Blind Spot paced back and forth. The masked man was furious. For his hostage had easily escaped with the help of Atka, who he had thrown back in the dungeon under much heavier restraint, and the thought of his hostage finding help made him snarl under his mask. But he had a plan for someone else.
He walked over to the computer which he had stored in the corner of the room and bolted it up, looking up a name...Peter Parker. The name sounded familiar to him, but he couldn't place it anywhere. As he looked at the boy's file, he began to smile. For this boy would be easy to abduct, and it was time to start planning his next move. Capturing this boy would lead to the Osborns, and to his precious book that was rightfully his.
Blind Spot smiled as he began to plan his next move, and it involved kidnapping this Peter Parker...
-o-o-o-
Sunrise came slowly from the horizon, and the village prepared for a new day. It was one of the coldest days so far, trees were frozen and roads were filled with slippery ice.
Since all the three heroes haven't slept much last night, they were deep in their dreams when Ahnah came to the door and knocked.
"Hmm-mmh?", Peter muttered sleepily and sat up, hair sticking in every direction. Landing on the floor, he saw as Norman lay on his side, arms tightly around his son. Harry looked so peaceful…and that made Peter smile. It was still so surprising that Aguta brought Norman back but the young hero was just glad it happened.
Opening the door, Peter rubbed his eyes.
"Oh…morning Ahnah."
"Good morning…I brought some breakfast and medicine for you since I heard that we have a new visitor", the woman came inside. Peter closed the door and followed her, sitting down at the table.
"Yeah…that is Harry's father, Norman", he pointed at Osborns over his shoulder. "Aguta rescued him last night since we got separated before we came here."
"Oh yes…Aguta told how he saved him. What a relief that the family is reunited. I was having my doubts since Atka's messages were hard to place…", Ahnah nodded.
"Wait…Atka sent messages? But then…", Peter began.
"Well, here's your food. Now I'm gonna prepare this medicine", Ahnah changed the subject. Peter was just about to answer, when they heard how Norman muttered and opened his eyes slowly, lifting his head up.
"Huh...where…?"
"Morning Mr. O", Peter smiled as he ate. Ahnah walked to Norman, who gazed at her.
"Nice to meet you Norman, my name is Ahnah. Aguta told how he rescued you", she gave a cup to him.
"Hello, nice to meet you…", Norman coughed. "What's this?"
"It's some medicine against your flu. It makes you feel better."
Taking the cup, Norman looked at Peter who nodded. Then, he drank it.
"Thank you…but I must say I feel already better. Kinda surprising since…well, never mind."
"Good to hear. I give you some privacy now. It was nice to meet you", Ahnah smiled and left.
"Such a nice woman", Norman smiled and Peter nodded.
"Yep…she has helped us a lot."
"I still can't believe I'm here…only yesterday I was…", Norman couldn't finish.
"You okay sir?", Peter looked worried.
"Yes…don't worry", Norman smiled and turned to see sleeping Harry. Rubbing his boy's hair…and he felt how his heart cracked. Two weeks…
"Peter…could you tell me what happened after I was taken to the hospital? How do you know about this lunatic? And how did you find the village?"
"Well, that is a very long story. But of course", Peter began. "You see…"
And then Norman listened to the whole story. Peter told everything from the beginning, how they drove to the village and how Harry communicated with birds who led them to Atka's cottage. Tapes they watched, how they realized that Norman was poisoned and in danger. Driving back to Anchorage with a snowmobile, only finding an empty hospital room and stabbed goblin toy under the bed.
"Oh my god…he left this…?!", Norman took the toy and examined it.
"Yeah…and Harry was so scared…he even suggested surrendering if this lunatic would free you then. But I talked him over", Peter nodded.
"I'm so glad you did…I wanna keep my son away from that monster", Norman gritted his teeth and ribbed the toy apart. "So, what happened then?"
"Well, we decided to go back to the house, only finding out that it was burned down and saw you with that man. Harry wanted to help…but I commanded to leave so that we will have a chance to save you later. Then we drove through the forest but then the snowmobile broke and we were surrounded by wolves…until Aguta came and saved us and then took us here."
Norman listened and squeezed Harry's hand with his own. What horrible things his poor boy went through…
"I can't believe it…you could have been killed!"
