In My Eyes

Ch•9- Destined to be Alone

     The house fell away. Down the cliff it descended, submerging in the icy water forever. My Father went down with it. I didn't know if he was alive, or dead. Things were quiet now. The blasting and firing was gone, the helicopters fled the scene.

     Pepper couldn't stop me this time. I ran, and climbed, ducked, and squeezed my way through what was left of my home. Parts of my room, furniture, paintings, trinkets, were now scattered around the leveled floor. The living room was unrecognizable, and the garage was all wiped out, now probably down at the bottom of the ocean.

     I slid between two fallen support beams and found myself at the edge of the cliff. My breath was rapid. Cars, walls, furniture, rooms, my whole life was sinking. My Dad was somewhere down there. I felt my legs buckle underneath my weight and I fell to the ground. I covered my mouth, and cried.

I cried, screamed, sobbed, cursed, and I hated. Pepper hugged me, and cried with me.

      Maya stayed behind, leaving us alone. I got the feeling that this was her fault. If she hadn't have shown up, we could have been gone and none of this would have happened.

      It took half an hour for the paramedics and the fire department to show up on scene. Dad had not resurfaced. We all feared the worst. But I couldn't bring myself to it. I couldn't say to myself that he wasn't coming back. He just wasn't. My Dad, my whole world is gone. I'm alone now, I guess I was just always destined to be alone.

     Dozens of news reporters tried to get an interview with me that night, but obviously I declined. One of them literally thrusted their camera in my face, and I swore in six languages before karate kicking the camera to the ground. No one has bothered me since.

     I stood at the edge of the cliff, waiting, waiting for him to show. There's no way that he's gone. Pepper was sitting on the ground, her head in his hands. I hadn't spoken a word to her since the whole thing. I wasn't mad at her for anything, it's just that there was nothing to say.

      Dark clouds had settled over us. Red and blue lights from the police and ambulance were the main source of light. Construction men were running all around, cleaning up the mess left behind. I ignored everyone. No matter who came up to speak with me, I kept my eyes on the water. My body was numb, bleeding, and distant. Like my body is here but my mind is flying.

      It's funny how a heart works, isn't it? It keeps me alive when I feel like I'm dead. I should be dead, I should have been blown up by those explosions, but somehow here I am, wallowing. My heart shouldn't be pumping right now. It burns.  

     The fire from the bombs still seamed to burn me even though it was over. Flames lapped at my body, threatening to kill me, but I didn't care. This world doesn't give a damn about me, and I return the favor. If the world did care, my Mom, Coulson, and Dad would still be here. Let that fire burn.

     A light breeze swirled around me, sending my hair in a circular motion. I brushed the bangs from my eyes, and took a double take to the dirt. One, scratched up, mud covered Iron Man helmet was just laying under a small pile of rubble.

      I lowered my body to the ground and plucked it lightly from the rubble, it looked so little and broken... kinda like me. I lifted the helmet up to my forehead and pressed my head against it. A sob threatening to spill from my already trembling lips. This is the last thing of my Fathers. It suddenly became more precious to me then anything.

Beep Beep Beep Beep

What the?

Beep Beep Beep Beep

      A red light was flickering on and off inside the helmet, letting out a light beeping tone. A flicker of hope.

     I became curious and flipped over the helmet. The light grew brighter. I didn't know what to do so I placed the helmet slowly and carefully on to my head. The helmet powered up, showing me multiple screens.

     "Stark secure server, Retinal scan verified" a female voice spoke. A message delivered a few hours ago appeared on the screen and started to play.

"Jes, Pepper, it's me. I've got a lot of apologies to make and not a lot of time to make them"

     God, no matter how many times people try to kill this guy, he just doesn't ever seem to die. And I'm utterly overjoyed for that.

He's alive.

:D