I don't know how long have been here in this facility, this room was becoming my worst nightmare with its white walls that seems to mock me as my blood splattered against it, the chains that dug into my wrists, the bright lights that never gave me peace, I stared down at my feet that was stripped to the floor and tried to get some sort of sleep until the door open, the men and women in white coats stood around me:
The intercom sounded and a heavy voice spoke in German "experiment X, you will be released from bounds, remember if you don't cooperate then your father will suffer the consequences " I nodded with a lack of emotion, the metal cuffs disappeared as I stood to my feet, I moved forward as they cuffed me again.
Agents gathered around me with daggers, teazers and blunt weapons, they began attacking me in a routine sequence which made me fall to my knees, I held in my screams as they physically destroyed my body, blood splattered everywhere as I tried to stay upright, all this pain happening at once and my stomach practically eating itself, I couldn't distract myself, suddenly the call was made and they all backed away from me.
My body burned like fire as I shivered in pain as a few doctors grabbed some samples of my flesh before running for their lives, I fell into the fetus position as I was uncuffed and pulled back to the wall, my body spasmed trying to heal itself but being starved of food and water, it was taking a long time to heal so I just laid there in the middle of the quiet room when the lights went out for the first time; I jumped and scrambled into a sitting position, pushing myself into the wall as deep as could, my wound stung but I had to be aware of this sudden change. But my body was too weak to stay awake and I passed out in the darkness.
I woke to a flash of lights above me, I looked at the moving doors and soft sound of the creaking wheels, I strapped to a hospital bed, I looked to the nurses that pushed me along, their faces were stone cold and unmoved, I placed into an operating room where the doctors from before crowded around me, tubes were stuck into my arm along with heart monitors and anything else to check my vitals.
Dr Arnim Zola appeared next to me "ah, Agent Corrupt, you have finally awoken" he smiled as I just stared at him.
The nurse injected me with a fluid "third dose of malignant neoplasm" she announced before turning away.
My mouth was dry. "What is that?" I croaked out as the doctor shook his head.
His almost bald head and pudgy body shook as he moved to the monitor to check my vitals "nothing that concerns you, Agent, but what a pediment you are? Strong, destructive and a healing factor that is absolutely out of this world" he mentioned circling me.
My body was too weak for words "how long has it been?"
He smirked "about nine months but don't worry, your blood will win this war" he grinned "we just need to harvest it, any thoughts?" He smirked before walking off without me answering.
My head fell lump as another nurse injected me with something else.
A loud sound woke me as I sat up in shock, I stared down at my bounded limps but this time was I was sitting in a metal chair, I looked up to be face to face with a man, his face was blood red and the structure looked like someone skinned him alive:
He sat across from me, his stature was calm but his eyes filled with rage which instantly made me pay attention "we not much different, you and I" he mentioned in a stiff voice "we hold power, a power so great that others look down upon it" he whispered as I just stared at him "your powers are so unique, you could take down the whole world with a snap"
I let my head fall at his words "why would I do that?" I whispered.
"For justice, for the way they treat you, the way they treat your people, you could change the world, place them under your control and make every good for you, for your people, for your father…" he let the words linger in the air, he watched me carefully.
"I don't murder, I don't dictate, I survive…" I pointed out as he threw his head back laughing.
"You killed thirty soldiers in ten minutes," he said with dark eyes as I let mine fall on the ground as tears accompanied them "why do you feel guilt? They would have done the same to you and you know it, without a thought" he whispered trying to alter my mind.
I shook my head "you messed with my head, that wasn't me" I stuttered.
He let out a loud bark of a laugh "that was all you, agent corrupt" he placed a device before me, the video played as it was me in the middle of the laboratory, the soldiers began to explode, nausea bubble at my throat as I heard their screams, I tried to turn away but the man grabbed my head forced me to look video.
My skin began to bubble as the flashes of their faces coming ran back, I struggled against his holds as my skin began to melt and fall away, being replaced with a red liquid as my wing broke free knocking away as the chains rusted from my arms and wrist, I turned to look at the monster and I thought I would be greeted with fear, pain but all I saw was deranged smile as I stepped back only to be electrocuted to the ground; I began to scream on my knees as whole disintegrated, the cement turned to dust while the ground melted and the soldier turned to red spores that flew to the ground as the red skull looked down at me.
