The Torn Soldier: The Untold Story

Enrollment

She took a deep breath before walking to Colonel Phillips tent. "Sir."

"Baranova, anything new to report?" She walked over and stood in front of his desk with a shake of her head. "No improvements yet, Colonel." Karolina looked down at her hands and cleared her throat, "I want to serve." He stopped writing and looked up at her. "You're our scientist. Can't have you killed." He looked back down and continued writing something in a form as she took in a deep breath, "I've been doing these experiments my entire life. You've seen all that I have done for you, this base. Yet I don't really know how to help soldiers if I don't know what they get shot by or what they get affected by while out there. We have no idea what kind of new technology HYDRA will have and we keep waiting, more people will end up dying when we can have an opportunity to save them, only if we knew and had better first hand intel." She pointed to the front lines on one of the maps laid out on a table next to him. "Please, sir, I can do this. I need to do this." He sat back in his chair and looked up at her. It took a moment but all he did was look her dead in the eye. She didn't falter, if anything, she stood up taller. Colonel Phillips shook his head and grabbed a stamp from his desk before slamming it down on a piece of paper. He handed it to her, as she reached out to get it she saw in big bold red letters. Approved.

A sigh of relief escaped Karolina. "Thank you."

"Better come back alive and in one piece, Baranova." She smiled as she made her way out. "Yes, sir," she ran out of the tent only having one person in mind to tell. For years she's wanted to serve, the army has been all she's had for as long as she could remember. Karolina looked down at the slip as her smile widened.

Finally.

Karolina sat in the waiting room as she got checked out. Luckily for her, she always remained fit for being just a scientist. Once they were done evaluating her, she put her shirt back on and walked out of the small checkup office. She walked past some girls talking about the latest gossip going around. Usually, she didn't care much for it, but she stopped at the familiar name that came out of their mouths.

"Apparently, the star spangled man has gone missing. Some say he left the show for good."

The next part of their conversation became a blur as her brows fused together in confusion. Where did he go? Is Steve okay?

"Baranova!" She turned around getting snapped out of her thoughts turning to the lady who handed her the slip back, "Thanks." Karolina walked out and saw the date she would be called to the front. She would have to leave in 2 months' time. Karolina walked back to her apartment to see a note from Peggy, "Be back soon."

Karolina changed from her regular work clothes and put on a tank top with some gray shorts, all with the same logo of the army. She laid down on the couch and looked up at the ceiling. She was finally going to do it. She couldn't believe it. She would finally be able to serve.

A few hours passed before she heard the creak from the wooden door. Karolina looked over to see Peggy trying to sneak in. "You went with him, didn't you?"

Peggy sighed and stepped closer. "How'd you know?"

"Come on, Peggy." She shook her head and stood up. "Are you okay?" Peggy put her jacket down, "Yes I'm fine, really." Karolina nodded and stayed quiet, biting her tongue before she looked up at Peggy. "Is he okay?"

Peggy nodded, "He's doing just fine."

Karolina nodded before fiddling with her index and middle finger brushing the two against each other. "He signed the slip."

"What?" Peggy walked over and looked at her in surprise before smiling and wrapping her arms around her in a hug. "When do you leave?"

"Two months," she looked into her eyes. "You better- " Karolina nodded. "I know, I'll be okay. I'll come back." She held Peggy in her arms as she asked. "You going to be okay?" Peggy smiles. "I'll write to you." Karolina smiles back, "Okay." The two women stayed in that moment for the next few minutes.

Once that slip was signed, everything would change and no, it wasn't for the better. Is anything?

A/N: And there is the chapter for a Wednesday. I hope you enjoyed it, and I'll see you in the next one!