Lost to Arcadia

~Back then~

It was a forge. Made out of rocks and minerals, glistening and turning into millions of tiny rainbows when the fire hit them right. The ceiling was full of colours and he could only stare at it continuously while thin elongated fingers peeled delicately his skin. Then muscles. Deeper and deeper. Sometimes he would hear someone cooing at his heart. Oh, you’re perfect, you’re magnificent. They were instruments, rarely touched, laying all around the anvil on which he lay; pointed in his direction. He never managed to get a good look at it. When he tries, they just take his eyes away. Don’t be worried, I'll give them back. It hurts. They scoop his eyeballs, nails sliding under the eyelids and suddenly darkness. No blood, too messy probably. If they don’t want to see blood then there won’t be any.

In the depth of Arcadia, in the home of the Blacksmith, lying on an enormous anvil, Anthony Edward Stark waited. You see, in Arcadia, if you caught the eye of a Fae, then you’re bound to wait in their arms until the moment strikes. Wait until they will leave their lair, until they fall into a strange slumber, if they blink or look away. You wait for the moment when you will be able to escape. So Anthony waited. Even when his body parts were detached. Even when he felt those hands creeping inside his chest, dancing between his ribs. He waited. 

And waited. 

And waited. 

~Present time~

“Look agent, you’re going to have to wait.” 

Tony Carbonnel actually looked at his client when he said that. Deigning to roll out from under the car he was working on. The man was dressed up in a suit, sharp and still in the middle of his workshop. He looked uptight at first glance and was glaring at the mechanic

His shirt was dark with sweat and grease but thin enough for his visitor to notice the light blue halo coming from underneath it. Tony snapped his fingers, bringing back his attention to his face. That’s why he hung around with humans usually. They couldn’t see anything out of the ordinary, bless them.

“A prosthetic for a changeling takes more time than one made for humans. Depending on the type of wyrd he is made of or uses, it can fuck my work up. So until your oh-so-important-and-strong knight actually make an appointment and drag his ass to my workshop I’m not doing shit.”

“That’s the problem Carbonnel. He’s important and he doesn’t have the time to drag himself out to your… Workplace. 

“Sucks for you, my garage is more important to me than your little soldiers.” 

Getting up to his feet, Tony sighed, conflicted about what to do. The only positive thing in saying “yes”, to visiting the Court for a special command, was that he’ll get to pass by Valhöll. It had been a while since he visited other changelings and old friends. But there were too many negatives in falling back into their lair. He always had mixed feelings about the Court. Their intentions were all for helping the changelings who survived Arcadia in creating a new life. Yet, they had something else behind their mind in harvesting all these lost souls under their wing. Also, Fury’s an asshole and his cat was even worse. So. There’s that. 

“I got clients here too you know. Leaving for even an hour is bad for business.” he drawled letting himself fall onto his chair, clearly unmotivated.

“We are ready to offer a good price for your services. More than mundane money, Carbonnel.” the changeling said with a pointed tone, grating Tony’s nerve. 

Well, that was tempting: the Court did have interesting trinkets in their safe. But he wanted that mundane money too just to be able to pay his rent. 

“How about both? Life if New York isn’t a cheap agent.

“... I’m sure that Fury would be happy to negotiate that with you. 

“No, I want both agent-

“Will you one day use my name? 

“No, and now that we agreed on the price, yes we did, don’t bother, what day and time do you want me?”

Two days later, he was standing in front of the pub, Valhöll , with his suitcase full of tools and an obvious lack of enjoyment on his face. Take a deep breath, walk inside, ignore them, do your work and then leave. This is for good revenue. Alas the more he thought about it, the more he was hesitant. Even as they’d set the date and tools, they haven’t said much on what they wanted for him. He hated that, not being able to know what they had planned for him. 

He raised his hand, turned the doorknob and walked inside one if the most famous pub in the Changeling community. People inside raised their heads when he walked in, some nodding at him when recognizing him, others would just look away probably thinking it was just some random human. The mechanic walked slowly inside, glancing around, trying to distinguish the humans from the changeling. There were few normal fellows, probably just stopping for a drink and hide away from the summer sun until it’s bearable. As Tony was in the middle of the room a loud voice boomed behind him. 

“Fellow Tony! How good to see you, my friend!”

Two large arms circled the newcomer and squeezed him against a large chest. Tony yelped and tried to break free but the hug just got tighter. 

