Hydra's Lair

Chapter 7

James got out after everyone else had already left, he didn’t like this place, he could feel the darkness that hovered over the wreckage and could almost imagine that the flicker of dying flames and smoke were still there. Kasey glanced back at him and he gave her a small smile before motioning for her to start searching.

            “Agent Barnes, hurry up!” The Winter Soldier ordered.

            “Right away.” James replied. “Sorry…”

            “Sorry doesn’t find what we came here for.”

            James ignored the second comment and left the jet, almost immediately he saw a shadowy figure approaching him. From the symbol on the suit it was one of the lowest ranking of soldiers that had guarded this place but the longer James walked around and searched for the object the more ghosts appeared. S.H.I.E.L.D. agent ghost glared at him from everywhere while HYDRA agents just moved around as if they were still in the past going about their regular day.

            “HYDRA will be destroyed.” One of the S.H.I.E.L.D. ghosts hissed in his face.

            “No…” James backed away and tripped over a piece of rubble. “Get away!”

            The ghost ignored him but was soon running off in its floating manner as the HYDRA ghosts came after it. A shadow fell over him and he looked up to see Kasey looking down at him.

            “Who are you yelling at James?”

            “What do you mean?” He stood up and brushed off some dust. “I just tripped I wasn’t yelling at anyone.”

            “You shouted for someone to go away.”

            “You must’ve been hearing things. Old places like this can sometimes do that… creep you out… make it seem like things are there that aren’t.” He tried not to shiver as a ghost walked through her.

            “Whatever.” Kasey shivered slightly. “It’s so cold here in some places… should’ve brought a jacket.”

            “Well you know…air pocket stuff.” James hurried off before she could respond.

            More ghosts floated passed him and he finally gave in to wanting to get out of the mountains and stopped one of them. The ghost was a high ranking officer and would most likely know where the object was he wanted to find, though the creepy smile that appeared on their face told him that he didn’t even have to ask.

            “Follow me, I can take you to it.” The ghost told him in a gravely voice, as he turned around James could see blood on the back of his head and tried to look everywhere but at the fatal wound.

            The ghost led him around the rubble and into a part of the building that was intact, though it looked unstable and was badly burned, before disappearing. James looked back and saw that the team he’d come with were hidden by piles of rubble and a small hill, not a good thing if this thing were to collapse since they wouldn’t see it happen, but he went inside anyway. The remains of the room looked like an old lab and weapons vault mix with all sorts of guns and poisonous looking chemicals that had been broken, melted, and scattered about. A faint orange glow emitted from the far side of the room and he threw the rubble off the area before he uncovered the object, his eyes widened in wonder as he stared at the glowing orange orb in front of him, it was almost as if little grains of sand were moving as the glow shifted places from light to a darker shade.

            “Don’t touch it!” A voice shouted as James reached his hand out to pick it up. He drew his arm back quickly and looked up to see the ghost of a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent wearing an army uniform.

            James scowled at them and reached out to pick up the gem again. “This belongs to HYDRA, a dead S.H.I.E.L.D. agent isn’t going to stop me.”

            “This place is unstable. Take it and you will die.”

            “Whatever.” James watched them back towards the wall and fade out before looking back down at the innocent pulsing gem before him. This thing can’t kill me. It looks harmless.

            “James? Hey, Winter Soldier said we’re leaving soon! Where are you?” Kasey called from outside.

            “In here. I think I found what we came for!” James shouted back and quickly picked up the orb; that was the worst mistake he’d ever made.

            The ground shifted under him and the remaining roof and walls began to creak as the support beams shifted, cracks started appearing in the cement and he could hear Kasey scream his name while running towards him as he tried to run out. James knew he wouldn’t make it, Kasey knew it too but that didn’t stop her, just like he couldn’t. She saw the roof give way and closed the distance between them, right before the section of the roof fell on him James was tackled out of the way. He hit his head on a sharp piece of cement behind him but managed to keep a hold on the gem, the world was a blur and he tried to focus on staying conscious. Why didn’t I just use my powers? I could have… Even his thoughts were starting to un-focus after a few moments. Kasey? No… she’s gone… I killed her. I let her get…killed.

            James heard voices calling for them but darkness closed in on him before he could make out what they were saying, all he knew was that what had happened didn’t seem real, his one… friend, yes, Kasey was his friend though she might not have known it, was now dead, he could’ve used his powers to escape but didn’t, and now he was probably dying as well. Knowing HYDRA they would leave their bodies here to rot… maybe he would become a ghost and haunt this place like all the others.

            A slap on the face brought him back to reality and he groggily opened his eyes to the face of his uncle who gave him a blank look before moving on. James heard something heavy starting to shift and risked looking up to see the Winter Soldier shoving the broken ceiling off a figure that had been buried underneath.

            “Kasey?” James got up and shook his head to clear it. “Kasey wake up.”

            “Bring her back with us.” Another HYDRA agent ordered. “She’s still alive.”

            James picked her up before realizing he was missing the gem he had been holding, looking around he saw one of the agents had grabbed it and was walking back to the jet. He didn’t hesitate to follow, though he moved slower so he didn’t pass out or drop Kasey. After he got into the jet and they took off another thought occurred to him; what would Ward do to him? It had been his responsibility to keep his training partner safe and at the moment she didn’t look like she was going to make it. All this just for a glowing orb… This had better be worth it.

 Hey hoped you enjoyed the second update in one week!