A/N Another update! Let me know what you think.
Slumping forward, my head hung low as I sat strapped into the machine. My jaw ached from having bitten the bite guard so hard. My brained pounded with a sharp throb. My whole body trembled and my mouth is try and I swallowed. Stretching my fingers as they shook a little, I tilted my head up so that I could see doctor Pavlov. He stood in front of me "Can you hear me?" he questioned with a firm tone while snapping his fingers in front of my face.
I nodded my head and the Pavlov wrote down something on a piece of paper lying on his desk. Pavlov glanced at me as he picked up a red hard covered diary with a black star in the middle. My brows furrowed as I tried to think, but the more I tried to remember, the more I realised there's gaps. Black and fuzzy spaces like static in my brain.
I started from basic knowledge. I know where I am, who I am and who the men are in front of me, but at the same time I don't. It's hard to describe. It's as if I'm believing in all of this only out of instinct instead of pure fact. The recognition is all automatic "Look at me Katya" I trained my eyes on Pavlov "Listen, and listen very carefully"
The doctor waited for a response that never came. Opening the red book, he paused when I demanded "Let me go" my gaze never faulted.
"Listen, don't speak" replied the Pavlov. I wanted to snicker. If I wasn't restrained, he'd be nothing but a cowering mess of a man. Hobbled over in fright. There's was something scratching at my brain, a memory that was trying to push itself through. I can't remember.
"Let me go doctor. Let me go and I won't kill you" there all enemies. I can feel it in my bones. I know they've done terrible things. I know they've wronged me.
Pavlov's throat bobbed "We will see" he said while holding up the book and turning to nod at the Soldier. I watched as he stalked forward from near the doorway. Stepping over to the control panel of the machine. He didn't once look at me "Now we begin"
I lost site of the doctor as he started to slowly circle me. My tongue ran over my bottom lip as my hands clenched open and closed. What is he going to do? There was a pause of silence before he the doctor spoke in Russian "один" (One)
A current of electricity flushed through me for a second. It was enough to render me speechless and breathless. My eye site went a little darker before slowly tingling back to clear "красный" (Red) another wave coursed through me and fidgeted in my seat, wanting to get away from the pain.
"Stop" I begged, my lungs panting.
I feel so helpless, because neither one of them listened "Девять. Выживание. Три. Главная. Семь. Святилище" (Nine, Survival, Three, Home, Seven, Sanctuary) it continued, one word at a time until I felt as if I might pass out.
Just when I thought it would never end, that I'd never be free of this torment – it stopped. Beads of sweat dripped down the curve of my spine and from my forehead. My damp hair clung to my skin. I feel sick to the stomach. Pins and needles ran all over my body. I'm unsure of everything. Unsure of what I did to get myself here. Unsure of what went so terribly wrong.
"Are you ready to comply?" asked doctor Pavlov as he stood in front of me once again, the red book still in hand. I tugged on my restraints as my thoughts scattered to the idea of escape. I should have him when I had the chance. I should have killed them all. The doctor sighed as he looked me up and down "Then we will try again" the machine wired up.
2016, Bucharest
They still stood in the apartment, the soldiers outside getting incredibly closer "We can help you. We can find whoever you're looking for" if getting Bucky somewhere safe meant promising to help him, then Steve would do it. Time is running out for them and they need to leave before it's too late.
"No" replied the brunette as he shook his head "I need to do this on my own" turning on the spot, Bucky began to collect maps and bits of paper that were strewn across his apartment. He'll need these if he wanted to keep with his search.
Taking a few steps from the kitchen, Steve's voice held a pleading tone "Bucky you need to trust me" he said while lowering his shield "We can help"
"Who's we? The government? Stark? I don't need their help, I never have. I'm sorry, but I can't trust any of you – not with this. You wouldn't understand" Bucky turned his head. Their right outside, getting ready to storm the place.
Steve sighed "This doesn't have to end in violence"
Bucky took off his glove to reveal the shining glint of his metal hand "It always ends in violence"
My feet dragged against the floor as the guards dragged me back to my cell. My head lolled down and I was limp in their hold. I couldn't fight back. Turning left, we came into view of a large and tall room with a caged area made of black metal bars situated in the middle. Opening the barred door, I was pulled inside where doctor Krupin and doctor Pavlov stood with the remaining three other girls; Yelena, Mira and Rachel.
"Good morning my girls" spoke Krupin as I was dragged to the line. Shaking me from their grip, I lent up against the bars for support. My legs are weak. I can barely focus. Wincing, the bright L.E.D lights shining above us made my head throb even harder than before "As of today, you'll be continuing your training. You may notice that you've gained new abilities. I want you to use them. No holding back" out of nowhere the Soldier entered the cage.
My head tilted up a little to see Pavlov standing stiff beside Krupin. Glancing to the right, I heard the doctor call a name "Mira" I watched as she got into a fighting position. Her fists are held high as she waited for the Soldier to make his move. When they began, it was sloppy at first; as if she needed to get used to herself again. The fight continued and Mira's punches landed harder and harsher, but she still wasn't able to beat the Soldier.
"Good" spoke Pavlov as he stepped forward to check her heartrate.
Still leaning up against the bars, I'd zoned out of the rest of the fights. But I could still hear them as they kicked and punched, or fell to the ground. Focusing up at the bright lights, I couldn't help but replace it with the image of the Sun. I want to go back outside again. I want to breathe in the fresh air and feel the wind in my hair. Grunts and yells filled the room, but I swear I could hear the faint echo of cars driving by the sound of birds.
