Until I Found You

ten

~ ABBY ~

I'm all for practical jokes. Sure they can be a little childish and just plain stupid at times but hell, apparently so can I.

Even so, there are some jokes that just hit below the belt. Some practical jokes that aren't just unnesecarry or foolish, but cruel. That's what I was sure must be happening when Natasha walked into the interrogation room and told me I was free to go. Apparently I was being let off with only a warning on account of my "cooperation".

I was so sure that those words were going to be followed with "just kidding" that I found myself checking my watch to see if it was April first. I couldn't even do that though since it had apparently been taken from me before I'd regained consciousness. Even as I was escorted through the building, down an elevator and through the main lobby I kept waiting for the punchline, for the cop to appear out of nowhere holding a set of cuffs with my name on it.

But it never came. Instead, I was handed my purse, and the rest of my belongings, and then left on my own just outside of Stark Tower.

I didn't give them a chance to rethink their decision. My heels pounded against the pavement, each step a little faster than the next. Ignoring the painful throbs from my still very concussed brain, I trudged on with only one goal in mind. Get as far away from that building as possible.

Unfortunately, I was immediately thwarted in this plan. My wallet wasn't in my purse and my cell was out of battery, effectively stranding me in my place.

I still had no clue what time it actually was, given the strength of the sun and plethora of people walking around, the day was well underway. That probably explained all the weird looks I was getting, still wearing the sad excuse for a dress Seth had forced me in with only the cardigan to cover up. I made a b-line for the building across the street, knowing it would be my best chance and getting someone to help me. Still, it was far too close to the tower for comfort, and I couldn't help looking over my shoulder every few seconds, scanning for watchful eyes.

I'd only been in this building a few times but I was pretty sure I knew where I was headed as I scurried up the steps. The receptionist gave me a wary look as I passed her desk, heading for the elevators. I exited the lift, moving out onto the office floor, realizing other than the floor number I didn't actually know where I was going as well as I thought I had. My eyes scan the room, looking for a familiar face but coming up empty.

"Can I help you?" A very put-together looking girl offers as she stares at me in confusion. She was wearing a caramel color fitted suit, looking like a Talbot's billboard model come to life. Clearly, I couldn't have been more out of place, looking more like a cross between a prostitute and a drug addict.

"I was just looking for-"

"Abby?"

I turn my head at the sound of my best friend's voice cutting me off. It takes all I have not to run into his arms when I turn my head and see him walking towards me. If I hadn't thought it might get him into a sticky situation at work, I would have been over to him in an instant. Unfortunately, it was probably against corporate policy to invite your hooker friends to the office.

Jonah only needs one look at my face to realize something is wrong. He thanks the other girl, putting his arm over my shoulder and quickly steers me down the hallway he had just come from. His hand guides me through a door to a large office on the left.