Reaching Out | Bucky Barnes

28 |

I sit in silence for an eternity, trying to pull more memories from my mind when I jolt at the sudden voice from the ether.

"Good to see you're up. The Director finally gave the greenlight for the next stage of my research, so you are about to become part of history. We already began editing our agents' genomes and so far, we have three that are ready for experimentation to give them your abilities. And we also have subjects ready for your eggs, however, I want to cover all possibilities. I want to know whether you carrying effects offspring's ability at all. This will be done with one of our agents, as it will also tell us if their abilities will pass on."

Wait, what?

My heart pounds in my chest while my brain tries to make sense of what she's saying.

Carrying?

"Of course, we will not force intercourse—that would be barbaric. We will be artificially inseminating you. It will also increase the chance of pregnancy, so fewer procedures you will need to undergo."

She's breeding me. Like cattle.

Without thinking, my mind reaches out, desperate to find her.

Reaching further and further until I somehow locate her on an upper level.

What am I going to do?

"It will be very interesting to see how abilities manifest in all of your offspring. Whether they will have identical abilities or develop new ones."

Her voice drones in the background while I probe around her. Then I notice a familiar thread of energy—the same that emanated from Wanda.

What?

I'm careful as I feel around it, unsure of whether I should try to touch it.

I thought it was a manifestation of Wanda's abilities...

Does Doctor Hof have abilities?

I debate grabbing it; I don't want her to know I'm trying, but I'm also worried I'll have the same reaction as I did with Wanda.

"You will be the future."

Grab it!

I reach out to take hold of it, but rather than pulling, I have the urge to push.

It feels like coming up from water as I gasp and feel her surround me.

"Doctor Stadelhofer? Are you alright?"

The voice echoes from beside me.

Beside her.

"Yes," I force out of her. "I am fine. You are excused."

I can't see but I know what she sees, and I know Doctor Hof and Beaumont are the only ones in the room.

"Are you sure, Doctor?"

"Yes. Out."

The man scurries out and the door shuts quietly behind him.

Okay. Okay. What do I do now?"

I feel along her pockets and find a phone then have her pull it out and go to a map, zoning in on our location.

Arizona.

We're in Arizona?

I was not expecting that.

I have her copy the coordinates and wrack my brain for where to send them. I don't know any of the team's numbers, and I know they have surveillance online, but I don't know how long that could take.