Cornelia Street - Avengers

Goodbye, Sokovia

"Dangerous freedom, or peaceful slavery?"

Siberia, 2014

(Forever Winter, Taylor Swift)

...

Every muscle in Alyona's body shuddered and screamed in pain as she and Anastazya flipped over one another, throwing themselves down on the floor for that sixth time that day. Endless hours had gone by, and it didn't seem that their training was going to be stopping anytime soon. 

Their handlers watched critically as they paced around the space. Until death, they would say. That usually happened once every few weeks, and they would have to carry on like normal as their group grew smaller and smaller. 

But inside they were screaming, parts of themselves wondering if they would be next. Whether they would take their mind or your body, it didn't matter, lose one and you don't have the other.

But Alyona had evaded killing or being killed thus far.

She wiped the sweat away from her forehead as she stood, extending an arm down to her friend. Friend. It was a foreign word, even for someone who knew as many languages as she did. It was a word she never thought she would truly use.

They would just comfort one another, bandaging hands and injuries, perhaps wrapping gauze a couple extra times so they wouldn't have to leave the other for a few moments more, so they could just be girls together. 

The two had become fast friends, as much as they possibly could be given their circumstances. Ana struggled with her memory often, much like Alyona, but the knowledge they had each other was a warmth neither could describe. A comfort.

Both girls fought to catch their breath as they eyed the bubbling water fountain thirstily, one that was being closely guarded just out of reach.

"I am going to beat you one day I hope you know, Red," Ana heaved quietly to her friend, Sokovian accent thick. Alyona was fascinated by it, a true and real-life Sokovian, just like the ones from her story books.

"Is that so?" Alyona quirked her head.

"I'll probably have to catch you distracted, but I'll still kick your ass," Ana chuckled as she fought back a smile, something which would raise suspicion.

Alyona shook her head, leaning over on her knees. "I don't ever get distracted, Ana."

"Even when the Soldier walks past or into the room. Even then?" Ana asked, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Don't!" The red-haired girl hissed, terrified of being overheard. She stood up quickly. Personal connections were strictly prohibited.

Ana shook her head, "Your eyes never leave him if he's around. I won't tell anyone but, it's kind of obvious. Hide it better if you don't want me to say anything."

"I don't know what you're talking about. Relationships are strictly forbidden," Alyona whispered firmly as they both stopped in front of the water foundation. 

The girls were prohibited from drinking water unless during designated times, and they had to learn how to perform under dire circumstances, including dehydration and starvation. It was inhumane, but so was everything HYDRA stood for and did.

Her eyes landed on, Dmitri, his eyes softening as they looked away from her, almost like he was ashamed. She knew he wanted to move from in front of the water; knew he didn't agree. But it didn't matter what you wanted in HYDRA; it mattered what you were told. And Dmitri was loyal, it was why he was so trusted and so advancing in ranks, and Siberia praised and repaid loyalty.