The Broken Link (Adventures of the Littlevengers One Shot!)

Part 3

Because you asked for it... (<-- I've always wanted to say that :P)

§ Part 3 §

"Hey sonny, are you here all by yourself?" the older woman sitting at the bus stop asked Bruce. The boy in question tucked his boots closer to him and hid his face in arms that rested on his elbows.

"No need to be shy. Where's your mommy and daddy?" the old woman asked again and Bruce only pushed himself more back. The lady looked over to a mother patting her sleeping infant and questioned what they should do with the lost looking child. Bruce didn't want to be mean to the lady, but she smelled funny and he didn't like the way she spoke. So, condescendingly... he wanted to tell her that he was a big boy, not a baby. He could read higher level books, tie his own laces... and run away from home.

                At the mention of a mommy and daddy, Bruce cringed. He knew Maria and Tom weren't his parents, but whenever he tried to remember his nothing came up. Once he woke up sweating and he could hear an echo of a scream in his head. He debated if he should run over to Maria or Tom's rooms but turned it down. He chastised himself for being such a baby and snuggled closer to his small green pillow. Bruce heard the bus come to a screeching halt in front of him and snapped out of his small shell, wanting to cover his ears.

                Why did everything have to be so loud around here? Bruce looked up to see the older lady looking worriedly at him, making him feel uncomfortable. He stood immediately and started to walk away. When he heard her call out for him, he broke out into a run down the street. She looked back to see her boarding the bus, cell phone to her ear. Bruce hadn't crossed the street yet and, once he turned the corner, he saw the large mansion. He swerved back to the light post and held on to it awkwardly.

                He didn't want to go back, didn't want to hurt anyone else. He pushed down his fear and pressed the grimy metal button on the post, barely reaching it on tip-toes. The sign on the other end said Grover Street and he occupied himself with its spelling for a minute. As soon as the light turned green, cars paused in front of him and he suddenly felt the pressure attack him. A stranger at the other side of the street ran forward and Bruce took a chance and ran towards him. He was one foot from the curb when a car drove up to the furthest right lane and honked loudly at him.

"Ahh!" he screamed loudly and dove for the curb. He looked back to see a very angry man with combed back hair eyeing him. A few of the other cars beside him honked at the mean man and one went as far as cracking his window and screaming at him to leave the poor kid alone. The light had turned red while Bruce was running but the front line of cars had managed to wait patiently for him to cross.

                Bruce felt tears ebb their way into his eyes as he bit the inside of his cheek. He wanted to tell the man he was sorry but he drove away quickly, yelling frustratingly at the cars beside him. Bruce thought the people might be like the old lady was and started to walk off. After a moment, he looked back again to see a flurry of colored cars. As he walked, realization that he crossed the street on his own hit him. He smiled broadly and walked with larger steps as he went down the new street.

                He waited eagerly at the next light post, wanting to feel the pride afterwards.

§.-.-.-.§

                Tom clipped the last of the seatbelts into place before he shut the door hurriedly and climbed into the driver's seat. Maria was on the pavement, nails already in her mouth and feet stepping forward in anxiety. She had Pepper wrapped around her leg and was looking back to the house expectantly. Tom honked once and took off down the street, all kids quiet.

"Alright guys, look out at the streets and tell me if you see Bruce. Okay? We have to find Bruce." Tom said determinedly and five out of six faces nodded slowly. Tom looked through the rear view mirror to see Tony pouting.