Spider-Man : Hunted
part 7
" It's like Harry's not himself anymore. " Mary Jane finished explaining to Peter her earlier conversation with their friend. Peter scratched his head, not knowing what to do or say next.
" I've never known Harry to be violent. " He started, looking into Mary Jane's bright blue eyes. " But the death of his father has been very hard on him. "
" Norman Osborn wasn't even a good father to him. " Mary Jane said bitterly. " Why is he so torn up about his death? "
Peter was shocked at her statement. " You don't get to choose your family, M.J. Harry always loved his father. I know because I was his best friend. Mr. Osborn wasn't always there for him, and he was little more strict than necessary... but he cared for Harry in other ways. "
Just then, the telephone rang, interrupting the young couple's conversation. Peter walked over to the kitchen and picked up the cordless telephone. He frowned as he spoke to the person on the other line.
Mary Jane strained her ears to follow Peter's conversation, but couldn't make out much of what he was saying. The young man finished off his conversation. " Yes, Doctor Strauss. Thank you very much for letting me know. Yes. Take care. Goodbye. "
With a click, he turned off the portable phone and set it down on the dining room table, concern evident on his features.
" What's wrong, Peter? " Mary Jane asked, grabbing his hands.
" It's Aunt May, " Peter said, still in a daze. " She's in hospital. She has a bad case of pneumonia. "
" Oh no! " the redhead exclaimed, tears welling up in her eyes. " Is she okay? "
Peter nodded. " She's resting. The doctor says a neighbor found her passed out in the kitchen and called an ambulance. "
" That's terrible Peter. " Mary Jane put a hand on his shoulder.
" Yes. Yes it is... "
*****
Flash Thompson ran a hand through his hair, and checked his reflection in his rearview mirror. " Lookin' sharp man, " he said to himself, grinning widely.
He parked his Porche right in the driveway of the Stacy household driveway, and made his way to the front door nervously. His date's father was apparently a police captain. He gulped as his sweaty finger rang the doorbell.
A middle aged man with stern features opened the door. His face brightened as he saw the young man standing on the porch. " Ah, you must be Eugene... " George Stacy motioned for Flash to come inside. " Gwen should be ready in a couple of minutes. "
" Thank you sir, " Flash said as he sat down on a large leather chair, and took in his surroundings.
" I hear you play football, " Mr. Stacy said, as he sat down opposite the younger man.
" Yeah, Quaterback. " Flash tried not to sound nervous. He swallowed, and looked at the photographs on the wall.
George grinned as he noticed Flash's nervousness. It couldn't be easy to chat to your date's father if you knew he was a tough as nails police captain.
" I used to play quaterback too, when I was in college. " Mr. Stacy said, making conversation. " Ah the fun we had back then. "
Flash relaxed a little, leaning back in his comfortable seat.
" So what are you studying at NYU? " Mr. Stacy asked, and Flash went rigid again.
" Well, sir, I... I'm studying law. "
Just then, Gwen Stacy entered the room. She was a knockout, a blonde girl with bright green eyes and had a small build. Both men got to their feet as she came in.
" Hi Flash, " She smiled nervously and kissed the football Quaterback on the cheek.
" Hey there, " Flash greeted back.
" Well you kids better have fun tonight, " Mr. Stacy said, reaching into his pocket. " Don't do anything I wouldn't do. " He placed a hundred dollar bill in Flash's hand. " Go and spoil her, son. " He whispered into his ear.
The young footballer smiled. " I will sir, I promise. "
As they left the house, Flash draped his arm around Gwen's shoulder. " You're old man is pretty cool! "
" I know, " she giggled. " He's the best. "
Gwen stopped right in her tracks when she spotted Flash's car. She knew his family was rich, but she had no idea that he drove a Porche. What a way to go on a first date! " Nice car! " She exclaimed.
" You aint seen nothing yet! " Flash kissed her and opened the door of his silver porche for her to get in. " You're in for the ride of your life, Babe. "
*****
The wall crawler clung to the side of the New York General Hospital. " I'd better find an alleyway and change to street clothes, " he muttered to himself. " Or some of the patients here might get heart attacks, seeing a man climbing out the side of the the building. "
He crawled around a corner, carefully scoped out his surroundings, and dropped to the street level when he noticed that no people were around to see him change.
A few minutes later, Peter Parker walked out of the alleyway next to the hospital and entered through the front doorway. A pretty nurse at the reception desk looked up as he entered and smiled warmly.
" What room is May Parker in? " Peter asked politely.
" Room 613 " She replied, looking up the information on her computer.
