The Life I'm Running From

40\ Driving Down a Road to Nowhere

Wind crashed against the side of the Ferrari as we flew down the road. The windows were cracked open and the breeze sent my hair flying wild. The yellow landscape around us was spotted with muddy snow, looking bleak compared to the bright blue sky.

Peter pressed a button on the stereo, his other hand guiding the steering wheel. A pop song started playing and I cranked the volume. The melody was lost to our ears because of our speed, but I could hear the beat. I drummed my hands on my thighs.

We were driving to Upstate New York, where the Avengers Headquarters was. First thing this morning, Peter had knocked on my door, with the keys to Tony's blue Ferrari dangling from his fingers. Danny said she would excuse me from school, and we were off.

Hey, don't judge me. It's saving the world business, which is way more important than school. (And besides, now I don't have to take my Physics test.)

I looked down at my phone. On our way up, I was supposed to be translating the Ancient Greek from Ravenyx' papers. So far I had translated three, and it all seemed like boring mission reports. "Watched my target from the stairwell", "after three weeks I can figure out he eats at the same diner every Saturday night", "my powers are still working steadily". There was no actual explanation for how she picked her targets, why she was killing them, or how she got her powers. We could only hope that it will be explained in the next few photos.

The car slowed as we reached a busy street. Peter turned down the radio, and rested his arm on the car door. "We have about an hour before we get there." I nodded and he looked over at me, his eyes roaming across my face. "You okay?"

My brow furrowed. "Yeah? Why wouldn't I be?"

Peter shrugged, and I saw him look back to ensure his backpack with his Spider-Man suit was still in the car. "Last time you were at the Avengers compound it didn't go too well for you."

I glanced down at my wrist, and rubbed the scar. It was a faded red now, but still very noticeable. A mark of the life I led for almost a year. No powers, no ties to my original friends and family, no responsibilities.

"Are you still sad about it?" Peter's eyes were on the road as we trailed behind a semi, but I knew what he was talking about.

I shrugged, and turned away to look out the window. A grocery store blinked its faded red neon sign at me. "I don't know. I liked being free, I liked being safe. I don't know what I want anymore."

He didn't say anything more, and I was grateful. I already knew everyone thought me having my powers was for the best. And I couldn't get rid of my powers now. But I still don't know—do I want this life?

This life was what made me follow Peter this morning. This life was pulling me along on an adventure to stop Ravenyx. We'll see if it pays off.

My phone dinged. A text from Harley lit up the screen.

Are you sick today?

I almost turned off my phone and ignored it, when I remembered that he was my boyfriend. I should probably tell him why I was skipping school.

Yes. I'm at home. I'll see you Monday.

What? A little lie can't hurt him.

★彡 ★彡 ★彡 ★彡

The Avengers Headquarters loomed before us as Peter drove up the driveway. The building was taller from this angle, and represented the cage I had seen it as in the first week. The windows were tinted, so I couldn't tell if anyone was watching us approach. A landing pad for helicopters was on our right, and I saw a maintenance crew checking the lights on the edge. Behind the spindly trees, the lake was covered in a thin sheet of shining ice.