CHAPTER 19

       "Alana?" I hear the gentle voice call. "Alana? Doctor, it's not working." I her sobs as the world sharpens into focus. I'm in the same doctor's office again. My hands are numb in front of me. I look to Michelle who is being comforted by Luke.

       "Mi- I mean, Mum?" I asked slowly, changing my wording at the last second. Michelle turns around, her face is set in a joyous expression and she crushes me against her chest.

       "You're back." She cries through her tears. Luke adds to that hug.

       "But wait," I say pulling away, "I'm still so confused. What? Where am I?"

       "You're in a mental institution facility Alana." The doctor said. "You were administered to this facility when you were four, you claimed that you saw ghosts and heard whispers despite no record of paranormal activity."

       "I do remember that," I said slowly. "Then I lied my way out, pretending that I didn't see them anymore. SHIELD saw through that and concealed my ability somehow and sent me to live a normal life with you." I look at Michelle and Luke. "I had an older sister who I despised because she was always the centre of attention, her name is Cleo. And you guys always treated me harshly but it was SHIELD actually pulling the strings to condition me not to become arrogant like my father."

       "Who is your father, in your... world?" The doctor asked slowly. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Luke bite his lip.

       "Tony Stark."

       "Tony Stark? Isn't he Iron Man, like in the movies?" Luke asks with slight disgust.

        "No," I say gently, "he's my father," The world begins to blur and I hear Michelle frantically calling my name. I lack the ability to respond.

       "Apologies to interrupt, but I think you were getting a bit anxious there." My real mother says. I'm standing in front of her throne. My cloak upon my shoulders, but this one's different, it's the one I've created.

       "Doesn't matter. It's not real anyway." I grumble.

       "The poison can show visions of alternate realities. Whether you choose it to be real or not is your choice."

       "Alternate realities." I crinkled my nose. "They're messy things, I really would rather not."

       "Everyone suffers with the poison in their own way."

       "Will you really heal the Avengers? Or is that some ploy to send the Offspring running in a different direction while I assassinate doctors?"

       "Not sure if I will heal them yet, each in their own way, they have evaded me. So it is still decided if I am to let their souls dance around and sing Kumbia."

        "That was surprisingly bitter." I muttered to myself. "But the Deathling part, do I have to drain myself Buffy-style?"

       "A Deathling is someone who has survived or is related to Death."

       "So like Becky." I said.

       "Like Becky." Death nodded. "But no, you do not have to drain yourself. The blood is a vessel to me to make the exchange."

       "Wonderful." I murmured to myself. "What is true form?"

       "The utmost potential oneself can be."

       "And what is my true potential?" I asked warily.

       "Death itself." My vision clouded black and I woke with a start in my own bed. Instantly, I sat up, surveying the dimly-lit room.

       "So I'd become like Death, no, I would be Death." I spoke to the shiny webcam. Groaning, I rubbed my eyes. "You know what? I think I'd rather being dead, not Death."