Author's Note: Hey, guys! Guess what? I'm back with Chapter 2 of Raise Me Up! I know I said that this would come next week, but the chapter was actually already typed up and I didn't think there was a reason to wait. So….I decided to post it early! Thank you all so much for the support in the first chapter! It really means a lot, and I hope you like what's coming next! But before we get to CHAPTER 2, let's do some Review Replies!
xSapphirexRosesxFanx: You mean who called 911? Oh, it was just someone who witnessed the accident, nearby. As for when Tony comes in, you won't have to wait for long!
Poohbear123: Glad you're liking it so far! Hope you like what's next!
Lillychaiten: Thank you so much! I hope you like what's next!
Disclaimer: I do NOT own anything related to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Chapter 2
Peter wasn't sure what time it was. Time seemed to have vanished ever since the accident that night, and he wasn't sure how long he had been in the bed for. However, he had a feeling that it had to be at least a few hours…maybe a little less. He had no clue as to the doctor and nurse finally finished stitching the gash on his head and wrapping thick gauze around it. The rookie superhero figured that the adrenaline must've worn off because now his head had begun to hurt even more, but that still didn't matter to Peter. He still had no clue as to where his aunt was. May still had yet to call or text him, and surely, she would've after they were both separated at the scene of the accident.
"Okay, Peter," the nurse said as she and the doctor stepped back after tending to his wound. "You're all set."
"I'm just going to give some meds," the doctor…Dr. Bailey explained smiling at him. "Is there someone we can call for you?"
"Yeah, my aunt May Parker," Peter suddenly replied relieved that now, he was finally going to get an answer as to where May was. "I told the paramedic that she was in the accident too, and I hadn't seen her since. The paramedic told me that she was coming here too, but I haven't even heard from her. I really need to—"
"It's alright, it's alright, Peter," Dr. Bailey replied. "I'll go to the front desk and find out where she is, okay? You'll get to see her soon."
Peter nodded quickly before the doctor and the nurse finally left to go find his aunt. He leaned back against the pillows aching for any answers regarding May…aching for her to come running through the curtains completely okay, giving him a huge hug, and taking him home so that they could forget this ever happened. Although, they didn't have a car…Maybe they could get a taxi or an Uber? Maybe Happy would pick them up?
"Peter?" a voice suddenly said jolting the teenager out of his thoughts. He had been moved to another room while the doctor went to go find out where May was. Now, the doctor finally came back to his room, and hope increased tenfold as he eagerly sat up and waited for his aunt to come in from behind him.
However…his hopes were dashed pretty quickly as another doctor came in from behind instead. As annoyed as he was, he couldn't help but feel worried as he noted the sad look on their faces.
"Peter…uh…" Dr. Bailey began, "this is Dr. Becker." He gestured to the female doctor behind him.
Dr. Becker looked to be in her early 50s with long brown hair tied back in a bun. She also had big glasses and was dressed in a white coat like Dr. Bailey.
"Uh…hi? I-I'm Peter," the teenager replied holding his hand out to shake.
"It's nice to meet you, Peter," Dr. Becker said as she shook his hand. "I was in charge of your aunt's case."
"Oh!" Peter said as he sat up a little more. "Well…where is she? Is she okay? I mean, she was unconscious in the car after the accident, but did she wake up? What room is she in?"
"Well, actually," Dr. Becker said as she sat down in a chair next to Peter's bed, "umm…your aunt…the paramedics found that she had a faint pulse after the accident. Her injuries were severe, and…we tried to…help her. However, she…flatlined during surgery, and we tried to get her heart started again."
"Tried?" Peter uttered as the worry increased tenfold. He silently prayed that this wasn't what he was beginning to think it was.
Dr. Becker nodded. "Peter, I'm…very sorry," she began shaking her head, "but…your aunt…passed away. There was nothing more we could do for her."
