Captured // A Winter Soldier Story

chapter three // drowning

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"I'm moving on your breeze, and I'll never be free."
-Medicine by The Broods

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reyna's point of view

The scientist looked like he was expecting me to gasp, or cringe in horror, or perhaps start screaming in the face of abject terror, but I was just confused. I was no stranger to the organization - this definitely wasn't the first time I'd had dealings with Hydra - but I'd never seen a base this large, nor have I seen a base involved in human experimentation. The word Hydra brought images of deadly soldiers, secret underground hideouts and corrupt politicians to mind, and the psycho in front of me didn't fit the bill.

"This is a Hydra base?" I questioned, verifying that I'd heard him correctly. His confidence faltered for a second.

"Yes, it is," he stated, then put his hands down by his side. "I am Dr. Thomas, and your escort over there is the Winter Soldier, the most feared assassin in history. I wouldn't recommend trying to escape unless you wish to have a very painful death."

I looked over at the man by the door, whom I could now put a name to. His eyes were half closed as he watched our interaction, and he looked extremely tired, as if he hadn't slept in years. I wondered if he willingly works for this organization or if he's forced to be here.

I turned back to Dr. Thomas. "Why am I here?"

"Oh Reyna. So young, so naive. You and I both know that you have quite an interesting record against Hydra. Did you actually think we'd let you get away? Especially after you brought down that base in Sacramento a few months ago?" He questioned, his eyebrow raised as he gauged my reaction.

Sacramento was the last time I was involved with S.H.I.E.L.D., when I worked with Captain Rogers to take down a Hydra base that was stationed there. But after S.H.I.E.L.D. discovered who my parents were, I was kicked to the curb just a week after the mission, and I hadn't seen Rogers since. I'd been running from Hydra up until now.

"I was doing my duty and fighting for what was right. You couldn't possibly understand," I huffed. The doctor cocked his head in question.

"You may have been fighting, but it wasn't for the right side. What would your father have said about you joining S.H.I.E.L.D., Reyna?"

My eyes narrowed. He had my attention now. "Don't even try to bring my parents into this. They have nothing to do with the choices I made," I growled, daring him to speak another word. He smiled smugly and crossed his arms.

"Oh, but they did. You've spent your whole life running from your father, the decorated leader of Hydra," he started, and I sprung to my feet, ignoring the searing pain spreading through my body. I yanked on the chains circling my wrists.

"Stop, stop it right now -"

He ignored me and continued. "To distance yourself, you joined S.H.I.E.L.D., the exact opposite of everything he stood for. And after your father killed your mother, you did everything you could for revenge. But when you finally killed him in Sacramento, you ran, because you couldn't face what you did. You say that they had nothing to do with the choices you made, but in reality, your parents have shaped your entire life."

By the time he had finished, my wrists were red with blood and scratched to hell with deep gouges from trying to escape the handcuffs. A tear ran down my face as the voice of my mother spoke in my mind.

Reyna, you have to leave. Your father is a bad man and you can't risk staying here any longer. Run, child, and don't ever look back. Don't stop running until you reach the east coast.