Stark's Daughter

Chapter 5

"Woah. What the hell is that?" The man in the drivers seat asks slowly.

There's a long moment of silence, only accompanied by the breathing of the man in the passenger seat. Everything is still, yet the anticipation causes my heart to thump against my chest. I'm almost certain they can hear it too. The men flick their eyes back and forth from one side of the car to the other. Their paranoia just might be the key to my escape.

"You saw it too?" The guy at my feet questions, but there's a small tremble in his voice.

I sit up curiously, between the two men, head still spinning and tears still slowly falling onto my cheeks. I glare out of the windshield in front of me, but there's nothing. No cars, no people, nothing. The driver puts the car back into park and silence follows suit once again. This might be my chance, if I wasn't sitting between these two dickheads. My tears stop and my eyes stare intensely through the window. I hear a strange sound, then I see it. A flash of light that circles around the car. Can I get second-hand drunk? Am I hallucinating? Red, gold, and blue lights.  I now sit between two frightened men, one who frantically opens the door and takes off. The other, pushes me out of the car onto the pavement and begins running behind the other. Before I can even look back, the car takes off.

My hands saved my fall... and my face from planting directly onto the pavement. The snow has yet to cover the road, so it wouldn't have saved me anyway if my hands didn't. Trying to process the events, I turn over onto my butt. Instead of staring at a now empty roadside, I stare directly into the face of Captain America. The one and only Iron Man flies right behind him and takes off after the car. My jaw drops open and I'm absolutely starstruck. Captain America leans down, picks me up, and starts jogging.  Now I'm completely dumbfounded. I must've hit my head too hard, but I'll give my brain props... this is a great dream and I can't wait to tell Junior about it.

He starts slowing down when the Stark Tower comes into view. He casually catches me staring up at him and asks, "what are you doing out here so late?"

It's simple enough. Right? I live in a foster home and wanted to leave for a couple hours for some alone time. My friend, Junior, and I wanted to explore the New York streets... but better yet- we decided to do this at night. Wait. Junior... He's out there alone...

"Uhhh, wait. Can we go back? My friend- he's waiting on me," tears start forming in my eyes again, "we have to go back."

He looks down upon me sympathetically, "I'm sorry. I really am, but that's not likely to happen right now. We have to assure you're okay. It looks like you hit your head pretty hard. Then, once we've checked you over, I'll bring you back to your home."

"No." I shook my head, "I have to tell my fiend, Junior, at least. He'll start to worry. He's out there alone too."

"I'm sorry. I didn't catch your name. And age." Captain America asks, completely disregarding my plea.

"My name is Stephanie Gale. I'm eleven." I say, giving in, "now, can we please go back and look for him?"

I can't imagine how Junior is feeling right now. He's either gonna worry to death or freeze to death... or get lost. If I don't show up, who knows how he'll react. He may even tell Madam Lucille on me, then I'll never hear the end of it. Maybe he won't even care enough to wait on me. However this ends, it's on me. If something happens to him, it'll be my fault.

For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to be here. The Stark Tower. It's the most beautiful and unique building in New York. Now, to be carried inside by THE Captain America is an absolute game-changer. Who knew him and Tony Stark, IRON MAN, were good friends. I can barely contain my excitement. As bad as it is to admit, most of my worries about Junior and the foster home left as soon as we stepped into this place. The technology inside this place is far more advanced than anything I've ever seen. I can't believe I'm inside! We take a large elevator to what seems like the very top of the building.