Reaching Out | Bucky Barnes

29 |

"She must have zapped you good."

I lift my head groggily when suddenly arms yank me up fast enough to make my head spin and I'm tossed to sit on something. Although I watch, my brain is slow and blink a few times, finally focusing on the hands that cuff my wrists to the armrests of the wheelchair.

Shit.

The chair begins moving and adrenaline pumps through me, helping me see clearly for the first time in what feels like forever.

Think.

We snake around halls before I see my chance.

"C-can you stop in there? Please. I need to use the restroom," I say weakly.

"Shut up."

"Please."

"Fine. But I'm coming in with you. I'm not undoing your cuffs out here."

Good.

"O-okay."

He yanks open the door to reveal a single restroom.

Perfect.

I lull my head to the side, playing up the injured patient role as he fishes a key from his breast pocket. He undoes my left hand then steps aside, gesturing at me to hurry up. I stand shakily, looking down to the right where my wrist is still attached to the chair.

"Figure it out with one."

I let out an annoyed huff. "Fine."

Reaching out, I find the thread and pull myself into him, once again surrounded by his consciousness while the space around him is projected into my mind's eye. I have him undo the other cuff before I sit the guard into the chair, having him close one cuff around his wrist, then using my abilities to do the other. He stares blankly as I let go of his mind, feeling a pang of fear course through me before we're fully separated.

His eyes widen as he realizes what's happening and lets out a shout before I slap my hand over his mouth.

"Shh. Shh. Stop yelling!" I hiss.

He doesn't, so I reach out, knocking him over the head with a solid draft of air that has him slumping to the side.

As I look him over, my chin hits metal, so I hesitantly reach to the collar and pull, worried about it zapping me for trying. But when I hear it groan, that fear is gone, replaced by fire that has me pulling harder. It snaps at the back, and I let out an excited breath, throat burning in relief as it drops to the ground.

That feels so good.

Now, get out.

My feet rush me to the door, but I pause just before my hand reaches the handle.

This place is full of cameras.

I bite my lip as I think of what to do, almost gasping at my stupidity as I reach behind me, turning on the faucet, and pulling a long stream of water to sheath myself with. When I'm sure I'm covered, I slip from the bathroom, locking the door from the inside as I walk away.

Be quick.

I hold my breath as I pass a few people in lab coats, using air to keep my footsteps silent before turning a corner and finally finding a stairwell. I hurry up the first flight and notice a directory beside the door.

LEVEL 5.

Numbers get increasingly smaller as floors get higher, so apparently, we're underground. I grab the railing and propel myself up, eventually reaching the last landing and rushing towards the door before my eye catches the directory again.