Within seconds, Peter felt his entire world come crashing down around him. "W-What…w-what…?" Peter uttered as his brown eyes widened, he felt ice-cold terror and shock wash over him. "N-No…no…she…she can't be…" He couldn't dare to say the word…or even think it. "T-That…no…no…there…there must be some mistake… She…she's not gone! It's…It's got to be…another May Parker. It…It…"
"Peter, I know this is a huge shock," Dr. Bailey began, "but…"
"No!" Peter suddenly shouted as tears welled up in his eyes. "No…she can't be…I'm sorry I didn't mean to shout, but she…" He sniffled as a tear fell down his cheek, "…she can't be…gone. She's…"
"All I have left…" he thought to himself.
Peter couldn't finish that last statement as he finally gave in and began to sob bowing his had and grabbing handfuls of his brown hair.
"I'm so sorry, Peter," he heard Dr. Bailey say. The teenager was so distraught as he continued to cry, but he barely noticed that Dr. Bailey actually sounded sincere. Perhaps, it was good bedside manner, or…maybe he's been through something like his situation.
He couldn't believe this was happening. His aunt May was gone. May was gone. He felt so wrong for thinking this. There was no way it could be true. After his parents died a long time ago when he was 4 years old, he went to live with his aunt May and uncle Ben, and then after Ben died almost 2 years ago, it was just him and May. She promised that he would never be alone…that she would always be there for him. How could she just be gone? How could she just leave him?
"C-Can I see her?" Peter finally asked. He couldn't believe it. He didn't want to believe it. There was no way it was true. Maybe if he saw her, he could figure out if it was in fact his aunt. That was probably what happened with his aunt. Maybe there was a mix-up of some sorts.
"Of course, we'll take you to her," Dr. Becker replied. "We haven't moved her yet, so she's in a room."
"But we do have to ask, Peter," Dr. Bailey asked. "Is there anyone who you can call? We couldn't find anyone in Aunt May's emergency contacts."
Peter could only shake his head despite how much he wanted to protest that May wasn't dead. "No…" he said despondently, "she's…all I have left in my family." He wracked his brain trying to think of anyone else, but…there's no one he could think of at the moment.
Dr. Bailey nodded in understanding, and Peter couldn't help but notice that he seemed afraid that that was his answer. "Okay," he said. "We'll take you to see your aunt then."
Peter trailed behind the two doctors as they moved down the hall from his room, and his heart pounded as they walked further down the hall. There was a part of him that was relieved that he was going to see May, but there was another part of him that was utterly scared. The doctors had just told him that his aunt was dead…that May was dead…killed in the car accident tonight. His heart pounded even more at the thought of his aunt lying so still with her eyes closed. The mere thought of him not seeing her again made him sick to his stomach. May would never do that to him. She wouldn't just leave him like that…not now when they needed each other…when they were supposed to have more time together.
"She's in here, Peter," Dr. Becker said jolting Peter out of his thoughts. He could see the solemn expression on her face, and he immediately felt tears welling up in his eyes fighting the urge to accept his aunt was truly gone. "It's going to look like she's sleeping, and you can take as much time as you need."
"We're going to send someone to talk to you in a bit," Dr. Bailey added before Peter had a chance to respond. "They're going to wait out here for you, okay?"
Peter could only nod. Words escaped him at the moment. There was nothing to say. The doctors must've sensed that because Dr. Bailey turned and simply opened the door for Peter allowing him to walk in. The teenager's brain was screaming at him to stop and to run the other direction…away from the doctors…away from the room, but…his feet kept moving into the room. He wished he could stop, but…it was all in vain. As soon as he walked in, he saw her…lying in bed…completely still. There were no machines or monitors around her. The room was empty except him, May, and…the bed and some furniture.
Tears welled up in his eyes as he laid his eyes on May. Her eyes were closed…like she was sleeping as the doctor said, and he took a few more steps closer. "M-May…?" he finally said through a sob. He sniffed as he sat down the bed staring at his aunt. There was no answer. "Aunt…May…? P-Please…M-May…w-wake up…P-Please…don't let this be true…" He sniffled again waiting for an answer…for her to open her eyes and to end this waking nightmare, but nothing came. Peter sniffled again. "A-Aunt May…c-can you hear me…? It's Peter…" He sniffled. "M-May, please…please, y-you can't…n-not like Uncle Ben…"
Again…no answer.
