In My Head • Bucky Barnes

Chapter 11

An oh so familiar pain coursing up my arm distracting me momentarily from my rage. I flexed my hand half expecting it to be my imagination. I did a double take when the robotics closed without hesitation.

Someone's activated it.

Using my rage to an advantage I break the shackle binding my left arm to the chair, freeing it. I shattered the other bonds and began pounding against the door to my cage. It's bullet proof glass so it managed to withstand my punches. The hinges however barely lasted a second. The door when flying into the screen, shattering it on impact.

This isn't going to help my case but at that moment I couldn't care less.

Belle needs me.

I ran through the doors ignoring the siren that's no doubt alerting the entire building to my escape. I run through corridor after corridor searching for Belle's cell but find nothing. Maybe she's on a different floor? That means I need to find a way through a whole new set of defences. Great.

"Bucky what the hell are you playing at?" Steve's voice echoed through the hallway stopping me in my tracks. Of course he had to show up.

"Get out of my way Steve."

"Not until you explain yourself."

"God dammit Steve move." I tried to push past him but he moved with me, blocking my way.

"If you don't start talking I am going to have to lock you up again."

The thought of being back in that cell takes the edge off my anger. Belle needs me out here, not in there.

"It's Belle."

"What about Belle?"

"She started having a panic attack and lashed out at a guard so they restrained her. She is probably terrified with no clue what's going on. She can't calm down on her own so please for the love of God take me to her."

Any rage on Steve's melted away and he glanced over his shoulder. The guards had yet to find us, most likely on the other side of the prison - I may have ran a bit too far.

"Follow me." Steve started down the corridor doubling back on the way I came. Guess I really was going the wrong way.

Remarkably enough we didn't bump into any guards at all. There were moments Steve would snap at someone over Comms, so I could only assume he was being told to bring me in. I can't mean that much to him can I? Why is he helping me?

"Through that door. I will stay here and hold them off, but you are gonna have to be quick Buck."

"Thank you." I burst through the door expecting to have to fight off a bunch of guards. But to my surprise there was only two people in here, Belle and a young boy around her age trying to calm her down.

My intrusion startled the boy and he stepped in front of Belle ready to defend her. I don't know who this kid is but I like him. He glanced between Belle and I, stepping back to give us space. But he didn't leave. Yet another person to not trust me, why am I not surprised.

Belle barely acknowledged me as I crouched in front of her. Patches of broken skin were quickly travelling up her arms and her hair was a mess. As carefully as I could without triggering her further I took her hands and eased them apart.

"Hey doll, it's okay. You're okay."

"B-bucky?" She lifted her head and I had to bite back a gasp. Lines of blood had dried to her skin, matting her fringe to her forehead. Her eye had swollen up and her lip was split. It took everything in me to force back the murderous thoughts.

"It's me." Belle launched forward, throwing her arms around my neck. I didn't waste a second hugging back, rubbing her back as she wept.

"You promised me. You said nothing would happen."

"I know. I'm sorry I couldn't stop them." I cast my eyes over her body to see if there were any obvious injuries. I ran my hand down her arm and she jerked away. "Does it hurt?"

"Everywhere hurts."

"What did they do to her?" I turn to glare at the boy. If he had anything to do with Belle's state I can't guarantee he will make it out this room alive.

"Four of them were piled on her. I would check for broken ribs, one of them was knelt on her back."

"Bucky I'm fine." Belle tried to wriggle away but yelped in pain when she collided with the wall. I raised my eyebrow and continued checking for injuries. Belle lashed out again pushing against my chest until I backed up; I did so with my hands raised in surrender.

"Stop."

"Okay, I'm stopping." I let Belle get her breath back, eyeing the boy who was edging to the window. His eyes widened and he started frantically typing on his phone.

"You guys need to leave. There are guards coming."

"There's no way out." As the words left my mouth a figure materialised in front of the boy decked out in a red and black leather suit.

"Yes there is. Wade get them out of here. Come get me when you are safe." The masked man - Wade? - approached and Belle whimpered.

"I need her hand. Is that okay?" I glance down at Belle who is still trying to curl into herself.

"Be quick." Wade took both of our hands and the floor felt like it was swept out from under us. For a moment I thought he had attacked us but as I got my bearings I realised that the alarm was no longer blaring and everything was a lot lighter.

"What the hell."

"Teleportation. You're at my apartment. It's off the grid so you should be safe here for a while. I will be back in a second." Wade disappeared and I turned my attention back to Belle.

“Can you stand?” Belle nodded shakily, trying to pull herself to her feet. Just as soon as she managed to get upright, her knees buckled. She fumbled to grab the wall, or anything, really, to stop herself from-

I caught her before she could hit the ground, carefully lowering her back onto the floor. “Sorry,” Belle stuttered. “I-”

“It’s okay.” I slipped my arm under her legs and another behind her back, careful to miss the row of bruising, and picked her up easily. “It’s okay, I’ve got you.”