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THE HARD-PACED, rhythmic thumping of your heart filled your ears, drowning out any and all ambient noise from your surroundings. Your lips parted, a scream forming at the back of your throat. The ground vibrated with every harsh step you took, your combat boots propelling you forward each time it hit the ground.
Your entire world had been brought to a standstill in a matter of seconds, and each passing moment only worsened the awful feeling in your chest.
Dropping down, you kneeled next to Aaron's limp body, your laboured breathing drowning out the sound of your heartbeat as you cradled his head in your hands.
Brendon stood to the side, looking on distastefully. He didn't interfere, allowing you to have a moment; he spoke only when you addressed him.
Fire swirling in your eyes, you glared at the agent. "What the fuck is wrong with y-"
"Relax," Brendon shut his eyes in annoyance, holding out one hand, "He's not dead. Just knocked out."
A wonderfully soothing relief exploded inside of you and you too closed your eyes for a couple seconds, gathering yourself. Brendon treaded over and kneeled on the other side of Aaron's body.
"We need to get him to the infirmary," the agent said, starting to lift the doctor up.
You helped, transferring Aaron fully over into Brendon's grasp once he was upright. Both of you started down the corridor.
"Then what?" you queried, giving the smallest of frowns as you noticed the blue tinge in Aaron's skin.
"I'm gonna recalibrate him."
✧ ✧ ✧
Lower equipment room.
Natasha squinted in the dim light, staring at Bruce as he struggled to suppress his rage. His face was growing, changing slowly.
The redhead grit her teeth as she made another painful attempt at pulling herself free from the pipe crushing her leg. Trying to distract both of them from the precarious situation, she began talking to her hulking counterpart.
"Doctor?" she started shakily, breathing shallow, "Bruce, you gotta fight it. This is just what Loki wants. We're gonna be okay. Listen to me-"
On the other end of the room, Spencer ran in, eyes searching the room. They landed on his colleague and the doctor, and he called out.
