Sorry about not updating, but here it is! Finally, I present chapter 8!

Chapter Eight - A Grand Mess

It took half an hour to jump-start enough cars to transport us back. By jump-start, I mean Reed forcing me to press my hands to the batteries and concentrate on "releasing the electromagnetic energy" or something into the car. It took four tries on a police cruiser to get it right. It was bad enough to have everyone staring at me, but Reed – Reed! - yelling nearly set me over the edge.

The whole thing was crazy. When we finally arrived at the Baxter Building with the police, the streets were clogged with new fans. Amazing how fast people can become popular. I was nearing a nervous breakdown when we pulled up to the curb, and scrambled out of the cruiser so fast, I'm sure I looked insane.

My look wasn't helping either. From what I could tell, my dark hair was sticking up in every possible angle and crackling with electricity. Everything I touched (which was as little as possible) carried a static charge, and sparks leaped from my fingers every time I clenched them (which was a lot). My boring sweats stuck to every surface and my skittish movements just made it worse.

I sprinted into the building, slammed the doors open, and almost knocked down the doorman. James O'Hoolihan. Annoying as hell. Ignoring his slightly flustered greeting, I practically kicked the door open to the stairs and began to run up the steps, my breath in rhythm with my feet. As I neared the fifteenth floor, I heard the door open and heavy steps cause the metal to creak. I glanced down and saw the rocky head of Ben.

When I made it to the top, Ben was only on the third landing and climbing steadily. I stepped through the door into the spectacular home of Reed Richards. I'd seen it before, on camera, in pictures, but never in person. It was huge, and probably would have seemed spacious if the whole place wasn't full to the brim with half-finished projects and crumpled blueprints.

I heard the elevator ding, and Johnny and Susan's voices as they entered as well. Reed stepped in and raised his eyebrows at me, but I was saved by Johnny's gasp of amazement, and took the chance to escape into another room. The kitchen, by the looks of it, was bare of food and was instead full of tools and granola wrappers.

Sitting in the one empty chair, I felt disconnected. My phone was powered down, sitting in my pocket. My laptop was on its way, due to arrive tomorrow at my apartment. I sighed and closed my eyes, resting my head on the back of the chair.

I was jolted awake by screaming. I flailed in the air for a second before landing painfully on the floor. I groaned, rubbed my face, and inspected my body for injuries. I was going to be bruised later. Another scream echoed through the halls, and I scrambled to my feet. I knew that scream anywhere. I bolted back out to the main room and was greeted with a strange sight.

Ben stood surrounded by Reed, Sue, and Johnny. He held his arm up high, and clutched in his rocky fingers was the collar of none other than Tessa Marshall, kicking and screaming swear words at the top of her lungs at Reed and Ben. She was obviously ignoring Johnny, who was obviously checking her out, and Sue, who was obviously confused with the whole thing.

"Tessa!" I shouted, silencing her shrieks and earning the stares of everyone. Then, with a burst of strength, Tessa kicked Ben and was dropped to the ground. She landed on her feet and practically jumped on top of me, squealing.

"You really are alive!" She pulled away, whooped once, then grabbed me once again in a lung-crushing hug. "My bestie is a superhero!"

"Who are you?" asked Reed, flustered. All of them were staring at Tessa, with rainbow-dyed hair, a Power Rangers costume, white Go-Go boots, a slinky on her wrist, and around a dozen shoelaces tied in a necklace.

"Madonna," was her answer, before turning back to me and peppering me with questions. "Do I get to be your sidekick? Do you have a costume? Can I have a costume? Didja shock him?" she asked, pointing to Johnny. "I bet you shocked him."

"Tess, shut up," I grumbled, rubbing my forehead.

"Who is this?" asked Ben, looking at me like I was a dog that just peed on his $4,000 dollar rug. Luckily, I just don't do the whipped-puppy look.

"None of your business, rock-boy -"

"Tessa Marshall, descendant of Sherlock Holmes himself, at your service," interrupted Tess. She bowed deeply, then straightened up and shot me a lopsided grin. "Do ya need something before I make my super-awesome exit?"

Frowning, I sighed. "Just, can you bring me some of my stuff? I'll be getting a package tomorrow, do you think you can bring that too?"

"Sure do, tennis shoe!" she said before skipping to the elevator.

Everyone was silent for a moment. Then Sue spoke up: "I'm going to take a shower." As she left, Johnny announced he was picking his room and Ben muttered something about television as he lumbered off.

Then there were two.

"So, uh, who was that exactly?" Reed looked awkward, and I realized it was me making him uncomfortable.

"My best friend. She's a bit... eccentric. And before you ask, yes, she always dresses like that."

"Oh."

We stood in silence for a moment longer before I got sick of it. "Do you have any food in this place, or do you eat wires?" It was a horrible attempt at a joke, but Reed smiled half-heartedly.

"Yeah, there should be some in the fridge. I'm going to go make sure everyone has the stuff they need..." He would have gone on, but I had already left.

Two sandwiches later, I was finally satisfied. I came out to the hall leading to rooms when the elevator dinged, and Victor stepped out.

"Evonna," he said grimly. I raised an eyebrow at the state of his scar, but said nothing. "Bad news. The bank pulled out. I need you to do some things for me. Leonard will call with more details." He gave me a look, and I wondered how much he knew about my, uh, symptoms. "Keep an eye on them. Stick to my instructions, and don't let this get any worse than it already is."

I ducked my head in a single nod, then escaped down the hall to the last empty room. As I finished replacing the sheets on my new bed, the lights flickered and shouting could be heard out by the elevator. I peeked out to see Victor vanish behind the closing doors and Reed and Ben looking after him with strange looks on their faces. I went back to my room before they noticed me, flopped down on the bed, and groaned.

What had I gotten myself into?

Chapter 9 is in progress, don't worry. Be here next Wednesday!