Chapter three: The Consequence

Two years and eight safe houses later, Alice and Anna became Karen and Emily Sanders while on the run from Hydra. Birthdays came and went in different countries as they traveled the world as they searched for a safe haven. Always just out of reach for their enemies. The mother and daughter duo found refuge in Sweden, as they were able to blend into throng of blondes that inhabited the country. Alice found work in a bank, her new career allowed her to keep an eye on things. Anna functioned well as a librarian in one of the many local libraries, her thirst for knowledge nearly unquenchable. Setting up a life in a small two bedroom cottage, the pair remained out of sight and out of mind. Things had been going well for the women and they'd settled into their new environment quite easily. It was comfortable almost too comfortable, in fact.

"Did you hear that?" Alice inquired, her well-trained ears were severely out of practice. The older woman's hands stilled, halfway through plaiting her daughter's hair into a fishbone braid.

"What?" Anna looked up from her bowl of ice cream in confusion from her seat in front of her mother. She had been engrossed in a textbook, which laid across her pyjama clad thighs. Alice raised her hand signalling for the 21-year-old to be quiet. Listening closer, Anna did as her mother bid her. A single twig chimed, hauntingly in her ears causing the younger woman's brows to furrow and her head to snap in the direction of the front door.

Alice's face darkened as she reached underneath the table and pulled out a glock, "Get the lights."

Jumping up, Anna flipped the switch on the wall nearby, cloaking them in darkness. She felt the cold metal of the handgun as her mother slid it into her palm. Wrapping her fingers around the grip, flicked off the safety ready to act if need be.

"Remember what I taught you." Her mother's voice was a whisper obscured in the blackout.

Anna nodded, despite the lack of light she knew her mother could sense it. Her own voice trembled as she mumbled, "Mom, I love you."

"I love you too, Annie."

The shattering sound of a window breaking assaulted their ears as smoke began to billow into the room. Straightaway and without hesitation, the blondes moved to duck behind the couch, pulling their shirts over their faces as they hid. With her mind, Anna strained as she reached out to locate the intruders, but she was out of practice. She hadn't used her powers in so long it was hard to shake the rust off.

A floorboard creaked closeby causing Alice fire off a shot that ended with a thud. Round after round, her mother shot down their attackers. Although she was blinded by smoke and slowed by age, Alice never missed her targets. Squeezing her eyes shut, Anna attempted to reached out once more, feeling for those who would take her away. Her consciousness expanded, slowly unfolding as it grazed over her mother first, then one, two... No, ten Hydra agents. Her father was here, and then there was darkness. Anna's eyes snapped open as she felt the void.

With a deep, quiet breath, Anna informed her mother, lowly, "Dad's here, and he brought his dog."

"God help us." Alice hissed in desperation as her trigger clicked as she discarded her empty weapon to the floor before taking the gun out of Anna's hands and knocking two more agents to the floor. Two more rounds rang out above her, Anna expected to hear another thud, but the ominous sound of metal clanging assaulted her ears. They didn't have another moment to think before the couch was lifted above their heads and thrown across the cabin.

The Winter Soldier stood in it's place, glaring down at them from over his muzzle before he pushed Alice aside and ripping the firearm from her hand. The assassin, then, turned his attention to Anna, reaching out he grasped her upper arm with his metal hand and jerked her to her feet.

"NO!" The cry resonated along with the crack of a bullet.

The shot whizzed by Anna's head before embedding itself into the flesh shoulder of the Winter Soldier.

With the metallic arm still wrapped around Anna, he used his natural hand to unholster his own gun before turning the barrel towards her mother. In an act of desperation, Anna spun in the soldier's arm and placed her hand upon his cheek. Diving into his subconscious, barreling through the nothingness searching for something, anything to stop that trigger.

A brunette woman in a pretty dress and a frilly apron stood with her hands on her hips and a little girl tugging on her skirt. "James Buchanan Barnes, you better watch that mouth of yours or one day it's gonna get you licked and I won't have no sympathy for ya."

"Ah, ma, no one's gonna put a shine on this face, ain't nobody got the guts." The woman smiled fondly at her son.

"Well you better go along and find Stevie before someone puts a shine on his little face."

