Who the hell am I (english version)

Welcome to New Jersey

Twilight was slowly descending upon the city as we made our way to the junkyard. It had been too risky to go there in broad daylight; the chances of being seen or recognized were simply too high. So, we spent the last few hours hiding in an old, abandoned warehouse, discussing our next steps. With no further information, our plan remained to get to New Jersey as quickly as possible and hope for some answers once we arrived.

The junkyard appeared deserted when we arrived, and we began searching for a suitable vehicle. Many of the cars were missing parts, and some didn't even have tires, making our task significantly harder. As we searched, we kept an eye out for any potential night watchmen, but so far, no one was in sight. Just before midnight, my gaze fell on a forgotten car, partially hidden behind some discarded debris. Steve quickly freed it, revealing a blue SUV. It wasn't in bad shape, but I doubted anyone would miss it.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is our ticket to New Jersey," I said quietly, nodding toward the vehicle. Nat and Steve looked at me with questioning expressions, and I knew exactly what they were thinking. Had they never hotwired a car before? "I'll handle this," I added and made my way confidently toward the SUV. Steve and Nat followed slowly, continuing to scan our surroundings. I pulled a bobby pin from my hair, straightened it, knelt in front of the driver's door, and carefully inserted it into the lock. "A little old-school theft," I murmured to myself as I twisted the pin. It took a moment before I felt resistance, but with another precise turn, the lock clicked open. "There we go," I whispered triumphantly. Slowly, I opened the door, ensuring it was as quiet as possible, and slipped into the vehicle.

"Are you sure you can do this?" Steve asked skeptically, leaning into the car and watching me closely. Come on, a little faith in my skills wouldn't hurt. "You don't really think the car in Odessa was mine, do you?" I countered, and that seemed to satisfy him. He stepped back, allowing me to continue. I removed the plastic covering under the steering wheel and accessed the bundle of wires. There were three crucial wires I needed: power, ignition, and starter. With a firm yank, I pulled out the wires, retrieved a spring-loaded knife from my pocket, stripped the insulation with a quick cut, and twisted two of the wires together, causing the dashboard to light up. I grinned at Nat and Steve, the first part was complete. "Now comes the tricky part," I said, focusing on the third wire, the starter. "If I short-circuit this..." I connected the wires and suddenly the engine roared to life with a deep rumble. "...it should work." I got out of the car and saw two satisfied faces. Finally, a success. "Not bad," Nat said approvingly as she climbed into the vehicle. Steve took the driver's seat, and I settled into the back. Now we could get going.

The night had been a horror show. The car frequently stalled, we hit traffic several times, and at every stop, we had to worry about being recognized. We had bought some provisions and essential toiletries, just in case our trip took longer than expected. The sun was already high in the sky when I spotted the "WELCOME TO NEW JERSEY" sign by the roadside. It was a beautiful day, and I opened a window to let the breeze blow into my face. It felt almost like a normal day – three fugitives in a stolen car. It almost resembled the concept of a road trip – of course, if you ignore the fugitives, the stolen car, and everything else. But reality couldn't be denied. Where would this all lead us?

Steve was still at the wheel, and Nat had her feet propped up on the dashboard beside him. "When do I get an invitation to your wedding, if I'm helping you plan the honeymoon?" I asked them, leaning slightly forward. It's important to add a bit of cheer to this family road trip. "Quiet in the cheap seats," Nat replied, but I could almost see them turning into tomatoes. Oh, this is so much fun. "I want to be the flower girl," I added as I leaned back in the seat. Steve made a noise that was half snort, half laugh, and I almost started to enjoy the ride. I was lost in thoughts about the early events, the Winter Soldier, and my dreams of Bucky Barnes, when Nat suddenly spoke up. "I have a question," she said, and I felt the relaxed atmosphere in the car shift abruptly. I immediately realized that the brief moment of peace was probably over. I had a feeling her question would be quite uncomfortable for me. "You don't have to answer, and even if you don't answer, you somehow still do," Nat rambled, her nervousness almost palpable. I took a deep breath and tried to focus on the road. "Ask," Steve said, keeping his eyes on the road. I stared at the passing scenery, trying to ignore the growing unease within me. "Was that your first kiss since 1945?" she asked, and I put my hand on my face. Maybe it would be a good idea to get some fresh air. "That bad, huh?" Steve responded, glancing briefly at Nat. "No, I didn't say that," she defended herself hastily. I seriously considered hiding in the trunk.