Search for the Soul Gem

Chapter Fifty

"Can I help you?" Banner asked.

"Where is the Stone?" a gruff, German voice demanded.

"Excuse me?" Banner said. Instead of an answer, there was the sound of skin hitting something solid. Banner let out a choke of pain that was cut off by the sound of him colliding to the ground. I brought my hand up to cover the gasp that escaped my mouth. Peter shifted back into me slightly. My free hand came up to grip his arm. I'm not sure why, it might have been to steady him or to steady me; but there was a part of me that wanted to keep him where he was. He was reckless like Tony.

"Don't play with me, Dr. Banner," the German voice hissed, "where is the Stone. We know your resident pet has found it," he said.

"I, don't know, what, you're talking, about," Banner croaked out choppily. There was another sound that I knew well of a boot hitting Banner's stomach. I winced as it shot memories of pain through me.

"I do not have time for this. If you insist on being difficult, I will just have to force it out of you," the German said.

"Sir. You might want to be cautious. This is the Beast," a second man said in low German. The first barked a harsh laugh.

"Haven't you heard? The pet has cured the Beast. He's all better," the first man said in English.

"I'm telling you the truth. I don't know what you're talking about," Banner tried again. The sentence was punctuated by a harsh snap and a pained gasp. A foot collided with someone face. I grimaced. Peter lurched forward. I pulled him back keeping him hidden.

"Get him up!" the man demanded.

"I have to help him!" Peter whispered, frantic.

"You don't have your suit Peter. You're strong, but not bulletproof," I whispered back. There was a scuffle and small noises of pain from Banner.

"Bind his arms back and leg together," the man demanded.

"I can't sit here and do nothing!" Peter begged.

"You must! Tony will freak if you're hurt! And I can't explain a bullet hole to your Aunt," I whispered.

"Tony would do something-"

"Tony is a reckless, dumbass," I hissed back. We were cut off by the cocking of a gun. We froze.

"Where is the doctor," he barked.

"Doctor?" Banner barely had the words out before a gunshot tore though the lab. I gasped, the sound covered by Banner's cry of pain.

"I will not ask you again. The next one goes in your head," the German man said. Before I could move, Peter was in motion. He lurched forward before I could grab him.

"Peter!" I hissed, "Get back here!" he ignored me and crouched along the counters.

"Where is the doctor," the man demanded. Peter leveled himself on his feet.

"Stay hidden," he commanded. He launched himself up, causing a stir. Men yelled in shock as Peter appeared.

"Pull yourself together, it is just a boy!" the man yelled. There was another moment of struggle before the man growled in annoyance. Peter yelped and I covered my gasp with my hand.

"Boy. Don't get involved in adult matters. You'll get yourself killed," he hissed. Suddenly Peter tumbled across the top of the counter and into me. I was launched back into the cabinets with a violent smash as Peter lay unconscious in my lap. Blood poured from his nose and down his cheek. A tight panic closed around my chest as I checked him for a pulse.