"Yes ma'am." The vision faded and Anna opened her eyes. James was looking at her, not the Winter Soldier, but James. Human eyes stared into her with so much raw emotion it almost broke her heart.

"Please, don't hurt my mother." Anna pleaded her hands resting on his fatigues.

"I won't." He almost promised, faintly sounding confused, like he had no idea why he would ever agree to that. Nevertheless, he lowered his weapon and stepped away, letting go of Anna altogether. The young woman ran to her mother's side the two held each other closely.

"Excellent."

The lights flipped on. Anna looked to the doorway and saw her father in tactical gear holstering his gun. "Well done Asset." The rest of the STRIKE team filed into the small living room surrounding them. Agent Peters pulled a radio out of his pocket. "We have them apprehended." He spoke confidently.

"Them? Only one prisoner is required." The line was staticy but there was no doubt behind the meaning.

"Sir?" Peters questioned, his voice wavering in uncertainty.

"Eliminate former agent Peters, and bring the girl back to the Vault. Do I make myself clear?" There was a long pregnant pause as Charles stared down his wife and child. Anna shook in her mother's sturdy arms. No emotion crossed the faces of her parents as they held eye contact, communicating in ways only they knew.

"Agent Peters-" the radio crackled.

"I hear you sir." Her father responded. Charles looked to The Winter Soldier. "Separate them."

"NO!" Anna screamed and kicked reaching for her mother pulling at her arms and clothes desperately clinging to the woman in an attempt to delay the inevitable. Her mother however merely released her never breaking eye contact with her father.

"Remember what you promised me, Charles, the day she was born. Let it fill you with guilt and destroy you." Alice spoke as her husband stepped forward. Anna screamed and kicked as the Asset pulled her away trying to pull her out of the room, but Anna fought, she wouldn't leave her mother. Turning to face her child Alice offered a sad smile. "Anna," girl quieted but continued to struggle in the bruising grip of her captor. "I love you, darling."

"I love you too." STRIKE members pushed Alice Peters to her knees.

"Goodbye Alice." Her father whispered, and then it was over. The flash of a muzzle the spray of blood and a body hit the floor. Anna slumped against the Winter Soldier's a gut wrenching sob like scream tore from her throat. She didn't care that a group of armed men witnessed her defeat, she didn't care that she was being taken away, back into the clutches of Hydra, she just didn't care. Rage and depression fought violently inside of her, fighting for dominance and leaving her drained. She wanted to sleep for ever, but everytime her eyes closed all she could see was her mother's head snapping backwards upon impact. She was being pulled toward the door, but her body wouldn't move. After a moment she was flung over the metal shoulder of the Asset and walked out the door. She couldn't fight back even if she had wanted to. There was no point, they would take her down. She couldn't fight them.

They filed out of the house one by one standing in formation around the perimeter. "It is done." Anna could hear her father's voice.

"Bring her home."

"Yes sir." As a unit the Strike team turned and walked through the trees. Anna felt heat on her face and she looked up to see the small cottage beginning to burn flames licking at the interior of the living room window. Another sob bubbled out of her. She felt a hand on the back of her calf the thumb moved hesitantly in an almost soothing motion. The shock of the gesture stalled her tears. The Winter Soldier followed orders, but James Barnes was still in there. James Barnes tried to pull her from the room to keep her from seeing her mother's murder. James Barnes attempted to comfort her. Anna Peters was the only one who could find James Barnes.

He kept his flesh hand on her, gentle in contrast to the cold metal of his left hand. Anchoring not only her but himself as well, with his hand on her he felt a purpose like he had never experienced before, it calmed him to a point it almost scared him. The Winter Soldier gripped the small blonde woman tighter, he couldn't remember, but he knew he had felt this way before. He wanted to protect the small blonde and he didn't know why.

