"What?"
Bucky's confession had Magdalena's head spinning. She couldn't believe it, couldn't figure out what to say, and was just standing there shaking her head over and over again. For the first time in a long time, she actually wanted to launch forward and throttle some sense into the man she called her boyfriend. Lucky for her and for him though, the sound of Annette chuckling humorlessly drew her attention away.
"They're going to get themselves killed trying to be heroes." The blonde growled and folded her arms haughtily over her chest.
"We've never pretended to be heroes," Magdalena took a labored breath in, trying to calm herself, as Bucky spoke, rolling his eyes heavily at Annette, "but someone has to do something. If that's heroic, then fine."
"If that's not a hero catchphrase then nothing is." Annette threw her hands up and began pacing agitatedly in front of the cage bars. Bucky opened his mouth to snap at her but Magdalena, still baffled, held up her hands and the pair immediately stilled.
"What in the world possessed you to think you should, or even could, kill him?" She spoke slowly, her voice quiet and her eyes trained angrily on the ground in front of her. Neither Annette or Bucky were quick to respond.
That's probably smart. She thought, fully aware of the anger which was practically steaming off her. It took a lot to get her this upset, and she wasn't entirely how it had happened just now, everything was a blur of awfulness, but she knew she needed to calm down. Fisting her hands into her hair, she closed her eyes and took deep, slow breaths through her teeth. It wasn't helping. Bucky was still going to get himself killed. Everyone else was probably going to die too and there was nothing she could do about it. Absolutely nothing.
She flinched harshly as someone took her hand. Her eyes flew open, still on edge, but the tiniest bit of calmness settled over her when she saw Bucky stretching his arm out to her through the cage bars.
"I'm sorry, Mags," He squeezed her hand gently, his voice low, true sincerity on his face, "but I have to do this. You understand that, don't you?" His eyes implored her to agree with him, to at least trust him, she knew, but she was just so angry and so, so scared. This wasn't at all how she thought seeing him would make her feel.
"You can't just go around murdering people." She hissed at him and attempted to pull her hand away but he held her tightly.
"This isn't just some random person, Mags. It's Lohmer. He's a danger to everyone here." He paused, lowering his voice, "Killing him is the only way to prevent the greatest loss of life. That's always the goal, isn't it?"
"Not like this." Magdalena shook her head, her breaths growing shakier the longer she looked into Bucky's eyes. They were just so blue, so him, and so innocent. For now at least. "I c-can't... I don't want to see you become a murderer."
Bucky's eyes softened.
"I've killed people before, Mags." He spoke gently, confessing to the horrible, but undeniably necessary crimes, "You know that, don't you?"
She quickly nodded, "Of course I know. But killing someone on the battle field or in self-defense isn't the same as murder. You're talking about planning someone's death. Choosing to go out of your way and kill someone." She paused, her voice lowering into a whisper the longer she spoke, "I know you've killed people." She nodded, her voice only loud enough for him to hear, "I understand that, I do, but I've never imagined you as a murderer."
He frowned, "There's always been a price for justice, Mags. It's just me who has to pay it this time around."
Those words suddenly gave Magdalena the overwhelming need to be close to him. She rested her hand against his cheek and he leaned into it immediately, letting her look at him more openly.
"My dad used to tell me something." She whispered, "He always said, 'it's better to have evil done to you than to do evil'." Bucky was silent, thinking over her words, and she squeezed his hand, "You can justify anything, everyone has a reason, but no matter how terrible Lohmer is, the only choices you can control are your own. Are you really going to choose the same evil you want to condemn him for?"
Bucky paused briefly, a look of stress on his face.
"Your father was very wise," he said, strained, "but this might be the one case where I think he might be wrong."
She was about to respond, but he shook his head and pressed on, his eyes taking on a harshness rarely ever seen on him.
"And not matter what, I will never become what Lohmer is." His jaw tightened as his knuckles slowly turned white, "Never."
"No. You won't." Magdalena agreed immediately, shaking her head almost too quickly as she realized her mistake. She tilted Bucky's face back toward her. Barely diluted anger still filled him; he refused to meet her eyes for a moment but slowly, he shifted his attention back to her. She smiled apologetically and leaned toward him, holding his face more securely in both hands, "I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry. You could never do what he's done or be what he is. Not ever. You're too good. I wouldn't love you if you weren't."
