CHAPTER 5: SOMEONE COMES FORWARD & RERUN'S WISH

At the Serpent Sisters' compound, Cobra was by herself. It was Christmas Eve, but she wasn't in the Christmas mood. She was busy trying to gather information on the rogue Spider members that trashed Fillmore Street. Just then she heard a knock at the door. She walked up to it.

"Who is it?" she asked.

"It's me, Black Widow! Let me in!" Cobra opened the door for her rival. They've been working together to sort out the mess between them.

"So do you have any more information that I can use, Widow?" asked Cobra.

"Maybe," said Widow. "I talked to a kid in my neighborhood who heard 'rumors' about a new gang starting up called the Lizard Ladies. And they've been recruiting others for this new gang."

"Is that it?"

"Nope. Also they think they one of your girls is the leader, but haven't confirmed anything as of yet."

"Well I told Mamba and Python to stay vigilant and if they had any intel to let me know."

"Probably a smart idea. I actually thought these girls left the Spiders because they wanted out of the gang life, but turns out that they were starting their own gang from the beginning."

"If it's true about this new group, the Lizard Ladies, both of us may be in for some trouble."

"I think so, too. After Christmas, I think we should get our gangs together for a meeting."

"Absolutely. Anyway, I'm about to leave, Widow. If anything else comes up, I'll let you know as well."

"Okay, Cobra. It's about time I started heading back, myself." And the two gang leaders headed out of the Serpents' hideout.

Elsewhere, Rerun was walking with Linus and Eudora. He was sad because he hadn't seen much of Lucy (Mamba) at all. So when the three of them passed a department store, Rerun asked Linus if he could go in and visit Santa. The three of them went inside and Rerun got in line. He suggested that Linus and Eudora walk the store for a while. He wanted to talk to Santa alone. The lovebirds complied and went to look at some of the things in the store. When it was Rerun's turn to talk to Santa, he got up on his lap.

"Well hello, young man," said Santa.

"Hi, Santa," said a sad Rerun.

"My you don't look like you're in the Christmas spirit," Santa noticed.

"That would be an understatement," Rerun replied. "This is why I came to see you, Santa. This is what I want for Christmas. I would like to have my sister back. She hasn't been around much and it seems like she's leading a secret life. All I want is for her to be back in our family."

Santa saw that the boy was serious. He knew Rerun was suffering. He placed a hand on his shoulder and said warmly, "Don't worry, lad. I am sure your sister still loves you very much. And I can guarantee that on Christmas Day, she will be there with you and your family."

That made Rerun feel a little better. He really hoped that Lucy would be back and not hanging out with her new friends as she had been. Afterwards, Rerun thanked Santa and went on his way to look for Linus and Eudora. He spotted them in the book section of the store.

"Did you talk to Santa, Rerun?" asked Linus.

"Yeah, I did," he replied.

"Did you tell him what you wanted for Christmas, dear?" asked Eudora.

"I did tell him. And I hope it comes true."

"If you have faith, anything is possible," said Linus. "Remember that, Rerun, and your wish can and will come true."

"I hope so, Linus," said a hopeful Rerun. And the three of them left for home.

NEXT CHAPTER: CHRISTMASTIME IS HERE