" Do you know how she is? "
The nurse could tell from Peter's troubled expression that he was very worried. " She should be okay after a few days rest. " She replied, studying the information on her monitor. " If she had come to us sooner, we could have stopped the illness long before it developed into pneumonia. "
" That's my Aunt May, " Peter said, frowning at her hard headedness. " Stubborn as an ox. "
He thanked the young nurse and made his way to his aunt's room.
" Peter. " The old woman beamed as he entered the room.
" Hi, Aunt May. " he said gently as he sat down by her side.
" Looks like I'm making a habit of ending up in hospital, " Aunt May said, her face becoming grave once more.
" It's not your fault you're sick, Aunt May. " Peter tried to comfort her. " You just should have come sooner. "
" I don't have the money to consult doctors all the time Peter! " Aunt May exclaimed. " I'm just an old widow. If only Ben and I... " her lower lip tembled. " We should have saved away more money for our retirement. "
Peter felt tears brimming in his eyes. " Don't worry about the money, Aunt May. Things will work out okay. "
****
He looked over at the young blonde woman next to him. His hand made its way to her exposed knee, gently caressing it as he drove.
Gwen moved her leg away, feeling uncomfortable at having Flash making moves on her so quickly.
He glanced at her as he sped along the Freeway. " What's wrong, Baby? " he asked and made a face. " You don't wanna play anymore? "
Gwen frowned. " What are you talking about? "
" Oh you just love the fact that you're going out with the most popular guy in a fancy car, but... "
" This isn't highschool, Flash! " Gwen retorted. " Act like a grown up! "
She moved away from him as far away as possible, and looked out the window, still frowning. Her features contorted to one of pure horror.
" Oh my God, look out! " She screamed.
Flash turned his head to see what she was screaming about. His eyes nearly popped out of his head, and he slammed on the brakes. The sportscar skidded across the surface of the road, swerving madly its tyres making a horrible noise.
Metal clashed with metal, a horrible screetching sound as Flash's car narrowly scraped by... some metallic monstrocity.
He turned in his seat to find the object that had been in his path, but it was gone. " Wha... what the hell was THAT? " he exclaimed, looking at his date. She didn't reply. Gwen had hit her head against the windshield, and lost consciousness.
" Gwen! " Flash was overcome with panic. He shook her limp body, trying to resusitate her. " Gwen! " he whispered urgently. " Wake up, Gwen please. "
Realising he wasn't going to accomplish anything by shaking her, Flash started the engine of his car and sped off to New York General Hospital. He kept talking to her all the way there. Whimpering that she was going to be okay.
****
As Peter walked out of the hospital elevator into the lobby, he saw a silver porche skid to halt right in front of the entry to the hospital. Flash Thompson leaped out of the car, rushed to the passenger side and lifted a woman out of her seat. He carried her into the reception area, screaming for help.
Peter rushed to the jock's side, eager to help.
" Somebody get me a doctor! " A very panicked Flash screamed. Then he spotted Peter. " Parker! Come and help me over here! "
Flash set Gwen down on one of the visitors' couches gently. Peter felt for a pulse. She was alive, very much so. Just knocked out. He inspected her body for any other bruises, while Flash nervously explained what had happened. " I think she's going to be okay Flash. She's just knocked out. No broken bones as far as I can see. "
Just as he finished the sentence, Gwen's eyes fluttered open weakly. " What happened? " She asked, obviously dazed. " Am I dead? "
Peter chuckled at the question. " No. You're in hospital. There's been an accident. "
Flash shoved him out of the way violently. " Are you okay, Sweetheart? "
Gwen frowned, seeing Flash's face again. " Don't call me Sweetheart. " She sat upright on the couch, and touched her bruised forehead lightly.
A doctor came running down the hallway. " Is everyone okay? "
Peter nodded. " Yeah. Nothing serious, but I think you should get Gwen here some pain killers. She's had a nasty knock to the head. " He kneeled by her side again, and studied her with his caring blue eyes. " Should I call someone for you? Family or friends...? "
" My father, " Gwen replied. " Please phone my father and ask him to come and pick me up. " She gave Peter her phone number, and he set off to make the call. Flash sat down next to Gwen and attempted to apologise again. She would have nothing of it.
A few minutes later, a very angry Captain Stacy collected his daughter from the hospital, thanking Peter for his help and prohibiting Flash Thompson from ever setting foot in his house, or coming near his daughter again. Gwen, feeling much better hugged Peter goodbye and shot him one last smile as she got into her father's car. " See ya around, Pete. " she mouthed as they drove off. Peter waved after them, feeling good having helped someone in need without having donned the red and blue tights. Peter Parker the hero.
part 7
" It's like Harry's not himself anymore. " Mary Jane finished explaining to Peter her earlier conversation with their friend. Peter scratched his head, not knowing what to do or say next.
