DANCING IN THE DARK ▶ Marvel's Runaways

Prologue

❝Prologue❞

“Growing apart doesn’t change the fact that for a long time we grew side by side; our roots will always be tangled. I’m glad for that.”

Matched by Alice Condie

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A SINGLE LIGHT ILLUMINATED THE PITCH BLACK ROOM LOCATED GOD KNOWS WHERE. In the corner of the location was a single computer screen on a steel silver table. The screen showed nothing but static, and the noise along with it.

One by one, the other florescent lights in the room, revealing a basement that looked like it was converted into a study of sorts.

The entire set up resembled a library. Four long, mahogany tables with different sorts of papers like papers as well as leather bound books ontop were placed neatly around the room. Bookshelves, and a few gray file cabinets lined the walls. It even had the smell of old ink and parchment.

Suddenly, the indistinct sounds of the computer screen in the corner became even louder, as if a scattered signal was trying to focus on one received. Soon, the noises started to form one sound, and the screen vaguely began to form a picture.

"This... This— Strange—" The voice came out as disoriented, only a few words at a time, and indistinguishable if it was a male or female. Soon, however, the signal became strong enough, and even the person who spoke could be seen.

The image of a woman replaced the distorted static. She could have been nearing her thirties, although it was hard to say. The expression on her face was doubtful, although confident. It was clear that she hoped this message would get through to whoever it was she wanted it to reach.

Her hair was a deep shade of red, falling down her shoulders, and her eyes a stormy blue. Her lips weren't painted, although they had a natural rosy glow, while her skin was paler than normal. The video only showed her waist up, and the background was a plain white wall. She wore a red top, and a black jacket, and a rather cool expression on her face.

The woman pursed her lips together for a brief moment, before she sighed. She then turned to the camera and spoke:

"This— this may seem strange, I'll admit. More than strange. If it does reach you, I mean. I took a chance on this message. Hopefully, this won't end up as another one of my mistakes."

A small, breathy laugh escaped her lips, running a hand through her hair as if it were a habit. There was something noticable on her hand. A silver band around one of her fingers, possibly a wedding ring.

"If you don't already know, I'll probably introduce myself, although it should be obvious" Said the woman, her tone light as if she had just said some sort of joke. "My name is Scarlett Sinclair. Although, most likely not the one you know. The Scarlett Sinclair from the future."

Even she sounded a little amused at her words. She broke into a small grin, chuckling a little, pausing as she looked at the ground for a while, and then back again.

"This message is supposed to go to my teenage self, during the period of time I've desired it to be sent. If I did this correctly— God, I hope I did— then you must have just moved back to California, two years after... After Amy's death." The words came out somewhat forced. Even after such a long time, the death of her friend was still a tough topic to speak about.

"There's only so much I can say in this without disrupting the natural order of time, even though it's very tempting to say more." A small from spread across her face. "Never really could watch my mouth."

Scarlett's expression then turned serious, biting her lower lip slightly before she opened her mouth again: "Scarlett, you are not their weapon. You were not born to be a monster. Your powers— they are not a curse. They don't make you who you are. Don't let them control you. If you do... Then they've already won."

Dark are the times when the world needs saviors, but there cannot be light without the dark.

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Cause we were just kids when we fell in love, not knowing what it was. I will not give you up this time.

But darling, just kiss me slow, your heart is all I own. And in your eyes you're holding mine.

Baby, I'm dancing in the dark with you between my arms. Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song.

When you said you looked a mess, I whispered underneath my breath, but you heard it, darling, you look perfect tonight

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