Prologue
When Peter awoke, the first thing he felt were the tears running down his cheeks.
He was cold, too; wishing he’d worn more than his khaki shorts and Mickey Mouse T-shirt.
Suddenly he heard a cough from across whatever room he was in. The voice sounded feminine, and almost sick.
“Who’s there?” Peter called out.
“Peter?”
The girl’s voice was unmistakable.
Peter rose unsteadily, surprised he hadn’t been restrained in any way.
“Shuri? Is that really you?”
Peter heard shuffling, and he followed the noise, unable to see through the darkness.
“It’s me. Are you hurt?”
Peter shook his head.
“Oh,” he said, “no, yeah I’m okay, just a little sore. What about you?”
“I’m… uh… AAAH…”
The Wakandan girl broke off in a horrible shout. She gasped, and Peter finally found her, and dropped to her side.
“Talk to me Shuri. What hurts?”
Peter felt Shuri lean against him, still breathing heavily.
“J-just my ankle. I think it’s broken.”
“Oh, gosh Shuri. Let me look.”
Moved close to her right foot, which was surely enough laying at quite a strange angle. It was dark, but Peter knew enough basic medical knowledge to know it needed to be set, especially considering they had no clue when they’d get to see legitimate medical personnel again.
Through the darkness, Peter could almost see her grimace.
“Shuri I have to set it,” he whispered, his voice ridden with grief and apologies.
“I know,” she whispered back.
Peter had learned how to re-set bones so that his didn’t heal wrong thanks to his healing factor.
He placed his hands firmly on either side of her ankle.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
“Just do it,” she managed through clenched teeth.
“Okay,” Peter started, “On three. One… Two…”
Crack
Shuri couldn’t hold in a scream.
Peter scrambled back up over and pulled her closer, murmuring comforting words into her hair, still in it’s new braids.
She’d been so excited to get them done for their trip.
And as three tall, burly-looking men entered the room holding guns, Peter couldn’t help but think that this was not how their first trip to Disney World was supposed to end.