Black Hood

Farewell

Sophie's POV

Three days have passed since my ... my episode. I'm slowly recovering. Even though I want to be alone, I never allow myself to be ... except for when I sleep.

Even though I'm never alone, I feel lonely, probably because I'm not all there - it's like I'm trapped in my own little bubble, oblivious to everyone else, yet I see them there.

Peter and I are sitting together, watching the TV - except I'm not watching it. I'm just sitting there, in my bubble.

I hear an explosion. I'm drawn out. I look out the window. There are screams and smoke. I jump to my feet, my attention focused entirely on the noise and smoke. I go towards the window staring at the scene.

Peter's POV

We hear a bang. Sophie suddenly jumps to her feet, staring at the smoke. She floats towards the window, completely focused on the scene. I hurry to her side to get a better look. The TV suddenly makes a strange buzzing sound behind us. I turn towards it. Sophie doesn't notice.

Sophie's POV

I stare at the scene before me, entranced by it, when someone turns me around to look at the TV. I go to turn back to the scene of smoke and screams. I freeze. Papa's on the television. He's standing amongst the smoke. He says my name.

"This is a warning, Avengers. Unless Sophie - my darling, dear girl - unless she is brought to me by 3:00 am tomorrow at the old Avengers tower, I will do this to other places, bigger places, filled with more people. There will be more casualties. Remember: Sophie at 3:00 am tomorrow at the old Avengers tower or more cities go 'BOOM'!"

The TV clicks off. I stare at it for a moment, then realise Peter's staring at me. I suddenly become aware of the other Avengers also being in the room, all staring at me.

"Well, you heard him," I say. "I guess this is farewell."

I turn to go. Someone grabs my hand. I turn. It's Peter.

"No," he says simply.

I pull my arm away.

"I have to."

My father, Peter, Pepper and Loki shake their heads.

"Yes, I do. I can't let innocent people die for me! My life is not worth that of a hundred or more. I have to go."

Their eyes fall. All except my father's.

"At least stay until you have to go."

I look up at him, tears in my eyes, and nod.

"Okay," I whisper.

Tony's POV

We've stayed up all night, waiting for 3:00 am. It's ten minutes to. Sophie stands.

"I guess It's time to go."

She hugs me first. Somehow, she manages not to cry. She hands me something. Her necklace. The one her mother gave her before she abandoned her. It reads: 'No matter what, I will always love you.'

I smile at her. She smiles back, before heading around the room to hug others. Peter's the last one. He wraps his arms around her, and hers around him. Then she kisses his cheek.

Sophie's POV

A strange voice invades my head just as I pull away from Peter. It controls my mouth. A voice that is not my own erupts from it, but I don't know what I'm saying. I know I'm speaking - I can hear it - but I can't hear my words.

*

I'm on my way to the old Avengers tower, floating at full speed to get there just before 3:00 am. I arrive with one minute to spare.

"Hello again, Sophie. Are you ready?"

I nod once.

"Good, good."

He takes my arm.

"It's time to go."