Chapter 16: Into the Shadows: Predacious Predicament
The rest of the night passed in a blur for Boscha. The creature, the destruction, the terror; it all felt like a terrible nightmare that she desperately wished to wake up from. But as the first rays of dawn bathed the Boiling Isles in a soft, golden glow, the reality of the situation began to sink in. The creature was real, and it was out there somewhere.
As Boscha made her way to Hexside, the piece of fabric she'd found at the scene securely tucked away in her bag, she couldn't help but feel a knot of unease in her stomach. The school was buzzing with whispers and hushed conversations about the previous night's events. Students shared hushed theories and rumors, their eyes filled with a mixture of fear and curiosity.
Pushing through the heavy wooden doors of the potions classroom, Boscha felt a strange sense of calm wash over her. The usual cacophony of boiling cauldrons and excited chatter felt oddly comforting, a welcome distraction from the chaos outside, though something strange, one of Amity's human friends was absent. "Probably ill again." she shrugged off, even if only for a brief moment, it felt like everything was normal again.
Mr. Burntwood, the Potion's Master, was already in the room, preparing for the day's lesson. His stern face was buried in a book, his eyes skimming over the pages at a speed that left most students in awe. As Boscha took her usual seat, she found herself admiring the man's dedication to his craft, his commitment to his students.
The potion's class was always a challenge for Boscha. The precise measurements, the delicate balance of ingredients, the meticulous timing; it was all too demanding for someone used to relying on brute force and quick reflexes. But today, the challenge was a welcome distraction.
As the class progressed, Boscha found herself lost in the world of potions, her mind focused on the task at hand. The aroma of various herbs and magical ingredients filled the room, creating a comforting atmosphere. The steady rhythm of the class, the brewing, stirring, and pouring, helped to soothe Boscha's troubled mind.
The final bell chimed, indicating the end of the class, and Boscha was roused from her thoughts. She quickly gathered her belongings, her gaze lingering on the piece of fabric tucked neatly inside her bag, a stark reminder of the encounter with the creature.
Exiting the classroom, she made her way towards her locker, weaving through the throngs of students who were eagerly discussing their plans for recess. It was a typical scene at Hexside - friends grouping together, sharing laughter and tales, providing a sense of normalcy that Boscha found increasingly comforting.
Boscha was typically hanging around her friends Skara, Cat and Amelia, but today she felt like she was due some privacy. The mental strain of having to actually admit that she was in the wrong, and dealing with the guilt of how things have been with Amity has all proven to be quite a lot for the young witch to handle.
As she collected her books for the next class, her eyes scanned the bustling hallways. Students were immersed in their conversations, their laughter and chatter filling the air. It was a typical day at Hexside, save for one small detail.
Down on one of the lower levels, Boscha spotted a familiar trio. Gus, Willow, and Luz were huddled together, their expressions serious, their voices hushed. Boscha noticed Luz's expression, one of dire seriousness, a strange tone for the goofy, or, one of the goofy humans to have considering her personality.
A pang of curiosity hit Boscha. The sight of them deep in conversation, coupled with the absence of their usual cheerfulness, sent a wave of suspicion through her. Could they be discussing last night's event? She knew Luz and her friends were always in the middle of something. Could they possibly know something about the creature that attacked Bonesborough?
She found herself making her way towards them, her curiosity overpowering her better judgment. After all, she reminded herself, the incident at the Conformatorium wasn't a small event. The entire Boiling Isles was shaken, and maybe, just maybe, Luz and her friends could shed some light on what had happened.
As she got closer, she made sure to keep her approach casual, not wanting to arouse suspicion. Taking the long way around, she casually sauntered, maintaining just the right amount of distance to avoid alerting them. She feigned interest in the various art pieces and banners that adorned the walls of the hallway, pretending to be a simple bystander taking a break. The closer she got, the clearer the conversation became, each snippet making her heart race faster.