"Yeah,…it was really close. But that's not all…", Peter sighed. He told about how Aguta refused to save Norman, and how hard Harry took it. All that crying, feeling sad. About the lessons, how Harry was able to control wind and water…and how he almost drowned.
"D-drowned…is that man insane?! Putting Harry in danger! He could have frozen to death!"
"I wondered it too…but he just said that Harry must help himself. But I couldn't just watch…since there was a reason why Harry landed into the water. I…"
"Yes? You can tell me Peter", Norman encouraged. "I won't blame you."
"Well…tell me something, sir. Did that villain do something to you with a pipe and icy water?"
Norman stared…how could it be…?
"Yes…yes he did. He hit me with a pipe and almost drowned me in the pool. But how can you know…?"
"Well, it seems that Harry somehow sensed you getting hurt. You see the reason why he landed into the river…he said that he could feel how someone hit him and he tasted blood in his mouth. And last night…he coughed like he was drowning and his hair and face were wet. He said that he felt so cold…", Peter nodded.
Norman stared…and turned to see his son.
"But…but how?! What in the world is going on?!"
"Aguta said that since Harry has practiced hard, the connection between him and the book is deeper now. And since we are close to him…he can feel our pain. So if we get hurt, Harry will too…"
Nearly fainting, Norman tried to keep himself together. But there was more to come.
"And Aguta also said that in the end, the book wants only Harry. So…", Peter muttered.
"No…that thing won't get my son!", Norman shook his head. "Isn't there any way to escape it?!"
"Well…", Peter began but suddenly stopped.
"Peter…what is it?", Norman looked confused.
"N-nothing, forget it! So…may I ask how did that monster lure you out? And what happened after he burned the house?"
"Well, he…", Norman began and told Peter all the details, from the kidnapping all the way how Atka helped him out and how Aguta was waiting and brought to the village. He even opened up about the hallucination and the torture he had to face.
"Shit…what sick being that man is! And we don't even know who he is…I'm so sorry how he tricked you with your wife and us and the torture you had to face. And I'm sorry I forced to leave you…", Peter apologized.
"Peter my boy…", Norman grabbed Peter's shoulder. "There is no need to apologize…it's the opposite. You saved Harry and were there for him when I couldn't. Don't blame yourself, instead I want to thank you."
"I just did what had to be done…but I'm really happy to see you back at safe and sound. Harry is happy too…you have no idea how he tried to keep going…but couldn't."
"Yes…but this man showed that he is really dangerous. Much more out of his mind than Octavius. And I bet Atka is captured again…how do we get help now?"
"Well I…", Peter began.
"Well, I guess we just have to find another solution…there is no way I'm going near that mine shaft again!", Norman shook his head.
"You don't have to sire. I'm gonna make sure of it. I won't let my guard down this time", Peter smiled.
"Thank you…and I also need to ask something else too. Could you keep this conversation just between us? Don't tell Harry about the hallucination or details about my kidnapping…I wanna protect him."
"Uhh…sure", Peter nodded, nervously.
Great…now I keep something from both of them! Me and my sense of justice!
"Thank you, I knew I could count on you Peter", Norman smiled. Then, he turned to Harry.
"Son…wake up. You sleepyhead…", he smiled. But Harry didn't react, just lay on his side.
"Harry…wakey wakey! I wanna speak with you", Norman shook his son gently. Still, nothing happened.
"Harry…son?!", Norman rolled the boy onto his back. "What's wrong?!"
"Something is not right…", Peter touched Harry's hand. "Oh my…so cold!"
"What?!", Norman felt Harry's skin. Indeed…it was cold as ice…but the forehead was burning.
"His…his skin is burning! But why…?!"
"Oh no…since you said that you were in the pool just before escaping and nearly got hypothermia while coming to the village with a freezing body…it seems that since the guardian can heal people. So during the night, your condition was healed while sleeping next to Harry but instead…as a side effect, he got your flu…"
"But…he is burning and cold at the same time! He must have pneumonia!", Norman grabbed the blanket around him and Harry. "We need help!"
"I'm on my way", Peter nodded and ran out, straight to the river where Ahnah was cleaning some sheets.
"AHNAH!", Peter yelled.
"Hmm?", Ahnah turned around. "What's wrong?"
"Harry…he is having a strong fever! We…we need your help!"
Nodding, Ahnah stood up and followed Peter to the cottage.
"Please…help my son!", Norman stood up as Ahnah knelt down to take a better look.
