Chapter 6: Uncle Ben's Death
Birds began chirping, informing Peter that it was in fact time to get up for school. Peter ran his hands through his brown, slick hair, and dressed himself quickly as he walked into his bathroom and began brushing his teeth. Peter had more control over his strength, so that applying the toothpaste and opening doors weren't a hassle for him anymore. He sluggishly walked down the stairs and to the kitchen, making himself a few slices of toast before walking out of the door, to get to school in time. Peter left a note for his Aunt and Uncle informing them that he had left, since they weren't up yet. Peter kicked at small rocks on the pavement, his head down looking at his shoes as he walked to the bus stop. Finally, today was the day that Peter was actually on time for the bus, and not having to chase it half-way down the avenue to realise that he wouldn't be getting on. The bus came and stopped in front of him, opening its doors for Peter to hop in, the bus driver gave him a dirty look. Peter wasn't sure if it was intentional or that the man's face was naturally like that. Peter took his seat at the back, Flash gave him a few wicked grins as if he was going to beat him up right there on the bus.
The bus ride was short, Peter got off last, especially after flash, so he knew that Flash wouldn't see him sneak off in the other direction. The school bell rang through the halls, alerting students that it was time for class. Peter took his seat in Mrs. Johnson's class, letting his backpack strap to plummet neatly down his shoulder. Gwen Stacey was sitting in the seat in front of Peter talking to her friend MJ Watson. Both who were very pretty, and out of Peter's league. Peter nodded his head at Harry once he saw him walking in, black beanie secured tightly on his head, and wearing denim jeans and a black top and overcoat. Harry took his seat next to Peter.
"How was your weekend?" Harry asked confidently but only half-interested in the topic.
"Great. Yours?" Peter replied.
"Not the best. I can't seem to get my father to associate with me, his always too busy." Harry said. Looking a bit upset. Peter was about to ask him what was wrong but the bell sounded, cutting them both off and Harry got up from his seat and walked out, he looked a bit agitated.
School had just finished, Peter felt like taking the long way home, he did so and stopped at a roadside store to get something to drink or eat. Peter bought his food and came out of the store. In the next instance Peter heard shouting and screaming. He tilted his head in the direction the noise came from. The store he just came out of, was being held up by a thug.
"Do something!' a woman yelled, whom was standing just outside of the shop.
"Help they're being robbed." A middle aged man also said, standing a few metres away from the shop window.
The thug heard the people outside calling for help, he pointed his gun and fired it, aiming at the glass window. The window shattered into pieces, scaring away the innocent outside. Peter knew he had to do something. After all it was the perfect opportunity to test his new suit. He ran down a long alleyway, quickly changing into the masked 'vigilante' and swung to the back entrance of the shop. The commotion inside the shop stopped. As soon as Peter got into the store, the thug ran out with a bag of money, still holding his gun. Shouts came from all around. Telling someone to stop that guy. Peter swung to catch up to him overhead. Police sirens became audible and the frantic thug somehow managed to trip himself up, landing hard on the pavement, and his gun slid away from him. Peter was just about to land in front of the thug when he noticed his Uncle Ben walking on the same side of the street as the runaway thug. Ben, a few feet away from the thug, saw his pistol on the concrete.
"Hey!" Uncle Ben yelled at the thug as he made a move towards his gun, Uncle Ben sprang into action, attempting to tug the gun away from the thug. Peter knew this would not end well so he came into action, but Peter was too late. The thug misfired his gun during the tug-a-war with Peter's Uncle, emitting a loud agonising scream from Uncle Ben as he dropped to the concrete. Uncle Ben was shot! Seeing his Uncle fall to the concrete in pain, boiled anger up inside of Peter. Peter screamed with rage at the thug and dashed towards him, shoulder barging the thug into the wall. Peter began hitting into the thug, eventually stopping when his Uncle gasped for him to stop. This was the moment Uncle Ben knew exactly that the masked figure was his brave nephew.
"Uncle Ben." Peter cried. Attempting to stop the blood flowing from his Uncle's abdomen. But was the least successful.
"Peter." Uncle Ben said weakly, tears welling in his eyes. Peter gripped onto his Uncle's hand tighter as a response.
"Don't worry Uncle Ben, you'll get through this." Peter spoke trying to reassure his Uncle, but he knew that wasn't true. He broke down into tears. Uncle Ben took his last breath, drawing it in weakly. Ben closed his eyes, his body motionless, his breaths no longer drawing. Tears flowed down Peter's face, Peter hugged his Uncles still body, not wavering from him.
Peter knew that Uncle Ben had died peacefully knowing that his nephew is a true hero.
