Riley's Girl

The Shield

The video was everywhere, the news was blaring, the still images chilling. John Walker murdering a pleading innocence man in broad daylight with no remorse. 

No. 

Captain America bludgeoning an innocent man to death, on steps of a famous tourist fountain... with the iconic Shield. 

He truly saved you the job of destroying his image. 

The shocks, the gasps, the clicks of the cameras, the screams of a demented Walker, the terrified screams of children, women and even men who watched on in horror circulated this one tranquil spot.

You and Sam land a feet behind the crowd that had naturally gathered around the horrific scenes. As you make your way through the crowd with Sam and Bucky just ahead of you, they come to a stop and you go to stand ahead of them but Sam's arm gently blocks you. 

"No, no, no, no, Walker what have you done?" Sam asks under his breath, devastation flooding his voice, reflecting the sight that was before us. 

"Some Captain." you scoff "You two take care of him, I've got Karli." you knew she wouldn't be far, you recognised the victim immediately Nico. 

Karli's confidant, her right hand, her bestfriend... the poetry and irony would be beautiful if two innocent men hadn't died today because of hers and Walker's arrogance. 

They needed to be stopped. Now.

"You going to be okay? Going after her alone?" Bucky asked genuinely, whilst looking pale as his eyes were locked on the shield. Bloodied. Ruined. Scarred.

"I'll be fine. I'll keep my phone on for him to track." you direct your head towards Sam beside you. You look at his face, he was struggling, he was in pain, his clenched fists confirmed the level of restraint it was taking him to not take action himself. You gently place a comforting hand on his shoulder "are you going to be okay?" the concern couldn't of been hidden if you even tried. 

His eyes were still locked, so you look forward and even for Walker, this was ignorant even for him.

You all watch on as Walker fits the shield back onto his arm, securing it. He lets his arm drop as the blood sits at the top of the shield, you watch Bucky's breath deepens, his eyes grow darker, and you swear you can hear his heart beating.

This had to be hardest thing he's had to deal with since losing Steve. What that monster just did to the Captain America image after what Steve made it.

"I will be once I get it back." He chokes out. 

You give his shoulder a squeeze as you tap his back, he looks at you and you give him a sympathetic smile, as he disappears behind you with Sam to go and deal with Walker, you scan the crowd. "There you are." 

You walk through the crowd, your eyes not leaving her. Being sure you watch every move she makes. 

You watch as she flees through the crowd, walking as a faster pace, you pick up yours too. 

"This ends today." you grit out through your teeth as you chase her.