T POV:
One month and two weeks. One month and two weeks since Pepper went missing. Her birthday was even in a couple days…
Ever since she had disappeared, Rhodey and I were searching for her non-stop. Once school ended for the day, we were instantly out in our suits, scouring the city from tiny dark alleys to underground shady businesses. Still nothing. I just wanted her back home. It felt like I was going insane without her. I needed her. Nothing was the same without her.
It was like any other morning since Pepper had gone missing, with me plodding my way to school; the familiar sounds of screeching sirens ringing in my ears. Yet, this time, it was too close to be normal. I picked up my pace and ran, the sounds growing louder as I approached the school. Once I was a good couple feet from the entrance, Rhodey ran up to me. He panted heavily, looking up to meet my eyes. Behind him were a crowd of students, teachers, and passerbys. I looked at the crowd, down at my best friend, then back to the ambulance.
"Two people...collapsed at entrance...needed help...one of them is-"
Before Rhodey could finish, I spotted one of the victims hair. It was that same fiery hair that burned brighter in the sun like a blazing forest fire.
"Pepper…"
I try to contain myself and let the paramedics handle it, but I can't. I push past the entire crowd, tears starting to fall. Some people attempt to restrain me, causing me to rip apart from everyone and push myself closer to her limp body on the gurney. Blinking back some tears, I look at her in shock. Her body looked so frail and bloody. She had so many wounds and gnashes, looking completely beaten. I bite my lip and slide into the ambulance with her. Taking her hand, I look over to the paramedics. My glare telling them that I wasn't going to let her go anytime soon. Letting my stay, they loaded someone else inside the large ambulance. A black haired boy with fair skin. With the arrival of this new kid, my mind raced with questions. 'Who was this? Why was he at the academy? Did he know Pepper? Did he do this to Pepper?' The nervous pit in my stomach only grew heavier ad the heavy doors to the ambulance shut, and it took off into the burning sunrise.
