Monsters Inside Us (Winter Soldier)

James Barnes

     It had been almost two months since I woke up from the crash. Two months of being sore and achy. But I was finally back in shape enough that it was time for us to relocate. Staying in the city for too long was risky, even for us. Too many people who could spot us out and that was a no go. Even though SHIELD was down and out, we still needed to lay low due to all the Hydra spies still out there. I had no doubt in my mind that what was left of Hydra was searching for the both of us. After all, we were "the fist of Hydra", designed to reshape the world as we know it. If Hydra could attain their assets once more, then they'd have a better chance of making a come back...something we both didn't want.

      We had woke up early this morning, gathering our supplies and packing up our belongings. Even though we didn't have much, it was surprising that it took us almost an hour to make sure we had everything. The next step was to make it look like no one had been living there. I went around and knocked stuff over, ripping cabinet doors of the hinges so that they would hang at an angle. James went around doing the same to the doors and spread what mess there was on the floors. Once I was happy with the outcome, I walked down the hall to check on James. I stopped short at the door when I noticed James slip a notebook and pen into his backpack. I couldn't help but smile at the fact that he actually listened and had started writing what memories he'd have.

      "Are you ready," I asked. He looked up at me and nodded.

      James paused, "We're going to make a quick stop first."

      "Where are we going," I asked him.

      "The Smithsonian."

~

      We had arrived at the Smithsonian, managing to sneak our way into the exhibits without going through security. Our biggest concern was being recognized, not his arm. What a lot of people assume is that since James had a metal arm, it would set of metal detectors. But that's not the case. When Hydra constructed the arm, they took a lot into thought, including the metal detector part. Hydra was able to create and implant an sort of "cloaking" device that would not only deflect metal detectors; but it could also give the metal arm the look and feel of a real, human arm. James informed me about this, saying he only used in when avoiding crowds was near impossible. Otherwise, he'd wear a long sleeve, gloves, or he'd keep his hand in his pocket.

      "I've never been here before," I stated, letting my eyes wander. The exhibits were diverse and fully of history but I knew our stay wouldn't be long enough for me to walk around and read about everything. I followed beside James and kept close to him as he walked through all the exhibits.

      "Why are we here exactly," I asked.

      "To gain knowledge," he stated. I nodded and continued to walk with him. It was only when he came to a stop that I realized why we were here. We stood in front of a glass panel with words engraved into it. A light shown through the glass, making the etched words clear for reading. I looked up ready the title of it: James Buchanan Barnes. I looked to the bottom left of the title where a picture depicted a young, handsome looking man. The man had a smile to die for, his jawline and cheekbones were chiseled, and his hair was styled like it was in the 1940s.

      "It's you," I said, slightly gawking at the photograph of him. My eyes switched between the picture and James, still amazed that the man standing next to me was the man in the exhibit.

      "I remember you," I said, "You were mentioned in American History class...a Howling Commando." James remained silent as he read over the biography.

      "I remember that day...the train," he said, his eyes lowered to the bottom of the exhibit. I looked over the text about him falling from the train.