AN: Hey guys, I'm back with another chapter of Watch Your Step. This chapter has a lot going on in it so I hope you enjoy reading it!
Apologies for bad grammar or spelling a head of time.
Chapter 14: the OsCorp Kingdom
Upon hearing the sirens, I got suited up on a roof and did some alley jumping. Each one that I jumped over I would look down to see if anyone was there, but it was surprisingly quiet tonight. So why the sirens? Was I in the wrong place? The further I looked out I saw more traffic jam going to the bridge. There.
People were running away from it when I got there. I cop came up next to me, "Freeze! Stay right where you are!"
Really? I looked at him up and down, "Yeah, right," I made myself jump high to where I could get on the wire parts of the bridge. I then leaped to where I was away from him and started to run down Passed all the parked vehicles. I could see cars being thrown off the side of the bridge! People could be in there!
A car was then flying in my direction. No one was in it. I quickly dodged out of the way and it hit the van behind me. That was close. Another one was thrown, this time people were in it.
Crap. Brace yourself.
I held out my hands so I could possibly catch it. This will hurt a lot. My hands made a grabbing motion and they squished the hood like it was tin foil. I did actually stop it this way. I set it down and the people got out yelling thank you.
Further down the bridge I saw silky ropes hanging off the side, but what they were attached to was more surprising. Cars, that's right big, clunky, shit-box shaped, everyday people cars. Being hold by a thin string like a web…wait a minute.
"Somebody help!" I turned my attention to a woman who was further down. I jumped in front of her, "What's the problem?"
"Wow you're really her," she shook her head, "My sister! She's stuck under the car! And I think she broke something!" I ran to the upside down grey mini van and saw another woman hanging upside down.
"Help me! I'm stuck! The seatbelt won't let me go! And my leg hurts!"
My hand was out in a calming way, "Everything will be fine. I'll get you out."
"I smell gas!" Okay maybe everything won't be fine. I got on the ground to see some drops of liquid travel toward another area. Somewhere with flames. Crap! I crawled under the car to get to the seatbelt. Okay, I think I can just crush this apart.
Crunch! Umf!
Her weight fell on top of me, "Ow!" she cried. She did break her leg. I squirmed my way out from under her and took her arm, "Let's get out of here," I kicked open the car door.
"Hurry!" I heard her sister yell.
"I'm going!" I finally got out and then dragged her. She got caught on something. I looked down to see her jeans were ripped on a piece of metal. I saw the gas was getting closer to the flame. Shit!
"Sorry," I said right before I yanked her out of there. She did yell out in pain and I felt really bad for her. I picked her up to carry her away to safety with her sister.
BOOM!
The explosion went off right behind me so I crouched over the girl so she could be safe. When we were far enough away I placed her on the ground, "Now someone should be by soon. So you may have to wait a little bit."
They both nodded at me, "Thank you so much." The sisters hugged one another tightly. I felt happy for them, they have each other.
I got out of there and made it on to a roof just off the bridge. I don't know what was happening, but I fear it's only the beginning.
"You did great back there," I heard a familiar voice. I turned to see Bug Boy crouched up on the edge.
"Could have used your help," I said back.
He shook his head, "I was busy fighting a giant lizard."
"So it was Godzilla that attacked the bridge? Damn, Toho was right."
"No, he wasn't that big. He was, well, bigger than me. Anyway, you need to keep on the lookout."
"I think it would be hard to miss a giant lizard running around the city. I mean it's not like he's a chameleon, right?" I asked. Bug boy shook his head, "Not as far as I know."
He turned as if he was about to leave, "Bug Boy!" I yelled. He looked at me, "Are you still…young?"
"If I was too old I wouldn't be doing this."
I rolled my eyes, as if he could see it, "I mean, are you in high school?"
He leaped down from his spot, "Why does it matter? Are you?"
"Um…no. I was just wondering. Are you or aren't you?" I said irritated at him. I lied, obviously, but he was still being annoying.