Bucky chuckled weakly, making Magdalena smile. She took him in for another moment before growing serious again.
"I just want to protect you." She murmured, rubbing her thumb over the stubble on his cheek, "Murdering someone isn't right and I don't want you to have to live with that."
He nodded, "I know, but I have to do it. It's the only way to keep everyone safe..." He squeezed her hand and pressed his forehead against the bar beside her, sighing, "It's the only way to keep you safe."
She shook her head despite the sentiment, "You can't know that for sure."
"I have to try."
He looked almost regretful. His mouth was pressed into a thin line, his eyes downcast as he clutched onto Magdalena like a plant growing sideways, desperate to find light. She squeezed his hand once, giving him a small bit of reassurance. Although she didn't agree with him, she could never see him so sorrowful and not offer him comfort. His eyes flicked up toward her and she took a shuttering breath in. She stared at him, trying to find some sort of common ground, some way to change his mind and convince him this was a very bad idea, but she found nothing. His blue eyes were confident. There was some apprehension, some fear, yes, but confidence all the same. It was then that Magdalena knew they weren't going to agree on this, and Bucky knew it too. He offered her a small smile and she let her lips quirk up for just a moment before she sighed softly.
"I won't stop you, Buck," she said, "but I'm not going to help you."
He nodded, understanding, before lifting her hand to his lips.
"I love you."
Magdalena smiled easily, "And I love you."
He gave her that lopsided grin of his and glanced down, playing with the fingers on her left hand. It looked like he was about to say something more, but the guard on the walkway above them started yelling. They looked up to see him pointing at them repeatedly and waving his rifle toward the door. Annette, getting the message, grabbed Magdalena's arm and started to haul her away, but Magdalena dug her heels into the dirt and held onto Bucky with a strength she honestly didn't have, refusing to take her eyes off him. She didn't want to leave. His hands held onto her wrists, helping keep her in place, and he smiled gently at her.
"Keep yourself safe, okay?"
Magdalena nodded then leaned forward as far as she could with Annette still tugging her in the opposite direction. Luckily, the distance wasn't much and her lips met Bucky's easily. He kissed her quickly, his hands moving to cradle her face between his palms. Without him holding her in place, she started to slip backward. He pulled out of the kiss and pushed her shoulders gently.
"Get out of here, doll."
"You better be careful too, Buck." She ordered, walking backward as she let Annette pull her away, "I'm not coming to your funeral if you get yourself killed."
He chuckled heartily and gave her a proper, heel clicking salute. She saluted back, giggling, as she was pulled through the doorway. The heavy metal slammed shut in front of her, hiding Bucky from view, and the smile immediately slipped off her face. In one movement, she ripped her arm out of Annette's grip and headed off down the hall, fuming. The hurried squeal of the ration cart wheels sounded behind her and she knew Annette was running after her, but she didn't slow down.
"Would you just... hold up a second!" Annette panted as she ran to reach Magdalena's side. The brunette shook her head and pressed on. Small curls at her hairline escaped her ponytail and stuck up in an angry frizz, making her mane of hair look almost menacing.
"If you're mad at me, just yell and get it over with."
It sounded like she had rolled her eyes.
Magdalena shuddered as the fury boiled over inside her.
"Shut up, Annette."
"Woah." The blonde appeared at Magdalena's side, her shadowy eyes glaring heavily, "I know you think this is my fault, but you're wrong and I don't need you being a bitch to me when all I've done is try to save your ungrateful ass."
Magdalena bit her tongue so hard she tasted blood, "If you don't stop talking..."
"You'll what?" Annette scoffed, "Hit me? Curse at me? Sorry to break it to you but you're still injured. You couldn't hurt me right now even if you tried, and I've heard much worse than you could ever come up with, so go ahead."
Magdalena dug her fingernails into her palms. It was best for them both if she stayed quiet.
Annette didn't seem to think so though.
"Come on! Yell at me!" She screamed so loud the words reverberated off the walls, echoing and shattering all of Magdalena's barely existent resolve.
"UGH!" The brunette threw her now fisted hands down by her sides and bent over as she shrieked, letting her anger burst out of her and into the hallway. She spun around, righteous fury in her eyes as she glared at the snide looking blonde standing only a few feet from her.