"...it's Eric. He's the one who's turned into this... this 'Man-Spider'," Luz's voice carried a trembling undertone. It was clear she was worried, deeply so.
"Eric?" Boscha thought. Eric, the human kid who kept mostly to himself when Luz and the others weren't around. The connection was startling, and Boscha strained her ears to catch more.
"... and he just changed. Just like Eda when she turns into the Owl Beast. We think it's a curse..." Luz was explaining. The others nodded, their expressions grave.
Boscha's breath hitched. Were they talking about the monster from the night before? The "Man-Spider?" the thought seemed impossible, Eric was a dweeb, a scrawny nerd, the only thing he had going for him, if anything, was the during gym class he was a bit of a fast runner but…for him, a human of all things to turn into something like the creature that Boscha had seen the previous night seemed unfathomable. She leaned closer, straining to hear more.
Gus responded, his voice low, "So you're saying Eric is the Man-Spider?" His eyes were wide with fear and concern.
Willow was equally worried, her eyebrows furrowed as she leaned into the conversation, "How is that possible? He was just a normal human, right? And he was Spider-Man...right?"
Boscha's heart pounded in her chest. Eric, the quiet, nerdy human? The same Eric who was just one of the humans who recently joined their school was...Spider-Man? And not just that, he was the monstrous creature that wreaked havoc across Bonesborough? She felt her world spin. It was all too much to process.
She wanted to laugh it off as a ridiculous theory, but the way Luz, Gus, and Willow were talking, their serious expressions, their hushed voices, they truly believed it. And Boscha found herself believing them too. After all, what other explanation was there?
As she backed away, Boscha felt a rush of adrenaline. The monstrous creature, the chaos in the city, Eric...it was all connected. And she was in the middle of it all, drawn into the mystery. She had more questions now, and a burning desire to seek answers. She looked at the piece of fabric in her bag, clearly not realizing it was a piece of the Spider-Man costume, a strange skin tight outfit, this little measly piece of unimportant fabric just confirmed their story.
Seeing Luz, Gus, and Willow talking in hushed whispers, Boscha discreetly moved closer, careful not to attract attention. She heard them discussing their plan, with Luz taking the lead.
"Okay," Luz was saying, her voice calm and steady despite the turmoil clearly present in her eyes, "I saw something on Eric's laptop. It was about Spider-Man's powers... He called it a 'Spider-Sense'. It seems like a kind of...sixth sense? An intuition that warns him of danger. It's automatic."
Gus was quick to jump in, "So, you're saying it might still be working? Even though he's like... this now?"
Luz nodded, "That's what I'm thinking. Maybe we can use it to our advantage."
Willow interjected, her eyebrows knitted together in thought, "But wouldn't it warn him if we tried to approach him?"
Luz thought back to the image of Eric in their hangout in the abandoned warehouse and remembered his words. "it's unpredictable. Sometimes, it's just a tingle, but other times... it's painful, like my nerves are on fire" the words echoed in her head before she spoke. "Back in the human realm…it, caused something bad to happen, I won't say what but well, it allowed people to ambush him, sometimes it causes him so much pain it can momentarily stun him…according to what he himself said." Luz's gaze softened as she looked at her friends. She understood their worries, she felt them too. But they had to try. "I know it's a risk, but it's a risk I'm willing to take, I owe it to him, and I know it's a lot to ask…." Luz spoke softly before being cut off.
"We're in." Willow said confidently before being joined in by Gus.
"We don't just abandon friends." The smaller witch said, matching Willow's confidence.
Luz let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, relief washing over her at her friends' words. "Thank you," she murmured, her voice choked with emotion.
Still, she knew that they would need more help if they were to successfully reach Eric and possibly reverse the transformation. "There are a couple of other people I think might be handy. Viney and Jerbo. They're strong and smart, and I think they'll be willing to help," she suggested.