"It doesn't matter. All I want to do is help out-," A car alarm went off near us. We both looked to the edge and saw a person running away from a car with a broken window.
"You distract him, I'll sneak up on him," I jumped down and ran after the thief. Bug Boy shot a web, "How about I catch him and you go home."
"Or not!" I was running after the thief and Bug Boy jumped in front of him, "Hey! Nice night for a lovely jog? You do look a little cold. Here," he webbed his face, "Keep you warm."
I tackled the criminal and had him pinned down. The guy was yelling, "Why do they always yell?"
"Because you're scary looking. Move out the way, I have an idea," I did move as he webbed him in a cocoon like way then dangled him from the lamp post. I laughed at how funny it look, "Wow, you really out do yourself."
"I try," he turned to me, "You could use some of these," he held up his wrists to show me where the web came out of.
"I could use those, but I think I'm good for now."
"Aw, don't want to be partners in crime fighting?" his voice got a little whinny.
I shook my head, "So are you the one spreading rumors that we're a team?"
"I thought that was you to be honest."
"Now we got them right where we want them!" Some big guy said out of a dark alley. Me and Bug Boy looked around to see more thugs surrounding us. It was a trap and we were dumb enough to fall for it. Here I thought this was just another car thief.
"We'll get you out later, Joey," the leader said, "But first we take these Spider Freaks out!"
We turned to where we were back to back at one another, "How good are you in a fight?" he asked.
A thug charged at me and I easily punched him down, "Good enough."
We began to get attacked in different directions. I would be kicking and leaping above them while he webbed a bunch of the others together. We did get a few hits in from the gang. I managed to do a flip into one guy. The weight I put in my feet sent him flying into a garbage can. When it was all done we were the ones left standing. He seemed like he was almost out of breath, "I wasn't expecting to get jumped tonight."
"Same," police sirens went off making Bug Boy stand up straight, "That's my exit."
"Wait! What if we just talk to them? Tell them how we mean no harm."
"Tried that and failed," The cops were here. I looked around myself and saw all the thugs lying on the ground. No they have to understand, "Just wait!" Bug Boy was half way up a wall to a building. The three cop cars slowed down to us.
"Freeze!" I held up my hands, "No! You got it wrong I'm just trying to help! We are just trying to help! Look around!"
The cop ignored me, "Get down on the ground, Criminal!"
Criminal? Criminal. Criminal! That means I'm no better to him than the rest of these unconscious losers. Not even Bug Boy got a pass for this And he is more of a hero than me! I felt my gut explode with rage, "I'M NOT A CRIMINAL!" I kicked the gun out of his hand then punched him in the face. Bug Boy looked at me, "Great job! Now they definitely think we're criminals!"
"Then they should go back to eating donuts," The rest of the cops started to shoot at me, but I started to duck and dodge out of the way. I felt a sting on my arm, but I didn't pay attention to it. I slide under him to bring him down. Bug Boy jumped off the wall to web the cop's hands together, protecting them, while I continued to fight them. They think I'm a criminal? Fine! After the last cop was down more sirens were heard.
"We need to get out of here!" he pleaded.
"So you better get going then!" I yelled. He got up close to me, "Look don't do this! You are only going to prove to them you are like one of these guys," he pointed to the thugs.
"Let me give them a reason to think so!"
"Alright, no!" Bug Boy webbed my hands together and grabbed me, "You are gonna cool off somewhere else!"
"Let me go!" He swung me out of there. When he set me down on a roof top in another place he tore open the webs. I straight up punched him in the face, "Don't ever do that again unless you want to die!"
He held onto his cheek, "You get one hit, lady. One! Now I did you a favor back there otherwise you would have regret it!"
We stayed silent for a moment until he pointed at my arm, "Are you bleeding?" I looked at it closely. Bullet graze.
"It's nothing," I said sternly, "You should let me look at it," He stepped closer, but I yanked myself away, "Back off!" He held his hands up, "Fine then, bleed to death!"
"I heal pretty fast. I'll be fine," I said over my shoulder. I took a deep breath into the night air. I heard footsteps get closer to me, "So do you have rapid healing or something?" I heard him ask.
