Mark didn't know how long he'd been running. He wasn't sure if he was trying to escape the words Nolan had said or the chaos in his mind. Either way, he ended up at Eve's house, far from the place he once called home. The familiar surroundings of her neighborhood didn't bring him comfort; it only felt like another world entirely.
His heart still ached from the confrontation, the weight of his father's betrayal heavier than any punch or fight he'd ever been in. Mark had trusted Nolan with everything. He'd always believed in his father, in his strength, and his purpose. But now, nothing felt the same.
When Eve opened the door, she didn't ask any questions. She didn't need to. She could see the pain on his face, the hurt in his eyes. She stepped aside, letting him in without hesitation.
"Mark," Eve said gently, her voice calm but filled with concern. "What happened? You look like you've seen a ghost."
Mark didn't answer at first. He just collapsed onto the couch, his hands gripping his hair. "I don't even know where to start."
Eve sat down beside him, her eyes filled with worry. "Start with whatever's going through your head right now. I'm here, okay?"
For a moment, Mark just sat there, staring blankly ahead, trying to find the words. He knew he had to talk about it—he couldn't keep the thoughts swirling in his mind. But it wasn't easy. His father... Nolan... was a hero. At least, that's what Mark had always believed.
"Dad..." Mark started, his voice breaking. "He's not who I thought he was."
Eve frowned, her heart aching for him. "What do you mean?"
Mark took a deep breath and ran a hand through his hair. "He's been lying to us. He's not a hero... not really. He's part of this alien race—the Viltrumites. They're not peaceful like he said. They conquer planets, Eve. They destroy everything. And I... I don't know what to do. I don't even know if I should confront him about it. I'm not sure if I can trust him anymore."
Eve blinked, processing what Mark was saying. Her mind was racing, trying to understand the full weight of it. "Wait, you're saying he's... one of them? A Viltrumite? But... he didn't tell you this until now?"
Mark nodded, looking like he was on the verge of cracking. "Yeah. He's been lying to me, to us, for years. He said the Viltrumites were peaceful. That they just wanted to help Earth. But that's all been a lie. And now... I don't even know what to think of him anymore."
Eve shifted closer to him, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Mark, I'm so sorry. I can't imagine how that must feel. But... what are you going to do now?"
Mark shook his head, his mind swirling with doubt. "I don't know. I want to confront him. I want to know the truth about everything. But I'm scared, Eve. What if he goes off the deep end? What if he tries to take over Earth again? I... I can't fight him if it comes to that."
Eve's eyes softened as she looked at him. "You're not alone in this, Mark. If it comes down to it, you have me, you have the others. But you also need to think carefully about what you want to do next. I can't tell you how to handle your father, but I know you're strong. You don't have to do it alone."
Mark closed his eyes, the weight of her words sinking in. The anger he felt toward his father was undeniable. But there was a deep, gnawing fear in him, too. What if Nolan went rogue? What if he tried to destroy everything Mark had fought to protect?
"I don't even know if I can look at him the same way again," Mark said quietly. "He killed the Guardians. He's been lying to me... to mom... and now he wants me to follow him, train these kids, and fight the Viltrumites... But what if he's just using me? What if he wants me to become like him?"
Eve remained silent for a moment, letting him process everything. "Mark, you can't control what your father does. But you can control how you respond. You don't have to follow him. You're your own person, and you don't need to become what he wants you to be. You're a hero in your own right."
Mark looked at her, her words sinking in slowly. He hadn't felt like a hero in a long time—not after the truth about Nolan had come out. But maybe Eve was right. Maybe he didn't have to follow his father's path.
"I want to protect Earth," Mark said, his voice firm now, despite the uncertainty that still lingered. "I want to be the hero I've always tried to be. But I don't know if I can do that with him by my side."
Eve smiled softly at him. "You don't have to figure it all out right now. But you need to trust yourself. You're not the same as him. You're better than that."
Mark looked down, his mind racing. Eve was right about one thing—he needed time to think. To figure out what he was going to do. The possibility of facing his father again, of having to fight him, terrified him. But at the same time, he knew that it was only a matter of time before Nolan would push him to make a choice. And that choice could mean the end of everything he had worked so hard to protect.
"What if... what if I have to fight him, Eve? What if he pushes me too far?"
Eve looked at him, her eyes soft with understanding. "Then we'll be ready. We'll face it together."
Mark nodded, though a sense of dread still lingered deep within him. He wasn't ready for that fight—not yet. But as long as he had people who cared about him, who stood with him, maybe he could find the strength to face whatever was coming. Even if it meant going up against his own father.