Pulling me from my illusion, a guard had grabbed me by the arm and shoved me into the centre of the room. Landing on my hands and knees, I looked up at the Soldier. His eyes are still the unfamiliar blue as they stared at my hunched over form. To them, I must have looked so broken and weak "Get up. Stop day dreaming" came the firm voice of Krupin. Even when I could hear what he was saying, it didn't register in my brain. His voice is a somewhat unrecognisable vibration as I drifted from this reality and into another.
Turning my head back to the ground, I waited when I heard the shuffle of footsteps. Kneeling beside me, I saw the familiar ashy brown suit and leather shoes. Grabbing me by the chin, Krupin tugged my face up to look at his, but my eyes drifted elsewhere in the room "What did you do doctor Pavlov?"
"The conditioning process is long and taxing" he explained "It'll take some time for her to respond correctly" letting go of me, Krupin stood back by the other doctor.
"Continue on Soldier" nodded Krupin.
In an instant I felt a solid knee collide into my face. The force sent me sprawled back to lay on the floor. Groaning as blood tricked down my nose, the Soldier walked over to me. Grabbing my hair, he hauled me to my feet and punched me in the ribs. I fell onto my knees when he let go of me. I didn't fight back when he kicked me again. Tasting blood in my mouth, it leaked down my chin to drip onto the cement ground.
The Soldier was about to strike again when Krupin spoke up "Stop. That's enough for now" the doctors hand shewed and I was lifted from the floor by the same pair of guards. They took me back to my room.
2016, Berlin
After the endless waves of government soldiers and running past cars, they'd eventually been captured. Steve scolded himself for not getting their earlier. Hoping out of the black van, he glanced over to see Bucky full secured in a chair inside of a small glass cage. Steve approached a man who stood beside Agent Thirteen "What's going to happen?" asked Steve.
"Same thing that'll happen to you" replied the man "Physiological evaluation and extradition"
"This is Everett Ross" introduced Agent Thirteen "Deputy task force commander"
"What about a lawyer?" Steve questioned seriously.
Everett chuckled "A lawyer. That's funny"
"I need to speak with him" spoke Steve as he took a step forward "Just for a few minutes"
"You're in no position to be making demands. You're lucky you're not locked up right beside him"
"Please" begged Steve "I'm not asking for much. I just need to talk to him – it's important"
Everett looked the Captain up and down. He was sceptical "Fine, but only for a few minutes"
Nodding his head, Steve turned and followed where Bucky had been taken for permanent residence; a tight and secure room made of concrete. Stepping in, the two men were left alone "Buck?" Steve spoke softly. Looking up from where he sat in the glass cage, Bucky flexed both his hands. Metal clasps restrained his wrists as well as his torso and legs "You could have avoided all this if you trusted me – if you let me help you"
"I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you" replied Bucky with a cold tone "I told you already, I don't need your help"
"I just" Steve glanced to the ground "You said you were looking for someone. Will you tell me?" the beeping green light of a security camera caught Bucky's attention. They're listening. Steve saw what he was looking at and apologised "I'm sorry" it's the least he could do.
Giving his old friend one last look, he left the room without another word. An hour passed, maybe two when another man came into the room. Zemo. Bucky didn't recognise him as he sat at the table in a brown suit and glasses. Pulling a few papers from his briefcase, Zemo clasped his hands together and spoke "Tell me Bucky, you've seen a great deal haven't you?"
There was a pause before Bucky replied "I don't want to talk about it"
"You feel that, if you open your mouth the horrors might never stop" Zemo glanced down at tablet that's resting on the desk "Don't worry. We only have to talk about one"
A moment passed when all of a sudden the power had been completely cut. The room went dark and the red warning lights flashed to give an eerie atmosphere "What the hell is this?" muttered Bucky as he looked to the stranger.
"Why don't we discuss your home?" Zemo asked "Not Romania, certainly not Brooklyn. No" he pulled out a card cover red book with a black star in the middle "I mean, your real home" taking off his glasses, Zemo stood and shone a torch down onto the open pages of the book. Bucky recognised it immediately. The source of all his nightmares.
Stepping toward the glass cage, Zemo spoke the words Bucky dreaded to hear "желание" (Longing) he'd memorised the words perfectly "ржaвый" (Rusted)
Bucky closed his eyes and thumped his head against the seat "No" he muttered as Zemo circled the cage.
"Семнадцать" (Seventeen)
"Stop it" snarled Bucky as the man continued; pronouncing each word firmly and clearly.
"Рассвет" (Daybreak) Zemo looked up to make sure that everything's sinking deep within the dark corners of the Soldiers brain "Печь" (Furnace)
Struggling in his restraints, Bucky's arm wired as he broke the clasps to free his body. He needs to get away; far away. He can't do this again. Leaning up against the glass door of his cage, Bucky pounded the screen until cracks formed. He didn't give up even when he felt his mind slipping back into that awful place.
"Девять" (Nine) Zemo called "добросердечный" (Benign) Bucky struck hard against the glass one final time before it gave way. He's too late "товарный поезд" (Freight train)
Falling forward, Bucky crouched on one knee in front of the man. Slowly rising from the floor, the red book closed shut and Zemo glanced over the menacing form that stood towering before him. Deadly. Cold. Ruthless. Peering up into a pair of empty grey eyes, he knew it'd worked. He's one step ahead in his plan.
"Soldier?"
The reply Zemo received was plain and automatic "Готов выполнить" (Ready to comply)
Tucking the precious book into the pocket of his coat, Zemo gave his first instruction "Mission report, nineteen fifty-three"