Peter sniffled and let out a sob as he rested his head on May's chest crying even harder when he heard no heartbeat. "Please, Aunt May," he whispered through his sobs. "Please…don't leave me…N-Not you, too…" First, his parents, then Uncle Ben, and now….Aunt May. He gripped May's arms tightly sobbing willing her to come back…to take him home away from this hospital, but when that didn't happen, he continued to cry.
"Peter?"
Peter jolted and opened his eyes. "May?" He blinked a few times only to see a woman standing over him. She had white hair tied back into a bun, blue eyes, and a navy blue suit on. Peter immediately figured he must've fallen asleep because he didn't remember her walking into the room. Plus, he was feeling groggy and thought it was his aunt completely forgetting that she was in the bed…dead.
She smiled at him with pity. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to scare you," she said. "My name is Danielle Walker. I'm a social worker."
Peter slowly sat up at that statement as he widened his eyes, and that was when it hit him. May was his last living relative. There was no one else to take him in…He was an orphan, and he belonged to the state of New York. His heart began to pound. "O-Oh…" he said.
The social worker must've sensed his uneasiness, as she pulled up a chair to sit down in front of him. "It's okay," she said. "I just want to talk to you for a little bit. The doctors told me about your aunt." She kept her eyes focused on Peter not once looking at May's…body. "I'm very sorry for your loss."
"T-Thank you…" Peter replied. He snuck a look at May as tears rolled down his face before he quickly wiped them away turning back to Mrs. Walker.
"Is there somewhere else you would like to go to talk, Peter?" she asked gently. "We can maybe—"
"No, no," Peter said quickly. He felt a little bad for shooting down the offer as quickly as he did, but he wasn't ready to leave May just yet. Plus, what if she tried to take him away to her agency? No, he couldn't let that happen. "I-I'm okay here."
"Okay," Mrs. Walker said nodding. "Well, I know this has been…a difficult night for you, but I need to talk to you about…your living arrangements. The doctors tell me that they didn't know who to contact in terms of next of kin. Is there—"
"No…no…" Peter answered sadly shaking his head, "my…uh…my aunt was the…the only family I had left." He hung his head low.
Mrs. Walker sighed sadly. "Then, you will need to be—"
"No!" Peter suddenly said looking back up at the social worker. "No, please, Mrs. Walker! You can't send me into the system! Please, I don't want to go live in a foster home!" He knew that the social worker was just doing her job, and he understood that. However, the thought of living with complete strangers after living his only family for so long…the thought of moving away from New York possibly away from M.J…Ned…Tony…made him sick to his stomach.
"Peter, Peter," Mrs. Walker said trying to remain calm for the teenager. "I know it's a lot to take in, but you're only 15. You can't live on your own. I have some families, who will—"
"No, please!" Peter interjected pleadingly as tears formed in his eyes again. "Please…I'm begging you, Mrs. Walker. Don't send me into the system."
"Okay, okay, calm down," Mrs. Walker said holding her hand up to calm the teenager. "We don't have to talk about it right now."
"Then why are we talking about it now?" Peter thought to himself. Nevertheless, he nodded slowly sighing in relief.
"We can talk about it when you're thinking more clearly," Mrs. Walker continued. "However, you will need a place to stay with in the meantime. Is there someone you trust to let you stay with them for the time being?"
Peter wracked his brain despite the dull ache trying to think of anybody he could call. Ned…his best friend was an option, but…there was no way he could impose on Ned's parents. Not only that, but he wasn't in the right mind to answer questions from Ned. M.J. was another option. As blunt as she was, she would know better to give him space for the night, but…he didn't know her parents as well as he knew Ned's. It would be too awkward. He quickly got out his phone as he felt the social worker's eyes on him. He scrolled through his contacts trying to find someone, who could help. Happy…Tony Stark's bodyguard…was in there, but Peter didn't find it in his heart to bother him. Although, he was a backup in case he couldn't find anyone else. He continued scrolling through his contacts. Finally…one name made him stop.
Tony Stark…
"Call him…call Mr. Stark…"
Whether the whisper was his own inner voice…or Aunt May's…Peter would never know, but it seemed like the best option he had. He had stayed over with Tony for a weekend last year when May went on a business trip, and he's been over there for their lab days and movie nights. Maybe Tony could let him stay for a day or two and help him get back on his feet to live on his own. Maybe he could work part-time at Stark Industries? After he filed for emancipation?
