Stark Struck | The Avengers

Chapter XII: A Threat Larger than Mankind Itself

Chapter Twelve

        The metal door closed behind me. I looked back at it, wondering if I should go back in there. No, I told myself, you don't need to. It's pointless. He won't listen, plus, you gave him a choice already. We both just need to think. I shook my head, trying to clear the thoughts from my mind; I needed to focus. Not stand around and become conflicted with myself.

        I stopped. Leaned my forehead on the cold, metal corridor wall. Closing my eyes, I started to breathe in and slowly breathe out. I opened my eyes slowly, too. I pushed myself off the wall, and began to walk down the corridor. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. I kept my eyes concentrated in front of me, and kept my mind concentrated on three things. Breathing, my heart beating, and the Avengers. I looked forward, not taking a second glance at anyone I saw in the hallways. I kept my face blank, I didn't show any emotion.

        It was either I push hard on myself and keep on track, or have a mental and emotional breakdown and forget everything about myself. Considering I usually choose the latter, not wanting to deal with myself at all, I decided to do what would be best for myself. Obviously the first choice.

        It was hard. Being around things I never even thought of being possible. First it was Spiderman. Everyone thought he was just some idiot kid trying to play hero like one of the ones from comics. But we all found out we were wrong. Then came Tony. He's not a superhero, but still what he created is kind of super. Everyone, and I mean everyone, had heard of the Hulk. He wasn't just some beast that needed to be taken out, he was a real person, a really smart person. Then out of the ice, Captain America emerged. A guy from the 40s who, for someone his age, is pretty ripped. Uh, smart. I meant smart.

        A whole new world was then opened up to the people of Earth. Nine worlds, the same worlds and gods the Norwegians believed in. One being the God of Thunder, and an Avenger. The other being his adopted brother who thinks he's out for the throne, but he's actually just trying to find where he belongs (and in his mind, Loki probably thinks it's on the throne).

        Now, from the slight eavesdropping spots I've had, there's more and more supers coming out of hiding.

        Am I the only one who thinks it's just a little hard to believe? The only who thinks it's hard to think it's real? That it's just a dream that I'll someday just awake from? That it's so hard to believe, even though you become surrounded by the lot of them?

        No? Just me?

        Reassuring, thanks.

        I hope you're noting my sarcasm.

        I stopped when I heard the intercom, "Avengers and Miss. Heart: report to the meeting room for debriefing."

        Debriefing? As in an actual mission?

        I picked up my pace from a slow, angry walk, to a more conflicted sprint. On my fast paced trek to debriefing, I met up with Tony and Steve. Which was odd, considering I thought they didn't seem to get along. Tony smileds down at me, his eyes then taking a glance at my once again clenched fists. "You alright, Alex?"

        I followed his gaze, unclenching my hands in the process. "Uh, yeah. Totally. Just... still getting used to the superheroes being everywhere I turn, you know." I said, it wasn't a total lie, I gave him a convincing, short, half-hearted laugh.