Chapter 28: Near Death
"I'm sorry, something came up and kept you waiting." Carter smoothed her hair and said apologetically to Steve.
"It's nothing, I haven't been here long." Steve handed Carter a rose. "This is for you. I hope you like it."
Carter's eyes lit up. "How did you know I like red?" For the usually reserved Steve to offer a flower was quite unprecedented.
"Uh... really? So you like red." Steve answered honestly. "I didn't know—Mason told me to get it."
Carter couldn't help but roll her eyes, an expression rarely seen on her usually tough demeanor. Steve, unaware that his unintentional remark had diminished the gesture, continued obliviously.
"Your outfit looks great today," Carter complimented. "But why did you want to meet me here?" Carter glanced at the somewhat narrow alley.
Steve smiled. "Someone like me..." He gestured to indicate his small stature. "...maybe your colleagues wouldn't appreciate seeing me with you." His face showed no inferiority, only genuine concern for Carter.
Carter was slightly moved. "Steve, your thoughtfulness is truly remarkable."
But just then, a disgusting, mocking voice echoed from the alley. "You actually refused my invitation because of this joke?" A tall figure emerged from the corner—Gilmore Hodge.
Hodge looked Steve up and down, his disgust growing stronger. "Look at your scrawny body. I bet you couldn't even reach her chest when you're together!" He then gave Carter several more lecherous glances.
"Steve, ignore him. Let's go." Carter tugged at Steve's sleeve and turned to leave.
A dark shadow flashed before their eyes—Hodge had appeared behind them, blocking the alley's exit.
Carter, now dressed in civilian clothes, looked even more stunning. Hodge licked his lips with his tongue. "Agent Carter, the Strategic Scientific Reserve has been testing my physical capabilities, but with all these tests, I feel like everyone's overlooking something important. I think you should test me."
As he spoke, Hodge lewdly gestured to his lower body. "I feel like my abilities in a certain area have been enhanced too, but I don't know how many times stronger I am now."
"Heh! Want to find out?" Hodge laughed arrogantly.
"You're disgusting!"
Carter looked at the dark serpentine markings on Hodge's face in horror. "If I'd known it would turn out like this, I shouldn't have stopped Mason from gouging out your eyes!"
Carter's mention of Mason only made Hodge more agitated.
"Mason! Mason! One day, I'll tear that bastard to pieces with my own hands!"
He caught a glimpse of Steve standing beside Carter, and remembering what had happened that day, he was consumed by rage. His mind clouded over, and he uncontrollably threw a punch!
"Steve, watch out!"
With Steve's current physical condition, how could he be a match for Hodge? If this punch landed, it would definitely shatter bones!
Carter darted to the side, shoving Steve out of the way, while simultaneously swinging her right fist fiercely at Hodge's elbow. As a Strategic Scientific Reserve agent, Carter, though a woman, was highly trained in combat. Hodge's physical abilities far surpassed Carter's, but he lacked the corresponding fighting techniques, and Carter's strike landed squarely.
She immediately felt a jarring impact in her elbow, and her arm involuntarily bounced upward.
Crack!
A sharp sound of bone fracturing rang out. Even with most of the force deflected, the collision still broke Carter's shoulder bone. Her face went pale, and her body was thrown backward.
Once the fight began, Hodge became uncontrollable. He roared and charged forward!
"Run! We can't beat him! Get to the street!" Steve helped Carter up, who, despite the searing pain in her shoulder, urged him desperately.
Taking advantage of Hodge's momentum, the two rolled along the ground, hugging the alley walls and scrambling past Hodge. The exit was only a few meters away—once they reached the main street, even if Hodge went berserk, he wouldn't dare kill them in public!
"Trying to run? Stay right here!"
Hodge turned and grabbed at Carter, who was slightly behind. Steve saw this and panicked. Disregarding his own safety, he grabbed the trash bins around him and hurled them at Hodge to block his view.
"Carter, run!"
Steve threw everything he could grab at Hodge. He watched Carter reach the edge of the alley, feeling a moment of relief, but suddenly saw a large hand emerge from the flying debris and grab his collar.
A dizzying spin followed as Hodge lifted Steve high above his head and slammed him against the brick wall!
Crack!
Steve coughed up blood, his vision went black, and he lost consciousness. Hodge's ferocity remained undiminished. He threw the limp Steve to the ground and raised his foot to stomp on him!
Bang!
At the crucial moment, Carter drew her gun and fired a shot into Hodge's shoulder. Hodge staggered, roaring, and tried to lunge forward, but his body suddenly went weak, a strange fatigue overwhelming him.
Terrified by this unexpected weakness, Hodge stumbled backward, using the trash bins as cover, disappearing quickly into the shadows.
"Steve!"
Carter rushed forward, gun still drawn. Steve lay motionless on the ground, limbs sprawled, eyes closed, chest caved in, and multiple bones visibly broken!
He was barely breathing!
"Hold on! Hold on!"
Carter cried out, tears streaming down her face, but the small man who never gave up before couldn't get up this time.
The sun set, the last rays disappearing below the horizon, plunging the alley into darkness.
Meanwhile, unaware of any of this, Mason was rushing to Professor Erskine's apartment.
Professor Erskine, carrying a briefcase, returned to his room under the escort of several agents. Due to yesterday's assassination attempt, his security level had been raised significantly, and he was always accompanied by agents when he went out.
Closing the door, he paced anxiously in the room. The super-soldier serum was secured; now he only needed to wait for news from Mason. Although the situation was tense and he had many more guards, everyone knew Mason—a quick check should be enough to let him in.
As darkness deepened, Professor Erskine felt inexplicably uneasy. He looked at the last rays of the setting sun and suddenly thought of his homeland in Europe, a trace of melancholy appearing on his face.
Knock knock knock!
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
Professor Erskine strode forward and opened the door, but the hopeful expression on his face quickly froze.
"It's you?!"
"Why can't it be me? Were you expecting someone else?" Hodge's massive body filled the doorway, a hint of suspicion on his face.
"Don't you welcome me?"
[500 PS unlocks 2 Extra Chapters]
[10 Reviews unlock 1 Extra Chapter]
Thanks for reading—reviews are appreciated.
P2treon DarkFoxx has 20+ advance chapters