"What a fuss here is!", Peter ate his popcorn and pushed people gently away, trying to get forward. "Is there some big event or something?"
"I read that there is some fair during this week", Harry nodded and walked behind Peter. Norman walked after boys, holding Harry's hand.
"No, I do not agree on that contract. What do you think Oscorp will do if courses drop? NO! Don't do anything until I get back!", he was on the phone.
"Well someone's having fun…", Harry grinned and Peter laughed.
"I SAID, do not…!" Norman almost yelled, until some random woman bumped into him and he lost his grip on Harry. "Damn this crowd…boys!"
"Hey, there is a parade or something! Let's go check it out", Peter pointed and boys disappeared into the crowd.
"BOYS, WAIT FOR ME!", Norman yelled. But they didn't hear.
"Awesome…all those costumes…", Peter looked amazed.
"Yeah…", Harry nodded as well.
"Boys…HARRY!", Norman yelled, searching for boys from this fuss. And when he didn't see them, panic filled his heart.
"Harry…HARRY! SON! Where are you?!"
"Let's go to that bridge over there and we can see the whole thing", Peter began to run. Harry nodded and ran after him.
"Damn it…HARRY! PETER!", Norman tried once more. As he didn't see boys, he decided to call them. But then remembered how Harry lost his phone and Peter's was broken.
"Great…", Norman muttered and decided to get out of this crowd. Turning around, he managed to push himself against the wall and out of the crowd.
Now…how do I find them?
As Norman started walking, he didn't notice that someone was watching him. And as he turned to the alley…he was followed.
"Wow, look what colors! AMAZING!", Peter cheered and clapped his hands.
"Yeah…WOOHOO! GO ANCHORAGE!", Harry laughed as well.
"This is so cool…do you have a camera? I wanna take a selfie and show it to Aunt May", Peter asked.
"Well, Dad should have it…", Harry looked over his shoulder. "Dad?"
"Hey…where is Norman?", Peter asked.
"I don't know…he was right behind us. DAAD!", Harry yelled around.
"I think he lost us while we ran…", Peter muttered.
"Oh, great…let's go and find him!", Harry nodded and boys ran to look for him.
-o-o-o-
Hmm…I wonder where this goes?
Norman walked in the alley. He must have taken a wrong turn…there was no way boys could have gone here.
I better get back…
Turning around, Norman was ready to go…and came face to face with a man.
"Hello richie...we meet again", he grinned.
"You…", Norman backed against the wall.
"Nice to see you. Liking this little…the spirit here?", that same man who tried to rob Norman and boys in the mountain village grinned.
"What do you want?!", Norman asked.
"Well, I was having a stroll here…and then I spotted you and your two brats. Lovely, lively natures. Should I let my man bring them here…?"
"No, you don't touch them!", Norman began but was pushed against the wall.
"Temper temper…you have no idea who you are dealing with", the man hissed.
"Just what do you want from me?!"
"I guess you have totally forgotten our last encounter. You punched me straight in the face! See this?! I had to operate my nose", the man showed his face.
"I was protecting my son, you were the one who started it", Norman said, but was pushed against the wall again.
"Shut your mouth! There is more…remember your driver, Austin?"
"How…how do you know him?!", Norman stared.
"Well, of course, I know my…little brother", the man nodded.
"W-what?!"
"Yes…I'm Roger, Austin's big bro. "Or should I say…was. You see, I found out a couple of days ago that there was a body…and my guess whose it was?"
Norman gulped. Roger's men approached him.
"My poor mother cried a lot…you murdered him!", Roger hissed.
"No, I didn't…he attacked me and my son!", Norman tried to explain.
"Excuses excuses! I know you kind of rich people…so damn arrogant. Let's see how your brat will recognize after I have taken care of your face…", Roger grinned.
-o-o-o-
"DAAAD!", Harry yelled around.
"Mr. Osborn!", Peter yelled as well.
"This is no use…we will never find him! He could be anywhere!", Harry was worried.
"Don't panic…where was the last place we saw him?", Peter asked.
"I…I don't know. I can't remember…", Harry shook his head.
"Damn…well…", Peter began.
