PURE AND TAINTED ( wanda maximoff )

fifty-eight → i really need a drink

PURE AND TAINTED
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
( i really need a drink )

ALINE JUMPED WHEN SHE HEARD the sound of a door slam in the distance. She gulped and squeezed her eyes shut as her head pounded. Every time she heard a door, she'd flinch and immediately start preparing for the worst. For the first few days, she had some strength to fight back but now, as the experiments continued, the pain became more and more unbearable. She wasn't able to heal from any of her wounds, and she couldn't sustain herself with the small amounts of blood they offered her each day. At this point, she could barely lift a finger. There wasn't really much of a reason for the electro-shock collar anymore, but they still kept it secured tightly around her throat.

How long had it been since they were locked up in here? With no way to tell time, Aline could only assume through the number of meals they'd deliver to their cells. 

She hoped that Steve, Bucky, and Rome had made it to Siberia at this point and fought whoever was behind all this bullshit. They had to, because then all of this would have been worthless. Their capture and torture would have been for nothing, and Ross would continue to do what he chose with them. Even if Tony had a sudden change of heart and fought him and every government to free them, he wouldn't win and they'd still be prisoners. 

With a loud groan, Aline pushed herself up so she was leaning on her bed. Not even on day one had she been able to sleep in the (what she assumed was uncomfortable) cell bed for each time they finished their experiments, they'd toss her on the floor and she wouldn't be able to pull herself up. Most of the time she had found herself passed out on the ground, limbs still aching and throat still sore. 

"Ali?" Clint's voice called out. "You still alive?"

Bitterly, she laughed. "Not for long, buddy." Her head roared with pain. What she wouldn't give for a blood bag right about now. To hell with the blood bag, she'd love to take a sip or two from the doctors and Ross. Maybe then she'd be able to feel just a little better. Actually, if she could sink her fangs into anything, she'd feel better.

Tony, I'm glad you're back at the compound. I don't like the idea of you rattling around in a mansion by yourself. We all need family. The Avengers are yours, maybe more so than mine. I've been on my own since I was eighteen. I never really fit in anywhere, even in the army. My fate's in people, I guess 一 individuals. And I am happy to say, for the most part, they haven't let me. Which is why I can't them down either. 

Even as weak as she felt, Aline could feel the slight rumble of the Raft (which she learned earlier was where they were) against the rock of the ocean. But this time it felt different. It didn't feel like the water crashing against the walls of the Raft, but instead different. She couldn't place it but it just felt... odd? She debated asking one of them, calling out to them but a loud crash snapped her out of her thoughts. Aline tilted her head, brows furrowed as she wondered the hell that was.

The sound of sirens screeching had managed to reach even their cells, and most of them had stood up and headed towards the glass walls. Maybe it was a drill? But it didn't make sense, why the hell would they have a random drill now of all times? Everything all seemed to be in tip-top shape around here 一 security, the technology, the holdings, even her experiments had been done in the most perfect routine way. It didn't feel right, and the P.A. system going off only confirmed their suspicions. 

Lives can be replaced but maybe they shouldn't. I know I hurt you, Tony. I guess I thought by not telling you about your parents, I was sparing you but I can see now that I was really sparing myself. And I'm sorry. Hopefully one day you can understand. 

Her bloodshot eyes flickered back and forth in every direction. What the hell was going on? Were they going to be moved? Were they being attacked? Aline desperately hoped it was the latter 一 if the Raft was attacked then everyone would be distracted and maybe she and the others would be able to find some way out of this God-forsaken place. With the little strength she had, she pushed herself up so she was sitting up and her whole body shook from the movement. 

I wished we'd agree on the Accords, I really do. I know you're doing what you believe in, and that's all any of us can do. That's all any of us should do. So no matter what, I promise you, if you need us 一 if you need me 一 I'll be there.

She squeezed her eyes shut as tight as possible when a sudden blinding light shone in her face. Aline groaned. She lifted her hand to cover her face, wincing from the brightness and when she lowered her hand, she found a grin plastered to her lips. "Holy shit," she whispered to herself. The tribrid had to blink several times to make sure the person in front of her wasn't some sort of hallucination or trick of the light.

Standing in the light was a tall fit man, with short blond hair and blue eyes. A sad smile sat on his face as he took in Aline's slumped over form, and he kneeled in front of her. "Aline," Steve greeted.

"Cap, it's good to see you," Aline said, voice still scratchy. She cleared her throat as best she could, shaking her head. "You um, you mind breaking me outta here? I really need a drink about now. Oh, and I have a people I need to hug."

A/N: years later & i still can't find a better
way to end the whole civil war thing but
this is decent enough

also just so you guys know i have been
on a semi-hiatus MEANING that i won't
be updated as much & focusing on fixing
and editing my other works. commenting
"update" is not going to prompt me to 
do updates or write faster, it's only going
to piss me off. thank you for my passive
aggressive ted talk :)