Silhouette | B. Banner

Well crap

"He wants Emily to go to some psych Institute in New Mexico. Alone," Harley informs everyone.

"Ok fine," I agree instantly.

"Are you serious? They won't let a little kid deal with this guy, right Rick?" Betty protests.

"Well..."

"Wow."

"She's qualified for this kind of thing. Her dad's an Avenger," He points out.

"Do you realize how crazy that is?"

"We have to figure out what his plan is. Best way to do that is to ask him," I tell her.

"Or it's the best way to get killed."

"I'm going," I repeat.

" I bet if I say no she'll do it anyway," Rick adds in.

I nod. "That is very accurate. You do know who I used to live with right? They rubbed off on me."

"How about a compromise?" Harley suggests. "She goes with someone in her ear the entire time."

"I'm sorry, was that not a given?" Betty questions.

"No." Harley and I answer in unison.

Betty sighs, "I'm still not sure how I feel about a teenager throwing herself in the middle of this."

"Actually this just supports my theory as to why I'm here. I'm bait so might as well be bait."

"What do you mean you're bait?"

"That psych facility in New Mexico... there's only one reason Sterns wants me to go there."

Betty catches on to my train of thought, "Brian. Your grandfather."

"Why would he...?"

"I don't know. But I'm going to find out."

***

Rick hands me two small earpieces. "Keep your comms on the entire time."

"Unless I want to turn them off."

Rick sighs, "Get as much info as you can but do not engage."

"Mhm..." I hum.

"You're just going to do whatever you want, aren't you?"

I nod, "I used to be really good at taking orders. Not so good at that anymore."

"Just don't get yourself killed or else I'm pretty sure Iron Man is gonna be pissed."

"Don't worry about him. He's overprotective. He called me like five times a day the first month I got to Calcutta. I'll be fine. I can handle myself," I climb down the helicopter and touch down in front of the mental health institution.

I land in front of the building that houses my insane grandfather. I throw the earpieces down and stomp on them. I walk through the doors of the old building. There's a worn old woman with a blue-gray aura at the front desk playing on her phone.

I take a deep breath before speaking to her, "Hi, I'm here to see Brian Banner."

Her eyes glass over as she looks up, "The spawn of Bruce Banner, I was wondering if you'd come out to play."

Of course. Massive brain comes with brain powers. He has mind control.

"I'm here. You want me to talk to my psychotic grandad? Fine. I'll take you down eventually, "I threaten unapologetically.

Another employee under control appears down the hallway behind the desk. I let him lead me down the hall with flickering lights. We pass rooms filled with the mentally ill. They pound at the doors screaming.