Bruja

⠀↳⠀2.10

( S i x t e e n )

By the time Maria arrived, it was already dark. The city lit up with streetlights and office lights, the stars barely found behind the light pollution.

She parked her car a block from the spotted building and texted Sam to let him know she arrived. Not waiting for a response, she stepped out and locked her doors.

Before she left, she changed out of her gray sweats and into a pair of jeans. She exchanged her flip-flops for ankle boots and sported a black jacket. She also didn't forget to put next month's rent into the cereal box just like she reassured Leah on the board.

Her uniform she did not leave behind. She made sure to have it cleaned, cheating by using a familiar spell she learned during her academy days. The blood stains? Let's just say they weren't there anymore.

She could hear two voices talking back and forth as she approached the entrance. Looking ahead at the parked cars, she spotted Walker and Hoskins. Great, she thought to herself in an annoyed tone. What the hell are they doing here?

She didn't mind Hoskins, it was Walker she was growing to have an issue with. There was something about him she absolutely did not care for, and it wasn't because he was wearing the stars and stripes. She let out a small breath to keep herself together. Continuing her path, she pretended to not notice them until—

"Hey, Maria! That is your name, right?"

His voice caused her to slow her steps. She put on a tight-lipped grin for him. "It is. John Walker, right? And Lemar Hoskins? Captain America and Battlestar." She was teasing their names, but they took it as flattery. Of course, they would.

Hoskins asked, "You here for Barnes?"

She turned on her heel to face them this time. Oh gosh, small talk. "I am. Sam told me he was here, so..." She used her thumb to point at the building.

"Wilson's also inside," Walker told her. "It may take a while. Christina's with them."

"Christina?"

"Dr. Raynor. Barnes' therapist," he answered casually like they were all good friends. They were far from that. "I know her. We used to do field ops back in the day."

"Of course you did," she muttered while looking away. Wanting to escape the awkward situation, she nodded to the entrance. "Well, I'm going to—"

"Not to bug you about it," Walker interrupted her by leaning away from the car, "but have you ever thought of considering working with us?" He gestured to himself and Hoskins. "You can really be... useful... okay, you're shaking your head no."

She wanted to roll her eyes at him. "Walker, what makes you think I will abandon Sam and Bucky to work alongside you two? We have gotten this far without your help or your resources. In case you haven't noticed, we're in the exact same spot. If you're the one who needs help, just say it, it's okay. Not saying we'll offer it, but at least you're admitting something, right?" She felt a warmth in her chest that reached to her back. A presence. She turned to spot Sam and Bucky leaving the building while talking amongst themselves. "If you'll excuse me..."

"Well, I feel better," Sam muttered as they headed out.

Bucky exhaled. "And I feel awful."

"Because of the soul-staring exercise or because she mentioned Maria?" he asked. "I've never seen you so damn tense, man."

Bucky wanted him to shut up after seeing the missing member of their trio walking in their direction. He prayed she was far enough that she couldn't hear Sam's big mouth.