He stood over me, watching me scream "see...power" he stuck a needle into my back and I blackout instantly.
From that moment on, my life become a flashback of series, I would wake in my cell bed or operating table or the reprogramming chair, once I opened my eyes to see General Office with his back facing as he pulled up his pants and walked away, sudden nausea hit my body in shakes and I pushed myself over the edge, let go of what was left in my stomach out on the floor below; I wiped my mouth and turned towards the wall, cradling my body, trying to remember Bucky's smile, his scent and those bright blue eyes.
….
Bucky fell lump at Steve's side as they tried to navigate themselves out of the ticking time bomb, they passed cells, laboratories and operating rooms, Bucky tried to keep up with the Captain stride but he keep falling a bit short and the fact that his small best friend was almost as tall as he was still a great distraction but that didn't stop him from letting his eyes wander the halls around him; he was becoming more aware of where they were and how urgent it was for them to leave this place.
Suddenly Bucky stopped in his tracks pulling back Steve who turn to see if he was hurt but all he saw was Bucky's face, as pale as a ghost, his eyes turned red with rage and fear, the veins popped out from his temple as he let out an audible whine, Steve turned his head towards the sight that scared Bucky so much to find Tammy sitting in a chair which was hooked up to this massive machine that had wires, computer screens and retrains; a teeth shield between her lips:
"Tamara…" Bucky gasped as he ran towards the unconscious woman laying before him, her clothes were dredged with dry blood but she looked unharmed, Bucky touched her arm "Doll…" he whispered.
Suddenly her body came to life as a red glow flashed through her body, highlighting her veins and bones as it moved from her head to toes, the room began to tremble as the seat began to disintegrate and the retains began to fade to dust, he took a step back as her body began to bubble and turn into a liquid red from her feet up; Steve nudged Bucky as his eyes follow Steve's towards her legs but all he was met with was the liquid ribbon that seemed to be wrapped around hers with spaces missing.
"TAM!!!" He grabbed her shoulders and shook her as her eyes sprung open, they glowed red until they quickly settled down to their usual hazel brown, she let out a gasp of air as her legs returned to their normal flesh.
"Bucky…" she uttered as she looked into his eyes.
….
"Bucky…" I whispered as his face stood over me "are you here?" I whispered, looking into those bright blues which looked tired and worried, I threw myself into his arms as he held me close. His scent and warmth overtook me, I felt tears fall down my cheeks as a dry heaving erupted from my throat as the months of torture, hunger and cold began to melt away.
Suddenly the ceiling began to crumble down, it was about to cave in when I push Bucky away from me, I ran forward as the ceiling began to fall I held my hand up as the cement turned to dust and fell to our feet, I turned to face the two aghast men who just stared at me:
"Oh my god," Bucky said as Steve, who was taller and bunker than I remember, grabbed his shoulder.
"We gotta get out here" Steve rushed towards me and grabbed my arm "let's go" he looked into my eyes.
We began to run from the room into the hall, looking for an exit, we reached the stairs as an explosion went off around us, we kept our heads down, I grabbed Bucky arm and threw it over my shoulder as I helped him up the stairs but another explosion block our path, we decided to go back up, when Steve spotted a catwalk high above.
"Up there" he shouted over the noise as I nodded, adjusting the weight on me Bucky as we headed up, I felt my body grow weak as my knees buckled under his weight but I kept going.
We finally made it to the catwalk only to find Schmidt on the other side, Zola waited behind him at the elevator, I stared at the man who caused me so much pain, my blood began to boil but Bucky just had to whisper "Doll?" My power ceased and my mind went blank.
"Buck" I looked at him concerned, I looked into his face, Steve let go of him as I fell to my knees to keep him steady.
"Captain America. How exciting." Schmidt smiles, "I'm a fan of your films." Schmidt hands the titanium box to Zola. I watch him and Steve slowly walk forward, studying each other. I stood to my feet after I helped Bucky to lean against the rail, I was about to approach this man but Bucky pulled me back.