“It has been too long!

“Thor...  Y-you're squishing my air pipe!”

He was dropped with a laugh. Thor took advantage of his height and ruffled the older man’s hair, leaving it standing up and filled with static electricity. 

“You are here for pleasure I hope! I have some new mead for you to taste, join me !” he loudly declared, making some clients glare at him. 

The mechanic, after he stopped grumbling about his ruined hair, answered back:

“Sorry big boy, I’m here to deal with the boss. But after I’m done with him, why not. Nothing better than getting drunk in the middle of the week.

“That’s the spirit! Let me take you to the back. The sooner the better !” the larger changeling offered and then stormed off towards the back of the pub. 

Opening a door and he slipped inside a maze of corridors and doors. Tony, when he first arrived here, learnt the hard way that the place was enchanted to guide people forward and away as Fury’s wishes. Did he already say he didn’t like that dude? Who needs a whole enchanted building? Sure it helped to hide from curious humans and from his enemies, actually, it’s a smart move. Not that I’m jealous, I’m just really really curious how the fuck he managed such a feat. No, I’m not admiring him for it, he probably got someone to do it for him. 

Tony had to trot a little to keep up with the tall legs of the barman. Thor had this slight default of not realizing how much people struggle to keep up with him. On the good side of things, even though he was loud, he was friendly and always smiling.  Quite different from the other gloomy changelings which were probably why Fury was keen on keeping him. As the smaller changeling caught up with him he wondered for how long had the elemental been there. When Tony arrived at the court a couple of years back, Thor was already there working as the barman/server at Valhöll. They’ve met, Thor hugged him and for the next hour, Tony would get electric choc whenever he touched something. Since Tony didn’t stay long among the changelings he never got to learn much about Thor. He knew that he made his peace with being a changeling, actually bosting when he claimed to be an elemental and being able to wield thunder and lightning. Of course, he never showed anyone his powers so he was probably lying. It is too hard to use the magic, the wyrd, their body is made of, for your own benefit. You lived with it, sometimes it does shit without you being able to do something about it. That’s it. 

Anyway , Tony thought. It’s none of my business.  

“It is good that you’re here among us again Tony. You should consider coming back to our neighbourhood!” Thor suddenly said, slowing down to a stop. “This was made to be our home. All together, changelings need to be with each other. 

“No matter how hard you like to play pretend the other changelings aren’t family or home .” snapped Tony. How many times did he hear those words: stay with us, don’t bother building a life outside those walls. There are other monsters, humans while never understand. It’s us against the world. Fury has lost the touch with humans but that was the problem. There were still humans at the core. You couldn’t just lock your pairs away and hope they’ll forget. 

Thor looked at him with sad eyes, his smile still plastered on his lips. Guilt twisted Tony’s stomach as he realized how harsh he was on him. He couldn’t blame the larger changeling for trying to move on from their past and Thor didn’t deserve the anger when he had only ever be kind to him.

“Do pass by the bar after your affairs Tony. It would be good to talk.”

And with that last sentence, he stepped aside and showed him a large door covered in vines, nettles and brambles. Tony raised and slipped his hand between the stinging leaves and thorns, feeling it slowly wrapping itself around his limb. Then his shoulder, then his face and neck. The unkempt weeds finally wrapped around him and pulled him to the other side of the wall. 

On the other side, there was what they called the “garden”. It didn’t look like a garden if you asked Tony. It looked like the inside of a cave: rocks and moss with strange flowers who didn’t seem to mind the lack of sunbeam in there. In the middle of this strange place… 

“That’s new.” mumbled Tony as he approached the lying statue, surrounded by some forget-me-nots.

It was beautiful. Marble Stone in the form of a large muscular man sleeping peacefully. He was depicted lying on his back, large hands on his chest, the features completely relaxed. The whiteness of his skin making him stand out even more in the green of the place. Every strand of hair was carved in detail, even the lashes throwing shadows on the cheeks. And the size of it probably could rival Thor’s own height. What was strange was the fact that the statue had clothes on, pretty boring ones at that: a thin shirt and white trousers that looked more of a pyjama than anything else. They got slightly wet with the humidity, sticking on the chest and hard stomach of the piece. Well, it left little to the imagination and Tony had to give an A+ for that.  As he knelt by it, he felt some wyrd coming from the carved man. The changeling frowned at that. Did Fury let some changelings do some experiments on a work of art? Wouldn’t be the first time but to leave it here, where every meeting took place, It had to be important. He went to touch the cheek, trailing his fingers over the cold stone feeling no default in it. 