" I've never known Harry to be violent. " He started, looking into Mary Jane's bright blue eyes. " But the death of his father has been very hard on him. "
" Norman Osborn wasn't even a good father to him. " Mary Jane said bitterly. " Why is he so torn up about his death? "
Peter was shocked at her statement. " You don't get to choose your family, M.J. Harry always loved his father. I know because I was his best friend. Mr. Osborn wasn't always there for him, and he was little more strict than necessary... but he cared for Harry in other ways. "
Just then, the telephone rang, interrupting the young couple's conversation. Peter walked over to the kitchen and picked up the cordless telephone. He frowned as he spoke to the person on the other line.
Mary Jane strained her ears to follow Peter's conversation, but couldn't make out much of what he was saying. The young man finished off his conversation. " Yes, Doctor Strauss. Thank you very much for letting me know. Yes. Take care. Goodbye. "
With a click, he turned off the portable phone and set it down on the dining room table, concern evident on his features.
" What's wrong, Peter? " Mary Jane asked, grabbing his hands.
" It's Aunt May, " Peter said, still in a daze. " She's in hospital. She has a bad case of pneumonia. "
" Oh no! " the redhead exclaimed, tears welling up in her eyes. " Is she okay? "
Peter nodded. " She's resting. The doctor says a neighbor found her passed out in the kitchen and called an ambulance. "
" That's terrible Peter. " Mary Jane put a hand on his shoulder.
" Yes. Yes it is... "
*****
Flash Thompson ran a hand through his hair, and checked his reflection in his rearview mirror. " Lookin' sharp man, " he said to himself, grinning widely.
He parked his Porche right in the driveway of the Stacy household driveway, and made his way to the front door nervously. His date's father was apparently a police captain. He gulped as his sweaty finger rang the doorbell.
A middle aged man with stern features opened the door. His face brightened as he saw the young man standing on the porch. " Ah, you must be Eugene... " George Stacy motioned for Flash to come inside. " Gwen should be ready in a couple of minutes. "
" Thank you sir, " Flash said as he sat down on a large leather chair, and took in his surroundings.
" I hear you play football, " Mr. Stacy said, as he sat down opposite the younger man.
" Yeah, Quaterback. " Flash tried not to sound nervous. He swallowed, and looked at the photographs on the wall.
George grinned as he noticed Flash's nervousness. It couldn't be easy to chat to your date's father if you knew he was a tough as nails police captain.
" I used to play quaterback too, when I was in college. " Mr. Stacy said, making conversation. " Ah the fun we had back then. "
Flash relaxed a little, leaning back in his comfortable seat.
" So what are you studying at NYU? " Mr. Stacy asked, and Flash went rigid again.
" Well, sir, I... I'm studying law. "
Just then, Gwen Stacy entered the room. She was a knockout, a blonde girl with bright green eyes and had a small build. Both men got to their feet as she came in.
" Hi Flash, " She smiled nervously and kissed the football Quaterback on the cheek.
" Hey there, " Flash greeted back.
" Well you kids better have fun tonight, " Mr. Stacy said, reaching into his pocket. " Don't do anything I wouldn't do. " He placed a hundred dollar bill in Flash's hand. " Go and spoil her, son. " He whispered into his ear.
The young footballer smiled. " I will sir, I promise. "
As they left the house, Flash draped his arm around Gwen's shoulder. " You're old man is pretty cool! "
" I know, " she giggled. " He's the best. "
Gwen stopped right in her tracks when she spotted Flash's car. She knew his family was rich, but she had no idea that he drove a Porche. What a way to go on a first date! " Nice car! " She exclaimed.
" You aint seen nothing yet! " Flash kissed her and opened the door of his silver porche for her to get in. " You're in for the ride of your life, Babe. "
*****
The wall crawler clung to the side of the New York General Hospital. " I'd better find an alleyway and change to street clothes, " he muttered to himself. " Or some of the patients here might get heart attacks, seeing a man climbing out the side of the the building. "
He crawled around a corner, carefully scoped out his surroundings, and dropped to the street level when he noticed that no people were around to see him change.
A few minutes later, Peter Parker walked out of the alleyway next to the hospital and entered through the front doorway. A pretty nurse at the reception desk looked up as he entered and smiled warmly.
" What room is May Parker in? " Peter asked politely.
" Room 613 " She replied, looking up the information on her computer.
