duty.

He laughs once, the sound harsh and cruel. "You can try to lie to me, but we both know the truth."

I take another step back, my insides quaking. I can't think of anything; my phone is in the back, there are men in front of me, and I have a feeling they will catch me if I run for the back. I force a deep breath and bolt, moving for the back and ducking when I hear the bullet ring out. I wince a little at the ringing in my ears, but I snag my phone on the way out and slam the door open, not stopping as I run into the crowded street. I won't be seen as easily if I weave through the crowd, so I try to skirt around people and pray that I don't get caught.

A hand grabs my arm and yanks, shoving me into an alley, and I see the barrel of the gun rise to my forehead.

"No more games," The man growls angrily. "Where is he?"

Before I can say anything he's shoved aside and punched in the face, the force knocking him to the ground, and I stare in stunned silence as Steve Rogers looks up to meet my eyes.

"I need you to come with me," He says calmly.

I press my shaking hands against my legs. "Why?"

He reaches out and tugs my hand, weaving me through the crowd. "I can explain later," He waves for a taxi and opens the door for me, ushering me inside before climbing in beside me. "You know where to go, Sam."

"You got it, Cap," The man says, and then we're weaving through DC traffic, probably breaking a bunch of laws.

"If you're working, you may need to call your boss," Steve says calmly. "You won't be back for a while."

I swallow carefully and pick up my phone, going through the contacts and speaking in a monotone.

"I'm sorry, I don't know when I'll be back. I'll contact you as soon as possible." I say for the hundredth time.

The woman calls me a rude name before hanging up on me, and I sigh, flipping the phone shut. I glance up to see Steve watching me carefully, and I have to look away. He's looking at me too closely for my liking, especially since I don't know him.

"Do you have your inhaler?" He asks calmly as we pull to a stop at a private airport.

I slip out after him, ignoring his hand even though I feel like I should accept it. "Yes,"

He nods once. "Your friend will be contacted soon to make sure you have clothes. Right now I need you to come with me."

"Where are we going?" I ask, following him involuntarily.

He turns his head without stopping. "The Avengers Compound."

"Why?" I ask, stopping, and he finally turns to face me, moving closer so I can hear him better.

He hesitates, clearly thinking it over. "The men who attacked you today work for HYDRA."

I instantly remember what they said. "They think I'm close to you," I say quietly.

He nods once. "We need to keep you safe until then. You shouldn't be involved."

"I'm fine,"

He turns and keeps walking. "I'm afraid that's not the point. You need to be kept safe, and until then you can't leave."

I release a breath. "So I'm a prisoner?"

He studies me carefully. "No," He says quietly. He stops next to a door and presses a code that opens the door. "There should be clothes in here." I step inside curiously, and he says, "Someone will be in touch."

I turn to the door quickly, but it's already shut, and I turn back to the white walls, white floor, and single cot.

I'm a prisoner.