Chapter 12- Press

  I mean, to be honest, I needed to go back to school. And, the whole idea might just make things worse. I have 2 years till Spider-Man exists, so I'll be, what? 18 when he becomes Spider-Man?

  But, then again, it would mean that I could go out in public without the fear of the police picking me up. I'll be honest, I haven't been outside in years. Maybe once, since I got here, to get Ice-Cream, but most of my time was spent working on stopping Thanos.

  All in all, though, its not too bad an idea. I've never been too good at public speaking, but I guess it's time to learn.

"M'kay." I respond.

"You sure?" He asks, shocked.

"I mean, it probably means I have to school. But I think it's for the best. I need to keep a look out for our future Spider-Man, anyways." I shrug, "So, why not?"

He sighs in relief, "Thank you. So much. Because I want to go out in public with you without them asking questions."

I stare at the rest of the team, "But did you have to ask in front of them? They've been staring at me for 5 minutes."

As soon as I say that, they all look away.

Dad doesn't, "So, I'll have Pepper set up a press conference for next week. 'Kay?"

I roll my eyes, "You and Pepper are together, right? I want to make sure I don't ruin your guys' future together."

He chuckles, "No, you didn't destroy our relationship."

  I get up, after I had finished my food and go to my room. This could possibly be the stupidest idea I've ever had. But, it may work out fine. I mean, I doubted myself last time, and it ended up working.

6 Days Later (Day of the Press Conference)

  My anxiety was killing me. There were many thoughts that I had. What if I get a flashback on stage? What will dad have to say? Will he have to explain everything?

  What if I accidentally lose control of my powers on stage? How will I explain that? And, where did I come from? I know where I really did, but I didn't plan on telling them the truth. 

Dad notices that I'm anxious, "You'll be okay. Everything will be fine."

I ask him, "Where did I come from? How will I answer that?"

He just smiles, "We'll say I've homeschooled you since forever, keeping you hidden. And for your 16th birthday, I decided to let the world know of your existence."

I look him in his eyes, "And my mom?"

He shrugs, "Cecile Marie Falcon."

I snort, "Falcon, huh?"

He looks at me, confused, "What?"

I laugh, "Sam Wilson. You really think anyone revealed their past to him? No, he was known as the Falcon. But, he isn't a superhero. Sadly."

He looks into my soul, "Why not?"

I shrug, "By stopping Hydra from invading SHEILD, I kept him from being a superhero. Maybe... if I let you see the suit, you can make it for him if we ever need it."

He nods, "Sure. Send me a picture after the conference."

  The car stops and dad takes my hand. He leads me out of the vehicle and to the front of the crowd. He stands at the podium with me close behind.

He smiles, big, "So... I've waited what feels like forever to tell you this. But, I've decided it would be best as a secret. But, since her birthday was last week, her 16th, I would like you guys to meet my daughter. Abigail Stark."

He walks back and I step up to the podium, "Hey guys... If you have any questions just ask."

"Who's your mother?"

"How long have you lived with Stark?"

"Are you set to inherit the company?"

I start to answer them, "My mother was Cecile Falcon. She died giving birth to me, so I've lived with my father my whole life. As for the last one, I don't know. My father will have to ask it."

He steps up beside me, "Yes, Abigail will inherit Stark Industries when I die."

I shrug, "I prefer to say if. You're a strong guy."

He laughs, "Yeah. Only you would say that."

They start asking more questions:

"Did you go to school?"

"Why have we just heard of this?"

"Do you miss your mother?"

I answer the questions, "I have been home schooled by my father my whole life. You just heard of it because being a Stark is dangerous. It was better that I was hidden until I was able to defend myself. And as for my mother, I may not have known her, but I miss her every day."

"Do you know the Avengers?"

"Do you live with your father currently?"

"How do you feel about your father being Iron Man?"

I shrug, "I know the Avengers, yes. We've met before. I do live with my father. Where else would I live? And my father, although his job as Iron Man and an Avenger is dangerous, what he's doing is great. He's helping the world, and I appreciate it."

"Do you have any idea what they were fighting in Sokovia?"

"What's your relationship with your father?"

"Do you blame yourself for your mother's death?"

I froze. "Uh. I, well.."

Dad steps in, "Who asked that question?"

"I did." A man steps in front of me. He makes me lose all air in my lungs.

Dad notices, "What's wrong?"

I stutter, "St- Stepfa-father."

His expression hardens, "That'll be all for today. Come with me Abigail."

  As soon as we get into the car, a flashback hits me like a motherfucking truck. Going 7,000 mph.

-Flashback-

  I stood there, looking at my "father" in the crowd. He was clapping. Smiling. I had gotten second place in the 3rd grade spelling bee. I thought it was enough.

  When we get home, though. My thoughts are proven wrong when he slaps me.

"Second place?" He asks, "You can do better than that."

"I tried. But that word was very hard."

"Very hard?" He punches me in the ribs, "That punch, was very hard. The word 'incandescent' is not."

"I tried!" I shout, causing me to get slapped by him.

  He leaves the living room and comes back with the belt. My look of pure horror satisfies him.

"Turn around." He orders.

  I do as he says, knowing full well I'll get hit in the face if I don't. I feel the sting of the belt and the stickiness of the blood on my back. And I can't help but cry out.

"Oh, you're weak now?" He asks.

"N-No." I respond.

  That answer, which he knows is a lie, causes him to hit me harder. He then hits me over and over, until he has hit me what feels like a thousand times. My whole back stings.

  He then stops, and goes to watch tv. I go to my room, and take off the now blood stained shirt. I then take a bath, and bandage my back.

-End Flashback-

  When I come back to the real world, dad's hands are on my back. Rubbing it, trying to comfort me. But, I can't help it when my hands shove his hands off my back. And I'm surprised I'm not in the middle of a panic attack.

"Look." I say, "That guy isn't even the same as my world stepfather. Don't go after him. But I don't want to see his face again, either."

"Understood." He replies, "What was that flashback about."

"3rd grade spelling bee." I answer.

He looks into my eyes for an answer, "That's all?"

"I got second place." Tears pour out of my eyes and he pulls me into a hug, "And it wasn't good enough. He got a belt and started hitting my back. It bled so, so much. And it hurt like hell."

He holds me tight, "I'm not letting that happen ever again."

"I'm not going to make you promise that."

He looks at me, confused, "Why not?"

"Because you can't keep that kind of promise. Not with what I am and how things work. There is a good chance I'll get kidnapped again. And I don't want you to feel bad."

He nods his head in understanding, "Okay."

  The whole ride home I cry and cry until I fall asleep. But my dreams aren't peaceful. Even hugging the person I love the most, I can't dream a good dream.