"Wait…I have an idea! Give me the book", Harry asked. Peter gave his bag in confusion and Harry took the book from there.
"Harry…Norman told not to use this. And I have to agree with him. Your behavior was creepy…"
"I know…but with this, we will find him sooner. I just…", Harry closed his eyes and whispered something, what Peter didn't hear.
Harry concentrated…
"Please…can't we make a deal? I really didn't mean...and I'm a father!"
"Too late…you will pay for what you did!"
"Please…NO!"
"Oh, no…we need to go! I now know where Dad is! And he is in trouble!", Harry slammed the book shut.
"What, in trouble?!", Peter stared.
"No time to explain, come on!", Harry began to run, followed by stunned Peter.
"I beg you…I didn't mean to hurt Austin…", Norman begged.
"Like I believe you…prepare to die shit!", Roger raised his fist. Norman closed his eyes and prepared himself…
"STOP! DON'T TOUCH MY DAD!", Harry ran in front of Norman, pushing Roger away. Peter ran beside Harry and turned to see him as well.
"Boys…", Norman put his arms around Peter and Harry's chests. "How did you find…?"
"That robbery was planned…Austin drove us to the village on purpose!", Harry began. "He was going to rob us as soon as he informed his brother!", Harry said.
"What?! Son, what are you talking about…?", Norman stared.
"Wow, aren't you clever! True, indeed. Once Austin told me who was his employer…I just couldn't let this chance go. And since you discovered it…I can't leave any witnesses", Roger took a gun and pointed it at the trio. "Any last words?"
Norman gasped and tightened his grip around boys. Harry stared…until felt how his hands were tingling.
"Ahhh…my hands…"
"What?", Peter asked.
"I don't know…it feels like…", Harry began until they all heard groaning.
"What…what in the…?!", Roger stared when his hand as it started to twist. Slowly…every finger snapped.
"Gosh…", Peter grabbed his mouth as Osborns stared, unable to do anything.
"Help…AAAAHHH!", Roger screamed as his bones cracked one by one. His men stared…until began to run.
"Let's…let's get out of here!", Norman was able to move and began to run, pulling Harry along with him by his arm. Peter stared at Roger…until ran after Osborns. Roger fell to the ground, while the bones kept cracking…
"Dad…please…slow down!", Harry tried to keep up with Norman's steps as he ran fast from the alley.
"I'm just making sure that we are safe…", Norman finally stopped near the fountain and sat down, but not letting go of Harry's hand. Peter caught a breath as he reached there too, usually, he just swung through the city.
"What…what just happened?!", the young hero asked.
"I…I don't know…wanna explain son?", Norman lifted his gaze up.
"Huh, why would I know?", Harry asked.
"Oh please,…how else that man could have broken his bones? And how did you know about the robbery plan? You used that book…didn't you?!", Norman asked sharply.
Feeling how his face turned red, Harry looked away. Norman sighed.
"I knew it…you disobeyed me! You promised not to touch it again!"
"Dad…I swear I only asked where you were! I had nothing to do with that man!", Harry begged.
"But you used it! And what happened last time?!", Norman nearly yelled.
"I'm sorry…sometimes I can't control them…and that's why…I think I should clear up this mess alone. You have suffered enough…go home and I come back after I have spoken with Atka…", Harry began, but Norman grabbed him by his shoulders.
"Don't you even dare say that! We are in this together. You are my son, and I'm your father. We are a family and Team Osborn sticks together. I'm sorry I didn't mean to be angry…but you know how worried I am about you."
"I…I'm sorry Dad...uhh…thanks", Harry smiled.
"I agree with Norman…and it's actually Team Parksborn", Peter patted Harry's shoulder. "We are gonna find a way out of this together, right?", he gave Harry a high five.
"Thanks…I don't know how to ever repay this…", Harry muttered silently.
"You know you don't have to do that", Norman smiled and got up. "But I think we have seen enough…it's gonna be dark in a couple of hours. Let's keep moving." Nodding, boys followed Norman and the group headed out of town. But if they only had known that they were watched…
-o-o-o-
"Booriingg…", Harry muttered as he gazed out of the window. "Seriously…same trees and snow!"
