The Amazing Spider-Girl

Chapter 7

PART ONE

Dr. Ratha sat at his desk as his four henchmen formed a wall in front of him. He looked at the men in suits expectantly, waving his hand for them to begin.

"Well? What did you find out?" Dr. Ratha asked, already annoyed at his men from the late start.

"Here are some pictures that we managed to get yesterday at his office. We also were able to recover some audio feed sir." The henchman placed a manila folder in front of his boss. Dr. Ratha flipped the cover open to reveal various pictures of 'Dr. Connors' in his office at Barden University. The second picture caught his attention, the girl in the photos looked familiar but he couldn't place where he'd seen her face before.

"Who's the girl?"

"Not sure sir, when we planted the bug we had missed half of their conversation. They were arguing about something, we're assuming she's a student of his." Dr. Ratha took a good look at the girl in the photo graph. Brown hair, blue eyes, she was much shorter than Dr. Connors. Where had he seen her before?

"Here's the audio recording sir." The guard set down the recorder on Dr. Ratha's desk and pressed play. Static crackled, filling the room before the audio began.

"PROTECT ME FROM WHAT?!"

"Look, I promise I will answer any questions you have okay? But this is not the place for them."

"So where then? So help me God if you fucking leave-"

"I'm not."

"I need to run to the bank really quick to take care of something. Meet me outside this building in one hour. Here, grab some lunch or anything you need. One hour, I promise."

"That's all that you managed to get?" Dr. Ratha asked, his gaze still focused on the recorder in front of him.

"Yes sir." Dr. Ratha nodded as he rested his chin on hand comfortably. He thought over his options briefly before deciding with the best one.

"Find out who the girl is, get anything you can on her immediately. I'll deal with him. Is that understood?" His men nodded silently before turning on their heels and exiting the room quickly. Dr. Ratha began to look over the pictures once again, taking his time to study every detail. He frowned as he pulled the phone of the hook and dialed his assistant.

"Elizabeth, get me the video surveillance from when the interns were here. I need everything you have, send them to my computer." He instructed her, his gaze never leaving the pictures in his hands.

"Right away Dr. Ratha." She answered him as he disconnected the call. A few minutes passed before he heard the distinctive *bing* notifying him that the security videos had been sent to his office computer.

He clicked through the various files and skimmed through the tapes, looking for footage of the interns for that specific day. He rested his chin on his hand as his eyes darted across the screens, searching for some kind of clue as to who the girl was, knowing he'd seen her before.

"There you are." Dr. Ratha whispered darkly to himself. He smiled predatorily, as if he was a cat and had just laid eyes on his mouse. He watched the screen as he saw the young girl with brown hair walk straight into him. "You're the imbecile that walked into me."

He paused the video on the still that had her name tag visible. He zoomed in the picture until the writing on the badge was readable and the pixels cleared.

"Anna Peterson…" He ran over several thoughts in his head of how to deal with the situation.

xxx

BECA POV

I stared at the blank white tiles of my ceiling, trying to find the different shapes and patterns in them, anything to try and distract my mind. My Beats were covering my ears but my playlist had finished a little over an hour ago and I couldn't find it in myself to start it over.

Uncle Ben was killed three days ago. His funeral was yesterday. Today was Saturday. I'd been feeling the same way since I'd had to stare at his headstone during the service. I'd stood in shock, staring at the words sketched across the stone for 3 hours, feeling nothing but numbness, nothing but guilt.

Benjamin Mitchell

Beloved Husband and Uncle

This wasn't fucking fair. Uncle Ben was one the nicest, most caring person…he didn't deserve this. He didn't deserve to die! I felt my throat tighten and my eyes water as the thoughts continued to haunt me.

I'd shut everybody out since the night we found out that Uncle Ben was murdered. It was how I coped- I needed to shut everybody out, I needed the distance. I looked strong on the outside, I didn't cry in front of anyone, I didn't show anything to anyone. If I could figure out how to stop needing anyone, then it wouldn't hurt as much when they left me. Everybody leaves, some way or another. It was better if I pushed them away, before they walked away, taking a part of me with them.

Ever since I could remember, every adult figure in my life had told me one of two things. The ones who hurt me, had said that I was born a failure and would die a failure; the ones who wanted to help me told me to follow my dreams, that I could do anything. That LA was going to be waiting for me and that the music labels would be insane not to sign me because of my mixes.

I felt my phone vibrate on my stomach as I picked it up to examine it.

1 new message from Chloe: 'I know you're hurting, but please don't push me away again Bec. I'm here for you, we're all here for you…we're headed to the festival if you want to come with us. We're meeting in front of TKTS. I have to be with my dad at the stupid luncheon for a bit but I won't stay that long. Hope to see you xx'

I yanked my headphones off as I tossed them carelessly back onto my bed. I ran my hands through my hair, trying to comb it through before I pulled it up into a ponytail. I grabbed my green army jacket off of the back of my chair and then my skateboard. I wasn't going to head to the Unity Day Festival. How did I deserve to be happy and have fun with my friends when Uncle Ben was just murdered? No, I was going to skate the streets to the empty warehouse where I practiced my tricks and could seek undisturbed silence.

CHLOE POV

I ran my fingers down my dress, flattening out some of the wrinkles that had found their way into the fabric on the ride here. My dress was strapless and rested mid-thigh, the light beige color making my skin looker tanner than what it already was. I wrung my hands together anxiously as I took in the atmosphere around me.

We were inside one of the many buildings that lined Times Square, giving us the best view for the parade and fireworks that would start shortly. Oscorp Industries organized this every year to help better the ties between Oscorp, the NYPD, and the people of New York City. At least this year Jesse was here with me since his father owned the company, I wasn't completely alone.