The team followed Agent Peters through the trees toward a dirt road. Quickly and silently they loaded into three black vans. Anna was pushed in the back of the middle van the loss of warmth from the Asset was more shocking than being tossed into the back, that brought her more fear than she needed she couldn't afford to get attached to Hydra's attack dog, no matter the abnormal level of humanity hidden beneath the beast. Handcuffs were slapped on her wrists and she was pulled up on the bench between Rumlow and the Winter Soldier. As soon as she was was situated the van revved to life and took off. Anna grew numb on her trip not noticing when the van left the dirt road and onto pavement. Not caring when they stopped at an airstrip and loaded her into a government issued jet. She didn't care that they strapped her in like a toddler. She was numb to the world, until her father knelt before her. Anna had held back her tears as much as she could once they left the flaming cabin. She concentrated so much on not feeling the pain of her mother's demise, that she forgot about the hollow rage coursing through her veins. That rage surged forward as her father made eye contact with her. He was speaking but all she could hear was blood rushing in her ears spurred on by white hot rage.

"Fuck you." She knew she cut her father off mid sentence. "Fuck Hydra, and fuck your greater good." mustering up all she could, Anna reeled back and spit in her father's face. Red creeped up his neck and covered his face as he wiped the saliva off his cheek. With the other hand he smacked her, her neck popping, and lip busting upon impact. Nose flaring in anger Anna closed her eyes and pushed into her father's subconscious no mercy to be had.

She saw her mother's death from the other end of the gun. In shock Anna pulled away, to afraid to keep looking. The Strike Team was ready, weapons trained on her. Her father pulled himself up from the floor before backhanding her a second time.

"Agent Rumlow," Her father said wiping at a nosebleed.

"Yes Sir." Rumlow stepped forward, Anna sent a glare his way spitting out a mouthful of blood.

"When we make it back to base make sure you break her. With any means necessary."

"With pleasure sir." Rumlow responded.

"Knock her out I don't want any more setbacks." Agent Peters said turning and walking away. The last thing Anna Peters saw was the burning blue eyes of the Winter Soldier as they stared at her in an almost panicked intensity. Fear slowly crept into her mind before she was enveloped in darkness.

Hours later the young woman began to stir awake, she lay naked, spread eagle, on an operating table. Straps across her forehead, chest, hips, arms and legs prevented her from moving she could feel the skin of her temple throb. Slowly she became aware of her current state and began to panic, thrashing at her bonds.

"Ah, you are awake." Dr. Collin's stepped into view and began poking and prodding all over her body. Her skin flushed red. She felt violated as Collin's gloved fingers felt all over her giving her a far too thorough examination.

"What did you do to me?" Anna asked voice cracking, expecting the worst.

"I installed a chip, almost like what they put in shock collars. You use your powers when you're not supposed to, someone hits a button and bzz. It's simple really." Collins said monotonously as he wiped down his tools with precision.

"Can I get up?" She asked quietly. "Can I get dressed?" She asked thankful that Collins was the only one in the room, although he was creepy and unnerving, he never came off as a pervert.

"Well, I'm done with you, but I don't think the others are." He said packing all the tools away and stepping away. The door opened and soft footsteps could be heard entering. "Agent, I was just about to send for you, she's awake. Just be sure to clean up after you're finished, I just had this place in order before you filthy animals came in here." Anna could hear the shuffling of Dr. Collins' footsteps as he left, she wanted to call out, but he wouldn't stay, he wouldn't save her from whatever was coming.

"Well, well, well, aren't you a pretty picture, all tied up and just waiting for me." It had been over two years but Anna could recognize Agent Willcox's voice floating toward her. She desperately wished her wrists were free so she could cover herself. Soon his face was hovering right above her's and she began to struggle, pulling desperately at her restraints.

"Tut, tut, tut. Can't have that now can we?" Like a predator Willcox stalked around the table, tightening each strap trapping her that much more securely to the table, all the while running his fingers up and down her sides. Anna's breath became more and more erratic as he continued to prowl around the table, her skin crawling in the wake of his touch. With one hand his fingers trailed down where no man had touched before. With the other he pulled out a remote and held it between his thumb and fore finger.

"Better behave, I'm not the only one with your remote." He smirked using the edge of the remote to trace the side of her face, letting her know it's purpose. "Rumlow wanted to be first you know, because he has seniority, but Jarrod and I ultimately won out considering we had to put up with your ass for a fucking year. But don't worry baby, we'll go nice and easy." He said beginning to unbuckle his fatigues.

"Please don't."

"Don't start begging now, I was hoping for a little witty banter."

"It's only banter if we were both witty." She spat.
"That's hurtful sweetheart, but I'll let you get a few licks in before I give it to you."

