SPIDER-MAN: THE OTHER SPIDER (CHAPTER 38)
2:15 pm Parker residence…
Peter came home early feeling a little happy that he got his job back at the Daily Bugle. It was a small victory to savour over the big price that had been paid for the other things. Opening his house door, he was ready to relax.
"Short day?" May asked surprising Peter.
"Aunt May? You're home?" Peter said back.
"I'm taking a few weeks off from work, in case you were wondering." May answered, "Gotta refrain from work stress."
"Oh, that's nice…I was just about to say… I got my job back at the Bugle." Peter said.
"Really? Wonderful news." May said approvingly, "After all, I can't be the only one paying the bills."
"Don't worry, May. I'm still working to get back to studying." Peter said.
"Well, make it soon and quick. Those offers get taken if you're not careful." May reminded, "Speaking of…"
May stopped and sniffed the air. This was followed by the sound of scratching upstairs.
"What is that smell? And that noise?" May asked.
"Oh, eh…" Peter replied embarrassingly.
May gave Peter one quick glance before heading upstairs to Peter's room. Peter followed in nervous anticipation. As soon as May opened Peter's door, she found King sitting in the middle of the room licking his paws while bits of orange cat hair shed on the floor.
The cat meowed before darting to the window that Peter left open when he left the house.
"Of all the things I was suspicious about…" May said, "Peter, you know that there are NO pets allowed in the Parker house."
"I know but… This is Ned's cat. It's his parting gift ever since… His mum passed and when he left…" Peter said.
May gave one big sigh before Peter pleaded with her.
"Please, I can look after it. I didn't just want this cat just because I always wanted one." Peter begged.
"Peter, before you were here with us. Ben and I owned a German Shepard that loved rolling around in puddles. As soon as that rascal came home, it was a disaster." May said with a little smile.
"Ernie, was it?" Peter replied, "Yeah, I think Uncle Ben mentioned him a few times growing up."
"You gotta take the cat elsewhere." May said, "I don't want waste my energy cleaning the house because of this fiend."
"I take full responsibility then." Peter immediately said, "Let me handle it. After all, it's my power."
May looked at Peter in a funny manner before Peter cracked a smile.
"I-I mean… 'With great power comes, great responsibility'." Peter said, "Yeah."
"Okay, I'll give you a chance. You're an adult now, so look after it as well as possible. Don't let it scratch the house. Or we have to call the pet pound." May said in approval.
"Thanks, Aunt May. I won't let you down." Peter said nodding.
As May left Peter, Peter turned to the cat who looked straight back at him in the eye.
"You couldn't just take a walk out the window?" Peter said annoyed.
As Peter inspected his room carefully for any damages, he walked up to his closet and looked at King again.
"Hopefully, you won't give away my secrets." Peter said again as he made sure his Spider-suit and other gear were well hidden.
After a few minutes, Peter sat on his bed and scrolled through his phone. He then thought about phoning Gwen to see how she was doing. As he dialled her number, he waited for the response.
"Hi, this is Gwen. If you have something to say, please leave a voice message." The automatic response on his phone said.
"Strange, what is going on?" Peter said wondering if she was busy as Spider-Woman.
Peter then tried a text message but it was not a guarantee either that Gwen would respond.
"Anyone in the family know?" Peter wondered before trying to phone George.
Peter did exactly that and immediately got a response from George.
"Peter Parker. What's going on, my boy?" George answered.
"Hey, Mr. Stacy. I'm just ringing to see if you know what Gwen is doing at the moment." Peter said.
"Gwen? Sorry… I don't know. She hasn't said anything for 4 hours. Usually she's in touch constantly with me." George said.
"Huh… Does she have a new job or something?" Peter asked again.
"No, she's not working at the moment. She's…" George replied, "Come to think of it, you don't suppose something bad happened to her, right?"
"Uh, no. Hopefully not…" Peter said back in concern.
"Hang on, thanks for calling." George said before hanging up.
Peter then wondered to himself if Gwen was really in danger. Afterwards, he heard a buzz inside his closet.
"Don't tell me…" Peter said before opening the closet.
George was calling to him as Spider-Man through the mask headpiece communicator.
