The police brought an ambulance with them due to the fact that there was a huge shoot out. When they asked me about my involvement in all of this, I just said that my friend has a Stark internship and wanted to show my mum and I around the place. Peter's cover story is that he's got a Stark internship, so they'll confirm that without any necessary prompting.

The brief questioning has just taken place, starting right after two doctors from the ambulance came over and took my mum away with them to the hospital. I tried to insist on going, but they essentially said they wouldn't be able to work with a kid in the way. At least they worded it nicer than that.

"You got someone to take you home, kids?" The police officer asked me and Peter when they were just about to leave. "Don't worry, I'll handle them," Stark nodded. "Pete's aunt will probably be getting her surprisingly efficient beauty rest, anyway... what about you, Carmen?"

"Looks like its an empty house tonight," I shrug, sighing. "Mum's all the family I've got." "How old are you, then?" The officer asks. "Fifteen, why?" I ask, confused.

"That's a bit young to be home alone. It's fine for one night, maybe two if you're lucky, but you can't stay like that any longer than this. If your mum needs more time in the hospital, you'll have to find someone to stay with. If nobody crops up you'll have to stay in some kind of care home for a bit, maybe even an orphanage if we really can't find anyone."

"Oh, uh, I'm good, my mum will be fine," I say quickly, not liking what has just been said. If I'm honest, it's making me panic a little. Both he and Peter seem to notice, but I don't explain.

"Well let's hope so, kid," the officer sighs slightly, shaking his head. "Good luck with your mother." They then leave.

"Carmen..." Peter starts, but I shake my head. "I'll... I'll see you at school tomorrow, okay?" Without another word, I move my foot into his shadow and melt into it before travelling through other shadows to leave.

My original plan was to go straight home, but then I get an idea and change course for the hospital. I want to make sure mum's alright. I'm honestly just glad that the bullets didn't hit her head or chest, they'd most likely be an instant casualty. The shoulder isn't going to kill her for sure and I'd say I called for help pretty fast, so hopefully they were able to help her as much as they could.

I reach the hospital, but something makes me hesitate instead of just drifting right in. She's probably in the middle of an operation by now, since the ambulance had a good head start on me and doesn't have to worry about traffic. The last thing I need to see is that, especially since I can visit another time. I'm not in a good state of mind to see her all opened up.

I shake my head, silently sending her my thoughts that I wish she could hear.

Mum, I'm so sorry this all had to happen. If I didn't go on that stupid mission you wouldn't be in this mess. It's all my fault. I'll be back for you as soon as I can, but not now. Not when I can't do anything. I'll be back soon, I promise. I'll do anything to help you, just like how you've done everything you've ever could to help me.

So instead I turn and leave again, deciding home would be best after all. I sigh slightly, the sound never leaving my lips due to the logic of the shadows. Due to the darkness I can move freely as I please as long as I avoid the streetlights, so I simply walk along as a silent, invisible pedestrian.

People walk by. I simply phase right through them. Rain begins to pour, causing the path and the road to turn shiny due to the wet splashes. The weather has no effect on me while I'm in the shadows, no rain able to soak me, but it does fit the mood quite perfectly.

I let out another silent sigh as I continue to walk through the shadows around the street, trying to take my mind off of things. It doesn't work. All I can think about is what I'm going to do if Mum needs too long in the hospital for me to safely stay home alone. I'm only fifteen. That's not quite old enough for too long. I'd stay with a relative, but I have no others, or at least none that I know of.

When I eventually get home, I go straight down to my base, not feeling secure out in the open. I return to the real world from the shadows and flick on the lights.

Rose scuttles over to greet me, but hesitates when she registers my mood. I sit on the floor, my back against the wall, and reach out to her. Once she's close enough, I scoop her up into my arms and hug her, burying my cheek in her soft fur.

I guess I've at least got the comfort of my first and oldest friend for tonight.

~•~

The next thing I know, I wake up on the floor, Rose lost from my grip. I must've fallen asleep. Oh well, that's no problem. I look around for Rose and see she's in her recharging station, her battery low. Poor girl, I must've been hogging her for most of the night.

I get up, my back stiff from sleeping on the cold steel floor all night long, and walk over, gently petting her. She gives me two absent clicks, making me chuckle slightly.

I use the shadows to check the house and anywhere else nearby for any signs of those armed freaks again, but luckily everything remains as untouched as if nobody had ever lived here in the first place.

Thank god I got through the first night without incident.