"Oh my…such a strong fever! I can't help him here…he must be taken to our healer."
"Healer?", Peter and Norman stared.
"Yes…only he can help. I take you to him", Ahnah nodded. Lifting Harry onto his lap, Norman followed her while Peter came after him. Ahnah led the trio through the village. Norman, as well as Peter, got confused since she didn't stop at any of the houses.
"Where is that healer of yours?", Norman asked, feeling worried.
"He lives at the edge of the forest. Soon, we're there", Ahnah smiled. Walking out of the village and finally, a little cottage appeared. Or cottage might be little strong word…it looked like more a teepee.
"Uhhh…?", Norman and Peter gazed at it.
"It looks different…but he can help. Follow me", Ahnah went inside. Looking at his son, Norman followed. Peter was just about to do the same…until spotted Aguta standing in front of the redwood. Gazing at the teepee, young spider decided to have a chat with the chief.
As Norman entered inside, a cold shiver ran through his body. Inside the teepee were all kinds of weird objects hanging from the ceiling, skulls on the table…and in the middle of the space was a little fireplace.
What a horrible tent…
"I sense that you have brought illness under my roof Ahnah", a deep voice said. Nearly jumping out of his skin, Norman whipped around and came face to face with an old man…a very old man. He was wearing some weird hat and big fur.
"Ummm…", Norman stepped back as Ahnah stepped in front of him.
"You were right Tupilek…this one is the guardian, Atka's follower", Ahnah pointed Harry.
"Hmm…", Tupilek walked to Norman and eyed Harry. "Interesting…so young."
"He has a fever…can you help him?", Norman was restless.
"Well, I might be able to do something. Put him down", Tupilek nodded. Ahnah smiled at Norman who put Harry to lay down, while kneeling down beside him, rubbing his son's hand.
"Now let's see…", Tupilek began and felt Harry's forehead. "No…this is not good."
"What do you mean…?! Can't you help him?!", Norman panicked. Ahnah patted his shoulder.
"I can, but it will need some strong medicine. I make it right away", Tupilek nodded and started to work. Feeling really nervous, Norman watched his pale boy…once again, he failed to protect him.
-o-o-o-
Outside, Peter walked to Aguta who looked at the tree.
"Aguta?"
Without answering, Aguta looked over his shoulder a bit. As he saw Peter, he nodded and turned his head away.
"I…I haven't thanked how you saved Norman. You made Harry really happy, as well as me. Thank you."
"Do you know how old this tree is?", Aguta asked.
"Huh?", Peter gazed up.
"It's very old…when I was young, it was still this big. So, very old indeed…life is so full of surprises."
"Uhh…", Peter stared.
"And by that, I mean your friend. He is way too emotional…and that will kill him in the end", Aguta turned to see Peter.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that the way he cries after his father…will stand in his way. Without him…he could focus on how to be a perfect guardian", Aguta turned to walk away.
"How can you say like that?! Of course, Harry cries after Norman! He is his father! Or are you saying we should have left him in that madman's hands?!", Peter stared. Aguta didn't answer, just kept walking.
"Hey, wait a sec! Don't always walk away when I'm talking to you!", Peter blocked Aguta's way. "Why are you so harsh towards Harry?! He has done nothing wrong! And he just got his father back…when you saved him! And now you say that Norman is a burden…WHY?!"
"I'm just being realistic…love won't carry people. He managed so well down the river…until sensed his father and the lesson was ruined. That is not good."
"Listen to me, you fool! Osborns are a family and very special friends of mine. I'm not letting you insult them! And why you even saved Norman, if you despise him?!", Peter crossed his arms.
"To stop your friend's crying. Nothing more. But now, I regret badly. He is not worthy enough…luckily the book will be destroyed. I was always against this tradition…but supported Atka since he is very wise", Aguta passed Peter…but the young man stepped in front of him again.
"You make me sick with your attitude! You are so rude! And like Harry even wants this role! And that tradition you mentioned…sick! You hear me?!", Peter was fuming with anger. Aguta just looked back.
-o-o-o-
Back with the healer, Tupilek had just made his potion and prepared to give Harry some medicine.
"I can only hope this will work…if not, I don't know how to help", Tupilek opened Harry's mouth a bit, letting him swallow the antidote. Norman waited restlessly…while rubbing the boy's hand.
Come on son…fight!
At first, nothing happened. But slowly…Harry opened his eyes and coughed a little.
