The permafrost of our souls

Waiting for nightfall but never for the Soldier to come, Kara barely touched her fingers to the keyhole, unlocking it. She moved down the corridor, illuminating her path with green flame blossoming in her palm, unafraid of being caught. The corridors were empty, plunged into sleep, into permafrost, like everything around them. After wandering the corridors, Kara found his cell, peering through the cloudy window. Opening the door, she stepped quietly inside, trying not to disturb his sleep, but taking a step closer, she realized he wasn’t sleeping. “Soldier?” she whispered softly, extending her hand with the flame forward—which turned out to be a mistake. He quickly grabbed her wrist, pulling her closer. Kara tried to wrench free, but the Soldier, emerging from under the thin blanket, wrapped his bionic hand around the girl’s throat, pinning her against the cold wall. Kara, letting out a choked gasp, understood everything—he was gone. There was only the Winter Soldier with piercing blue eyes that would be the last thing she saw. This was Kuntze’s plan all along—to bring them close so he could later have her killed, punished by the hands of the man she considered her friend, her savior from the gray walls. “Don’t you remember me?” she rasped, feeling her feet lift off the floor. But there was no answer. “Should have figured. You’ll kill me and feel no remorse?” As colored spots danced before her eyes, Kara realized talking was useless. Pushing against the Soldier’s shoulders, she channeled a surge of her power through him, forcing him to stagger back. She looked at the man slumped on the floor but knew she couldn’t save them both. Escaping back into the corridor, Kara ran forward, seeing lights flicker on behind her, signaling her plan’s complete failure. As soon as she turned a corner, Kuntze knocked her off her feet with his cane. Turning back, she saw the Winter Soldier standing ready to intercept her next escape. “Thought it would all be so rosy?” Kuntze asked, drawing a knife. “You’ve gotten on everyone’s nerves.” “How many times did you erase days from my memory?” Kara asked, getting up. She knew there was no way back. “I’ve been here a year, but it feels like a few months.” “Perhaps it’s my own fault you rebelled,” Kuntze smirked, shrugging. “I shouldn’t have asked you that question back then.” “I don’t want to talk anymore,” Kara closed her eyes and took a step back. She heard the Soldier’s footsteps already running toward them but collapsed the ceiling in the corridor, barricading herself with Kuntze. “I want revenge.” She gave Kuntze no chance to speak, refusing to listen to his excuses that were already written on his frightened face. She snatched his knife, ending the first life she’d ever taken with a sharp motion. Only upon seeing the blood gushing from her former tormentor’s throat did Kara seem to come to her senses, as if surfacing from deep water. She dropped the knife, and it clattered onto the concrete floor, sobering the girl. She knew she had to escape.