Gus and Willow nodded in agreement, the idea of expanding their team making sense given the magnitude of the situation. They began to discuss strategies, planning out how they would approach Viney and Jerbo when a voice cut through their conversation.
Before she could finish, a voice echoed through the hallway, cutting her off, "You're not the only ones involved in this, you know."
They all turned to see Boscha stepping forward, her arms crossed over her chest, her usual cocky demeanor replaced with a more serious expression. She held up the piece of fabric in her hand, the one she'd found at the site of the attack.
"I heard everything. And before you say anything," Boscha cut them off before they could start, "I want in. I... I want to help."
The trio exchanged a series of surprised glances, Willow's eyebrows knit together in suspicion. "Why would you want to help Boscha? Last time I checked, you didn't exactly get along with us…or Eric for that matter." She questioned, her voice wary.
Boscha shifted under their gaze, this wasn't a side of her they were accustomed to. "Look, I know what you're thinking. Boscha, the girl who's always giving you a hard time, wants to help? I get it, it's… weird. But this isn't about school drama or popularity contests." She paused, her grip tightening on the piece of fabric she held. "This is about trying to make things right. I want to try... to do something good, for once."
"You just want to make things right?" Willow questioned skeptically, crossing her arms. "Just like that?"
Boscha nodded, pulling out the piece of fabric she found earlier. "See this?" She waved it slightly, catching their attention, her voice becoming agitated. "I found this where the creature... where Eric was. It looks like it was torn off his clothes, or... something." It was torn and singed around the edges, but the colors were unmistakable. The familiar red and blue pattern.
Boscha hesitated before adding, "I've always thought Spider-Man was kind of cool, you know. He doesn't care about who you are or what you've done. He just wants to do the right thing. And I think...I think it's time I tried to do the same."
Their reactions were mixed. Gus nodded, looking thoughtful. Willow was less convinced, but Luz, after a moment of silence, gave a small nod, "Alright Boscha. Welcome to the team."
way from Hexside and towards the dense forest outside Bonesborough. It was still, the silence of the night only interrupted by the distant hoot of an owl or the rustle of leaves as small nocturnal creatures scurried about.
From the shadows, a pair of glowing red eyes watched intently, its gaze fixed on an unsuspecting figure walking a lonely forest path. It was the Man-Spider, a monstrous silhouette against the moonlit sky, its form concealed in the shadows of the tall, ancient trees.
The figure below, oblivious to the danger lurking above, was an older witch. She was draped in a cloak of deep purple, a staff glowing faintly in her hand as she walked, her strides confident and unwavering. Her eyes, framed by age lines and a pair of spectacles perched on her nose, scanned the path ahead, unaware of the predatory eyes following her every move.
The Man-Spider, its monstrous form a terrifying sight, followed her from the trees. Every muscle in its body tensed, ready to pounce, ready to strike. Its eyes never left its prey, its instincts driving it forward in the silence of the night.
The calm tranquillity of the forest was shattered by the eerie, haunting sound of the Man-Spider's low growl. As the monstrous creature prepared to attack, the entire scene took on an unsettling, nightmarish quality. The forest, once full of life, now held an air of dread as the unsuspecting witch continued to walk, her fate resting in the shadows above her.
Meanwhile, outside of the safety of Bonesborough's stone walls, a lone town guard was on his daily patrol in the surrounding forest. Dressed in the uniform of the city's militia, the guard - a hulking figure named Gronk, was known throughout the town for his size and strength. His sharp eyes scanned the dense underbrush for any signs of trouble. But, aside from the typical oddities of the Boiling Isles, everything seemed calm.
As he walked along the path, Gronk whistled a jaunty tune, his mind a million miles away. He was thinking about the upcoming Gland Prix, his favorite event in all of Bonesborough. His hand absentmindedly traced the worn grip of the axe at his side, a comforting reminder of his duty and purpose.
