"Everyone's on their way to the safe houses. I already got a few messages that some of them have made it and are settling in." Peter calls as he enters our hotel room for the night.

I just nod, unable to take my eyes off my broken mask. The top half is practically split in two with branching cracks that cover the right lens and into the bottom half. Even if I had access to Dad's or my lab, it would take me at least a week to fully repair all the hardware. Even longer to reinforce the whole thing to keep it from happening again.

It'd be easier to just start new. But that's not exactly an option.

"You okay?" His voice is quiet as he settles down next to me.

"I'm fine. It's just—weird. ARTI's been with me since I was a kid. Dad sent me a new pair of sunglasses when things started getting bad. He told me it would help keep me safe no matter what, and ARTI did. Bullies at school, advice about life and people. He was always there." I pull my knees up to my chest. "And I know he's not gone, but it's weird not being able to talk to him."

"Can you repair it enough to get him back?"

"Probably not. I'd need some specialty tech, and I can't exactly walk into a Stark lab and ask for it. The best I'll be able to manage is chatting online. His memories and basic interface are stored deep in the web and backed up daily." I shrug, "I'm just gonna have to patch it in the meantime, which means no more delays. We have to go see Sam and Bucky. I'm sure they'll have resources that'll be useful."

"And they're our best bet at clearing your name." The smile on his face is contagious, and I'm reminded of how hard this all was without him. "Then we can go home and figure out a new normal."

"That sounds like a dream." I rest my head on his shoulder, "And I mean that literally. I dream of Sunday morning brunches and the little things."

"We'll get that back." He presses a kiss to the top of my head, "I promise. Now get some sleep, I'll keep first watch."

I want to argue, but my whole body is screaming and begging for rest. So I curl up under the covers and mentally plan the best route to meet up with Sam and Bucky. Because as much as I'd like to, rest and proper sleep are a long ways ahead.

But it's easy to find something that resembles it as Peter holds me close to him. His fingers rub mindless shapes over my bare arms, and I let my mind follow them until I can doze off into a half sleep—my body relaxed but my mind fully aware and alert. The trouble is, even with Peter here, it's draining.

It won't be long before this comes to an inevitable conclusion. Two people against a powerful empire and a team of special operatives. I can fight and free as many prisoners as I want, and it's still a drop in the ocean. I have to acknowledge that, and I have to pass on what I know before it's too late.

I'm not ready to give up—not even close, but maybe it's time to pivot.

I give up on sleeping and sit up so Peter can take his turn to sleep, and he goes out like a light. The room is quiet aside from his deep breathing and occasional little snore, which gives me time to think things over.

The distance between us is dwindling, and my options are narrowing down with it.

Option one: I can keep fighting. Every time I take down a facility or turn a scientist, I get a little more information and that much closer to finding out who's the mastermind of all this. But it's a slow process, which puts everyone in more danger the longer it drags out.

Option two: I give up. I pass on what I know and bury myself off the grid while the authorities handle it. It's the worst option by far. Governments and people can be corrupted. The second they see power or monetary gain, there's a chance they may take the trials over for themselves. So option two is off the table.

Option three: I tear them apart—from the inside. It's not my favorite, but it's quickly becoming the most sensible. I know it means I'll be risking everything, and if it's a mistake, it's one I'll pay for with my blood.

But maybe I can shift the narrative. Turn the inevitable conclusion of my capture into a trap for them. I always planned to survive it without ARTI since he and EDITH are too valuable to risk losing.

All I neglected to factor in was Peter. He was never supposed to come along. It was going to be so simple when I was alone. I wouldn't have to lie to anyone, and they'd only learn the truth after.

Then, it would end, and if I was lucky, I'd make it back home. I'd be able to go after the mastermind of it all, clear my name, and find a new version of normal.

I slide off the bed as gently as possible and grab my burner phone and the EDITH glasses, which have now been programmed with extra security so only Peter and I can access her.

The contacts on the phone are scarce. It's meant for emergency contacts only, and one of a handful for similar purposes. I scroll down to the person who would understand best—Bucky.

It only rings twice before he picks up. "I figured I'd be hearing from you at some point."

"You were always the smart one." I sigh into the line. "I need a favor. You're not gonna like it, but I need your help. I can't explain it over the phone."

"Well, we could probably use your help too so it's an even exchange. I'll send you a location to meet."

"Good. I'll see you tomorrow then." I quickly hang up the phone and write down the location Bucky sends.

The phone crumbles in my hand like it's nothing, and I make sure to fish out the SIM card and snap it as well. No traces left behind.

The lenses flicker to life after verifying my identity. "Good afternoon, Phantom. How may I assist you." EDITH chirps with a cheer that makes my stomach roll.

"I need you to find images of these coordinates for me." I show her my hasty scribbles, and she quickly pulls up images of a little house in Latvia. Even going the extra mile to give me images of an alleyway nearby, which I quickly commit to memory.

"Good. Now, I need you to listen carefully."