Alone Again
Bucky’s POV
“Iris!” Bucky was screaming at Iris to come back. She was tripping over her own feet, slipping in the waterlogged street.
“Please Iris, I’m sorry!” Iris didn’t stop.
She turned into an alley but by the time Bucky got there she was gone. He could hear the faint sound of her feet splashing in the rain. Bucky decided to take a stealthier approach, trying to come to her not have Iris come to him.
Before he left the alley Bucky noticed something familiar on the wall. A large wolf with a cruel grin was surrounded by a pair of charcoal wings. Bucky cursed to himself. She knows this place.
Bucky was back on his feet, loosing precious seconds of time as the sounds of her footsteps faded. Bucky tried to follow but the alleys were like a maze.
“Iris, please.” Bucky was slightly out of breath, completely lost. His voice was no louder than he would normally speak. “I need you.”
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Iris’ POV
“Alex, help.” Iris could barely whisper as the red-head ran towards her limp body.
“What the fuck Iris? What happened?” He quickly asked.
“You aren’t even going to apologize?” Iris coughed a few times as her lungs struggled for air.
“Oh, shit. I’m so sorry Iris. I wasn’t thinking.”
“Of course you weren’t. That’s what nearly got me raped.”
“I had no idea it would be like that!”
“Yeah? So what did you expect? He’d have a nice conversation with me? Maybe invite me for a coffee? He’s a fucking rapist, Alex. And it wouldn’t be the first time.” Iris had no tears left but her pain didn’t stop.
Alex was silent. Without warning another wave of stabbing pain shot through Iris’ bones. She groaned loudly, letting her head fall to the concrete floor.
“Fuck, how long has it been?”
“Too long.”
“Obviously. Here, I have some samples of some shit I picked up.”
“I don’t want your stuff, Alex.”
“Why did you ask for help then?” Iris groaned again.
“I don’t know.”
“Just take it.” Alex put a tiny package filled with three bright blue pills in Iris’ hand. She curled her fist around the goods, putting them in her bag.
“You know where to find me if you need something stronger.” Alex stood up and began walking down the alley.
“What if I want something stronger now?” Alex stopped and turned around with a smirk on his gaunt face. The rain was still falling heavily so his crimson hair was plastered to his face.
“I thought you didn’t want my stuff?”
“Well I changed my mind.” Iris sat up a little taller as Alex walked back to her collapsed form.
“I have a little something, but it’ll cost you extra.”
“Are you serious?”
“Gotta make a living somehow.”
“How much?”
“Hundred fifty for two grams.”
“I’ve got a hundred.” Iris pulled the crumpled hundred-dollar bill from her purse. She tried to stand up to look a little more convincing but stumbled before she got half way. Iris leaned back into the wall as Alex chuckled.
“Fine, but don’t expect this type of kindness next time.”
“You were never kind.”
“Aww, your killing me here.”
“You almost killed me, literally.”
“Almost is the key word.”
“Just give me the fucking coke and leave.”
Iris handed the now slightly damp bill which she had received from Tony earlier. She was so desperate that she felt no remorse. Alex checked it for a second before stuffing it into his coat and pulling out a small plastic bag. Iris yanked it out of his hands and stuffed it into her bag along with the blue pills.
“Now piss off.”
Alex raised his hands in mock defeat and walked away.
Iris attempted to stand up again long after Alex was gone but it was a lost battle against gravity. The tears returned, as relentless as the rain.
Once again she was alone in a heartless world.