I apologize for not updating sooner. Real life can be a real time consumer ;) This chapter is shorter than I wanted, but hopefully the next one's will be longer.

Sam zipped down the corridor, barely watching where he was going.

Peter's such an idiot! Why can't he see what that guy is doing? ARG! Sam landed outside of the boys dorms. Fine, if Peter can't see it, then I'm just going to have to make him see it and expose Scarlet as a liar!

Sam stamped through the door but stopped short. Scarlet Spider stood with his back to him. He was digging around in his bunk. For a split second, Sam caught sight of a metallic glint.

WTF! If he goes after the others with whatever that was just now!… it was probably his stingers. I need to find out what he's up to, and there's no time like the present!

Sam walked forward towards the unsuspecting Spider. "Hey Scarlet, buddy. Wha-cha-doo-in?"

Ben turned to see Nova, stand with his hands behind his back like some girl next door. He was not in the mood for this; he could see through any facade. "Wha-do-ya want, Punk?"

Sam grit his teeth behind his lips. "Oh, nothing. I was thinking that you and I have haven't spent any time together."

"Are you asking me out?"

ERK! AS IF YOU SYNTHETIC CREEP!

"Haha! Of course not, Silly. What I mean is, you and I don't really know each other that well, and since we both work with and are friends with Spider-Man I just thought it would be good if we got to know each other a little better."

"I don't see what 'working with' or 'being friends' with Spider-Man has to do with us. We can just do our job, whatever that is at the time."

So, what's your job right now you little Freak!?

"I just wanted to make sure we got along is all."

"I'll save you the time—" not that Ben cared, "—I don't get along with anyone."

Sam found himself being stared down. He herd a definiteness in the Spider's voice. Was Scarlet on to him? Nah, couldn't be. He was being so smooth and tactful.

"Look, I've got somewhere to be, so why don't you just tell me what you're really after."

Huh?

"Huh?"

"Don't play dumb—though with you it might not be playing—what is it you really want to know or say to me?"

Sam just stared forward blankly.

Ben sighed. "Whatever, I don't have time for this. I'm going now."

Scarlet began to walk past him. What could he do? He needed to keep an eye one him!

"Where are you going?" He asked before he could think much.

"Huh~" Scarlet sighed again. "If you must know, to get something to eat."

"Oh, cool! Can I join you?"

"No. I eat alone." With that Scarlet left and the doors wooshed behind him, leaving Nova in the dim light of some dormant computer screens.

Crap! Well, I guess there's the old standby of following him.

Sam flew to the lunch room. Sam looked at his watch.

12:17pm. Lunchroom sure is crowded today. If Scarlet doesn't want to eat around others then why buy your food at the busiest time of the day? Whoa! Sam Alexander, you sound like a real detective! And why not. A vain smiled Sam smiled vainly to himself; however, as he looked around the vast cafeteria his smile wained. Where is he? I even waited in the dorm rooms for a while to give a head start so he wouldn't notice me when I came in. Wait, "If you must know, to get something to eat." he never said anything about going to lunchroom! Great! Now I've lost him!

"Hey Nova," Kid Arachnid said as he passed by Sam, his lunch tray in hands.

"Hey,… Hey! Kid, have you seen Scarlet anywhere?" Surely one of the other Webbed Warriors must have known where Scarlet was.

"No. He usually eats off campus. Why?"

"Oh, just wondering." Sam started off until—

"Hey!" Miles called after Nova. He stopped. "Don't be too hard on him. He's a good guy."

With that Kid Arachnid went to his seat with the other spider themed heroes.

Great, he has you fooled too. What if...Could Scarlet really be okay? Sam shook himself, Don't be ridiculous!

See you next time, ; )

Again, sorry it's short.

~Q