"I am so mad at you!" Magdalena's hand shook as she pointed at Annette angrily, "Why didn't you tell me about their plan!? All you had to do was be honest and tell me the real reason why I should stay away from Bucky! Don't you think I deserved to know he and all the rest of them were going to go and get themselves killed!?" She paused, waiting for an answer, but didn't receive one. A loud, guttural shriek escaped her before she could stop it, "All you had to do was tell me the truth, Annette! That's all it would have taken and I would have stayed away!"
Annette grit her teeth and crossed her arms, "Well, how was I supposed to know that?"
"I don't know!" Magdalena scoffed, throwing her hands up in exasperation, "Common sense, maybe?"
Annette glared but Magdalena pressed on.
"Now, if they die... i-if Bucky dies it'll be partially my fault." She clamped her hands shut to keep them from shaking, "You did that to me. I'll have to live with that all because you lied to me."
Annette looked like she was about to protest. She shook her head, her eyes widening innocently, and Magdalena's anger grew.
"No." She snapped, stalking forward, "Don't you dare deny it. You've been lying to me! Lying about the guy's plan, and about why I needed to stay away from Bucky, and I-I know there's something else about your story that doesn't make sense." Annette stiffened defensively and Magdalena gestured toward her, "See! Right there! I'm right! I know I am! You've never lied to me before so why start now, huh?"
"You're being ridiculous, Mags." Annette sniffed and tossed her head to the side haughtily. Her long, golden hair brushed the air before settling and shielding her face from view. Magdalena's eyes narrowed.
"Don't insult my intelligence. I can see something is going on and I want to know what it is right now. What have you been lying about?"
Annette's only movement was the fluttering of her hair as she breathed heavily. The sight evaporated every ounce of Magdalena's anger. All that was left was sadness and a gaping hole in her chest. She sighed and bit down hard as tears pricked the corner of her eyes.
"At least admit to it." She said softly, almost begging as her words lost all malice, "Please, 'Nette. I just want you to be honest with me."
Annette tilted her head toward Magdalena slightly, exposing a small sliver of her face. Her dark eyes were cloudy with pain and tears, but her lips were clamped shut. Locked. Magdalena took it in and, just like that, the anger was back. Usually she'd rush to comfort her friend in so much pain, but, this time, the sight of Annette's tears hardened her.
"How do you expect me to trust you if you keep lying to me?"
Annette had no answer.
"Fine." Magdalena sniffed and quickly rubbed her eyes dry, "I guess I don't trust you then." She lifted her chin in the air, trying to look more confident than she felt, "I can't trust you. Not here. It's too dangerous."
She spared one more glance at Annette. Gone were her tears and the pained expression. She wore a mask now. Her black eyes almost dead looking and her face placid. That only proved Magdalena right.
This is what she chooses, then. Magdalena told herself, If she refuses to tell me the truth then I can't trust her. I won't trust her. There's too much to lose and I will never let that happen.
With that thought, she spun on her heel and walked away.
"Don't talk to me unless it's to tell me what you've been hiding." She threw the words over her shoulder, not expecting a response, and left.
"Please talk to me, Mags."
Magdalena pretended she didn't hear and continued to scrub the floor. Despite the expansive size of the hanger, the only sound was the clanking of metals and the soft swish-swish of her and Annette's towels. She wiped the sweat off her forehead with her arm, careful not to touch her skin with her hands, and wrang her towel out in the bucket which sat beside her. The water quickly turned red and she turned back to scrubbing the blood stain off the concrete.
"It's been three days. You can't ignore me forever." Annette whispered from across from her. Both women had tied their hair up in buns at the top of their heads to keep it out of the blood, but Magdalena wanted nothing more than to let it fall over her face, blood be damned, just so she could hide from Annette.
"I can and I will." Magdalena mumbled back, her arms now pumping back and forth aggressively. The quick movement splashed some of the blood up and onto her face. She flinched, quickly wiping her cheek off on her shoulder.
"Well," Annette said simply, rotating on her knees so she wasn't facing Magdalena anymore, "You're being incredibly childish, then."
Magdalena took a deep breath in and swallowed the retort she so desperately wanted to throw out. She'd made a promise to herself not to talk to Annette unless she told the truth. Plus, now wasn't the time for a confrontation.
Shifting her eyes a little, Magdalena discreetly glanced at the two men standing only a couple feet away from her. Each held a lit cigar between their fingers as they watched the room closely, but Magdalena's eyes centered on the still-steaming pistol Lohmer gripped loosely in his hand. It was pointed at the ground, but the threat was clear. Everyone knew it.
