Hell Bound

Two

Even though I'd spent a lot of time at the VA hospital, the building where my new job was located was almost entirely unfamiliar. I'd been there for doctor's visits, and one time I came to visit Sam the day Hydra blew up my car. But I mostly avoided the place now. Except I didn't have a choice anymore.

Well, I didn't have to accept Sam's offer to have me fill in for him. But I needed something to do while I looked for a new job, and working for Tony was always my last resort. It still felt like I was dragging my feet just to get inside.

I walked through the front doors, balancing a heavy box on my hip. The girl in pink scrubs at the reception desk offered to walk me down the hall to the meeting room. I remembered seeing her the day I visited Sam. I only really remembered because she brought us coffee when we were waiting for the firemen to give the all-clear. And Sam made a joke about how she was never going to go out with him now that she knew his friends were in the habit of getting blown up. I felt guilty for taking his job as well as his chance for a date.

She was friendly in the way he was. She chatted with me the entire walk. She talked about Sam and asked how I was doing. Which made me think she was probably really good at her job. She led me right to the door.

"It's right through here," she said. "I think Graham is already waiting. He likes to come in early. It's kind of tranquil when no one else is in there. Let me know if you need any help setting up."

"I will. Thank you."

She headed back down the hall to return to her post at the front desk. The doors were already open, and sunlight spilled into the room through the tall windows on the other side. The space was open and empty except for a young man sitting in a metal chair beneath the window. He had a book open on his lap and didn't seem to notice me come in.

I didn't want to bother him, so I headed toward the stacks of folding chairs and set the box down on the floor. Sam told me he liked to bring snacks. It made everyone feel more at home and relaxed. People opened up over coffee and shortbread cookies, even though I hated shortbread cookies. I decided to follow his lead anyway and brought my coffee maker and a tin can of them. But when I set the box down, everything inside shifted loudly.

"Crap on a stick," the kid behind me said, startled. "I didn't even see you."

I stood up as he bent down to pick up the book he'd dropped when I scared him. He was young. So young, in fact, that it was hard to believe he was military. They seemed to get younger and younger every year.

"Did you just say 'crap on a stick?" I asked.

"I wasn't allowed to curse as a kid, so I had to get creative."

"Mm." He stood, and his shoulders were set so straight it was obvious he hadn't been home for very long. It took a while to beat the military out of a person, and in some ways, it never really left them. "Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."

"No need to apologize, ma'am. My name is Officer McGuire." I quickly waved at him to stop before he could do something like salute me.

"Please don't do all that." His shoulders slumped as he relaxed.

"Sorry. It's a reflex."

"It's alright. It'll go away eventually. But we don't need to do that here. I'm only a Corporal anyway." I turned toward one of the folding tables set against the wood-paneled wall.

"Still my superior," he said, rushing over to take the other side of the table. I was actually grateful for the help since just lifting the stupid thing made my shoulders burn.

"Not here. And thanks."

"Not a problem, ma'am. Looks like your arms." He nodded in my direction.

"Shoulders. Both of them. What about you?"