[2] FAR FROM HIM // t.stark

Chapter Ten

Apparently, even though my health is showing a constant good sign, I'm still not allowed to be discharged. They say they wanted to do some more tests on me to make sure that I am 100% healthy to finally walk on my own. I don't know why Mom didn't fight them for me when she knows they're lying, especially when they persuaded us by saying that it is safer to be here rather than going home. Does Mom think that we're protected here? That we are safe here? It's been 24 days since the accident and the treatment. I am good now. For all we know, anything could happen to Dad's garage.

Thinking about Dad's garage got me anxious. I have this urge to go back to our house and visit the garage. I can't let anyone — other my family — enter the garage especially without my permission. Dad specifically asked me to take care of his belongings and....yes, our family, so if anything, they have to come through me first.

I leaned against the tree with my hand rested on the marble table and legs crossed on the long marble chair like this whole table is mine (well, practically it is because I got here first). With me is Harley. He is on a wheelchair opposite me. He just awoke 4 days ago and is already allowed to be off bed. It is either he is not an important asset to Shield or the doctors here are biased.

I ignored Harley although I feel him watching me, like he wanted to say something to me. Maybe he wanted an explanation about what happened. Or maybe he wants to explain to me why he was at my house three weeks ago. Or he's wondering why I haven't asked about it it or wondering if I'm wondering. You could say that it was good he was there, otherwise we wouldn't know Dad's garage was endengered, but I didn't think it was good. We were lucky, but not good. Although I doubt Harley would want to betray us, but it bothers me that he was there.

I hugged myself as I watched people coming in out of the hospital, thinking what else do they want from me. My blood? My brain? What else do they want to experiment on me? I'm not a lab rat. I didn't sign a deal for any experiment. Plus, for all I know, I'm a normal human being. I'm not a mutant or any supernatural hero. I wasn't bitten by a radioactive spider. I wasn't exposed to gamma radiation that later turns me to a giant green when I'm angry. Again. This isn't about my safety. This is something else.

'So deep in thought,' I heard Harley say.

Did I miss what he said or did he really start his sentence with 'so'?

I shook my head and sighed.

'What?'

'Nothing,' I said.

'There–'

     Whatever Harley wanted to say was put on a halt because he saw me suddenly yelping as I pushed myself off the tree and sat up straight. My lungs felt tight and I began to sweat when my eyes fell on someone whom I recognised even from his eyebrows. Now, he could look like somebody else who is coming to visit his relatives, but his familiar plaid shirt, his tousled dark brown hair, his familiar backpack. The way his familiar small figure walking through the crowd under the bright sun. I could never miss him in the crowd.

      I stared at the figure as he looks out to find me. I saw someone's with him. Someone that I'd know even from behind, even from the sound of his footsteps, even when he made a funny voice to prank me. Rhodey looked tight and doesn't enjoy Peter as his company. Well, no one actually does. To them, Peter is an annoying kid.

     Rhodey was not a fan to go out lately. Whenever we call each other for news (because texting your father's best friend is weird), he will either in his room or office. Nowhere outside. Dad's death took its toll on him — on everyone.

     Harley turned to look at the direction I'm staring at. I don't know if he recognised Peter, but he did seem to watch. And . . . .

Did I hear a groan?