Magdalena's eyes drifted from Lohmer's pistol to the still incomplete super bomber which sat in the middle of the hanger in front of her, dark in color and massive in size, easily filling the entirety of the room. Flimsy, wooden catwalks zigzagged up it's back where soldiers stood precariously on the beams, various tools in their hands as they tried to assemble pieces of machinery and simultaneously avoid falling to their deaths. On the catwalk closest to her and about thirty feet off the ground, Magdalena found Bucky. He was watching her closely in the same way which Dugan beside him was watching Annette. Nervously. Protectively. That look both soothed her and had her heart racing. Her scrubbing grew slower and slower as she refused to take her eyes off Bucky. She knew, if she did, she'd have to see the blood and the warm feeling from his eyes would be gone.
The sound of Lohmer clearing his throat, though, had her head snapping down fast enough to pull a muscle, and the coldness returned.
"Don't look up." Annette whispered the warning hurriedly and Magdalena immediately stiffened. Although she'd said many times she didn't trust Annette anymore, that wasn't entirely true. She listened without a second thought. Her neck ached with the focus of not moving as she put all her attention on scrubbing up the blood stain.
Slow footsteps approached her until a pair of impeccably clean, brown leather dress shoes appeared in front of her. They were so shiny, she could see her reflection, bruised and blood smeared cheek and all.
"Did you know zis man, fraulein?" Lohmer asked conversationally, gesturing lightly with his pistol toward the blonde-haired soldier lying dead off to the side. Magdalena spared him the quickest of glances before shaking her head, her face dutifully focused on the ground again.
"No, sir. I don't..." she winced, "I didn't know him."
Lohmer hummed lowly in the back of his throat. His shoes were still for a moment before they turned toward Annette. Anxiety and fear built up in Magdalena's stomach and she couldn't keep her head down any longer. Her eyes flew up on their own. She momentarily saw Bucky and Dugan, paused in their work and now watching Lohmer with a new sort of intensity, but she didn't focus on them for long, instead turning to Annette.
The blonde had listened to her own advice and was refusing to look up. Her knuckles steadily grew whiter as she squeezed her towel tightly between her fingers. Diluted blood and water dripped out, puddling on the floor by her knees.
"What about you?" Lohmer asked, standing in front of her now, "Did you know him?"
Annette shook her head once but didn't say anything.
"Pity." Lohmer twirled the gun on his fingertips, a small, arrogant, vicious smirk on his lips. Magdalena tensed at the sight of it. She held tightly to her towel, a look of complete hatred focused on the blond man holding the gun. Her mind darkened and, for a moment, she actually wanted to help Bucky with his plan...
Before she could calm herself and school her features, Lohmer's head snapped toward her. Magdalena immediately looked down but it was too late. His smirk twisted up cruelly. He'd seen her.
Slowly, the shoes appeared in front of her again, her wide eyed fear reflected back at her in the leather. Ice raced in her veins as she watched him crouch down in front of her, his sickening grin right in her face. The barrel of his pistol was suddenly underneath her chin and she froze, doing nothing but letting him use it to tilt her face up toward his.
"I believe your friends vill be vatching closely right now, yes?" Lohmer whispered to her. He tilted his head to the side a little, his eyes focusing on the wall behind her as he continued to smirk, "Go ahead. Look."
Magdalena hesitated for one moment, her hands shaking, but she forced herself to comply and turned her attention to the space Lohmer's head had just vacated. Exactly like he'd predicted, the majority of the prisoners had stopped working. They stood rigid, their fists clenched around their tools, or as they were now being handled, their weapons. Then, just like every day in the cage room, Magdalena's eyes found Bucky's. He stood on the side of the catwalk, his shoes hanging over the edge like he was ready to jump off and come running. Magdalena was worried for a moment he would, but she noticed Dugan holding him back by his arm.
Lohmer suddenly tapped his pistol against her chin, making her look at him again.
"It is very... how do you say..." he paused, running his tongue over his teeth as he searched for the right word, "Ah. Adorable. Yes. It is very adorable zat zey sink zey vould be able to save you." His pale eyes skimmed over her face, clearly enjoying the power he had in the moment.
Magdalena winced as he purposefully pressed the gun barrel into the bruises on her face.
