Black Swan Episode 6

A warning

This story covers dark themes and features things such as death, gore, and mental struggles. Below I will list what triggers are specific for the episodes, but be warned that this entire story will be darker than my other stories. Please be careful when you read this. I do not know what may trigger you, so here is the broad warning.

This story mostly takes place within the Red Room and what surrounds it, both comic and MCU based. If Red Room and its contents make you uncomfortable, this may not be the read for you.

Trigger warnings

Bodily damage (bruises and blood), violent descriptions

With an abrupt jolt Anastasia shot up from the ice cold metal floor she found herself laying on. A gasp briefly choked her, causing her to hunch over to cough. Her whole body trembled in pain. While shivering from the cold. Aching from the floor she had laid on for what felt like days. Every part of her body felt like it had been through hell without her mind having the faintest idea of what had caused it.

‘Finally.’

The soft voice formed within her mind. Yet it held no source, for she didn’t hear it, instead she felt the words form in her mind. There was no voice, no gender, no source. Leaving her frozen completely in place. Her overseer had spoken about the hypothetical telepath and their potential practices… but this couldn’t be what they felt like. Like a quiet comforting hum that was so unnatural the comfort came with unease. Almost forming itself as an inner voice within her mind.

‘Can you stand, carrier?’

She felt a cold pulse travelling up her left hand. One that travelled throughout her left arm then up her neck to her face. Where it stung on her left cheekbone and made her squeeze her eyes shut.

‘You need to stand.’

Her left knee twitched in correspondence with the voice. That had gone from asking calmly to demanding. She managed to move her eyes over, but she couldn’t see anything through the darkness that surrounded her. There was no source, and even as her eyes adjusted there was nothing to see.

‘I will guide you. Just get up.’

The voice was back to comfort now, and she reluctantly listened to it. Struggling to push herself up onto her knees before sliding to her feet. Every movement made it feel like her body got heavier and heavier. Her knees almost crumbled in protest when she straightened them out. Standing didn’t make her see anything more, but her head already felt lighter.

`Forwards ten steps.`

The voice was still calm even if it spoke with an odd sense of hurry present within it. The instruction was however funny. Bringing Anastasia a memory of her playing alongside her sisters. When they would blindfold one another and shout out when to move and in what direction. It was fun to play until they used it to dodge mines… but, just as back then, she'd listen blindly. Even if she didn't know what this voice truly wanted; there was nothing else she could do. If only she could see in the dark.

`Turn to your right and slide over the edge.`

She wondered while she moved. Who was this voice? Why was her left arm the only part of her body without any pain present, yet her left eye felt as though it would pop out of its socket any moment. Her left leg was however the same as her right. So were her sides. Pulsing consistently with pain she’d recognised as bruised bones and skin.

As she slid off the ledge she felt a wash of cold air against her face as she went into free fall. She probably should've panicked, but the air actually felt quite nice against her half numb face.

`Grab the wall behind you with your left hand.`

Her mind was now excited about these new directions, and had listened before the voice was even done. Her left hand collided with something that sounded like metal. Yet the following sound made her wrinkle her nose. It was metal against metal as her hand created giant glowing sparks. Revealing, barely, her silver coated hand to her eyes.

`When I say, jump off the wall and aim your left hand straight down.`

What was even happening.

`Now.`

Her body followed the directions effortlessly.

She felt something cold and thin slither around her sides before her fall was slowly broken. Her feet were slowly put down on the ground before the same ear piercing sound of metal against metal followed. She felt her left arm shift as some sections got cold and then warm again.

`Continue ahead. I will tell you when to stop.`

Anastasia found herself finally questioning this voice. If it had been anyone she knew; they would've given her the exact distance. Either in seconds or steps. But she still listened…

“Say…” she spoke quietly, barely hearing her own words leave her mouth. “What's your name?”

There was no response as she walked, feeling as she slowly started limping every now and then. Her exhausted and pained body struggled against the strain she pushed it through. Dragging her bare feet across the cold floor. The skin of them so cold that it was completely numb. Sending shivers up to her hips with every step.

“Here I thought… you were a talker.” she commented with an exasperated breath. The pain finally becoming a nuisance to deal with. Especially as she couldn’t see anything in front of herself. All she had to tell her anything was the voice. Which she now no longer heard as she walked. Well, that was until she had reached what it had told her to.

`Stop.`

“Oh so now you speak.” Anastasia hissed through pain. “Glad to hear you're still with me.”

`There's a makeshift light at your right foot. Do not activate it, but grab it.`

“I've figured that much…” she mumbled, slowly kneeling down to grab a hold of a small but tall disk on the floor. Only to find herself slumping together from the pained cries of her knees as she tried to stand again.

`Are your legs painful?`

“My whole body is… aside from my left arm.” she responded quietly, lifting the disk to slide it between her fingers.

`They dropped you from quite high… it makes sense.`

“So… we really are down there…”

`You know what this place is?`

The sudden talkative nature of the voice was almost a bit off putting at first. But the utter eerie and cold silence of the area around her was far worse.

