The silence was deafening as Billy Bob and Darryl sat with their guns trained on their hostages. BB's gun was aimed specifically at Belle. But she sat there stoically, staring them down. Peter sat on the sofa glowering at the gunman as he held his still throbbing shoulder.
Thinking back, he thought that he had the two thugs until he had to take the blow. Even though his night vision was far superior to normal humans, he sensed the fireplace poker coming at him more than saw it. But he also knew that just a foot away from him, Deanna was crouched beside a chair in direct line of the iron weapon. If he ducked, which he could have done easily, the full force of the strike would have taken the girl in the head, killing her. Without time to web it, he closed his eyes and braced for the blow. Brilliant white light was swallowed by the total darkness as Peter succumbed to the pain. He never felt the ground rise up to meet him. The next thing he remembered was looking up into the face of Belle.
Now here he was trying to clear his head and come up with a plan ASAP. These men were not going to let anyone live. Of this he was certain. He was at the point where he was no longer concerned about his secret identity. It was more of the innocent people, the men holding guns and his diminished capacity that held his worry.
When Billy caught him eyeing him, he said, "You hit pretty hard for a geek. You take karate lessons or something?"
"Or something."
"You wanna try for another piece of me, dontcha, kid?" Billy Bob taunted.
"Leave him alone, Billy, We don't want to give anyone else a reason to start trouble," his partner warned.
But he ignored Darryl. "I know what would set you off." And his eyes drifted to Deanna. A sinister smile cracking the corners of his mouth.
The color drained from the young girls face as Peter's eyes narrowed in anger. Her mom bit her lip as she held the hand of her still unconscious husband. Peter rose slowly in defiance, fighting back the vertigo that accompanied the pain and the terror that ate away at his confidence. He hissed, "Leave her alone."
"Or you'll do what, nerd? Hit me with your college book?" the gunman asked as he rose to meet the challenge.
Peter's right hand fisted and was pulled back preparing to attack when he heard the soft click of a gun hammer being cocked. Then he felt the cold barrel just behind his ear, "Don't kid, it's not worth it." His concentration had been so centered on Billy, he never felt Darryl come up beside him.
As the hothead started towards a now defenseless Peter, Darryl said, "Billy Bob, let it go, man. I don't want to take the chance. Let's just sit this out, we'll be on our way in a few hours."
The quick-tempered gunman turned to face his cool buddy and was about to start swinging at him when they heard the gale outside quickly fade to silence. Acting as if on cue, everyone turned and looked up thinking they could see the storm abate through the ceiling.
"Heh, heh. See kid, luck's on your side. Sounds like the storm's over, so we will just grab our things and skedaddle. C'mon Billy, let's get out while we can."
Darryl suddenly had a bad feeling when he looked over at his buddy. A strange look came over Billy's face, a sadistic, sinister look. Darryl at no point thought that they were going to off the hostages but here was his partner preparing to do just that. Darryl grabbed his companion by the sleeve, and pulled him into the main hallway "No, Billy, don't do it. Let's just go."
"They know what we look like, they can describe you down to scar on your chin. They know our names and we held them at gunpoint. That in itself will send us back to the joint. And I ain't never going back."
As Billy Bob turned towards the cowering crowd, aiming his gun, Darryl grabbed him once again. "No! I'm not gonna be wanted for murder. Stealin's one thing, but I ain't gonna go down for murder."
As Billy Bob turned to face his soon-to-be-ex-partner, Peter took advantage of the distraction. It was now or never. And for the lives of everyone here, he had to throw his fears aside. As he snuffed the two candles closest to him, he whispered to whoever could hear, "The candles. Blow them out." In an instant, half of the lights were once again extinguished and Peter started his move. The two gunmen turned to see what was happening and prepared to shoot anything and everything. As total dark enveloped the room, Billy Bob started firing.
Deanna, saw that all hell was about to break loose, and quickly dove for the young kid. They huddled on the floor near the chair that she used for protection during the previous altercation. Splinters started flying from the wood paneling as both gunmen opened fire. The elderly sisters remained huddled in the darkest corner. Deanna's mom and dad were lying flat on the floor where Mike had fallen from the first fight. Josh's mom was screaming for her son, as she didn't see Deanna tackle him and Josh Sr, was scrambling on his stomach towards the shooters, the darkness shielding him.
