Chapter Five: The Escape
Hydra's new routine of torturing her in front of the restrained asset became fruitless in their eyes. No matter how many times they wiped his memory, the Winter Soldier somehow always remembered, and he would fight for her. Whatever her father had done worked. It was his redemption as many more agents lost their lives at the hands of the Winter Soldier. The number toll increased to the point, they dared not touch her unless the Fist was in cryo. Talk of killing her had come of a few times, but they feared the repercussions of what might happen if the soldier woke up to find her missing. Often times he would become violent if he didn't see her. Anna Peters was also deemed too important by their superiors; she was necessary for the greater good and the new world they wanted to create.
Even when the Winter Soldier was sent out on missions, men kept a wide berth which allowed Anna time to heal. The only people who dared touch her were Dr. Collins and Dr. Schultz, although they refrained from physically hurting her anymore. Now she had a protector, someone who succeeded where her parents had failed. The fact that his hands were as blood stained as the rest of them didn't matter to her. It didn't matter that he was Hydra's attack dog. None of that mattered because she knew there was a human side to him underneath the damage Hydra had caused. James Barnes endured despite what had been done to him. He hadn't chosen this life, but he would survive it.
There were times when Anna was still forced to sift through the minds of Hydra's prisoners as well as lower level henchman. She would look for secrets and any useful information being withheld from mission reports. Within these sessions, she learned of what all was going on in the world outside this prison. Tony Stark had fashioned himself into Iron Man. An Asgardian, called Thor, had shown up in New Mexico. The long-lost Captain America had been recovered by S.H.I.E.L.D. and had been successfully been thawed. There had also been an alien invasion in New York. The world as she knew it was simultaneously crashing and rebuilding with the emergence of each new powerful being. It was a relief to know there were still heroes in the world and maybe one day they might come for her. Until that day came, she would stay with the Winter Soldier.
One afternoon the man stormed into her room as she reread some old textbooks she'd held onto during her captivity. His appearance wasn't abnormal. Thanks to her father's conditioning, he was compelled to check in on her to verify her safety. What was bizarre were his actions as he barricaded the door upon entry. Shooting to her feet, she tossed the book aside as alarm flared in her mind. Pounding from the other side of the door answered her unvoiced question as someone demanded access.
The Winter Soldier thrust his body against the door, holding it shut with his bionic arm as he looked to her and demanded, "I need you to read my mind. Tell me who I am."
"What?" Anna frowned as her brows creased with confusion, not daring to take her eyes off her lethal protector.
"Who is Bucky?"
Anna didn't need to look in his mind for the answer he sought.
"You are." She began, slowly as he looked at her with fear and uncertainty in his eyes before she continued, "Your given name is James Buchanan Barnes, your friends called you Bucky."
"There was man on the bridge…" He trailed off. "Who is the man on the bridge? He knew me. I know him?"
For the first time, the man looked frightened as he struggled to piece together the broken images in his mind. Anna found the fresh memory he spoke of, it was still there they hadn't been able to wipe it from him yet. The Winter Soldier had been fighting a tall, blonde, powerful man with a red, white, and blue shield. Through the eyes of James, she saw the man's face morph into an expression that could only be described as shock as he uttered only one simple word. 'Bucky.'
Pulling away, Anna returned her attention to the physical world and towards the super solider as he struggled to protect them, "That was Captain America, his name is Steve he was your best friend growing up."
"He's too tall to be Steve." The assassin frowned, shaking his head in denial.
"You- You're remembering, aren't you?" She inquired as a small smile pulled at her lips. A smile only he saw.
"I think so." He nodded, confusion drawing his eyebrows together.
Anna reached for him, running her fingers over the leather of his gloved hand. He looked at her, delicately, holding her gaze his eyes held a myriad of emotions. Strong emotions which terrified him. He looked as if there was more he wanted to say, but he never got the chance as a Strike team forced their way into her cell.
"Against the wall bitch." Their commander ordered, harshly once they filed into the room.
