Before I Die (Split Souls part 1)

25: Recovering With Family

TONY PoV

I toss in bed. I haven't been able to sleep since before the mission. I stare at the alarm clock on the bedside table. We're still at the SHIELD facility.

Today he woke up. He's sore. He wouldn't admit it, but he's still out of whack. Not that I blame him. I still don't know how he survived, but I'm thankful.

I'm thankful that he's still here. He's okay. His body is still healing. But he's still okay. He's the same person that I know.

It sucks all ass that he remembers being in pain. I wish he didn't. However, I can't help but be greatful that he doesn't remember what he did. That broke him before. I don't want to see him break again.

That boy who helped save Percy's life, he hung around for a few days. Looked grumpy and nervous the whole time. Like he knew something that we didn't. Drove me nuts.

SHIELD agents never noticed him. He was really good at hiding. And just, showing up behind you. It was like he would walk out of your shadow. Freaky.

But he cares about Percy. I know that much. Somehow he knew that Percy's life was in danger, and I couldn't get any information out of  him. Since he left after the initial encounter, he shows up at random times.

Like right now.

"Gah!" I exclaim, sitting bolt upright and shuffling back.

"Aren't you jumpy." He comments.

"Can't you knock or something?" I ask him.

"Would that scare you any less?" He leans against the wall.

"I don't know. You could just stop jumping out of the shadows."

"No can do. It's kinda my thing."

"Oh, I had no idea." I reply. "Why are you here?"

"Percy. He woke up, didn't he?"

I squint my eyes to try and get a better look at him in the darkness. "Yeah. He did."

"How is he?"

"Sore. His body is still messed up." I rub my eyes.

"To be expected. His mind?"

"Still himself. But he doesn't remember much after getting to the med wing." I sigh.

"He doesn't remember?" The boy shuffles, his voice alarmed.

"It's probably for the best." I try to soothe the boy.

"No! How can you say that? He's had his memories stolen before! How can you say that it's for the best?" The boy demands.

"You didn't see what he did." I whisper.

"And what did he do? Besides the earthquake? Huh?"

Should I tell him? Would that be a mistake? Would I be scaring this boy away? If he knows what Percy did, would he be scared of Percy?

"I need an answer." The boy growls.

"Alright! You wanna know? He scared himself!" I blurt, and immediately slap my hand over my mouth.

"He scared himself?" The boy asks, quietly, softly.

"Yeah."

"What did he do?"

"I don't think that's a good idea."

"I need to know. I can't help him if I don't know!" The boy hisses.

"What if it scares you too? I don't want him to lose a friend." I admit.

"Percy has been my friend when everyone else hated me. They were scared of me. And he didn't care. The least I can do is offer him the same courtesy."