Chrysalism

-chapter sixteen-

Brooklyn, New York. June 14th, 2017. Citi Field. 4:32 PM.

Malone and Bucky sat in the stands, cheering on the Mets and sharing a plate of nachos. They stole loving glances at each other, just happy to be together. It was the bottom of the 7th inning, and the Mets and Marlins were tied with 5 points each. The bases were loaded, and the Mets had a chance to take a striking lead. The pitcher threw down the line, and the crack of the bat caught Malone's attention. She looked up, realizing that the ball was coming straight for her and Bucky. "Bucky!" She yelled, so he would get down. She ducked too, covering the back of her head with her good hand, shielding her hurt arm under her body, as it was not yet fully healed. A burning sensation rushed through her arm and radiated throughout her fingertips. There was a flash of golden light, and the other fans around them screamed in shock, getting up and running from their seats.

"Malone," Bucky's voice was heard above all of the others. "Malone, we need to get out of here, now."

Malone raised her head and looked around her. The players on the field stared dumbfounded in their direction, the people around them scattering in fear and security guards were sprinting towards them. "What's going on?"

"Malone, now," Bucky grabbed her bicep and hurried her out of the stadium. They rushed out with all the other spectators and ran in the opposite direction of everybody else. Bucky knew every single shortcut and hiding spot in Brooklyn, and he knew he had to get Malone out of the public eye, fast. He pulled her down an alley and ripped a ladder down from a fire escape on an abandoned building with his metal arm. "Go, 3rd floor," he ordered her. Panicked, Malone obeyed and climbed the ladder, only stopping when she had reached the 3rd platform. She pressed her back to the brick behind her as Bucky joined her. He pulled the window behind her open and motioned for her to go inside. She climbed through the window and was met with a dilapidated space that could have been a pretty nice apartment back in its day. Bucky climbed in behind her and she turned to him.

"Bucky, what just happened?"

"To be honest, I'm not sure. Do you have your phone?" She nodded and he held his hand out expectantly. She placed her unlocked phone in his hand and he scrolled to the contacts app. He scrolled until he found the number he was looking for and raised the phone to his ear as it rang. Silently, he held his other arm out and Malone tucked herself into his grasp, absolutely terrified. She breathed heavily into his chest as he pulled her closer.

"Malone?" She heard Tony's voice come through the phone.

"No, it's me. We need an out."

"Where are you?" Tony asked.

"Brooklyn. Send Steve to my old place, plain clothes," Bucky spoke with authority, which slightly comforted Malone. He rubbed her arm with his metal hand, trying to slow her breathing.

"Is everything okay?"

"No," Bucky replied. "Send Steve, now," Bucky hung up the phone and wrapped both arms around Malone. "Sweetheart, it's going to be okay. We'll get this figured out, I promise. I'll keep you safe."

"What just happened?" 

"I don't know, doll." 

_

Undisclosed Location. June 14th, 2017. 5:39 PM.

Cole was groggy and his entire body ached when he woke up after losing consciousness sometime after meeting Jacob Christiansen, although Cole had started to doubt that was his real name. He opened his eyes and was blinded by a bright light shining right above his face. He tried to move his arms, only to realize that he had been strapped down to the metal bed he laid on. "Hey!" He yelled. "Hey, someone help!"