𝑾𝑰𝑪𝑲𝑬𝑫 𝑫𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑴𝑺 ━━ 𝚂𝚝𝚎𝚟𝚎 𝚁𝚘𝚐𝚎𝚛𝚜

19 I still see you

STEVE couldn't shake off the whirlwind of emotions as the trio was being escorted in the van. His mind was a storm of memories and realizations, each one crashing over him like relentless waves. Zerena and Kalum were being transported in a separate van, categorized as special-level enhanced humans, and the separation gnawed at him. His thoughts drifted back to the time he first met Bucky and Zerena, their faces flashing vividly in his mind.

"It was him," Steve murmured, more to himself than to anyone else. "He looked right at me like he didn't even know me."

Sam frowned, the disbelief evident on his face. "How's that even possible? It was like seventy years ago."

"Zola," Steve theorized, his voice filled with a mix of anger and sorrow. The memory of that fateful night surfaced, clear as day. "Bucky's whole unit was captured in '43. Zola experimented on him. Whatever he did to help Bucky survive the fall, they must have found him and..."

Natasha sensed the heavy burden of guilt in his voice, her own pain momentarily forgotten. "None of that's your fault, Steve."

Steve sighed deeply, his shoulders slumping as the weight of the past pressed down on him. He could feel the despair creeping in, the hopelessness of having found his best friend only to lose him again to the shadows of HYDRA. "Even when I had nothing, I had them. I had Zerena. I had Bucky. But now I don't know how to help them."

Sam's voice was steady, a beacon of support in the dark turmoil of Steve's mind. "Good thing you're not alone in figuring that out."

Steve raised his gaze, meeting Sam's eyes. At that moment, the gratitude he felt was almost overwhelming. Despite the chaos, despite the fear, he wasn't alone. His eyes softened, the steel resolve in them briefly giving way to a profound appreciation for the man sitting across from him.

Suddenly, Natasha moaned softly in pain, drawing their attention. Blood was oozing from her bullet wound, staining the seat beneath her. Steve's heart lurched with a fresh wave of anxiety. "We need to get a doctor here. If we don't put pressure on that wound, she's gonna bleed out here in the truck."

Before they could react further, one of the guards made a sudden move, pulling out an electric rod from beneath his uniform. With a swift and practiced motion, he jabbed it into the other guard's side. The unfortunate man convulsed, eyes rolling back before collapsing into unconsciousness. The remaining guard's actions had been so quick and precise that Steve and Sam barely had time to process what was happening.

The van lurched slightly as the unconscious guard's body slumped against the side. The supposed guard then reached up and removed his helmet, revealing Maria Hill's familiar face. She shook her head, her hair falling into place as she took a relieved breath. "Ah, that thing was squeezing my brain," she muttered, tossing the helmet aside.

Sam stared at her in confusion. "Who's this guy?"

"A friend," Steve replied tersely, the relief in his eyes evident.

Maria quickly assessed the situation, her eyes sharp and focused. "We don't have much time. Kal and the girl are in the other van," Natasha mumbled weakly, her voice barely audible over the hum of the van's engine.

Maria nodded, already moving to help Natasha. "Don't worry. It's under control. Now let's get you three out of here."

Steve's mind raced as he processed the unfolding events. The sight of Bucky's blank stare haunted him, and Zerena's unexpected presence had thrown him off balance. Bucky had always been the steadfast friend, the one who had his back through thick and thin. And Zerena... her fierce spirit and unwavering support had been his anchor in a world gone mad. The thought of them both being lost to HYDRA was unbearable.