章 12: Chapter 12
Ned panicked, glancing around the empty hallways. Peter was in trouble, he was hurting. Ned had never seen him like this. He needed to get help. But he couldn't just call 911. It would expose Peter.
He needed to get hold of May or Mr Stark.
He needed Peter's phone.
Rushing back to the class room, Ned raced for Peter's bag.
"Ah Mr Leeds finally." Ned froze as Mr Scott spotted him; "Where is Mr Parker?"
He's er not feeling well." Ned said quickly; "He's in the nurse's office. I was just going to take him his bag, and his phone so he could call his...aunt." Ned managed to just stop himself from saying his dad.
Mr Scott stared at him for a moment and Ned gulped. Then the teacher sighed; "Fine. Go. But be quick."
"Yeah sure of course." Ned scrambled for Peter's backpack and raced out of there. As he ran down the hallway back towards Peter, he opened Peter's backpack and pulled out his phone. Dumping his back in the hallway, Ned raced to the closet.
"Peter! I've got your phone! I'm gonna call for help ok. I'm gonna get help." Ned shouted but there was no reply. That wasn't good.
Ned looked down at Peter's phone panicking. Thankfully he knew Peter's code for his phone. Unlocking it he immediately pulled up the contacts. The first one was Aunt May. Handy.
Ned was just about to tap it to call her when he hesitated. Peter didn't want her to know or she'd worry. But he needed help. How was she going to help? Take him to a hospital? That wasn't going to work.
There was only one person who could help Peter.
Swiping down Peter's contacts, Ned stopped at Tony. It had to be Mr Stark.
Gulping, Ned tapped it and shakily brought it to his ear as it rung. He tried to contain his excitement at finally being able to talk to Mr Stark, because Peter needed help.
0o0o0o0o-SPIDERMAN-0o0o0o0o
"Can we see the prototype now?" A number of military officers said as Tony, Pepper and Happy stood in one of the Stark Tower labs.
"Of course. Tony." Pepper nodded her head at Tony to demonstrate.
He showed a few different rounds shooting at the bulletproof vest, and there was no sign of damage on the vest.
"Impressive. How does it work?"
Tony just started explaining his idea when his phone started ringing in his pocket. It was a specific ring he'd set up for Peter. Peter was calling him. But it was like 10 am. He was meant to be at school. In class. Why was he calling? He never called. Not even when he was home. He texted.
Something was wrong.
"Tony?"
Tony blinked finding Pepper, Happy and the military officers staring at him. It was then he noticed he had stopped talking in the middle of the presentation. And his phone was still ringing.
Pepper sent him a warning look not to answer the phone. But he had to. He just knew in his gut something was wrong with Peter.
I have to take this." Tony said quickly pulling his phone out, it was Peter; "Excuse me."
"Tony!" Pepper called after him, but he just turned to leave and answered his phone.
"Kid? Hey you ok?" Tony said as he opened the lab door and got into the hallway.
"Mr Stark?"
Tony froze hearing an unknown voice. His blood ran cold.
Please don't say something has happened to Peter.
"Who is this?" Tony demanded.
"This is Ned Leeds Mr Stark." A voice rushed out, and that's when Tony realised it was a teenager's voice; "Peter's friend."
"Where's Peter?"
"That's why I'm calling sir. He needs help. I don't know what to do. I couldn't call May and I couldn't call for an ambulance..."
Ambulance!
"Ok slow down kid." Tony said trying to keep calm but his heart was racing; "What happened to Peter?"
"It's his Sensory Overload. It happens sometimes, but it's never been this bad. He's in so much pain and I don't know what to do!"
"Sensory Overload?" Tony repeated totally confused.
"It's his senses. They...like go into overdrive and he can't control it. Please he needs help!"
"Ok ok. Where is he?"
"He's hiding in one of the storage closets at school."
"I'll be there as soon as I can." Tony hung up quickly, just as Pepper and Happy burst out to him.
"Tony what are you doing?!" Pepper huffed; "We have a presentation..."
Peter's in trouble." Tony said quickly and they both paused.
"What?" Happy said glancing at Pepper.
"Is he ok? What happened?" Pepper said concerned.
