𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙷𝚘𝚛𝚛𝚘𝚛𝚜 𝙱𝚎𝚗𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚑

The Price of Freedom (Pt 3)

I had to stop myself from harshly breathing in the unwanted dust particles in my respiratory system. So, I had to take shallow breaths every once in a while. My dress was covered in dust from about my waist to below, and the feeling of loose particles of whatever lay in these vents rubbing against my skin gave me slight goosebumps from irritation.

It seemed like a labyrinth for quite some time, the vent paths all looking the same to me. But then I began to hear commotion from up ahead, indicating that I actually had been going somewhere. I breathed a sigh of relief, realizing that I wouldn't need to be up here for that much longer. I continued to follow the path that led me to where the loud noise was originating from.

I quietly aligned myself up with the vent and peered my eyes through the vent slits and scanned my eyes around the room, trying to locate if Winter was among the people residing in the room. My eyes followed the length of the room with no luck until they spotted a lonely figure resting in the corner, mostly keeping to himself. 

Bullseye.

Just who I was looking for. Though my victory was quickly diminished when I realized I'd need to draw him out of the room somehow so as not to have anyone intervene with my mission.

I almost facepalmed at my own stupidity. How on Earth was I going to manage that? I couldn't say his trigger words now. There were too many people in the room. I needed to create a distraction without getting too many people involved.

I pondered for a while, but nothing came to my mind. Until an idea, so dumb spawned in my head, it might just work. What better way than psychological manipulation?

If I could use myself against him, I just might be able to lure him out of the room to get him alone. Shaking my head in hesitation, I began to follow the vents to get closer towards where he was standing so as not to draw too much attention to myself.

As I approached closer towards where he was, I could hear the underlying sound of him scuffing his shoes against the tiled floor in an uncomfortable manner. The sound made me cringe. Taking a silent breath, I began to whisper. "Зима, помоги... мне страшно." (Winter, help...I'm scared.)

I watched his senses spike, and he stopped moping around and perked his head up in confusion. Alright, I got his attention, now to draw him out of here.

I continued to mess with him. "Зима, они делают мне больно! Прекратите это, пожалуйста!" (Winter, they're hurting me! Make it stop, please!)

He continued to scan around the room for some sort of explanation, hoping to find an answer for where my voice was coming from. I watched him search for some time before he began to grip his head in frustration. He was in slight pain, but whether it was physical or mental, I wouldn't know.

I was going to keep going, but I spotted a figure approach him cautiously. It was someone Hydra warned me about. Someone who could compromise this entire mission if he were to spot me. The one and only, Captain America.

I quickly zipped my lips and observed the two engage in a disclosed conversation. 

"You alright, Buck?" The Captain asked Winter, concerned. He didn't reply for a short moment. 

"I can hear her, Steve. She says she's scared. Why, out of all times, does this happen to me now? I thought I was getting better, but it's like everywhere I go, she's there. Reminding me that I let her go." His breathing became uneven and ragged. Steve placed a hand on his back reassuringly. I grimaced at the mere sight of it.

"Buck, I promise you, you're alright. You know it's not your fault. It never has been, nor will it ever be." Winter shrugged the Captain's hand off of him. "Then why is the reminder so painful?" He looked annoyed with him.