A quick hand snapped over Tony’s wrist and held him tight. Cold blue eyes suddenly opened and fixed their glare into Tony’s brown’s ones. He screamed in surprise and tried to shake his hand off, his fight or flight response clearly setting for flight. But the now woke up marble creature wouldn’t let him go. The grip was strong and cold. In his panicked state, Tony noticed that there was a ring on the man’s wedding finger, pulsing with energy. Realization crashed on him as the creature pulled him close to stare a him.

“ Who are you? ” the man growled in a menacing voice. 

“You’re a Fairest!” realised Tony in a shaken voice. “The fuck you were doing sleeping here?!”

The fairest frowned, his grip slipping a little.

“A fairest? What are you talking about?

“I- What you don’t?” Tony shook his head and pulled to break free again. “You know what, who cares, let me go! I didn’t realize you were a living thing.”

The “living thing” sneered at that, the grimace not breaking that unnatural beauty he had, before letting him go. Tony felt back on his butt, in a very ungraceful manner, before rising to his feet huffing, embarrassed.

“Still not saying sorry. No one stays here to take a nap. 

“Fury said I could.

“Awwww a favourite. Not that I’m surprised from a fairest.

“I’m not a fairest. I’m a…” he stopped. Looking at Tony in a way the mechanic knew oh too well.

He was looking for a sign of wyrd, a sign of his time in Arcadia. Normally, changelings had a particular physical trait that only over changelings could see (due to the fact they were all modified and filled to the brim with the Fae’s magic). Thor had his long blond hair that fizzled moved and twist as if the wind was always caught in it. if it wasn’t the hair it was the eyes that turned white when he would get too excited and the air would grow heavy around him.  Tony… Didn’t want to think of what lay within his chest. Was an exception. 

He decided to spare marble-man some trouble.

“I’m a changeling too. A Wizened.” the look grew confused and Tony asked more softly. “You came home recently didn’t you? Still a bit overwhelming isn’t it?”

But the man shook his head. he got up to his feet and -okay he was, even more, taller now- peered curiously at Tony.

“I’ve been home for a decade. I just haven’t… Really knew the Court existed. Not until a month ago.

“...What? How the hell did you survive on your own? How the fuck did you escape the Court’s eyes? A walking piece of granite-like you is hard to miss.

“You thought I was a statue not even two seconds back. Pretty sure you didn’t notice me then.” drawled the Fairest, clearly unpleased at being called ‘granite’.

“Maybe I did. And that would make the touching even creepier, let’s stay on that first scenario. I’m Tony, by the way, you’re the dude who needs my services?”

“Not him Carbonnel.” a familiar, deep, voice called behind him. 

Fury was… Strange even for a changeling. Half of his face and body was made out of shadows. The skin seemed to fume, black mist that coiled around him, sometimes shifting on his skin like clothes. Even when you shook his hand, it seemed as if his fingertips were intangible and will turn to smoke. Only one eye would peer at you, actually looking like -well- normal. Slinking between his legs and running up towards Tony, a ginger cat miauled at the guests. The Fairest actually smiled softly at the cat and held out his hand to pet it.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you, buddy.” Tony warned. “That thing is also a changeling and a mean one at that.

“Goose is not mean, he has good taste.” The King of the Court commented coldly. 

“Are you saying that I am not of good taste? Fuck you.”

Fury didn’t even blink at the comment but the man next to Tony looked horrified by the casual insult. Goose sniffed the hand that was still held out for him and jumped, purring into the man’s arms. The mechanic had to agree with the cat on this one, those arms seemed to be a wonder to be in. 

“Doesn’t count.” he said, pointing at the cat. “He’s a Fairest, he’s cheating.

“Why do you keep calling me a fairest?” sighed the man, obviously confused and annoyed at the choice of words.

“He’s implying that you are a Fae’s favourite. He reached out fascinated by you while you were sleeping, didn’t he? Changelings aren’t usually easily impressed or influenced, only Fairest has that trait and it’s given by the Fae who kidnapped them.

“That and the wedding ring.” mumbled Tony. “It stinks of wyrd.”