“We're in the disposal levels. Failed experiments and prisoners reside here… at least that is the rumours among the guards. And there's always a truth to a rumour within these walls.” she explained while she looked to her left hand. Squinting her eyes as she rubbed her fingers together and felt something in the way. Knowing well that they stripped her of her gloves a while ago.

`That explains it… I do not recall much. I was still waking up and adjusting. But there was a screaming match between a man and a woman. One you have fond memories of.`

“Wait… you've read my memories?” she questioned, looking around herself in case she could see the source.

`Of course. We are linked, carrier.`

That word… she had been too exhausted to it earlier. Carrier. A person wouldn't call her that, but perhaps…

`Yes. I am the gauntlet on your arm.`

“And you really do read my mind. How fun,” she commented. Her fingernail scratched against something upon the disk within her hand. It crackled like dried paint against her finger. Blood. She could tell without even needing to see. Who would've been stupid enough to paint one of these disks.

`Not quite. I can read enough.`

“Comforting…” she mumbled, grasping the disk before she patted a hand along her upper chest. Checking for if she was still in her undersuit, which she was, before she slid the disk into the pocket there. It just about fit, even if a bit clunky.

`We need to move.`

She was going to ask why, or how it even knew, but she felt a sudden squeeze on her upper left arm. She hadn't noticed, but even the voice had grown hushed to not make unnecessary noise. As though everyone else could hear it… so she stood up as soundlessly as she could. Swallowing all pained sounds that she would’ve made with the steps she forced her body to take.

`Duck!`

There wasn’t even time for her to respond before she felt a pull from her arm. She barely felt the air travel by the back of her head before her body automatically reacted. She swerved around, grabbed a hold of the figure that had launched her way, then slammed them into the ground. Hearing a quiet little groan to indicate they were dazed before her leg slammed into their chest. Feeling it shatter inward under her foot.

`... they have trained you in such horrifying methods.`

“Survival of the fittest is how this world works… always has.” Anastasia quietly explained before she’d throw the pipe she had disarmed them off to the floor. Then, she returned to her slow pained movement.

`There are none nearby. It is safe to ignite the light.`

She had lost track of how long she had walked by then, all she knew was that the straight line she had tried to walk was definitely sluggish. Her legs were painful instead of numb now, but she listened to the voice without a thought. Grabbing the disk from her pocket before she twisted the top of it. Hearing as the bottom let loose moments before the lantern within her hand ignited. Producing a soft golden light that washed over her body and about a foot around her. Revealing that she was practically coated in dry blood. Aside from her left hand, which was elbow deep in the gauntlet she had stolen.

Had she not been so tired… she would've screamed.

i`I know the sight of me may be unsettling-`

“It's not the worst I've been through… I'm more concerned with my practically purple legs…” Anastasia mumbled before she took a long breath of air. Feeling her chest shoot with intense pain in response. Making the woman groan before she ran her right hand through her hair. Feeling flakes peeling off against her fingers. While also realising her hand was covered in fresh blood as well.

“Explains the smell…” she muttered as though it was nothing. It was a scent she had been forced to adjust to, so it was no surprise she hadn't ed it. It would just have been nice to know that she was coated in blood. And that the rusty floor had its own layer of dried blood here and there.

`I… see.`

Anastasia didn't respond to the voice. Mostly because she felt a sudden wave of extreme dizziness. Her vision pulsed in and out while she felt a wash of shivers against the back of her neck. Her chest tightening with a cold feeling which made her clutch her chest. The light flickering in her hand while she felt warmth travelling up her left shoulder. Her head whipping around herself.

`Carrier?`

The voice was soft and loud. Almost drowning as it replaced the sudden spark of cold.

“Am… are you sure I'm alone?” she asked in a hushed tone, practically begging for the voice to be correct.

`Of course I- there's someone behind you. He is-`

Anastasia hadn't waited for the voice to answer. Especially as she had already been working against her tired body to turn around. Where she lifted all she held up; causing the bright shining light to wash over someone dressed in all black. Someone the shadows seemed to dance around them to protect them from the light. Someone… who the mere sight of made Anastasia's eyes water with relief.

[Boo?] Dusk signed slowly with a tilted head. Displaying the quick idea he had to lighten the mood, and it did get a laugh from Anastasia. A desperate and tired laugh as she let her guards drop almost immediately. Leaving her swaying until his hand propped up her side.

[What happened?] he asked her, tilting his head as he helped her regain her balance.

“I don't know,” she expressed with another desperate laugh. “I the operating table, and then nothing but darkness.”

[You're on the lowest level. The sign said disposal unit.] Dusk almost hurriedly explained.

“That much I gathered… I've been disposed of to be eaten by the survivors here… as has it.” Anastasia explained while she raised her left hand, the shining metal glimmering as the lantern light danced over it.

[Not if I have a say in it.] he retorted while Anastasia felt a bit of his shoulder move as though he laughed. [Come on. I am getting you out of here.]

