Ms. Stark [Peter Parker]

Chapter 47| Peter's Disappearance

MARIA
8:36 pm; Friday- Midtown Highschool

I sat.
And sat.
And sat.
And... sat.

Where was Peter?

It doesn't take that long to get two cups of fruit punch... does it? Maybe I was just impatient. Yes, that's it. I was anxious and that's all.

I stretched my neck up in an effort to search for him, but I didn't see his red and black suit anywhere. I leaned towards the right slightly to get a glance at the refreshment table, and there were only two freshmen grabbing some chips and dip.

He couldn't be dancing, could he? Or he went to the restroom. But he would have been out by now, right? Wait... maybe he found Ned. Yeah, that's it! Didn't he mention Ned earlier tonight? I shake my head as though I was convincing myself that's what had happened. I should find Ned... he'd know where Peter is.

I got up and walked around closer the where everyone was mingling.

"Hey Maria!" someone said, but there were too many people I couldn't tell who it was. I just forced a smile in the direction I heard it from.

"Maria! Come dance with us!" another pair said, but yet again, I didn't know who. My mind was racing, which didn't help at all.

"Ned?" I hoarsely say out loud, hoping to get a response. No one responded.

"Peter...?" I talk again, even quieter.

"Turn around Maria!" said a voice. I recognized it, however, as the man I knew as Ned. I turned around eagerly, relief flowing through me. I met Ned's cheerful face with his quirky suit. He was grooving along to the music.

"What's up Maria?" he asked.

"Do you happen to know where Peter is?" I ask back, trying to be as enthusiastic as he was. I was expecting a reply, but to my surprise, Ned's expression went cold and confused.

"Ah... no? I thought he was with you now. I was looking for him and saw him by the drinks and food earlier, but then he like... ran off. Strangest thing ever. He just left the building, " he said. My face went numb... he wouldn't just leave, would he? Ned must have seen my face even in the dark.

"You okay, Maria? You look pale... I'm sure Peter will be back, " he tried to comfort me. He came to closer to me, but I stepped back. I quickly nodded, trying to fight back the tears by biting my lip.

"Yeah.. definitely. I'll see you later, Ned, " I say as I walk off before he could respond. I shoved my way through the crowd until I made it to the side doors. I shoved them open without hesitation.

•••
PETER

The bag. The men. They took me- put the bag over my head. I tried to fight. Do anything. But I was hit. Hard. Very hard.

I felt my feet on the ground. I was sitting- yes sitting. But not by choice. Or was I?

I could feel the stiffness of a wood chair underneath me. I tried to move, but I was caught short by my hands stuck behind my chair. They must be tied. My head hurt. Badly - like I should be asleep, but I wasn't.