InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "fear is the mind killer"

Tony remembered a falling sensation. He thought it was a nightmare, which wasn’t unusual, but then he realized he could feel and smell things around him. “What the fuck,” he muttered reaching down to find he was still in his pajamas. Granted, he had on gray sweatpants and a plain blue t-shirt, but they were wrinkled and clearly not meant for outside wear. The things that pop into mind when distressed! He clambered to his feet and immediately searched his pockets. He felt relieved to find his fully charged phone tucked in a pocket. Had he left it there when he climbed into bed next to Pepper? Or was it the Entity’s work?

He could hear screams, but didn’t know if they were from other Goodland residents or...well, more sinister beings. He turned his phone’s flashlight on and felt around as he started walking through the maze. He lost track of time as he hit one wall after another. Things went from bad to worse when he caught Freddy Kruger’s attention. Did that mean he was in a dream world? Or was Freddy somehow in Goodland? Tony, remembering random pop knowledge thanks to Pete, quickly yelled he faced bigger and more terrible villains than Freddy. He would have preferred holy water and a crucifix, but he could only work with what he had. His suit, sadly, was also a no show, but the insult worked. Tony rushed in the opposite direction and, when he was sure he was alone again, he pushed his back against a wall and left a voice message to warn everyone about the maze and its horrors.

More hours passed, but Tony didn’t keep track. He barely glanced at his phone; instead, he used its voice commands to talk to others and light his way. He drank the available water and snacks only when he saw they were packaged. He didn’t trust anything in that damn maze.

His whole body hurt after the many bumps and falls he suffered throughout the maze, but his heart gave him the most trouble after he experienced his worst nightmares through what he could only describe as an old school video projection. He saw Thanos kill one loved one after another while he was powerless to stop him. He ran toward the projection and pounded his fists against the wall until they bled. “Not real, not real,” he muttered, finally understanding that someone or something was fucking with his mind. “I have to get out. I have to get home to Pepper and the kids.” He took deep breaths, but it was hard to stop a panic attack once it started. “Rhodey, Thor, Neb,” he reminded himself. He had to reach them. They couldn’t get hurt. He had to get out.

He slumped down against the wall. His energy was depleted. He could only stand the physical and emotional exertion so long. The lack of armoured suit made it worse.