Before the Storm
Harry didn't want to talk in public. Or at least, he didn't want to talk with a crowd of people walking past him on the sidewalk. What was on his mind was not the type of thing you let strangers overhear. Peter felt this way on a regular basis, so he naturally didn't object. They resumed their previous conversation in a fast food restaurant, at a table in the far corner.
Though the answer was obvious, Peter still asked. "Do you know that Cletus person?"
Harry leaned back in his chair. He wasn't Happy-Go-Lucky Harry or Impress-the-Teachers Harry. He was Serious-and-Insightful Harry.
"His full name is Cletus Kasady. He lived in the same city I used to, before I moved to New York."
"Are you sure it's the same Cletus?" Peter asked. "Couldn't the name just be a coincidence?"
"Cletus is an rare name. That by itself would have been enough to convince me. But if he's around our age, has red hair, and struck you as 'creepy,' then there's no mistake. It's definitely him."
"Good point."
Harry crossed his arms. "Though, it's a big shock to hear that he's in New York now, and in our school. I don't know if he followed me or if that part's just a coincidence. It could be either. Actually, given how long it's been, it's probably the latter. Either way, it's a shock. When I moved I honestly thought 'good riddance.' I thought it was the last time I'd see him."
"It's pretty rare for you to dislike someone so much," Peter observed. "I thought you wanted to be friends with everyone, no matter how bad they were."
Harry stopped to think about this. "Is that really how I seem?"
Peter shrugged. "Well, your 'personas' are just ways to get along with other people, right?"
"Oh... I guess so. I never thought of it like that. In that case... Cletus is more exceptional than I thought. If I treat him differently, it's because he himself is different."
"So what is he like?"
"Do you remember when I said my dad was insane?"
Peter hated that word, but he didn't want to get off-topic. "I do."
"I meant it, but he's just the eccentric kind of insane. Cletus is the bad kind. Like, 'a danger to himself and others' insane... Especially others." Harry spoke in a calm and serious tone. He wasn't joking.
That tone made Peter timid about his next question. "What happened between you and Cletus?"
"Between us? Not much, actually," Harry answered. "He went to my school, but he was a year under me. I only ever spoke to him a handful of times. However, you may have noticed, I have an uncannily accurate ability to 'read' people. That allowed me to notice things about Cletus everyone else overlooked. Specifically, I noticed that people around him 'accidentally' got hurt. The victims all thought they were accidents, but I'm convinced Cletus was involved."
"I see..."
In other words, Harry didn't have any proof.
As if in response to Peter's thoughts, Harry said, "I can't accuse him legally, but we're not the police. Why shouldn't I trust my gut? Besides, there is a strong piece of evidence against Cletus: he didn't care."
"...About?"
"About his victims. Or more literally, he didn't care about the people who got hurt. Cletus didn't have a motive for hurting those people. I think he just wanted to cause trouble. He has a complete lack of empathy for people's pain... a lack that sane people do not have. See, even when you're not trying, it's very easy to hurt someone you don't care about."
Peter nodded.
Harry was clearly biased. It sounded like slander, especially without Cletus there to defend himself. And Harry admitted there was no proof. Just the same, Peter believed him completely. This was the reason Cletus triggered Peter's sixth sense. It wasn't because of his actions. It was because Cletus had a mindset that made it easy for him to target and injure people without getting caught. And that was what made him "dangerous."
"The reason I'm telling you all this is to warn you," Harry calmly continued. "Don't get involved with Cletus. Even if he starts talking to you, just walk away. Don't bother giving him an excuse. Just walk away. I found that's the best way to deal with him. Tell that to Gwen too, please."
Harry stood up from the table. "I don't usually tell you your business like that, but I refuse to let people I care about get hurt. They were only small injuries last time I saw Cletus... but those type of things are only going to escalate."
And with that said, Harry walked out the restaurant. Peter didn't follow him.
I believed everything Harry told me, but I felt like he was holding back. I felt - no, I KNEW - there was something important he wasn't telling me... but I didn't pursue it.
My danger sense and Harry's warning were simply not enough. I had no way of knowing just how much chaos Cletus' arrival would bring...
Author's notes: (10/11/2012) Not much happens in this chapter, but in the words of Lady Holiday from The Great Muppet Caper: "It's plot exposition - it has to go somewhere."
I've been thinking lately that the Spider-Man comics and various TV series are action-based, but my stories are either comedy, romance, or psychological intrigue (if that's what you want to call it - I don't even know what it means). There's not much action for the fans of canon Spider-Man. But I plan on throwing some in the next chapter.
Special Shout-Out to "thegirlinthewindow" (the only bad review is a blank one) and "Emily B" (who is "us" and what exactly am I doing to you? I guess I'll take it as a compliment) for reviewing. Plus a regular thank you to the people who favorite and follow me.
Disclaimer: I don't own The Great Muppet Caper... as if anyone suspected me.
