Endless Winter (Bucky Barnes)

Chapter Seven

Chapter seven: Breathe

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"Captain America! How exciting!" Red Skull said, stepping from the steps as gunshots are heard everywhere. Zola steps nervously behind him but stops when he enters the rail that seperates us."I am a big fan of your films." He said, he had his human face on, Jacklyn noted. She and Bucky exchanged weird glances, but said nothing, they both we're strangers to the films he was referring to. The Red Skull's eyes fell onto Jack, she felt like she could collapse under his gaze, her knees felt suddenly weak and her body shut down with fear. "Nothing good will come of taking her, she will only destroy all those you care about." He said mockingly, stepping down and walking toward the three. "We'll take our chances." Said Bucky defiantly, but Steve glances at her with worry in his eyes. She casted her eyes down in shame."It looks like Dr. Erskine managed to do it after all." Red Skull said, directing the topic elsewhere.

Steve started walking carefully toward him and Jacklyn almost stopped him, but then decided against it. Maybe Steve of all people can strike him down. "Not exactly an improvement, but still, impressive." He said, nodding his head, Jacklyn adjusted her feet ready for the fight when Steve slung his fist into Red Skull's nose.

"You've got no idea." Steve barked, but Jacklyn knew that Steve was in for it. She had witnessed Red Skull's strength first hand. The skin under his eye had pulled back, exposing red rimmed underneath. Red Skull pulled back and punched at Steve's shield, startling both Bucky and Jacklyn as the sound of his knuckle and metal filled the air, and leaving a dent in the shield. Jacklyn tried to step forward and help but Bucky sticks his arm in front of her, keeping Jack from intervening. "You can't help with your wound." He whispered. Steve tried to draw his gun but Red Skull punches him across the face, knocking him down and sending the gun off the rail. Jacklyn gasped audibly,adrenaline coursed in her veins and she threw caution to the wind. Red Skull goes to hit Steve again but Jacklyn stepped forward and slung out her hand, directing her energy towards him and hoping that her abilities would arise. Lucky for her, Red Skull is sent backwards by the force and falls on his back. Bucky flinches from behind her, taken aback by her power. Immediately, seeig the fight they were getting into to, Zola pressed a switch and the walkway starts splitting apart. "No matter what lies Erskine told you, you see I was his greatest success!" Red Skull bellows.

He looked at Jacklyn maliciously and said, "And she is mine." He said. Jacklyn shook her head and backed up.
He reached back and started pulling at the mask he wore.

The normal skin peeled off of his features, exposing his red skull. Bucky gaped at the man, not taking his eyes off of the red faced man. "You don't have one of those, do you?" He asked, Steve ignored him. "You are deluded, Captain." Red Skull said pointedly,  "You pretend to be a simple soldier but in reality you are just afraid to admit that we have left humanity behind. Unlike you, I embrace it proudly, without fear!" He called as he boarded the elevator with Zola.
Satisfaction filled Jacklyn's chest, they were running, they weren't going to block the exit, they wouldn't stop her from leaving this place forever.

She had a chance to escape.

"Then how come your running?" Steve demanded. Red Skull smiled, ignoring his question. "You cannot hide forever girl, in the end, Hydra will find you. And we will unlock the beast inside you." Red Skull told Jacklyn, his eyes fixated on her. She met his gaze, and for he first time, she held it without fear. She turned her chin up confidently and without doubt.

The elevator door shut and Jack let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. She turned to Steve and Bucky, they had to now deal with the explosions. The place would be a heap of rubble in minutes. The three quickly start looking for an exit point and follow Steve up the steps to a different vantage point. He motions for Bucky to walk up to him, which he does and goes to the shaking ledge. Another explosion sounds and heat fills the area, also causing the platform to shake and rumble.