Redemption ||Bucky Barnes||

34. Two Weeks Later

The first day was the hardest.

Jessabelle lived up to her word. The day after Bucky gave himself up, a doctor was sent in to examine me. I saw no sympathy in their eyes for me, so I knew they were just doing their job. They were also in charge of bringing me my meals since they came so frequently. The food didn't get any worse, but it didn't get any better either.

The doctor kept coming back since that day to check for improvement. Too bad the medicine they gave me was for the pain only. It couldn't stop the nightmares or the cold. Nothing could heal the wound in my chest.

It's been two weeks now, two weeks of lonely nights. Two weeks of recovering. Two weeks without moral support. Two weeks of worrying.

Today is no different. I rub my heavily tired eyes. I know what to expect: another visit from the doctor, the usual drop off of food. I keep my hand around the dog tags. Like this room, they're cold to the touch. I blink back the tears.

I know Bucky's not dead; they turned him back into the very thing he didn't want to be anymore. I can only imagine what they're making him do. Take out important people. Hunt down whatever's left of S.H.I.E.L.D.

He's right, it would have happened anyway. He only sped it along because of me. I can't help it that my life drove him to that point of surrender. I couldn't do anything, even if I had tried. I would have probably gotten hurt worse if I rebelled.

I probably would be dead right now if I had fought.

The door is opened, and I expect to see the doctor. Instead, I see Jessabelle. I give her the dirtiest look I can muster with my strength. Ever since Bucky surrendered, he sparked something in me. New fight. A new stubbornness to stay alive. A new will to survive.

"You're looking better," she notes neutrally. Her hair is back in a messy bun today. "I've heard your progress, but I haven't had time to see it."

And I'm sure I know why she's been so busy. "What do you want now?" I snarl.

"I was considering letting you walk around with me like in the old days, but I don't think you'll be up for that." She frowns slightly. "So, let's have a nice chat."

I look at anything but her. "Not interested."

She sighs. "You never are, Dani. You used to be so curious."

"Are you asking for trouble?" I retort. "Being in the same room with me isn't smart."

"I know you won't hurt me, you're still recovering."

"Don't hold your breath." I run my hand through the knots in my hair. "I'm not stupid, you know. I know you've got agents behind that door ready to beat me senseless."

Jessabelle tsks. "Dani, Dani, Dani. We're past that stage now. We got what we wanted."

"So why am I still here? You got him. Are you keeping me here until I rot? Are you...going to kill me? Show my body publicly as a message to S.H.I.E.L.D.?"

Jessabelle wrinkles her nose. "We're not monsters, Dani."

I scoff. "You're funny. Tell me another joke."

"If you listen to me, I can tell you about you when you were younger."

"Tempting, but I don't want to hear it from your mouth."

"Because you'll think I'm lying." She rubs her face. "Danielle, not everyone you meet is a liar."

I laugh weakly. "That's a lie in itself. Whatever load of shit you're about to throw me, I'm not going to buy into it."