SPIDER-MAN: THE OTHER SPIDER (CHAPTER 19)
8:35 am Stacy residence…
"Citizens are mourning the loss of 2 people at yesterday night's attack on the Forest Hills Town Hall. An 87-year-old man named Eugene Diaz and a 37-year-old woman named Carmen Hartland…", A news lady said on screen.
George carefully watched the news report on the TV while scribbling down notes for the investigation. As soon as he heard footsteps from the staircase, George muted the television as soon as Gwen came into the kitchen.
"Morning, dad…" Gwen said still in her pyjamas.
"Morning, sweetheart." George said while sipping up a bit of black tea.
"You seem busy now." Gwen said as she walked up and opened the pantry.
"I sure am, because last night was a heavy hitter." George replied tapping his pencil.
"What do you mean?" Gwen asked as she looked for the box of cereal.
"The town hall incident from yesterday. The authorities have reported that Chinese triad members were responsible for the attack." George said, "And that's a huge concern for us living at Forest Hills. It's not even the first time the place was attacked if you remember the stuff with Hammerhead and Chameleon."
"That's awful. What exactly is happening, dad?" Gwen asked again.
"I don't know. Have you heard that Wilson Fisk wants to renovate the F.E.A.S.T. headquarters at Queens as part of his electoral scheme? He's lucky that another demolition crew got to it first though." George said.
"I'm not into politics, dad." Gwen said sitting down on the table with her cereal box and bowl.
"Well, it's not about that. It's a matter of safety. Fisk's numero uno plan is basically to stomp out crime. Sounds too good to be true on his end." George said, "I just don't like the guy."
"Dad?" Gwen asked sensing how frustrated George is.
"Nothing." George smiled, "Point is…You should be careful around the neighbourhood. I don't know the truth about this attack and I don't know how bad things are. I gotta go at 10 to meet with local authorities anyway so… Got anything else?"
"Nothing really." Gwen sheepishly replied, "Guess I'll think of the future."
As Gwen silently ate her breakfast, George soon began talking again.
"Oh yes… Mrs. Porker just messaged me as well." George notified.
"Mrs. Porker? Who the heck is that?" Gwen asked.
"She's the guardian of your boyfriend, right? The brown-haired young man?" George asked, "Or is he your ex now?"
"Dad, you mean Peter Parker, right? What about him now?" Gwen asked again.
"Shoot, honest mistake." George said with a little laugh, "Yeah. She told me that her nephew hasn't come home last night. As in he's missing."
"Could it be he's hanging out with friends and that he forgot to message her?" Gwen asked.
"Well, she sounds concerned. And a woman of her age might not handle losses like this very well." George said, "You don't perhaps know a thing about how he's doing right?"
"No, I haven't talked to him after I said, 'we're done'." Gwen said.
"Well, help me out then. The last thing we need is a report of a local boy gone missing." George said.
Even though, Gwen was not with Peter anymore. A part of her was concerned about his wellbeing.
"Is Peter having a mental breakdown now?" Gwen wondered thinking their relationship strain might have affected him, "Peter… What are you hiding from me?"
8:47 am Fisk's penthouse, Queens…
Meanwhile on the other side of town not far from the Stacy residence was Wilson's penthouse. Today marks the day in which Wilson practices for his speeches in an attempt to win over the trust of Queens. Wilson was still tucked in his bedsheets next to his wife pondering on ideas.
"Feeling nervous today, honey?" Vanessa asked as she rolled over.
"As long as you're with me, I am ready for any challenge." Wilson said turning around and smiling before holding her face against his.
"I think we should get up now." Vanessa said.
Wilson nodded as the two went to get dressed. Wilson picked the best black business suit and did the buttoning by himself. He did some things by himself after all despite beliefs that he had servants helping him.
"You look… Mesmerising, dear." Wilson said when he turned around to see Vanessa in a red dress.
"I'm not sure if red is a colour, you're comfortable with." Vanessa said examining the dress.
"No, no… It's absolutely fine." Wilson said, "You always do your best to look good, right?"
Vanessa giggled at Wilson's awkwardness before kissing him on the cheek.
"I'll see you tonight. And… Good luck for tomorrow." Vanessa said as she walked out of the bedroom.
Wilson nodded before his phone rang.
"Boss? Are you up yet?" James Wesley asked on the phone.
"I'm awake now, Wesley. What is it?" Wilson asked.
"Mr. Lincoln wants some words with you." Wesley replied.
"Scramble the line then. I know he wants to share some things." Wilson said.
The phone line then changed into a different number.
