The Pretenders (ON HOLD)

Chapter 31

All Peter saw in Wendy's eyes was a deep, blue pit of utter fear. She was scared. She was looking at Peter like he was the one thing keeping her from crying, and she was deathly scared.

And it's my fault, Peter realized, the thought hitting him like a blow to the stomach. Even thinking was painful now. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he thought that all the pain might have something to do with his powers. But the thought seemed insignificant compared to the current situation.

Peter stood up, his body screaming in protest.

"Are you ok," Wendy asked, taking a step toward him, as if she thought he might fall at any moment. Peter supposed that he might actually collapse if he didn't get better soon. Why was he in so much pain?

"I'm fine."

Wendy frowned, but she didn't push the matter further.

"I want to know what happened!" yelled Simon, "Does this have something to do with you guys? Wendy?"

Wendy stayed silent, glancing in Peter's direction. She was asking for his permission. He nodded discreetly.

"Ok," decided Peter. Even speaking required a lot of strength. He felt his knees starting to shake. "But not here. And not right now. I just feel so..."

He trailed away midsentence, a wave of dizziness rushing over him. Peter tried to take a step forward to balance himself, but the ground disappeared beneath his feet. He was being pulled, dragged even, down into the blackness. He was so tired, that he just let himself fall. And down he fell into a bottomless pit of unconsciousness. It was peaceful there.

* * * * *

Simon shuddered as Peter's skull made contact with the asphalt. He had tried to catch him but he was too late. He had gotten low enough, though, to hear the sickening thud of bone against the ground.

Rick was kneeling next to Peter now, checking his pulse. Simon thought it was rather ironic that the least sensible one, was doing the most sensible thing. But Simon and Wendy didn't do well in chaos. He had England as proof. He, Wendy and Kai had just stood by and watched the blazing building as- no, he couldn't go back there. Not when he was just starting to feel better again.

"Should we call a doctor?" Simon asked, trying to be helpful.

"No." Simon was startled at Wendy's quick answer. She was staring down at Peter with a ghostly, horrified expression. "No, he doesn't like doctors and hospitals. Just...Just get him home."

Rick looked up from Peter for the first time. He met Wendy's eyes with a concerned look. It was the first time Simon had seen him act so...mature.

The rain had soaked Rick's hair so that it hung over his eyes, pointed at the tips, like fangs. His skin seemed pale against his darkened hair and his eyes had turned a dull hazel-grey. For a second, he wasn't a teenager anymore. He looked serious, reliable and grown up.

"Ok," answered Rick. He turned to Simon. "Will you give me a hand? Here, just put this arm over your shoulder."

Simon jumped into action, slinging an unconscious Peter over his shoulder. Peter's body slumped, and his feet dragged along the ground, but it was the only way they could carry him. Rick stopped walking for a second and looked back.

"You coming?" he asked Wendy. She hadn't moved from where she was standing. Her face was white and stained with shock.

"Uh, y-yeah."

"It's ok, Wendy. Everything's going to be fine," Rick cooed. Simon had never heard Rick sound anything but cocky and stupid. This whole new tone just entered his voice and it was concerned, understanding and soothing. This Rick was nicer. "He's fine."