Better Days

Chapter 3: How it Started

My father scoffed. "If I don't recall you sent me a little token of condolences."

"Yeah yeah. I felt bad for you... briefly. Wheres that cute kid of yours? You know the one I basically helped raise. Whats her name? Mabel? Megan? Brooklyn jr? Could you imagine?"

"I'm going to give you until the count of three. If you aren't gone by then im going to..... eradicate.....every last one of your goons here. You sure did bring a lot. I'm flattered. He hissed. He used a big word. He must be talking about something bad. The couch was suddenly pulled from the wall and I was yanked by my ankles. I started the scream. My dad immediately turned around.

"Duck!" I yelled watching as the woman put a gun to his head. He hit the floor and pushed in the woman's legs. He quickly slammed the door shut leaving only the three of us inside. He punched the big guy and set me down. He looked at me with such fear. I looked at him with the same look, not knowing it would be the last time I would see him.

"Marcus! Come out. I only want her. You will suffer the way I've suffered."

He looked out the window and cursed. "We are surrounded Morgan. I need you to make a run for it as soon as I open the door."

"But you can come w-"

"No. I can't. I can't... I can't go with you. I gotta clean up here. Be brave for daddy ok?" He said trying to smile. I nodded hugging. We crept to the door. "Zig zag. Like I taught you. Trust me, you are a lot faster than them. They won't harm you."

I nodded ready to go. He looked at me one last time and stroked my face. "Love you kiddo."

"Love you more." I smiled.

"Love you most. Dont give your aunt too much trouble, ok baby girl?"

"I wont." I held his hand tightly

"You are my pride and joy. Everything I've ever done and do is for you. I want you to remember that."

I nodded furiously. It was as if he knew this was his last day alive.

"See... see you soon." He bit his lip and wiped his eyes. I squeezed his palm and he knelt down and kissed my cheek again and squeezed me even harder. He was whispering under his breath and finally stood up again.

He opened the door and I dashed out as instructed. While passing I only caught a glimpse of the woman. Long wavy blond hair. Her face was covered by the shadow of the sun.

I made it to the tower and got immediate access. Though I've never been here in my entire life. I ran up the stairs to find my Aunt Riley sitting with Thor talking about the good ol days. She noticed me and immediately got worried.

"Whats-"

"People are attacking my dad. He told me to come here. I don't know if they followed me here last time I had a device-" She checked my body and reassured me there was no device.

"How long ago was this?" She asked. I looked at the time.

"I don't... I don't know.... Please hurry."

Once she left she didn't return for another 4 hours. I was an optimistic litle kid. My dad always tried to level me out between optimism and pessimism but it never worked. I believed my dad was just in the hospital. The avengers took turns trying to distract me from the worrying. Looking back they definitely knew what was happening in that house. When my aunt finally came she had the emptiest smile on her face. My heart broke. "Is he ok? What happened?" I asked.

"He's didn't make it-"

"Why didnt you help him?" My eyes began to water. "You were supposed to help him!"

Her chest physically recoiled hearing my harsh words that to this day I wish I could take back. She was unresponsive. I kneeled down and looked at the floor. She pulled me into a hug and kissed my head. I smelt the saltiness of her tears. He said be brave for daddy. I have to be brave. So I held my tears back.

I was taken to her home where I slept in the guest room, while my aunt told my uncle of what happened.

The funeral service wasnt fun either. It was held on what felt like a cold day to some people. I couldn't feel much. I was too focused on my mother's grave right next to his. What a lovely way to show a little girl how shitty life can be.

As he was lowered, I couldnt help but playback what happened. Over and over until I memorized it. I never want to forget his face. Nor what what blond woman looked like. I heard so many stories about my father many of them meant to be funny. None of them could make me laugh. I remember my Uncle Nate's speech about how my dad was before me. He even said he went out flashy. I didn't understand what he meant back then. I thought he was making a cruel joke. I quickly got up and left to go somewhere else. Everything was boiling inside. I felt like a teapot. I have to release all this pain.

I knew everyone was watching me. I knew everyone knew what happened. I just didn't want to feel this way anymore. I went back to my aunt's house to cry. I could no longer be strong. My pillow was covered in spit and tears.

My door was opened by my friend Adam. I turned my head away from him and tried to suck up my tears. He put his hand on my back and rubbed it. Without a word, he provided me what I needed at the moment. I cried louder and harder than before.

It took a few days to get remotely back on schedule. I needed to transfer schools, buy new clothing, as well as leave everyone in a different town. I tended to wake up every morning at 12 pm. No one ever said anything. The twins even knew what was going on. I finished what ever remained in my old school year at home.

I became a troublesome kid for a few months. Often screaming at who ever and what ever tried to oppose me. I was hurting so badly. I became a bully at my school. I called people names and even told off the principal. I treated teachers, students, even my family, like they were beneath me. I felt as if no one could ever... EVER feel my pain. Sage soon payed us a visit. Usually I was afraid of her. But at that moment she was just another weed, I'll have no trouble stomping her out.

"You can't live your life wallowing in grief. Thats how people begin to grow in hatred and malice. I don't want to see you grow that way. Do you want to be like that?"

"......No Ma'am."

"Then be the person your father would have wanted you to be. He loved you. He wants to see you thriving and growing. You can't do that when you are yelling at your aunt and uncle over washing dishes."

I scoffed. "Alright."

"We all care about you. Get some sleep. I hope you take what I said seriously." She said rubbing my arm. She summarized what everyone else told me. Basically she told me what I had heard before. But this time it hit me a bit differently.

Since my dad is with my mother now, am I really being the kid he'd want to brag to her about? Obviously not.