Winter's Mystery

A Little Step Forward

BUCKY'S POINT OF VIEW:

I wasn't sure exactly how to explain the predicament I had found myself in. Sure I wasn't thrilled to be given the mission to handle this enigma of person, but I did feel compelled to do my best at it. Especially after the absolute hell I saw in her memories. And I knew I could have ended it for her.

I needed Steve's advice though, right when I thought we had made progress, she freaked out when she saw my phone. I mean I find the new technology a little intimidating sometimes, but I didn't see any memories that would have suggested a phone was an issue. It almost hurt when she shrunk away from me, as if I was about to hit her.

I didn't know if telling the others about her power was a great idea, but it would come out sooner or later. But, now that I had Steve alone, I could divulge more. Though, I wasn't sure where to begin. Thankfully, Steve always did. His voice sounded concerned, "Is everything okay Buck? When she showed you her memories, did anything happen?"

I let out a long sigh, "I don't know Steve. She touched the side of my head and it was more than seeing them, I was there. I could move around in the memories as they played out, they weren't from her view at all. Sometimes she was even behind a door or around the corner." Steve was silent for a moment, "Interesting. So it wasn't from any point of view? Are you sure they weren't fabricated images?"

I hadn't thought of that, but the image of her face soaked with tears when I came out of wherever it was, told me that wasn't the case. "Pretty sure." I replied, "When she stopped showing them to me she had pain on her face like she just relived it all." Steve nodded and went silent again, it was more than a little uncomfortable for me.

We walked the halls in silence for a moment, I couldn't help but wonder if she was somehow listening in. Steve finally broke the silence, "What else did you find out?" I saw her face when my text tone went off, flash through my head again, I winced involuntarily. "She is incredibly afraid of my phone and I still think she doesn't understand the concept of free will."

Steve didn't seem surprised, "Well the guy who had her..." I interrupted, "Farley." Steve raised a brow then continued, "Farley... checked his phone right before he rushed downstairs, so it was probably connected to her collar." I felt a little annoyed that he called it 'her' collar. "You mean the collar." Steve chuckled, "Yes. The collar. So she will have to be deprogrammed from that too." I sighed as we neared the dorm hall, "So what do I do? I really am at a loss with her. Its not like I can deprogram her like I was. This is different."

Steve pat me on the shoulder, "Figure out what she needs to be deprogrammed from. Start with those." I shrugged, "How?" Steve chuckled again, "Buck, none of us know what's going to work with her. Why not walk her around the compound a bit? Most of us are leaving so it wont be overwhelming." I shrugged, "I guess." We stopped outside her door, "Just keep at it bud, you got this." I half smiled, "Thanks." Then I went back into her room, still not totally sure how I was going to complete this nearly impossible mission I have been given, but I knew for her sake, I had to try.

SELENA'S POINT OF VIEW:

I watched the man leave, I still wasn't exactly sure what his name was. Everyone called him something different: Buck, Tin Man, Bucky, Barnes...it was a little confusing. I knew I wasn't going to get much rest even though I was quite tired, but he told me to wait...

It really was odd, he gives me orders then tells me to do what I want. I disobeyed an order and he didn't punish me. I stepped out of line and ran into him when I thought he was bringing me to service the woman whose clothes I was now wearing, and he wasn't angry. He took out that device, but I guess without the collar...I don't know what will happen with that collar off. But I still am not sure about that device.