Not a Hero

(5) A Hole In The Floor

Warning: This chapter contains hints of anxiety and depression as well as self-harming. Please leave now if this triggers you

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"You know, I think you hurt Wanda's feelings, bird lady."

I thought waking up to Dakota's alarm was bad, but this was so much worse. My eyes flew open,  taking them a moment to adjust to the new light. Though I didn't need to look at the person to know who it was. Ironman descended from his place in the sky, where he looked down at me with smug eyes. I didn't even need to see them, I just knew. I scrambled to sit up from my position, searching for an escape. He stayed hovering just slightly above me as I moved away from him, eventually ending with my back hitting the ledge of the roof.

Running out of options I had the genius idea to start talking, which, if you know me even just a little, is not a good idea. "Yeah well, maybe she should've thought about that before tricking me into following her. Great plan, by the way, I'd give it a 9/10 if it weren't used against me."

"I don't know what you're talking about, Wanda didn't know about you or your weird bird thing," Stark replied, using his hands as he spoke. As soon as he speaks I'm hit with a mixed wave of guilt and confusion. Stark seemed hesitant as he landed his suit, marching forward. Thinking the worst, I immediately panic and attempt to shuffle away from him. It was now I wish I could do a better shift than harpy wings. I duck into myself, covering my face with my arms.

The atmosphere seemed to change as the harsh grip I was expecting to drag me away never came. When I peeked timidly at Stark through my arms, hesitation displayed heavily. My confusion was only boosted as he sighed and looked down at me. He backed up a bit before dismantling his Ironman suit and proceeding again. He wore a black suit jacket over a black shirt with black pants. A lot of blacks but who am I to judge.

Ironman gave a heavy sigh as he looked at me clearly for the first time. "How old are you, kid?"

I hesitated for a multitude of reasons. Starting in the first place, why would he care? Coming in at a close second, what will happen if I answer and he doesn't like it? I debated lying to him, but I didn't see much benefit. I took a shadow breath before muttering. "I'm 15"

The look in his eyes changed promptly. They softened with understanding before covering them with feigned uncaring. "Alright." He started, clapping his hands together. "So you are in major need of some assistance. Running around like a chicken with its head cut off isn't going to work."

I lower my arms to stare at him. What is he talking about? My confusion must have been displayed like a billboard across my face because he took a step back and explained. "I'm not just gonna leave some 15-year old on some random roof. Believe it or not, I have a heart."

I raise my eyebrow jokingly at him to which he sarcastically responds. "Cold and dead with a little metal but it's there."

I chuckled lightly, though still a bit apprehensive. Stark speaks into his suit, telling the system to call a "Happy" to pick him up. What kind of parent names their kid Happy? Before I'm given the chance to question it further, a sleek black car pulls up the building. I go to look back over at Stark only to see him on the sidewalk next to the car.

Stark opens the passenger side door and begins climbing in. He stops moving for a moment, then looks back up at me. "You coming, kid?"

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How I haven't died yet is beyond me. I probably wouldn't have made it past the age of seven without modern medicine. I don't always think things through, which in hindsight I should work on. What I'm trying to get at is that maybe I should've stopped to think before getting in a car with a stranger. You think I would learn to not just follow people. You would be wrong.