Unbeknownst to Gronk, he was being watched. Hidden in the forest's shadowy undergrowth, a pair of red, glowing eyes observed him with predatory interest. The Man-Spider, in his monstrous form, stalked silently behind the guard. Its huge, hairy legs moved noiselessly over the forest floor, its stealth belying its enormous size.
Each step Gronk took echoed through the silent woods, crunching leaves and snapping twigs under his heavy boots. The occasional chirp of a distant creature or rustle of the forest foliage was all that kept him company. As the path twisted and turned, the dense forest seemed to close in around him, but he didn't mind. He was used to being alone on his patrols, relishing in the quiet solitude.
Yet, the peaceful silence was deceptive. The hairs on the back of Gronk's neck began to rise, a prickling sense of unease curling in his gut. He slowed his pace, his whistling coming to a halt. The cheerful tune was replaced with a tense silence. His experienced eyes darted around, searching for the source of his discomfort. But all he saw were the familiar sights of the Boiling Isles' wilderness, nothing out of the ordinary.
Behind him, the Man-Spider prowled closer, the red glow of its eyes cutting through the dark underbrush. Its colossal, monstrous form moved with uncanny grace, blending seamlessly into the shadows.
As if in slow motion, Gronk pivoted on his heel, his heart pounding in his chest. A guttural growl echoed through the otherwise tranquil forest, the earth seeming to vibrate under its power. His instincts took over, driving him to raise his weapon in a defensive stance as he confronted the threat before him.
The sight that met his gaze was beyond comprehension, a nightmare born from the darkest depths of his imagination. A grotesque fusion of man and spider, monstrous in size and shape, was hurtling towards him. Gronk's blood ran cold as his eyes met the glowing red orbs on the creature's face, its massive fangs bared as it lunged at him.
But Gronk was no stranger to danger. He had faced countless beasts and threats in his time as a town guard, and he would not back down now. He steadied his grip on his axe, mentally preparing for the fight of his life. With a roar that echoed through the silent forest, he stood his ground, ready to protect his town and its inhabitants from this new threat.
Yet, even as he prepared to fight, a part of Gronk felt a pang of fear. The beast before him was unlike anything he had ever faced, its eyes reflecting an eerie intelligence that belied its monstrous appearance. But fear was a luxury he could not afford. As the Man-Spider descended upon him, Gronk steeled himself, ready to face the monstrous predator head-on.
In an instant, the tranquility of the forest was shattered. Gronk and the Man-Spider clashed in a flurry of movement and violence. The guard's well-practiced strikes, honed from years of experience, seemed clumsy and slow against the monstrous agility of his opponent. Each swing of his axe met empty air as the Man-Spider danced around him, his eight legs moving with terrifying speed and precision.
Gronk tried to keep his focus, tried to read his opponent's movements, but the creature was too fast, too unpredictable. One moment, it was in front of him, then above, then behind. Its large, hairy appendages flicked out in vicious strikes, the poison-tipped fangs flashing menacingly as it lunged at him again and again.
A sudden, searing pain exploded in Gronk's shoulder, the guard letting out a cry as he felt the Man-Spider's fangs pierce his flesh. He stumbled, his vision blurring as a wave of dizziness washed over him. The poison, he realized dimly. He was running out of time.
But Gronk wasn't ready to give up. With a roar of determination, he raised his axe once more, his grip tight despite the numbness creeping up his arm. The creature may be fast, it may be strong, but he had one advantage it didn't: he had something to protect.
He thought of Bonesborough, of the people living in the safety of its walls, oblivious to the threat lurking just outside. He thought of his duty as a guard, of his oath to protect his town and its inhabitants, no matter the cost.
As the Man-Spider lunged at him again, Gronk was ready. He swung his axe with all the strength he could muster, catching the creature off guard. There was a thud as the blade connected with its hard exoskeleton, a screech of pain echoing through the forest as the creature stumbled back.
Man-Spider reeled back, its monstrous form writhing in pain, but then a strange voice echoed in its mind. A woman's voice, soft yet commanding, ancient yet full of life. It was a voice that was foreign yet strangely comforting.