"Hey, Wilson. My man… You finished laying with your wife this morning?" Tombstone greeted with an innuendo.
"Shut your mouth. I know about last night. And I'm talking about you and the Spider-Man." Wilson said holding the phone to his ear.
"Ain't that the truth. The little weed came to my place yesterday to knock some sense into me. In relation to you. But he ain't worth squat. I'm telling you; I swear I broke both of his legs yesterday." Tombstone boasted.
"Do you have a body bag following this?" Wilson asked.
"Body bag? Ugh, you don't keep victims lying in front of me. I toss them out right afterwards." Tombstone said.
"How do you if he's actually dead then if you don't have a body?" Wilson questioned.
"I have photos. Real non photo-shopped pictures. They're cleanly plastered onto news programs, the Bugle and more. Now I'm the rock star." Tombstone said.
"You imbecile!" Wilson shouted.
"I'm all good, thank you. I took care of a problem for you. Maybe you could pay me in advance after this?" Tombstone said, "I can also help with your promotion for tomorrow."
"I would be happier if there's more concrete proof of your victory. For now, you are just a boastful thug." Wilson said.
"Tsk. Take care of your own problems then. That Spider boy was your thing to begin with. Especially after all the dirty- "Tombstone said before Wilson cut off the line in frustration.
Wilson tried to keep his temper under control as well as his pride in check. He then decided if he wanted breakfast first or to practice his speech right now.
"I think I'll eat more for lunch today." Wilson said.
11:30 am Flushing Meadows-Corona Park…
Gwen sat close to the Unisphere and watched the streams of water sprout out near the stainless-steel Earth structure. She thought about the things that worried her most. Her internship and studies at Empire State University were jeopardised ever since Anton Rodriquez had gone missing.
Now it was Peter Parker who is out of her life. The one person she liked bonding with and the guilt of breaking up with him put a huge burden on her. Worse, her strange spider-like powers she had tried to suppress are a complicated matter she could not bring herself to share with anyone.
"My days are so crap now." Gwen said as she sat worried.
As she sat in front of the Unisphere, she thought about what she could do next. The first thing that came to mind was Peter's recent absence. She was going to try compile a list of people close to Peter that would have an idea on where he has gone. Typing up the list on her phone, Gwen looked at the list of people she believed were good suspects.
-May (First one to notify Peter as missing)
-Flash (An absolute jerk)
-Liz (Could Peter be seeing her?)
-Ned (His best friend)
-Bugle people (Place where Peter works)
"Oh, I know." Gwen said staring at 'Ned' on her screen.
Ned was the reason they split up and if he had something to do with Peter's disappearance, she was happy to make him squeal even if he was his best friend.
6:34 pm Leeds residence…
That evening, Gwen wore a black hoodie over her head as she perched on the treetop and waited for Ned to come home. She also had a black mask with two open eye sockets on her and patiently watched for Ned to arrive.
As soon as Ned came hobbling forward looking tired from work, Gwen jumped the chance to snatch Ned up causing him to drop his bag with the camera inside.
"Oh my god… Please, I don't know who Spider-Man is!" Ned cried in fear as a messy string of web tangled him up.
As Ned was pulled by Gwen upwards, she held him face close to her until she pulled off the mask.
"Where's Peter, Ned?" Gwen asked.
"Gwen, is that you? Phew… Listen, I've been asking that question myself." Ned answered.
Gwen then pulled him upwards and hung him by the tree branch before asking him again.
"You broke my relationship with him. And you know things I don't." Gwen said.
"Are you angry with me? I would never hurt Peter. You know that." Ned protested.
"Sure." Gwen answered, "Anyway, why did you cry out Spider-Man's name then?"
"I'm going through a lot, Gwen. I'm paranoid every day." Ned said.
"So am I." Gwen said, "Now answer my question. Or I'll hand you over to the wolf pack that's chasing you."
Ned slowly tried to suppress his whimpering before giving out an answer.
"I work with Spider-Man. I work with him to fight crime. It's why there's bad people after me now." Ned said.
"My dad also works with him. What's so special about you?" Gwen sharply asked.
"Well… You see…" Ned said.
"Spill it out!" Gwen demanded.
"Spider-Man is Peter Parker! Peter Parker is Spider-Man!" Ned said while being concerned that people heard him.
Gwen then let go of the web and let Ned land with a thud onto the grassy kerb.
"What?" Gwen asked.
TO BE CONTINUED…
End note: Just so we are clear, this isn't Gwen being evil or anything. She's been given a lot baggage and needs to learn a couple of things like Peter does.