That answer clearly distressed the Fairest, his pale features turning whiter and covering up the gold band with his other hand. Being loved by a Fae was worse than anything. If They loved you, there is a chance They will come looking for you at some point. Now that I think about it, why didn’t he get rid of it? Can he actually take it off?

“A Fairest… What’s a Wizened then?” he asked turning the attention on Tony.

“Means I’m the least important.” the mechanic chuckled darkly. “Wizened are experiments that worked or failed. But hey, it’s not the worst.” You are. He didn’t say it. “We have Elementals, Darklings, Beasts and Ogres. A whole menagerie for you to discover Marble.

“My name’s Steve.

“Whatever. Now that we know Mister Rock-of-Wonders is not my client may I know for who am I here for?” he drawled at the King of Changelings.

Fury turned on his heels and started to walk deeper in the garden, followed by Steve and Goose. Tony wondered if he was the only person who didn’t follow Fury blindly. Sadly, at this moment, he was there for business. So with a sigh, he begrudgingly went after them. The moss and plants seemed to merge together the further they went, rising up high above and turning to a semblance of oak trees. A sick feeling started to grow in the changeling’s stomach. The way the place seemed wide but stifling at the same time, the lack of sense in the flora surrounding them….

“Sometimes I feel like this is a piece of Arcadia you’re brought in our world. And you’re still surprised I don’t trust you.” the mechanic suddenly snapped, stopping in his tracks. 

“No one wants any remembrance of Arcadia, Carbonnel. But we influence our lairs with our soul no matter how much we hate it. Many changelings came here, slept, and live a full life within these walls. This isn’t just me. Also, you can’t say you haven’t impacted your own home yourself.”

Chastised, Tony didn’t comment back on it. The King may be right but at the same time, his workshop felt specifically like Tony’s. It didn’t twist and change to his will. It just… Had a mind of his own. No big deal. 

“I’m not going any further. You either bring them here or I’m leaving.” he said, feet rooted in the ground.

Steve looked surprised at his actions and did a double-take between their leader and the wizened. Fury said to the Fairest to leave it be and they both went away to search for the client. While waiting for them, Tony let himself rest again a tronk. Rubbing his eyes and giving short slaps to his cheeks, he tried to keep himself together. A meow made him looked at his feet where Goose was lying, belly up. Soft fur on display but Tony just glared at it.

“No way I’m falling for that again.”

Goose narrowed its slit pupils at that sentence before giving another sound of outrage. The wizened could only imagine the many orders and insult in it. Then, to his surprise, the ginger cat got up and rubbed himself against his legs. Tony felt his fear and anger seeping from his limbs, he slid down against the tree and let the cat settle on his legs. 

“I hate this place.” he whispered, earning a purr when he scratched the cat’s chin. “Out there I can pretend I’m human but not here. Never here. It’s not wrong of me to run away from it, is it?”

Of course, Goose, not caring about his feelings, just kept purring and rubbing his head against the rough hand. He may be part changeling, he was still a cat. So Tony just sighed and kept petting it, waiting for the others to come back.

Finally, after a couple of minutes, three silhouettes walked towards him. Goose perked up and pounce from the changeling’s lap, digging its claws in his thighs as he did. Tony gasped and look at the scratches on his trousers. This is why I shouldn’t indulge that damn feline. He got up, Steve and Fury were back with a third man. Tony narrowed his eyes as he approached. Pale skin and But this one… Dark hair tied in a bun, soft blue eyes, pink skin that actually looked like real flesh.No floating or heavy aura around him. Did they-No Fury would never allow that: no way that it was a human. Maybe if he comes closer he’ll feel something. Steve was standing close to the newcomer, smiling softly at something. Smile that slide off when he turned his gaze back to Tony who felt a tad offended. The hell I did to him? Apart from touching him in his sleep- okay yeah, fair enough. He grumbled in his head as he met them halfway.

“You’re Carbonnel?” the browned haired man asked, a large smile on his face. “Name’s Bucky Barnes, they said you’re the best when it comes to tech and prosthetics.” 

Ah. Tony thought. I can see why they wanted me now. The left arm of Barnes was missing from the shoulder. He bowed slightly his head in salute. Maybe he was a knight of the Court’s who lost his arm for their safety.

“That I am. But call me Tony, since we’ll be seeing each other a lot.” he walked up to him already measuring the shoulder and thinking of what he was going to do. “Never saw you around Valhöll, are you’re a newbie like Rocky?”