"All in good time Har", Peter smiled as he was listening to music from his iPod. "Why don't you listen or read something?"
"Good idea", Harry nodded and took his bag. "Hey…where is my tablet?!"
"I left it home", Norman was typing with his computer. "You spend too much time with those electronic devices anyway."
"Well, how I'm supposed to spend my time then?!", Harry asked. "Dad, you are being way too careful! I'm not gonna get cancer or something!"
"I'm just making sure you are not watching some wicked sites and get scared of what we have witnessed", Norman nodded. Harry felt how he blushed. Peter bit his lip…but couldn't control himself.
"HAHHAAHHHHH!"
"PETE, SHUT UP!", Harry kicked him. "Not funny!"
"Wanna borrow my iPod Harry? I can put some lullabies for you!"
That made Harry even more annoyed. He started kicking Peter so hard, that Norman dropped his laptop.
"Boys, stop! Sit down! Or else we are off the road again!"
Grunting, Harry stopped and Peter straightened himself.
"I'm not a baby…how can you use your laptop if I can't?!"
"Because I'm working, I need to keep courses straight", Norman kept typing.
"Well, why did you come here in the first place if you are always working?!", Harry spat, turning his head away to the window. Peter gazed at him and Norman, who stared in a surprise. Finally, he stopped typing, closed his laptop and moved next to Harry.
"Son…I'm sorry. It's just that I wanna keep you safe. You are very emotional…and that damn thing seems to have a grip on your feelings. I wanna protect you from that darkness which surrounded me before…and what happened because of it. The Goblin, you know…"
"I know that…", Harry grunted, not turning around.
"And also because I want that we spend time together. We never did that before…but I want us to be a real family", Norman put his hand on Harry's shoulder.
"Really?!", Harry asked, turning around.
"Yes. Forgive me…I'm not gonna open this laptop until we get home", Norman put it away. "Now…you get my full attention. Both of you", he smiled at Peter as well.
"Okay, that's the one even can I agree on", Harry smiled and leaned his head on Norman's shoulder. Peter smiled and kept listening to music.
"But…I have to say I could really use some coffee", Norman nodded and straightened his position. "And it's time for your medicine", he nodded at Harry.
"But I feel already better…ouch!", Harry grabbed his legs as the pain hit again.
"See? I doubled your medication. Let's stop and eat something."
-o-o-o-
Not long after that, the group was sitting in a little cafeteria. Peter drank his coke when Harry stood up.
"I think I need to go to the bathroom…I'll be back."
"I'm coming with you", Norman nodded. "Peter, could you keep our places?"
"Sure", Peter nodded. As he was left alone, the boy took the book from his bag and put his headphones on. Falling into these mysterious pages, he didn't notice something which will turn this trip upside down…
For Blind Spot, he had just walked inside and had begun to look around for his target, his mask hidden by his hood. He had easily tracked the trio down to Anchorage and was waiting for a moment to strike, an opportunity had presented itself when they had entered the cafeteria.
He quickly spotted the other kid who he could not identify sitting there at the table, with his back currently turned on him, and that made Blind Spot smile, for this might turn out to be too easy. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small vial filled with a clear liquid. He knew he would only have one chance to pull this off. Approaching the table he saw something that made him stop... the book. He stared at it for a few seconds and thought about stealing it instead, but then remembered what he had been told about it, so he knew now was not the right time to steal it.
He growled slightly under his breath and began walking towards the table. He then quickly pulled out the stopper and poured the odorless, colorless liquid into the man's coffee. The boy was to distract from reading that book to even notice, and that made Blind Spot smile under his mask. He now knew he had to back off and wait since it takes a couple of hours for this drug to take effect.
Norman and Harry returned from the bathroom and said down at the table, and when Norman took a big sip from his coffee, and that made Blind Spot smile at his table where he was sitting.
"Uhh...", Norman looked irritated.
"Huh, something wrong Dad?", Harry asked.
"This coffee...so...weird tasting", Norman stared at his cup.
"How come?", Harry raised his eyebrows.
"I don't know...so...heavy. But maybe Alaska ones are..."
"Well you have just to get used to it sire", Peter smiled and put the book and headphones away. "We aren't gonna go home for a while."