"His friend called saying he's having some kind of Sensory Overload. He's in pain. I have to go."
Pepper nodded.
"With my suit I can get there in a few minutes."
"Wait Tony." Pepper quickly grabbed his arm; "I'm not saying don't go. But if you go in your suit the whole world will see. You could expose him."
Tony hesitated.
"I'll drive you." Happy offered.
Tony shook his head; "With New York traffic it will take too long."
"Tony..." Pepper started but Tony cut her off.
"He's my son Pep. And he's hurt. I can't wait. I'm sorry." Tony turned and rushed out.
"Tony!" Pepper called but knew it was no use.
"It's ok." Happy reassured her; "I'll follow him."
Tony ran to the nearest doors leading onto a terrace, and tapped his arc reactor on his chest. His suit formed around him and he flew off into the air.
"FRIDAY. Give me the quickest route to Midtown School of Science and Technology."
"Calculating. Overlaying quickest route. Approximately 5 minutes."
A map appeared on his mask screen showing a blue line along the route.
Tony blew out a breath. I'm coming kid.
His mind was racing. Sensory Overload? What was that? That kid Ned said it happened to Peter before. Why didn't he tell him?
"Boss I am detecting an elevation in your heart rate. Is everything ok?"
No. FRIDAY can you get a reading on Peter? His vitals? Anything?"
"He is currently not in his suit so I cannot get a reading."
Tony swore. Of course not.
"What can you tell me about this Sensory Overload? Why didn't we detect it in Peter's blood work?"
"Sensory Overload is when one or more of the bodies senses is sent into over stimulation as a result of the environment, such as loud noises or bright lights. It is not something that can be tested for from DNA. Anyone can experience it. In Mr Parker's case as a result of his senses already being heightened from the spider DNA infusion, it is more likely a side effect."
"So he'll be ok? If other people experience this, he'll be ok. Right?"
FRIDAY hesitated for a moment before replying; "Unknown. Given Mr Parker's already heightened senses. A Sensory Overload could be hazardous."
"Hazardous in what way?"
"Sensory Overload occurs when the brain cannot differentiate the different senses input. As such it gets stuck and the nervous system reacts as if trapped and panics, setting off a chain reaction in the vitals. Theoretically, with all his senses sent into overdrive, if Mr Parker cannot find a way to calm down it could cause a total shutdown of his nervous system, and cause damage between his neural and nervous system."
Tony froze. He wasn't a doctor but that didn't sound good.
"But we can treat it? Give him some medication or something."
"There is no medication treatment for Sensory Overload. The treatment focuses on preventing triggers, being well rested and hydrated. There is some suggestion that occupational therapy can assist in the treatment of Sensory Overload."
Great. The kid's suffering and I can't even give him anything to help him.
"So what do I do?" Tony demanded.
"The quickest and most effective way to deal with Sensory Overload is to remove the subject from the environment causing the Overload and keep them calm."
"So get him out of school and keep him calm." Tony murmured; "Not too difficult."
0o0o0o0o-SPIDERMAN-0o0o0o0o0o
When Tony finally arrived at the school he made sure no one saw him as he deactivated his suit.
"Boss. Mr Hogan is currently on route to your location. He will reach in five minutes."
"Good. Tell him to meet me at the back entrance with the car." Tony said as he slipped inside the school entrance.
Tony peered around as he walked down the thankfully empty hallway. There were doors everywhere. How was he supposed to know where Peter was?
Mr Stark thank god!" Ned said bursting from round the corner.
Tony backed up a bit before recognising the voice, and spotted Peter's phone in his hand; "Ned right?"
Ned bobbed his head, staring in awe. Unable to believe he was in the presence of Tony Stark.
"Where's Peter?"
"Oh. Right. This way." Ned turned and rushed down the hallway back towards the closet. And they passed the destroyed men's room.
"Woah." Tony said coming to a stop peering inside seeing the door ripped off it's hinged, broken sinks and water spurting everywhere; "Did the kid...?"
Ned cringed; "He said everything was so loud. He couldn't block it out. I think he lost control of his powers."
Tony nodded staring in shock at the destruction. The kid did all this?
Tony started following Ned again.
"How many times has this happened?"
