<<Delilah>>
Ms. Potts and I just sit in the room for a while before anything else happens. She turned on the TV a while ago, but mainly just for background noise. I'm definitely glad since there is something else to focus on other than the awkward silence. I can hear people going passed in the hallway, but no one comes in. I feel like by this time, everyone must know that I'm here, but I can't be sure. I know we'll eventually have to leave the room, but I don't want to think about that. With everything that happened, I don't want to interact with anyone else today.
<<Pepper>>
Even though Delilah isn't saying or doing anything, her mannerisms are very clear. She is terrified, and doesn't know what to do. It's getting later, so I know dinner will be ready soon, but I don't know how Delilah will handle dinner right now. She was nervous enough when she was invited, and now that she's had a stressful day, I don't trust that she won't have a breakdown.
Sure enough, Friday starts talking.
"Ms. Potts. I am to inform you and Delilah that dinner is ready. Boss has said that he will bring dinner to you both if that would be better. What would you like?"
I look at Delilah, and my answer is obvious.
"Please ask him to bring us dinner. Thanks."
I look back at Delilah, and it looks like she's panicking, but I don't know why. Her face is pale, she's fumbling with her hands, and she is focused on one spot on the ground.
"Delilah, what's wrong?" I ask.
She doesn't respond, but I can tell her breathing is getting faster, which isn't a good sign. I move closer to her and put my hand on her back. She immediately flinches and snaps out of whatever trance she was in.
"I'm sorry," I say. "I didn't mean to scare you."
"I'm sorry."
"Delilah, you have nothing to be sorry for. Did something happen? You seemed freaked out for a bit there."
"I just- The- I don't want to be a burden. I'm not supposed to be here."
Suddenly another voice chimes in.
"Technically, you are supposed to be here, but I told you you didn't have to be here because you had a conflict. So, it's fine that you're here."
I look up and see Tony. I hope what he said will call her down a little bit, but you can never be sure with either of them.
I didn't realize before, but Delilah is curled up in an even smaller ball than before. I should've asked Friday to have someone else bring the food since Delilah is intimidated by Tony. She's freaking out, and I don't know why. I can't just ask her because I don't think she knows what's wrong.
"Thank you for bringing dinner, Tony," I say. "I think we'll eat here if you want to go back to the rest of the group."
He gets the hint.
"Okay. If you need anything else, just tell Friday."
We exchange the same look as he leaves. Delilah is hesitant with the food. She just looks at it before even moving.
I grab my plate.
"You can start eating. That's what the food is for."
She picks up her plate, which has a smaller portion.
<<Delilah>>
I start to eat, not wanting to be rude. I'm not really hungry right now, but I know Ms. Potts would say something if I didn't eat. It looks like some sort of casserole, but I don't know how to feel. I only know what a casserole is because of cooking classes and what my classmates have said. I've never had one before.
The casserole is good, but something seems off. I can't tell what it is, so I keep eating, hoping I can pinpoint it. It seems like a green bean casserole, but something is also crunchy in it. I don't know if this is normal, but I don't feel well. My throat and tongue are scratchy and I feel sick to my stomach. It also feels like it's getting harder to breathe.
"Ms. Potts?" I ask.
"Yes Delilah?"
"What's in this?"
"Well, it's a green bean almond casserole, so, normal things in a casserole, I guess. Is something wrong?"
"Um, I'm allergic to all nuts. I think I'm having an allergic reaction."
"Okay, well, have you had an allergic reaction before?"
I nod.
"Do you need an EpiPen?"
I nod again. It's getting harder and harder to breathe, but I know panicking won't help.
Ms. Potts tells Friday to get Dr. Banner and asks where the nearest EpiPen is. I don't want her to leave, but I also don't want to stop breathing.
<<Pepper>>
As glad as I am that Delilah told me she was having an allergic reaction, I've never dealt with one before. I tell Friday to get Bruce and to have him bring an EpiPen, then I go back over to Delilah. I can tell that she's struggling to breathe, but she doesn't seem too worried about that.
Bruce comes through the door with an EpiPen and goes right to Delilah. At this point, she's barely breathing and looks like she could pass out at any moment. He administers that EpiPen and holds it in, waiting for the countdown to stop. As he administers it, I can see Delilah passing out. I catch her before she falls off the couch, and lay her on her side.