Peter, now slingless, took aim and sent a hard webball directly at Billy Bob's head. But Billy was in mid-motion reacting to the new turmoil, so it ended up only a glancing blow. Reeling from the strike, the gunman ended up shooting several holes in the ceiling. Darryl saw where the object was 'thrown' from and started to fire in Peter's direction. Pete dove forward, onto the floor and closer to the gunmen. He thwipped out a line and caught Darryl by the ankles. In one smooth motion, he backed up into a half kneeling position and pulled with all his might. Darryl's feet flew out from under him with such force that he did a header onto the hard tile floor and was knocked cold.
Seeing that his partner just went down, Billy started shooting in the direction where he suspected the greatest threat came from. That was towards Peter. But the young man wasn't about to get shot again. He webbed the gun from the thug's hand, then launched himself up and prepared to strike. Billy saw the punch coming and sidestepped out of the way at the same time throwing a sucker punch to Peter's shoulder. Parker fell to one knee, a groan escaping his lips, but he rebounded instantly and fired a splay of webbing over the entire face of Billy.
As he grabbed at the goop stuck to his face, Billy was knocked clear across the grand hallway by a powerful kick. He blacked out even before he reached the other side.
Peter stood there looking at the two men making sure they weren't going to get back up. Breathing heavily, trying to compose himself, he realized, due to the very poor lighting, and everyone in hiding from the gunfire, that he had a chance to save his identity. Peter quickly gathered up all his webbing and threw it into a darkened corner where it would hopefully disintegrate before anyone would notice. Then he prayed that his secret was still intact.. With the imminent danger passed, everyone started to rise out of their hiding places. Peter looked for anything to tie the two hoodlums up: an electrical cord from a broken lamp, string from a busted blind and cord that held curtains to the side. While he was busy wrapping Darryl's ankles, Josh Sr came up behind Peter and started to help tie the men up. Mike, who had just awoken, also joined in the rodeo type setting, trussing Billy Bob's hands and legs together behind his back.
The three men stood and looked at their handiwork then Peter turned around to face the rest of the people, "Is everyone ok? Did anyone get hurt?"
He heard several muffled, "I'm fine" or "I'm ok." No one said they were hurt. He took a deep exhausted breath, and let his gaze fall to the floor.
Mike was the first to speak, "Let's get the rest of the candles lit again. We have to put these guys where they can't get to us again."
Josh, Sr added, "I think we should keep them separated. Where they can't find each other. Maybe even blindfolded?"
Many of the others nodded their heads in agreement. Then a small voice from the back of the room was heard, "Thanks, Pete."
A chorus of thank yous followed young Josh's sentiments. No one saw Pete's crimson blush in the dim light.
Once again they all looked up as the gale started up outside. Judge was heard to say, "Looks like the eye just past over us. You thugs don't know how lucky you are. You would have been out in the worst of the storm." Talking to the rest of the people he said, "We are going to have several more hours of this stuff. We can't do anymore tonight, and we should get some sleep, but I think we should take turns keeping watch over these two goons."
"I'll take the first watch," Peter volunteered.
"No Peter, you're going to be the first one to bed." Judge ordered. Then turning to everyone else, "Anyone disagree?"
There was a loud, unanimous agreement that the hero of the night needed to get some rest. When Judge handed out all of the watches Peter started to protest because he was not scheduled at all for any of the shifts. Even the women were taking turns. But Judge turned to Peter and said, "None of us would be here right now if you didn't risk your life and take these two out. Besides, I'm gonna have a helluva time explaining to my brother-in-law what we've done to you. You've done your fair share with this situation. You are to rest now. That's an order."
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Pete woke up to a very bright day. Even with the shutters still on the windows, the sunlight streamed in. He bolted out of bed not knowing the time or where the gunmen were and flew down the stairs. There in the living room were two state troopers taking notes from several of the guests. The gunmen were handcuffed and a third officer was escorting them to the patrol car.
