cont. from here.
DON'T BLINK.
@owinterer
James was hunched over, blood dripping from his mouth as his handlers continued their assault, punishing him for his disobedience. Despite the pain, he didn't utter a word this time, his resolve unbroken. He knew that enduring this would bring them one step closer to freedom. James had been plotting with Ghost to escape, and it was only a matter of days from now. The thought of seeing Ghost's smile - free from the mask Hydra dared put on his face - kept him going. James longed for that moment, the simple joy of seeing Ghost's unmasked smile. When the handlers noticed James's distant gaze, lost in thoughts of escape, they intensified their blows, determined to break his spirit.
James clenched his jaw, biting his tongue to suppress any cries of pain, tasting the metallic tang of blood. Instead of giving them the satisfaction of seeing him defeated, he simply smiled, letting the blood trickle down his face as a testament to his unyielding strength and determination. James's smile only infuriated his handlers further, and one of them sneered, mentioning the vile things they would do to Ghost. The threat lit a fire within James, and before he could stop himself, he lunged at the handler in a reflexive burst of anger. His sudden movement caught them off guard, a momentary lapse in their control that fueled his relentless determination to protect Ghost at any cost.
Adrenaline surged through him, and with a surge of ferocity, James fought like a man possessed, overpowering the surprised handlers with a force they hadn't anticipated. In the chaos, he silenced their cries by brutally incapacitating them, ensuring they wouldn't raise the alarm. This was his unplanned opportunity, and he seized it, determined to break free and reunite with Ghost, their shared dream of liberation finally within reach. James knew he had to move quickly, so he grabbed the key from one of the unconscious handlers and sprinted towards the exit. As he approached the door, he braced himself for more Hydra men lying in wait. James was ready to show them what they had unleashed. He was no longer the broken man they had tried to mold. He was a force of nature, driven by the singular goal of reuniting with Ghost. If they wanted to see the monster they had created, he would ensure they witnessed it firsthand.
He would blaze a path through anyone who dared to stand between him and his freedom. As the door finally opened, James charged forward, deflecting bullets with his bionic arm, a testament to the enhancements Hydra had unwittingly given him. Hydra men rushed at him in close combat, but James was relentless, his every move a display of the monster they had inadvertently created. With each adversary he felled, he moved closer to his goal, driven by the unbreakable resolve to reunite with Ghost and claim their freedom. James was seeing red, consumed by a fury he had never experienced before.
No one threatened the one person who truly understood him. As he fought his way through, his grip tightened on a man's throat, feeling the vocal cords beneath his fingers, a visceral reminder of how they dared to steal Ghost's smile and voice. Each opponent he faced only fueled his anger, driving him forward with an unyielding determination to uncage Ghost and reclaim the joy they had taken. James continued to move forward, cutting down the Hydra men who attempted to use his trigger words against him. Their voices were silenced before they could finish. The familiar sequence of "Longing, rusted, seventeen..." Was drowned out by his relentless assault as he dispatched them with ruthless efficiency. No conditioning could control him now. He was a man reborn, and nothing would stop him from reaching Ghost.
Suddenly, a shrill alarm pierced the air, signaling the entire facility of his escape. James knew he had to move faster, his time running out as reinforcements would soon be on their way. His skin was slick with blood, a gruesome mixture of his own and that of the men he had just slaughtered, but he paid no heed to his injuries. The pain was a distant echo, overshadowed by his burning need to reach Ghost and finally see them safe. James' heart pounding with anticipation. The thought of finally giving Ghost the life they deserved propelled him forward with renewed vigor. He envisioned a future free from chains and shadows, where Ghost could laugh and live without fear or restraint.
The idea of seeing Ghost smile fueled his every step. It guided him through the maze of corridors as he raced to find the room where they were held captive. Reaching the place where Ghost was kept captive, he unlocked the door with trembling hands, adrenaline coursing through his veins. Rushing in, he immediately spoke rapidly. "Ghost, it's me! This is our moment, we have to leave now!" With urgency in his actions, James gently but decisively broke off the mask forced upon Ghost.