Not wanting to cause a scene, Anna attempted to comply but James chose to fight. Reaching out, she attempted to assure him as he gripped her arms. She was his lifeline and the key to finding his humanity.
"It'll be okay. We'll make it." Her words of assurance calmed him and he allowed them to pull him out of her cell.
Slowly, a grin crept it's way onto her face. She almost laughed from the relief she felt. If she knew anything it's that Captain America was a symbol for justice and no man of justice would let their best friend rot in the clutches of Hydra. Captain America was going to find them. He was going to come for Bucky.
A few days later all hell broke loose. Anna had been sitting in her room reading her old Calculus textbook when her chip sent an electric volt so intense she saw stars before seizing on top of her mattress. Two agents came into her cell and zip tied her wrists together before throwing a bag over her head which disoriented her further. They forced her out of her room, quickly, not giving her a chance to calm down from the shock or put on a sweatshirt and shoes.
The concrete floor felt cold underneath her socked feet as she was ushered down the hallway. Her mind felt fuzzy as her brain began to throb against her skull, replacing the muscle spasms from earlier. Anna's captors pulled them to a halt and she barely comprehended the dinging sound of an elevator door and the disorienting feeling of the elevator ascending through its shaft. It was only a short ride before she was being pushed out of the compartment and out onto a loading dock.
Despite her circumstances, a bubble of joy swelled in her chest as she felt a warm breeze caress her skin. Anna felt overjoyed as her mind registered her body was outside. It was the first time she'd been anywhere other than within Hydra's various rooms since her mother had died.
Faint screams of terror floated on the wind after Anna had overcome the initial over-stimulation from her new surroundings. Immediately, she yearned to find out what was causing such fear and pain but the aftershock of the electric currents pulsed in her head. If only she hadn't been stunned, perhaps she could help in some way.
The heat of the sun on her back felt like fire on her skin but she relished the feeling as she attempted to soak it all in despite the pain. However, her delight was short-lived as the agents threw her into a van. As soon as the doors slammed shut, the comforting presence of the sun and wind disappeared. Anna heard the front doors open and close, followed by the engine revving up and the vehicle propel forward causing her to slump to her side from the force.
Defeat hung like a heavy cloud above her as she realized what was going on. They were moving her. No one would be able to find her now. She would merely become another lost soul, she couldn't even contact the Winter Soldier not until she could focus again, but by then she wouldn't know where she was. She felt an unforgiving sting behind her eyes.
"Dammit, Anna, why do you have to be such a baby?" She asked herself, bitterly as she willed the tears away.
Suddenly, tires screeched as the driver slammed down on the breaks causing Anna to fly forward and crack her head on the metal panel, worsening her headache. Two gunshots fired from somewhere outside, shattering the glass. An adrenaline rush sent Anna's body into a panic as her heartbeat raced in her ears causing her breathing to increase which made the already claustrophobic bag become hot and unbearable.
A moment later, one of the doors opened and shut in succession before the van roared back to life speeding off and away from whatever scene they'd left behind; slinging Anna to the other end of the van. In her restrained state, she resigned herself to the journey whoever was now driving was taking her on. Hours passed and the van never slowed down. Eventually, the sounds of the engine and the road noise lulled Anna to sleep. Unfortunately for her, the nightmares never allowed her to sleep for long.
When Anna woke up, her body was drenched in a cold sweat but her wrists had been freed and the bag removed from her head. Slowly, her eyes adjusted to the darkness as the moon illuminated the silhouette of a man looming over her. Out of instinct, Anna kicked still reeling from her nightmare. Images of the White Room all too fresh in her mind. Cold metal coiled around her ankle, restraining her and she sighed in relief.
The sound of a thud fell on her ears as something was placed against the sole of her foot. It took her a moment to realize it was a shoe. He had gotten her shoes and was checking the size, fondness swelled in her. He had come back for her, he had stolen her away from Hydra, and he brought her shoes. Her body warmed as a small smile slipping across her face, she shook that feeling away. The Winter Soldier tossed a plastic bag at her.