"This? None. Usually he just has a headache and things get a bit loud or too bright. He says its usually not too bad and it passes. But it's never been like this before."
"Why didn't he tell me? Or May?"
"He didn't want you both to worry. But I didn't know what else to do." Ned said as they stopped outside the closet.
"You did the right thing." Tony said clapping him on the shoulder, before turning his attention to the closet. Again seeing the destruction. The door handle was crushed, and there was cracks in the wall. The door was wedged into the frame. Peter had to have been in a lot of pain to do this.
"Why did he go in here?"
"He says it's the only place that blocks out most of the sounds, light and smells."
Tony nodded and he tried the handle. It wouldn't budge at first. As the door was wedged shut. Tapping his bracelet, his suit hand materialised and using his suit power he pried the handle and the door snapped open.
"Wait." Ned said quickly; "You might need these." Ned shoved a set of earphones and a pair of sunglasses into his hand; "They're the only things that seem to help, although not today."
Tony nodded gratefully, taking them from Ned. He eyed them distastefully, seeing they were just cheap looking and couldn't be that effectively.
Suddenly, there were footsteps and both Ned and Tony froze.
"It's Mr Franklin." Ned whispered; "He's coming this way...I'll distract him." Ned steeled himself before rushing towards the footsteps, and Tony didn't have time to stop him.
Ned ran right past Mr Franklin and down another hallway; "Mr Leeds!" Mr Franklin took off after him and Tony smirked; "Brave kid."
Then Tony turned his attention back to Peter, as he slowly opened the door unsure what he would find inside.
Tony stepped inside as he opened the door, and he flicked his gaze around the closet. It was dark, but he could see stuff all over the floor and a metal shelving unit tipped over. And amidst it all sat Peter. He was sitting in the far corner with his back against the wall, and his head between his knees shaking.
"Jesus kid." Tony muttered.
Peter flinched from the bright light from the corridor, and whimpered putting his arms over his head, shifting away from the light and loudness of his voice.
"Sorry sorry." Tony said quickly realising, and pulled the door closed as he got inside. Tony paused for a moment staring uncertainly at Peter, who was still shaking but calmed down when he closed the door.
"Kid..." Tony said softly as he eased closer. And he knelt down beside Peter, slowly reaching his hand out, but scared to touch him.
Finally he mustered the courage and reached out to touch Peter's head, which the hood was covering; "Peter? It's me Tony."
Peter was overwhelmed with the familiar scent of motor oil, and aftershave, that he didn't need to open his eyes to see if it was really Tony. He was overcome with so much relief that his dad was actually here. He opened his mouth to explain what was happening to him, but he was in so much pain. He was so confused, and his body felt so numb like he couldn't feel it anymore. Like he was disconnected. In the end all that came out was a sob, and Peter latched his hand out grabbing onto Tony's band shirt and leaning against him. Peter's head fell against Tony's chest, and Peter tightened his hold of Tony, feeling reassured for the first that everything was going to be ok. His dad was here. He was going to fix everything.
"Dad..." Peter cried relishing in Tony's warmth; "S'hurts."
Tony froze in shock for a moment as Peter nestled against his chest clutching onto him in a vice grip. His hands stayed frozen in mid air for a moment. Did he just call him dad?
Peter just called him dad! For the first time!
Tony felt his heart skip a beat.
Then Peter whimpered again and Tony's heart broke. Reminded his son needed him. He acted on instinct. He pushed Peter's hood down and ran his fingers through Peter's hair and he put his other hand around him, pulling him tighter.
"It's ok kid. I've got you. You're going to be ok." Tony whispered unsure how loud to talk in case it was hurting Peter.
"Dad..." Peter whispered, unable to say anything else. He wanted to convey what he was feeling, what was happening to him, but couldn't form the words.
"I know. Here." Tony murmured before gently letting Peter go. And he quickly got out the sunglasses and earphones Ned gave him, and he pushed the sunglasses onto Peter's face, and then shoved the earphones into his hands; "Hopefully these help." Although Tony wasn't confident about them.
It took Peter a moment to feel the sunglasses go over his eyes and the earphones in his hands. He opened his eyes slowly, and although he still felt the sharp pain behind his eyes it wasn't bright anymore. With shaky hands, full of pins and needles, Peter managed to push the earphones into his ears. He breathed out a sigh of relief as the sounds all around him became muffled. He could still hear everything but it wasn't as loud anymore thankfully.
