Spiderman's Sister

Where's Tony Stark?

Barely twenty minutes later I get out of the taxi in front of a huge building. I can't even see the top of the tower in the dark night sky. From the outside it even looks like the whole tower is deserted - all is silent and dark. As soon as I closed the door behind me, the taxi roared away. I briefly consider whether I shouldn't just go back. But then I remember how unreasonable Peter is and I get angry again. I stomp to the front door, which slides apart in front of me. As the door opens, a series of bright lights come on inside. In the entrance area there is nothing to see but a window front leading out to the street and a row of elevators on the opposite wall. In front of the elevators, I look around confused. As hard as I look, I can't find a button to call the elevator. The only thing I see is a tablet hanging on the wall between two elevators. I tap on it and the screen lights up.

Tablet: where to?

There are several fields to choose from - office space, conference room, gym, laboratory, private.I have no idea where to find Tony Stark, but I guess under private I should find someone who can help me. After I have pressed the corresponding button, the middle elevator door opens. I step inside, but again only see a tablet. The screen lights up again as soon as I tap it. 

Tablet: Name?

I type my name only to get the message that access is denied. Then I got an idea. I type in Peter's name - after all, he's hanging around here all the time - and get to the next question.

Tablet: Alias?

Alias? What does the tablet mean by that? When it clicks, I roll my eyes in annoyance. Why do superheroes always have to have fancy names? I type Spiderman into the field and finally the door closes in front of me and the elevator starts moving. Somehow it's almost negligent how easy it is to get into the private rooms of the Avengers. Finding out the names and the associated alias shouldn't be too difficult for people who really want to find out. On the other hand, it just suits me that it's so easy to get to them. When the doors open again after a few minutes, I step into a large entrance area. Tiled marble floor, eternally high walls and ceilings that are in matching color to the marble. On the walls are paintings that look outrageously expensive and white comfortable-looking sofas line the walls to the left and right of the elevator. Across from where I'm standing is a hallway that probably leads further into the private chambers. Since nobody is stopping me, I walk down the hallway and end up in a living room that seems twice as big as the entrance area. Ice hockey is playing on a television that could easily rival a cinema screen, but there is no one around to see the game. To my right, the living room runs into a huge kitchen area, but I can't see anyone in either.

??: Who are you?

I startle when suddenly a voice sounds behind me. Where does it come from? I haven't seen anyone far and wide. When I turn around, a man is standing in front of me. In fact, he's standing so close to me that the tips of our noses almost touch. I take a step back and put enough distance between us and take a closer look at the man. I have to admit that I'm pleasantly surprised when I see him. No idea why, after all I don't know most of the Avengers and actually have no idea how to imagine a superhero. To be honest I only know Tony Stark and Captain America, because they are in the media from time to time. The man standing in front of me now looks less like a superhero and more like a male model. He has short dark brown hair and eyes so piercingly blue that one has the feeling of sinking into them. His facial features are angular and very pronounced. He's huge - maybe two heads taller than me. Under the tight-fitting black shirt he's wearing you can see every single muscle. The only thing that suggests that he's not a normal man is the fact that his left arm is made entirely of metal. He looks at me like I'm an unwelcome guest. Which I am. I have no idea which of the Avengers he is, but suddenly I'm almost jealous that Peter gets to be around him every day. Pull yourself together Vici, you're here for a reason. And that handsome stranger won't stop you.

Victoria: I don't know why you need to know this, but I'm Victoria Parker. And you?

??: Parker as in Peter Parker?

Exactly. Why is he ignoring my question?

Victoria: Possibly. 

Since he still hasn't told me who he is, I decide I don't care. Instead, I start looking around. 

Victoria: Where can I find Tony Stark?

??: I don't know why I should tell you that. 

What? Serious? I look at him again and he seems almost amused. Great! I just needed that. A handsome guy who continues to get on my nerves. Never mind, I find Tony Stark myself.

Victoria: Fine, I'll just have to find him myself then.

??: Have fun.

Since I can see that nobody is in the kitchen, I walk down the nearest hallway and am amazed that the strange guy doesn't stop me. What if I was someone who wanted to hurt Tony Stark? Pretty reckless to just let me pass. On my search I pass various bedrooms in which, strangely enough, I don't see anyone and other common rooms. Somehow it almost seems like nobody is here except the metal arm man and me. At some point I come to a staircase that leads both up and down. Maybe some kind of escape stair. I decide to go upstairs first. On the next floor I step into a hallway where left and right glass doors lead to different rooms. In one of the rooms - well great, of course in the backmost - I can see light. So someone else must be here. In front of the door I can see a man sitting behind a desk. He looks pretty deep in thought poring over some files. Even without seeing his face, I'm pretty sure I'm seeing Tony Stark in front of me. Well then, let's make sure he shares my point of view. Before I know it I've pushed the door open and I'm in the middle of the room.