"Zey clearly could not save you before." He chuckled, savoring the way her eyes hardened as he pressed the gun to her temple, his finger lazily lying against the trigger, and leaned forward, his breath brushing her ear and sending goosebumps up her spine.
"Zey von't be able to save you ze next eizer," he whispered, "and you surely vill not save zem."
He leaned back, grinning, and their eyes met. Magdalena could feel him trying to make her look away, to intimidate her, but she refused. She kept her eyes on his no matter how much she wanted to turn toward the ground again. Even when she saw Dugan struggling to keep Bucky from yanking himself out of his hold, she kept her eyes on Lohmer. He was amused. The barrel of his gun slowly caressed the side of her face, dragging her skin down in a forced frown, but she didn't waver.
After a moment of their standoff, Lohmer leaned back on his heels, chuckling. He lowered the pistol and eyed her as he took one, long drag from the cigar he still held in his hand, letting the smoke pass between his lips slowly, right in her face so she had to breath it in. It took everything in her not to cough, but she managed it.
"As alvays, it has been a pleasure, fraulein."
Her offered her the tightest, most fake smile she'd ever seen before dropping his cigar in her water bucket. It sizzled quietly before floating at the top. Magdalena watched the red water turn a dirtier, brown color. Lohmer surveyed her a moment longer before standing without a word and walking back to Schmidt's side. She could hear them talking lowly in German but she couldn't seem to move, couldn't take her eyes off the cigar bobbing on the water's surface.
"Are you okay?"
Magdalena only nodded at Annette's question. Instead, she let herself look up at Bucky. He ripped his arms out of Dugan's now slack grip and took a tiny step forward, putting himself even more over the edge. Concern filled his eyes and tension filled his body. Magdalena met his gaze and gave him her most reassuring smile, which most likely wasn't reassuring at all.
She couldn't look at him for long, though. She felt... disgusting. Lohmer's touch still lingered on her skin and his words ran through her mind like they had been for weeks, but it was even worse this time. It wasn't just what he'd said to her in his office anymore.
See you tomorrow, fraulein.
It was what he'd just pointed out. Her biggest fear really.
They clearly could not save you before.
They won't be able to save you the next time either, and you surely will not save them.
She felt a lot like the bloody towel in her hands. Wrung out, filthy, and entirely useless.
She shook her head angrily and got back to work, shutting out all thoughts that even attempted to form. She ignored Annette entirely, though that wasn't too difficult a task. The swish swish of her towel was therapeutic. She focused only on the sound. That and the blood red color in her bucket. If it wasn't... well... if it wasn't what it was, it would almost be pretty. Almost.
Magdalena only stopped scrubbing when Annette took hold of her arm. She didn't know how long they'd been cleaning but her muscles throbbed from the incessant moving, and the moment she stopped, the exhaustion hit her so hard she couldn't even imagine putting up any resistance as she was pulled to her feet.
"It's gone, Mags." Annette said quietly, sounding as tired as Magdalena felt, "We don't have to clean anymore."
Magdalena nodded, more to herself than Annette, finding it difficult to lift her eyes from the now pristine floor. She could hear Annette talking to her but she really didn't try to listen at all.
"Why can't you just tell me the truth?" Magdalena spoke without thinking, without caring at all about interrupting and without moving her eyes from the floor. Annette trailed off on whatever she was saying, growing quiet before speaking.
"Why can't you just trust me?"
Her voice was small and Magdalena sighed, lifting her eyes to meet Annette's. She stared at her friend, trying to figure out what to say. In the end, she settled on the truth.
"I'm just so tired." She swallowed hard, trying to hide the thickness in her voice, "Everything is getting to be too much and I... I want to go home. I want to get out of here like we planned and I'm afraid we won't be able to." She looked down, "Not if we're keeping secrets from each other."
Annette's body softened. "You know I want to get out of here too."
"Then just tell me." Magdalena pleaded, her voice breaking as her eyes flit between Annette's, trying to find some sort of remorse or apology, but the blonde woman avoided her gaze.
"I can't." Annette's eyes misted over as she looked down, shaking her head, "But please, just trust me. We can still get out of this. Together. I would never let anything happen to you, or to Bucky, or Dugan, or any of them, you have to know that."
Magdalena was mad. She was angry and hurt and so afraid, but she wanted Annette back. There was this big, black, cavernous whole in her chest that just ate at her and ate at her every moment of every day and she wanted it gone. She wanted something normal, not cages or plots or seeing her Bucky turn into a murderer. Just some small bit of normal.
