Finding Death

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A few weeks later...

Captain America

'Hey Steve, hoped to catch you but time zones are a bitch. Wanted to let you know: I know where both of them are. You were right, she is trying to find him. Or at least they're both in the same city, within ten miles of each other.

I'll keep you updated. Don't call me, I'll call you.'

*

Nomad

I hate Madrid.

Big cities have never been for me: too many people, too many cameras. Takes too long to find a target. Especially one that's trying to stay hidden.

As I patrol the streets of central Madrid, I feel like there's someone following me. My brain keeps assuring me that I'm just being paranoid, but my heartbeat knows I'm not.

After a short while, I duck into an alleyway between two apartment buildings and rapidly scale a fire escape ladder, hanging by one hand from it in the shadows as I wait. Soon enough a man steps around the corner, glancing about- presumably for me.

His expression is perplexed as he keeps searching the darkness encompassing him. He sighs, turning his back on me. "Why are you following me?" I say loud and clear, finding amusement in his anxiety, his bewilderment. "Answer me or I shoot."

I don't have a weapon out- it's tucked into my waistband, but he doesn't know that. "I'm looking for you," the man answers simply. "Rikki Carter?"

"How do you know that name?" my voice emerges more animalistic than I imagined.

"I'm a friend of Steve's. He sent me to find you. I have a message."

"What is it?"

"He needs your help."

"What with?"

The man sighs, shaking his head. "Come down and we'll talk about it. You don't know who could be listening."

He's infuriatingly right. Gritting my teeth with annoyance I let go of the fire escape, dropping down inches behind the man. He spins towards me, "Who are you?" I whisper, our faces less than half a foot apart.

"Meet me on top of the Torre Caja in half an hour and I'll tell you everything."

"Name," I growl, whipping a knife out beside his throat.

He gulps; it's rather entertaining. "Sam Wilson." With the answer I needed tucked in my head, I stealthily climb back up the fire escape, blade returned to its rightful place. "Bye then," I hear Sam mutter sarcastically as he walks away, his back to me once more.

A follow him for a short while, every step taking us closer to the Torre Caja. I break away from Sam's path to get there before him; I know the city better than he does.

*

I expected Sam to arrive a few minutes early but I did not expect Sam to be able to fly. They're not his biological wings but they look like they're definitely coming out of him. When I'm sure he's alone I emerge from my hiding spot on the roof, letting the wind whisk my plait and grey camo combat trousers.