"I think you're right...weird. But oh well", Norman drank the whole cup. Harry ate his hot dog, he was pretty hungry.
"So...how are we gonna find Atka?", Peter sipped his drink.
"No idea...we have no idea where to start looking", Norman nodded.
"Well maybe I should use...", Harry began.
"Don't even start! Out of the question", Norman interrupted.
Grunting, Harry finished his eating. Peter did the same and the trio prepared to leave. But when Norman stood up, he felt suddenly dizzy and almost fell.
"Mr. O!", Peter managed to grab Norman before he could hit on the floor. Blind Spot grinned as he watched the show.
"Are you okay Dad?", Harry asked, worried.
"Yeah...just a little...I don't know...", Norman shook his head.
"You sure?", Harry asked again.
"Yeah...I just need some fresh air", Norman tottered to the door. Boys followed him while looking at each other.
"So...where was the limo again?", Norman blinked his eyes. The sun was so bright...
"Umm...over there sir", Peter pointed.
"Oh yes...thank you Peter", Norman smiled and began to walk.
"Dad...where are you going? Our car is this way", Harry asked.
"Oh? How silly of me...", Norman smiled and patted his head. But when he started to walk again...lost his balance.
"Dad!", Harry ran fast and let Norman fall on him, taking hold of like he was hugging his son.
"I...I feel weird...", Norman panted on Harry's shoulder.
"Should we take you to the hospital? You can't go in this condition", Harry supported his father.
"No...I'm fine. Let's just keep moving..."
"But Dad...you are ill. What if I and Peter go to look for Atka? You can wait in the hospital."
"NO!", Norman shook his head. "If I can't go, none of us will. I won't do that same mistake again and let you go all by yourselves. It won't end nicely."
"Dad...", Harry tried.
"No...I can't...", Norman panted...until fell to his knees and started coughing.
"What's happening?! DAD!", Harry knelt down as well. "Peter...call the ambulance!"
Peter did as was told. Soon, Norman lay on the litter and the ambulancemen prepared to take him to the hospital.
"W-where are you taking me...?", Norman asked weakly.
"You'll be taken to the hospital Dad. The doctor said he does not know what is wrong with you, they need to run some tests. Soon you'll be better", Harry smiled.
"Well you will come with me then...", Norman reached his hand.
"Dad...Peter and I need to go to Atka's cottage. I can't wait...I feel weirder minute by minute. We go talk to him and come back", Harry nodded.
"But..."
"Dad...please. We can do this. I'm not disobeying you...but I beg you, please let us do this. For my sake."
Norman bit his lip...and turned to see Peter.
"Peter...can you promise you will take care of my son? I know your powers aren't working...but you have experience about the dangerous stuff. I trust Harry to you."
"You can count on me, sir. I promise I won't do the same mistakes again", Peter nodded.
"Very well then...you can go. But stay in touch, will you? And only to Atka's cottage and then you come back here right away. Here, take my phone", Norman offered it to Harry who took it.
"Thanks, Dad...I promise we see soon."
"You better... be careful and remember. I - love - you", Norman emphasized the last three words while giving Harry a tight, squeezing hug. Harry patted his father's back and then they separated.
"Okay...ready to go Pete?"
"Yes", Peter nodded.
Nodding at Norman, boys began to run towards the limo. They waved once more before going in and Norman watched as the car disappeared out of sight...
"Okay...so...where do we start?", Peter asked as they stopped at traffic lights.
"Well I think we should go to that village...", Harry began. "I just hope we are able to locate Atka and nothing serious isn't bothering Dad. Since if I did something, I will never forgive myself!"
"Har...Norman is protected by the book. And you are filled with good things now...relax and save your strength. We have a long trip ahead of us", Peter nodded.
"Yeah...", Harry agreed and soon, boys continued their trip.
"So...this is it. I really hope Atka can help me..."
"He will trust me. And Norman gets the right treatment and you are reunited soon. With Spidey's word", Peter lifted his thumb up. Harry smiled and gazed out of the window.
Don't worry Dad...we see soon.
As the limo drove, the main villain was watching after it. Grinning at his own brilliance, he decided to take the next step in his plan. And it meant troubles...lots of troubles.