Captain America: The Winter Soldier: The Secret Files: The Junior Novel (Marvel Junior Novel (eBook)) by Marvel Press

Author:Marvel Press
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: Young Adult - Fiction
Publisher: Disney Book Group
Published: 2014-03-03T16:00:00+00:00

BRIEFING #8

YOU FIGHT FOR US,

WE FIGHT FOR YOU?

“A COP pulled me over last week. He thought I was drunk,” said a woman in the veterans’ support group circle. She wrung her hands as Sam listened to every word, nodding for her to continue.

The woman went on. “I swerved to miss a plastic bag. Thought it was an IED…in Falls Church, Virginia,” she said, referring to an improvised explosive device. She thought about the numerous times her assault vehicle had to swerve to avoid mines that had been planted in the ground, hidden from sight.

Sam nodded again. He understood all too well how this was second nature to her: to avoid and survive. He turned to the group and addressed them. “The deal is, some stuff we leave there. Other stuff we bring back. Our job is to figure out how to carry it.”

Sam noticed Steve slip in through the back door.

“Is it going to be in a big suitcase or a little man purse?” Sam said. “It’s up to you.…” He thanked the group and the meeting ended.

Steve watched the veterans leave, giving them each a thin smile as Sam approached and said, “Look who it is. The running man.”

“Pretty intense,” Steve said, referring to the meeting he just saw wrap up. He helped Sam fold up the chairs from the circle.

“Lots of us came back with the same problems, you know? Guilt…regret…” Sam suddenly became quiet as emotions took over. It was a meeting again, Sam in the circle this time.

Then Steve decided to open up as well. “I grew up with a guy. We grew up together.”

Sam knew by the tone in Steve’s voice it was someone who had served with him. “He make it back?” Sam asked.

Steve sighed and looked to the floor, pain in his eyes. “Killed in action.” There was silence between them for a few seconds before Steve continued. “I’ve been through a lot of changes. I don’t know if anything hit me as hard as losing Bucky.”

“We fight for our guys, ya know?” Sam said, looking into Steve’s eyes. He understood. “When they go, a part of us does, too.”

“You lose someone?” Steve asked.

“My wingman,” Sam replied. “Riley. Flying a night mission. Standard rescue op. Done it a thousand times. Until a rocket-propelled grenade blew Riley out of the sky.”

Silence.

Finally, Sam continued. “Couldn’t do anything about it. It was like I was just up there to watch.”

Steve sighed. Soldiers shared a lot with one another. And often one of those things was losing a friend in battle. “I’m sorry.”

“After that I had a real hard time trying to find a reason to be over there.”

“And you’re happy back in the world?” Steve asked.

“Food’s better,” Sam joked. “And the number of people who give me orders is about down to zero. So, yeah.” He stacked his last chair and realized this wasn’t idle talk. “You thinking of getting out?”

“No…I don’t know. What would I do with myself if I did?” Steve said, taking in Sam’s words.

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