Maya Stark

Chapter 112: I couldn't back out, not now

We hitch a ride on a train. Sitting on top of said train as it takes us to Berlin. The whole time I'm panicking. He's going to find out. At this point I would be fully surprised if he doesn't. If Beck finds us he would make me explain myself. I had to tell him I didn't know about the projector. I needed to keep up the façade. Just until I could get away from him. He needed to think I was on his team. I needed to do that to keep Morgan and Pepper safe. I was in too deep; I couldn't stop now. Realistically I know he only got me on his side because he knew he couldn't fool me. He knew I would be suspicious. The train finally pulls into the station and Peter and I jump off. We both land in front of some civilian who jumped.

'Uh, 'scuse me?' Peter said. 'Do you know where—'

'Nacht Monkey!' the lady screamed and ran away. I sighed. We continue walking and make it about three steps when a black Audi pulls up in front of us. The window rolls down to reveal Fury.

'Get in,' Fury said.

I get in the front and Peter gets in the back. I knew this could be a trick, we can't trust anything right now. But there wasn't anything I could do. The second we were in we drove off.

'You two have got a lot of explaining to do,' Fury said.

'No, no, listen,' Peter said.

Fury held up a finger. 'Wait until we're secure.'

Both Peter and I sighed but didn't say anything more. The drive was silent, and my brain moved at a fast pace. Nothing was going as planned. Beck was going to be furious. I was scared of what he would do. He may spare me, but will he spare Peter? Soon enough the car pulls into a garage, and we were walking inside a pristine facility. Staff members walked around us, and I twisted my head to look at everything.

'Home sweet home,' I mumbled, Peter side-eyeing me.

I wasn't lying, though. It felt more like home then the cabin did. The three of us walk into a conference room where Hill was standing. A small shock runs down my spine and I know something isn't right. I couldn't say anything. I'd have to wait it out.

'So... is there anything you want to tell us about your girlfriend?' Fury asked.

'He's talking about EDITH,' Hill said. Something wasn't right.

'Look, I know I made a mistake, and I'm sorry,' Peter said, quickly, 'but he is not who you think he is. Beck is a liar. Mysterio, the Elementals, it's all fake. He had some sort of illusion tech, and that's how he tricked you guys and he tricked me into giving him EDITH.'

I slide the projector across the table. 'It's a projector. Parker pulled it off the fire monster in Prague and I found it on my way back to the hotel.'

'So, all that death and destruction we witnessed was cause by this?' Fury asked, disbelieving.

'No,' I said. 'Not just that. That would be impossible.'

'I think he's using drones,' Peter said. I nod once. I was digging myself deeper.

'Well, if this is true, then Beck's very dangerous and we need to be smart,' Fury said. 'Who else did you two tell about this?'

A bigger shock runs down my spine and I freeze. He's here. There is no telling what's real now.

'What's wrong?' Hill asked, looking between us.

'It's Beck,' Peter said.

'He's here,' I whispered.

The hologram starts to disappear, along with Hill. The whole facility was fake. He was getting better. EDITH probably helped with the illusions. A missile is fired from behind us, hitting and killing Fury. Or at least that's what it seems. I doubt that is really Fury. It wouldn't make any sense. Fury would know if he wasn't in the right building. I turn at the same time as Peter to see a weaponized drone. It takes another shot blasting Peter through the back wall.

'Peter!' I scream and move to go help him. Before I could, a hand grabs my wrist pulling me back. I yelp trying to gain back my balance. I look up and see Beck, his eyes hard.

'Why would you go messing everything up when your part was done?' he said. 'I thought you cared about them more.'

'No, no, Beck, listen to me,' I said, struggling against his insanely hard grip. My wrist was bruising. 'I thought it was a web shooter. I tripped on it on my way back to the hotel. I figured I should get it before someone else found it. I didn't know a projector was attached to it. I swear!'

'You messed up bad, kid,' Beck said. I winced at how the nickname sounded coming out of his mouth. 'I don't know what to think right now, Maya.'

'Just... just don't hurt anyone,' I said. 'It's pointless Beck. Come on. You had to have known this was a long shot. The plan was mediocre at best. I... I can't hurt anybody else.'

'We got to get rid of the evidence, Stark,' Beck said. He let go of my wrist and I stumble back slightly gripping it in my other hand. A red handprint was already forming. I looked back to where Peter was thrown, and my eyes widen.

'What are you going to do to him?' I asked quietly.

'Get rid of the evidence,' Beck said.

I turn to him slowly. 'You promised me he wouldn't get hurt.'

'I promised a lot of things,' Beck said. 'Don't forget why you haven't told anyone what you've done in the first place. I'm not stupid Maya. You'd betray me if you didn't believe I would go after precious little Morgan.'

My fist clenched. He was right. I couldn't do anything.

'You're going to help me,' Beck said. 'I still can give you anything you want.'

I locked my jaw and said through grit teeth, 'what do you need?'