Captain America lies dying in a laboratory, the same one in which he was created. He weakly mutters about courage and honor…
…and is heard by Marine Corporal James Newman serving in Afghanistan. His patrol is assigned to search a cave for enemy weapons, despite the weakened walls which could cause it to collapse at any time…and Jimmy’s fear of enclosed spaces. His claustrophobia takes him back to an incident in his childhood when he was locked in the trunk of an abandoned car and his friend was chased away by the junkyard dog and afraid to come back and look for him…. Jimmy’s team discovers the weapons cache and tries to radio their sergeant but their radios won’t reach the outside. They are surprised by two enemies and in the fight that follows a grenade explodes causing the tunnel to collapse, injuring several men. Jimmy, the only soldier unwounded, attempts to rescue his comrades buried under the rubble while fighting memories of the car trunk and his creeping despair. Captain America suddenly appears to encourage him, informing him that the rescue the day before was all James’ own doing; Cap is only in his mind. As Jimmy nears panic, Cap reminds him how he never gave up when he was locked in the trunk, managing to pry the lock open, then scaring off the guard dog to make it to safety. Cap is there to lend his strength to James and informs him that he is dying….