Survivors

24 Years

24 Years Later

The pod door opens and I fall straight out. Still a little stiff and frozen I moan an 'Ouch!' as I wake up. 'Morning Jarvis' I say with my voice slightly croaking. 'Glad to have you back Maria!' He responds.

I stand and walk to the lunch room, I grab a couple of blood bags and allow myself to tear into them with my fangs instead of using a straw. I see the earth, looking better than ever and a smile creeps on my face. I take a walk down to Level four, where the main bedrooms are and walk along the hall to mine. Everyone asleep in a pod has a room, be it a family or adjoined room. With Tony and Peppers room next door I feel a little closer to home.

Opening my room I instantly look out my large rectangular window and spot the arc. I decide to close over my curtains and actually sleep for the first time in ninety nine years. I see the picture frames all light up around my room, the ones closest to my bed catching my eye, Pepper cradling me in her arms, with Tony kissing my forehead as a baby.

I look to a cute frame with Summer Holiday of '13, Mom, Dad and Maria - Disneyland Florida, I'm walking hand in hand with Dad with Mickey mouse ears on whilst mum is walking beside us wearing Minnie mouse ears. Rhodey took the picture from behind us.

I then look to another favorite of mine a cute picture with all the avengers, after a large party I along with the rest of the avengers fell asleep on mostly the same couch, I'm asleep on Steve's shoulder whilst my legs are over Bucky's, Nat is asleep on Bucky, Tony fell asleep on Bruce, Bruce fell asleep on the floor whilst hugging Thor's leg, because Thor was asleep on the other side of Steve. I smile as I place the frames back by the side of my bed. I place my phone on the wireless charging station beside my desk, and set a timer for wake up at 7am in the morning. I get into bed after putting on my pajama shorts and cosy down to sleep.

Running, something is behind me, I'm not going to out run it. I trip and fall down, fall down, falling, out of breath, can't breathe, can't breathe, 'Can't' I scream out, causing myself to jolt awake, spring from the bed, tangling myself up in the sheets and falling on my face to the floor. 'Jarvis, lights please' I shout. The light increases in the room as I wake up from my nightmare. I pull myself free from my covers and throw them onto my bed. I sit on the edge of my bed, cold sweat covering my body breathing rapidly.

'Are you alright Maria?' Jarvis asks, 'I'm fine Jarvis, I just had a nightmare' I say wiping my face. I stand up, grab my phone, put it into my shorts pocket and walk to the lunch hall. I walk through and grab a blood bag. I tear it open and drink it down. 

I look out at the planet and notice I left my spell book next to me, not that anyone would see it. I flick through the pages and notice loads of spells I've never even had to worry about using, since I was never attacked by supernatural creatures. I flick to the back of the book and notice a family tree, 'that wasn't there before' I whisper as I notice the branches filled with names and my name at the bottom.