"What's happening?" he inquired.
"Deanna got a call out on her cell phone very early this morning, and the police came right out." Judge explained. "Seems these guys are wanted for several armed robberies."
Peter watched the two thugs being escorted out. Just as Billy Bob was shoved out the door, he sent dagger-eyes back to Peter. But Pete's attention was diverted to the living room as he heard, "…and here is the hero of the day. If it weren't for him, we probably won't be alive right now."
One of the troopers came over, "So you knocked both these men out all by yourself?" He asked skeptically as he saw a nerdy young man with his arm in a sling.
Peter just nodded.
"And just how did you do that?"
"I threw something at the head of the first guy, then tackled the second."
"That's all? You threw something at the first guy and tackled the second? Would you like to elaborate a bit, fill in a few details?"
"It all happened so fast, I really don't recall any more detail."
Judge saw that the kid didn't want to discuss it any further and spoke up, "Officer, you have the bad guys in custody. All of us here said they were going to kill us, and witnessed this young man taking them out. Do you really need any more information?"
The officer looked at Judge, shook his head and left.
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Belle was saying goodbye to Josh's family as they were preparing to leave. All the guests had to leave since law prohibits customers from staying in an establishment if power is out without backup. And the B&B fit into that category.
Pete was saying goodbye to Deanna, "I have to admit, we had an interesting time."
"I'll say. Are all the dates you take girls on this exciting?"
Blushing, Pete said, "I wish."
"Well Peter Parker, I do want to thank you again for saving my life. Three times!" and with that she pulled him into a tonsil sucking kiss.
When she finally broke the connection, Peter swooned ever so slightly, glowing bright red and said sheepishly, "wow."
"Just in case you lost my first note," and she handed him another piece of paper with her name, address, cell phone, IM addy, and three other email addys. "Keep in touch, won't you?"
He just nodded, still caught up in the oxygen depriving smooch.
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The three remaining people of the B&B were sitting at the dining room table eating another dinner by candlelight. The conversation was fairly quiet, when Pete spoke up.
"Are you sure I don't have to leave Belle?"
"I'm sure. You are considered a personal guest, not a paying customer. It's no different than having family over. Besides, Carl sent you down here to heal and you haven't completed that part of the deal yet. You are staying for at least another week aren't you?"
He nodded
After a pause, she added, "You probably would have been better off staying up in New York."
"Hey, I'm fine really. With the hurricane gone and the goons in jail, I should heal up pretty fast. Besides, it was kinda fun. I mean there is quite an adrenaline rush when something like this happens." Realizing he just said it was fun to have two dangerous men threaten their lives Peter said quietly, "I think I'll shut up now."
"Nonsense. You're right, there was something exhilarating about the whole ordeal."
She continued, "You know, I'm really glad you did come down. Because we would all be dead now if you hadn't. Those men would have shown up whether you were here or not."
"I'm glad I could help," Peter said, blushing once again. He just wasn't used to all this praise.
Belle ate quietly for a moment, toying with what she wanted to say. Then looking closely at Peter she said, "Now I understand why Carl was so adamant about bringing you down here and making sure you were treated special. You are a very special person, Spiderman."
Pete just froze, his fork halfway to his mouth.
Judge decided to continue the conversation, "Only the Missus and I saw the webbing. We could see that everyone else was not in a position to witness what you actually did. So you needn't worry about the others. As for us, we are just thankful that Carl felt he could share you with us. Your secret is safe. Now, will you please do what you came down here for and heal!" A smile creased the gentleman's face.
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Dr. Carl Jackson was at his desk. He had been trying to get through to his sister to let Pete know that he had a long and fruitful talk with Mary Jane. His receptionist poked her head in. "The phones are finally back up, and I have your sister on the line."
"Thanks," and he lifted the handset, "Hi Belle, did you get any of the hurricane by you?"
He sat there in silence listening to his sibling. As she gave him an account of the past several days, his smiling face melted into a scowl and his eyes widened. Standing abruptly he bellowed, "WHAT?!!!"
The end.