Living With the Starks (IronDad Oneshot Book)

Headfirst Into Fire

I just got back from my Utah trip! Here's a chapter I wrote while I was away.

Peter pushed the woman out and got her away from the fire.

He was so tired. His lungs were aching from all the smoke. His suit had filtered it for a while before the overwhelming amounts were too much to handle.

"Please, I can't move!"

Peter looked up toward someone calling for help. He didn't see anyone, but his ears picked up theirs cries.

"Kid! Come on, it's coming down!" Mr. Stark's voice called over Peter's comms.

"Gimme a sec! There's someone else!"

"Pete, no! There's no time, I'm sorry. Get to safety!"

"No, I'm not just leaving them. I can do it. I have to."

"Peter, I swear to-" Peter turned his comms off before Tony could finish.

Peter shot a web at the faltering building wall and pulled himself up to the second floor window. Peering in past the smoke, he saw someone in the corner, surrounded by flames and debris.

MJ?

Peter hurriedly jumped into the window and jumped over some burnt lumps of old furniture. The ceiling was starting to cave in, pieces falling onto the floor.

The boy grabbed MJ's hand and helped her up. She could barely stand, she looked like she was about to pass out. Everything smelled of smoke and nothing else. It seared Peter's throat, making it impossible to find any oxygen in the mess of gray.

"Peter," the girl mumbled tiredly.

"MJ, you gotta move. C'mon."

She nodded and stood, leaning against Peter. They ducked down and headed toward the window,

Then, a giant slab of burning ceiling fell from above.

Peter was blocked off. "Karen! Where do I go?!"

"There is no escape route that would get you out before the structure collapsed. The only way to get out of the building is to lift the slab blocking the window, but you may not be able to get out in time. Michelle, however, would escape."

Peter nodded and gripped the wood and cement chunk. He lifted it in a struggle, heaving to find clean air. Slowly, it rose.

"MJ! Go, climb to the window!"

MJ hobbled over and cling to the window sill. She saw a trampoline below. It was only a small drop, she could make it. "Peter! Come on, you'll die! Hurry!"

"Jump out!" Peter cried, nearly suffocating. His muscles trembled. "It'll be okay! Go!"

MJ, teary eyed, jumped out and onto the platform awaiting.

Then, the entire ceiling collapsed.

***

"Oh my god."

"Where is he?!"

"Mr. Stark, we-"

"Where is my son?!"

"Get him to the medical wing."

"How the hell is he even-"

Sirens.

Lights.

No air. The air is gone.

Empty. Everything is empty. Not here. It's not black, what color is it?