"Welcome to Oscorp Industries' Unity Day Festival! Let's hear it for One Direction! Next up to perform is Maroon 5!"

The balcony that I was stood on was closed off except for certain 'VIPs' like the mayor of the city, Oscorp members and of course my father, Captain of the NYPD. He was dressed in his dark navy blue pinstripe suit, my mother attached to his side while his arm was draped across her lower back. My little brother Caleb was somewhere inside, no doubt trying to sneak away with as many snacks as he could manage. Cameron was busy discussing his current job with some guy whose name I don't remember and then I saw Carson hitting on the young girl that was catering.

I sighed as I leaned over the railing and looked down at the thousands of people in the crowd. Balloons were floating around everywhere, along with confetti and it almost made New Year's Rockin' Eve look like an amateur party. I'd been trying to mingle around with my dad's friends but I couldn't find it in me to make the effort. I reached into my clutch bag and checked my phone again to see if Beca had texted me back. Nothing. I'd tried getting through to her, so far as to going over to her house but every single time I showed up to her door, her Aunt May answered saying that Beca wasn't there. Beca was never there. Always avoiding me, Jesse, and Aubrey. I closed my eyes in defeat and bit my lip.

I was so determined to tell her how I felt on Wednesday, but then everything with her Uncle Ben had happened and there was no way I was going to add to the amount of stress that Beca was already going through. The last thing she needed right now was her best friend telling her she was in love with her. Like legit, "I could spend my life with you" love. No, right now Beca needed her best friend- nothing more. I couldn't help but feel hurt though when each call or text I sent her only came back unanswered or no response. I couldn't be angry though, this was Beca. Beca always pushed away. Beca always ran. It was her coping mechanism for as long as I could remember. Beca needed to push away to see if someone would pull her back. If someone would stay.

"What's got you looking like someone kicked the puppy?" Jesse nudged me with his shoulder as I opened my eyes and looked up to him. He had a grin on his face as he held up two glasses of champagne, gesturing for me to take one. I took the class as I drummed my fingers against it, watching the bubbles.

"Nothing…just not really up for this whole 'party'. I'd rather be with everyone." I took a sip of the drink as I furrowed my eyebrows. "How'd you manage to get ahold of this in a room full of cops anyway?"

Jesse smiled mischievously at me as he put his finger to his lips in a 'shh' motion. "I'm afraid I can't reveal my tactics."

"You're an idiot." I took another sip as we both turned at the booming laughter coming from behind us.

"Chloe! Come here and introduce yourself!" I rolled my eyes at my father's request. Jesse stealthily downed the rest of his champagne as I set my down on the table beside us.

"Let's get this over with." He mumbled as we walked over to my parents and some other gentlemen in military suits.

"Henry, this is my daughter Chloe." I stuck out my right hand out politely. "This is Henry Balkan, I was just telling him about your internship at Oscorp."

"Very impressive Chloe, I know that that is an extremely hard internship to obtain."

My parents were bragging about my internship with Dr. Ratha and it made me uncomfortable. My dad put his arm around me as he continued to talk with Mr. Balkan, mom discussing some kitchen secrets with his wife. I glanced over and saw Jesse smirking at me. A look that mocked 'Look at you Red, star of the show'.

Being the only daughter, I often found that I got more attention than my brothers- both good and bad. Being the only girl put a load of pressure on me that my brothers didn't experience or understand. I felt the need to be perfect in everything that she did- be the overachiever. My parents approval felt so good- and not only good, but necessary. As a child, I felt like a toy that was paraded in front of my mom and dad's friends- much like was happening now.

My dad squeezed my shoulders as I jumped. "Isn't that right Chloe?" he said.

Both he and Mr. Balkan were staring at me expectantly.

"Uh yes?" I guessed. I had no idea what I was agreeing to, but certain habits were deeply ingrained. Henry Balkan laughed and gestured to the caterer, catching sight of Jesse as well.

"Mr. Osborn!" Jesse winced at the formality. He shook Mr. Balkan's hand as he stopped to stand beside me.

"Please, call me Jesse." He corrected as he smiled politely. "Have you seen my father around?"

I watched as Mr. Balkan's faced tensed briefly. "Well, I'm not sure if he's uh, coming today…"

"Look the parade is starting!" One lady yelled as we all gathered around the balcony to get a good view. Different floats and balloons began to make their way through the streets of New York. Citizens were cheering and waving, excited to see what this year has to offer. Everybody looked up when we heard the low sound of an engine from above.

"What is that?" I heard one woman question from my right as we all looked at some kind of display in the sky. It was some kind of machine, it almost looked like someone had a jet pack.

"It must be new this year…"

We watched as the object grew closer, the smoke trail behind it cutting through the clear blue sky. It became clear that it was in fact a person on some type of flying vehicle. I'd never seen anything like it before. He flew closer to us and that's when I began to feel uneasy.

This was New York City. How was he allowed to fly this low and close to the buildings? I watched him sweep extremely low to the street, reaching out and running his hand across the balloons as people began to scream in terror. It was when he swooped back up to our balcony level that I finally got a good look at him.

His mask resembled that of a menacing Halloween goblin. The eye lenses were yellow and the rest of the armor was green. The suit mimicked the outline of his muscles as you could see the body amour's thickness. I watched as he pressed a button on his forearm and an orange sphere appeared from the glider.

"'Out' am I?!" He cackled obnoxiously as he threw the orange sphere towards our building. I watched as it flew towards the floor before us and crashed through the window, shattering the glass. A few seconds later, the balcony we stood on shook from the force of the explosion below us. The concrete blew up and part it collapsed onto the street below as fires erupted. Everyone began screaming in terror and fear as another explosion followed the first. The goblin was throwing bombs at the buildings lining Time Square.

END OF PART ONE