Saved
Bucky’s POV
Bucky watched as Iris disappeared into the busy street. Before he knew what he was doing, Bucky began sprinting after the bike. If there was traffic, he could keep up as long as she didn’t go too far.
Bucky felt the serum kick in as he dashed down the long road. He didn’t know why he was following her, he just had a gut feeling.
He followed close behind, but not to close as to catch her eye, as she turned through the streets of New York. After a few minutes Bucky felt himself begin to tire but he pushed through.
Soon they were in the squalid side of town and he felt a lot of eyes follow him as he ran through the dimly lit streets. He tried to stay on the far end of the side walk out of the street lights.
After another minute Iris turned into a dilapidated parking lot. The building at the back of the weed-covered lot was in even worse condition. They grimy, grey building looked similar to a prison without the barred windows.
Bucky stayed on the side of the street, ducking behind a tall, overgrown bush.
He couldn’t help but smirk as Iris dismounted the bike, propping it up on the stand. Her bare arms looked thin but muscular in the hazy light. Her skin glowed with a pale glimmer. She took a look around before pulling the keys out of the ignition and walking towards the decrepit building.
Bucky moved forwards into the parking lot but stayed out of her line of sight. He watched as she strolled to a metal gate which covered the entrance to the building. Iris pushed at the gate but it only made a rattling sound. She then pressed something which Bucky could only assume were buttons.
He could hear her say something that he couldn’t make out before the gate opened. Iris pushed open the gate and walked through it. Bucky watched as she pulled it closed behind her.
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Iris’ POV
The inside of the apartment smelled moldy. The beige carpet under her feet was stained and made a squelching sound every few steps. The peeling, once-white walls were interrupted by a few paper-thin doors. The hallway felt cramped as the walls felt as though they were closing in.
Iris felt the blood rush to her head. She quickly leaned against the wall. It felt damp as her head and stomach spun.
After a few seconds she recovered and continued her walk. After a few more steps a door labeled 163 stood to her left. Iris lifted her knuckles and rapped on the door. She heard a muffled voice and some shuffling before it swung inwards.
“Jesus Christ Iris, where the fuck were you?” The red haired boy almost yelled, pulling her into a close embrace. “I woke up the bathroom was a mess and you were just gone.” Alex pulled away from the hug, looking at the floor.
“I had somewhere to be.” Iris responded, deciding it wasn’t the best idea to tell him she was with the Avengers in Stark Tower. Alex gestured for her to come in, still not looking her in the eyes.
“How did you get here?” Alex walked towards the kitchenette that sat near the bed in his studio apartment. There were things everywhere but the apartment itself was relatively clean compared to the rest of the building
“I stole a motorbike.” Iris once again decided to lie by omission.
“Cool.” Alex began to fiddle with some things in the kitchen. He seemed unnaturally nervous although Iris just assumed it was his withdrawal. Alex often became paranoid when missing his drugs.
“Do you want a drink?” He asked, gesturing to a half empty bottle of some sort of clear liquor that sat on the kitchen counter.
“I was thinking something a little stronger.” Iris responding, hoping he would get the message. During withdrawal Alex also became a little slow on picking up hints.
Alex smiled and ducked down behind the counter.
“I was hoping you’d ask.” He announced as he came back up from behind the counter. Alex lifted up his hand as he walked towards Iris who had now sunk into his worn down couch. Upon closer inspection he was holding a tiny plastic bag filled with powder. In his other hand was a syringe, a spoon and a lighter.
“I don’t have anymore coke but this is even better.” Alex smiled again, plopping down on the couch next to Iris. The navy colored seat sunk further.
“Heroin?” Iris felt herself getting desperate. She needed something, anything.
“Top of the line.”
Alex handed her the metal spoon and the lighter. He popped open the plastic bag and poured a little into the spoon. Iris flicked on the lighter and held it under the cool metal. She felt as though hysteria was rising in her chest as she became more and more frantic.
After a bit the powder had melted into liquid form. Alex picked up the syringe he had placed on the coffee table in front of him. He filled the needle with heroin, tapping the tube to make sure all the air bubbles were out.
Iris put the now empty spoon on the table before nearly grabbing the needle out of Alex’s hand.
“Wow, needy.” Alex joked as Iris shoved the thin needle into her vein, knowing exactly where to press as there was a small scar where she always injected. She pressed the syringe, allowing the drug to flow into her blood.
Within a second Iris felt her body fall into a euphoria. Her pupil dilated as the world swirled around her. She fell down into the couch, staring at the water stained ceiling.
Alex just smiled, pulling out a cigarette from a pack that sat on the table. He picked up the discarded lighter and lit it between his teeth and taking a long drag.
As the rush faded into a dull ecstasy, Iris looked out the window. She could have sworn something had moved but she shook it off.
“You not having?” Iris mumbled, trying to piece together words into a comprehensible string. Alex shook his head.
“Nah, I got to take care of your sorry ass.” Alex took a shaky puff of his cigarette.
“Why nervous?” Iris wasn’t able to think properly as her mind was in an elated state.
“No reason.” Alex answered a little too quickly but Iris took no notice of it.
A loud buzzing sound came from the ancient intercom system which sat next to the door on the far wall. Alex took another shaky drag before standing up and walking towards the speaker.
Someone said something on the other side but Iris couldn’t make out the words. Alex looked back at her lethargic body lying on the couch before turning back to the intercom and pressing the button.
He then began pacing around the room, running a large hand through his orange locks and using the other to pull the cigarette in and out of his mouth. A few seconds late there was a knock on the door. Alex looked back down at Iris one more time before walking back to the door.
Alex pulled open the door and Iris felt her breath hitch.
A tall, muscular man with a buzz cut walk in the room. Behind him was a group of two slightly less muscular but equally tall men. The muscular man strode to Iris’ spot on the couch. He loomed above her small figure.