"Get changed." He made to move away but she latched onto his arm. The man flinched and stared at he hand gripping the forearm of his his flesh and blood limb. Awkwardly, she withdrew her hand and cleared her throat as she inquired,
"What's going on? There was so much screaming."
"Pierce is dead. S.H.I.E.L.D. fell. Hydra files were released. If we want to get out we need to hurry get dressed." He slammed the door shut before she could ask another question. Curiously, she reached out to his mind but she pulled back when a fist shaped dent appeared in the side of the van.
"Sorry." She yelped.
Hastily, she emptied the bag and changed in the dark not knowing when or how he managed to get her clean clothes and shoes and at this point not really caring either. As quickly as she could she climbed out of the van to follow him.
Glancing around, Anna took note of their surroundings while the Winter Soldier pulled out a gas tank. Tall trees surrounded them, their shadows concealing their presence. The lack of light pollution in the night sky was enough to tell her they were far away from the city, somewhere out in the country where it would allow them sometime to regroup.
The smell of gas caused Anna's nose to wrinkle and she turned to watch James empty the tank in within the van where her prison sweats remained. Sparks flickered in the dark as the man ignited a lighter which he also threw into the back. The van began to glow from the inside out as flames began to spread, rapidly consuming any evidence they had been there.
The assassin grabbed Anna's arm, pulling her toward a silver truck with tinted windows. Opening the driver's side door, he pushed her inside before following suit. Anna was forced to crawl across the center console to the passengers side. Not waiting for her to situate herself, he thrust the key into the ignition and tore down a dirt road.
After a while they made it back to a paved highway. The silence was deafening in the small cab until a loud grumble rolled through her stomach. Amidst all the chaos, Anna hadn't realized she was hungry until her body demanded her to eat.
"At your feet." He informed her, not removing his focus from the road.
Anna casted him a confused glance before she looked down at the floorboards and found two plastic bags. Pulling one into her lap, her lips stretched into the smile only he saw, the one that warmed him without even meaning to. There was an expression of pure glee on her face as she peered into its contents. Judging by the assortment of items, James had most likely gone into a convenient store and had gotten a little bit of everything. There were Froot Loops and little debbies, candy, and chips. Anna was thrilled, it had been years since she'd seen junk food. The other bag had Gatorade and water shoved in it. Wasting no more time, Anna began shoveling food into her face.
Two hours later, the Winter Soldier's left hand gripped the wheel while his right threaded through Anna's shoulder length blonde tresses as the girl regurgitated all of the sugary junk food she'd so greedily devoured. Hunched over one of the plastic bags, she groaned as the contents of her stomach poured out of her. She heaved a few more times before she wiped her mouth with the corner of a cheeto bag before tying up her sick bag. James released her hair, his flesh hand ghosting over her neck and shoulder. Anna felt comforted for the first time in a long time, unconsciously, leaning into his touch. She was unprepared for the coldness left in his wake when he pulled away.
"So should I call you Bucky?" She asked, clearing her throat as she attempted to defuse the sudden tension building between them.
"No."
"James then?" When he didn't respond, she looked over at him. There was a subtle dip of his head as he nodded, still not quite sure of himself.
"Thank you, James. For everything." He was silent, he wouldn't speak for a long time. Anna felt an uncomfortable awkwardness building within her. Finally, after what seemed like forever, James spoke up.
"Why are you thanking me?" He asked genuinely confused, looking over at her.
She offered him a sad smile, "Because you saved me."
"I condemned you, really. I'm the one who found you with your mother." Bucky shook his head, gripping the steering wheel tighter.
"You didn't kill my mother, you tried to turn me away when my father killed her." She reminded him, "You protect me."
The man scoffed, rolling his eyes in exasperation unable to see whatever it was she saw in him.
"It's true...You're the only man that hasn't hurt me since I was brought to Hydra. You're the only one who didn't, who didn't…" Anna paused, swallowing, roughly as her throat became raw and dry from the influx of unpleasant memories. "You're the only one who didn't try to ruin me."
