The Experiment Chapter 4
Steve thought they only pertained to these test questions, but he soon realized that the rules given earlier were meant to be carried with them everywhere. One, don't talk unless spoken to. Two, don't refuse an order. Three, don't communicate with Bucky or Peter.
Bucky was the best at following these rules. They were pretty much the same rules he followed during his time as the winter solider. But Peter? It was hard for that kid to keep his mouth shut and sit still. The army veterans worried about their young friend constantly.
This was why, when they woke up in beds after waking up in desks for so many times in a row, the Captain didn't turn to look at his team. He knew they were there, but he didn't dare speak to them. He simply laid in bed and tried to appreciate the softness and warmth of the new sweatpants he was wearing. They had each been wearing the same sweats that were dressed in when they first woke up in this hell hole. He was glad to be rid of the sweaty and smelly clothing. Steve was sure that they had even given him a new pair of underwear. It was shameful for him to think about someone else changing his clothes and seeing him naked, but such a little thing as soft sweatpants gave him a shred of dignity to hold on to.
Not long after he woke up, a few people came into the room. Each of the three was pulled out of the bed. In bare feet, they followed a few of their captors wordlessly down some hallways and through a doorway. No one dared to refuse the orders. Attempting an escape would be useless if they couldn't get their wristbands off first.
Finally, they were led into a huge room that held a large, deep swimming pool. One of the leaders turned to the three boys and commanded, "Stand in the water and remain there."
"Are we gonna be electrocuted?!" Peter blurted out before he could stop the panic that rose within him. Immediately he felt the electricity pulse through his body, causing him to grimace in pain and regret his question even more.
Surprisingly, the woman decided to answer him. "Your monitors are waterproof. Unlike the mental exercises, this is an endurance check. Communication is permitted but will be monitored. However, physical touch between members is prohibited." She then stepped aside so that the three could reach the ladders into the pool.
Bucky moved his arms to take off the sweatshirt and t-shirt, but a shock to his wrist stopped him.
"I did not order you to undress," the woman sneered.
So much for new sweatpants, Steve thought bitterly.
Therefore, the three boys climbed down into the water, fully dressed. The clothing braced them against the chill of the water, but it also slowed their movements drastically. It was just deep enough to cover Peter's shoulders completely. Almost instinctively, they arranged themselves into a row with Steve in the middle, facing their captors who turned and exited the room.
As soon as they left the large room, the ceiling lights switched off. Without windows, the only light in the room ‒small, green dots representing operating cameras‒ came from some places where the walls touched the ceilings. They all had better-than-average night vision, especially Peter, but it was eerie and silent except for the occasional smack of water on tile. Being submerged in water in complete darkness was the perfect setting for their imaginations to act up.
"Steve?" Bucky whispered, breaking the silence some time after their hands had all gone wrinkly.
After a moment of suspense to see if talking really was allowed here, Steve replied, "Yeah, Buck?"
"Remember when the training officer would wake you up before dawn for showers?"
"Yeah, I remember."
"That's what this feels like."
Steve agreed. Cold and dark, but manageable.
"Do you think it's okay to float?" Peter asked quietly. He wasn't sure how long they had been like this, but he was getting tired.
"No," The other two answered in unison.
Steve felt his heart ache for the kid. Bucky was right: this felt like something that an old-fashioned military trainer would command. The kid could barely follow direct orders from Tony, let alone some scientific generals. He tried to help the kid, advising, "Try to bend your knees a little. Don't be so stiff."
"Maybe we can pass the time with a song," Bucky suggested.
When neither of his partners replied, Bucky began, "Ninety-nine bottles of beer on the wall, ninety-nine bottles of beer‒"
"Take one down, pass it around, ninety-eight bottles of beer on the wall," the others joined in.
They managed to sing the song twice before Steve refused to sing anymore.
It was getting colder.
"I heard this story one time that was like…" Peter paused to check that he had the story correct in his head. "It doesn't matter how much water is in the glass, whether it's half full or half empty or whatever. After holding up the glass for a long time, it'll feel heavy no matter how much water is in it."
When neither of the older men commented, Peter elaborated. "My clothes are starting to feel heavy."
"You guys ever hear of the polar bear plunge?" Peter asked.
"Where you swim in the ocean on New Year's Eve? I did that with Sam one year," Steve recalled.
"Is this how cold it was?"
Steve didn't want to answer the kid. Yes, this felt as cold as that. The temperature of the water was definitely dropping, but he didn't want to scare the kid.
Bucky sensed his best friend's unease, so he tried to cover it up. He reassured, "Well, if people can do that and survive then we can do it, too, right?"
Peter thought about the Titanic. He wanted to ask Bucky and Cap if they thought the Titanic water felt this cold, but he was too tired to open his mouth. His arms and legs had gone numb a little while ago. He decided to close his eyes.
Steve was worried about Peter because the kid hadn't said anything in a while, but when he opened his mouth, his brain short-circuited and he called out "Buck" instead of "Peter."
"'m here," Bucky answered in a mumble after a minute.
Peter didn't react.
"Pe'er?" Bucky asked quietly, practically reading his best friend's thoughts about their littlest teammate.
Still, no sound was made from Steve's other side.
"Poke 'm," Bucky whispered to Steve.
"Rules," Steve mumbled back.
"Nah" was all that Bucky could say, but Cap understood and agreed. The kid's life was more important than some dumb rules. Unfortunately, his arms were heavy and numb. He wasn't even sure if he was actually moving them until his open hand collided with Peter's stomach.
The men felt the ripple of water as Peter's body swayed.
The lick of the water at his face and the teenager's lack of reaction stirred something within Steve. His eyes snapped opened, and he felt his heart rate pick up. In seconds, the adrenaline in his body was controlling his movements. He felt his arms curling around the younger boy's torso, and he began to trudge towards the ladders. Halfway there, Bucky caught up to them to help drag Peter out of the water.
When the three collapsed onto the floor, the overhead lights switched on and men in scrubs rushed into the room.