11:15 am U-Genetics private room…
Early on, Gwen woke up to the sight of a bright light bulb hanging in front of her. Her wrists and legs had been tied down onto a table that seemed to be used for dissection. As she woke up, she realised she was still unmasked ever since Miller beat her.
"Enjoy the light?" Miller's voice whispered.
Gwen lifted her head to look around the room she was situated in. It was a dark science lab which was easily a favourite environment of Miller's. Gwen then turned her head around and saw Miller in his new human form. At first, she thought it was someone else.
"Who are you?" Gwen asked in concern.
Miller turned around making Gwen feel puzzled. If this was Miller, it was even more not the one she remembered as a human.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Forgot to say… Yes, I had a make-up change." Miller said touching his own face, "I earned it through my own wits. Like it?"
"What other secrets are you hiding?" Gwen asked in response to Miller's new human appearance.
"Secrets? This isn't a secret; this is a recent change I did to become part of the 'loving' world again." Miller replied, "Oh, secrets… Well now I really don't want to tell…"
Miller grinned before switching back. The tension for Gwen was there, she was stuck on the table waiting for Miller's immoral experimentation to begin.
"Oh, I have someone I'd like to introduce to you…" Miller said seemingly excited.
Grabbing a flashlight on table, he shined a light to the corner of the room. A little boy in a sweater and short jeans stood at the corner swaying side by side. His eyes looked droopy as if he did not have enough sleep.
"This is my son, Elijah." Miller said, "He has been so supportive of his father."
"He looks tired." Gwen stated noting the behaviour of the boy.
"Oh, I promise he'll get better." Miller scoffed, "Elijah, you mind returning to the tank of yours? Daddy's got some delicate work to do."
The boy obeyed and shambled his way to the door. However, before he could the door, he collapsed head first onto the floor.
"Oh dear." Miller said, "Anyway… Let's focus on you, my dear."
"Let me summarise. You're a green furry monster; you somehow know to change your appearance from person to another; you have secret labs and… You probably perform disgusting experiments on other people even kids." Gwen said.
Miller as usual was not fazed by Gwen's horrified words as he leaned forward.
"I'm about to go places soon." Miller said, "And now… I'm about to do what I long sought."
Miller then pulled out a syringe needle filled with a blue coloured dosage. Gwen was about to scream but the needle was inserted into Gwen's arm.
"I always liked you as a student, Gwendolyn. You were top of the class. Smart. Beautiful." Miller said as he watched Gwen struggle, "But now I'm asking for your consent. To help me create work that will blow the world's mind!"
5:15 pm Forest Hills suburb…
George sat inside his car as he waited, he then heard a thud on the car rooftop and was greeted by Spider-Man who peered down.
"Sorry, I'm late. Kinda busy when you're the friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man." Spider-Man said.
"I gotta tell you something first, Spider-Man. In case you haven't heard… I've moved house to Brooklyn." George said.
"So, I've heard. I've been busy with other stuff. Didn't realise how serious of a problem it was going to be when there's a spider monster and a green fur bag supposedly." Spider-Man said in return.
"Oh, but I've bet you gave both those things a hell of a fight." George said with a smile.
"Sure did…" Spider-Man said while noting he only fought Miller with Gwen by his side.
"Why don't you hop in the car?" George asked feeling comfortable and trusting to Spider-Man, "Just chat it out like normal people."
George then unlocked the car doors and allowed Spider-Man to enter the backseats.
"Oh, I love these seats. Really comfortable." Spider-Man said sitting down after closing the car door.
"Don't get too comfortable because we're about to get serious." George answered.
Spider-Man sat straight up and listened in on George.
"My daughter seems to be missing. It's kind of… Out of character. I'm just asking if you could help me with this issue and put it to rest." George said.
"Is she the kind to be busy with friends?" Spider-Man asked.
"Hmph. No, if she is then it better not be people like drug-dealers and other people." George said back.
Spider-Man then thought for a little before giving an answer.
"Captain Stacy. Former Captain. Maybe there's a connection with the attack made at your old house." Spider-Man said, "I'm just… Throwing it out there."
George took a deep breath before answering.
"You could be right which means you are the right person to call for situations like this." George said clutching the steering wheel.
"Okay, for starters… The spider monster known as Anton Rodríguez. Is dead. He died in a scuffle unfortunately with another 'Spider-Man' supposedly." Spider-Man said, "Which means Miller Warren is our next lead."
