A Little Calm...

Blood Spatters

Heartless - Dermot Kennedy

*Bucky's POV*

I managed to get a plane back to the city. After that, I had to 'borrow' yet another motorcycle. When I arrive at the building, the place is flooded with police. I abandon the bike in the side alley near the fire escape. That's when I see the open window with the drapes blowing out in the wind. Holding onto hope, I run to the front of the building. Before I can even step past the threshold, I'm stopped by an officer.

Officer
"Sir, this is a closed crime scene."

I try to move past her but she continues to stay in my way.

Bucky
"Please, this is my apartment. Is their a girl up there?"

Officer
"I'm sorry but I can't tell you anything until I see proof of identification."

I look at her, ready to play the avenger card for the first time. Instead, I rip off my glove to reveal my metal hand. Instantly, she goes wide eyed and stands to the side.

Officer
"I apologise Sir."

As I walk past her, I notice the evidence bag in her hands. Inside, I can see a familiar blade; the one I gave her in training. There's a stain of blood on one edge, long dried. I take a second to breathe and prepare myself for what I might find upstairs. Trying to numb myself, I step through the front of the building and stride up the stairs, missing as many steps as I can. As I do, I rip off my jacket to fully expose my arm. It saves time so that I don't have to keep proving my identity. When I reach the third floor, I look down the corridor and can already tell the door is wide open with people bustling inside. The sound of radios and talking spreads through the building. As I near the wall of noise, possibilities fly through my head. Who's blood was on the knife? Why was it outside? Why is the window open? Turning the corner to the apartment, I take in the scene. Her phone smashed on the floor. Chairs strewn across the room. Blood splatters on the dining table.