Clara lay on her back, head turned to the right as she continually pressed down on the TV remote, watching the screen flicking through the channels. She had watched a couple of films, but had grown bored halfway through the second, and now couldn't think of any other way to keep herself occupied. 

She wasn't sure how much longer either Peter or Aunt May would be. Not that she was very happy with Peter at that moment. It wasn't because he was seeing Ned and MJ, nor was it the fact he hadn't offered Clara an invitation; it was the fact she was being forced to stay under house arrest and, thanks to him, was forced to do so alone. 

She sighed dramatically, sitting up and swinging her legs back off the couch as she began to feel uncomfortable again. She felt a tug in her hair, and reached up to her shoulder to pull out a few strands tucked beneath the strap of her sling. She looked at the dressing covering the wound, already feeling an itch setting in as the healing process began. 

Clara refused the urge to tear of the dressing to scratch beneath it, distracting herself by placing her focus in finding a show that didn't completely bore her. She almost clicked past a news report that had began on one channel, the face of Karli Morgenthau looking back at her. 

'Karli Morgenthau, known by many as the leader of the anti-nationalist group, the Flag Smashers, was shot and killed. This came after the group had taken more than twenty GRC senators hostage, in an attempt to stop the GRC's vote on global resettlement.'

Clara watched the woman recount the happenings of the night before, listening to the discrepancies in her own story and theirs. 

'Since the attack, the GRC have announced they will be reassessing their plans to relocate upwards of twenty million refugees and move them home to their countries of origin. It is unsure what policies will take the place of the Patch Act, and the decision had been met with appreciation by some, but condemnation from others.'

'There has been no response from representatives of the anti-nationalist group but, for now at least, it seems those standing with the cause have found comfort in their bittersweet victory against the GRC.' 

Clara offered a small smile, knowing Karli would have been thankful for the result of her actions. She doubted it would have ended so peacefully if Sam hadn't been there to talk the senators down, however. 

She wondered how it would have been if Karli was still here - how it would have changed if the quick-tempered leader had been there to speak to the press and the senators herself. Would they have voted for the Patch Act then and there just to spite her? 

Clara switched over the channel again, hoping to rid her thoughts of the what-ifs, but instead seeing the same report being broadcast on the next news channel. And the next. And the next. She sighed, standing from the couch to get herself another glass of water. She was starting to feel hungry, too. 

Taking a glass from the cupboard, she filled it from the filtered tap. She looked at the fridge as she did, seeing the messy planner magnetised to the side.

Strangely, there was nothing there about what Peter was getting up to. Usually he'd write any plans on the board for May to know what he running off to do, to avoid her worrying as to where he was. But there was nothing marked on for today as to where he was - not even a note saying he wouldn't be home.

Clara shook her head, trying not to think too far into it and become the jealous girlfriend trope she always rolled her eyes at. At least she was finally having normal teenage struggles rather than facing some end-of-the-world disaster.

Besides, Peter was his own person. He can do things that don't involve her. It's not like he's getting himself in any trouble, right? Clara winced inwardly at the thought, thinking it wouldn't be entirely out of character for him. 

She walked back to the couch, the scowl on her expression falling slack when she refocused on the news report. 

'We have just received more footage of the incident last night involving the GRC, and the anti-nationalist group, the Flag Smashers,' the woman explained, her narration playing over the video. 'Please be advised, this footage contains scenes of violence.'

Clara's eyes widened, her jaw slackening a little as she realised what it was they were showing. A pit in her stomach grew as she watched the video, two armoured cars pulling up to a barricade in the middle of the road. 

'A unidentified, enhanced being was seen by nearby onlookers of the conflict. As you can see in the video submitted to us - which has now been verified by our experts - this inhuman has the ability to become invisible. This has left many wondering what impact such an ability would have on national security, and...'

Clara jolted as the door to the apartment opened, and she spun to face the intruder, only momentarily losing focus of the new report. Already, a small part of her had panicked someone had found her, knowing who she was and tracking down where she was just from that video being released. 

She let out a sigh of relief when she saw who it was, but the worry didn't leave her expression. 'Whoa, you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost,' Peter asked, closing the door behind him and setting his bag down on the floor beside it.

She lifted a slightly wavering hand, pointing toward the screen. He followed her aim, looking at the short clip playing on repeat. A frown twitched in his brow at the scene, a mix of emotions rushing to be the first to show.

The focus of the video was Clara. At first she appeared as a little smudge of purple on the low quality video, but then she reappeared entirely as she was tackled by the red-headed Flag Smasher. 

Clara swallowed nervously, watching as Peter started forwards to get a closer look at the screen. 'Huh...' He muttered. 'I guess you kinda did see a ghost.'

Please comment and vote - It lets me know a you're enjoying it!