"Did you think of someone?" the social worker asked.
"Maybe," Peter said, "but…it…might be a longshot."
He then remembered that one text from Tony from months ago.
"You can text me anytime…whether you need my help or if maybe you just want to chat."
Well, he definitely needed help… Without much thought, he tapped the number and brought the phone to his ear. It rang once…then twice…and then…
"Hey, Peter!" Tony said over the line as he answered. "Didn't think you'd be calling this late. How was the movie?"
Relief washed over Peter as soon as he heard his mentor's voice. He also sounded like he had been working in the lab for quite a while. It didn't sound like he was waking up, which didn't make Peter feel any worse. "M-Mr. Stark…uhhh…" Almost instantaneously, the tears returned in his eyes. He let out a shaky breath, and he could almost feel a shift in his mentor's voice.
"Hey, you okay, kid?" Tony asked carefully. "Why do you sound like you're about to cry?" He and May had just gone to see a movie. Why would Peter call him so late at night about to cry? He wouldn't cry if he and May had a fight. He would just be venting to him and using some colorful language.
Peter opened his mouth to explain what happened, but all that came about was a small sob as tears rolled down his face. "Ummm…" he sniffed, "I-I'm sorry, Mr. Stark…I didn't know who else to call…" He sniffled again placing a hand over his mouth trying to stop sobbing.
"It's okay, kid," Tony said gently—something that wasn't usually associated with Tony Stark unless you were in his inner circle. "It's okay. You know you can always call me."
Even though he knew Tony wouldn't see, Peter nodded his head as he sobbed again.
"Peter…" Tony began, "you're scaring me. What's going on?"
If the grief and all other mixed emotions weren't consuming him at the moment, he would've felt awful for scaring his mentor, but somehow, the teenaged superhero took a deep breath to stop himself from sobbing. "Umm…" Peter took another deep breath, "…I'm actually in the hospital right now."
"What?!" Tony shouted. "Are you okay?! What happened?!"
Of course, he had to explain how he got there to begin with. As far as Tony knew, Peter and May had a movie night tonight and were supposed to have just gone home. Peter didn't plan on patrolling tonight. How could this night have gone from a night at the movies to a night at the hospital?
"A-Aunt May and I…we were…" Peter began, "we were on our way home, and…this car…it…we…we got in a car accident."
"Jesus…" Tony replied, "are you two okay?"
"You two…" It obviously hadn't occurred to him what must've happened…what clearly happened.
"Y-Yeah, I'm fine," Peter replied as tears rolled down his cheeks, "b-but…May…" he sobbed instinctively grasping May's hand next to him, "…m-my aunt…" he sobbed again, "Mr. Stark, she didn't make it."
"Oh my god…" Tony said as shock dripped into his voice, "aw, kid, I'm so sorry. Umm…" he paused as if he was trying to figure out what he wanted to say, "a-are you…are you with anyone right now? Are you alone?"
"No, there's a social worker here sitting with me right now," Peter replied. He had honestly forgotten about Mrs. Walker as he eyed her still sitting in the chair across from him. "The doctor still has to clear me and give me some medicine."
"FRIDAY, track Peter's phone and open my safe," Tony suddenly said addressing his A.I. There was another pause as he heard Tony fumbling around clearly looking for something. "Okay, sit tight, kid. I'm going to have Happy wait for me, okay? Whatever you do, don't leave with anyone."
"Okay," Peter said as more tears formed in his eyes as he sniffed.
"It's going to be okay, I promise, buddy," Tony replied.
"I hope you're right."
"Of course, I am. I always am, you know that."
Despite the circumstances, Peter let out a little chuckle before sniffling again.
Tony chuckled at his own comment. "Hang in there," he replied. "I'll be there soon with Happy."
"Thank you so much, Mr. Stark," Peter replied.
Author's Note: Annnnd that's all for Chapter 2, folks! I really hope you like this one! Tony finally made an appearance, and he is on his way to get Peter! Let's see what happens next! See you in the next chapter, guys!