"We just have to wait now," Bruce says. "I brought a second one in case she needs it. I don't know how serious her allergy is."
"Me neither," I say. "I didn't even think to ask if she had any allergies."
"At least we'll know for next time."
"Yeah, I just wish we knew for this time."
Delilah starts to move again, drawing our attention away from the conversation. Bruce checks her pulse and breathing while she regains consciousness. She starts by slightly moving, but when she realizes what's happening, she jolts up, returning to the corner of the couch.
"It's okay, Delilah," I say. "You had an allergic reaction."
<<Delilah>>
I don't know what's going on. Dr. Banner is now in the room, and Ms. Potts said I had an allergic reaction. The last thing I remember is Mr. Stark being in the room, but obviously something happened.
"Delilah, can you breathe?" Dr. Banner asks.
I nod. It feels weird, but I can breathe. It's almost like my mouth and throat are made of sandpaper and I'm trying to breathe.
"Do you feel sick to your stomach or anything? Like you're going to throw up?"
I nod. I'm starting to remember a little bit more. My stomach was hurting before, and now I really feel like I'm going to throw up.
"It's okay if you need to throw up. Your body is trying to get rid of everything it's fighting."
He brings over a trash can in case, and I throw up. Ms. Potts is right next to me rubbing my back while Dr. Banner is in front of me. Every time I move, a wave of nausea and dizziness washes over me. I try to stay as still as possible, but the room keeps spinning, which is also causing a headache. I just want everything to stop.
<<Pepper>>
Delilah is absolutely exhausted from everything that happened. She's laying down on the couch, her face pale. I just want her to rest right now, and I can't imagine anything she would want to do. Bruce and I step into the hall to talk so she can rest.
"Is she going to be okay?" I ask.
"She should be," Bruce responds. "She's going to be exhausted, and that's normal. She just needs sleep and food that isn't going to kill her. I wouldn't be surprised if she doesn't want to eat anything though."
"I don't want her to have to sleep on a couch though. Do you know if her room is ready for her?"
"I can go check if you want to stay here with her."
"If you wouldn't mind. I don't want to leave her."
"I get it. I can go check. If you notice her breathing change or she throws up again, have Friday get me. It's always possible for her to have a second reaction if it's not completely out of her body."
"Got it. Thank you."
"I'll be back in a bit."
I go back into the room and Delilah is still on the couch. I don't know where else she would be, but she's still there. I walk over to her, and she tries to sit up. I put my hand on her shoulder.
"You don't have to get up. Bruce is looking to see if your room is ready. If it is, you can go and hang out in there."
"Okay," she says, laying back down.
I wait silently for something to happen. I'm pretty sure Delilah is falling asleep, which is a good thing, but I still don't want her sleeping on the couch. She deserves to sleep in a bed. Bruce comes back in.
"Tony said her room is ready for her if she is."
"I'm pretty sure she's asleep. I don't know if we should move her."
"She would be closer to all of us if she were in her room if something were to happen."
"Let's move her. Slowly and quietly."
Bruce nods and we move her into her bed, hoping to not wake her up. Surprisingly, we are successful.
***
<<Delilah>>
Something doesn't seem right. Everything is dark, but I can hear something. Someone. I don't know where they are or what they're saying, but I hear them. Not just one person. At least three people having a conversation. They're getting closer. I still can't tell what they're saying. They're right next to me. I should be able to hear them, but all I hear are noises. Everything is jumbling together.
There's a picture. I'm in an empty room. Technically it isn't empty because I'm in it, but that's it. I still hear the voices, but I can understand them now.
"She's such an idiot."
"She can't do anything right. I ask so little of her."
"I expect more from you. I shouldn't have to ask."
"Why can't you do anything right?"
"Are you stupid or something?"
"I should have given you up when I had the chance."
"You're nothing in this world. No one's going to want some washed up kid."
"You don't deserve a family. Who do you think you are?"
The voices started by talking to each other, then it sounded like they were talking to me. They're telling me I'm worthless. Nothing I do is ever enough. I didn't recognize the voices at first, but I'm starting to make them out. The third voice left when I was able to see, but the other two voices sound like Mr. Atkins and Mr. Stark. The both of them telling me that I should stop trying. That I need to work harder.