"No," Bucky says as he grabs my arm and pulls me back
"So the old man managed it after all. Not quite an improvement, but impressive." He smirks but Steve hits Schmidt in the jaw, sending him reeling, I watch the tow intensely
"You've got no idea," Steve says stiffly as Schmidt straightens up with a strange look of approval on his brow.
"Don't I?" Schmidt swings, but Steve blocks it with his shield but Schmidt's fist leaves a dent in the steel and Steve gapes, surprised at the strength this man holds, Schmidt goes in for another hit when Steve is distracted.
"Steve" I shout as he looks up to Schmidt, hammers him, Steve goes down and I stand on my feet, ready to attack as Schmidt looms over him, Steve looks at the man stunned
"Erskine said your experiment was a failure."
Steve kicks up, driving his feet into Schmidt's jaw as Schmidt tumbles to the floor, I watch Zola scramble to the catwalk controls, he presses a few buttons and a gap appears between Schmidt and Steve, both sides of the retract, I watch Schmidt shoot a look at Zola.
I pull away from Bucky and make run towards Steve, ready to jump over the gap to get Schmidt before he runs away but Steve grabbed my waist
"Careful," he says before looking at Zola, Schmidt turns back to us but this time his face is askew and red skin bulges can be seen through the visage "A failure? Oh, no, Captain," he says as he gets to his feet " I was his greatest success" he pulls his face, peeling it from the bone, revealing...a red skull underneath, he grins, hideous. Steve stares in disbelief as rage boils my blood.
"You don't have one of those, do you?"
Bucky gapes, then looks at Steve worriedly, I turn and run back to his side, tossing his arm around my soldier.
Red Skull tosses his mask away and Johann Schmidt's face wafts into the flames, staring at us as it falls "You're a liar, Captain. You pretend to be a simple soldier. But in reality, you're just afraid to admit we've left humanity behind." Another explosion goes off rocking the floor below "Unlike you and her, I embrace it proudly. Without the masquerade...without fear." He smiles.
"Then how come you're running?" Steve shouts after the man as he turns back to us and scowls from the end of the catwalk.
I look up at Bucky as Zola and Schmidt disappear into the elevator, I touch his face as he closes his eyes, he nods softly answering my unasked question, Steve grabs Bucky from me as an explosion rocks the catwalk, Steve and I look at each other as worry sets on our brow, we needed to get out of her, we begin to look around, all I saw was destruction it reminded me of my dreams, just fire, Dobry and falling floors; I look above us and spot a gantry
"There," I pointed as I tracked forward, pushing or devastating everything in our path, we reached the gantry.
"Tam first…" Bucky whispered as I shook my head.
"No"
"Now, Tam" he grabbed my face as I just stared at him "Go" he whispered, he helped me onto the gantry.
I look back at Bucky who leaned against the trail as he nodded, I slowly make my way over, not looking down at what I imagine hell to look like, once I jump off the gantry, I turn to look at Bucky as Steve helps him up, he steps onto the gantry and I held my breath, the place was too hot to break out the wings so I just stood there in fear, the began to creaks and Bucky looks at Steve before making a run for it:
"Hurry" Steve whines.
Carefully, Bucky limps across the gantry as pieces fall from the structure, Bucky panics and jumps to the end of the gantry as another bomb explodes and the gantry collapses, I run forward to grab his hand and pull him towards me, he falls on top of me as I let out a big oof, he stands frantically and pulls me to my feet, we turn toward Steve who stands alone, trapped,
"There's got to be a rope or something-" Bucky began to look around, so do I but Steve shouts from the other side.
"JUST GET OUT!" He waves his arms as more explosions go off, faster and faster
"No" I shake my head as tears begin to form
"Not without you," Bucky shouts at the same time, the roof around Steve falls in and I almost make a jump back but Bucky holds me to him, we both watch him stare at the impossible gap.
"Aw, hell." He backs up, then races for the edge, Bucky's eyes go wide as I step away from him just as Steve leaps, sailing over the blazing chaos, I push my wings out from my back with a heavy scream as the biggest bomb goes off.