I shook my head, "No, I mean it's not gonna go away until a few days. Punches and slight cuts are one thing," I held on to my wound, "Gunshots take up more time I guess."
"You've never been shot, have you?"
I tilted my head and looked to him, "No. I've been shot at, stabbed, cut, punched, kicked, slapped, pricked, my hairs been pulled before, but no. I've never actually had a bullet touch me."
He slightly nodded, "You seem to be taking it well," I removed my hand to look down then covered it again, "Was only a matter of time."
"Listen, I'm leaving. Do you want me to help you down or home-"
"We're not on some date. You could have left a long time ago," I interrupted. He continued with a bit of frustration in his voice, "I was only being nice and wanted to know if I could help."
"I'll be fine. Just go," Bug Boy shot out a web and jumped off the roof. I guess it was time I went home too.
Everything was blurry in my vision like a blinding light was being shinned in my face. I couldn't even move my hands or legs, I could barely turn my head. I could hear a buzz saw working in the distance. I looked around with my eyes and saw four shadowy figures. The one closest to me seemed pleased that I was helpless.
"Don't worry, Jessica. We just want to know what makes you tick," I could see his face. It was Norman Osborn, but he looked just like he did in the picture of the OsCorp scientists.
"No," I whimpered. I tried tugging my arms upwards, but they were strapped down like the rest of my body, "Help me!" I cried.
"Jessica, don't be afraid," I quickly look over to see Jonathan with bullet holes in his chest. He was in a white lab coat and holding a scalpel, "No!"
I heard the buzz saw again, "That's not a toy, assistant!" After some laughing from far away, Dr. Connors was here too, but he had on a surgeon mask, "I told you to be careful," he held his hand out, "Assistant, saw," the man that handed him the buzz saw had black hair that was slicked back. He had these bright green eyes with a mischievous look on his face, "Well aren't you interesting?" His voice was chilling.
The saw started up and cut into me. I let out a blood curdling scream.
I shot up in my bed yelling; instantly covering my mouth. My eyes were watery and I was sweaty all over. My mom came into my room, "Jessica!"
"Mom! I'm alright. I just had a really bad dream. I'm fine," my voice broke as I began to silently cry. She gave me a concerned look and pulled me in for a hug. I held on to her as if I haven't seen her in forever.
"It's okay. Nothing is going to happen to you. I'm here and I love you," I managed to stop tearing up, "I love you too."
"You haven't had nightmares like these since you were little," she said soothingly.
"I had nightmares?" Mom nodded, "It was around when your father died. I had to take you to a therapist for that."
I've been to another therapist before Doc? I looked up at her, "What was his name?" My mom thought a out it for a moment, "It was a she. Umm, I think it was Sark? Or Sarkiss. I don't know. I'm pretty sure her first name started with an O."
I nodded as I let go of her, "Thanks mom. I feel better now."
She smiled at me, "Okay. Go to bed then," when she left I started to search my bed for my phone. I needed a light to go find the folder Connors gave me. My hand hit the side of something hard and flat. I grabbed it and then found my phone. When I turned on the light I saw it was the Norse mythology book. I tossed it off my bed then went to look for the folder. I pulled it out from behind my desk and opened it up.
Skimming through the report I found a name, Dr. Ophelia Sarkissian. In closing report it says here that this woman had to give me therapy after Jonathan's "car accident". Why don't I remember her? Then again, why didn't I remember my father being shot in the first place. Great, another question added to the pile of mysteries.
This lady, Ophelia Sarkissian, must have some connection to OsCorp. She probably is in their files. It was two in the morning when I looked at the clock. I grabbed my suit to put it on.
I stood on a roof looking at the tall OsCorp building. Yeah, I'm doing what you think I'm doing. I'm busting into OsCorp. They must have everything on file, if not Connors or Osborn will. My arm was still messed up from before, but It was no longer a problem. I got a running start to jump on the side of the glass. This will be a long way up to the roof. As I looked in the windows no one was here, if anything a few night shift custodians, but they were too busy with work to notice me.
