Bad Idea | Corrupted Minds Trilogy Book 1 (Bucky Barnes)

Who Are You Now?

It had been days since Rosella turned into that monster inside her. She had requested to be placed in a separate holding, away from everyone including Bucky. She couldn't take the chance of hurting him again. So they put her in a brighter cleaner room with a bed, sink, and a toilet. A camera stood in the upper corner above her by the door, blinking red. She refused to eat the food they gave her and had to be forced out of the room for training. She wanted to stay locked inside the room, unable to hurt anyone. She hated training. Bucky was always there and they never activated the Winter Soldier. They knew how much it pained her to see him so they used it to their advantage.

The soldiers came to take her away again for training. It was the same time every day. Right after they attempted to feed her. Rosella sat on her bed as they opened the door and went to her. They grabbed her by her arms, dragging her to the training room. She didn't fight them that time because she knew it was pointless. The little scientist man would just turn on the shock bracelet, electrocuting her wrist. It still hurt from the other times she resisted.

"Ah, finally," The little scientist man looked up from the chart he held. "Let's get started right away." The scientist turned to Bucky who stood in the center of the room like always, staring at Rosella. The soldiers pushed her to the center and when she stumbled over her feet, Bucky caught her. He was gentle and looked at her with concerned eyes. She tore herself off of him, not wanting to relive the moment when she almost killed him. She didn't make eye contact with Bucky and kept her gaze away from him. Or at least she tried.

Rosella knew what was going to happen. They had to fight until she turned into the parasite living within her. She took it as an opportunity to practice controlling when she was angry so it could never come out. Or whenever it did, she tried to prevent it from going into killer mode.

She took her fighting stance as Bucky just stood there. He never fought her intentionally. He only defended himself when she attacked and he rarely hurt her. Rosella had gradually gotten better at some fighting techniques but she was still too predictable. So, she thought she'd try a new move. Rosella ran to Bucky who backed up and she phased through him, appearing behind him. Before he could fully turn around, she swept his legs causing him to fall to the ground. Rosella took a step back and Bucky quickly got up. He was fast and he was already in front of Rosella throwing punches and she either dogged them or phased through them. When she solidified, Bucky threw another punch but she caught it. His metal arm felt cool to the touch and she locked eyes with him. He stared into her eyes as if he wanted answers from her. Rosella didn't want to get into that topic so she lifted herself, letting go of his hand, and moved back. She landed away from Bucky and he charged at her. She stopped him, her hands landing on his shoulders, pushing him back as he took steps towards her. She was strong but he was stronger. Bucky grabbed her wrist, twisting it so her whole body turned. She leaned against him, feeling his body against hers.

"We need to talk." He lowly told her. He held her arm behind her back.

"There's nothing to talk about." Rosella answered him after many days of not speaking to him. She flew up in place, Bucky holding onto her as she went up high. Rosella changed into her ghost-like state and Bucky fell, landing on his feet. She stayed in the air, turning solid again as Bucky straightened himself. Instead of going after Rosella, Bucky turned to the scientist man and spoke to him. She couldn't make out what he said but the scientist man looked up at Rosella and back at Bucky. The soldiers and the little scientist man turned and left the room. She found it strange that they listened to Bucky. He turned to rosella and crossed his arms. Bucky motioned for her to go back down. Rosella listened but stayed hovering off the ground.

"Rosella, c'mon. I'm not gonna hurt you." Bucky tried to reassure her.

"That's what I'm afraid of." She replied, moving away from him. He looked up at her and moved closer.