FOREVER YOUNG, b.barnes daughter

four. brain freeze

FREEZING MY KIDS

BUCKY LAYED NESTLED UP with his daughter, her small body pressed tightly against his. Since the moment she had arrived, he hadn't let her go, and she clung to him with equal desperation. The sterile coldness of the room seemed a little less harsh with her there, but the fear and uncertainty of their situation loomed large.

"Dad," Judith whispered, her voice barely audible in the silence. "Will we ever go home?"

Bucky swallowed hard, his throat tight with emotion. "I don't know, Judy," he said softly, his hand gently stroking her hair. "But I promise you, I'll do everything I can to keep you safe."

Judith snuggled closer, seeking comfort in his presence. "I miss Mama," she said, her voice trembling. "Do you think she's okay?"

"I hope so," Bucky replied, his heart aching for the wife he hadn't seen in so long. "Mama is strong, just like you. She's probably looking for you right now."

Judith nodded, trying to draw strength from his words. She closed her eyes, trying to block out the cold and the fear, and focused on the warmth of her father's embrace. "Dad, why did they take us?" she asked, her voice small and frightened.

"I don't know, sweetheart," Bucky said, his voice laced with sorrow and anger. "But whatever happens, we have to be brave. We'll get through whatever this is together."

Just as he finished speaking, the door to the room burst open with a loud bang. Bucky instinctively tightened his hold on Judith, his body tensing. The man from the previous day strode in, his expression cold and unyielding.

"We've decided where to place her," the man announced, his voice harsh and commanding. "It's time for her to go."

"No!" Bucky shouted, his heart racing with panic. "You can't take her! She's just a child!"

The man ignored his plea and signaled to the guards standing just outside the door. They rushed in, prying Judith from Bucky's arms. She screamed, clinging to him desperately, her small fingers digging into his shirt.

"Dad! Dad, help!" Judith cried, her eyes wide with terror.

Bucky fought with every ounce of strength he had, his metal arm lashing out in a desperate attempt to hold onto his daughter. "Let her go!" he roared, his voice echoing through the room. "She's my daughter! You can't take her!"

The guards overpowered him, their combined strength too much for him to overcome. They held him back, pinning him against the wall as he struggled fiercely. Tears streamed down Judith's face as she was ripped from his grasp, her cries piercing his heart.

Bucky's own eyes filled with tears as he watched them drag her away. "Judy! I'll find you! I promise I'll find you!" he yelled, his voice breaking with anguish.

Judith reached out to him, her sobs echoing down the corridor as she was taken away.

JUDITH'S CRIES ECHOED through the cold, dimly lit corridors as the guards dragged her away from her father. Her heart pounded in her chest, fear gripping her tightly. She struggled against their hold, but her efforts were in vain. She was led to a heavy metal door that creaked open, revealing a small, dimly lit cell.

The guards shoved her inside, and the door slammed shut behind her with a loud clang. Judith stumbled, falling to her knees. She looked around the cell, her eyes adjusting to the dim light. In the corner, she saw a boy, about two years older than her, huddled against the wall. His eyes were wide with fear, and he flinched as the door closed.