*Anchorage, a couple of hours ago*
"BEEP…BEEP…BEEP…"
"The person you are calling is unavailable right now, please try your call again later…"
"Hey…it's Dad. I just wanted to call that this unexpected storm will delay my leaving, roads are blocked. Have you taken your medicine? I really hope everything is okay, and you and Peter are staying put as you promised. And remember what we talked about keeping your phone on? You wanted me not to worry…but if you are not answering, it's not really helping. I call as soon as I can leave. Better answer!"
*Twenty minutes ago*
"BEEP…BEEP…BEEP…"
"The number you are trying to reach has been disconnected…"
"Son…what is the meaning of this that your number is out of the use?! Do you really think this will prove you are able to take care of yourself?! Certainly not! Harry, you promised to answer if I'm calling…you aren't disobeying me, are you? Since if I find an empty house…you can be sure that you are grounded for the rest of the vacation and after that! Or else…something has happened and you aren't able to pick up. I don't want to think about it…but I'm really worried now. ANSWER!"
Leaving a voicemail once again, Norman shut his phone and gazed out of the window. It's been almost seven hours since he last spoke to his son…and now Harry wasn't answering. And it couldn't help but bring little panic to Norman's heart. He tried to calm himself down…maybe boys were just playing so deeply that didn't notice his calls. Or maybe…they disobeyed him and went out. Since Norman knew Harry's curious and stubborn nature…that boy wanted so badly to prove himself.
Slowly, the limo approached the Eklutna lake. As Norman gazed out of the window again that memory of his blue and wet son flashed in his eyes. Luckily Harry didn't get hypothermia…he would never forgive himself if he got hurt because of his father's careless eyes.
"Sir", Austin interrupted his thoughts. "We're here."
"Oh yes…thank you Austin", Norman nodded and stepped out of the limo. The whole house was dark…and the storm was really bad.
This can't be anything good…it's too quiet.
Walking stairs up and opening the door, Norman expected to see two boys running towards him…hear their laugh, video game sounds, lights on…but instead, he met a dark house.
"I'm back…boys!", Norman put the lights on. "Are you here?"
No answer.
"Boys…where are you?", Norman walked into the living room. "Harry…Peter!"
Still, no answer.
"Where could they be…?", Norman muttered and went into the bedroom. Putting the lights on…he noticed that the closet door was half-open. Walking to it…and he realized that jackets of the boys were gone…also the rest of their winter clothes.
Oh, no…they did go out! I should have known…, Norman ran to the door, where Austin was cleaning the limo from the snow.
"Austin! Call the police! Boys are missing…they aren't in the house!"
"What?", Austin stopped his cleaning. "Are you sure?"
"Yes…their clothes are gone", Norman came down the stairs. "They must have gone to explore these lands…and it's this terrible snowstorm! And Harry is still recovering…they can freeze to death!"
"Right away sir", Austin nodded and ran to call the police. Going back inside, Norman sat down on the couch, rubbing his hair and taking his phone from the pocket. Watching a picture of him and Harry as his wallpaper, he sighed.
Oh, son…why didn't you listen to me?! If something has happened…I will never forgive myself!
-o-o-o-
The storm was awful…and got worse moment by moment. In the cave, boys were waiting and cold.
"It's so c-cold…", Harry shivered and tightened his jacket. "Oh how much I would give to be inside right now…"
"I'm a bit cold too…let's hope temperature does not drop more", Peter nodded.
"I wonder if Dad is back…he must be worried if he is…and mad."
"Harry…like I told you, Norman is only mad because he loves you. Nothing else."
Smiling, Harry gazed up. He really missed his father…and could only imagine how panicked he was.
"I…I fear you will abandon me if I fail again…"
"You know…sometimes it's so hard to believe that Dad is so different now…unlike before. It's like a dream come true…until you wake up and realize that it's not real…", Harry muttered.
Peter looked at his friend…and closed his eyes. After a couple of ten seconds, he spoke.
"You know…I'm actually a bit jealous to you Har."
"Huh?", Harry turned his head. "Jealous? What for?"