When I got to the top I walked over to the door. Locked.
Just as I expected. I looked to see if it opened by actual lock or ID scanner. ID scanner. I pulled out the card key I took from that one scientist the first time I broke into OsCorp. The door open with no problem, so I walked down the stairs.
I'll try Dr. Connors first. Seeing as how maybe he and Jonathan were partners, he must know something else. Something he is hiding from me for protection. Protection for who? I don't know yet; for all I know he is trying to keep his ass safe. I don't blame him; Norman has him pretty scared. Working with Jonathan must have painted a target on his head at some point. I know because so do I, but the difference between my target and everyone else that worked on me, mine says do no kill. Seems like everyone is expendable to Norman.
I got to the lab and opened the door. When I was at Connor's office there was another scanner. I waved the card over it and got a buzz noise that turned the screen red. Crap. I Conner's and anyone above can only enter here. I couldn't steal a badge from anyone at a higher level? I heard singing from a distance. Someone's coming!
I quickly hid below a nearby desk. It was a middle-aged man that was a janitor collecting trash in the lab. He must have some type of master key to this place. I stood up and walked up to him. Clearing my throat he turned around scared at first, but I worked a little romance in his heart.
"Your eyes," he had an accent, but I couldn't pin point it, "are such a beautiful shade of white," I smirked at him, "Thank you. Can I have any keys to this whole building you might have?"
He pulled out a ring of normal, metal ones and three different cards. I took them, "Can you tell me what each one does?" I asked confused.
I entered Connor's office after I told the janitor to take the night off. I opened up his filing cabinet to see if there was anything on Dr. Sarkissian. Skimming through nothing on her popped up, but I did find a file on "Jonathan Drew". I pulled it out and took it with me. I went back up the stairs to Norman's Office. He's the big boss around here so I'm bound to find something.
I used all card scanners to try and open it up, but none worked. Norman must really be a private person. I looked over to his secretary's desk. Or he probably doesn't want anyone i. His office when isn't. The name plate read Victoria Hand. All the drawers on her desk had no locks except one at the top. I grabbed a couple of paper clips off her desk and started to pick it. I learned how to lock pick back in the early stages of my teenage life. I would get locked in dark supplies or janitor closets back then. Being a bully beater pissed off their friends so I would get tossed into solitude, but I adapted. I learned how to get out and now I'm using it to break into to dark places.
Her drawn unlocked revealing a badge on top of everything in there. Opening Osborn's office was much easier now. On the entire left wall it was just a glass window looking over the city. He sees this everyday, must be nice. I sat at his desk and turned on his computer. A login password was needed, five letters. Passwords are normally something close by or something you love. I glanced at a picture on his desk of him and his son. Umm, Harry?
Access Denied
So much for family. I looked around his desk again to see if anything could be a hint. Five letters. Five letters. Paper? No that's just dumb. Apple? Lemon? Grape? Fruit? Man, I'm actually hungry now. Bacon? It's definitely bacon.
Access Denied
I'd put bacon. Okay be serious. Upset? Happy? Norman never looks happy. Not even in this picture of him and his son. Angry? Birds? Imagine Norman Osborn playing Angry Birds and losing. He would probably be a genius at that game. I wonder how he feels about himself being such a genius. Wait...Brain?
Access Allowed
Wow, he loves his own brain. Why am I not surprised? I typed in Dr. Ophelia Sarkissian's name in the search bar and click enter. Nothing. I typed in Wundagore Widow. Nothing again. I tilted my head and typed in Jessica Drew. One file available. I clicked it and skimmed through more seeing Sarkissian's name and a picture. She had dark brown hair and green eyes. She was a therapist for Osborn back then. Why would she treat me? Why would Norman's therapist treat me, a dumb little kid at the time? Unless Osborn wanted to make sure I would be mentally stable. Or maybe to forget. I was young and easily manipulated after Jonathan died. This therapist probably suppressed my memories so I wouldn't talk about Jonathan's murder and just remember it all as an accident. A random act of faith. But that was all bullshit! Bastards. Smart bastards.