She blinked back tears as her shoulders slumped, finally giving up the fight.
"Fine. Just for now." She grabbed Annette's hand off her arm and apprehensively held it in her own, "I can't say I trust you, though. Not completely. I don't know what it is you're hiding but I do know that I can't handle doing this anymore, not without you." Annette smiled a real, genuine smile but it snapped back down when Magdalena shook her head pleadingly, "No more secrets. Please. I don't think I can handle any more. Especially not like the last one."
Annette winced, but squeezed Magdalena's hand tightly.
"I won't let you down, Mags." She promised and, for some reason, Magdalena didn't doubt her. The dark haired woman nodded, sniffling, as she linked her arm through her friend's. Slowly, the hole in her chest began to ease.
"This doesn't mean I forgive you, though." She clarified, "I'm still mad and I expect the truth at some point."
Annette nodded slowly, thinking hard like she was going to tell Magdalena something, but sighed instead, deciding against it. She grabbed their buckets and towels, handing Magdalena's over, and turned toward the door. Magdalena sighed in disappointment but decided not to press it. She didn't want to fight again. So, she kept her arm in Annette's and walked with her.
"When did Lohmer and Schmidt leave?" She asked after a moment of silence. It was both a mixture of genuine curiosity and a need for a distraction. Anything to keep them from fighting or talking about secrets, or plans, or murder. She waved her bucket toward where the two men had been standing earlier.
"Don't know, don't care." Annette picked up speed, walking faster and refusing to even glance in the direction Magdalena had gestured to.
The brunette nodded slowly, letting herself be dragged out of the hanger and into the hallway before speaking again.
"Did you see Bucky and Dugan before we left?"
Annette hummed, "Yeah. They were watching us."
"Did they..." She paused anxiously, "did they look okay?"
"Did Bucky look okay, you mean." Annette threw her a smirk and she blushed. The blonde laughed lightly but nodded, "Both of them were fine. Seething and pissed off, one hundred percent, but fine. They're just big ol' drama queens. Don't worry about them."
Magdalena snorted, "How can I not?"
"How about trying to relax a little, hmm?"
"Oh, okay." Magdalena rolled her eyes, "I'll just pop into the Hydra spa, why don't I? Get a foot massage. Maybe have Schmidt paint my nails."
"Any color but red." Annette winked and Magdalena giggled despite everything. She felt herself loosening up, feeling a little more like herself again, when Annette stopped them both abruptly by a set of double doors in the hallway.
"I know we just had a little heart to heart and all, but I need to stop here." She whispered quickly, her eyes scanning over the coridoor, "I'm sure you don't want to help with this, so just stay here." Her bucket was suddenly shoved into Magdalena's free hand and she pushed the smaller woman toward the wall by her shoulders, "I need to go in and get something. It shouldn't take long."
"What?" Magdalena stammered, her head spinning trying to keep up with Annette. She turned a little too quickly as she tried to keep the blonde in her sight, which made some of the bloody water slosh out onto the floor and all over her shoes. Disgusted, she held the buckets away from her body in an attempt to keep the rest of her clothes as clean as possible.
"What do you mean you need to go get something?" She asked, moving her attention off her shoes and back to Annette. Who was now no where to be found.
"'Nette!" She whispered loudly, looking down both ends of the hallway before realizing she must have ducked through the double doors without her noticing. Groaning a little to herself, she let her shoulders slump down which only caused the buckets to spill water again. Luckily it didn't get on her this time, but she groaned in frustration and held the buckets at arm's length away from her sides.
"Just another thing she doesn't tell me." She grumbled to herself, glaring at the doors and shaking the water off her shoe.
Her arms were starting to ache when the doors burst open and Annette flew out, not slowing or speaking as she swept her bucket out of Magdalena's hand, grabbed the smaller woman's elbow, and had them both hurrying down the hall. Faint voices echoed behind them and, without thinking, Magdalena turned to see what was happening.
"Don't look. Keep walking." Annette hissed. Magdalena snapped her head forward again, her heart now racing as she took in Annette's strangely stoney expression. The blonde sped up and yanked Magdalena around the corner too fast for her to try and stop the water from sloshing out of her bucket.
"Are we being chased?" Magdalena whispered loudly, looking back in horror at the red spots which now dotted the floor and wall, "Because if we are, we're leaving one hell of a trail."