"That you have a father who cares for you…I don't have a father figure. Well, I mean that I did…until…", Peter couldn't finish.
"Pete…wanna talk about your uncle's death? I know you usually avoid speaking about it…but I'm here if you wanna open up."
Sighing, Peter opened his eyes and watched a little fire they managed to make. He could never forget that day…and even if May said to let it go…some guilt will always be there.
"I really miss Uncle Ben…he never judged me and told to believe in myself. It's so unfair how he died…and I couldn't stop it. And I will blame myself…I could have stopped that burglar."
"How can you be sure about that? You were just a kid! There is nothing that you could have done", Harry nodded.
"I was too slow…I should have seen what was coming up. But it's not the first time I let my loved ones down…Aunt May suffered because I wasn't able to protect her. She was worried for four months when we were captured by Ock…there is no way to repay these things…ever", Peter gazed through the fire, sadly.
Harry listened…he had never seen Peter so near to break down. Usually, he was the one who comforted him.
"Peter…you aren't useless as you might think. After all…you brought Dad back to me and were my friend when he was doing bad things and I was alone. I can never thank you enough…you saved my life and family. I owe you a lot because of it."
Peter sighed…and then little tears came to his eyes.
"I…I really understand how you feel sometimes Harry. All alone…despite I have friends, loving aunt…but all this heroic stuff is very exhausting. It's not so easy as it seems…so I'm actually glad that Norman won't let you rejoin the Academy, at least not until you're ready. He has changed a lot…and that's a good thing. You are very lucky."
"So are you, you have a loving aunt. I was sometimes jealous of that you know…you had always someone to wait for you when you came home. Unlike me for all those years…", Harry sniffed.
Both boys watched the fire, deeply silent. They were hurt and cold…and emotionally vulnerable.
"And besides…", Harry continued. "Dad really likes you…you are like a son to him. He has always admired your science skills, something I can never understand. We really appreciate what you do for us and New York. Spidey is the best!"
Peter smiled a little. Those words warmed his heart.
"And even if your uncle is gone…but his legacy and teachings live in you. In Spider-Man's actions…I'm sure he would be proud of you if could see you now. Aunt May is lucky to have you…believe me", Harry smiled.
"Thanks, Harry…it means a lot."
"No problem…and if you ever wanna talk, I'm ready to listen. Always."
"Sorry I don't open up much…but it's just so hard thing to share. I hope that someday…I can remember that day, without a feeling like someone stabs my heart", Peter muttered.
"And until you are ready, I will wait. That's what friends are for", Harry smiled.
Both boys laughed a little…and felt how exhaustion took them over. Soon, they fell asleep as the storm blew outside.
-o-o-o-
"Did you find anything?", Norman asked the police officer as they drove to the house.
"I'm afraid not…and it's hard to see around in this weather. We have to wait until it stops."
"But…you can't! My son and his friend are out there! They can freeze to death!"
"Mr. Osborn…", one of the officers began. "I don't wanna ruin your hopes…but since boys have been gone for so many hours…it's a very little chance that they…are alive. It's night and the temperature is dropping all the time. And even if they have found a shelter…we have no idea where to start looking. So…"
"No…please, don't say it! You have to try once more. I beg you!", Norman protested.
"I'm sorry…but we have other cases to take care of. We come back in the morning", polices nodded and left, leaving shocked Norman behind.
Crestfallen, Norman walked back inside, closing the door behind him. And soon…couldn't help but trash the whole living room down, screaming of anger and pain. He was so mad at boys…but much more worried and scared.
"Why…Why didn't you listen to me?! Look what happened…!"
Collapsing on the floor, Norman started screaming, even more, and blamed himself for being so stupid and leaving boys alone.
"Not again…NOT AGAIN!"
"HARRYYYYYY!"
-o-o-o-
The storm blew and blew…until slowly stopped as the next morning rose. Boys were sleeping in the cave, as the sun pushed its lights in.
"Hmm-mh…?", Peter muttered and opened his eyes, rubbing them. Harry leaned on his shoulder, mumbling restlessly.