"Better?" Tony whispered, still running his hands through Peter's hair.
Peter nodded, enjoying in feeling Tony's hands in his hair. He felt safe and protected. Like he wasn't alone.
"Do you think you can walk?"
Peter nodded again but honestly he wasn't sure. Everything felt numb and tingly.
Tony put his hands under Peter's arms to help him up, and was deeply concerned by how much the kid was shaking and trembling.
Peter managed to stand up, but he went to take a step and couldn't feel his legs. He fell forward, but Tony grabbed him, pulling him back up.
"I got you kid." Tony murmured, and soon Peter was leaning almost entirely on Tony as they exited the closet. As soon as they did, Peter moaned, and latched onto Tony as the sudden brightness and sounds coming back.
"Shh it's ok." Tony reassured him, holding him tighter and guiding him towards the exit. He needed to get Peter out of here now. The kid was in bad shape; "I've got you."
"FRIDAY. I need you to get a message to Pepper to clear Stark Tower and get Dr Helen Cho standing by for an emergency." Tony said louder.
Peter whimpered and Tony winced; "Sorry kid." He whispered.
"Yes boss."
Tony looked down at Peter concerned and absolutely terrified. For all he knew Peter was dying, the way he was acting. His heart was racing like crazy, and all he wanted to do was see Peter ok again.
"Tony!"
Tony snapped his head up as he rounded a corner seeing Happy coming running in. But he came to a skidding stop seeing them; "Oh my god. Is he ok?"
"I don't know. We need to get him to the car. Now."
Happy nodded and they rushed through the hallway back to the exit. As they did they passed the men's room. Happy eyed it before looking at Peter and then at Tony with wide eyed realising Peter did it.
Once they finally got to the doors, Happy threw them open and rushed to the car. Tony quickly followed. But as soon as Peter got outside, he hissed at the blinding light, and ear piercing noises from outside, that the sunglasses and earphones weren't protecting him from anymore. And it became so unbearable, Peter almost blacked out.
Peter let out a cry and slipped from Tony's grasped, falling forward clearly in agony.
"Tony!" Happy shouted as he opened the car door, and glanced back seeing the commotion.
"PETER!" Tony shouted trying to help him back up but Peter was just blindly lashing out to grab him. He wasn't thinking clearly. Then as Peter fell. Tony knew he was blacking out.
Tony knew he had to act quick. He grabbed Peter, picking him up bridal style, and rushed to the car. Thankfully this was the back entrance, and a quiet street where no one saw.
Happy helped Tony get Peter into the car, and Tony laid Peter across the back seat with his head in his lap.
"Get us to Stark Tower now!" Tony demanded as soon as Happy got in the car.
"On it boss." Happy said immediately speeding off and weaving in and out of traffic.
Peter whimpered clutching Tony's shirt and burying his face into it. It was so loud and so bright. He couldn't even feel his own hands anymore.
Tony pulled Peter closer, running a brief hand through his hard; "I've got you kid."
But Peter wasn't getting better. He was getting worse.
Quickly, Tony pulled off one of his metal bracelets and slipped it around Peter's wrist.
"FRIDAY. How's he doing?"
"Mr Parker's vitals are extremely high and rising. His body temperature is dropping. Neural activity is off the charts." If it was possible FRIDAY actually sounded surprised and worried.
Tony gulped and looked back down at Peter, wishing there was something he could do.
Happy honked the horn when a car tried to cut him off and Peter flinched, burying closer into Tony.
Slipping his jacket off, Tony draped it around Peter's head.
Peter didn't know where he was anymore, or what was going on. All he knew was bright lights and loud noises all around him.
But then he was suspended in darkness, and cocooned with Tony's warmth and comforting scent.
Subconsciously, Peter pulled the jacket tighter around him.
Tony put his hands protectively around Peter.
"How far away are we?" Tony barked.
"A few minutes." Happy cast a glance at Peter; "How's the kid?"
Tony didn't respond. He didn't know what to say. His son was in pain and he didn't know how to help.
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