I Can Go the Distance
They were watching ‘Hercules’ when Shuri and Peter started talking about Disney World.
Neither of them had been before, so immediately the teens began pestering the adults.
Tony and T’Challa exchanged exasperated glances, but when Peter and Shuri fell asleep on the couch, they made some calls, and arranged for a visit to Disney World in Orlando. With fast- passes and everything.
When they’d told everyone, Peter could barely contain his excitement, jumping onto the ceiling, and then dropping onto Tony’s shoulders.
He hugged his mentor, and whispered a quiet, ‘Thank you’ in his ear.
Three weeks later, they were on their way to the Art of Animation hotel, all ready for three days in the parks.
They were walking down the street when it happened. Peter and Shuri were lagging behind, taking selfies and laughing together.
Peter’s spidey-sense tingled, and he stuffed his phone in his pocket. He turned around just inside to see a two tall men behind him, plunging a syringe into his neck.
“T’ny,” he gasped, trying to get the older man’s attention, as his knees buckled.
But they were all too far ahead, and Peter felt Shuri slump to the ground next to him before everything faded to black
…
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.
But they didn’t have much time to think about that as three men with guns entered the room.
“Ah,” The tallest of the three murmured, “I see we’re awake.”
“Yep!” Peter exclaimed, “And we better get going if we’re going to use our Fast Passes.”
The tall guy laughed.
“I’m afraid we’re going to need you to hang here. You two are the stars of a little movie series we are going to do!”
“I’m camera shy,” Shuri spat out with a glare.
A different guy, this one with curly hair, smirked as he pulled out his smartphone and started filming.
Peter noticed that they weren’t standing in front of the camera, and instead staying hidden behind, with only Peter and Shuri in view.
“Well, well, well. A ransom video. How typical of us!” the tall one said.
“I’m assuming you Avengers can figure it out. We want some plans. The Black Panther suit, arc reactor, the works. And we want five million dollars transferred to the linked bank account. If you try anything funny, your friends over here…”
There was a pause as a shot was fired over their heads.
Shuri shrieked and weakly tried to cover her head with her arms as Peter dove over her. The empty shell clattered to the ground, and Peter sat up cautiously.
The three men were laughing and jeering at the teens, mocking them cruelly.
Shuri prayed that her brother wouldn’t be able to see the tears on her face in the video.
The third man, who was wearing a blue shirt, smiled at Peter.
“He’s a cute one…” Blue shirt said.
“Trying to protect the little girl, how sweet.”
“Now,” Tall Guy interrupted, “You have one hour before you receive another little movie from us. Until then, know that your little ones are in very good hands.”
Peter watched him nod to Blue Shirt, who pulled a mask over his face and walked towards them, now in sight of the camera.
When he saw the glint of the knife, he panicked. Blue was going towards Shuri, brandishing the knife.
“Hey, hey!” Peter yelled. “Leave her alone you big ugly oaf!”
Blue turned around and stared at him.
“Shut up.”
Peter pretended to contemplate, but shook his head.
“Nah I’m good. I like talking. It calms my nerves. Not that I’m nerv...AAAAAAAHHH!”
Peter broke off in a yell as metal was plunged into his shoulder.
He gasped heavily as it was pulled out, and blood poured from the wound.
Curly put his phone away, and the three men walked out of the room.
“Peter,” Shuri whispered, “Peter how do I help you?”
Peter grimaced.
“ ‘M okay. J’st blood loss. Need pr’ss’r.”
“Okay,” Shuri nodded, “Okay, pressure I can do.”
She pressed her hands to the wound, apologizing as Peter hissed in pain.
“I’m sorry Peter, I’m sorry.”
“ ‘S okay. Thank you.”
“No problem Pete. We’ll get out soon.”
“ Mhm.”
“We’ll be okay.”