Only 70 Years

Hydra?

Hydra?

Adeline's eyes fluttered open. She glanced around at the canvas walls. A short woman with a bowl of water came to her side. "Thank goodness you're awake! Are you alright?"

She set a towel into the bowl and laid it across her forehead. Adeline layed there. Her eyes heavy with fatigue. After a moment she spoke up. "Where's Bucky?" The nurse looked up at her. "107th infantry. Please tell me, where is he?"

"Dear, what is left of the 107th is stationed here, but bear in mind that not many are left." Adeline sprang up and ran out of the tent. She squinted in the bright sun, but quickly adjusted. She looked left and right and asked a soldier passing by "Sir, do you know where the rest of the 107th is?" Her eyes screamed desperation but the man just shook his head. After receiving no information, she slumped down on a log.

"May I help you miss?" A deep voice spoke. His voice was calm, steady. She looked up.

"I'm sorry. I was just... I'm..." She couldn't seem to form words. Everything felt so heavy on her shoulders that she couldn't even speak anymore. "Do you know where the 107th is?"

"Scattered throughout, why?" He sat next to her.

"I'm looking for a man by the name of James Barnes." She finally felt a spark of hope and it showed across her face. She looked wide eyed at the man.

"I'm not sure if this is good or bad news, but Rogers, er Captain America?"

"Yes. Yes, I know Steve go on."

"He's been looking for the same person, I believe." Adeline smiled for the first time since the woods.

"Can you take me to-?" People started shouting and calling out, "What's going on?" A passerby stopped and explained, "They're setting out a rescue mission, Caps gonna set out the plan. Everyone's going to see." Adeline was about to set off running, but first turned around, "Thank you sir! Thank you so much!"
She took off towards the cluster of men, and she heard Steve's voice. Relieved she pushed her way forward. Stopping just inside the circle. She made eye contact with him and he smiled at her. She sighed. After Steve explained the plan on how the mission would be carried out, he walked over to Adeline. He wrapped his arms around her, she didn't say a word. "We're going to find him," was all he said.

"Is he even alive?"

"He's in hydra captivity. That's all I know."

"What the heck! Like greek mythology?"

"No, um don't worry-" "Tell me!" "The enemy. That's all you need to know." Adeline pressed a hand to her mouth. She took fast breaths. "What?" She choked.

"Adeline! We'll find him!"

* * *

Adeline awoke late that sunday morning and looked over at the small alarm clock. "Nine?" She pulled the blankets off of herself and a slight noise came from outside "Come in!" She called. It was Peggy.

"You have mail!" She smiled and set the letters on the bed. "How have you been? War treating you well? Any news on how Buck is?" Adeline took the mail into her hands and flipped through not paying attention to her. She stopped on an anonymously signed letter. She quickly sliced it open. It read:

Dear Adeline Wolfe Barnes,

I'm sure you're wondering what this letter is about. Let me inform you that we are taking good care of your husband. Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. We are an organization, Hydra, and we are working to create a perfect world. In fact, to make this a reality we have requested the comings of a few select people. James Barnes is working for us and mentioned that you would make a perfect candidate for our experiment. Please do write back soon, Barnes is anxious for your arrival.

Yours Truly,

HYDRA

Adeline forgot to breathe while she read. The only noise in the room was the echoing of voices from outside. Peggy watched Adeline intently. "Everything alright dear?"

"What's hydra?" She said after a pause. Peggy's face tensed.

"I'm not sure I-"

"Answer the question Peggy."

"Um... Hydra is, is the, the enemy."

"I figured, but why do they have Bucky? Why do they need me?" Peggy didn't take a single moment before grabbing the letter. She shook her head, her eyes seemed to be glued open. "Peggy! What is going on?" She remained quiet. "Peggy, what do they need me for?"

"Adeline, whatever you do don't you dare go. Don't write back. I'm going to find Steve. Stay here. Adeline, the only way Bucky will give information is if your life is on the line."