"You look more like a receiver than a giver." Anna glared no longer concerned for her modesty, it was already gone.

"You going to give it to me baby?" he asked leaning in too close for comfort, a disgusting smiek plastered to his face.

"No, but I'm sure Agent Jarrod would." The sound of her cheek being struck by the back of his hand was almost lost to the sound of raucous laughter coming from behind the two way mirror.

"Fucking bitch." Willcox spat before turning toward the mirror. "Fucking shut up, fucking cunts." He yelled flipping the mirror the bird. Slowly turning back to Anna he began unbuttoning his belt.

"I was gonna go easy on you, now you just lost that privilege."

"Aren't you worried about all of them seeing you tiny prick? Or have you already showed them?" Another resounding smack and a chorus of laughter filled the room. Anna allowed herself a smirk, but it was short lived as he pulled out a combat knife. He twirled it in his hand before jamming it into her thigh. A scream of shock and agony filled the room echoing off the pristine white walls. Her back arching as much as it could whilst being strapped down she shook and desperately tried to reach her leg. Hot wet tears threatened to spill as she desperately reached for some relief.

"Not so sassy now are you princess. Don't worry I didn't hit anything important." He ripped the knife out blood pulsing out of the wound onto the floor, forcing another cry past her lips. "Now be good, you have a line of people waiting their turn." He grinned maliciously at her before climbing on top of her and pushing his pants down to his knees.

She didn't think that she would ever be thankful for a knife wound, but the pain in her right leg distracted her from the pain between her legs as Willcox rutted against her. She wanted it to be over she wanted to pass out. She wanted a lot of things. Mostly she wanted to end the life of Agent Philip Willcox. She fought back a sob as he finished and slid off of her. He was gone, but she could still feel his weight resting on top of her, when she closed her eyes she could see nothing but the manic gleam in his eye as he looked down at her quivering form.

"You ready for round two sweet heart?" She wanted to fight back, she wanted to kill him, kill all of them, but she just lay there. Battered, broken and bruised, she lay still as he undid the straps holding her down. Roughly he pulled her off the table and bent her over it so she was facing the two way mirror.

"Really wish I could pull your hair bitch but looks like we'll have to wait a while for that."

Anna thought she was broken before, but as she locked eyes with herself in the mirror she realized how much lower she was capable of sinking. Tears of defeat streamed down her face as she stared at the top of her head that was once covered long strands of soft honey blonde hair. Her shaved head reflected the blinding white lights off the White Room. A sob bubbled out of her as she watched Willcox smile down at her as he violated her from behind.

Hours later, Anna lay numb and pale, bleeding on top of the exam table bite marks and cuts littering her body. Her lower body had long ago lost feeling. her leg wound had a ripped shirt tied around it stemming the flow helping to keep her conscious. She felt nothing, because she was nothing. She was a toy, a warm hole, that was what they had told her. It's what they made her say. They had made her fight, they made her beg. They made her into nothing and they laughed. She wondered if this is what her father meant when he told them to break her. She wondered how long she would need to suffer before they felt she was shattered beyond repair. The door opened, but she didn't move, she didn't care enough to even try to cover herself.

"Oh my, they did quite a number on you Mädchen." Dr. Shultz stepped into the room toeing around the blood stains. "Dr. Collins will not be pleased with the mess." He chuckled dryly. He looked over the girl curled up on the table. "You are too emotional Mädchen, these things would not befall you if you only listen and comply." He paused for a moment moving to stand directly in her line of sight. "Are you ready to comply?" He asked stooping to look at the tear stained face of the young woman. She didn't speak, she only stared. She thought about saying yes. If only to end the pain, but then she remembered Yuri Popov. He was evil, he was a monster, but even he knew Hydra was wrong. She remembered her guilt at decimating his mind, if she complied she would be forced to do worse to far more innocent people. She would be pushed into the minds of countless people forcing them to relive their memories, forced to experience their memories for herself. All the pain and anger, agony and fear. Could she live with herself? Could she learn to detach from the emotions of others, and emotions of her own. Could she sacrifice her conscience and innocent lives to avoid more torture at the hands of Hydra? She had to believe she could. She was stubborn enough for it. With all the effort she had in her she breathed out her response.

"Fuck you."