I try to say that I'm doing my best, but no sound will come out. No matter what I try, I'm non-existent. I need to mean something. I need to have a purpose.
I suddenly wake up in a strange bed in a strange room. I don't know where I am. The last thing I remember is being with Ms. Potts and Dr. Banner in the living room. It's dark in the room, almost giving it an eerie feeling.
I know something must have happened if I'm in this room, but I can't remember what it was. It doesn't make sense, but I know that I can't stay in the dark. Both physically and metaphorically.
I grab my phone and walk around to find a light switch. The flashlight on my phone is still so much brighter than I thought. I can actually see the room a bit better.
The room looks like your standard bedroom, just huge. It's almost like a mini apartment.
I realize that no one else is in the room with me, and the door is unlocked, but I have no clue how I got here, so I'm trying not make much noise. It also makes it easier for me to hear any noises that may come from outside the room. I look at the time, and realize it's the middle of the night. I know I'm not tired anymore, but I also don't know what to do. I don't want to bother anyone, even though I don't know who else would be here.
I continue to look around the room to make sure there isn't anything someone is trying to hide. I just want to be thorough.
Suddenly, I hear something outside the room. I move closer quietly to see if I was actually hearing something or if I was just being paranoid. I hear something again, so I quickly get in the closet and close the door.
I can hear the handle on the door turn, then the door opens. Someone walks in and starts to walk around, but I can't see who it is. I don't even know if I know them.
"Friday, turn on the night light," the person says.
A small light comes on, and I peak out the closet to try and get a look at whoever is in the room. I see the person walk over to the bed, then look around like they're expecting something.
"Delilah? Are you in here? It's Natasha."
I open the closet and step out.
"You were in the closet?"
I nod. "Where am I?"
"Your room for when you stay here at SI."
"What?"
"Are you okay?"
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"Everything that happened yesterday. Also the fact that you're shaking right now."
"I'm fine."
"Delilah, it's 2:30 in the morning and you're awake. That usually means you're not fine."
"Sorry," I mumble.
"Do you want to talk about what's going on?"
I shake my head. I don't want to bother her with my stupid nightmare.
"Are you sure? I can get someone else if you'd rather talk to them."
"No, it's fine. I don't want to bother anyone."
"Delilah, it's the weekend. Most of them are still awake in the living room anyway having a movie night. If you're not tired you could join us."
"Really? You're inviting me to watch a movie?"
"Sure, why not? I'm pretty sure they're watching Disney movies. Most of them are still children on the inside. I think we're on Mulan if I'm not mistaken."
"Um, sure. I'd love to watch a movie."
"Perfect. Follow me."
Ms. Romanoff leads me out of the room and to another one. As we walk in, I see a bunch of Avengers scattered around the couch and floor, looking like a middle school movie night you would see in a cheesy book. It's perfect.
Sure enough, Mulan is on the TV. Ms. Romanoff walks over to Mr. Barton and lays down next to him and a bowl of popcorn. Everyone else notices her return, but no one has seen me yet.
"Is she doing alright?" Mr. Stark asks.
"You can ask her yourself," Ms. Romanoff responds, giving a small nod towards me. Mr. Stark turns around, but no one else does.
"Hey, you wanna watch the movie?" He asks.
"Um, sure," I respond.
"Then come sit down. There's popcorn if you want some."
I reluctantly make my way over to the edge of the couch and sit down next to it. Something about actually sitting on the couch just seems weird.
We watch the movie, which ended up being really good. I've never really seen many movies, so actually watching one was fun. I've seen a few that Ella has shown me during lunch, but other than that, nothing.
When the movie ends, everyone starts getting up and making their way out of the living room, so I stand up too. I don't know where I'm going, but I feel like I should go back to the room I was in before. If only I could remember how to get there. I really need to pay more attention when I walk around this place. I get lost too easily. Mr. Stark noticed my hesitation.
"You good kid?" He asks.
I turn towards him. "Yes, I'm fine."
"You can go back to your room if you want. You don't have to stay."
"Um, okay. Good night, or good morning, I guess."
"Yeah. Good night."
I walk out of the living room and toward the general direction I remember coming from, but that doesn't really help me. I focused so much on Ms. Romanoff that I have no clue where to go. Hopefully, someone in the group chat can help.