I grab Steve hand lifting with what strength my body could hold, we dangle over the fire, explosion and rumble below, I looked to Bucky to see his eyes widen as he falls to the ground as Steve stares up at me, my wings begin to burn because of the cinders that touch it as I swing Steve to the other side, he falls as I scream in agony as my wings turn to flames, I flap around frantically until they turn to ash and I crash into the catwalk where they laid; I scream as my wings burned off from my back, they burned to ash as I laid with my back facing the two men.
"Tam…" Bucky's voice sounded behind me, it was dripping with concern.
"I'm sorry" I whispered as tears fell from my eyes, I cradled myself in the fetus position "I'm so so sorry" I whimpered as I felt a pair of hands on my back as I was lifted and placed on Bucky's back.
"Not yet" he whispered as we escaped the building which was falling to pieces.
….
The warehouse was cold and silent which was better than the outside, open and vulnerable, we snuck into the abandoned warehouse to recuperate and treat our wounds, Bucky was limp which was just strained while my whole back was open and bleed, I was weak and I could heal as fast, as usual, so I sat there in silence as Bucky tried to dress my wounds; with my head down, I couldn't help but think about what was going on in his head, all the questions he wanted to ask or all the answers I had to give him.
I took a deep breath "Bucky…" I exhaled as he caressed my back.
"Ssshh…" Bucky whispered "not now" he grabbed a bottle of alcohol and we found "this might hurt" he handed me a belt that I placed between my teeth, he poured the alcohol down my back as I began to scream and my body shook frantically; I let my head fall as Bucky grabbed my hand "sshh...sshh" he kissed my back softly, avoiding the wound.
I felt him caress my back "will it heal?" He asked.
I nodded "eventually, I am weak" I exhaled as he began to wrap up the wounds.
He huffed "will they grow back?" He whispered.
I nodded "eventually" he moved from behind me to stand between my legs, he pushed the hospital gown back on my shoulders, he tied the strings while laying my head into his neck.
"When was the last time you ate?" He ran his fingers up and down my ribs, I rubbed my head into his chest.
"I don't remember" I hummed into his chest, taking in his scent, he pulled away and grabbed my face between his palms.
"So many secrets, Doll," he whispered looking into my eyes but I couldn't keep them.
I nodded with tears in my eyes "but this is a big one" he moved back, seeing how I felt with him near as I told him this story "When my father was diagnosed with cancer, my life stopped, I tried my hardest to get him the help he needed, I quit school, I worked four jobs, I would do anything to help him survive, he was the only family I had but it was never enough, we were never enough" I looked up at Bucky "Then a man approached me with a sweet deal, all I had to do was steal secrets, right, it was perfect, it paid well, so I did" I explained as tears began to fall down my face "at first it was easy, just information then I started having these dreams...I was hurting people then I was killing them and when Schmidt found out about my powers" I looked at my fingers "they took me, they starved me to see if I would die, they harmed me to see if I would heal, they rape me to see if I would reproduce" Bucky head fell while of tears moisten my lap "they electrocuted me until I couldn't breathe but they couldn't control me, my body wouldn't have it" I reached for his hand but he pulled them away and my head felt as a dry heaving entered my throat "Then suddenly you were there and you saw me, all of me, all my secrets and…" he raised his hand for me to stop, I knew what was coming next.
He looked up at me with such pain in his eyes "it should have been me" he growled as he pushed himself from the table.
"What…" I looked at him as he paced the floor.
"I should have gone through all that, not you," he shouted as I just stared at him in disbelief.
"I killed those people" I argued as he turned to look at me.
"You didn't do shit, you...you" he whispered as he grabbed my face and kissed me deeply, I gasped at how rough his mouth was being, he was pouring the anger, frustration and pain into every bite, he pulled away and looked into my eyes "they brainwashed you, they took advantage of your desperation and used you" he whispered "and I let them…" I saw his eyes turn to pain.
I grabbed his face "you didn't know, you couldn't have" I pleaded with him as he shook his head.