"It's fine." She said immediately, almost... confidently, "No one saw me. They won't stop us."
Magdalena frowned. Why was Annette so unbothered by this? She shook her head. That was a question for another time. For now, she had to make sure they didn't get caught.
"I think we need to find somewhere to hide." She checked over her shoulder to see if the owners of the voices were anywhere close, "It sounds like someone did see you and we should-"
"Shut up." Annette's dark eyes flashed dangerously and Magdalena's mouth snapped shut, her teeth clicking audibly. The blonde glared for a moment longer before tightening her hold on Magdalena's arm and quickening her step. They were practically running now. No matter what Annette said, Magdalena knew something was wrong. The voices grew louder and fear rang through her ears as she breathed rapidly, focusing on not tripping or spilling more water or making too much noise. All of which, were difficult, especially with Annette yanking her around like a rag doll.
None too soon, the women neared the hall leading to their little room. They slowed, skidding to a halt to avoid rounding the corner too quickly. Magdalena smoothed down her hair and wiped the sweat off her face as she took agonizingly slow breaths, trying to calm down. Beside her, Annette was doing the same, though she also fiddled with her bra, patting her breast nervously. Magdalena raised an eyebrow but didn't question. Not yet at least.
"Try not to look so suspicious." Annette grabbed her hand again and yanked her around the corner without a second's notice. Magdalena bit her tongue to keep her shriek quiet.
"We're back from cleaning the hanger."
The guard in front of their cell door turned his head toward the women at the sound of Annette's voice. His lack of movement and covered face made Magdalena more uncomfortable than usual. She shifted her feet and gripped her bucket tighter, feeling a few beads of sweat drip down her back. Annette, however, seemed perfectly calm. Her head was raised high and her cheeks a healthy shade of pink, giving no indication of the fact she'd just been sprinting. It pissed Magdalena off.
"In." The guard opened the door and jerked his rifle toward the room. Annette tilted her head in mock thanks before dropping her bucket beside his feet and sauntering in. He stiffened, not pleased at all by the sight of the bloody water.
Desperately wanting to get away from him and whoever else might be in the halls, Magdalena hurried to follow Annette. She placed her bucket next to the other one and kept her head down. The door was slammed closed behind her and she fell back against it, breathing hard in both relief and still simmering anxiety.
The sound of Annette humming, however, had her blood boiling again.
"What the hell?!" She hissed between pants, tossing her hands out weakly. Annette looked up, doe eyed and innocent looking as she wrapped something in one of her dirty socks.
"What is that?" Magdalena growled and pointed at the bundle Annette had just stuffed under the mattress.
"It's for Bucky and Jacques." She said simply, double checking to make sure nothing looked suspicious.
Magdalena growled, "Okay. But what is it?"
"Salt and sulfuric acid."
Magdalena's eye twitched, "Why?"
"Jacques is a chemist." Annette said simply, like that answered every question in the universe. Magdalena was frozen for half a second before she yanked her shoe off and hurled it at Annette's head.
"Ow!" Annette glared at Magdalena as she rubbed her now red temple, "What the hell, Mags?!"
The brunette yanked off her other shoe and brandished it at Annette, "Tell me what's going on. Right. Now. And don't lie to me or I swear…"
"Jesus Christ." Annette spoke under her breath and rolled her eyes. She tossed the shoe that had hit her onto the floor before curling her legs up underneath her, "What are you? Throwing shoes around like a child."
"Annette!" Magdalena snapped, holding the shoe up higher.
"Okay! Okay!" The blonde held her hands up in surrender, "I'll tell you when you put the shoe down and stop yelling."
Magdalena bristled and grit her teeth, but let the shoe drop out of her hand.
"See? That wasn't so hard now was it?"
Magdalena kicked Annette in the shin as hard as she could before dropping down on the bed next to her. The taller woman howled in pain and leaned over, rubbing the sore spot on her leg. Magdalena would be lying if she said she didn't enjoy the sight of it.
"Tell. Me." She crossed her arms and leaned back against the wall. Annette hissed in pain a few more times before speaking.
"Jacques is a chemist. He needed salt and sulfuric acid to make some sort of... something. It-"
"Hydrochloric acid."
"What?" Annette looked up, confused.
"Hydrochloric acid." Magdalena sighed, "That's what you get when you mix the two."
