Bucky's Anchor

Chapter 15 - Relentless Pursuit

The rain was relentless, soaking us to the bone as we moved through the narrow alleys. My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might break through my chest at any moment. Every shadow, every flicker of movement in the darkness made me jump. The Black Panther was still out there, hunting us, and I knew he wouldn't stop until he had Bucky.

We paused in a dimly lit alley, gasping for breath. Bucky had been leading the way, his instincts sharp and focused, while Steve stayed close behind, keeping an eye on our rear. I was caught in the middle, trying to stay calm, but the fear was creeping up on me, wrapping around my throat like a vice.

"Emily," Bucky whispered, his eyes scanning the alley ahead. "Are you okay?"

I nodded, even though I wasn't. I could feel my hands trembling, the adrenaline surging through me. This was different from anything I had experienced before. We weren't just fighting for our lives—we were being hunted by someone with the skills and determination to track us down.

"I'm fine," I lied, trying to steady my breathing. "Just... just need a second."

Steve glanced back at us, his expression grim. "We can't stay here," he muttered. "He'll find us if we don't keep moving."

Bucky nodded, his gaze flicking to me. "She's right, Steve. We need to catch our breath. Just for a moment."

Steve hesitated but then gave a short nod. "Alright, but make it quick."

I leaned against the cold, wet wall of the alley, closing my eyes for a brief moment. My mind was racing, images of T'Challa's relentless pursuit flashing through my thoughts. He was fast, so fast, and I wasn't sure how much longer we could keep this up.

"Hey," Bucky's voice broke through the storm of my thoughts. I opened my eyes to find him standing close, his expression softer than I'd seen it in a long time. "You're doing great. We're going to get through this."

I managed a shaky smile. "You sure about that?" I asked, my voice wavering.

He reached out, taking my hand in his. His grip was firm and steady, grounding me. "Yeah," he said with a nod. "I promise."

For a moment, the world around us seemed to quiet down. The rain, the danger, the fear—all of it faded as I looked at him. His eyes, usually so guarded, held a flicker of warmth, a silent promise that he wouldn't let anything happen to me.

But the moment was shattered by a sudden movement at the end of the alley. My heart skipped a beat, and Bucky immediately pulled me behind him, his body tensing like a coiled spring.

"It's him," Steve hissed, drawing his shield as he moved to stand beside us.

T'Challa emerged from the shadows, his suit gleaming in the dim light, his movements predatory and fluid. He stepped forward, his gaze locked on Bucky with an intensity that sent a chill down my spine.

"Bucky Barnes," T'Challa's voice was low, a dangerous growl that carried over the sound of the rain. "Your running ends here."

Bucky didn't respond. He moved in front of me, his stance defensive. I knew he was preparing for another fight, but I also knew that if it came to that, we wouldn't stand a chance.

"Wait!" I shouted, stepping forward before Bucky could react. "Please, just listen to us!"

T'Challa's eyes flicked to me, and for a brief moment, I thought I saw a flash of hesitation. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared. "Step aside," he said coldly. "This is between him and me."

I shook my head, my heart racing. "He's not your enemy. He was framed! You have to believe us."

"Emily," Bucky murmured behind me, his voice strained. "Don't—"