Bloody Hands and Broken Minds Book 1

Part Four - Chapter 66

"Barnes, what's wrong?" Natasha asks as Bucky comes rushing down the stairs and into the living room.

"Has anyone checked on the medallions in the basement?" He demands.

"Shit." Sam curses as he, Bucky, and Natasha run down to the basement.

They approach the locked room at the end of a darkened hall and mentally curse when they see the lock's busted. Bucky tears open the door to reveal the plexiglass case wide open. The medallions missing.

"Fuck!" Bucky swears as a hand shoots up to grip his hair.

"We need to find Riley," Bucky growls, "Now."

"We've tried, but he's practically impossible to find."

Bucky gives the empty case one last look before turning on his heel and making his way back to his bedroom. His anger is doused when he slowly opens his door to find Eve sleeping peacefully in his bed. The steady rise and fall of her chest and the little breaths she lets out remind the soldier it's real. Evelyn is real and she's here. Alive.

Even so, he's oh so careful climbing into the bed for fear if he jostles her even a bit, she'd disappear. He's had dreams after her funeral where he'd walk into his room and find her laid out in his bed sleeping soundly. Every time he'd reach for her, her body would be a hologram and disappear in front of him.

He slowly reaches out and places his hand on her shoulder, letting out a breath when she remains where she lies. She's real. A smile ghosts Bucky's lips but falters when she stirs. He's upset he's woken her when she needs to sleep.

"I'm sorry." Bucky apologizes softly when she cracks an eye open, a lazy smile stretching across her lips.

"It's okay, I'm happy you're here." She opens her arms to him and Bucky lays his head on her chest, her fingers moving to run through his long hair.

"Go to sleep Winter. I can tell you're tired." Eve adds and Bucky falls victim to the darkness from the calming sensation of her fingers running through his hair and massaging his scalp.

When he awakes, the first thing he notices is the lack of a body under him. He shoots up immediately, tears springing to his eyes thinking he's imagined it all and she's not really here. He throws the covers off and runs downstairs to find Sam and Peter playing a video game on the large flatscreen.

"Where's Evelyn?" Bucky demands as he comes to stand beside the tv.

"Bucky move! I'm not gonna lose to this child because of your bulky shoulders!" Sam exclaims as he leans to the left to see the screen better.

"Sam! Where is Evelyn?!"

"She went out." Peter replies casually as he bites his tongue and focuses intensely on the tv.

"I'm sorry what? Are you two complete idiots?!" Bucky yells, starling the pair and causing them to both lose.

"Shit!" Sam exclaims as he sets his controller down rather harshly.

"You let her out of the compound?! What the hell were you idiots thinking?!"

"She said she was going for a walk." Peter says.

"How long ago was that?" Bucky asks and Sam and Peter share a look.

"Like...five hours ago." Sam mutters.

"Jesus Christ." Bucky grumbles as he pinches the bridge of his nose in frustration. "This is why neither of you are allowed to babysit children."

"What's going on?" Natasha asks as she strolls into the room.