CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE:
DON'T TOUCH HER

SHE DIDN'T KNOW WHERE SHE was. Her blonde hair fell in her face as she slowly looked around. Her vision was blurry, pain was shooting through her body. A scream wanted to erupt from her lips, her back arching as more pain carried through her body. Tears fell down her cheek as she turned her head. That's when she saw him. He was missing an arm. Blood covered the upper half of his torso. His eyes were closed, and for a moment he looked peaceful. Celeste slowly sat up, ripping the IV violently from her arm before slowly pushing herself from the table.

She fell to the ground, her legs completely giving out on her. She gasped in surprise, her bare knees coming in contact with the cold concrete floor beneath her. The angel grunted, blindly reaching up to grab onto the edge of the table she had just been laying on. Her strength was barely there. She barely had enough strength in her arms and legs to pull herself up off the ground. She fell back onto the table, clenching her jaw as she tried to keep herself up right. She needed to get to Bucky. She needed to protect him.

Despite being weak, and in pain, the only thing that was running through Celeste's mind was the need to protect Bucky. She grit her teeth, dirt-covered hair falling in her face. She was trying her best to grab hold of her powers, but she was so physically drained that she couldn't reach out to them. She closed her eyes, gathering all the strength that she could muster before turning her head to look at Bucky. He was still breathing, that meant that he was alive. That was a good thing. She could work with that. Now she just had to make her way over to him.

Celeste calmed her heavy breathing before letting go of the table and stumbling towards Bucky's direction. Her legs felt like Jell-O but no matter how much she wanted to just fall to the floor, she couldn't give up. She had to finish her job. She was Bucky's guardian angel and she would continue to be until death took her by the wings and dragged her away from him which wasn't happening anytime soon if she could happening.

After what fell like forever, she finally made it over to him. The sound of the heart monitor steadily beating sent her a feeling of comfort. Celeste leaned over him, shoving her hair out of her face as she examined the man that her heart belonged to. Tears immediately pooled in her eyes as she placed a gentle hand on his remaining arm. What had they done to him? Where the hell was she? What did these people want with Bucky and herself? She swallowed thickly, reaching forwards and brushing a small strand of hair out of his face.

     She cocked her head slightly, her heart shattering. "What did they do to you?" Her voice cracked as she looked at him with pain in her eyes. The sound of approaching footsteps grabbed her attention, causing the blonde to snap her head towards the door. She straightened her shoulders, her strength suddenly coming back to her at the thought of someone coming into the room to take Bucky away from her. She wasn't going to let anyone lay their hands on him, no matter what it took. She clenched her jaw, her shoulders tensing as she glared dangerously at the door. And then, suddenly, she felt something place itself around her wrist.

She went to pull away, stopping when she realized that the movement had come from behind her. She paused, turning her head towards her wrist, looking down at the hand that was gently clasped around it. She almost believed that she was imagining this. She continued turning, and her breath hitched in her throat when she saw him looking at her. His blue eyes met her own and she fully turned to face him, staring at him for a few moments just to make sure that he was actually looking at her.

Bucky stared at her for a moment, eyes squinted slightly. The angel stood there in front of him, and for a moment―︎a very quick moment―︎he didn't realize who she was. When he did realize who it was, he didn't hesitate to smile at her. He could see tears glistening in her eyes, fear quickly turning into relief. He noticed her usual perfect blonde hair was coated with dirt and the occasional spot of blood. His grip tightened slightly, his mind was foggy. One second he was on the train with Steve, the next he was falling, and now he was here with Celeste standing over him.

     Bucky looked around the unfamiliar room before looking back towards Celeste. "Celeste?"

     Celeste nodded, a smile pulling onto her lips. "Hey." She placed a hand on his cheek. "Are you okay?" Luckily for him, he hadn't noticed his arm―︎ or lack there of.

     "I think. Celeste, where are we?"

     Celeste looked around for a moment, shaking her head. "I don't know. I know that wherever we are, it's not safe. We need to get out of here." She took a deep breath before nodding. "Wanna know how I know? Just turn your head a little to the left." He did so. Not only was his arm missing, but on the table beside of him was a metal arm that was ready to replace it. He looked back towards Celeste with wide eyes. "See what I mean?"

     "Yeah."

     "Can you sit up?" She asked, carefully pulling him into a sitting position.  She offered him a small smile. "We're going to be okay, Bucky. I'll make sure of it."

     "Will you, now?" A voice made her snap her head towards the door. A shot man stood there, glasses perched on his nose. Two larger men flanked either of his sides. "Glad to see you're both awake. Take her."

     "What?" Bucky panicked, watching the two men advance towards Celeste. He went to stand, but he was too weak. "Don't touch her." He shook his head. His heart broke when Celeste started trying to fight back. "Don't touch her!" He yelled out when one of the men plunged a syringe into Celeste's neck, sending her limp. They dragged her from the room, Bucky yelling her name. Not a moment later, he was in the same state as she was.