"Miller Warren… Isn't that the science teacher; chemistry one at Midtown High?" George asked, "He taught my daughter back then."
"No, I'm sure from what I've read that there are two Warren's. The one you are referring to was Raymond Warren, I believe." Spider-Man deduced.
"Wow, you sure are ahead of the curve when it comes to detective work." George said.
"I only just know." Spider-Man replied.
"Say, you know where to find a green furry werewolf monster?" George asked again.
"Actually… I don't. But maybe we could see if we could reach one of the brother's first." Spider-Man said.
"Alrighty, which one though?" George asked.
"Raymond Warren. He might have some answers for us." Spider-Man said.
"Then it's settled, let's do a little parent-teacher reunion." George said as he started the engine.
"I'll see you there." Spider-Man said before opening the car door.
"Wait…" George said before Spider-Man closed the door and swung out.
"Of course." George said again as he watched the web-slinger swing in front of him.
5:35 pm Fisk Tower…
"This project better be possible." Wilson said over the phone, "Tomorrow. We could go over the energy trials."
Wilson finished the phone conversation before being greeted by his three Enforcers who dragged a police officer in cuffs into the room.
"We have nosy cops trying to investigate the warehouse back to you, sir." Ronald answered.
"Should we shut down the operations there?" Dan asked.
"Yes… But the operations clearly need to be more discreet." Wilson answered before staring down at the officer that is held hostage.
The officer looked at Wilson fearfully in the eye before he tried to be brave.
"I knew there was something off about the NYPD lately. The crimes we've been facing… They have funding… All the way back to you!" The officer said.
Wilson laughed a little before he glared at the officer.
"Well done, officer. I'm looking forward to presenting your medal and overseeing your promotion." Wilson said, "You've served with honour."
Afterwards, Wilson nodded to his Enforcers prompting Jack to load up his pistol and shoot the officer in the back in silence.
"I want every officer poking their heads in that warehouse to be rounded up." Wilson demanded, "No loose ends; no wary cops."
"We're going to gun down every last one of them?" Jack asked looking down at the body.
"Not yet. We're going to do something more first." Wilson said, "Every cop will be on their toes for this."
5:45 pm Raymond Warren residence…
George parked his car near the kerb right before Spider-Man had arrived at the destination.
"Okay, this is the place, right?" George said to Spider-Man through the earpiece as Spider-Man himself perched on a tree.
"It's the same as described in Midtown High schoolbook." Spider-Man replied," I'll be listening in, okay?"
"Gotcha." George acknowledged as he headed towards the house door.
As George rang the doorbell, Spider-Man watched as Mr. Warren opened the door sporting much greyer hair around his bald head than before but still retaining his middle age look. Peter and Gwen's former science teacher was a laid-back individual who Peter looked up to.
"Always helped us with homework." Spider-Man said to himself.
"Uh…Mr. Warren. Hi. I'm George Stacy, I'm the father of one of your former students. Her name is Gwen." George said.
"Ah, what a coincidence. Good evening, how can I help?" Raymond said back.
"Have you seen my daughter as of late?" George asked.
"No, why?" Raymond asked in a confused tone.
"She was also a former student of your brother, Miller. The one that's a green fur monster in case you don't know." George said.
Spider-Man watched Raymond look around anxiously before getting George to come inside leaving him with only the voices to listen to.
"Mr. Stacy. I hate to say this. I don't know where your daughter is and I pray she's safe." Raymond said.
"What kind of trouble is she in? Can you tell me about your brother?" George asked.
"Miller is my smarter half. He's teaching at university while I'm still stuck teaching teenagers. That's until everything else…" Raymond said.
"What else can you tell me?" George asked.
"Other than teaching? He's doing his own research. He has told me that he started work at a private company named U-Genetics. I don't know what he's working on there but he said once it's done it will change science as we know it." Raymond said.
"U-Genetics?" Spider-Man whispered as he listened.
"Any idea where this place is?" George asked.
"I'll show you…" Raymond replied.
After those words, Spider-Man listened as Raymond spoke out the address details.
"Greenwich… Manhattan." Spider-Man noted.
"So, what's your occupation now, Mr. Stacy?" Raymond casually asked.
"Me? I used to be police captain at Forest Hills. Now I'm a small-time private detective." George said, "Not too profitable unfortunately but it's the best I got now."