"What a sad fate, dear child," the voice mused, almost as if it was observing from a distance. "A hero lost in the throes of his own curse. How... unfortunate."
The voice felt as though it resonated from every corner of the monster's mind, the Man-Spider reacting to the sudden mental intrusion with a wary growl. What was happening? Where was this voice coming from?
"You need not fear me, dear child," the voice continued, calm and soothing. "I am not here to harm you. Quite the opposite, in fact. I'm here to help."
The words were puzzling, unexpected, but before the Man-Spider could make any sense of it, a whirling cloud of green smoke began to coalesce around the Man-Spider. It was like nothing he had ever seen, a vortex of emerald mist swirling around him, reaching out with tendrils of smoke as if they were living things.
Gronk could only watch in stunned silence as the smoke engulfed the Man-Spider, the creature's cries of pain giving way to confusion. And then, as quickly as the smoke had appeared, it dissipated, taking the Man-Spider with it.
Gronk was left standing alone in the silent forest, the only evidence of the recent battle being the disturbed underbrush and the steady throb of his injured shoulder. The Man-Spider, and the mysterious green smoke, were gone as if they had never been there at all.
The Man-Spider was gone. It had vanished, spirited away by the strange green smoke, leaving behind only a stunned Gronk and the quiet rustling of the forest.
Pushing past the lingering pain in his shoulder, Gronk forced himself to stand straight, using his axe as a support. He was a guard of Bonesborough, after all. He had a duty to remain strong, to protect his town, no matter the circumstances.
Before long, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the silent forest. His comrades, alerted by his earlier cries, arrived at the scene. They took in the sight before them: the disturbed underbrush, Gronk's torn uniform, and the ghastly wound on his shoulder.
Without wasting a second, one of the guards - a skilled witch named Lalia, immediately went to Gronk's side. "Hold still," she instructed, her hands already aglow with magic. Gronk watched as a soft, verdant light enveloped his wound. A cooling sensation spread through his shoulder, and the throbbing pain lessened significantly. The poison, he realized, was being neutralized.
With his wound tended to, Gronk quickly relayed his encounter with the Man-Spider to his comrades, recounting the creature's strength and agility, and its sudden disappearance. The guards exchanged worried glances, the gravity of the situation slowly sinking in.
"But we can't just let this creature roam around," Gronk declared, determination burning in his eyes. "We need to find it. We need to hunt it down."
There was a moment of silence among the guards as they processed his words. Then, one by one, they nodded, their expressions matching Gronk's determination. They were the guardians of Bonesborough, and they would not let this threat go unanswered.
"So, we're hunting the Spider, huh?" one of the guards grumbled, picking up his weapon. "Just another day in Bonesborough."
Despite the tense atmosphere, a few chuckles echoed through the group. They were scared, yes, but they were also determined. No matter what monster they had to face, they would do it together. For Gronk, there was a certain comfort in that. His friends, his comrades, were by his side. They were ready for the hunt.
Hexside was closed for the evening, students filtered out to go back to their respective homes, though, the word of the rampaging monster in Bonesborough and numerous guards had been injured spread across town rapidly. Principal Bump, earlier that day had announced that all parental guardians would collect their children to go back home, no one was allowed to travel back home alone until this creature was caught. There were murmurs that spread quickly through the next few hours, other students had seen the creature that night and it was wearing familiar red and blue colours, it didn't take long for people to believe the new vigilante that had arrived a few weeks ago, Spider-Man, had been cursed similar to that of the Owl Lady.
Luz took one of the spare potions Eda used to keep her curse in check. Luz, believing Eric to be under the same type of curse as Eda, knew that this kind of potion would be one of her best bets to reaching her friend.
As night fell, the once-bustling halls of Hexside stood quiet and dark, the echoes of students' laughter replaced with an eerie silence. Luz, under the cover of darkness, quietly slipped through the main gate. She clutched a small, glowing vial in her hands, its gentle light casting a ghostly hue on her face.
