Heroes ▷ Captain America

05. back to square one

05; back to square one

"Alright, can you do that again?"

Howard's voice broke through the speaker in the training room. A punching bag was placed in front of her as she practised her abilities. So far, she had the same abilities as Steve. She was agile, she was stronger, she was more aware of her surroundings and she had enhanced vision and hearing. The only difference between the super soldier and herself was the fact that she was a lot more nimble, she could dodge quicker and sneak up on people quieter.

Evelyn nodded, sticking a thumbs up in his direction before attacking the punching bag once more. She threw punches, kicks, even going so far as to make the chain holding the bag up wobble profusely. But something was wrong this time. As Evelyn kept going she could feel energy surge inside of her, making her go faster. No matter how many times Howard told her to stop, and as much as she wanted to, her body was out of her control. Sweat dribbled down the side of her face and her limbs burned but she kept going.

Unbeknownst to her, her eyes had flashed blue before the same blue light encased her hands and legs. With one last kick, a blue light hit the bag, the bag's seam ripping open as it flew off it's harness, sending sand all over the floor. It took her a moment before Evelyn noticed the blue light swirling around her body. She staggered back onto a table, gaping at her hands in awe. She clutched her head as the words, You Are Hydra screamed at her.

The door flew opened and Peggy rushed in with Steve close behind. Howard stayed on their side of the window but still looked concerned. Peggy threw one arm around her, to calm her down but Evelyn was in shock. "Hey," the British woman cooed. "It's alright, you're fine."

"No, I'm not." she whispered, her voice trembling.

Steve hardened the look on his face and turned towards Howard. "She's done." he ordered.

"But-"

"She's done." with such sternness in his voice, Howard did not want to argue, he took one glance at Evelyn who looked confused and scared like a little girl and knew he had pushed her too far. He nodded, Steve seeing the sorrow in his face of what he had done to his childhood friend and he walked away.

Steve then turned his attention back to Evelyn who had calmed down somewhat. "Do you think you can stand?" he asked tentatively.

Evelyn shot him a look. "I'm getting stronger, Rogers, not weaker." she got up just fine, but her stance was a bit wobbly. "I'm perfectly fine." she gave him a pearly white smile.

Peggy was still behind her, ready to catch her if she suddenly crashed. "You sure you're alright, I can get a nurse in here."

She shook away from her friend's hold, displaying her face that she was fine. "Really, Peggs, I'm fine. Does this look like a girl who's not?"

Peggy surveyed her friend. Truly, she never looked better. Her skin was practically glowing, her eyes were bright and full of life, her hair shining. But even though her eyes were pristine, there was something else behind them that she couldn't detect.

Steve could see it, it was fear.

Evelyn walked out after she assured Peggy that she was fine, but Steve wasn't so convinced. He caught up with her and fell into step with her. "So, since you're fine, how about you help me with something?"

She frowned at him, but kept walking. "Alright, what's the issue?"

"Like I said, I'll need a team, and that team will probably be hauled up in a bar. They may need some convincing so I was hoping you could warm them up to the idea?" he smiled hopefully, softly gazing down at her.