He looked at the Fairest at that who sighed in exasperation. But at least Barnes gave a small chuckle at the name.

“Rocky hey? That’s actually a nice nickname for you Stevie.

“Please don’t.” Steve asked with a pleading tone. 

“But in all, you could say I’m new around here.” he reached for his lost arm, as if it was still there, before letting his hand fall.

“So what do you need exactly. If Fury called for me, I guess it isn’t just an arm you need. Ask away, don’t be shy, I’m good at my job.

“Well, I got a good one for you. I’m gonna need an arm that can shift with me when I need to be in wolf form.”

Tony’s eyebrows rose at that. Okay, that was a hard one. Not impossible but that was going to be hell to find the right spells, enchantments and material to realise such a feat. No wonders Agent insisted and nagged him with this, you couldn’t leave this in the hands of anybody.

“Damn, indeed you’re not an easy one. You’re a beast then?” he was slightly confused. It would explain the wolf form. 

“Is that your way of flirting with me?

“Well, I wouldn’t say no if you wanted to choke me with those thighs” Tony shrugged earning a laugh from Bucky and a choked breath from Steve. “But that would make your boyfriend jealous. Fairest don’t share.

“I have a name.

“My bad Rocky.

“Are all changelings this relaxed about their... nature?” Bucky looked cautiously to his friend who shrugged. “I can’t say I understand but I know it’s no good memories.

“Most don’t. But between moping and laughing at it, pardon me, but I’ll choose the second option.

“Laugh? Make a joke about what happened to us, that’s your solution?” Steve drawled, glaring at him. 

Tony raised an eyebrow and didn’t bother with a response. Instead, he turned back to Bucky, now really curious.

“But if you’re not a changeling, what the hell are you?” he laughed. “No humans are allowed here and I doubt Fury is one to make exceptions.

“Shit, he didn’t tell you?” the man seemed surprised. “I’m a werewolf. Born and raised.”

There was a long silence that stretched for minutes. Tony looked around him, no one was laughing. Barnes seemed confused, Steve was still frowning and Fury just nodded at the mechanic when his turn came.

“What. The. Fuck?”

“I didn’t sign for this.”

The Wizened was pacing around Fury’s office, much more normal than the garden. He had left in an instant when he learnt about Barnes but Fury brought him to his office to convince him to stay. The only reason Tony willingly came and didn’t just flip the King the bird was because too many questions were turning inside his head.

“You drag me here, after harassing me for weeks-

“Coulson only came once as far as I know.

“Emails and phone calls count you cyclops! And you just threw me in front of a Werewolf? I didn’t even know werewolves were a thing!

“There are.” Fury deadpanned. Many thoughts of strangulations and 1st degree murder bloomed inside Tony’s mind.

“Yeah, now I know, I’m pissed because you didn’t tell me, and you just expect me to be fine I-! H-how is that a thing? 

“It has always been a thing. But Werewolves cannot see our changelings appearance so they think we're humans. Also their packs are rare in large cities. It was quite a surprise when Rogers brought him here.”

A surprise?! Motherf- Am I the only one shocked by this? Is it because he left the Court? That’s why he didn’t get the memo about others non-humans in their world? Shouldn’t you warn people so they don’t get into trouble? Tony rubbed his temples and tried to calm down.

“Okay. So werewolves are a thing. Anything else I need to be warned about.

“In due time, if it’s needed.

“... Are the others aware?” Carbonnel suspiciously asked.

“We tell them there are other non-human beings and when they are ready they come to ask for more information. It isn’t the easiest subject to breach when many of them are still reeling from their trauma and identity.

“Make a booklet about it I don’t know but don’t fucking throw it on us and expect us to take it!”

Fury let him fume a bit more before very calmly asking him.

“Will you make him the prosthetic he needs? 

“Why are we even helping him? Is this a deal between a pack, are we on negotiations with other non-humans?

“That’s between me and him. 

“Ugh. More secrets, why am I not surprised. Let me then ask you what’s in it for me? You’re asking me to build something that’ll have to be intertwined with wyrd so that it would go from arm to wolf leg. I’m good, true, don’t think any of your paws could realize such a feat. but this is going to take so much time. I’m going to have to do tests, reruns, crash tests, you can afford me for that.

“We will pay you, spend as many months as you want, just make it your priority.

