Chapter Seven

Suddenly, I was in an arena, like a gladiator arena. I saw a little girl about ten feet away from me. I took a closer look, and realized what was happening. This was a memory and that little girl was me. I was experiencing a memory in third person. This feeling came over me, of sudden fear. My instincts told me to look to my left, and what I saw was unreal. There was this thing on the other side of the arena, coming fast toward my six year old self. That thing, it was yellow, and was like a scorpion, except three times my current size. I tried moving, but it was as if my shoes were glued to the ground. I tried to unlace them, but when I touched my laces they burnt my fingers. I looked up, scared and heard myself scream. Mini-me was pinned to the ground, but she wasn’t looking up at the thing, she was looking up at the jumbo screen. I followed her path of vision to see a blood curdling face on the screen. His skin was green, almost like a baby. There were these wires attached to his head, no to his brain. I could just barely see past the screen to see a figure. I couldn’t find out who it was.

“DADDY!!!!!” My six year old self screamed.

I guess I did know. There was a white flash of anger that surged in between us. I was so angry, and I watched as my six year old self used her powers to get that thing off of her. I had powers when I was a child? All of a sudden, time began moving in reverse all around me. Now, I was in the garage below Dad and I’s childhood home in Malibu, California. There were other cars there too, that dad was working on. I didn’t see the Iron Man suits anywhere. Maybe Dad tried keeping the fact he was a superhero from me. I watched my four year old self as I observe the car engine in front of me. I guess I was building it, but I don’t understand why I can’t remember this. I only remember little bits and pieces, but they were blurry. They were only good parts too, like when dad brought me to work, or when we would go on road trips to places like Washington, D.C. Why didn’t I remember this? Obviously my brain was developed enough that I should. I mean, I was building a car engine!

Then, time passed to when I was a newborn. Dad was holding me, and making me laugh. I looked so happy and adorable. My eyes were so bright and full of curiosity. My attention turned to Dad. He was sitting in a rocking chair, and holding me in what used to be my room. It was a light pink with baby green polka dots. It had picture frames with Dad and me and there were pictures of Uncle Rhodie and me too. I know he’s not really my Uncle. Dad seemed so happy, his eyes were so bright with hope and joy. I laughed, raised my hand, and it turned blue. I was looking away from dad to the building blocks. They were floating, with the same blue aura around them. Dad was smiling down at me. He was proud of me then too?

The situation once again changed. This wasn’t like all the others though. I was myself, and I could actually move. All around me was white, but I was standing. I looked around, trying to figure out where I was. There was nothing around me except an arch with a door.

“Why are you here?” Someone said from behind me.

I whipped around and got so scared, I didn’t know how to react. She had the same, olive colored skin as I, the same heart shaped face. Her honey blond hair in a bun as she would always wear, with her bangs too short to put up, they framed her face so perfectly. Everything about her was elegant. She was wearing a long, flowing white dress. I’ve looked up to her since I was six years old, she was always so beautiful and youthful. Elegant, no matter what she ever did.

“Mom, where is here?”

“This is the middle-way. A place where spirits go before they cross onto the other side. I couldn’t go, something was telling me I had to stay. You can’t stay here. You have a long, wonderful life to live. You will grow old and have children, so your father can be a grandparent. Do NOT give up on life now. I won’t allow you to. Please, just this one time, listen to me.”

“Mom, did Skull kill you?”

“I’m not going to say, because I know you’ll go after him for revenge. Are you going to listen to me? Or do I need to make you listen to me.”

“Mom, just tell me who killed you. Please.”

“I love you sweetheart.”

Then, mom shoved me towards the door, and as soon as I went through the door it felt like I was falling. I wasn’t scared, I knew what was happening. That doorway lead to my body. I began hearing voices all around me. Everything began to get dark, almost like I was about to blackout. Everything went black when I heard dad's voice. I think I’m back in my body, but I don’t know if I’m looking at my eyelids or not. I try opening my eyes, and suddenly everyone’s around me.

“Reuben, can you hear me?” Asked Dad.

“Hey Dad, what’s going’ on?”

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