Eat Your Young / Marvel

FADE AWAY.

author's note: hey everyone!!! just wanted to say thank you sm for 1k reads on this book <33 sorry for the delayed updates, some technical problems among other things :') don't forget to vote xx

May 12th 2014 [PRESENT DAY]

Толкающий удар [Push kick]! Колено из клинча [Knee from clinch]! бросок через бедро [Hip throw]! Левый бросок [Left leg]!

Russian commands were thrown her way. And with every action her fatigue grew in numbers. The Hydra soldier was much bigger, let alone stronger. But she was fast. Fast in her reflexes and fast with her counter attacks.

She wove through the sequence of moves - each executed with precision.

The soldier took a step back and attempted a punch to her abdomen. His attempted punch was intercepted as she seized his arm, her knee meeting his chest in a swift retaliation. Another strike to his head followed, a cascade of movements that flowed seamlessly from one to the next.

The mat absorbed the impact of their falls, a silent witness to the struggle etched upon its surface.

The soldier quickly rose up again, stopping a punch that was aimed towards his shoulder with a headbutt that sent her stumbling back. Astrid stumbled back, dizziness and disorientation swarmed her senses. She quickly shook her head to regain her focus before returning to the fight.

If a moment later, she would've been on the ground.

Side stepping his attack, Astrid managed to get behind him, swiftly kicking the back of his legs. countering with a well-placed kick to the back of his legs. His descent to his knees was swift, and he was exposed. Astrid seized the opportunity, transitioning seamlessly into a chokehold. Her legs wrapped around his shoulder, her grip strong as she exerted pressure.

One click, and it'd break.

He'd break.

Astrid continued to pull, his other shoulder, pressed by the weight of the both of them as he continued to struggle.

Soon enough, he gave in and tapped out. Astrid fell limp to the ground. Her breathes loud and heavy.

"45 seconds." The voice of Stoica reverberated within the room. "You've been trained to do better."

The soldier that laid not too far in front of her scrambled to get up. Nursing his right arm as he moved.

"Спасибо, солдат, ты свободен." [Thank you soldier, you're excused]. Stoica nodded towards the leaving soldier before walking over to Astrid's resting body.

He reached out his hand. Astrid flinched, but covered it up by quickly accepting his offer. Soon she was lifted into the air.

As she steadied herself, Stoica moved to a counter, retrieving an old bottle of water. He tossed it to her, a gesture she acknowledged with a nod. The bottle had been finished within milliseconds. Still, thirst itched her throat.

Not wanting stay a minute longer than she had to, Astrid headed for the door. The current arrangement afforded her limited freedom-a privilege she wasn't keen on squandering.

"― Project Insight. I'm assuming it's familiar to you?" Astrid stopped in her tracks and turned to Stoica. He leaned against the counter behind him.

Project Insight. It's been the talk of HYDRA for the last 40 years. Of course she's heard of it.

"Heard a few whispers here and there." Astrid lied through her teeth. Stoica nodded with a measure of contemplation, processing her words as if he really cared before standing up straight.