Artemis: The Final Battle ➳ Steve Rogers [2]

[ T H I R T E E N ]

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C A M I L L E

I find myself wandering around in the dark empty space of the warehouse. I spin around when I hear an eerie laugh sound from behind me, sending shivers down my spine.

"I'm here." I finally speak, "Alone, just like you've asked."

She lets out another laugh, "Very good." There's a moment of silence before she continues, "You know, I didn't want to do this. This was never part of my plans."

"Then why are you doing this?" I demanded.

"Have you forgotten so soon?" She scoffs, "You've killed my right-hand man and now, I'm going to make you pay for it. A life for a life."

Just as she says that a cloud of black smoke explodes in front of me and I'm transported to another location, surrounded by six figures slumped over and bounded to chairs.

My heart sinks as my eyes adjust to the dark and I get a good look at their faces.

"Steve! Nat!" I call as I rushed forward, only to be stopped by an invisible barrier, "Bruce, Thor! Can you hear me?"

"Cam?" It was Tony who answers.

"Tony, are you alright?" I asked, banging my fist against the invisible wall that separated us.

His head still hangs low, not appearing to be fully conscious.

I open a portal when he doesn't reply, jumping into it only to find out that it brings me back to the exact same spot.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Madame Hydra warns, "Try that one more time and I'll kill them, do you understand me?"

"What do you want from us?" I yelled, searching the area for any cameras that she might be watching us through.

"Isn't it obvious? I want revenge." She growls.

Tony groans before letting out a laugh that soon turns to chokes, "It's a bit much, don't you think?" He says weakly.

"Ah, Tony Stark. It's good to see you still have your sense of humour." She says, sounding unimpressed, "I'd like to see if you'll still be in the mood to make jokes in a minute."

"What have you done to them?" I asked next.

"Relax, darling. It's just a little magic, nothing that could hurt them." She pauses, "Or can it?"

All of them groan in pain as she says that and my blood boils at how much she seems to get off from this.

"Okay, that's enough!" I cried, "What do I have to do?"

"Oh, I'm glad you asked." She giggles, "It's simple really. You just have to make a decision."

I whirl around as a table appears behind me and on top of it, was a gun.

"Who dies and who lives. Take your pick." Madame Hydra says, "Today, you get to play god. One life in exchange for six. Only one has to die and the rest can leave,  you have my word."

"And why would your word mean anything to me?" I questioned.

"I figured you'd be sceptical." She lets out a heavy sigh, "So, here's a gesture of good faith."