Solo Act

Chapter Three

The guy I had elbowed earlier fell back with a cry as webbing covered his eyes, the man desperately trying to tug it off. The other two shoved me away, causing me to clip my head on the metal ladder. Pain flared and I winced. Meanwhile New York's very own Spiderman leaped down gracefully in his suit and hit the first guy in the jaw with his fist. The second pulled out a blade as soon as the wall crawler's back was turned and made a move to stab the young hero. I nearly called out, but he didn't seem to need it. At the last second, the he jerked away enough to avoid the sharp edge. He turned angrily and webbed the man to the wall. 

The last guy had managed to get the webs out of his eyes and growled at Spiderman. After reaching into his jacket pocket, his hand came out with a small gun. He readied it and pulled the trigger before the vigilante had time to react. They both seemed surprised when the bullet stopped an inch away from him. I let the bullet drop to the ground before grabbing the man magically and slamming him against the wall. He was obviously knocked out.

I slumped against the dumpster at my side and held my head with one hand. I wasn't sure if it was bleeding or not, but my vision was going hazy. Shit.

"Wanda?" Peter asked, reaching out to steady her.

Of course he could recognize me and my powers. Tony let him stop by whenever he wanted and he wanted to a lot. I didn't really mind. He was like my little brother. Practically already part of the team. I knew Tony enjoyed having him over too. The Avengers and I had trained with him and he ate almost five boxes of pizza last time. It was strange to see. 

"Hello Peter," I managed before my legs gave out and I fell against the wall, pulling him down beside me.

"Oh crap, you're not okay," he realized. "Karen, call–"

"Please don't," my voice broke. "Don't call Tony or Steve or anyone. Please. They-they can't know where I am."

He froze, not knowing what to do. I just hoped he trusted me enough to listen. I didn't have the heart to mess with his mind. Or any of my friends, of course, but Peter was different. He was only a year younger then me at 16 and already being a hero. I could never do anything to a great kid like him. So thankfully he caved.

"Okay, okay," he lifted me up easily, bridal style. I wrapped an arm around his neck to steady myself. "I'll take you to my place. My aunt knows some first aid."

Thank god he knew not to take me to a hospital. He had probably been watching the news and heard all about Ross' decree and the new laws. Peter was a 'super-powered freak' too, after all, so those laws would apply to him as well. Not that he was planning to follow them, obviously.

My eyes started to droop. My head was throbbing in pain, making me groan. Peter looked down worriedly and sprinted up the wall and across the rooftop, leaping over the next alleyway.

"Only a few more blocks," he murmured under his breath. I couldn't tell if he was trying to reassure me or himself.

Either way I did not last much longer after that. My eyelids got too heavy for my weak body to keep open. Darkness closed in the edge of my vision. I was sure I could feel something dripping down my face and it was not tears. The last thing I heard was Peter shouting  before I succumbed to the black.

~   ~   ~

"Aunt May!" The woman heard from the kitchen and almost dropped the plate she had been putting away. Her nephew never came home at eleven. She would know, she was normally up a good thirty minutes after that time after finding out about his activities a few months ago. Something was wrong.

"Peter?" She rushes into the living room to see the boy drop awkwardly through the open window with a girl in his arms.

Blood covered the left side of her face and she was pale by the time he had gotten there. Peter set her on the couch and told his aunt to get the kit. He had come home often with minor scrapes and bruises all over and May would leave it out for him to patch himself up whenever he got back, usually around two o'clock. She had found his meager supplies and bought the new one.