Stalwart determination was evident in his face and voice as he promised, darkly, "If I see any of them ever again, I promise you, I will end them."
There was a twisted feeling of comfort and safety Anna felt in his words. Never would she be able to fully forget the trauma of her past but with him, she could escape a future full of it. The super soldier would protect her. No one would hurt her again. No one would beat her, no one would force themselves on her. She shook her head and rolled down her window to escape the dark thoughts, they were starting over, they would run away and figure out how to be human again.
Slowly, the sun began to rise over the horizon, casting a warm glow over Anna as she stared off into the distance out the passenger side window. James watched as a small smile wavered on her face. A calming feeling washed over him as he looked at her and realized her presence stilled the internal storm within his mind.
Turning back to face the road, he berated himself. Of course, he would be calmed by her, all his memories were ones that she had given him. Without her, James Barnes would've remained a person lost in time and locked away in the deep recesses of his mind. Without her he would be soulless, mindless, a dog, a weapon. She held the power to heal him.
"Hold the fucking phone! You're taking me back to D.C.?" She hissed, turning sharply in her seat. Her once serene face contorted into a look of hatred and betrayal as she spat in a weak attempt to sound strong, "I thought you were going to save me?"
"No one will touch you. No one will ever touch you again… But there's just something I have to see." He informed her with a guilty look on his face.
Silently, she reached out with her mind trying to see his intent. When he felt the caress of her mind against his own, the man tensed and snarled, "Don't use your powers on me. For once I want my mind to be my own."
His words halted her. Anna couldn't fault him for wanting her out. She knew how long he'd been at the mercy of others, now he was finally free. It was only right that his mind and body were both free.
Huffing, she folded her arms over her chest despite knowing she was behaving like a petulant child, "I guess I just have to take your word for it. I can't exactly fight you or outrun you."
She looked back out the window watching the sunrise once more. Her hair twirling in lazy curls as the wind rushed through it. Oranges and pinks illuminated her face casting an ethereal glow on her. He was almost lost in the way she looked, set afire by the light from the sunrise. "Why did you drive all the way out of D.C. just to come right back?"
"I had to lose the tail." She sat straight up staring at him in shock.
"We were being followed?" She frowned before her voice began to stutter as she twisted in her seat to peer out the window behind them, "But I thought Hydra was exposed?"
Anna was thankful to find only empty road behind them.
"Exposed, not dead. They'll be looking for us." He reminded her, glancing at the woman out of the corner of his eye as she leaned back in her seat and contemplated his words. A new feeling of anxiety filling her. She had to remind herself she would be safe. They wouldn't get to her, not with James here.
Standing alone in an alley, hidden off in a corner Anna huddled against the brick wall her presence concealed by the shadows casted off the buildings on either side as waited for James to return. The sound of cars and pedestrians filtered like white noise in her ears as she listened for anyone approaching her. Her body was still riddled with anxiety at the thought Hydra was still out there looking for them. Would this nightmare ever end? Was it even possible for her to find peace?
Anna didn't have the opportunity to contemplate her future any further as James ducked into the alley, strutting over to her with a hoodie in one hand and food in the other. Without hesitation, Anna pulled the hoodie over head, slipping her arms through the baggy sleeves before she reached for the sack of food. Remembering her junk food binge, she smartly decided to take small, slow bites of her breakfast burrito. Glancing up at James, she watched him as his eyes scanned up and down the alley. He had been far more on edge since they ditched the car on the outskirts of the city.
In fact, he hadn't truly calmed since their escape. He'd been in flight or fight mode for so long, Anna wondered, briefly, when was the last time she'd seen him eat anything. As absurd as it sounded, she couldn't recall a time when she'd ever seen him consume anything.
"Have you eaten?"
Her words caused his eyes to snap down to her as his brow furrowed in confusion, "What?"