Finally seeing Ghost's face, for a brief moment, James' heart skipped a beat. He was just as handsome as he had imagined, even more so in the dim light of the room. James reached out to cup Ghost's face. His touch was gentle and reassuring despite the chaos surrounding them. "Hey..." He whispered softly, locking his eyes on Ghost. "We can do this... Remember, we are in this together." His thumb brushed tenderly across Ghost's cheek, offering comfort and strength in that fleeting moment of calm before the storm resumed. James knew this wasn't the time, but he got lost in the moment, overwhelmed by relief and longing. He hesitated, aware of the ticking clock, yet unable to resist the pull of his emotions. Ghost might not fully understand what James was about to do, but he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to Ghost's lips, a silent promise of relief and a better life together. James pulled back ever so slightly, his eyes filled with a mixture of apology and urgency. "I'm sorry." He murmured, aware that the moment might have been overwhelming. "But we have to go now.
Do you remember the place we promised to meet at? The one only we know about, the one we found during that mission long ago?" He searched Ghost's eyes for recognition, hoping that their secret haven would guide them to safety. James reluctantly pulled away, scanning the dimly lit room for anything Ghost could wear to shield himself from prying eyes. Spotted a cloak in the corner, he quickly grabbed it and draped it over Ghost's shoulders. He also found a mask, knowing it might offer Ghost familiarity and comfort despite the circumstances. James moved with urgency as more alarms blared through the building, their piercing sound heightening the tension. He grabbed Ghost's hand firmly, locking his eyes on him for one last moment of reassurance.
"You have to stay strong." James urged, his voice steady despite the chaos. "Fight for our future we discussed. I need to see you on the other side." He kissed Ghost one more time, this time more passionately, pouring all his hopes and dreams into that single moment. "I will see you on the other side," James vowed, his voice filled with determination. "We'll get away from all of this, but I need you to fight... please, for me." With one last, lingering look, he turned towards the door, ready to face whatever awaited them outside, trusting that Ghost would find his way to their shelter.
--
James burst through the door, his mind focused and his body a well-oiled machine of precision and power. The first Hydra operative barely had time to react before James disarmed him with a swift kick, following up with a brutal elbow to the throat that left the man gasping on the floor. The hallway was a blur of motion as James moved like a shadow, silently dispatching enemies with lethal efficiency. He ducked under a swinging baton, retaliating with a vicious uppercut that sent blood spraying against the walls. In the chaos, he grabbed a fallen enemy's weapon, turning it against them with deadly accuracy.
Adrenaline coursed through his veins as he took down each soldier, his every move a tribute to his relentless training and resolve. Though the path was soaked in blood and littered with bodies, James never faltered, driven by the promise he made to Ghost and the hope of a future beyond the violence. Each strike was fueled by the memory of the pain they had inflicted upon Ghost and himself, igniting a fury that knew no bounds. James's hands moved with lethal precision, ripping out throats and crushing windpipes, each act a visceral reminder of the vengeance he sought.
Blood splattered across his face and clothes, but he remained unfazed, his focus unwavering as he tore through the opposition. His movements were swift and calculated, leaving a trail of devastation in his wake, a witness to his unyielding resolve and the love that drove him forward. The screams and gunfire echo through the corridor, but James was deaf to it all, his vision clouded by a relentless crimson haze.
Each bullet that whizzed past and the pain that tore through his skin only fuelled his resolve further. Nothing would deter him from his mission; the promise he made to Ghost was etched into his very being, and he would stop at nothing until they were freed from the chains that bound them. As the night wore on, James pushed through exhaustion, his body a testament to endurance and sheer will. He fought with relentless ferocity, each clash marking another step toward liberation. When he finally reached the last man on his path, the operative fell to his knees, pleading for mercy.
But James' heart was hardened by memories of suffering, and with a final, decisive blow, he silenced the man's cries. James slit his throat without hesitation, a swift motion that was both brutal and efficient. Life drained from the operative's eyes, and James watched as his body crumpled to the floor. With the last obstacle removed, he took a deep breath, knowing that each step forward brought him closer to the freedom he so desperately sought. As the first light of dawn crept through the shattered windows, James realized he was running late. He had deliberately chosen the more dangerous route, allowing Ghost to take the safer path, a decision made out of love and protection. Despite the delay, he pressed on relentlessly, determined to reach their rendezvous point and fulfill the promise that bound them together.
