Eclipse (Born at Dusk - Book 1)

9

April 29th, 1961

As Kate was once again escorted from her refurbished cell, she had to remind herself that escape took time. And the fact that she'd sat there for six days didn't mean she would never get out; it just meant that her escape would be planned, and she would ensure her life.

After giving stitches to the soldier days earlier, she was given a new location. Kate was upgraded to the fourth floor and given the room with the white door.

Inside was a lovely comparison to what she had before a thick mattress with a full blanket and pillow. She was given a small wardrobe of loose pants and shirts, kept on the shelf in one wall of the room. Graciously, a bathroom stood attached to her cell, equipped with a toilet, shower, and sink. Plenty of toiletries, including shampoo and a bar of soap.

Oddly enough, a small metal desk and chair to hold a small lamp, a dozen sheets of paper, and a pencil. Surprisingly, a small clock sat just above the door, both a curse and a blessing. Kate didn't appreciate that she had already watched hours pass on the hands of that clock.

Kate had already searched the room, examining the sealed vents and scraping at the pipes on the wall, underneath and within each piece of furniture. The lack of accomplishments on that task made Kate so discouraged; she was still effectively trapped.

The soldiers still gave her meals, three a day, which mostly consisted of rice, vegetables, bread, and water, so much for the apples she received before.

Now, after a soldier unlocked her cell and brought her to the stairwell, they climbed to the fifth floor. They stopped at a set of steel double doors. Kate once again thought of making a run for it. It was a slim chance after being stuck in her cell for six days. But the idea was short-lived as the door to the room unlocked, and the soldier behind her guided her inside.

Today, the room was busy with people in white suits and masks. The general was already inside, speaking closely with one of the four doctors in the room.

It was nearly identical to the workroom just below them, but it was different. However, Kate's attention was drawn to the middle of the room, where a chair-like mechanism sat in its glory.

It was occupied by a soldier who was half-naked. He was strapped to the chair on both of his arms, but it was something else that she couldn't look away from. The man's entire left arm was metal, still strapped to the chair, just like his flesh arm.

The man was looking down, his dark brown hair falling just above his ears. He sat still, only his breath being the indication he was conscious.

"Impressed?"

Kate jumped at the voice, earning her a firm grip on her arm. General Karpov stepped closer to her, one hand holding her arm, the other resting on her hip. "I think you'll like what I've got here." He whispered in Kate's ear, hot breath fanning past the shell of her ear.

Kate turned her face from his, stiffening under his touch. The general's grip on her tightened as he turned her to face him, his grip moving to her jaw, forcing her eyes on him, "Vrach." He spoke, his face inches from hers. "Don't look away from me."

Finally bringing her eyes up, Kate looked at the face of the general, pouring as much hate as she could towards the man.

He smiled, pleased with himself, as he jerked her face away from him. Kate now surveyed the room, her eyes once again landing on the man in the chair.

As if he could feel her gaze, he looked up right at her. Kate gasped as she immediately recognized that man. One she knew well, one she only knew as Bucky Barnes.