NOTE: This is a REALLY long chapter. I apologize for it, but I had a lot of fun writing it, and I hope you have fun reading it. Enjoy!

SPIDER-MAN: DARK WOUNDS

NOT SO FRIENDLY REMINDERS:

The cold shower brought my mind back to reality. It wasn't the most satisfying thing, but it helped me think straight after the nightmares. I was actually kind of happy though. The nightmares were more intense, but were coming less often; possible a sign that I'm recuperating?

xXx

I walked into my room refreshed and clean. As I approached my dresser my foot kicked over the chest next to my bed.

"Son of a bitch..." I scolded to my self while rubbing my foot.

Once the pain had gone away, I noticed the contents of the chest; my old Spider-man suit. Well, it wasn't really a suit, it was just some old clothing and a ski-mask, but all the same…

The sight of the "suit" hadn't brought back any memories, or chills down my back. Actually, looking at it felt good…great! I shrugged off the feeling and put it back in the chest.

xXx

"Mornin' Pete." Ben smiled, putting on his tie. "Ready for your first day back at school?"

I looked at the calendar.

November 17th.

"Damn. What is really time to go back already?" I thought to myself angrily while pouring a bowl of Cheerios.

"Yeah, I guess so…" I said spacey.

"Otto called…" Ben said trailing off.

"Otto? Why?" I said surprised, taking a spoon out of the draw.

"He cares, I guess." Ben said shrugging his shoulders. "He said that he can't wait to see you after school." He walked over to the coffee machine and poured himself a cup.

Dr. Otto Octavius. He's one of the world's most renowned nuclear scientists. I go to his lab after school for college science courses every Tuesday.

"Cool, cool." I said trying to change the subject. "So, hows, um, how are things at the Bugle…?"

"They're pretty good. Jonah has me working on some geneticist named 'Curt Connors'. Maybe you've heard of him, because I don't have the slightest clue on all this science crap." Ben joked, gulping down his coffee.

I looked at the clock.

6:38 AM

"Otto's mentioned him a couple of times." I replied, dumping my cereal in the trash.

"Ask him about this Connor's guy." Ben said interested. "It would be nice to know some information on him."

Ben finished his coffee and looked at the clock.

6:40 AM

"Oh crap!" Ben sputtered. "We're late."

He ran over to the sink threw his glass in. He looked at me quickly while he went go grab his coat.

"Get you're stuff, pal!" He said ushering my over to my backpack.

I picked up my bag waited outside the apartment door patiently. Ben rushed out and pulled the keys from his pocket in one motion.

"Damn." He snuffed as he ran back inside. He came back a second later. "Forgot my cigs." He smiled, waving a packet of 'Marlboro' cigarettes in his hand.

"What else is new?" I smiled.

"Smartass." he laughed, threatening to push me down the steps.

xXx

The rain was miserable; even more miserable than yesterday. Yesterday I could stay at the graveyard for 2 hours and barely get soaked. Today, it would take two minutes to get soaked. The constant wind didn't help the matter either.

I was more than happy when Ben called a taxi for us. We climbed in and closed the door. I couldn't help but feel bad for the handful of stragglers on the sidewalk.

"Midtown High School." Ben said to the driver, teeth chattering.

I looked at his shirt. He had one of the new Daily Bugle employee pins on.

"Hey can I look at that?" I asked, my hand reaching for the tag.

"Yeah, yeah…here." Ben snapped it off and placed it in my hand.

"Ben Urich: Investigative reporter." I read aloud.

The night of the murder; Ben was the only person in the social services department for me. Apparently Captain Stacy called him asking if he knew of anybody willing to take me in to finish my last two years of high school.

He volunteered in a heart beat.

I gave him back the pin, and sat back in my seat; appreciating the rain splattered windows of the taxi cab.

xXx

Arriving at Midtown High was like a strange family reunion. Everything was still familiar but it felt like I hadn't seen it in ages.

I walked to my locker, which was covered in "I'm sorry" notes. Pity notes I assumed. I tore them all off when nobody was around threw them in the trash. I kept Harry and Gwen's. I knew there's were sincere; even if they had called me a hundred times before.

I headed for first period with high hopes and good thoughts.

xXx

Being back at school was bittersweet. It kept my mind of my troubles and gave me something to do; something I was good at. At the same time, I was known as "the orphan." People looked at me weird and ignored me all together. A note on my locker wasn't weird but actually talking to me was…

xXx

I was…less that happy to be walking into third period science. While it was my only class, excluding lunch, that held both Harry and Gwen, it was also my only class with both Flash and Kong.

Flash was a mental bully. He didn't physically hurt you by will, but he wasn't afraid to insult the crap out of you until you felt physically hurt.

Kong however, was not so bad. Despite his appearance; he was a softy. He listened and laughed at Flash but when he needed science help, I was always there. I actually kind of liked Kong. He was the kind of guy you don't like, but don't hate. Talking to Kong was like talking to distant relative.

xXx

"Hello, Peter." Mr. Trainer beamed. "Glad you're back. I suspect your break was not wasted."

"No, sir." I replied kindly.

I took a set between Harry and Gwen.

