Okay guys, I'm getting my shit together. I've completely let you guys down and that is not okay.
When Tony woke that day, he realized that he was alone. The boy wracked his brain to figure out the reason why.
'It's Thursday.' Bruce offered lowly, his pained voice echoing in Tony's mind.
Tony let out a fearful whine. It was Thursday. Phil wouldn't come today, being forbidden to see Tony on Thursdays. Tony knew that was the reason he always saw the bad man. Tony held back a shriek at the eerie screech of the heavy metal door being opened slowly, ominously. The small man scuttled to his corner and waited in petrified silence.
"It's time to go."
Tony hesitantly looked up, sucking in a breath at the sight of the two, large orderlies. The one on the right was smiling serenely at him. Tony remembered him. That was the one that Hulky had hurt, which was why there was a scar running down his cheek. Tony didn't like that man. He was always so mean when he came to get Tony.
"Let's get this going already." The left one sighed, looking at Tony with an almost pitying gaze.
Tony looked down. He didn't like that look, no one else should feel sad for him. The right man sighed in mock disappointment, walking towards Tony with a cruel smile.
"There, there, it's okay. We aren't going to hurt you." The right man cooed, roughly pinning Tony to the floor.
Tony whined at the touch, feeling the painful pressure hit his wrists. The left man gently put his hand on Tony's neck, administering the sedative into the boy's bloodstream.
'Oh, my poor baby. You're so strong.' Steve's heartbroken coo told Tony softly.
Tony felt warmth travel through his system, and he smiled dazedly at the ground. The right man frowned. Why was he smiling? A rush of anger hit the man and he struck the boy, chuckling when he flew back with a small pained whimper. The left man sighed, gently gathering the boy in his arms. He felt the ghost of a smile paint his lips as the boy absentmindedly rubbed his face against his chest. His smile faded as quickly as it came and with a heavy heart, walked out of the dirty room.
February 7, 1994
THE DAILY DOSE
"Obadiah Stane Arrested For The Candy Cane Murders"
On February 4th, the owner of Stane's Steel Co.- Obadiah Stane- was dragged out of his office only to be arrested. Reports were sent in that they had seen the young man leaving an abandoned warehouse numerous times. They had thought nothing of it- assuming the man was doing renovations on the buildings in his spare time. Suspicions grew as young boys started to disappear around the town, including the son of a local millionaire. The boys all ranged around the ages of 10-14 years, almost all starting puberty. Was Stane to blame? Where are those boys now? Find out next time on The Daily Dose!
February 16, 1994
THE DAILY DOSE
"Obadiah Stane- who have YOU been letting your kids see?"
Has the well put together man we all trusted… been a child molester? Police reports say yes. Kidnapping, rape, torture- you name it. All of these things have been added to the list of charges on Stane. Sources say that Stane himself believes that he has been possessed by demons, urging to commit these horrible crimes. And you may be wondering, what are the Candy Cane murders?
Well, we'll tell you.
(This may be graphic, reader's be advised.)
From what we have gathered, the murders had started in the early 1980's with the first victim being 10 year old Bobby Morris, a barber's son. The authorities were contacted when the boy's parents had walked out of the house, finding their son's body on their front porch.
"The killer had disemboweled him." A witness had said. "And used all the blood to paint the boy. They had given him stripes, like a candy cane, and etched a crooked smile onto his face."
This continued for many years, sons and nephews disappearing to turn up as a twisted doll. Until now. Stane is now facing the death penalty, though rumors of mental instability have been floating around. A jury has already been assigned and the court date is set to be on March 4. Until next time.
March 9, 1994
THE DAILY DOSE
"Stane is GUILTY!"
Yes, we said it! Stane is guilty! The man has been charged with the murders of twenty young boys! That dirty child abuser is going to the slammer!