"Have you eaten? You know like at all?" She inquired as she voiced her concerns for his physical health, " I don't think I've ever seen you eat anything."
"Not hungry." The man rolled his eyes at his companion before turning his attention back to the entrance of the alley.
"Are you sure? I'll split the burrito with you." Anna insisted, offering up the wrap for the man to take but James shook his head and softly, nudged it away.
Instead, he reached out and pulled the hood over her head, tucking away a few of her wild curls away to more effectively hide her mane as he assured her, "I'll be fine."
His flesh hand lingered on the lip of the hoodie, it's presence, simultaneously, calming and quickening the young girl's heart. For a few moments, the pair seemed to be lost in each other's presence as they stared into each other's eyes both of them looking for something, but unsure of what. James was the one snap out of it first, taking a few steps away from her to distance himself as he pushed the baseball cap to cover his face, "Come on, they should be busy enough by now."
Before she knew it, the super soldier strode out of the alley and turned to make his way down the sidewalk towards their destination. Anna dashed to catch up with the man, not wanting to be left behind as the former assassin led the way. James blended into the crowd of people with ease after years of experience, he knew how to hide in plain sight. Anna, however, had no such experience and felt frantic when she realized they'd been separated. Her eyes darted around as she searched for her soldier. She couldn't help but sigh in relief when he slipped back to her side and wrapped an arm around her waist as he whispered in her ear,
"Stay close to me. Head down."
The Smithsonian Museum of American History bustled with people as visitors from all over the world filed in to view its various exhibits. Most of their fellow patrons milled about without much urgency. However, Anna and James couldn't afford to dillydally. The longer they lingered here the more they risked being spotted. The woman still wasn't thrilled they were back in the city which had brought them so much pain. But she knew she had to trust James, whatever he needed to see she knew was here.
It wasn't long before she heard the music. 'The Star Spangled Man With A Plan' was a jingle any American would recognize, Captain America's theme song was as iconic as the man himself. She should've known he'd come here. The Howling Commandos exhibit was a like opening a photo album from James' past. The man pulled her in circles as he looked around the layout. Which displayed the uniforms from all the members of the team, including James Buchanan Barnes, Steve Rogers' best friend.
While the man beside her stared, catatonically at the exhibit before them, Anna turned her attention to the image of his face pictured in a larger than life mural of the Commandos, right next to The Man himself. She felt James' arm slip from around her and turned to see him walking toward his own memorial. Anna didn't need to look in his mind to see that he was struggling, trying to remember, anything and everything. Feeling as though this James Barnes was another person entirely but knowing that it was him. Slowly, she stepped forward to stand next to him. His jaw was set as he stared, intently as the voice over spoke of who James Barnes was. Anna looked down to see his hand clenched in a fist. Cautiously, she reached out and brushed her fingers against his, he pulled away sharply hands going into his pockets. When she looked back up his intensely blue eyes were boring into her chocolate ones.
"Till the end of the line." He whispered.
"What?" She asked curiously.
"That's what he said to me. 'I'm with you to the end of the line.'"
Anna smiled, sadly up at the man, "You might not remember much, but the two of you had a pretty great friendship." He grunted and tried to wave her off, but Anna was going to let him downplay what this really meant. "When I was taken, no one cared. No one stopped by no one tried to find me, they just stopped caring, but you two, you guys are the real deal huh." She said a bitter smile on her face.
"Let's get out of here." He said, stopping the conversation from going any further.
Sighing, Anna followed the super soldier out of the museum and away from his past. She knew he wasn't truly leaving those memories behind, he was just too overwhelmed to face them at the moment. Someday, he'd be able to accept both his past as 'Bucky', what he'd done as the Winter Soldier, and the possibility that he could find his humanity again. But that day wasn't right then, it probably wasn't something that was going to happen overnight either. Years of conditioning would take ages to heal and there was a possibility he might never recover. But as long as he was willing to work to find himself again, Anna was going to be there for him. Every step of the way, she'd help him however she could, she owed it to him after everything he'd done for her.