I saw pictures of me as a child in here. Pictures taken from the window of my old house, pictures of me in the backyard playing, pictures of me in my room with Miles as a kitten. It was so creepy that I clicked out of that.
I looked at the time and it was going to be four soon. I had to leave, to get out. By the time I got home it was six-thirty and I snuck right into bed. My mom opened the door to check on me, but I just acted like I was asleep. When she left, my phone buzzed. I looked at it and saw it was from Harry.
"Hey, do you want to meet for coffee later? Say around nine?"
I threw my head into my pillow, "Make it ten o'clock and I'll see you then."
I saw Harry sitting down at a table holding a cup and another one in front of him. When I approached him I said, "Hey, is that for me?" I pointed at the cup. He nodded, "Yeah, here. How've you been?"
He handed me the cup. Well, I did just break into your father's building and hacked his computer so...I guess okay. Actually, no. I'm doing terrible because I found out your father brain-washed me into forgetting Jonathan's assassination. I let out a pretend smile, "Great. You?"
"I'm pretty alright. I am glad we are hanging out right now."
"I was a little surprised when you invited me out here. Didn't think Mr. Popular wanted to hang out with someone like me," I said.
Harry smirked, "Don't be surprised. You're a very interesting girl," I let out a huff, "Interesting," I paused thinking of that word, "I keep getting that lately. Makes me feel like a lab rat."
Harry could hear how my voice became sullen, "You shouldn't feel that way. You should be lucky that people are genuinely interested in you."
"Oh yeah, look at all the people lining up to meet me," I held out my arms so he could see the view of the people that wanted to meet me. There was no one there, "Harry, I have two friends. I'm just a girl from Greenwich that gets into one too many fights. There is nothing interesting there."
"Well, you are friends with Peter so I thought it would be good to get to know you," he took a sip of his coffee. I sat there surprised, "You talk to Peter?" He nodded, "Yeah."
"Why have I never seen you two talking to each other?"
Harry set down his cup, "I've been sent to private school after private school. I either flunk out of get kicked out, Jessica."
I made an 'ouch' face, "Norman must not like you around?" He slightly nodded, "He's just busy. Too busy to spend time with me," Dude, he doesn't even have you as his password. Things are pretty rough between you two, "So what?" I said, "You haven't talked to Peter that much because you're afraid of being sent away again?"
Harry was silent for a moment, but looked down at his lap, "I'd rather not go through the pain of leaving a friend again. That's why I'm always around the, what did you say? "Douche bag sandwich group"?" Harry tilted his head at me, "But me and Pete do go way back. He's…he's really special. He can kind of be like a brother to me," Harry gazed off to a distant memory I couldn't see. It did look happy.
"My, my there's always something new I find out about that boy," I decided now would be okay for me to pull out a cigarette. I put it in my mouth and lit it. When I offered a cigarette to Harry he shook his head, "He's a great guy. Bit of a nerd, but still pretty cool," he smirked.
I exhaled some smoke, "Peter is more than that. For the longest time I thought Gwen was the perfect person. And I say that in the best way possible. But then Peter came around and he-he really became the kind of person I want to be like. He's been through a lot, but he keeps going. He hangs in there. You know?" I took another inhale, "You guys go back a lot further than I thought. I've only know him recently."
"I first met Pete when we were really young. I can't believe it's been that long actually…"
"I've been on my own a lot since I was eight. My mom was always working to take care of me," I put out my cigarette when it was half way done, "Yeah, Gwen was there for me as a friend, but at the end of the day it was just me being alone. And when I look at you, I see the same thing. I know what it's like, Harry," I picked up my cup, "I'm saying this to you because I'm tired of being alone. I'm tired of being the loser everyone thinks I am. And Throwing away our past of being rude to each other, Harry, would you want to be friends?"
That seemed to take him by surprise. Well, hell, I was surprised myself. I can't believe I managed to say it though. All of it is true, I wasn't lying, but I think I scared Harry off a bit when he didn't really say anything.
