The Girl Out of Time

Chapter 27

After we were cuffed they put James in a large truck by himself. The four of us were put inside a van. I sat next to Sam with T'Challa and Steve in front of us. My knee bounced as I chewed on my lip. What were they going to do to James? They would kill him for the smallest reason.

"So, you like cats?" Sam asked T'Challa.

"Sam" Steve warned.

"What? Dude shows up dressed like a cat, you don't wanna know more?" Sam asked him.

"Your suit... it's vibranium?" Steve asked the king.

T'Challa slowly turned his head to look at my friend. It was like he was studying him for a few seconds before he looked forwards again.

"The Black Panther has been the protector of Wakanda for generations. A mantle, passed from warrior to warrior. And now, because your friend murdered my father I also wear the mantle of King. So, I ask you as both warrior and King, how long do you think you can keep your friend safe from me?"

A shiver ran down my spine. He spoke slowly punctuating everything he said. He made sure we all knew exactly what he was saying. It was a threat. Even though I'm a super soldier I was still nervous with this guy.

When the van came to a stop we were unchained then let out of the van. The first thing I noticed was the glass prison they had strapped James into. There had to be something we could do to help him. I followed Steve over to Sharon who was standing with an unknown shorter man.

"What's gonna happen to him?" Steve asked.

"Same thing that ought to happen to you. Psychological evaluation and extradition." The man said.

"This is Everett Ross. Deputy Task Force Commander." Sharon informed us.

"What about a lawyer?" Steve asked Everett.

The man chuckled dryly.

"Lawyer. That's funny." He told Steve then turned away.

"See their weapons are placed in lock up. We'll write you a receipt." He added.

"I better not look out the window and see anybody flying around in that." Sam warned stepping forward.

I grabbed his arm stopping him from doing anything stupid. I glanced back at James who was already looking at me. I have to help him. Sam grabbed my hand wrapping his fingers with mine. He tugged gently pulling my attention back to him and away from James. I let Sam pull me with him as we followed the group into the actual building.

"You'll be provided with an office instead of a cell. Now, do me a favor, stay in it?" Everett said from his place next to T'Challa.

"I don't intend on going anywhere." T'Challa said in a slow determined voice.

Nat appeared next to Steve as we walked. She definitely looked irritated.

"For the record, this is what making things worse looks like." She said quietly.

"He's alive" Steve said simply.

I had to agree with Steve's simple point. If we didn't interfere James would most definitely be dead. Neither of us could have lived with that guilt. With that loss. Not for the second time.

We entered what looked like a command room with a few offices surrounded by glass walls. I could hear Tony speaking loudly as soon as we entered.

"Colonel Rhodes is supervising cleanup." Tony said into his phone.

"Try not to break anything while we fix this." Nat told us then walked away.

"Consequences? You bet there'll be consequences. Obviously you can quote me on that, because I just said it. Anything else? Thanks you, sir." Tony hung up the phone then stepped towards Nat.