Shuri and I worked as quickly as we could, but this was by no means a quick process.
Every so often, I'd glance over to see Wanda's worried expression. Each time, my anxiety spiked.
Was it bad out there?
Is bucky okay?
Is her fear just for Vision—or something worse?
But I had to focus on the task at hand, I couldn't afford to fall apart.
"I have to go." Wanda declared "They need me down there"
"We have guards! Go, and come back as soon as we're ready to destroy the stone!" Shuri called out to her.
And just like that, she was gone, into the fire.
Bucky, please. Please be okay.
This thought repeated in my mind endlessly, a desperate prayer.
I kept my eyes clear of the window, knowing I wouldn't be able to concentrate if I so much as caught a glimpse.
But I can still hear it.
The booms. The screams. The roar of monsters.
I feel the rumble of it all through my feet even through the vibranium and all the way up here in the tower.
I felt it.
"AHHH!"
Bang!
I turn to find where Shuri is working a few members of Thanos army got through.
The Chitauri were here.
How did they get back this far?
Shuri and one of the Dora Milaje guards were desperately fighting. Another got through, terrifying, he was huge, towering over me.
He swung his arm swiping me out of the way, I activated those wrist bands Shuri had given me just in time.
They took most of the hit, still sent me flying.
Before he could take a step, I managed to get a shot off hitting him, sending him a few feet back.
Out of nowhere Vision was up and wrestling him, in the struggle they smashed through the lab window and fall out.
I turned to help Shuri, the other two had taken down all the guards Shuri was fighting alone to keep them at bay.
"Go!" She shouted, "I've got them!"
I scrambled to my feet, running to warn the others of visions disappearance, to get him back before it's too late.
To get Wanda, to destroy the stone, but my legs without warning froze in place, my breath left my body.
A feeling of overwhelming dread take hold of me, something warm resonating from my chest. I look down to see a spike coming out of me.
It's a spear, it had pierced clean through my chest.
One of the Chitauri had gotten away from Shuri.
I couldn't scream.
Couldn't breathe or move.
Then, the pain hit.
Searing. Ripping.
My legs left the ground as the spear lifted me into the air, burying deeper into me.
"AAAAAAHHHHH!"
"ELIZABETH!!" Shuri yells
I feel the spear leave my body as I'm flung against the wall like a ragdoll.
Bang
The cold vibranium floor against my skin as i landed on my side.
A pool of red spreading across the floor.
I saw Shuri still fighting. She was yelling something.
But all I could hear was static.
Like an old TV with no signal.
Shit!
Am I dying?
Is this what it feels like?
My heart pounding in my chest, my breathing uneven.
I feel like I'm drowning on land, with every gasp taking in more water.
Soon enough the pain fades out, leaving a gentle numbing chill in its place.
Like deaths cold embrace had come to welcome me.
I should be terrified, Im dying.
But I'm not scared.
Strange
My thoughts wonder back to Bucky.
I hope he's okay.
Please let him be safe.
My vision tunneled, black creeping in from the corners. The lights overhead turned into soft blurs.
I wonder, what happens when we die?
King T'Challa told me something once about how you get to go somewhere and run forever.
One of the members of the boarder tribe believed we reincarnate.
I like that better.
I hope I do.
So, Bucky…. wherever you are….
If you can hear me….
Please, be reborn with me.
But this time, maybe we find each other in the 1940s.
I'll be the dame in the bar with the sexy red dress.
You be the dashing sergeant Barnes, sweeping me off my feet.
We will dance the night away, your arms holding me tight as we sway.
No hydra this time.
No metal arm.
We can get married…. a simple wedding.
Just you, me, and a priest. Maybe Steve, I think you'd want him there.
We would get one of those little white picket fence houses I always wanted as a kid.
Maybe even have a few kids of our own.
Wouldn't that be nice?
Before everything fades to black, I see Shuri, running towards me reaching out…
But her hand….. It turns to sand
And she vanishes.
A sense of peace washes over me as the world turns black and runs quiet.
I'm going ahead now, Bucky.
Don't rush.
I'll wait, I promise.
See you at the dance club, my love.