Annette hummed, looking impressed, before she turned her attention back to her leg.
"Yeah, well, whatever it is, he's going to use it for their plan."
Magdalena's heart stuttered. Hydrochloric acid was dangerous. Very dangerous and very corrosive. It could eat through metal... and flesh. And Jacques was going to try and make it in a cell?
"What are they going to use it for?" She demanded, the image of Bucky or Dugan or Gabe spilling the acid on themselves suddenly too present in her mind.
"I don't know." Annette shrugged, "They just asked me to get the ingredients so I did."
Magdalena's eyes narrowed suspiciously, and Annette, feeling the change in atmosphere, looked up from nursing her leg. Her body slumped when she saw Magdalena's look
"I'm telling you the truth." She sighed.
"You promise?"
"Yes."
She actually sounded sincere. Magdalena let the answer rattle around in her head for a moment before she nodded, deciding to trust her on this. The women were quiet then, pondering what might happen. Annette slowly took off her shoes before leaning against the wall beside Magdalena who was frowning at the door, lost in thought.
"Do you really not want them to do it?"
Magdalena startled a little. She didn't expect Annette to talk to her, and she definitely didn't expect that question. Thinking for a second, she shook her head.
"No. I don't."
"But don't you think it would be better not to have Lohmer around anymore?"
"Of course I do." Magdalena sighed and let her head fall back to hit the wall, "But that doesn't mean we should kill him."
Annette was quiet before speaking, "You're naive. You know that?"
Magdalena chuckled weakly, "Yeah. Maybe."
She let her head drop to the side so she could see Annette. To her surprise, there was no look of accusation on the blonde's face. She simply looked pensive, chewing on the inside of her cheek. Magdalena watched her for a moment, appreciating the fact they weren't fighting and enjoying the presence of someone she considered a friend even if she didn't quite know if she could trust her right now...
Magdalena knew was something going on, something Annette was hiding. She knew it and she knew Annette knew it too. Although she was angry, so incredible angry, and betrayed and downright foolish for not seeing it, she was also scared. She was worried. There was this nagging little voice in her head that kept whispering to her, telling her that Annette was in trouble. Logically, she knew there was barely any basis to think that, Annette could be lying for any reason really, but all Magdalena could think about was the way Annette had looked when she told her why she hadn't been taken to the research lab. She hadn't given specifics and she'd been uncomfortable, shifty even. Then just today, when they were running in the hall, Annette hadn't shown even the slightest concern about spilling the bloody water. Surely the guards would know they had been there, so why hadn't she been worried?
Magdalena didn't know the answers. It seemed like she never did these days, but she did know that, no matter what, no matter how angry she was, Annette was still her friend and she would be never leave her friends.
Feeling more determined than she had felt in a while, Magdalena took Annette's hand into her own. The blonde looked surprised but Magdalena didn't say anything. It was a silent promise and she wanted to keep it that way. She was going to help Annette with whatever trouble she was in, and she was going to find the truth.
"Everything's going to be alright, 'Nette."
The blonde snorted a laugh, "You really think so?"
"Mmhm." Magdalena closed her eyes and nodded, "We'll be fine. You'll see."
"Even... even Tim and Bucky?"
"They better be or I'll kill them."
Annette giggled. She rested her head on Magdalena's and gave her hand a squeeze.
"I know you don't want them to go after Lohmer," she whispered and Magdalena tensed with the change if subject, "but if they actually manage it, a-and get away with it, do you... do you think they could get us out?"
Magdalena chewed on her bottom lip. She hadn't thought about that. Escaping had been the only thing on her mind when she'd first gotten here, but now, life was all about surviving, keeping herself and everyone else alive. The thought of escape seemed impossible... and yet... she wouldn't dream of putting anything past Bucky. Sometimes she thought she had too much faith in him, but now wasn't one of those times.
"Maybe," She stopped chewing her lip and looked out at the guard in front of their door, "but I really don't know."
"I think they can." Annette said, a smile in her voice.
Magdalena didn't say anything. She found herself actually... wanting the plan to work.
That realization sent a shockwave through her body. She frowned, rubbing her temple and chewing on her lip once again. She shouldn't wish for anyone's death, she knew that, but, right now, she did. The feeling burned inside of her, hot and passionate, and she didn't stop it. It ate at her insides but it felt... almost... good, and she let it spread until it was all she could think of.
She wanted Lohmer to die.