ℜ𝔲𝔰𝔱 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔅𝔬𝔫𝔢 | Winter Soldier | Bucky Barnes

IV

✪

As Steve and Athena got closer to the office, Athena wasn't the least in doubt about what was going to happen and who they were about to meet with.

She'd already known when they'd picked his floor in the elevator. Actually, she'd already known back at the hospital when Rumlow gave his orders.

Athena, in the midst of her panic, noticed two people standing and talking in the hall. She quickly recognised one of them.
Kate, the captains secret neighbour agent.

The woman turned to leave the moment she saw Athena and Steve, and politely greeted Steve.
"Captain Rogers." Athena brushed off the rudeness of her purposely not greeting her and instead focused on the man she'd talked with before they showed up, Alexander Pierce. Steve however decided to reply, and did so coldly as they continued to walk towards what could possibly be their death.
"Neighbour." Athena could see the woman visibly cringe at his tone as she walked away.

"Ah, Captain Rogers. I'm Alexander Pierce." Athena shuddered at his smile and voice.

"Sir, it's an honour." The two men shook hands first, Athena found it that a nod of the head and a smile was enough to greet her creator.
"The honor is mine, Captain. My father served in the 101st. Come on in." Athena was about to follow them into the office when Pierce blocked her way. "Not you dear, please take seat in the sofa over there, Rumlow will escort you to the doctor for a little check up." Athena nodded and closed the door after her with a visibly shaking hand.

The doctor.

If Athena feared anyone more than the Winter Soldier or Alexander Pierce, it was him. He was the other voice in her head. He was the one who 'fixed' her when she showed doubt in her missions.

"Athena."

The young woman stood up silently and followed Rumlow without question. She knew what was going to happen, and she knew that she couldn't avoid it.
At least they didn't wipe her memory like they did to the winter soldier.
At least she was somewhat free.

"It'll just be a short visit before you can go back on your mission." Rumlow explained shortly. "Your father seems to think you've gone soft. So we're just going to run some small tests."

"Yes. I won't fail the organisation." Athena said monotonously.
She just needed to make them think that she was still under their control.
She could cheat their tests, she knew what responses they wanted from her, and she was going to give them just that.

The organisation had been hesitant to let Athena have a free mind, but in the end, her creator had put down his foot and decided. They did not control her mind, they controlled her with fear and by force feeding her with the belief that their thoughts and actions were always right, since childhood. And it had worked, till now.

Never had their iron grip on her faltered before, and they were scared. Maybe even just as scared as Athena.

If Athena did no longer agree with her creator and the organisation then who was going to tell her what was right and wrong? Where would she go? Would they hunt her? And if they captured her, would they make her into another winter soldier.
Athena had never doubted or distrusted the organisation this much.

She didn't want to become a winter soldier. She'd seen what they did to him, she'd been forced to give him medical attention a couple times after they'd tortured or reset him, Pierce had even used him as an example on what would happen if she didn't listen.