"Hey…hey Harry, wake up! The storm is over!", Peter shook his friend and gazed up. Opening his eyes a bit, Harry yawned.
"Really…? Well, how good! Now we can get back! But…were we here the whole night?!"
"It appears so…"
"Oh no…Dad must be worried sick! He must have been searching for us…I can't even imagine his rage…", Harry shivered.
"Well…better not to give him more worries. Let's try to climb…", Peter tried to jump, but the walls were too slippery.
"Great…we can't get out by the way we came."
"Okay…well what do we do then?"
"Let me think…", Peter muttered. And then, Spider-Sense went on.
"Do you…do you feel that?"
"What?", Harry asked.
"I feel…wind!", Peter gazed forward.
"Really? Well, there must be a way out!"
"Well, only one way to find out. Come on!"
Boys began to run…they wanted to get out of this cave asap.
"I wonder where this tunnel is going…I had no idea this cave was so big!", Harry yelled.
"Me either…but I bet that soon we are…OUCH!", Peter stopped as he stumbled upon something and fell down.
"Peter, are you okay?", Harry asked, worriedly.
"Yeah…where I stumbled upon?", Peter held his head and sat up.
"I don't know…", Harry answered and knelt down. Wiping the mud away…and his hand hit something.
"Hmm…", the boy muttered and started to dig. Soon, Harry pulled a huge brown book out of the dirt.
"Wow…what's that?", Peter asked.
"No idea…it looks like a book. But why it's here…out of nowhere?"
Boys kept examining the book. It was covered with mud and it seemed to be very old. Pages were rusty yellow, probably got wet a long time ago.
"Interesting. Does it say which book this is?", Peter asked.
"No…cover is too muddy and filled with scars. I wonder…", Harry muttered.
"Well, we have time to explore it later. Now, I think we should keep going. I can sense the wind closer", Peter nodded and stood up. Nodding, Harry grabbed the book and boys continued their running.
"Close…close", Peter narrowed his gaze…and then saw light ahead.
"I see light! Come on!"
Finally, boys reached the entrance. And from there, they got out.
"Oh yeah,…fresh air!", Peter smiled.
"Yeah…and oh, look! We are on the other side of the Eklutna lake! But how…?", Harry looked surprised.
"No idea…but I can see your house! Look!", Peter pointed with his finger. Harry turned his head and gasped as he saw the house rising behind the forest.
"This is weird…but let's hurry! I'm worried about Dad", Harry answered. As boys started to run, they didn't notice how someone watched after them. Back at the house, polices had just left, since they had searched the area nearby. Thanking officers, Austin turned to see Norman, who sat at the stairs, hair messed up and with a pale face. He hadn't slept at all…just kept waiting for boys to return…what didn't happen.
"Mr. Osborn…what should we do now?"
"There is nothing to do anymore…boys are gone. My son is probably dead…my life has no meaning anymore. I'm gonna go and start packing…I can't stay here any longer", Norman nodded and started to walk up. But then, heard yelling.
"DAADD!"
"MR. O!"
Not believing what he heard, Norman whipped around in shock. And he saw how boys ran from the forest, waving their hands.
"Oh my…", Austin stared when Norman ran stairs down, and towards boys so fast as he could.
"DAD…OH DAD!", Harry screamed happily as Norman ran to him and grabbed him into a tight hug, falling to his knees and letting out a loud cry.
"You came back…YOU'RE OKAY!"
"I'm so sorry Dad…I was so stupid! I should have listened to you…", Harry cried as well.
Peter followed as the father and son were hugging…and then to his surprise, Norman lifted his gaze up and suddenly, put his arm around Peter's neck too. Flinching in surprise, Peter patted Norman's back carefully…and saw how Harry smiled at him.
"I was so scared for you both…what were you thinking while leaving the house like that?!", Norman let go and looked at boys.
"Well, you see, uh…", Harry mumbled.
"Yes? You should know that I'm very mad at you. You broke your promise…you disobeyed me again! You could have been killed in that storm! I even called the police!"