He quickly gathered his remaining weaponry - a knife and a single gun - and stepped over the lifeless bodies scattered around him. With determination in his eyes, he navigated through debris and chaos, heading toward the designated location where he would reunite with Ghost. Each step felt lighter with the knowledge that freedom was within reach, and his heart raced with the anticipation of their long-awaited reunion. Hours felt like days as he made his way to the meeting point, an abandoned shelter that he assumed Hydra had long forgotten.
The path was perilous, strewn with remnants of past battles, but James moved with a purpose, his mind unwavering. As he approached the hidden refuge, he hoped Ghost would be there, waiting to share the dawn of their new life together. Silence greeted him as he stepped inside. The emptiness echoed louder than any shout. His heart pounded in his chest as he called out for Ghost, but only his own voice reverberated back. Doubt crept in, but James refused to let fear overtake him. He knew Ghost would never abandon their shared mission.
James' instincts screamed that something was amiss; the air felt too still, too quiet, as if the world was holding its breath. He scanned the shadows, his eyes darting to every corner of the shelter, searching for any sign of Ghost. It was impossible that Ghost hadn't arrived yet, and the absence gnawed at him, spurring him to methodically search the surrounding area for clues of what might have happened. As he searched, something caught his attention - a familiar object lying near the back door. It was Ghost's mask smeared with blood.
Panic surged through James as his heart raced uncontrollably. He screamed Ghost's name into the oppressive silence, desperate for a response, his voice echoing off the cold, empty walls. James screamed Ghost's name again, his voice breaking as he picked up the mask, tears forming in his eyes. Clutching the mask tightly, he promised Ghost that everything would be okay, even as despair threatened to overwhelm him. As he continued to call out, his attention was drawn to a trail of blood leading away from the shelter, a chilling path that compelled him to follow, hoping against hope that it would lead him to Ghost. James' heart raced as he followed the trail, expecting to find Ghosts, but what he saw sent a chill through his spine.
The scream that left his mouth echoed so loudly, he was sure heaven and hell would hear it. It was Ghost's bloodied arm, severed and lying on the ground. James cried out for Ghost, guilt now hitting him, as he dropped down to his knees, near his arm. His heart felt like someone had ripped it out as he sat there, consumed by a torrent of emotion. He could hardly breathe, every breath hitched to his throat, as Ghost's fate weighed heavily on him. The promises he made to Ghost now felt like lies he had fed him, empty words that could not alter the grim reality before him. James had assured Ghost that they would always have each other's backs, that nothing would ever tear them apart.
Yet here he was, faced with the undeniable proof of his failure, the weight of his broken promises crushing him as he knelt in the darkness. "He can't be dead, he can't," James cried out, his voice echoing with a mix of desperation and fury. Anger flared within him, igniting a fierce desire to find whoever was responsible for this horror. Assuring but doing justice for Ghost, James rose from the ground. Tears still in those icy blue eyes of his, James put on the mask, feeling its weight settle over his face like a second skin. He knew he would find whoever did this and show them a monster - the monster they always wanted to see.
-.
Years passed, but James never wavered in his relentless search for answers about Ghost's fate. He traveled from town to town, following every rumor and whisper that hinted at Ghost's whereabouts. Each lead seemed to bring him within reach, only to slip away like sand through his fingers. James became a shadow of his former self, consumed by the pursuit, but he refused to give up, driven by the hope that someday, he would finally uncover the truth and bring justice to Ghost. Years later, James finally accepted the harsh truth that Ghost was gone for good. He tried to live the life Ghost would have wanted.
Though he had come to terms with the loss, guilt still gnawed at him, a constant reminder of the promises he couldn't keep. Even when he reunited with Steve and the others, there was still a void in his heart, a persistent emptiness that he couldn't shake, no matter how hard he tried to be happy. It wasn't until Alpine, a gentle white cat with an uncanny ability to sense James's mood, came into his life that he began to feel a semblance of peace. With Alpine by his side, James found solace in the quiet moments, the cat's comforting presence slowly helping to mend the wounds that had long plagued him. That is until news broke of an unknown deadly assassin in the midst. This assassin's methods and signature mirrored those of someone he knew.