Delilah
Hey, I have a question.
Mr. Arrow
Go ahead kid
Mr. Green
What's up?
Delilah
So, I'm sleeping at SI tonight,
and I was just in the living room,
but I don't remember how to get to
my room from there.
Mr. Parent
You can always ask Friday
Ms. Nat
Or one of the Avengers
Mr. Old
Why are you up? Isn't it really late?
Delilah
It is, but I woke up at 2:30 without any
clue where I was or how I got there,
and I started looking around the room
I was in, then I heard a noise. I hid in
the closet, then Ms. Romanoff came in
and she told me they were having a
movie night and invited me, so we
watched Mulan. Now I'm trying to get
back to my room, and have no
clue how to get there.
Mr. Winter
Why did you wake up at 2:30?
Delilah
I kinda had a nightmare
Mr. Parent
Do you get nightmares a lot?
Delilah
This is the second one I've had this week.
Mrs. Parent
Did they just start?
Delilah
Yeah
Mr. Old
Do you want to talk about it?
Mr. Web
Yeah, a lot of us have had nightmares too.
Delilah
I mean, the first one was just the person in charge of my
foster home, but the second one also
had Mr. Stark, and I don't want to talk
to him about it because I don't want
to upset him.
Mrs. Parent
Does Mr. Stark scare you?
Delilah
A little
Mr. Arrow
May I ask why?
Delilah
He's someone. He's important. I'm just
some nobody kid. I don't want to
screw up.
Ms. Nat
Delilah, you're not nobody.
Mr. Green
He chose you for a reason.
Mr. Little
Also, he's invited you to have dinner
and stay over. That definitely wouldn't
happen if he didn't like you.
Mr. Old
Look, Stark trusts you more than a lot
of other people. He lets you work
in his lab without him and gives you
projects. You're smart, and he know it.
Mr. Parent
What did he say in your nightmare?
Delilah
They were both telling me that I was
worthless and that they wished they
had given me up when they had the
chance. They said I was nothing in
the world and no one is going to want
some washed up kid. They said that I
didn't deserve a family.
Mrs. Parent
Delilah, none of that is true.
Ms. Nat
You're not nothing.
Mr. Green
You're definitely smart enough.
Mr. Old
I know this may be hard, but try to
listen the what people are telling you
when you're awake. Those are the
voices that will tell you the truth.
Delilah
I'm going to try and find my room. Thanks.
<<Delilah>>
I turn off my phone and put it away. After what Mr. Old said, I can only think of that. If the people who talk to me when I'm awake are telling the truth, does that mean Mr. Atkins was telling me the truth? I mean, for years I thought he was, and part of me still does. All I feel I've done at the internship is mess up, so I don't know why Mr. Stark hasn't told me he doesn't want me to come back yet.
I still don't know where my room is, so I've just been standing in the hallway on my phone. I don't know what to do, because I don't want to bother Friday or anyone else. I can feel myself panicking, and I really don't know what to do. I can't ask for help. I don't know how. As much as I know I need someone, I can't ask. I'm never going to be good enough for anyone. I should just tell Mr. Stark that I'm done. I should stop forcing him to put up with me. No one asked for me, so why am I here? I just need everything to stop.
"Delilah, are you okay?" Someone asks.
I look up, but I can't say anything. In front of me is Mr. Barton. I look back down, and Mr. Barton crouches so I have to look at him. I fidget with my phone case to occupy my hands, and just look at Mr. Barton.
"Delilah? Hey, can you hear me?"
I look at him, but nothing comes out of my mouth except for short exhales and the sound of gasping breaths. I can't get enough air in to form sound, but I know I need help. I need something, but I can't ask.
"We're just going to take some breaths, okay? Just try and get as much air in. You're going to be okay."
I nod, and try to breathe with him. Not much air is getting in, and I'm starting to get dizzy. That last thing I need is to pass out. I can't control that, though. I want to sit down, but I'm not sure I can actually get on the floor without falling, so I just push myself up against the wall and lean into it.
I keep trying to breathe, but I still don't feel like I can get enough air. I feel myself swaying a little, and then I feel a hand on my shoulder.
"Do you need to sit down?" Mr. Barton asks.