"We…", Harry began. But then, Peter spoke.
"It's my fault sir…I suggested to Harry that we should go skiing. I just couldn't resist…if someone is to blame, then that's me."
"What?! You were doing…WHAT?!", Norman stared.
"It's my fault as well as Peter's Dad", Harry nodded. "I…I brought a couple of snowboards with me…and I didn't argue with Peter's suggestion. We just wanted to have some fun, but then the storm came so sudden and then we fell down to some cave and I couldn't call you since my phone died and Peter's broke. So sorry…"
Norman stared…and listened as the boys told the whole thing. And also about that mysterious figure who saved Harry from the river.
"I can't believe it…some stranger saved you?! And Peter's Spider-Sense has acted wildly?! Why didn't you tell me?!"
"We didn't wanna worry you, Mr. O…, I just wanted to make sure that it's nothing dangerous. You were so worried about Harry…I'm very sorry", Peter apologized.
Norman shook his head…this was just too much.
"This is not real…you both acted behind my back. And now THIS! What were you two thinking?!", he jumped up.
Boys stared…and were really ashamed.
"After all we talked…Peter, I can somehow understand but you, son…you promised me to stay safe! But no…you never listen to what I say", Norman facepalmed.
"Dad, look…", Harry began.
"ENOUGH! I'm not in a mood to talk to you right now. But one thing I know for sure…you are grounded for the rest of the vacation. Both of you! And once we get home, you can be sure your armor stays locked up. You just showed you aren't capable to take care of yourself…and certainly not deserving of any private space. I'm so disappointed in you", Norman turned his back to boys and went inside, slamming the door behind him.
Wiping tears away from his face, Harry went inside as well. Peter gazed after his friend…and then this book in his hands. This holiday just got a lot worse.
-o-o-o-
Rest of the day was filled with depression and darkness. Norman worked in his office, commanding Austin to change the locks so that boys won't sneak out. Harry was feeling miserable…and Peter couldn't cheer him up.
Harry was gazing out of the window as Peter came into the room, holding the book in his hands.
"Hey…"
"Hey…", Harry whispered, without turning around. Peter sighed and sat down.
"Harry, look…Norman is just worried and anger is his way of showing it. I'm sure he will forgive you in time."
Nodding a little, Harry sighed. Peter took the book and put it on the table.
"But I think we should examine this a bit. I'm still wondering what this is…"
"It's pretty old…and how did it end to that cave? Pages look like thousand years old", Harry pointed out.
"No idea…"
"What is that?", the boys heard a voice. Turning around, they saw Norman standing in the doorway.
"Oh…we found this book from that cave sir", Peter showed the book. Norman took it and twirled it.
"I see…well it looks pretty old. And you found this from that cave? Why would a book be there?"
"That's what we're wondering as well…and I honestly don't know", Peter nodded.
"Hmm…odd indeed. But dinner is ready. And then it's time to go to sleep", Norman eyed his son a bit who stared at his shoes. Shaking his head, Norman left the room and was soon followed by boys, as Peter encouraged Harry to move.
After eating, all three went to bed. Norman forced boys into his room since he didn't want them to sleep in their room, where was a door to the balcony. Well, as they dared to use it.
Peter slept on the mattress, which was on the floor beside the bed. Harry was sleeping in the bed with Norman. And it can be said that both boys felt really uncomfortable as Norman's anger burned from his behavior.
"Well, try to get some sleep now, you must be tired of these happenings. Goodnight", Norman put lights off and turned around, back towards his son and Peter.
"Goodnight sir…", Peter lay down as well. "Night Harry."
"Night…", Harry whispered as he laid on his back. He messed really bad…and the whole holiday was ruined. Hiding his sobbing in the blanked, young man turned his face towards Peter, backing to the edge of the bed. Norman looked over his shoulder a bit…but was too angry to show mercy. Sighing, he turned away…and closed his eyes.
As the group fell asleep and the night settled…the book lay on the table. And nobody in the trio couldn't have ever thought, what kind of mystery this discovery turned out to be. And how big mystery indeed…