"You should have been able to tell me everything, and you didn't" he stared into my eyes "but never again, I promise, you never face anything alone, you hear me?" He said as I nodded.
"I love you" I whispered as he pulled me close.
"I love you too," He whispered.
"Hey" Steve appeared from the door "we need to get going," he said as he tossed me some clothes, he nodded before leaving again.
….
We had been walking for days, through the murky environment before we saw the military site in view, my back had finally healed but my body was still weak, I had to lean on Bucky as much as I could but when my eyes fell onto the military site my heart stopped and I paused in my tracks as Steve and Bucky turned to look at me, I knew what would come next, I knew my freedom was going be taken away from me as soon as I step foot on that field of grass; I looked to Bucky who looked at Steve, I shook my head and just smiled before moving forward again.
As we approach the site we were greeted by countless of soldiers, they cheered as we walked through them, I looked to Steve to see the pride he always carried behind a shy smile, I looked at Bucky who was already staring at me and I smiled, just living in this moment, when Colonel Phillips and Doctor Margaret walked towards us as Steve stood in front of them, against the Colonel's uniform Steve looked torn and filthy but he still held his head high
"Rogers?" He said stiffly with his face as stirn as a stone while the Doctor stared at Steve amazed.
Steve salutes the man "Colonel, some of these men need medical attention.".Phillips looks at the gaunt faces of the men and He nods stiffly as medics rush in to help the soldiers "I'd like to surrender myself for disciplinary action." His eyes stood straight ready for anything.
Phillips looks at Steve's battered, burned shield. " That won't be necessary." The Colonel whispers.
"Sir, I-" Steve tries to speak but the Colonel shakes his head.
"Just how many orders do you plan on disobeying, Captain?" Colonel says as they lock eyes but all Steve does is flash that winning smile.
"Yes, sir." Steve says.
Phillips turns to the Doctor, smiling wryly. " Faith, huh?"
He walks away as Steve turns to Peggy, I see her step forward to hug him but she stops herself and clears her voice, her eyes were only on the super soldier.
"You're late." She teases as Steve pulls out a broken transponder, it looks like it had been shot
"Sorry, couldn't call my ride." Steve smiles as they look at each other, a long, lingering moment when Bucky grabs my hand and yells.
"Let's hear it for Captain America" the soldiers began to cheer, slapping Steve on the back until...
Suddenly the Colonel returns with a few soldiers all armed, they aim their guns at me but in a swift movement Steve grabs the one soldiers gun and knocks him down while another aims for his head, one soldier grabs my arm but Bucky punches him, grabs his gun and pushes me behind him:
"What's going on?" Steve shouts, still holding the gun towards the fallen soldier, he looks to the Doctor to find her aiming her handgun at me. "Peggy?"
"Are you ok?" Bucky whispers over his shoulder.
"Bucky, put the gun down" I touch his back softly.
"What…" he sounds surprised
"Please…" I whimper as the Colonel steps forward.
"Better listen to her, kid" He huffed as Bucky threw his weapon down and so did Steve.
I step from behind Bucky and raise my arms, a soldier forces them behind me before cuffing them, I stare down at my feet as the began to push me towards the tent where a car waited for me, I looked to Bucky and Steve as they argued with the Colonel before I drove away.
….
The room was lit with light so bright that it gave me a headache, the place was a fortress, it was built into stone which made it secure, not built for me but built to hinder me, I sat in the corner of the room for hours, watching the two chairs and table in the middle of it like it would come to life and run around the room, I didn't really know how long I was waiting but I knew this was the end for me, for freedom, I stood to my feet as I paced the room, my wings itching my back to be spread but I couldn't, not here, I knew they were watching me, my every move; I walked to the camera then stared at the peephole as I sensed a presence coming my way.
I took a step back as the Colonel walked in with a plate of food and a few papers under his arm "hunger?" He asked as he placed the food on the table and took a seat. "Rogers said you haven't eaten in a while" he gestured to the chair across from him.
I took a seat "you are not afraid of me?" I asked as I stared at the steak, broccoli and mash, I had never seen food like this, not on one plate, not half eaten.
"Should I be?" He asked not to look up at me.
