Death Widow

Chapter 27: Crossing the Divide

Y/N plunged into the cool water of the creek, the sudden chill invigorating her as she emerged from the chaos behind. She could feel the current tugging at her legs, and it fueled her determination to push through the onslaught of Hydra agents still pursuing them. The rushing sound of water drowned out the frantic noise of battle, giving her a momentary sense of calm amidst the storm.

“Over here!” Clint called out, waving them toward a cluster of rocks on the creek's bank. The water here was shallow enough for them to stay hidden, and Y/N swam quickly to the group, splashing quietly as they regrouped.

“Are we clear?” Yelena asked, her voice tight with anxiety as she peered back toward the trees.

“Not yet,” Natasha replied, glancing over her shoulder. “We need to create a diversion to throw them off our scent.”

Y/N took a moment to catch her breath, the adrenaline still coursing through her veins. She could feel the power within her simmering, a reminder of what she had just faced. The battle wasn’t over yet, but they had made it this far. They were still alive, and they had each other.

“We can use the explosives we have left,” Clint suggested, rummaging through the packs. “If we can create a distraction upstream, we might have a chance to slip away unnoticed.”

“Good idea,” Y/N said, her mind racing with possibilities. “I can create a barrier to help us move safely through the water, too. We just need to get the timing right.”

“Let’s move fast,” Natasha urged. “We don’t have much time before they realize we’ve slipped away.”

As they quietly climbed out of the water and onto the bank, Y/N felt the weight of the situation settle on her shoulders. The stakes were high, and failure was not an option. They had to make it out alive, not just for themselves but for the Widows who had come to rely on them.

Clint distributed the explosives, instructing everyone on where to place them along the creek. “We’ll set these up a short distance upstream. When they go off, it should draw the Hydra agents’ attention away from us,” he explained.

Once the explosives were in place, Y/N and Yelena crouched low, ensuring their movements were stealthy as they positioned themselves behind a cluster of rocks. Natasha and Clint took their places at the far end of the bank, ready to ignite the charges.

“On my signal,” Clint said, his expression serious. He glanced back at Y/N, his eyes narrowing with resolve. “Are you ready?”

Y/N nodded, her heart racing. “Let’s do this.”

Clint raised his hand, counting down silently. When he reached one, he shouted, “Now!” and the explosives detonated with a deafening roar. The sound echoed through the trees, and the ground shook beneath them as water splashed high into the air.

Y/N felt a rush of energy surge through her as she concentrated on maintaining her barrier, focusing on the water’s surface. She wove her hands through the air, creating an ethereal shield around her teammates. The barrier shimmered, bending the light and making them nearly invisible against the backdrop of the chaos.

The Hydra agents, alerted by the explosion, turned their attention toward the sound, their shouts of confusion resonating through the forest. “This way! Move!” one of them barked, their voices fading as they raced upstream.

“Now! Move!” Natasha commanded, and they took off, splashing quietly through the shallow water as they made their escape.

Y/N pushed her energy forward, guiding the barrier to help mask their movement as they dashed along the creek. The cool water flowed around them, a reminder of their urgency. Every step felt like a victory as they navigated the rocks and branches, their hearts pounding in rhythm with the frantic pace of their escape.