The Winter Wraith (Bucky Barnes x Reader)

Chapter 26 - Silent Pleas

You had known they were going to wipe your memories again, ever since you had discovered those files hidden in the murky depths of that file room. Still, icy fingers clawed up your chest, gripping your heart, at his blatant admission to stealing your memories. He takes a step towards the computer monitor Lenkov is working on, and you see your handler's entire body tense as he fights the urge to back away. "My ultrasonic weapon came in quite handy; don't you agree?" He presses several buttons on the keyboard, and a part of you hoped he didn't know what he was doing and was accidentally giving you more time to escape, maybe even crashing a program. Your fantasies are quelled by the whirring of a machine behind you, sounding dangerously close to your head. "Of course, we have your original handler to thank for that." He snaps his fingers, and immediately a soldier places a file in his hands before stepping back to their position against the wall. He quotes, "Certain frequencies are able to severely impact the subject's ability to perform yet prove minimally disruptive to and even undetectable by regular bystanders."

The captain slams the file shut, passing it back to the soldier who gave it to him. "I won't bore you with the exact details." Rather, he would keep you in the dark so you didn't know how to beat the 'ultrasonic weapon', as he had called it. "Let's just say, your brain works on a different level to normal humans, allowing you to hear different sounds. No more complex then a mutt and a dog whistle." He seems to enjoy explaining how he managed to beat you so easily, and you clench your fists, digging your nails into your palms, to stop yourself from speaking back and making the situation worse.

The movement of your hands causes the metal to realise a small whine, and your breath catches in your throat. Hoffman continues to pace, detailing his success as Lenkov reluctantly readies the machines. "I'm amazed your original files have even survived this long. Quite frankly, I'm amazed you've survived this long. Then again, it's no wonder they kept you in cryostasis as long as they did; they couldn't control you, but you proved your competency where our other soldiers could not. Pity really, I thought taking you out of cryo would give you the opportunity to prove your loyalty to me. It seems I was mistaken."

You block out his smug rambling but keep your eyes straight ahead, surreptitiously focusing again on the bands restraining you. You tense your muscles against the metal, and when the band holding you down emits a squeaking protest, you have to fight the smile tugging at your lips. Your eyes dart to where Lenkov stands huddled over another computer, and, feeling your attention, he offers a subtle dip of his head. That tells you all you need to know: Lenkov knew the restraints were rusted. Even though you wouldn't be able to escape the Hydra compound, he was offering you the chance to fight back, knowing he would likely be punished for it.

Afraid to draw too much attention to your movements, you continue shifting your wrists in their place, praying the metal will weaken quietly. Pushing the past the headache lingering behind your eyes, you use your telekinesis to gently shift the bands at your necks and hips back and forwards. A low groan emanates from the band at your left ankle, and you immediately freeze. At the same time, Hoffman's head snaps towards you. Did he hear, or was he waiting on a response? His scrutinising glare causes your heart to dive behind your ribcage, and it's a conscious effort to stop yourself from holding your breath.

He waits.

One second.

Two.

Three is too long, he must have said something to you. You open your mouth to spew some Hail Hydra crap, but when his eyes flick down to the restraints at your ankles, the words get stuck in your throat. "You know," he murmurs, eyes slowly working their way up to meet yours, gunmetal grey against (e/c), "it didn't have to be this way, Wraith. This is on you and the Winter Soldier."