I huffed "you know what I am capable of, you should be" I asked as he gave me a bored look.
He interlocked his fingers "How long has it been since you ate?" I looked down at the
food again, and the dreadful questions started to circle my head.
I shook my head "these questions, why would you worry about my health" I was a statement instead of a question.
The wrinkles around his eyes twitched "I don't" he mentioned "but I have a very worried super soldier and an angry Sergeant" he said as I thought of them, they must be going out of their minds.
I scratched the back of my head "since I was captured, I don't know how long its been" I whispered as he wrote down what I said.
He gestured to the food "go on then" I stared at the meal with a sense of dread "what? You think I poisoned it" he asked as I just stared at him, he pulled a fork and knife from his pocket, he scooped up the mash and cut the steak before hauling it into his mouth, he smiled before pushing the plate back towards me.
I devoured the meal like it was my last, probably was, I consumed it in such a speed that the taste was still unknown to me, the colonel stared at with bored eyes when i was done, it was like this was usual for him to watch before he cleared his throat when I mopped up the remaining gravy with the last broccoli.
He tapped his pen and looked at me "Now, let's talk" I leaned back in my seat.
"What do you want to know?" I asked as he gave me a half smile.
"Why did you betray your country?" He asked with disdain in his voice.
"I never betrayed my country, I protected my family, you count that as treason but I couldn't care less" I expressed, crossing my arms.
"You couldn't care less about the thirty soldiers you killed in ten minutes," he said in a bone-chilling voice that didn't phase me.
I huffed, looking to my feet "Colonel Phillips, what I did was out of desperation, I didn't mean to kill those soldiers" I strutted as their faces flashed through my mind.
"Tell that to their wives" he sneered before getting up to leave.
"Colonel Phillips…" I paused, as the tears began to march down my face "You think I have no remorse, no care for the lives I have taken, I live with that every single day, I see their faces when I close my eyes, I have nightmares, so you can parade here with your guilty but I wear it, I deserve the high punishment for what I have done but if you asked me if I would do it again, in the sake of father, I would" I watched his knuckles turn white as he gripped the file "because your prejudice is just as harmful as Hitlers" I swore as the lights flickered, the floor cracked beneath me and my tears turned to blood, Colonel Phillips shocked exterior fell into the chair beneath him as a look of fear crossed his face.
He cleared his throat, he placed the file before him again "what happened?" He asked as I looked down at my feet.
I told this man everything, I don't tell people anything about my life, I don't trust easily or at all without some coaxing, I didn't even trust Bucky when I met him yet with this man I poured it out onto the table, all the heartbreak, the cancer, the grief, the pain, the labour, all of it and he sat there listening intently without interruption until I was done, he looked me straight in the eye and asked:
"Why didn't you leave?" He asked as if it was the simplest thing in the world "you had the power to turn everyone in Hydra to dust but you stay and took it, that is the only thing that doesn't add up, Miss Johnson"
I took a deep breath "my father" I choked back the tears that threatened to fall from my eyes "they threatened to kill him if I didn't cooperate, so I did" I watched his expression as he turned the page of the file, he stayed silent but I knew something was wrong "what?" I asked.
He flipped the pages over to a picture of my father "he was found dead a year ago" he whispered as he stood to his feet, he walked behind my chair and placed a hand on my shoulder "I am sorry, Tamara" he whimpered as I closed my eyes, the hint of my name pour into my soul and I felt this heat raise to my face.
In the coldest voice I have ever heard "you should go" I said as I touched the picture, his face was peaceful but his chest was covered in blood.
"Miss Johnson" Colonel Philips' voice was a mile away.
"Please go" I whimpered, he moved to the door, shutting it behind him.
Suddenly I couldn't breathe this overwhelming pressure on my chest caused me to stand to my feet, as soon as I stood the table and chairs burst into dust as the picture floated in midair, my fingers tingle as red blood like liquid fell from my face, I stepped back as my wings bursted from my back and the lights began to flicker; an unearthly scream rose from my throat as darkness birth through my mouth, I was lifted in the air as the darkness surrounded my being, closing off the outside world.
….