I nod. He helps me to the ground, and somehow that makes me feel better. It's still hard to breathe, but having more of a grounding just helps. Mr. Barton sits in front of me, and that also just helps. I'm not paying that much attention to what's happening around us, until someone starts talking to Mr. Barton. He dismisses them and his focus comes back to me.
"Just keep breathing. You're doing great. Steve is just going to get you a glass of water, okay?"
I nod. Breathing is getting easier little by little, until I can almost take normal breaths again.
Mr. Rodgers comes back and hands me a glass of water. He doesn't stay, which I'm a little glad for, so it's just Mr. Barton and me. I take a few sips of the water, then put it next to me.
"Are you feeling better?" Mr. Barton asks.
I nod. "A little."
"Is there anything you want to talk about?"
"No. It's not important."
"Delilah, whatever just happened was obviously important. You seemed like you were about to stop breathing."
"It doesn't matter. It's nothing."
"If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine. I just don't want you to dismiss your feelings because you feel they aren't important because they are."
"I'm sorry."
"You have nothing to be sorry for. Would it be okay if I walk you to your room?"
I nod. "That's okay."
"Perfect."
We stand up and I grab the glass of water. I don't know what I'm going to do with it, but I don't want to just leave it on the floor in the hallway.
Mr. Barton leads me back to my room and says goodnight. I say goodnight back and start closing the door. I leave it open a bit when I hear someone talking to Mr. Barton in the hall.
"Were you expecting her to actually talk to you?" The man asks.
"It was worth a try," Mr. Barton responds.
"Well, you've seen how she's acted. She doesn't talk about herself unless heavily prompted."
"Look Wilson, she needed someone, and I was there. I know it can sometimes help to talk about whatever is upsetting. I haven't known her long enough to know if she needs to talk about a problem or get distracted."
"Okay, but you've heard Stark talk about her. She's terrified of messing up."
"It's too late for this. I'll see you in the morning."
"Technically, it's already morning."
"Goodnight Wilson."
"Yeah, whatever."
I silently close the door and walk to the bed. I'm about to get in when I realize that Carmen is no longer on the bed. I move the blankets around and look around the room for her. She isn't on or around the bed, or just on the floor randomly. I really don't know how I'm going to sleep if I don't have the one comfort item I have right now.
Someone knocks on the door.
"Delilah? It's Natasha again. May I come in?"
"Um, yes."
She opens the door and walks over to me as I look for Carmen.
"Is everything okay?" She asks.
"I'm, um, just looking for something," I respond.
"Maybe I can help you look, if that's okay with you."
"Yes please. It's a frog stiffed animal. I know it's stupid but-"
"It's not stupid. Stuffed animals are amazing no matter what anyone says. You are never too old for nor can you ever have too many stuffed animals."
"Okay, sorry."
"It's okay."
She starts looking around the room with me, and I go towards the bathroom. I don't know why Carmen would be in the bathroom, but I might as well check.
"Hey Delilah? I found it," I hear Ms. Romanoff say.
I walk out of the bathroom and towards her. She's standing almost in the closet, which is actually a very logical place for Carmen to be.
I take Carmen from Ms. Romanoff and thank her. She says goodnight and leaves the room, so it's just me again. I can't help but find the whole situation weird. I'm thirteen, and I got so worked up over a stuffed animal I haven't even had for a full day.
I walk over to the bed and get in. I make sure Carmen is close to me. The only thing I can hope for now is the ability to sleep.
A/N: Hello lovely human! Welcome to the end of another chapter. I hope you guys are enjoying the story. I have some characters I want to introduce soon, so that will be interesting. I promise you all that I am trying really hard to update as frequently as possible, but I am a very busy person, so spare time is difficult to find. I don't want to make excuses, but life is life. Unpredictable. You guys have no idea how amazing I find all of your comments and even just the fact that you're reading this. I didn't expect anyone to actually like this, especially because I'm using an OC, and also the fact that writing is my outlet so I tend to hurt characters to cope with my own mental instability. I know that these are tough and unprecedented times, so my dms are always open. I have been told that I am a good listener, so I will always be willing to hear you out. Sometimes just having a random stranger to talk to is nice. I also have a lot of resources if you just need something anonymous, but someone who is actually trained. I'm here for you, no matter who you are or what you're going through. You're worth it. Have an amazing day, week, year, and life. You made it this far. You deserve it.