March 9, 1994
THE DAILY DOSE
We have just been informed that… Obadiah Stane will not be executed. The court has found him mentally unstable and have decided that he would be sent to Shield View Asylum. This is a truly sad day. We send our condolences to all the families whose hopes that this murderer would serve his punishment justly. Until… until next time.
May 29 (Present)
Obadiah Stane watched as they brought the boy in with narrowed eyes. He gave an angry growl as the man set Anthony on the floor gently, his hands lingering longer than necessary. Standing, the elder walked across the room, grumbling about nurses and their dirty hands. He stood over the boy, smiling at the prone form.
Anthony looked so… delicious at the moment. He was curled on his side, looking to all the world like a sleeping child. His wide eyes were shut, covered by long, fluttering lashes. His pink lips were stuck in a pout, making Stane want to bite them. His thin body was covered in clothes that were two sizes too big and the boy was swimming in them. Stane chuckled at the way his small, pink toes stuck out of his pant legs. The boy was too cute. Stane could not fathom how anyone could NOT want this boy. He was every man's dream (or at least his, anyways.) The man remembered a time where he was too disgusted with himself to act on his desires. He had been a fool. They had brought the boy in and he couldn't do it. He had thrown himself against the door, howling for someone- anyone- to come and take the boy away. Anthony had stared at him with wide, scared eyes. The boy had been all creamy skin and trembles (Something that looked terribly familiar to him, but he couldn't place it.) Yet, Stane had sat on his bed, ignoring the small child until they had came back, taking the boy with them. Then, and only then, Obadiah had brought himself to an orgasm, thinking of all the filthy things he could do to the boy. This had occurred several times. Then they had thrown the boy in, covered in welts and bruises. And he had crumbled. Whispering sweet nothings as he had violated the boy.
Even now as Anthony started to stir, Obadiah could feel the heat starting to build up in him again, consuming him with lust. Eyelids fluttered, revealing dazed unfocused eyes that looked around the room until they had landed on the older man.
"Hello Anthony." Stane rumbled, smiling softly at the boy.
Irritation pulled at his mind when Anthony started, shaking with fear. Whimpers made their way out of those small lips. He hadn't even touched him and already he was afraid.
"Come now Anthony," Stane reprimanded, kneeling down next to him. "Can't you say hi to daddy?"
Tony whimpered, looking down at the floor as he whispered a hello. Stane smiled at him and opened his arms for Tony to crawl in. Tony whimpered once more as he did so, sucking in a breath at the feel of the other's hardness against his bottom. The man rearranged the boy, shifting his legs around his waist so he could look into those beautiful amber pools.
"A little birdie told me that today was your birthday." Stane murmured, peppering kisses down Anthony's neck.
Tony couldn't stop the sob that escaped him and he quickly covered his mouth with shaking hands. The sobs rapidly increased as his hair was grabbed in a tight grip.
"Why are you crying? I haven't done anything to you, boy." Stane growled, taking the boy's small throat into the other hand.
Tony shook, sputtering out apologies in between choking sobs. The other man frowned. Sighing, he released him, kissing the boy's face and neck in comfort. The man slowly stripped him of his clothing until the boy was naked and sobbing on his lap. Tony started to struggle as he was carried to the bed and laid upon it. Stane quickly stripped, pouncing on the boy. His large hands groped at his body and held him still as the older man thrust into him with a single thrust. Tony screamed and tried to scramble away.
"Shh... that's right. Be quiet Anthony," Obadiah cooed, his anger and annoyance growing as the sobs grew. "Anthony, come on, be quiet."
Tony choked and wailed as the bad man started to strangle him, shaking him roughly. He paid no heed to Tony's pleas and apologies, choosing to root against him instead. Tony could see spots dance in front of his eyes. With a finally cry, Tony fell limp in the man's arms, slumping against him.
Stane cursed, gently setting the boy down, and running to the door, banging loudly while screaming for help. Two orderlies burst into the room, taking in the scene, before calling for back up. Doctors and nurses filled the room, carrying defibrillators amongst them. The men saw Tony was already out of his shirt, leaving his skinny chest visible to the world.
