Captured by Death

What Drew Him to Her

The dimly lit room I was in appeared to be some type of abandoned warehouse. It was dark outside, so no light came in from the large frosted glass window near the high ceiling. There was a low, orange light that was on that was just bright enough for me to see my surroundings. I was tied to a chair in the middle of the room, and there was one chair identical to mine opposite me. There was a small wooden stool next to it. Those were the only other things in the room aside from some rusting debris. I don't know how long I've been sitting here, but it's been a while. This is all my fault. I was distracting Nat on the drive home, and we were captured. Nat would have never had to deal with this if it weren't for me.

Just then, I heard the large metal door slide open. A tall, slender woman stood in the door frame. She then walked in, her heels clicking as the door closed behind her. She was carrying a briefcase in one hand, and what looked like a speaker in the other. She had jet black hair and the most defined cheekbones I've ever seen. She was wearing a long, black, velvet dress with a large slit up the side. Her lips were dark red and she gave me chills. She was pretty, but she wasn't just pretty. She was otherworldly and vaguely threatening.

The woman walked towards me and stopped at the chair across from me. "May I sit?" she asked. I didn't say anything. She sat anyway. She placed her briefcase on the stool and the speaker on top of it. She then looked me in the eyes with the intensity of an eagle's gaze. "My name is Keres Lebedev. I need those nuclear codes. You are going to give them to me." the woman said. She was very obviously Russian. I was very curious about who she was. "Why don't you tell me about yourself and we'll get to know each other. Then maybe I'll consider giving you something that can wipe out a quarter of the world."

She nodded. "That seems like a reasonable proposition. I will comply. I am from Moscow. My mother died when I was very young, so my father raised me. He was a Russian government spy and he was harsh, but he was always fair. I learned everything from him. When I was 17, an American government spy came into our apartment at night and shot my father straight through the head. It shattered me, so I shot the American straight through his head. That completely changed how I viewed the world and took everything from me. After my father died, I learned he ran a mercenary organization on the side of being a government spy. I decided to follow in my father's footsteps. I immediately took over the entire organization and helped it grow into the most successful mercenary agency in the world. Now I have facilities all over the world and guards 24/7 and agents taking jobs across the globe. I'd say I'm pretty proud of what I've done in 15 short years."

I was speechless. This woman was not one to be messed with. I had a feeling I couldn't just punch my way out of this one. "Did I pass the test? Will you give me the codes so that we don't have to make a mess? You could make my life so much easier." she said. I shook my head. "As enticing as it is to give nuclear codes to an international criminal boss, it's gonna be a hard pass on that one."

Keres laughed under her breath. "You want to do it the hard way? Fine. That was Natasha's choice as well." She peaked my interest. She knew where Natasha was. She was probably in this same facility. Keres stood and went to her briefcase. When she opened it, I could see the set of gleaming knives laying in the red velvet case. "Do you mind if I put some music on? I like to listen to it when I'm working." I knew my opinion didn't matter, so I stayed quiet. Some classical music came streaming through the speaker. It was a waltz. For some reason, that made things seem more ominous.

She picked up a knife and admired it. "So tell me, how does one woo the Black Widow?" asked Keres. I laughed. "No, I'm genuinely curious. And no need to lie to me. I know that you two are together. You seem like such an all American man. It doesn't seem like Natasha would be your type. It doesn't seem like you'd be her's either. How did you do it?" I was quiet for a moment, but I figured there was no point in silence. "I met her in New York. We realized we had similar past experiences. You know. We both spoke Russian. Had been abused. The Red Room. We clicked."

"Yes, but you aren't telling the whole story, Mr. Buchanan. You are lying to me." Keres walked over and scraped the blade of the knife across my cheekbone. I felt warm blood run down my cheek. "I don't like being lied to. Now, tell me. What was it that really drew you to her?" Keres said with the knife at her side. She obviously knew our relationship history. I do not know why she's asking me to do this, but I'd rather not be sliced again, so I tell her what I've been thinking this whole time. "She was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen. She was so graceful and so incredibly smart. I fell in love at first sight. She was just...spectacular."

Keres smiled at me, but it was not kind. It was an evil and manipulative smile. "I assume you wouldn't want this spectacular creature to get hurt?" I didn't say anything. Just stared at the floor. "I believe we can work out a deal Mr. Buchanan. One that keeps Natasha safe." I looked up at her to see her sitting once again, eyebrow raised, knife in her hand. "Go on." I said. Keres nodded. "The offer will always stand that if either of you tells me the codes, this will all be over. However, I can ensure Natasha doesn't get hurt. Whatever you refuse, she will receive. Don't take your food? I'll make sure that she gets a little. Don't take your blankets? She'll be kept warm. Now, this also goes for bad things. You refuse your torture? She will get it instead. Do you understand?" I nod. "Good. Now here is one thing Mr. Buchanan, I never lie unless I have to for my job. You can trust me on this, but once you get into this deal, you cannot get out," I nod again. "I'm in, but I find out she's been hurt, you die. Do you understand?"

Keres laughed. "In the event you could figure out how, yes that makes sense," I nodded. We stared at each other for a moment. "So I take it you aren't going to talk today," she said quietly. I shook my head. "Sorry, sweetheart. Not today,"

"Well that's a shame. In that case-"

SMACK

Keres hit me across my face. It stung the cut. "AHH!" I yelled. I only reacted because it was unexpected. Blood ran from my cut and now from a slit in my lip. I laughed softly and looked up at her. She looked down at me with a malicious grin. She began to walk away as she spoke. "You will be receiving a certain degree of torture each day you are here. It will increase with each day. You'll shower once a week. I will give you two meals a day. They will not be much, so I advise eating them. I assume you don't want your blankets today? You want Natasha to have them?" I nodded. Keres turned to leave.

"Goodnight, Mr. Barnes."

"Goodnight, Keres. Oh, and by the way, fuck you." I said cordially. Keres grabbed a dagger from a holster on her thigh. She threw it without looking and sliced my arm. Damn. "Don't speak to me that way again Mr. Barnes. You will regret it."