Her eyes scanned the familiar halls of the school, but they felt foreign, almost menacing in the stark darkness. Yet, Luz pressed on, the possibility of helping Eric far outweighing her discomfort. She tiptoed through the deserted corridors, her heart pounding in her chest as she made her way to their planned meeting spot.
The Detention room - now their unofficial headquarters, was just ahead. Luz could see the faint glow of light seeping from beneath the door. Relief washed over her as she reached for the door handle, silently praying that they hadn't been discovered.
As she stepped inside, the sight of familiar faces greeted her - Willow, Gus, Boscha, Jerbo, and Viney were all present. Their faces were a mix of concern and determination, their typical school-time squabbles set aside for the moment. There were quick nods of acknowledgement as Luz entered, the gravity of their mission silencing any usual greetings
"Any news?" Luz asked, taking her place at the table.
"No," Willow replied, her brow furrowed in worry. "Nothing since this afternoon."
They fell into silence, each lost in their thoughts. The task before them was daunting, but none of them was willing to back down. Not when one of their own was in danger.
Luz brought out the vial of potion, placing it gently on the table. The liquid inside shimmered under the room's low light, casting a faint glow around it. Eda's curse was different, Luz knew, but she hoped it would be close enough. She hoped it would help them save Eric.
Boscha, growing impatient, groaned. "So, that's the potion?" She asked, gesturing to the bottle of yellow liquid in on the table.
Luz nodded, "yeah, this potion is specifically crafted to help with Eda's curse. It helps to suppress the beast within her, allowing her to maintain control. I'm thinking... or rather, hoping, that it might have a similar effect on Eric if he's indeed suffering from a curse like we think he is."
Gus frowned, "But we don't know if it's exactly the same type of curse, do we? I mean, Eda turns into an owl beast, not a... spider beast. Are we sure this is safe?"
"No, we don't know if it's exactly the same," Luz admitted, "But considering the similarities, this is the best bet we have right now. We don't have time to start from scratch to brew a brand-new potion, and Eda's has been proven to work on her."
Silence fell over the group as they mulled over her words. The plan was risky, and the uncertainty was unnerving. But in the absence of any other options, it seemed like the best course of action they had.
"We're going to need a plan to get close enough to give him the potion," Willow pointed out. "If he's as dangerous as they're saying, it's not going to be easy."
A small smile crept over Luz's face as she was about to reveal her plan. "That's why I made sure to cover all our bases." Luz stated. "Each of you are on a different track, willow and Jerbo study plant magic but Jerbo also studies abomination, Viney studies Healing and Beast magic, Gus Illusion and Boscha potion." Luz said gesturing to everyone. Everyone was surprised, Luz did cover a lot of the bases, each would be able to bring their own style of magic to the task at hand, but someone pointed out an error.
"That's all well and good, but how does potion magic factor in?" Boscha asked, noticing the lack usefulness for the task at hand. "I can't exactly brew potions when we're out chasing the bug."
Luz turned around, her tolerance for Boscha was short, considering her previous run ins with her and the fact Boscha made Willow's life a living hell during school. "Well, Boscha, you're one of the best Grudgeby players here, you're fast and well…" Luz said trailing off, realizing her next words weren't going to inspire confidence. "And the fact that you, and I are gonna be the ones feeding him the potion."
Boscha's eyes widened at that, her previous smugness replaced with a look of stunned disbelief. "Wait, what?" She stammered, pointing an accusing finger at Luz. "You want me to get up close and personal with that...that monster?" She waved her arms around for emphasis. "Did you see what it did to the guards? They were tossed around like rag dolls!"
"Exactly," Luz interjected calmly, her gaze steady. "Which is why we're not going to fight it, Boscha. We're going to trap it."
Boscha scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "And how are we going to do that? With a giant spider web?"