`Incoming!`

The voice panged through her mind, making her eyes shoot up before she immediately tossed the lantern over Dusk's head and as far as the push from the gauntlet allowed her to. Watching the soft light grow dimmer and dimmer as it bounced along the floor before rolling to a halt. She couldn't communicate with Dusk without it, but as she felt the male move along her side she was swift to grab a hold of him. Clasping her hand around his upper arm while she shushed the man. Feeling his annoyed glare in response, since she just shushed a mute.

`We need to move.`

Anastasia’s hand squeezed down on Dusk’s arm harder as she pulled him back. Only to watch his form step in the way of the light ahead. Shielding her the moment she heard the approaching sprints of the figures. Her eyes widening as she caught a glimpse of it over his shoulder. The light on the floor was disturbed by countless figures that ran past in a horde. Slumping, falling over, some even crawled on all four.

“Fuck,” she gasped just as Dusk shifted in front of her, “I talked too loud. I’m sorry.”

She shut her eyes as Dusk’s arm raised with her hand still attached. It was clear that he wasn’t going to shake her off, but he still needed to use his arm. Just enough to throw something out. Only to turn around and scoop her up into his arms before he went into full sprint.

She was quiet, eyes shut, and listening to what was happening behind them. She was able to hear what sounded like fireworks going off in the distance, with screams and roars in between every crackle. Hearing an occasional heavy breath from Dusk as he carried her somewhere.

`Don’t open your eyes.`

The voice was louder this time. Like it wanted to drown out any thought she’d get about opening her eyes. Confusing her; but she listened. Raising her hands to clasp them onto Dusk’s suit the moment he went faster. Her eyes squeezing shut tighter as the sudden smell of burning flesh hit her nose. The firework sounds had stopped, and screams were now ringing throughout. While Dusk’s hold on her grew tighter.

`We’re approaching a hole in the outside wall.`

The message made her eyes open as she shifted in Dusk’s arms. Her head turned towards the direction he ran while she squinted her eyes. She could barely see the wall, but was able to tell that it was night outside.

“What are you-” she stopped talking as Dusk squeezed her upper arm, shooting pain up to her shoulder. Causing her eye to twitch as she shook within his grip without thinking. “Ow” slipping briefly past her lips like a silent protest.

`He is going faster… I think he is going to jump?`

“What?! You’re going to jump!!?” Anastasia squeaked just as she felt Dusk speed up. Her head turning just enough to look behind him; where she saw nothing but did hear that the horde had gotten closer. “Fucking- okay, we’re jumping!”

She could've sworn the mute would be chuckling if he wasn’t so focused on running towards the opening. She felt something cold travel up her left arm as he did. The gauntlet spreading and stretching along her as though to shield her. Yet it froze at her shoulder just as her eyes caught a full glance on the night sky. Which is when she realised the clouds were beneath them. Of course, the moment Dusk had jumped; her mind screamed so loud she had to bite her tongue to keep herself from doing the same. Especially as she caught a glimpse of figures following out behind them.

“You better have a plan,” she managed to utter, though it was difficult to hear what she said as she couldn’t hear anything other than the wind against her ears.

Of course, there was no response, as she expected since his hands were occupied keeping her close. And she sure as hell was not letting him talk if that meant she’d go into free fall without him to anchor her. Especially as she was staring above at the almost zombie-like rejected subjects that fell after them. Their movements showing that there were no thoughts aside from “food” within their mind. Since they seemed to think clawing at the air would make them fall faster to reach the two.

“Dusk- listen it’s very refreshing to feel fresh air again, BUT I’D RATHER NOT BECOME A PANCAKE!!!” she screamed at the man who finally turned his head to stare at her. Giving her just enough of a visual to catch him winking at her. Making her immediately drop her expression with an annoyed huff. Feeling his shoulders shake with another laugh. “Not funny Dusk.”

When she had finished talking they hit the thin layer of clouds. Making her close her eyes as she’d prefer not to get water droplets in them. Yet, the moment they had reached half way; she felt a sudden thud. Her body crying in painful protest while Dusk brought her closer to him. Letting go of her legs as she was sat down on something. Prompting her to open her eyes in a squint to look down as her hands slid up to Dusk’s shoulders. She was on… a blue horse? No, it didn’t have a horse head, and there were wings on it.

“What…?” she questioned quietly before she looked at Dusk. Her eyes shifting to his free hand as he signed to her.

[Meet Varrgoth,] he explained, pointing to the beast they sat on. [Figured the Red Room doesn’t scan for organics approaching it without a vehicle to get them there.]

“Well… damn…” she muttered, letting out a quiet laugh before closing her eyes and dropping her head to his chest. “Hope you don’t mind… me ing out… thanks.”

She felt his arms wrap around her just as she finally stopped fighting.

`Huh… been a while since I have seen flying beasts…`

“Shhh…” she managed to utter before ing out. Causing great confusion to the man holding her.

#BlackSwam