"Oh my God, Peter!" Gwen chirped, jumping out of her seat and hugging me.

"Hi…Gwen." I coughed. "Little tight."

"Sorry" Gwen said, embarrassed.

"Hey, buddy." Harry chimed patting my back once Gwen had taken her seat.

"Hey, Harry." I replied. "How's your Dad?"

"Eh, the same." Harry spat, resentment in his voice. "Busy, busy, busy."

"Well, well, well, if it isn't point Dexter himself." Flash announced taking a seat behind me.

Ugh. Flash Thompson. That wasn't even his real name.

"Yeah, I'm back, Flash." I moaned. "Don't get too excited; your hair gel might catch fire."

"Ok, ok, class." Mr. Trainer boomed. "Today we are starting our first lesson in the human anatomy."

"Oh, oh, oh!" Kong sung, raising his hand quickly.

"Yes, Kong?" Mr. Trainer asked peeking over his already low hanging glasses.

"Are we going to dissect people?" he replied happily.

"Yep." Flash said smiling. "Starting with Peter's aunt and uncle."

The class went silent, like a gunshot had gone off.

A suicide gunshot.

A murdering gunshot.

Flash continued to smile, but it soon left his face quickly when he noticed no one was laughing, but staring at him in dismay. He looked at Kong for a reassuring laugh. Kong got up, glared at him and moved to another desk.

"Eugene." Mr. Trainer said calmly. "Get. Out. Now."

"But Mr. Trainer…"

"NOW!" he yelled, teeth bearing.

Flash left, head hung low and closed the door behind him.

Mr. Trainer took a few seconds to let it all sink in.

"Peter…I'm so sorry about that." He sighed, sincerity in his voice. "That will never happen again."

"I can deal with Flash." I half smiled. "No worries."

"Good…good." Mr. Trainer whispered, standing up straight.

"Peter…" Gwen began, putting her arm on my shoulder.

"You OK, dude?" Harry asked.

"Guys, really, I'm fine." I laughed. "I just wanna learn. Ya know, the reason we all came to school."

They both backed off, feeling helpless.

xXx

It was a pretty normal day, aside from third period and I was strangely excited to head over to Octavius' lab. I usually wasn't, but the weird reunion feeling I had been getting was nice. However, my locker showed me more about Kong than expected.

I made my way to my locker, squeezing through the "end-of-the-day crowds" and opened it quickly. My ninth period English teacher wanted to talk to me about the robbery which severely put me behind schedule.

I opened my locker to find a note.

"Oh crap. Another note." I thought to myself bitterly.

The note read:

Hey, if you got time, meet me by the senior parking lot after school.

Kong

This gave me quite a shock. Why would Kong want to talk to me? Even though I was already late, I couldn't help but see what Kong wanted.

xXx

I arrived at the senior parking lot quickly, not wanting to waste anymore time and saw Kong drinking a 'Monster' next to the dumpster.

"Hey, Parker" Kong chocked, forcing the mouthful of energy drink down his throat.

"Uh, hey, Kong…" I sputtered, not sure how to react to the animal-like greeting.

"Sorry 'bout that." Kong apologized, tossing the can in the dumpster next to him. "We need to talk."

"About?"

"Flash."

"Great. The one subject I didn't want to talk about." I thought angrily.

"What happened in science today…was messed up. I-I didn't know Flash was goin' to do that." Kong said quietly, scratching the back of his skull. "It was a sincere question and that douche bag made me look like I set it up."

There was real sincerity in his voice. Kong was a person after all.

"Kong-" I started.

"No, no." Kong interrupted. "I need to put this out there. It may seem like I go along with Flash, but lately, he's been nothing but trash. And I'm sorry…for everything."

"Kong…I really appreciate that. But it it's too much to ask; can I go? I'm late for something" I said, embarrassed .

"Yeah, sure…." Kong said waving me along.

I began to turn around when Kong called me over again.

"Crap. Wait!" Kong called.

I came back quickly wondering what else he needed to say.

"I'm having a party at my house…and well, I'm inviting you." Kong smiled. "Before you say anything, you can bring Harry and Gwen. It's all cool."

"Thanks, Kong." I said, taking the invitation.

xXx

I was five minutes late to Octavius' lab, which was amazing. Considering all the set-backs I thought I was going to be at least a half hour late.

I walked in and noticed he was talking to a girl, woman, over his desk. She was probably an inch taller than me with purple hair and a nice smile.

I walked over, embarrassed by the newcomer.

"Ah, if it isn't Mr. Parker." Otto shined with his light German accent.

"Hi." I replied politely.

"Peter, this is Carolyn Trainer. She's a student of mine at Manhattan College." Otto began. "She's majoring in genetics and is my top pupil"

"Nice to meet you, Peter" Carolyn beamed, holding her hand out for a handshake. "Otto's told me a lot about you."

"Say, does your father teach high school science?" I asked, shaking her hand carefully.

"Yes, he does." She responded in amazement. "He got me into science. How'd you know?"

"He's my science teacher." I smiled.

"Good, now that you two have met. I think me and Carolyn will begin work." Otto interrupted. "You, Mr. Parker, have some homework to finish." He smiled.