Electric Storm

Chapter 16: Not getting Involved?

'Hello Mr. Barnes. I've been sent by the UN to evaluate you.'

I watch the screen closely as the doctor questions Bucky. He flips open his notes, slides up his glasses, and folds his hands on the table. Bucky barely answers the questions. 

Dad and Nat are watching next to me. I follow Nat's careful gaze to Steve and Sam, who occupy the office behind us. They shouldn't be able to hear but the way they watch the screen suggests they can. I believe Sharon has something to do with that. Nat's eyes slide over to me. She knows they can hear too. 

'My name is Bucky.'

Perhaps it's just the cuffs but something doesn't feel right. There's a gnawing feeling in my stomach, my senses are on high alert. I still feel fuzzy but something fights to remain vigilant. 

I just can't believe that the man in that cage could be responsible for the bombing of the UN. We searched for him for years and found nothing. And considering he wasn't Winter when Steve found him... it just doesn't make sense. 

Maybe I'm just trying to search for the good. 

Maybe there isn't any to be found. 

I want to speak up but there's too many eyes blinking at me. My eyes flutter from the screen to Bucky; to the agents who keep eyeing me up; to Everett. If I could feel my sparks, they'd be firing up and down. Why are they so afraid of me? I start to scratch my wrists again. When will these things come off? I try to slide them around again as I watch the screen. My actions will be futile but I am suffoca-

Everything plunges into darkness. The screen goes blank. In seconds, agents shout orders, red lights flash, and there's several guns poised at me. 

Blackout. 

They think it's my fault. 

'Katherine!' Dad shouts across the chaos. 

'This isn't me.' I raise the cuffs. My heart is racing. 

'I know.' Dad squeezes my hands. 'Friday, get me a source on that outage.' 

My eyes jump around. There's nothing between me and their guns. Not even an electric shield.

Nat starts waving them down like they're insane. It's only Everett who's gaze lingers a little too long. 

'Stay close to me.' Dad keeps his voice low and drags me along with him and Nat. Steve and Sam have disappeared. They'll have gone after Bucky.

I realise how exposed I am without my powers. I just need to grab my daggers... I slide my hand into the sole of my boot and slip out the blades. How has no one noticed you may ask? These came from Asgard, from Loki, the God of Lies and Mischief. I keep the blades close to my side, ready for when I need them.

It's all starting to make sense. Frame Bucky and then the CIA find him. They do the work for you. So who wants Bucky and why? 

'Follow me.' Sharon instructs, jogging past us. Nat, Dad and I start marching down the halls. We can hear the screams and the guns, the trail of bodies that will lead us not to Bucky, but to the Winter Soldier. 

'Dad, I really need these off me.' I start to cough. The cuffs are suppressing my energy.  

'I know.' Dad mumbles worriedly. He doesn't have his suit either. Both of us are hugely disadvantaged. 

My head pokes around the corner. The Winter Soldier is there. Dad stops me before I can move. 'Wait here.' He instructs as he flips his Iron hand on.