Luz turned to Willow and Jerbo, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Not quite. Willow, Jerbo, you two are up."
Willow nodded, stepping forward with determination in her eyes. "Jerbo and I can use our plant magic to hold him down, and with Jerbo's abomination magic we'll have two types of bindings."
"But we'll need a distraction," Jerbo added. "Something to lure the Man-Spider into the trap."
Luz turned back to Boscha, a glint of challenge in her eyes. "That's where you and I come in, Boscha. We'll be the bait."
Before Boscha could protest, Luz added, "We won't be alone out there, Boscha. We'll have Willow and Jerbo backing us up, and Gus will be ready with his illusions if we need a quick escape. We have the advantage here. We just need to use it."
Boscha, despite her initial reluctance, was visibly wrestling with her conscience. She remembered Amity's words, "Actions speak louder than words, Boscha," and how they had echoed in her mind since their conversation. The urge to prove herself, to make things right, was strong. Finally, with a deep breath, she nodded.
"Fine, I'm in," Boscha said, her voice tinged with a mix of resignation and determination. "But if this goes south, it's on you, Luz."
Luz gave her a grateful nod. "Thank you, Boscha. I know this isn't easy."
Willow still looked uncomfortable with Boscha's presence, but she didn't object. The situation was too dire for any lingering schoolyard grudges. They all had a common goal now: to save Eric.
The group huddled together, discussing the plan in more detail. The night was setting in, casting long shadows across Hexside's corridors. The plan was set, and each of them knew their role. It was going to be a risky endeavor, but they were ready. For Eric, for each other, they were ready to face whatever came their way.
Meanwhile, as darkness fell across the Boiling isles the monster of discussion was stirring in it's sleep.
The city lights of New York glittered below as Eric, in his nascent Spider-Man persona, swung between the towering skyscrapers. The exhilaration of flight, the sheer freedom of moving through the air with nothing but his webs and his wits, was intoxicating. He was still getting used to this, the weightlessness, the speed, the power at his fingertips, however, one thing his new found powers did not grant him was the ability to be impervious to the cold.
"Note to self, make sure costume has some form of insilation." Eric said to himself.
He landed gracefully on a rooftop near the docks, the cool night air brushing against his his exposed skin around his eyes and arms. Below him, hidden in the shadows, an illegal arms deal was unfolding. Earlier in the week he had stopped another arms deal from happening, one of the crooks had let slip about this deal. Hushed voices, the clinking of metal, the faint smell of gunpowder – it was the most text boom picturesque armsdeal imaginable.
Eric, cloaked in the darkness high above the docks, watched intently as the arms deal unfolded below. The gruff voices of the criminals carried up to him, their words a mix of caution and greed.
"Make sure the cash is all there," grumbled a burly man with a scarred face, his voice rough like gravel. He was the apparent leader, his stance commanding even in the dim light.
A second man, younger and less assured, fumbled with a briefcase. "It's all here, every last dollar," he stammered, his eyes darting around nervously. The glint of moonlight on the metal briefcase seemed to heighten his anxiety.
The leader snorted, unimpressed. "Better be. I don't do business with short-changers." He turned to a third figure, shrouded in the shadows, gesturing towards a crate. "Show him the goods."
The shadowy figure obliged, stepping forward with a deliberate slowness. He lifted the lid of the crate, revealing an array of firearms, their surfaces gleaming menacingly under the faint light.
The younger man leaned in, inspecting the weapons. "Looks good," he muttered, though his voice lacked conviction. He seemed out of his depth, a small fish in a big, dangerous pond.
The leader chuckled, a sound devoid of humor. "They'll do more than look good. These babies can punch through armor like it's butter. Top of the line."
Eric, perched silently above, watched as the leader of the arms dealers gestured to one of the buyers, a wiry man with a shifty gaze. "You want proof? Test one out," he said, a smug grin spreading across his face.