"Uhh…w-where am I?"
"In the healer…how are you feeling son?", Norman looked worried.
"D-Dad?", Harry gazed up. "Is that you…?"
"Yes, it's me. I was so worried…", Norman cracked.
"Let's give them some privacy", Ahnah nodded and she and Tupilek left the teepee. When they were gone, father and son turned to see each other.
"So yesterday wasn't a dream…you're really here with me…", Harry smiled little tears in his eye corners.
"Of course I am! I'm so relieved!", Norman lifted Harry up and hugged him. "And now I know what happened during I was kidnapped…Peter told me. I'm so sorry about all the torture you had to face…"
"Dad…I…", Harry began, feeling tears coming.
"And I also know what Aguta made you do during your so-called "lessons"…I'm so mad at him! What was he thinking?!", Norman gritted his teeth.
"But Dad…I had to do it. To save you…"
"But putting yourself in danger is not a solution! And not with your health…I know how you feel pain if I or Peter gets hurt…and I'm not gonna let that happen or this monster to have you…I swear!"
"But…", Harry tried.
"No…let does not talk about this anymore. More important is that we are together again and you both are safe. But now, I think we should leave this village and go back to Anchorage. And there, we will find a way to get out of this mess" Norman nodded.
"Dad, listen…", Harry tried once more. "Aguta said…"
"I don't care what he said! And from now on, I'm not letting you out of my sight or go anywhere alone. Not you, or Peter. Since because of my idiocy, you could have…"
"Don't think about it anymore…let's just focus on the future. And try to forget all the things that psycho did to you, I try to forget my experiments as well. After all, I wasn't alone. Peter was by my side all the time", Harry smiled.
"Yes…I know we will clean this up. If we only knew how to separate you from that damn book…", Norman muttered.
"Yeah…", Harry closed his eyes. He couldn't tell the truth. He really wanted…but didn't wanna ruin this reunion.
"Everything will be fine. I know I've said like that before, but this time I really mean it. Seeing you again gave me a new spirit. And I promise to protect you! You know that, right?", Norman asked.
"Yes, you know I never doubt it Dad", Harry smiled. "And I'm so glad you're back!"
Smiling at each other, Osborns made fist bumps. Walking out of the teepee, they saw how Peter was yapping at Aguta.
"I can't believe how you can be so heartless! Do you really think this is the way to lead your people?! No wonder why Atka and Keelut left...if I lived here, I would rather freeze to death in the forest than bow you as my chief!", Peter spat, temper giving up.
"I'm warning you boy, you have no idea what you're talking about...", Aguta said seriously.
"What's happening here?", Osborns walked to the duo.
"This man here has no heart...", Peter crossed his arms. Norman and Harry gazed at him and then Aguta. Suddenly, Norman remembered what he was told about Harry's lessons and anger took him over.
"Oh really...well I have something to say too", he stepped forward.
"Umm, Dad...", Harry began.
"Don't worry", Norman smiled and stepped in front of boys. "Peter told me more about those so-called lessons you gave Harry. And I must say that I don't like a bit what I heard."
Boys looked at each other as Norman kept roasting Aguta.
"I can't believe it...you are a chief of the village and you have children to take care of! And what do you do with my son, who is just a boy himself?! Put him into dangerous situations and when he nearly drowned, you didn't do anything to help him! Instead, Peter had to save Harry all by himself and they both landed straight in that waterfall over there! Do you have any idea what could have happened?!"
Aguta just kept his silent attitude. Norman got even more frustrated about it.
"I really appreciate that you saved me, but risking my boy's life is something I can't forgive. This can't be the only way to get rid of that damn book!"
"Umm...", Harry began, but Peter stopped him.
"Well I guess your precious son and his friend haven't told about the ritual", Aguta finally answered.
"Huh, what ritual?", Norman turned to see boys. "What is he talking about? Harry, Peter?"
"Well, we...", boys muttered. Aguta gazed at them and sighed.
"Looks like I have to tell you about is as well. And I'm gonna tell you something else too. Maybe then you will understand my "heartless" attitude. Come", Aguta turned around and started to walk. All three stared after him.
"Tell us...what?", Peter asked while Norman walked to Harry and rubbed his son's shoulders.
"Oh you'll see", Aguta looked over his shoulder. "But I have to warn you...it's something that you have never seen in your lives before. Something really horrible."