Almost Dusk {A Black Widow Story}

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

(Rose's Perspective)

The first thing I noticed when I woke up was the sound of steady breathing coming from beside me.

It was Eva.

We were both lying upon a mattress, shrouded in a sleeping bag that had been placed on top of us like a blanket. Next to me, Eva was sleeping on her side, her hair falling into her closed eyes.

I went to sit up, my body barking in pain as I quickly lowered myself back down.

I took a few deep breaths and tried again.

This time I got up and stayed up.

Taking in my surroundings I realised we were in a tiny apartment.

From the bed I could see it was only one room, the only exception being the tiny bathroom just off to the right of the bed. On the left side I could see a small kitchen with a tiny countertop in the middle.

There were windows on the left side and a door that led to what I predicted was a balcony. Next to the kitchen was the front door.

There wasn't much here, a few papers and trash on the ground and table, some cups and plates along the stovetop and a duffle bag next to the counter.

It wasn't nice, but it was certainly liveable.

I slowly got to my feet, letting my body adjust to the low levels of pain that flared up as I moved.

I went over to the balcony door.

There, leaning against the balcony with his back to me was a man.

He wore dark wash jeans with a maroon coloured jacket and a navy cap. His hair was pretty long, just touching his shoulders.

He hadn't seen me yet but I guessed he must have heard me because he started to speak.

"Glad you're awake." He spoke softly, his voice a low rumble.

When he didn't turn to face me, I moved to stand beside him and look out at the view,

It was quite pretty, this place that I didn't recognise, almost relaxing.

"Do you remember what happened?" He asks, his eyes trained on the horizon.

I let my mind drift for a moment.

"Yes" I tell him, "The building exploded. We were trapped under the wreckage."

He remains quiet.

"Were you the one who saved us?" I ask.

He finally glances over to me. There was something about his eyes.

They looked sad, like they had seen so much and now they didn't know how to be happy anymore.

It's funny how much you can gage from just a pair of eyes. These ones could tell a whole history.

"Who are you?" I ask, my eyes searching.

At that he jerks his head away, his expression out of my sight.

I lowered my gaze apologetically, and that's when I saw his hand.

It was made of metal.

It was like he was a robot.

I gasped involuntarily and he dropped his hand so that the jacket sleeve concealed it.

"I'm sorry." I whisper. "My name is Rose."

"Bucky" he mumbles to me.

I freeze up. Bucky.

Bucky as in Bucky Barnes. As in my dad's best friend. As in my dad's best friend who he lost when fighting against HYDRA. The same man my dad said turned up in the future because he became HYDRA's experiment; The Winter Soldier.