"Well, I'll make sure to promote your business more then." Raymond laughed.
"Hey, George. I'm going to head down to that 'U-Genetics' place now." Spider-Man said, "Catch up later."
6:15 pm U-Genetics…
Gwen remained restrained to the table as Miller stacked up five tubes that were filled with aliquots of Gwen's blood.
"Marvellous." Miller mused, "Once I mass produce more, I help people out there become better."
"That's ironic considering the insane man you are." Gwen insulted.
Miller then walked over to Gwen and squeezed her cheeks.
"I will tolerate less defiance from now on." Miller warned, "Anton would've been disappointed."
"I won't be your next lab rat." Gwen said again, "Not since what you've done to him."
"Ah, but it was you that delivered the blow on him. Right? Think, Gwendolyn… I know who you are behind the mask and I can make the world shun you for what you have done." Miller said, "If that doesn't sound nice then you best not make it happen…"
Gwen stared down Miller before something else popped into the mad scientist.
"Stay here while I fetch some ice." Miller said before walking away from the room.
Left alone, Gwen struggled at the tight restraints. The restraints seem to resist her super-strength which was considered baffling.
"What kind of table is this? Who makes them?" Gwen wondered as she tried to pull herself out.
After a couple of tries, it seemed like there was little she could to free herself. However, something in her nerves hit like adrenaline. This prompted Gwen to try again once more which yearned different results.
Gwen's wrist turned translucent which then allowed them to phase through the restraints. This surprised Gwen considering that she thought she only had powers similar to Peter. The next thing she knew, she tried with her legs and the same result happened. She was no longer bound.
"Did-did I just phase through?" Gwen asked looking at her wrists.
After asking herself the question, Gwen looked around instantly. She could not waste anymore time being in Miller's hellhole and began to look for an escape route. Before she found a suitable ventilation hole, she picked up her mask which had been lying across the desk and placed it back on head.
"Web-shooters still broken." Gwen said before twiddling her fingers, "But still have my sticky fingers."
Gwen then saw the blood sample tubes in which she swiped the tubes on the ground breaking them. She could not let Miller carry on with his insidious experiments especially with her DNA being the focal point.
"Sure, hope he doesn't temper tantrum over this." Gwen said as she hurried to the vent.
Using her newly acquired phase ability, she went through the vent without having to open it beginning her escape to freedom. Upon returning, Miller furiously banged his fist on the wall upon finding that his precious specimen had escaped as well as the samples he acquired become broken and contaminated. While he owned his lab, he was far from owning a large corporate one that had all the needed security to run quality science.
"How did she escape those restraints?!" Miller questioned.
Miller's confusion and anger on how the escape happened soon eased after remembering that he still had knowledge on Gwen's identity. With that knowledge, Miller earned back a devious smile to himself and he was looking forward to creating more threats for her.
7:00 pm Manhattan swinging…
Spider-Man swung across the city as he tried hard to make it to U-Genetics. The streets were busy with lights as Spider-Man swung as desperately as he could to find Gwen.
"If I don't make it, Gwen might be Warren's mind-controlled minion. Or worse." Spider-Man said breathing through his mask as he took high altitude.
He soon felt his Spider-sense tingle from a nearby presence. Looking around, he was hit by Gwen who had leapt from one building onto him. Before landing, Spider-Man used one web to zip himself to a rooftop while grabbing onto Gwen with his arm.
"Gwen, thank god." Spider-Man said gasping for breath after they landed.
"Were you on the way to rescue me? Please don't." Gwen said as he got off Spider-Man.
"Yeah I was. You okay?" Spider-Man asked.
"No, I was subjected to some of the worst hell in science." Gwen said lifting her costume sleeve up to reveal blood punctures on her arm.
"Yikes." Spider-Man said, "Anyway, your dad was also helping me look for you as well."
"Really? Can you tell him that I'm okay?" Gwen asked pulling out her own phone which is nearly dead.
Dialling George's number, Spider-Man waited for a response.
"Mr. Stacy, are you there?" Spider-Man answered over the phone.
After a few minutes, no return call was picked up. Gwen then took the phone out of Spider-Man's hand and tried saying something herself.
"Dad?" Gwen asked over the silent phone.
TO BE CONTINUED…