The Winter Witch

Chapter 19: Existence

Clint and I hadn't really talked since I lashed out and sent him flying through a window. I was afraid if he'd only be angry and have mean words to say. I could hear the door to the infirmary open and I braced myself for what's coming.

I looked up and a wave of relief drowned out my fear when I saw it was only Pietro. He sat down on the edge of my bed and took my hand.

"I would've came sooner but Captain America wanted to have me train for a while. We just got the news a few minutes ago, actually." Pietro said.

I let out a small laugh. "You can call him Steve, you know."

Pietro gave me his famous lopsided grin. "I know, it's just weird. I don't know them like you do."

I squeezed his hand reassuringly. "You will, in time. I was hesitant to let them in at first, but they really helped me cope with your death. I owe them so much." 

"No. You don't owe them anything. They were helping you because it's the right thing to do, Wanda. They probably knew that you couldn't go through that all on your own." Pietro argued.

I nodded. 

The door to the infirmary opened and Steve walked in. He came over to me and looked so relieved that I was okay. 

I sat up in my bed and looked at him eagerly. "Is there any word about Vision?"

"Uh, no. There is, on the other hand, this." Steve clicked a button on the remote and the tv came on with a news report. 

[News Reporter: New York has been put in a state of emergency as all hell has been breaking loose. The well known assassin, The Winter Soldier, has been taking hostages to the ex-Hydra agent Amell Koftorinski. We're going live to the scene now.]]

As the camera switched over to the live broadcast, I sucked in my breath as I saw Bucky grab some woman and yank her away from her child. He shackled her to an already long line of people. They all looked like prisoners. Innocent prisoners. Amell and his soldiers were at the front of it all. He looked at the camera and grinned such an evil grin. 

"For everyone watching, no one in New York is safe! My men, and the most wonderful super soldier will tear this city apart brick by brick! However, there is a loophole. I will so kindly free everyone we have captured if the precious Wanda Maximoff turns herself over. Until then, MORE PRISONERS." Amell spat at the camera.

With that, they lost footage and it switched back to the station.

Steve turned the tv off and Pietro squeezed my hand tight.

"I have to go." I spoke up.

They both looked at me like I was insane.

"No. Not happening. Amell will kill you as soon as you step foot there." Steve said. 

Pietro nodded. "I agree with the spangly one. You are not going."

Steve gave Pietro a funny look. 

"Fine. I'll stay in." I complied, knowing full well I would make a break for it as soon as they leave.

I knew this could be my last fight, but if I could save Bucky...then it would be worth it.

Steve left to go inform the other Avengers, which just left me and Pietro.

"It's strange. Bucky doesn't know who we are. We don't exist to him, but here we are knowing all of these things about him he doesn't even know about himself. It's...awful." I said quietly.

"Hey, you're just overthinking. Everything will be okay. You will have be able to save him. Just not out there, okay?" Pietro assured me.

I wish there was a huge possibility he was right. I wanted Bucky to get captured by us again. I wanted the Avengers to defeat Amell. 

I knew it was all up to me though. I had to turn myself in.

I was going to.