“Money. I’m probably going to drain myself in enchanting his arm and you want to leave me with just some mundane money? I’ve got already many clients to pay my rent, my dear King , so thank you but that won’t be enough. Unless you want me to use your wyrd instead?

Fury didn’t anything for a long minute. He ran his dark fingers over Goose head who let out a happy purr and narrowed it’s eyes at Tony. The wizened tried to be patient during this minute but when the King stayed mute, he decided that the negotiations were over.

“Good talk. So now,  I’m going home and don’t bother calling again. I’m not helping you.

“Stark.”

Tony felt his body froze. The weight of one of his real names suddenly on his shoulders. He glared at Fury who was still wearing that infuriating poker face. 

“Help Barnes. We will pay you your fees for the material of the prosthetics and for the price of the enchantment, once you’ve complete and finished it-

He cut himself and sighed. As if he was weighing if the price of it would be worth it. What he actually said next, sealed Tony’s decision to accept the deal.

“I will show you one of our gateways to Arcadia”

~Back then~

One day the waiting stopped.

Anthony remembered the changeling who had helped him. Pulled him off the anvil and caught him when he tripped over his own feet, not used to standing after all this time. 

James Rhodes had been there for a longer time. More than Anthony. The blacksmith had taken his legs because he tried to run away once. But They thought it was wasting a good subject and gave some back. With some new arms. Maybe take away a shoulder blade and put some rusty metal in there…

James Rhodes was another project of the Blacksmith. But not his favourite, small mercies, that’s why he freed himself first. And he wasn’t going to leave Anthony behind. He pulled him off and they grasped at each other in a hug. Everything hurt, they were still terrified, they were getting out of there. Together.

As soon as they started running, adrenaline soon came rushing in. Anthony felt in control of his mind and body: he was fleeing this cursed place. The Fae wasn’t there. His lost, they were getting out of there. The longer he was running, the more footsteps could be heard. Other victims were breaking free. A crack happened in the perfect prison of the Blacksmith and they were now pouring out in the maze of the Fae. Hands scratching doors and walls desperate to find a way out while they still could. When the light of the outside peaked through somewhere, the mass of changelings run towards the exit. Anthony grasped Jame’s hand, not wanting to be dragged under the feet of the crowd. I can’t be left behind, not when I'm so close. Charcoal eyes meet his caramel ones, a second passed before the man pulled him against him and they both pushed through the bodies and outside. 

Outside of the cage, not yet out of the woods. 

“Where now ?” he mumbled, looking around. What road or path could lead them to safety? 

“Anywhere. Away. There must be a door back.” Anything is better than here. 

And so the running started again. Arcadia was all around them. A dense forest with enormous flowers and even bigger trees. If was like they were the tiny faeries of a fairytale.  But they didn’t bother with admiring this twisted -beautiful- realm. This place was hell, it was still their home. And the Blacksmith won’t be gone forever. they ran, jumped other rocks and weeds, thorns wrapping themselves around their clothes and legs. Arcadia didn’t want them to leave. Why did they want to leave? Aren’t they happy here, where they were perfectly crafted? Both changelings didn’t stop, even when one would fall, the other would catch him and kept him moving. Hanging onto each other, relying on their strength and hope to make it through. If they fall behind that would be the worst sentence. Back inside the forge. Back inside their cell. 

Sadly for them, as they ran, they heard something following them. Was it the Blacksmith? Sometimes they would hear laughter, like soft chimes ringing through the trees. Was there another Fae looking and ready to pluck them for themselves? 

Sadly for them, as they ran… James Rhodes and Anthony Edward Stark were to part ways. 

Ground split between them. As if the world was cutting itself in half. Anthony screamed in horror when he felt his body falling down. His chest burst with something and he was thrown on the over side of the crack. With the adrenaline of a desperate man, he managed to heaved himself back to his feet. When he glanced behind him and his companion was on the other side. Looking across each other they realise there was no way back for them together. 

“It’s okay !” Anthony yelled. “Just go! Find a way back, I’ll meet you on the other side.

“You better !” James yelled back, a wobbly smile on his lips. “I didn’t save and dragged your ass out of there for nothing.”

They split way. 

Anthony still wonders if James found a way out.

He hasn’t seen him since.

Anthony wants to go back. He can’t leave James behind, not if he’s still stuck there.

He will bring his friend home.