Electric Storm

Chapter 24: Lockdown Diaries- I Know I Have A Heart

I tell mum and dad I want to be alone this evening. They don't seem to mind, they're just glad to be back in each other's company. It seems dad signing the accords worked: he's not dedicated to Iron Man in the same way and Mum's not worried about his reckless decision making so they're both happy.

I stare at the black tag around my ankle. I'm allowed to take it off now but my fingers hesitate. If I left it on a bit longer, I could use it as an excuse not to go. I could stay here and eat doughnuts and not have to face him. Because once I step foot out of this room, I have to confront him. And I'm not going to like his answer and he's not going to like mine. I'm not hopeful this will end well but I have to try. The clock is ticking and my time is running out. 

I rip the ankle tag off.  

Sneaking out is easy, I've done it before. I'm not supposed to leave unattended and I'm not supposed to visit anywhere without someone knowing where I am. But I'm not worried. I've had a while to plan. I'm going to find him and I'm going to try and salvage what remains of our friendship.

I wear ordinary, dark clothes, a hat and glasses, tie my hair into a braid, and I hop on a train to Queens. I could be anyone because I'm no one. Once I'm in Queens, I know the drill. I wait around in the alley where I know he'll be. There's no cameras here but I keep my head down anyway. The air is cool tonight and Parker is taking his sweet time, but eventually I hear the familiar sound of web shooters, and the shift in breeze as he swings down. 

I emerge from the shadows. 'Hey Parker.'

'Ka- Katy?'

'Suit's looking good.' I smile, leaning off the wall. 'So, stop any good crimes this evening?'

'Just some bike thefts... what are you doing here Katy? I thought you were on house arrest.'

'Technically, I am.'

Parker shakes his head. 'So you're breaking the law? There's a surprise.'

I let the comment slide. 'I came to see to you Parker. I want to talk.' 

As I take a step forward, he takes a step back. 

'Katy, I wanted to talk to you. I called you every day for a month but you never responded.'

'I was just placed on house arrest, I didn't know who was listening.' 

'You'd have found a way if you wanted.' He mutters. 

I sigh. Start telling the truth. 'I didn't answer because I needed time. After everything in Lagos, then Germany and Siberia... I was angry and I was hurt. I needed space. I needed to think.'

'Katy, why didn't you tell me about Lagos? About the accords?'

'I didn't want to drag you into any of it. It was my fight, my family.'

'But I would have helped you Katy. In Germany, if you asked I would have come.'

'Except I would never have asked you to break the law for me. It's not who you are. The CIA, the accords, they're so much bigger than you. Once you're in, you can never get out.' I think about the letter, the plans that were already in place. 'You're lucky you're not on their radar. Dad never should have brought you into this.'

'You mean you're lucky I'm not on their radar. It would have been your fault if they found out my identity. After all, you were the one who was tracking me. That's how Stark knew. You told him.'

'I didn't actually, he hacked into my files.'

Parker starts pacing up and down frustratedly. 'I don't understand why you would lie to me for so long. I trusted you!'