Saving Bucky (Bucky Barnes x Reader)

Chapter 76 - Final Admissions

The door flies open in a loud and messy scream of rusted metal.

But Vex doesn't flinch from across the cell.  

She seems unconcerned with the intrusion - likely not yet realizing the true nature of Malachi's return. Instead, she remains laser focused on the pod in front of her. She keeps her back to the two of you as her faint whispers come from the other end of the cell. What she's saying, you can't tell. But James' grunting responses sound distressed.

You take a step towards her, but catch movement out of the corner of your eye. You glance over to spot light reflecting off the metal tray near a programming chair.

And in it sits Kentay.

He's not even strapped down. He's simply been laid against it as various tubes and IV's spill from his arms. They connect to two large bags of a sickly yellow fluid being fed into his veins. Bile rises in your throat as you notice, up close for the first time, that his eyes are actually...open. Barely more than a sliver of amber peeks through, but the desperate flutter of lashes is there.

A small, tortured whimper slips through your teeth. Malachi notices and casts you an empathetic, side-eyed glance.

"He, too, broke his conditioning," Malachi whispers quietly to avoid alerting Vex to anything amiss. "As they began dragging you from your cell, he snapped," Malachi says. "He attempted to fight the Spectre guards to free you. As punishment, mother has kept him here - injected with a paralytic - to watch your torture. To break him down before programming him one final time."

You inhale sharply and your stomach churns. Guilt gnaws at your insides. You hadn't once negotiated for Kentay's life, and he had witnessed you forget about him.

"You inspire loyalty, Madame," Malachi whispers, keeping his gaze focused on Vex's back. "And he has given you his - as I have. But there's nothing you can do for him now. He knows that."

You choke back a sob and fight your urge to go to Kentay's side, forcing yourself to focus on Malachi as he lifts his arm, aiming his weapon straight at Vex's back.

"Are you ready?" he whispers.

You glance once more to Kentay, and your breath leaves your lungs as you see that tiny sliver of amber grow wider as he fights against the sedatives.

I'm sorry, you mouth silently.

The fingertips of his left hand twitch as a tear slips down his cheek, and he closes his eyes.

Acceptance.

"We must strike now," Malachi whispers once more.

"Go," you say through broken breath.

Malachi straightens and takes two strides forward. "Enough of this, mother," he barks, his voice filling the cell. Vex freezes, going rigid as her head turns slowly to glance over her shoulder. Her eyes dart from Malachi, to you. For the first time, you spot confusion in her features.

"What do you think you're doing, 8424?" she hisses in a venomous whisper.

"No," snarls Malachi. "Don't call me that. I am not a number. Call me by my name."

Vex's gaze flits between the two of you for a moment longer. Then suddenly that confusion is gone, replaced by surprise.

And she laughs.

But there is no mirth in her laughter. And it chills you to the bone.

"Very well done, 7124," she says, looking to you as her lip curls. "It seems I have underestimated you."