A New Hope

Chapter 14: Vegas Part 2

After having a wonderful tour of the Burgr kitchen, we said thank you and headed back out to the strip. "So, where to next?" Brendon asked.

"Down by Treasure Island there's an interactive Avengers experience. Can we check that out?" I asked.

"Sure, let's go," Dallon said.

So, we walked the really long way down the strip to the Avengers interactive experience. "Wow, this looks so cool," I said as we walked in.

"Yeah, it looks really cool," Kenny said.

"Let's hurry up and pay, come on!" I said as I pulled Brendon toward the desk.

"Ok, hold up. I need to get out this thing I call a wallet," he said sarcastically, pulling out his wallet.

As he paid, the lady explained the app we have to use. We all downloaded the app and waited in line to go in. I squealed like only a fangirl could. "You know, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you're kinda excited," Dallon said.

"Yeah, maybe just a little. Come on, I'm totally obsessed. Like, you've been in my room," I said.

"I'm glad you're excited," Brendon said.

A few minutes later, the doors opened. I jumped up and down as we entered the"de-briefing room". Maria Hill told us all to know, then we went into the next room. That room was my favorite because it has everything you needed to know about, drum roll please, Captain America! I was so excited, I ran straight in. "Calm down, please," Brendon said.

"Ok, ok, but wow, Captain America. My very favorite. I'm glad I remembered to wear my hat," I said.

After I said that, I walked straight over to the shield. It was life-size, and totally awesome. I found all I needed in that room, then I moved on to the next room. After we went through all the training, there was a fight against Ultron and his minions. It was pretty easy, and it was over in no time. "We should probably head over to Fremont Street, it's getting late," Kenny said.

"Yeah, let's go. I've never been," I said excitedly.

"Just warning you, it's not exactly the best place to take a five-year-old, if you know what I mean," Dallon said.

I rolled my eyes. "I know Dallon, don't worry. I'm almost sixteen, remember?"

"I'm just warning you!" he said defensively.

"I know, thanks."

This time we were on time for the bus, and it was only a short ride. When we got there, I saw a giant slot machine. But, as we got closer, I realized it was actually a zipline. "You wanna go on?" Brendon asked me.

"Uh, no thanks. Hate heights. Got stuck on Power Tower at Cedar Point when I was younger. My one foster dad made me go on it with his daughter. We got stuck up there for FOUR HOURS!!! FOUR FUCKING HOURS!!" I said.

"Ok, fine. And, watch your goddamn language," Dallon said sarcastically.

I just glared at him. "Anyway, my point is, I am not going on that thing. You guys can though," I said.

"No, I don't wanna leave you down here alone," Brendon said.

"I have pepper spray," I said, being totally serious about the can I had in my jacket pocket.

"No, I'm not leaving you down here, end of discussion," Brendon said with his dad voice.

"Ok, jeez, calm down," I said, "So, now I wanna go to this place Baylee told me about. It has knee high socks that look like Converse."

"Ok, we can go check it out. Dal, Kenny, you guys coming?" Brendon asked.

"Yeah, we'll come," Kenny said.

"I never agreed to that," Dallon said.

"Fine, go on by yourself," I said.

"Uh... no thanks, I'll come."

"Ooo, Dallon, are you a scaredy-cat?" I asked.

"No, I just... I wanna hang out with you," he responded.

"Since when do you want to hang out with me?" I asked, confused.

"Since forever. Plus... sock shopping sounds fun. Let's go," he said as he shoved his hands in his pockets and speed-walked away from the giant zipline.

"Sock shopping? Seriously Dal?" Brendon said.

"Fine, I don't wanna go alone, ok? It's scary."

"Dallon, it doesn't look that scary to someone not afraid of heights like I am," I said.

"Yeah, come on Dallon. Look, how about this. If Chloe can go on it, you can go on it," Kenny said.

"Uh, no way in hell am I going on that thing," I said.

"Come on, show Dallon he's just being a scaredy-cat. I'll give you ten bucks," Brendon said.

"Thirty and it's a deal," I said.

"How about twenty?"

"Deal. I guess. But Dallon is going up there with me, cause I want someone there with me when I pass out."

"Ok, fine, I'll go. Let's go," Dallon said, immediately happy, smirk on his face.

I glared at him, knowing he was only happy because I wasn't. "Wipe that smirk off your face," I said before muttering, "Asshole."

"I heard that, and be nice," he said as we walked back toward the building next to the zipline to pay.

"I shouldn't have to be nice if you aren't."

"Yes, you should. Didn't your mama ever teach you to respect your elders?"

"I never met my mama, so no."

"Oh, right. Sorry to bring it up."

"No big deal. I'm used to it by now."

"So, do you know anything about your birth family?"

"Uh, I know that I'm named after my aunt, first and middle. And I know I have a sister somewhere, but I don't know anything about her except the fact that we're twins."

"Aw, that's gotta suck."

We got our wristbands and started walking up the steps to get harnesses. "Yeah, a little bit, but I forget about it most of the time. But, if you ever see a doodle with something to do with Claire, that's her. The only other thing I know about her: her name."

"Do you know your birth last name?"

I turned around so the guy could help me get my harness on. "I think Katy told me that it's Burke, but I'm not sure. I've never even seen my birth certificate."

"Wow, really?"

"Yeah, I guess my mom has it, wherever in the world she is. Or my dad, maybe."

"I'm sorry. It must suck not knowing anything."

"Yeah, it does, but you get used to it."

We got into the elevator. "I would hate not knowing where I come from or anything. I can't imagine life without my parents."

"Yeah, I get it, but I also don't. Like, I've never had life with my birth parents, so all I know is life without them."

"Yeah, I kinda understand."

"You don't have to. It's really something only foster kids can understand."

"Yeah, but just understand that everyone will try to understand, and they're willing to listen if you want to talk, including me."

"I know. Thanks Dal," I said, giving him a hug.

"No problem. Now, are you ready for this?"

I looked at the metal door in front of me as I laid on the mat so they could hook me to the zipline. "No. But I'll do it. For you Dal."

"Thanks. Ok, let's do this."

And with that, as the door folded down, I closed my eyes and pushed off the mat, sending me down the zipline overtop Fremont Street next to one of my best friends ever, bassist of Panic! at the Disco, Dallon Weekes.