Chapter 6 2016: The Gathering

"Constance believes she is the root cause of every ounce of trouble that befalls our family. She claimed she was happy at Arkham, but I don't see how she could have been because that place is… toxic at best, a predator's dream at worst and for a girl like Constance… She calls herself the Root of All Evil."

"Oh, you're suddenly concerned about your abomination of a cousin, are you, Virginia?" Constance's voice bit out
"Why bother being interested in that brainless criminal overgrown toddler. Secretary Ross, I would like to go to the Raft… Immediately"
"We will talk about it later"
"No, we will talk about it right now… unless you want me to become your worst nightmare"

"Constance you…"
"Shut up Virginia! I want nothing to do with you. Where were you when I NEEDED your help when I got dragged out of Arkham and brought here to your ivory tower? WHERE WERE YOU when Vince and Linda got arrested? Where were you when I was getting threatened… with everything from a hysterectomy to the removal of my natural teeth? Where were you when I was being passed from pillar to post around every feasible legal guardian after Vince and Linda got arrested? Nowhere that's where! You know what? You are useless to me, and you are not part of my world. Leave me alone. I am not relevant to you, and therefore I am not your problem."

"No one contacted me to tell me that you needed a legal guardian"

"It's irrelevant… aside from the fact that it was all over the news which you were too busy to pay attention to, as usual, the abominable mess that is Constance Procrastination McMahon will end when it is taken to The Raft. It's disgusting carcass will be given to science whether science wants it or not."

"You see how she's talking about herself in the 3rd person?"
"Yes… electric shock therapy should fix that… she's worse than that abomination Banner, and she needs to be… eliminated."

Constance suddenly stood up, walked up to Secretary Ross, kicked him in the nuts as hard as she could and turned tail and ran.

Tony's point of view

I followed Constance, she ran around each floor and down the emergency exit stairs and then through the door. She couldn't find the door on the second last floor and ran around for half an hour before I whistled softly and pointed her in the right direction.

"Where are you going?"
"As far away from you and Virginia and the other hypocrites as I can get… without leaving New York"

"Constance… look at me"

"Why? So, you can blast me with your gauntlets and hand my irritating unconscious carcass to Ross? I think not… come anywhere within four steps of me, I will boot you in the balls so hard you and my stupid cousin won't be able to do it for a month! No wonder my mother abandoned me here. No wonder she wanted to get as far away from my vitriolic stink… who wants the responsibility of a dangerous, defective, neurodiverse child with a rare disorder? Who wants to deal with an idiot child who will slither into any hole in the hope of finding some loose change, only to cry like an infant when it's bitten by another snake? No one with an ounce of sense… if my mother had an ounce of sense, she would have left her underdeveloped FREAK offspring in the absolute shithole that is Scotland to be experimented on, beaten and violated like it deserves."

"That's not true, Constance"
"Yes it is, and you know it"

Pepper's point of view

"What do we do?"
"Call her mother… tell her to come to New York and sort out the custody situation herself."

"Constance's mother emailed me yesterday" said Linda "She's coming to New York for Constance's 15th birthday next week, and they're going to California for a fortnight, but we've not to tell her. She arrives today"
"OK"

Tony's point of view

"Constance, listen, why don't we go up to the bowling alley upstairs?"

"No"
"Mario Kart?"
"No, I want to go back to Arkham"

"You can't do that kiddo, Arkham has been closed, it's being investigated. Dr… Scarecrow was arrested this morning…"

"You mean Dr Crane! you are a thoroughly appalling human being, Anthony Edward Stark!"

"I guess I deserved that"

"What happens to America's least talented, most unwanted 14-year-old now?"

"Well…"

A figure entered the building, in a hooded dark green coat, the figure pulled the hood down and revealed short, blond hair, blue-green eyes. Constance scowled

"What are YOU doing here?" she growled
"I came to help you figure out this situation"

"I'm about to become a ward of the state and no longer your responsibility or problem now leave before I set the hulk on you."

"No you're not. Your aunt is waiting outside in the car, we're going to Malibu for the next two weeks. When we get back, we're going to fix this mess."

"Fine."

Fury came downstairs looking harried

"OK, I managed to get permission from the DA to move the three people who are currently e-incarcerated to the house in Malibu"
"You mean you rebuilt it?"
"Yes, and it's better than it was before. Jay has been down there overseeing the rebuilding. I did what you suggested and had a phoenix carved out of stone replace the fountain in the front drive."

"We don't have a lot of time, so pack the basics."

"How long are you here?"
"Three weeks. I've been conversing with Mr McDevitt, and we're going to court to enact IDEA clause 16."
"That's the one about what happens to a disabled child once they turn 15, right?"
"Yes, and unbeknownst to me, decisions were being made."
"I tried to ask for you to be included, but I was told that I was an experiment and as such I needed to shut up or face the consequences. I argued a couple of times. The consequences were a hysterectomy and electric shock therapy"

"Yes, Pepper told me you were in Arkham"

"I was taken there against my will, Vince's friend said it was a school. I think he probably didn't know any better."

An idea was beginning to form in my mind. I left Constance with her mother and ran to my office.

"Friday, open a new document named Project Stark"
"Sure boss"

Show me 36 individual houses, each fully disability accessible, a gated car park, 4 of these houses should be for regular people, 4 for independent living training, give them a blue door 8 with a sleepover room for people who require 24/7 care. Give them a purple door, 8 should be mixed ability — some more complex needs and some less complex — give those a red door."
"We're up to 24 boss"

"Right… add an office, a cinema, sports courts and a pool… a small infirmary and the last 16 should be for families of children with complex medical needs or disabilities."
"Right… rendering"

There was a knock on the door

"Constance, hi… how are you feeling?"
"I'm fine. What are you doing?"
"I'm designing a community for independent living"
"That's a fantastic idea"
"Your situation inspired it"

"I'm flattered… Friday, add a games room and a small park"

"Good idea"

"What about adding a church and a theatre, maybe a swimming pool?"
"Also a good idea"

"Would be better if it could be a hydrotherapy pool but I know those are expensive so somewhere to swim would be fine."