"Alright," The doctor said, nodding to the nurse, who had started to charge the device, a pitying look on his face. "3,2,1... CLEAR!"
Anthony seized, his small body jerking before going terrifyingly still. This process happened two more times before the boys eyes flew open. Tears started to fall as he shook underneath all of the men. He had just died. The gravity and seriousness of the situation seemed to hit the staff and they felt a deep sense of pity for the crying patient. The orderlies lifted him with the utmost care, feeling the hummingbird heartbeat underneath their fingertips. The doctors nodded at them, allowing for them to take the boys from their presence. Tony wailed in fear and pain the whole way. The stress seemed to much for the boy and he fainted, yet they couldn't find it in their hearts to be angry.
Tony woke up in his room, laying awkwardly on the bed. He was slumped as if someone just left him to fall. It made his neck hurt. He looked around, trying to find Phil or the doctor. He whimpered when he discovered that he was all alone.
'Not alone. You're never alone. We're here.' His voices cooed to him.
That made him relax a bit, they wouldn't leave him. Though as he thought of what had happened to him, Tony started to sob. He had died. The bad man had killed him... and then they had brought him back. That had somehow hurt worse than being strangled to death. They had brought him back to endure all the torture he didn't deserve. The small boy huddled under his covers, frowning when something slid from the bed. His eyes widened when he saw three small boxes at the end of the bed. Taking a weary look around, he decided that it was okay to approach the items. He crawled to the end of the small mattress, setting a box on his lap. There was writing on the box, and Tony read them aloud. Brown orbs twinkled when he saw his name on the first package.
He opened it carefully, trying not to break anything. He let out a cry of surprise.
It was a bear. A red bear with a gold belly. Tony's eyes filled with tears, there was a light in the center of the bears chest. It glowed brightly, illuminating the room with its beauty. He picked it up with trembling fingers, carefully running his small hands over the ears.
'It's beautiful Tony!' Natasha said, surprised by the gift.
'I hope you take good care of it, baby.' Steve said warmly.
'Woah. That's awesome! What's his name, Tone?' Clint asked, awed.
'Aye, little one. This gift deserves a name of honor.' Thor chimed in.
'Bruce...?' Tony tentatively asked.
'Yes tiny Tony?' Bruce asked warmly, making Tony smile and giggle.
'What should his name be?' He asked.
'Hmm... what about... Ironbear?' Bruce suggested.
Tony giggled. ' That's silly, but yeah Ironbear it is.'
Tony felt much better than he did before. The pain in his mind and body had considerably lessened at the light and colors in the the box, he found a letter. He saw a picture on the front. It was a dog wearing a hat, woofing at birthday cake. Tony laughed, the card was fantastic! Opening it, he read,
Happy birthday Tony!- Loki
Tony beamed setting the box and card on the floor beside him. He then picked up the next box, which also had his name on it. Carefully unwrapping the gift, he squeaked. It was a blankie! With so many colors! A card was lying on the top and Tony picked it up.
Happy birthday, angel.-Phil
The boy sighed happily, wrapping the multicolored fabric around his shoulders. He curiously picked up the last box. It had his name, but didn't say who it was from. Tony opened the box and let out a surprised, hoarse yell. It was a light. The small thing was a circle with a with a triangle pattern on the front. A note fell from the side and Tony read the note.
It's called an arc reactor. It was made by a smart man for people who love light, just like you. It will never go out, just your own light. Do not let them try to smother your light Tony.
Signed,
A friend
Tony felt tears fall down his face. A friend. Lying on the bed, the boy curled around the bear, keeping the small reactor against his chest. His eyes drooped shut and he let out a small yawn, his lower lip sticking out in a pout. Sighing deeply he fell asleep, nightmares nowhere to be found.
Again, I'm sorry.