The wiry man hesitated, then picked up one of the sleek, deadly firearms. He weighed it in his hand, a mixture of eagerness and unease in his expression. "Alright," he said, his voice barely more than a whisper.
He pointed the gun at a nearby empty shipping container, its steel sides bathed in the pale moonlight. The tension in the air was palpable as he steadied his aim.
Without warning, he squeezed the trigger. The gunshot echoed through the night, a sharp, deafening sound that momentarily paralyzed Eric. The bullet tore through the air, hitting the container with a resounding clang. A clean hole appeared, the metal punctured as easily as paper.
The arms dealer laughed heartily, a sound that sent shivers down Eric's spine. "See? Told you. These aren't your average street guns."
The buyer lowered the gun, his face a mixture of awe and fear. "Yeah, I see," he said, his voice shaky. "I'll take them."
Eric's heart raced. He had to act now, before the deal was finalized, before those weapons could cause real harm. He adjusted his position, ready to leap into action. This was the time to strike, to stop the deal and prevent those deadly weapons from hitting the streets.
Just as Eric was about to spring into action, his focus was shattered by the sudden, jarring ring of his phone. Startled, he fumbled, the device slipping out of his pocket and clattering on the rooftop, the sound impossibly loud in the silent night.
"Damn it," he muttered under his breath, quickly reaching to silence the call. But it was too late.
Below, the arms dealers and buyers froze, their heads snapping up towards the source of the noise. "What the hell was that?" the leader barked, his previously smug demeanor replaced by suspicion.
Eric, realizing his cover was blown, made a split-second decision. He launched himself from the rooftop, diving into the fray. "Hey!" he yelled, trying to draw their attention away from his mistake.
But the criminals were quicker. Guns were drawn in an instant, the night air filled with the sound of gunfire. Bullets whistled past him, close enough to feel the air shift around him.
Dodging the hail of bullets, Eric swung into action, his movements fluid and graceful, a stark contrast to the chaos around him. He kicked a gun out of one dealer's hand, ducked under a swinging punch, and webbed another's feet to the ground.
Despite the danger, he couldn't help but feel alive, every sense heightened, every movement a dance between life and death. He may not be spider-man just yet, his moves and web shooters made him all but name.
But amidst the adrenaline and action, Eric's mind was elsewhere. The call had been from Emily, his sister. Such a stupid mistake. "Gee, great going, Eric." He complained in his mind. "May as well walked in through the front door and said "OH HEY THERE, MY LAW BREAKING DUDES, I AM THE NEW SPIDER-MAN, WOULD YOU PLEASE STOP YOU'RE SHADEY DEALINGS AND HOLD MY HAND AS WE ALL SKIP TO THE POLICE WHO WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOME VERY, VERY NICE WORDS WITH YOU?" I'm an absolute moron".
As he grappled with the last of the arms dealers, sending him sprawling with a well-placed kick, the worry started to settle in. "Why the hell would ems call now?" his thoughts continued. "She knows what's going on, something must be up."
But before he could act on that thought, his world spun. A sharp, blinding pain exploded in his head, his Spider-Sense going off with an intensity he had never felt before. "nnnggrrr, head….feels…like…it's…splitting…" he groaned in agony, It was overwhelming, disorienting, leaving him vulnerable.
In that moment of weakness, a bullet grazed his arm, drawing a line of fire across his skin. He stumbled, losing his footing, his movements sluggish and uncoordinated.
And then, just as suddenly as it began, the memory faded, giving way to the present. Man-Spider awoke, the forest around him silent and dark. The memory of his sister, the gunfire, the pain, all lingered in his mind, a haunting reminder of the night that changed everything.
/ AUTHOR'S NOTE \\
Been having fun writing this again, as said in the previous author's note, I've had some career stuff pop up but honestly, I'm having a blast here. I think you guys will enjoy what I've got cooking in the next chapter, it'll more than likely be out either on Christmas or just before it, so stay tuned :D