Persuasion: A Narrative Fiction

“It’s ok, calm down!” Steve pleads, and Bucky forces his lungs to expand. He doesn’t need the air, but it does help him shut down his terror.

Tears began to well in her eyes as she threw her hand over her forehead, reciting the harrowing details of her ordeal. Her trembling voice evoked pity and pathos as she detailed her narrow escape to freedom.

She finds herself standing by the open window of her kitchen. The city’s nightlife booming beneath her. The cold wraps itself around her like an old friend. Now, she finally realizes the cause of his death. It was her all along. Her blamed herself because it was her. Drip, drip, drip. It echoes around her, filling the last of her senses as she leans out the window.

The Soldier hadn’t quite left, he was still very there, but Bucky continued letting Steve think he was getting better. He couldn’t stand the disappointed look Steve gets when he’s not getting better.

He heard the light click of shoes on the footpath and his head jerked to the said. Through the blur of tears caught in lashes he could make out the face of a woman. He held up a hand hoping she would understand that there wasn’t any need for her to come closer. He appreciated the sympathy, but it hurt his pride to be seen in such a state. His legs felt weak and he put his hand back against the wall.

"Honey........ sweetie." a older voice echo though out the hall. " are you okay? you not …...hurt... this time?" sighing under her breath "it going to be okay" she whispered softly, not wanting her son to hear. as a single tear drop slide down upon her rosy red cheeks. "sniff........sniff....sob" softly escape with every quivering breath. covering her mouth, afraid he will hear. wiping every loose tear, to late, water droplets staining her dark blue denim skirt. exposing her worry, her

A single tear fell down the woman’s face as the smoke disappeared from behind her reflection. She looked down at her scarred hands one last time. Most would think they were a mark of physical pain, a reason for sympathy, a reason to be sad. But she saw them as a representation as not only the physical pain, but the emotional. They her strength, in her time of weakness. They were her family, forever walking by her side. They were her

Stomping up the stairs Nia yells, “ You’re not the boss of me!” And slams her bedroom door shut. Heavily breathing Nia grasped for air. Trying to control her breathing, she places her hand on her chest. Tears ride down her face quickly like a river flow. Not knowing how to stop Nia constantly wipes her face.

“This won’t hurt at all, just stay still,” the nurse said while holding the cynical weapon in her hand. It’s sharp point came closer and closer to its victim, me. “Ayesha, calm down, it will be quick,” my mom said while trying to comfort me with my stuffed animal. Wanting to win this battle, I fidgeted in my mom’s arms by kicking my feet and flailing my arms, and finally, cried.

He nodded and rubbed her leg a little more before removing it. "Sorry, sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. Just forget I ever said anything." They were both silent after that, and he didn't like it. He really didn't mean to ask that question, since he knew that this would happen. That wasn't what he needed at the moment, seeing as he was going to spend a lot more time with her.

“Sorry about what happened to your mom. I kind of know how you feel,” I said, thinking about what had happened to my family.

That night… the memory was vivid in her mind. She had been heading back to her home in the heavy rain, when she saw him soaking wet, and bleeding out. The wound in his side was gleaming red in the dim light of dusk in the rain. Though he had almost no strength left, he pleaded to her not to call an ambulance. His voice was strained. Any of the ragged breaths he took now could be his last.

What if he started talking to Steve again? What if they caught up? What if they made up? What if he let Steve in again? That terrified Bucky because he was certain if he let any of those things happen again, Steve would disappear again. Bucky took a deep breath to calm the burning in his eyes. He had cried enough for Steve over the past ten years. He sighed and got up to get in his actual bed. He didn’t want to deal with this right now.

His tear-filled eyes gazed across the room finally landing on his mother passed out on the floor with a beer bottle in hand. He sighed in relief knowing he wouldn’t have to face her wrath for at least a couple hours, but was also furious about the situation he was in because of the aftermath of the incident. He was just a kid, and yet he has been through more than the average adult.

“Oh, well, I’ll be in my room if you need anything.” Came the soft reply from Liz. Almost as if on cue, Sally burst into tears. She sat down on the bench just below her and wept into her hands, until her eyes were swollen and her nose was red. Liz just kneeled down next to her and tried not to seem scared when all she was thinking was, oh no, oh no.