“Miss me?” Martinez sneered as Iris tried to stand up only to fall back down. “Where are you going? I don’t think we have finished out conversation and if I remember correctly, you are supposed to show me some dough.”
Iris felt her heart racing not only due to the heroin but for the man standing above her. He reached down and slid a callused finger down her cheek. She realized he had brushed away a tear she didn’t know she had.
Iris desperately looked over to Alex. “Help.” She mumbled, trying to raise her voice.
Martinez laughed.
“Your friend here sold you out for some crack.” Martinez grinned evilly. “You can leave now, thanks buddy.”
Iris felt a deep betrayal in the pit of her stomach as she watched Alex leave the room.
“No, please no.” Iris felt more wet tears run down her cheek.
“Oh don’t cry ángel. We can discuss other payment if you don’t have money.” Martinez began to lean over her limp body, his face a few inches above hers. His warm breath smelled of smoke. Iris turned her head away, screwing her eyes shut.
Martinez chuckled and grabbed her chin, forcing in back to look at him. Iris wanted to sink into the couch as he placed his full body weight on her. She tried to push against his hard chest but he grabbed her wrists in his free hand and held them above her head.
“Come on slut, lets have some fun.” Martinez spat before pressing his lips against hers. Iris couldn’t move her limp body as his tongue plunged in her mouth. He tasted of smoke and bad dental hygiene. God please let me pass out. Please.
Iris felt Martinez let go of her chin and move his hands to her chest. He groped furiously as he continued to push his lips into hers.
He grabbed the fabric of the tank top before ripping it from her body. Iris tried to move her hands down to cover herself but Martinez held them firmly. He released her lips and sneered down at her partially uncovered body.
“I bet my henchmen would love to have their way with you after me.” Iris felt more tears run down her face. Please no.
All Iris could do now was whimper.
Martinez began using his free hand to undo the button and the zip on her jeans but suddenly Iris heard the sound of shattering glass. Martinez spun around and Iris felt his weight suddenly lift from her body.
Iris covered her face, curling up into a ball as to avoid any abuse. She heard crashes and shouts for a solid minute before it became silent. Iris didn’t move from her fetal position. She felt a hand on her bare shoulder but she flinched away from it.
“Iris?” A familiar voice rang out. Iris uncurled herself and looked up into a pair of oh-so-familiar, icy blue eyes. The man she knew as Bucky Barnes stood above her, his face etched with concern.
“Help.” Iris whispered and then burst into tears. She felt a pair of mismatched arms wrap around her bare mid section and legs. Iris tensed but soon relaxed as she inhaled Bucky’s musky scent.
She looked around the room to see the three men laying on the floor, face bloodied. Iris curled further into Bucky’s shirt, grabbing the soft material in her fist. Her long legs dangled out of his arms as they walked out the door.
Iris felt the all too familiar sense of feint rising to her head. You really have to stop passing out around hot guys. Was the last thing Iris thought before she passed out in Bucky’s strong arms.
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Bucky’s POV
After watching Iris walk into the building he came out of his hiding place.
He sneaked in the shadows towards the building. Bucky wasn’t quite sure what he was trying to accomplish but he had a horrible feeling in his gut that something was going to go wrong.
Bucky peaked into each uncovered window on the first floor hoping to spot her. To his luck he found her lying on a couch in a messy apartment. The red headed boy from the other night was sitting next to her.
She pulled a needle out of his hand before plunging it into her veins. Shit Bucky hated watching her falling back into the couch. Even though she had done this to herself he felt horrible.
Bucky became carless and he watched the boy light a cigarette and Iris rolled her head towards the window. He darted away from the glass.
When he looked back in a minute later he noticed three new people in the room. The most muscular of the three walked towards Iris’ limp figure on the couch. He saw her eyes widen in fear, looking towards the red headed boy. She said something which he couldn’t make out but the boy just left the apartment.
Soon the muscular man with a buzz cut was looming over Iris. Within a second he was on top her. Bucky tensed although he couldn’t quite see what was going on. He wanted to help but he didn’t even know this girl. She might be with him? Bucky thought, a pang of jealously but also doubt ran through him. Somehow he knew that wasn’t true.
Iris clawed against his chest but he grabbed her wrists and pushed them above her head. The man then began pulling at her top before ripping it off. As his hand began to drift downwards Bucky couldn’t hold himself back.
He ran shoulder first into the window before ripping the man off of Iris. Both of the henchmen by the door ran at him at once, guns raised. However, Bucky saw it coming.
He yanked both of the guns out of their hands and threw them in a corner. He began jabbing punches at the two. Within a minute they were both lying on the floor, bloodied. They were strong but predictable.
Bucky turned around and saw that the buzz cut man had hit his head on the side of the coffee table and was out cold. He quickly stepped towards Iris’ now curled up body.
He reached out a hand to touch her shoulder but she flinched from his touch.
“Iris?” Bucky asked hesitantly, not wanting to shock her.
She turned towards him, her dilated, emerald eyes staring into his. Her eyes were filled to the brim with tears.
“Help.” She whispered before the tears began to pour. Bucky felt a pang of pain for her.
Bucky leaned over and pulled her towards him, picking up her mostly bare body. She was tense for a second but soon relaxed. Iris looked so innocent and helpless as she leaned into his body, nothing like the feisty spitfire he saw at Stark Tower.
Bucky pulled her closer as he walked out the door. He thought about what would’ve happened if he hadn’t followed her, or not have looked in the window. Bucky shuddered at the thought.
Bucky suddenly felt her body going completely limp in his arms. His heart suddenly beat faster as he looked down at her motionless body. Only her chest was rising and falling. Bucky let out a sigh of relief as he made his way outside.