» healer // b. barnes

» eleven. her

1987. Hydra facility: Siberia, Soviet Union

All I could see was darkness. There was no light. No sound. Nothing to signify that I was even alive. I can't remember anything. Suddenly, I felt cold.

      As if my entire body was submerged into an ice bath. Not even seconds later, a warm, glowing feeling replaced that harsh cold.

        The cold retreated and everything came back. I opened my eyes. The room was dimly lit, but the overhead lights still blinded me. I wasn't able to shield my eyes since my wrist were forced down.

          "Welcome back, Miss." A familiar voice greeted. I didn't know the name. It was very masculine and strong. I slowly opened my eyes to connect a voice and face together. The man looked similar, but I didn't know his name. From the blurry images in my mind, the man looked younger. His hair was darker and fuller, faint wrinkles didn't surround his eyes and were less prominent on his forehead. "Take her down. I want her ready to start by tonight."

       He did not take his eyes off of me a for a single second. I knew he wasn't addressing me. Two men clad in dark clothing came and assisted me in getting unhooked from everything. My limp body fell forward, but they caught me. My body yearned for nutrition. It felt like I hadn't eaten in years, but I felt like I was asleep for less than a week.

        I was directed to a chair where a needle was forced into my skin by my elbow. I watched as the light blue liquid entered into my body through a clear tube. The foreign substance did not seem to cause any immediate damage; in fact, within a minute of being connected to it, my stomach felt full and my body felt much more alive. I felt powerful.

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        The corridor was dark and damp. Two men directed me down them. Both had similar facial expressions: cold and emotionless. They never talked nor looked in my direction.

         When we reached a door, one stepped to the side while the other opened the door for me. He motioned for me to enter, and I did without giving any thanks. I didn't feel scared of what lied ahead.

          Passing the threshold, the door slammed behind me. Leaving me in complete and utter darkness.

       A tinge of fear swelled in my chest. Suddenly, there was a force on my back and I was kicked to the ground. Someone else was in the dark room. I wasn't alone.

           Shakily, I raised my clenched fist.

           "Who is there?" I called out in Russian. A voice didn't respond to me. A fist did. Hard to my jaw, making me stumble once more.

           "See what your opponent is going to do before they do it." The eire voice responded. A foot was swept under mine, making me fall completely for the second time in two minutes.

            "I can't see if it's pitch black in here!" I screamed out, frustrated with this unfair fight.

            "See with your mind." Cool and collected. No sign of frustration.

             I pushed myself back up and raised my fist. Taking a deep breath in, I closed my eyes, even though I couldn't see to begin with. I tried to focus in on the sounds around me. The dripping water. My breathing. The other persons breathing. I could tell where they were; see where they stood.