UNKNOWN GUEST

#43 The Diary

Two days have passed, and I'm starting to feel more stable, slowly getting used to the robotic chair I've been using. I've kept my leg as still as possible, following Dr. Cho's orders to the letter. Uncle Clint has gone back home, Uncle Tony is swamped with work today, and Dad is probably getting discharged, with Uncle Sam by his side. I asked Ms. Johana to stay in my room instead of following me everywhere, giving me a bit of privacy.

So here I am, facing the glass wall of Stark Tower, taking in the vast, sprawling cityscape of New York. The view is breathtaking, but my mind is elsewhere, drifting aimlessly, not really expecting anyone to show up.

Suddenly, I hear the elevator ding, breaking the silence. I turn around, surprised, and find Mom standing there. She's dressed in a jacket, a file clutched in her hand. Her presence is both a comfort and a reminder of everything that's been left unsaid between us. She gives me a faint smile and walks over, her steps purposeful yet somehow hesitant.

"How are you feeling, Jason?" she asks as she approaches me.

I nod, trying to sound nonchalant. "Not bad. Other than not being able to stand on my own feet, everything's fine."

She rolls her eyes at my remark, a touch of exasperation in her expression, and then takes a seat on the couch nearby. Her eyes linger on the robotic chair, studying it carefully before she comments, "Heard Tony was gracious enough to arrange this for you."

I chuckle, trying to lighten the mood. "Bet he'd be happier to have it for himself."

She laughs softly, the sound familiar and comforting, but the laughter fades quickly, leaving an awkward silence between us. She clears her throat, clearly preparing to say something important. "Actually, I'm going off the radar for a bit."

There it is. I knew it was coming, but it still hits hard. My heart sinks, and I can't help but ask, "To where?"

She shrugs, trying to appear casual, but there's a tension in her posture. "No idea. I've blown my cover, so I need some time to set up a new one."

I want to ask her to stay, to tell her how much I need her here, but the words stick in my throat. Instead, I ask, "What's wrong with this one?"

She avoids my gaze, her eyes focused on something in the distance, as if she's looking at a future only she can see. "After revealing everything about me, I feel exposed. Almost... naked." She chuckles at herself, but there's no humor in it. "I'm... not used to it."

I sigh, turning my gaze back to the city outside. She's running away, distancing herself, because she's not used to sharing her real self with anyone—not even me. She's always been more comfortable hiding behind her missions, her roles, her secrets. But now, with everything out in the open, she's vulnerable, and that's something she can't handle.

I swallowed a lump, my voice coming out strained. "For how long?"

She sighed, her shoulders slightly slumping. "Not sure."

I glanced at her, trying to keep the growing worry out of my tone. "So... is this a goodbye or something?"

She scoffed, almost as if the idea annoyed her. "If you'd like to call it that, yes." She let out another sigh and held out a file towards me. "Can you hand this over to Steve?"

I looked at the file, puzzled. "What is it?"

"It's just a map," she explained, her voice even. "He's going to try to track the Ghost. It's the least I could do."

I shook my head, trying to understand why she couldn't do it herself. "Why don't you give it to him yourself?"

Her eyes fluttered, and for a moment, she seemed caught off guard. "I... I'm just in a hurry."