" Do you know how she is? "
The nurse could tell from Peter's troubled expression that he was very worried. " She should be okay after a few days rest. " She replied, studying the information on her monitor. " If she had come to us sooner, we could have stopped the illness long before it developed into pneumonia. "
" That's my Aunt May, " Peter said, frowning at her hard headedness. " Stubborn as an ox. "
He thanked the young nurse and made his way to his aunt's room.
" Peter. " The old woman beamed as he entered the room.
" Hi, Aunt May. " he said gently as he sat down by her side.
" Looks like I'm making a habit of ending up in hospital, " Aunt May said, her face becoming grave once more.
" It's not your fault you're sick, Aunt May. " Peter tried to comfort her. " You just should have come sooner. "
" I don't have the money to consult doctors all the time Peter! " Aunt May exclaimed. " I'm just an old widow. If only Ben and I... " her lower lip tembled. " We should have saved away more money for our retirement. "
Peter felt tears brimming in his eyes. " Don't worry about the money, Aunt May. Things will work out okay. "
****
He looked over at the young blonde woman next to him. His hand made its way to her exposed knee, gently caressing it as he drove.
Gwen moved her leg away, feeling uncomfortable at having Flash making moves on her so quickly.
He glanced at her as he sped along the Freeway. " What's wrong, Baby? " he asked and made a face. " You don't wanna play anymore? "
Gwen frowned. " What are you talking about? "
" Oh you just love the fact that you're going out with the most popular guy in a fancy car, but... "
" This isn't highschool, Flash! " Gwen retorted. " Act like a grown up! "
She moved away from him as far away as possible, and looked out the window, still frowning. Her features contorted to one of pure horror.
" Oh my God, look out! " She screamed.
Flash turned his head to see what she was screaming about. His eyes nearly popped out of his head, and he slammed on the brakes. The sportscar skidded across the surface of the road, swerving madly its tyres making a horrible noise.
Metal clashed with metal, a horrible screetching sound as Flash's car narrowly scraped by... some metallic monstrocity.
He turned in his seat to find the object that had been in his path, but it was gone. " Wha... what the hell was THAT? " he exclaimed, looking at his date. She didn't reply. Gwen had hit her head against the windshield, and lost consciousness.
" Gwen! " Flash was overcome with panic. He shook her limp body, trying to resusitate her. " Gwen! " he whispered urgently. " Wake up, Gwen please. "
Realising he wasn't going to accomplish anything by shaking her, Flash started the engine of his car and sped off to New York General Hospital. He kept talking to her all the way there. Whimpering that she was going to be okay.
****
As Peter walked out of the hospital elevator into the lobby, he saw a silver porche skid to halt right in front of the entry to the hospital. Flash Thompson leaped out of the car, rushed to the passenger side and lifted a woman out of her seat. He carried her into the reception area, screaming for help.
Peter rushed to the jock's side, eager to help.
" Somebody get me a doctor! " A very panicked Flash screamed. Then he spotted Peter. " Parker! Come and help me over here! "
Flash set Gwen down on one of the visitors' couches gently. Peter felt for a pulse. She was alive, very much so. Just knocked out. He inspected her body for any other bruises, while Flash nervously explained what had happened. " I think she's going to be okay Flash. She's just knocked out. No broken bones as far as I can see. "
Just as he finished the sentence, Gwen's eyes fluttered open weakly. " What happened? " She asked, obviously dazed. " Am I dead? "
Peter chuckled at the question. " No. You're in hospital. There's been an accident. "
Flash shoved him out of the way violently. " Are you okay, Sweetheart? "
Gwen frowned, seeing Flash's face again. " Don't call me Sweetheart. " She sat upright on the couch, and touched her bruised forehead lightly.
A doctor came running down the hallway. " Is everyone okay? "
Peter nodded. " Yeah. Nothing serious, but I think you should get Gwen here some pain killers. She's had a nasty knock to the head. " He kneeled by her side again, and studied her with his caring blue eyes. " Should I call someone for you? Family or friends...? "
" My father, " Gwen replied. " Please phone my father and ask him to come and pick me up. " She gave Peter her phone number, and he set off to make the call. Flash sat down next to Gwen and attempted to apologise again. She would have nothing of it.
A few minutes later, a very angry Captain Stacy collected his daughter from the hospital, thanking Peter for his help and prohibiting Flash Thompson from ever setting foot in his house, or coming near his daughter again. Gwen, feeling much better hugged Peter goodbye and shot him one last smile as she got into her father's car. " See ya around, Pete. " she mouthed as they drove off. Peter waved after them, feeling good having helped someone in need without having donned the red and blue tights. Peter Parker the hero.
