NOVEL NEXT Chapter 8: Chapter 8
Three months after Tony Stark's disappearance, Franklin's class stopped watching the news during lunch. Even the teachers checked their phones less often. Everyone got used to Stark being gone.
Franklin sat in math class, trying to focus on fractions. The classroom TV hadn't shown news in weeks. His phone buzzed in his pocket - a text from Jerome asking if he was still practicing baseball.
After school, Franklin turned on the TV while doing homework. Most channels had gone back to regular shows, but a few still talked about the search. Today they interviewed Colonel Rhodes again.
"The Air Force remains committed to finding Mr. Stark," Rhodes said. His face looked tired.
Franklin's mom came home from her lab job. "Any homework?"
"Just math."
The next morning, Franklin woke up to his dad watching the news instead of getting ready for work.
"They spotted something in the desert," Marcus said when Franklin asked. "Military's not saying what."
At school, the TVs turned on during first period. The principal made an announcement telling teachers to let students watch.
"Breaking news from Afghanistan," the reporter said. "Multiple sources report increased military activity in the region where Tony Stark disappeared. The Air Force has declined to comment, but satellite images show several helicopters converging on an area approximately 200 miles from the original attack site."
Around lunch time, all the TVs switched to a live feed from Edwards Air Force Base in California. Colonel Rhodes stood at a podium.
"At 0900 hours local time, an Air Force search team responded to an unusual heat signature in the Afghan desert. Upon investigation, they found Tony Stark alive. Mr. Stark had escaped captivity and was attempting to reach a safe zone. He is now in military custody and receiving medical attention. His condition is stable. That's all the information we can share at this time."
The cafeteria erupted. Everyone talked at once. Miguel turned to Franklin.
"Told you they'd find him," Miguel said. "My brother's gonna flip when he hears this."
More news came throughout the day. They showed a military plane landing at Edwards. Reporters said Stark requested a press conference and a cheeseburger, in that order.
Franklin's mom picked him up after school.
"Your father's working late," she said. "Construction company got a bunch of new contracts."
At home, they watched more coverage. The reporters kept talking about what this meant for the country.
"Medical companies too," Lisa said. "My lab supervisor says Stark's return could mean new research funding."
Franklin did his homework on the couch, half watching the news. They showed the same clips over and over - the military plane landing, Colonel Rhodes's announcement, old footage of Stark from before his kidnapping.
His phone buzzed. A text from Jerome: "Watching the news. Pretty wild stuff happening out there."
Franklin finished his math problems. On TV, they showed people celebrating outside Stark Industries headquarters. Three months ago, they held candlelight vigils in the same spot.
The news anchor summarized what they knew: Tony Stark found alive after three months. No details about his captivity or escape. Press conference scheduled for tomorrow.
Franklin went to bed wondering what Stark would say at the press conference. Tomorrow Tony Stark would tell everyone what happened to him in that desert.