Everly || Steve Rogers

33. I'll Never Smile Again

Everly's eyes snapped open and she shivered in the freezing air that surrounded her. She dragged herself to her feet and squinted through the darkness. A figure loomed in the corner, as if ready to jump out at her.

"Hello?" She said, her voice came out quieter than she had intended. She was about to take a step closer until the figure began to speak, catching her off guard.

"The human brain is incredible. It's amazing, the things you can get it to do with a bit of a push." The gruff voice was obviously that of a man's. He spoke calm and confidently.

"Who are you?" She asked.

"Have you ever heard the term 'classical conditioning?'" The man ignored her and carried on in an almost eerily soothing voice. "It's when, say... a song, leads to a reflexive response. Fascinating stuff, really." She frowned when a faint song filled the room, gradually growing louder by the second. The man stood from his seat in the corner and stepped into the light. She backed away in response. He paused, the smallest of smiles playing at the corners of his mouth. "In this way," he continued, "We are able to program the mind to bend to our will." She narrowed her eyes at the man and he let out a soft chuckle at the sight of her visible confusion. He pulled a small rectangular device from his pocket and clicked a button. Everly let out a cry and fell to her knees as a wave of crippling pain swept over her. "We all know fight or flight, the body's automatic reaction when exposed to an outside threat. But... what happens when we eliminate the option of flight? When we back a rabid dog into a corner?" He smirked and knelt in front of her, lifting her chin to look him in the eye. "I want you to listen closely to the lyrics." He closed his eyes and smiled, humming along to the music.

"I'll never smile again, until I smile at you. I'll never love again, what good would it do?"

The music itself sounded almost like the twinkling of a music box, accompanied by the crackling of an old radio. The slow melody barely even registered in Everly's mind, which was so occupied with the pain that consumed her every inch.

"For tears would fill my eyes, my heart would realize, that our romance is true."

"Beautiful, isn't it?" The man asked, finally opening his eyes again. Everly whimpered and fell entirely to the cold concrete beneath her. She squeezed her eyes shut as she trembled on the ground. Nothing could make the pain subside. The man scoffed, standing to his feet and clicking the button once more. Everly gasped, finally able to breathe again. Her every muscle was reminded of the unbearable pain by the ache that lingered. She watched in shock as the man gathered himself, and left her alone in the dark room. Soon enough, the single light above her head flicked off and she hugged her knees to her chest. Had it not been for the music that bounced around the concrete walls, the only noise to pierce the silence would have been her own breathing. A shiver shook her body and she closed her eyes, resting her head against the wall beside her.

"Within my heart, I know I will never start to smile again, until I smile at you."

~~~

"Nap time's over." Tony deadpanned, dropping a pistol on the table beside where Everly was sleeping in a chair. She leapt to her feet and gasped, eyes wide. Tony frowned as she shoved him aside, taking in her surroundings. The blue sky had faded into darkness and the boat was pulled up next to a huge ship. She blinked a few times and ran a hand through her hair.

"Bad dream?" Tony sassed. "Good dream?" He added, wiggling his eyebrows. 

"What? No, I just- you scared me." She huffed, grabbing the gun from the small table. She looked at it for a moment then tucked it in her waistband. He stared at her oddly before turning back to where Rhodey was waiting. The trio hurried up the ladder and took cover behind a truck, all of them ready with their guns. Rhodey paused and glanced at Tony beside him.