Traceur

•17•

Levi's POV.
"She's resisting our orders."

"Wipe her. It's been too long since last time. Wipe her and start over again."

I can't move. Not from shock or horror- I knew this was coming, but it doesn't make me any less terrified- but because I'm in so much pain. They gave me a drug to quicken my healing, but my body's working overtime. I can barely do anything but lie on the blood-soaked concrete, my eyes drooping heavily.

"I'll miss ya," I manage to Bucky, who's doing is best to blend into the corner of the cell. His face is hardened in resolve, but his eyes gleam with sorrow.

"You too, kid," he whispers, before the door is thrown open, barely missing my head as the guards storm inside, handcuffing me and dragging me away. I nearly pass out from pain, but that would be too kind. My body is hauled into the next room, so the guards don't need to carry me too far. The metal chair in the center of the room waits ominously for me. My fate is determined when nobody breaks in to rescue me. I'd been waiting out, hoping that they would stick to their word.

'As soon as we gather our strength, we'll come back to get you.'

My heart cracks as I obediently open my mouth. The mouthguard is pushed inside, and I clench my teeth against the rough plastic, preparing for the torture ahead.

They lied to me. I distracted, I was tortured, and I rotted in a cell. It's been a whole day of extra time; even more than a day. They're never going to hold up to their end of the promise.

Goodbye, world.

And then, pain sears through my skull. I feel like it's tearing my brain apart, gripping the fleshy organ with sharpened claws and shredding it bloodily. I can't hear anything over my own screams of agony.

In the time between the last wiping, I created myself a life. It was a good life. I created a new persona- Levi. I was Levi, and I had so many wonderful friends. So many wonderful things.

Goodbye, Mason. Kenny. Al. Jackie.

Goodbye, Fury. I'm sorry I killed you. I thought you were strong. I wish you killed me on my mission....who am I talking to again?

Goodbye, Steve, Natasha, Sam. Tony. Bruce, although we didn't have much time together. We never got to know each other, and now I regret that.

Maria Hill. You had a stick up your ass 'til the end, but I understand your actions. I don't blame you. But I certainly hate you.

Coulson...I might see you soon, if I'm lucky.

Marian, Carlos...I never got to tell you, but you were family. I love you guys.

Bye, Levi. Myself. I'll never be me again.

Goodbye....

...who am I saying goodbye to again?

...
Steve's POV.
I could see the Insight Helicarriers crashing down everywhere around me. The wind tussles my hair, and I embrace it. These are probably my last moments, anyways. I'm too weak to swim, even if I survive the fall. I'll just drown.

I'm sorry, Levi. And everyone else. But...Levi...we left you. I hope Maria and Natasha and Sam rescue you, if I can't.

I'm sorry I couldn't save you, Bucky. St least we destroyed HYDRA. That's what you signed up for, right? We did it. We finally did it.

We did it.

And then, I hit the water. It wraps around me like a chilly blanket, caressing my face as I sink. I give in to the water, the blood loss causing the world to fuzz.

Take a nice deep breath, the world coaxes me as my surroundings get colder. A nice deep breath will change everything. You can leave your pain behind.

Breathe.

So I breathe.

...
Winter Soldier's POV.
I drag the man out of the river. I remember an echo...someone telling me he's important. A man's voice, and then a girl's voice.

Steven Rogers.

I recognize the name, but don't remember it. So I leave him there. I probably can't bring him with me anyways.

I walk into the forest, my mind wandering from my original plan. I needed to get someone...from New York's main HYDRA base...but...I can't. I can't go back. Besides, the only word I can remember is 'Autumn', and you can't bring a season with you, can you?

Well, HYDRA used to bring me everywhere, I reflect, stomping over a log. Thankfully, I'm free of them.

Time to start a new life.