Project: A Stark Winter

Chapter Twenty-Six: Speak of the Devil

Your eyes open quickly as your breath comes in shallow, frantic pants like that of a frightened rabbit. Bolting upright you scramble to your feet, ready to run away from the angry mob of a crowd but are pulled up short as you take in the dark, damp nothingness of the space around you. You look around the eerie place as a chill falls over you. Shit. you think to yourself feeling both angry and scared as realization settles over you. Once again you had been plunged into the dream realm induced by the poison. Steeling yourself for an attack, a monster, anything you stand fists ready and waiting. But nothing happens. Digging your fingers into the soft flesh of your forearm you attempt the shocking sting of pain to wake you. Squinting your eyes shut you will yourself to be away from here and the impending doom of what would come next. A small whisper has your eyes flying open and scanning for the source of the noise. A gentle glow in front of you wills you to follow it as it shudders and brightens in waves of blue and white. "Okay, but you better not murder me or I'll be really mad." You call to the blue orb as it does a small swirl and floats on down the dark pathway. You watch as it glides for a bit and then disappears briefly as you get closer to it only for it to reappear further down the path. It reminded you of a sprite or wisp from old bedtime stories, the way it led you down a path to whatever your fate would be. As you continue on, the scenery changes ever so slightly. The dark nothingness gradually becomes dark misshapen trees with thick roots that tower above you and block out any light from the sky. You can hear the voices of men in the distance, their gravelly voices and laughter a stark contrast to the still silence from moments before. The chill in the air grew into an unbearable cold as your teeth chattered and your body shook. Looking down, you noticed that your feet were trudging through thick snowfall. The blue orb led you to the treeline and then promptly disappeared. You reached out for the mysterious orb wanting more clarification on why it brought you to this place as angry german voices cut through the air, barking commands. You ducked quickly behind a fallen tree and cower in the snow, still clad in your strapless gown from the party. Through the thin fabric, you could feel the pinprick feeling of the cold powder as it seeped through and clung to the hem of your gown. The sound of fists hitting flesh echoed over the snowy landscape followed by the grunting of someone pulling themselves to their feet.
"How 'bout round two, asshole?" A familiar deep voice called out with ease and confidence. Daring a look, you pull peek your head just barely out from behind your hiding space, your eyes landing on none other than Bucky Barnes; arms raised in a boxing stance and preparing for another hit. The man who he was yelling at turned and smiled a sickly smile; lips curling upward in an evil grin. He wore a clean-looking uniform and as he turned toward where Bucky stood you saw his Nazi armband displayed proudly. Hydra.
"Gladly, Seargent Barnes." He murmured as he raised a hand to the man behind Bucky who raised an electric rod and shocked Bucky roughly. You watched as he convulsed and screamed in pain before collapsing in a heap, unconscious.
"Take him to the scientist. He can still be of use to us yet. The rest of you, BACK TO WORK!" The man called, seemingly disinterested in the events that just took place. The rest of the Allied troop prisoners jumped up and continued to dig through the snow in another menial task. A pit formed in our stomach as they dragged Bucky face down through the snow and toward the lab; realization settling in that this was a scene from Bucky's actual past. You didn't know much and what you did know, Steve had told you of his friend's life before he came to the Avenger's side. It was dark and sad, the things you knew of the Winter Soldier. This must be the Austrian Hydra base that Steve went to rescue the troops from which also meant it was where Bucky was experimented on. As you sunk back behind the fallen tree, you pulled your knees to your chest and hugged them tightly. You were shaking from fear, hopelessness, as well as the cold as you willed this nightmare to end. Slowly, the scene around you shifted and became the same damp, nothingness of before. A german laugh howled around you, taking enjoyment in your fear and discomfort.
"Why did you show me that?! What do you want?!" You shout to the disembodied voice that floated around you. Tears pricked your eyes as the laughter grew louder. You clapped your hands over your ears and curled into the fetal position to block out the deafening sound of it. It was torture, the sound echoing through your body; chattering your teeth. Suddenly the feeling of a hand on your chin had you opening your eyes to find nothing.
"Ahh sweet, little bird. You don't know? Well, you will soon. I promise." The german man soothed you sadistically in his phantom state. You sobbed harder as you felt his ghostly hands tuck a strand of hair behind your ear.
"I'll see you soon, y/n.", was his parting whisper as your eyes fell shut quickly, releasing you from this nightmare.