"Oh no, what did i say wrong?" I tried to keep my voice calm. I didn't want to yell at him. He tried gathering his thoughts to put it in words, "Nothing it's just…No one's really asked me that before. People tend to just attach themselves to me until they've gotten something worthwhile and then they leave."
I frowned at him. He doesn't think I'm trusting enough. Why would he though? Billionaire's son talking to shady weird girl. Who would think that was safe? Looking at it like that it does seem like I want something from him. But I don't! I honestly do want to be his friend. I know Harry won't end up like his dad. Harry is worth that chance. If Harry doesn't have a chance, than do I? If Harry Osborn can't get away from that dark shadow he's behind than how can I? I looked up at him, "Come with me somewhere there's something I want you to see."
"Okay. What do you want to show me?"
"It's a surprise," I grabbed his arm and started to drag him away to my surprise. We were walking for a while until he spoke, "So do you like Peter?"
I turned to look at him when he asked that question, "Yeah, I guess I do."
He smirked, "Like a lot?"
"Like enough," I smirked back, "But I don't think he likes me anymore," I turned back to Harry, "I yelled at him," my voice made a guilty tone, "I screwed it up."
"Well, I've screwed up things like that before," Harry said. Was he trying to make me feel better? It wasn't really working, "There was this one girl that I like when I went to a boarding school in England. She was sweet, nice, thoughtful. She loved listening to people. One day I went to ranted about how I was flunking out, but instead I ended up yelling at her for not understanding."
"What was her name?" I asked. He seemed to be a little sad when he mentioned her, "Anna. I miss her sometimes."
"Hey," I said to him, "You'll find an Anna again. Or maybe you'll be with her again. You never know," he gave me a small smile. I turned to look at the house we were in front of, "We're here."
Harry and I looked at this abandoned, old, lonely house. It looked like it should have a nice family living inside it, well it did at one point. My family, "I use to live here when I was a kid, "I turned to him then pointed at the street, "This was where I first learned how to ride a bike. This was where I got my first nasty scrap on my knee," I looked over at the cob webbed porch, "That tree right there was the first one (and I think only one) that I climbed," the tree looked old and was rotting away, "This was the house where my entire life changed. After my mom and I had to move out, I would come back in here every once and a while and just remember what my life was like before my dad died," I paused realizing how long it's been since I've been here, "And I haven't been back here in a while since I found out that my dad wasn't really my dad. It was just too much pain from how my mom would lie about that. This house in a way is a part of me. And I haven't shown this to anyone...so..."
Harry was speechless. He had this overwhelmed face on him as he was staring at the house. It wasn't pretty now like it was then, but it was still beautiful, the memories of it. I loved this house and have wanted to live in it again, "Wow…" was the first thing to come out, "I don't mean to be rude, but why are you showing me this?" he looked at me with his mouth still open.
Why did I do it? Well, shrugging my shoulders I gave him my first answer, "I don't know. I guess I'm doing this so you can know that you can trust me. Or that I won't just abandon you like you're nothing. Because you're not."
"That's…thanks. That means a lot, really. Do you feel like you can trust me?" I glanced at my old house, then at him. One thing for sure I don't trust Norman and this is his son, but they aren't the same person, "Yes. I don't know what it is, but I feel that I can."
After another quiet moment Harry just said, "Good. I'm glad," he pointed at me and himself, "This, what's going on here. I like this. I feel like I can call you a friend now."
"Well, that was the plan," I joked. Harry nodded, "It was a good plan."
AN: Thank you for reading! I had help with the whole conversation between Harry and Jessica from a friend of mine, Grendel. I like calling her a Harry Osborn expert. She is great.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. There was a lot going on in here. I think this story only has a few more chapters in it until I'm ending it.
Before I leave, here's a quick joke I heard. What kind of material is Mario's pants made of? Denim Denim Denim! Just say that out loud to yourself. I thought it was funny.
So see you guys later. Kisses!