February 11, 1969
Kate received a heavy kick to the chest, knocking her to the ground. She thrust out her hand, stopping the black boots that were coming her way. "Stop," her breath hissing out of her mouth, laced with pain, "I'm done."
The boots stopped and remained next to her. Kate groaned, clutching her ribs and folding in on herself. The pain only seemed to spread, causing her to gasp and clutch her stomach tighter.
"You said to keep going." The Winter Soldier said above her, confusion evident in his voice.
Kate only groaned in response, nausea making her gag from her place on the floor. After several minutes of her trying to catch her breath, she finally sat up, wincing as her injured limbs forced movement.
"I told you you would get hurt." James noted, frowning as Kate tried to get up. He stood above her, clad in a black tee and tactical pants. He himself had just finished training, and he was only now calmed down from the exercise. As usual, his hair was cropped short, a near buzz for convenience, and it had only just begun to grow some length, now resting just above his ears.
"I think I got that, thanks." Kate mumbled, holding her hand to her ribs as she shifted to her knees. The cut on her brow and split lip were minor compared to the stiffness and aching in the rest of her body. Her muscles were on fire while bruises formed beneath them.
"You told me to hit you again, even though you were already down." James' voice was tight, not sure if he wanted to apologize or obey orders.
"It's fine."
"Even when your back is still healing."
"I said it's fine." Kate tried to stand, but her legs shook beneath her. Turns out, spending hours on your feet, being beaten up over and over didn't do well with your body.
"At least let me help you up." James awkwardly kneeled beside her, arms outstretched.
"No. I'm fine." Kate stopped him, using every ounce of strength in her arms to stand. Colors blurred as nausea climbed its way up her throat. The world tilted before she crashed into him. He steadied her beneath his touch, waiting for the dizziness to pass.
"Let me carry you." James murmured next to her.
"No."
Kate forced her feet forward, using James' body to keep her standing. They both walked, slowly but surely making their way out of the training room. As they walked, Kate made a quick assessment of the damage; in addition to the cut brow and split lip, she sported bruises on every limb, a bleeding calf, a clean precise cut on her lower abdomen, and a growing headache.
The world slowed as they neared the door to Kate's cell. Her breath came short, exhaustion forced her to focus her energy on breathing alone. James stopped, allowing her to take her time. After a couple minutes, Kate walked forward, her foot threatening to give out from under her.
"I need to shower," Kate said slowly, aiming towards the bathroom.
He quickly grabbed the stool in her cell and walked them towards the bathroom. James let Kate lean up against the sink while he started the shower.
"Warm please." Kate sighed, coming to her senses.
Kate stood from the wall and slowly lifted her shirt off, being careful not to rub the bandages wrapped around her the wrong way. Seeing that James had no intention of leaving, Kate glared at him. "Anything else?"
James leveled a glare at her, "your spine."
Kate dismissed him, turning towards the metal strip on the wall that acted as a mirror. "I'm sure it's fine."
YOU ARE READING
Eclipse (Born at Dusk - Book 1)
Hayran Kurgu"It doesn't matter if you believe me or not, but our lives were created together within HYDRA's walls. They can't unmake us." To her, he was a ghost; to him, she was a stranger. Bucky is the only super soldier left, he'd checked himself. However...
