Miss America: The Daughter of Steve Rogers

Chapter 20

We get back to the apartment, and my mind is reeling. Confusion, concern, mainly confusion.

"Em, are you okay?" Peter asks me. I take a deep breathe and turn to him.

"Yeah, Yeah, I'm great." I tell him. "Just found out that somehow someone knows about me and stole secure files on who I am, so yeah, I'm peachy."

He stays silent and looks down. May puts her hand on my shoulder.

"We're here for you, Emerson. You'll always have us here." I turn to her and place my hand on hers.

"I know... and thank you." I then remove her hand. "I just need to be alone. To... think."

They both nod, feeling defeated that they're unable to help me in my time of need. But that's just it. I hate feeling like I'm helpless and the thought of me actually needing someone, anyone, to help settle everything that goes on in my head scares me.

I walk to my room and lay down on my bed. I huff out in frustration as my mind wonders. Trying to come up with a logical explanation.

Then I feel a breeze coming through my window. I sit up, and glance over at it. My curtains move with the wind and I begin to panic. I don't remember leaving that open.

I get up quickly and tap my bracelet, ready to find in case whoever broke in is still here. Looking around my room, I realize I'm alone. Then I see something on my desk that wasn't their before.

Walking over to it, I pick it up. It's a copy of files. Reading the name on the front, my eyes widen.

Emerson Margaret Rogers.

I open the Manila envelope and read the contents.

It has everything. My name, my age, my height, my background. Where I grew up, my parents, when I was taken, where I was held captive, every mission report I ever completed.

Then my phone rings. I pull it out and see that it's Bucky. Hesitantly, I answer.

"Hello?"

"Em, did you see the news?" He asks, worriedly.

"Uh, yeah." I say, still looking through the file. "Yeah I did."

"Are you okay?" He asks sympathetically.

"Why does everyone keep asking me that?" I burst out in anger.

"Because we're worried about you." He says sternly. "It might be smart to come back to the compound, keep a low profile until we can find this guy before he decides to out you to the world."

"And what am I going to do? Just drop out of school, lock myself in my room?" I question. "So many people know me now. If I just up and leave that could raise suspicion."

"It'll be fine, you'll be safe here and-"

"And what, Bucky?" I raise my voice, cutting him off. "Go back to just running, skipping rocks, and sitting around waiting for this all to blow over? You can't expect me to..." he interrupts me.

"It's not safe for you there anymore."

"I wouldn't be any safer at the compound." I mutter, looking up at my window someone previously broke in through.

"What do you mean?" He asks. "Did something happen?"

"No, it's fine." I tell him. Then I look down at the file again, noticing a note. I pick it up.

If you want your identity to stay a secret, meet me at Mount Pleasant and Greenburgh. 20:00 hours. Tell no one. Remember- I know where you live.

My eyes widen.

"Emerson, talk to me." Buck says.

"I can handle this myself." I hang up the phone and lay down the file. Glancing at the clock, I see it's half past nine. I have 30 minutes.

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I make my way to the location written on the note and I come across what looks to be a water supply facility.

I'm in my suit with my shield on my back, just in case. I have no idea who or what I'm dealing with so I need to be prepared for all outcomes.

As I walk around, I search my surroundings. No one seems to be here yet. I glance at my phone and check the time, it's 9:55. This perp must be punctual.

"You're early." I hear a voice, the voice of a woman.

"I'm here, now who are you and what do you want?" I tell her, still unable to see her.

"You wanna get straight to the point. I admire that." She pauses. "My name is Ophelia Sarkissian. And I want you."

"Well, Ophelia..." I say. "I want to live a normal life with my mom and dad, but we don't always get what we want. Besides, what could I possibly do for you?"

"Oh, Miss Rogers." She chuckles. "You should be asking me what I could do for you."

"How do you figure?"

"We are more similar than you know." She looks straight at me. "I was orphaned as a child. Taken by Hydra, forced to do their dirty work."

"I'm sorry you had to go through that." I tell her.

"So it's true what they say. You're just as pure hearted as your father." I look down at her words.

"No one is as pure hearted as my father."

"And just as humble." She rolls her eyes.

"Get to the point." I roll my eyes. She glares, but continues her story.

"I rose in rank during my time with Hydra, then everything was taken from me."

"So you want revenge?" I question, seeing where this is going.

"I want to watch the world suffer." She tightens her fists.

"Look, you're hurting. I get it." I tell her, raising my arm to take the shield off of my back. "But this isn't how you stop the pain."

"Maybe not." She sighs. "But it sure would help."

"This won't change anything. You'll just dig yourself deeper." I pull my shield up and take a stance.

"I know." She smirks. "So are you in or out?"