Author's Notes: I don't think I've submitted a first person POV for this collection. So I'm combining it with my other writing goal in keeping this under one page. Enjoy!
Summary: [post S1E1 "Great Power"] Norman reflects his choices as he escorts Harry to the hospital after The Frightful Four storms Midtown High in search of Spider-man.
Irresponsibility
Peter: "Mister Osborn… I'm sorry."
Norman: "Why apologize, Peter? What could you have possibly done?"
Dark clouds pulled together. The ambulance's lights flashed against the oncoming darkness. Its alarms blared, alerting the congested traffic to clear the way. The lined vehicles caught in a gridlock parted, like a gust of wind cutting through grass. But the speed whisking everyone away wasn't fast enough. And teleportation was no where close to reality. Not even my mighty and powerful Oscorp found a way to achieve that goal.
While the emergency personnel kept their focus on the course ahead, I, a father, overwhelmed with ire and sorrow, stared down towards my unconscious son. My little boy was lying against a hydraulics stretcher. He had been assaulted by a forceful sound wave. The attacker belonged to The Frightful Four, a malicious group hired by Otto Octavious and paid by me, Norman Osborn. The plan was to draw out Spider-man, the city's newest hero. The tracker lead the nefarious members to Midtown High, the same school Harry attended. Chaos was bound to happen. Civilians were caught in crossfires regularly. I knew this. My son was now one of them.
As the white vehicle took its sharp turns, I felt the pressure of the velocity. Harry, meanwhile, kept his eyes closed. The monitors attached to him continued to examine his vitals. After finding out about my underling's intended location, I had rushed to the campus. I recalled my panic. I couldn't pause the homicidal investigation. But if I could pull my son aside, Harry would be safe. I would be a responsible parent. I, however, failed to make it in time. I entered the cafeteria, now withstanding damage. Even with all the commotion, I acted discreetly. I couldn't risk a possible connection between myself to any of the villains that fled. Should the media catch me, I would express why a menace like Spider-man needed to be stopped. It was a partial truth. Beyond the crowd of dazed pupils and teachers, I spotted a scrawny teen alongside a knocked out student. That was my child. The brunet boy was my son's best friend. He wore a look of pure anguish. For whatever reason, Peter blamed himself for the incident. I knew he held no responsibility for what happened. Peter would've been powerless to have made a difference.
My eyes narrowed. It was all Spider-man's fault. The pesky wall-crawler was hiding like a coward. Had he been any real hero, my son wouldn't have been injured. That was why I wanted Spider-man. I wanted the young hero's powers. The annoying arachnid didn't deserve to have what he does. I doubted the web-head was using his full potential. How irresponsible.
My hatred paused when I heard the emergency personnel. They claimed it wasn't much longer to the hospital. But every inch the black wheels raced across the black asphalt felt like a mile. My focus returned to my unconscious boy. Harry exhibited little interest in his studies, and his worst subject was science. I didn't understand how my boy could run an entire corporation if he was unable to understand the basics. His best friend, however, showed some promise. Peter carried a brilliant mind, particularly for science. Despite his young age, he was one to appreciate new discoveries, results, and mechanics. With his giant brain he presented a lack for brawn. He permitted himself to be bullied. He found solace in his aunt and his best friend, my son. That seemed to be enough for him. It seemed to be enough for Harry. But it wasn't enough for me.
As head of Oscorp, I was on a quest for power. My company had to squash the competition. I set myself to leave the other big shots in the dust. Other organizations must bow before me. I knew a reward was waiting for me. All I needed was power to uphold it. With great power can come great reward.
The drive was almost done. The emergency personnel would soon thrust open the doors and transport the patient. I studied my son's comatose appearance. My heart fell into distress. I never intended for Harry to get hurt. Despite our differences, I was still Harry's father. I would do all he could to protect him. Gently, I brushed my hand through his auburn hair. I then looked at my watch. A roar of thunder shook the city. Once Harry had been checked in and deemed fine, I would returned to my office and analyze my findings. Work needed to be done. I did, after all, had a responsibility to Oscorp.
End Irresponsibility