The Black Cat scanned the roof tops, looking for her wild adversary. She pushed her platinum blonde hair out of the face, but it continued to blow in the wind beneath the moonlight. "Kraven!" She screamed with anger and a hint of despair, "Come out and fight me!"
She was about to leave and try another spot, but suddenly she heard a light thud behind her. "You've come back for more, kitty? I see your precious Spider is not with you? Is he dead yet?"
"Give me the antidote!" Felicia demanded.
"Don't be rude! Even pretty girls like you have to say please."
Felicia thrust forward, slashing her claws across his face and following it with a drop kick. Kraven retreated. He touched his face and examined his fingers which were covered in blood. "If that's how you want to play. You want the antidote, come 'n get it!"
Felicia lunged at Kraven and the two raged in bitter battle…
Two Years Earlier
"Peter, Peter!" Felicia called as she ran up to him on the street.
Peter slowed down and let Felicia catch up with him. He greeted her with a smile, "Hello Felicia. What's up?"
"You haven't been in Chem class the last couple of weeks. Its good to see you. What have you been up to?"
"Oh," Peter stuttered, "I've been busy."
Felicia put her arm around his. Peter was startled at first but then he relaxed and continued walking with Felicia at his side.
"Maybe we could hang out sometime when you're not too busy?"
Peter's heart raced. He couldn't deny his feelings for Felicia. She was beautiful, daring, and clever. She had also recently saved his life, which amazed Peter even more. Then again she didn't know about this, she thought she was saving Spider-man. But still, she was incredible.
"Sure, Felicia. I'd love to hang out with you." Peter said this with enthusiasm but he couldn't help wondering why she was suddenly interested in him again.
"Great. You're such an interesting person. How's your job at the Bugle going?" Felicia asked.
"It's good."
"Glad to hear it." Felicia looked away and played with her hair a bit before asking her next question, "So how do you get such amazing pictures?"
"If I told you I'd have to kill you," Peter replied with an uneasy laugh. He was beginning to suspect that Felicia had ulterior motives.
"I was wondering how you always managed to get such good pictures of Spider-man. How do you know where to find him?"
Peter's heart sank. Felicia's advances were purely to get information about Spider-man. It was ironic that Felicia wanted to know how to find Spider-man, unaware that she was currently holding his hand. But Peter couldn't enjoy the irony. His heart was crushed. Would he ever find love? Would anyone really love the man underneath the suit. "I'm just lucky. I have good journalistic instincts," Peter said solemnly.
Felicia sensed that she had upset Peter, "Is something wrong?"
Peter let go of Felicia's hand and stepped away, "Look, I can't help you find Spider-man. I'm sorry."
"Peter, what do you mean?" Felicia tried to act innocently, now that her ploy had been recognized.
"Felicia, you don't have to pretend that you like me. I understand. But I'm telling you that I don't know where Spider-man is." Peter turned away from Felicia and continued walking, not looking back.
"Peter," Felicia called out but he didn't respond. She hadn't meant to hurt him. But she was desperate to catch another glimpse of the masked man. All of Felicia's thoughts revolved around Spider-man. She needed to be with him again, even if for a moment.
Felicia sulked as she walked back to her dorm room. She respected and admired Peter. She didn't want him to feel hurt. And at the same time she knew that she did what she had to do. She was burning inside and would explode if she didn't see Spider-man again. Felicia turned a corner and was suddenly grabbed from behind. Before she knew what was going on, a man had put a handkerchief to her face and she lost consciousness.
When she awoke she was in an unfamiliar room, tied to a chair. A man in all black was standing in the corner. And though she was afraid for her life, Felicia couldn't help feeling excited at the idea that Spider-man would show up and save her.
"Let me go! You'll be sorry if you don't. People will be looking for me." Felicia screamed.
"You're awake, good."
"Let me go now and maybe you won't get hurt." Felicia said daringly to her kidnapper.
The man in black laughed, "Ah Felicia. It was so easy to kidnap you. For someone with such a wealthy family you shouldn't walk the streets of New York alone."
Felicia began screaming, "Help! Help!"
"No one can here you. This room is sound proof. Now calm down and we'll talk. I really didn't mean to frighten you."
"I'll never talk with a maniac like you. You can kill me but you won't get a cent of my mother's money." Felicia replied.
"Felicia, I don't want money. And I don't want to kill you. Don't you recognize me?" The man stepped forward into the light, "I'm your father."
To be continued…