Shadows and Secrets (A MCU FanFic)

Chapter 39: Run

trigger warning: dark themes and references to self-harm that may be offensive or upsetting to some readers

Marjorie's POV

There was a small child clinging to Erik's hand.

She couldn't be anymore than six, she was so small, and her proportions were childlike and rounded. The girl had bronze skin, a hairless head, and wide, frightened gold eyes.

She had no shadow vapor, like a dead body.

In fact, all of the shadows, including Nat and Erik's shadow vapor, were concerningly absent.

Where the obvious and comforting presence of shadows had been, there was barely a faint imprint that sent chills up her spine. And when she tried to reach the shadows, a splitting headache pulsed in her brain, like her consciousness had run straight into a brick wall.

And at the center of it, that girl.

"E-Erik," Marjorie choked out, "w-what is th-that?"

"Ah," said Erik. He didn't look in pain, just rather pale. Marjorie felt nauseous when she realized that she had to rely on looks. "I found out how HAEIW is making their neutralizer."

"That girl," said Nat, "she is an ability dampener?"

"Yes. This is Freya," said Erik. The girl looked afraid and clung to his hand.

    Nat and Erik continued talking, but Marjorie wasn't listening.

    She couldn't.

    Her brain felt like it was going to split into two, and. Everything. Was. GONE.

     The shadows.

     Gone.

     Marjorie reached out for them, only to slam into another wall.

    Nothing.

    There was NOTHING.

    She was alone.

    Marjorie took half a step back, and bumped into a table behind her.

    She barely registered the empty vial shattering, and the glass pressing into her palm.

    "—rjorie," said Nat. Her voice came back into focus. She looked worried. "Marjorie, are you okay?"

    Marjorie stared at her. The empty shell that was Nat.

    Marjorie backed away.

    Nat moved to follow her, and Erik stopped her: "Marjorie, I know it's disorienting, but—"

    "No," said Marjorie, retreating further. "You don't know."

    He didn't understand.

    If he just stopped sensing metal, well, too bad for him.

    He didn't have everything he could trust ripped from him.

    Marjorie found the back doors handle with her hand, still facing the empty shells that looked like her friends.

    She backed out the door, and then ran.

    She didn't stop.

    She didn't stop until she could feel the cold in her toes, the glass in her palms.

    Until she could feel the shadows.

    Marjorie slowed to a walk, breathing in the freezing air.