TRIGGER WARNING: SEXUAL ASSAULT & RAPE DISCUSSION!
Peter just stood there, seemingly frozen, his mind racing to try and come up with something to say. It was just, given the circumstances, he really had no idea why this was even being brought up right now. Fortunately for him, Gwen's dad didn't leave him to his scrambling thoughts for very long.
"Look, I haven't told anybody, if that's what you're concerned about. Frankly, I'm one of the few guys in the department whose never really cared who you are, but when it started to become evident that my daughter just might be DATING Spider-Man, I had to be sure."
Peter cleared his throat before speaking.
"And when exactly did you become sure?"
"When you two looked at each other the way that you did after the firefight with Tombstone and his men," the captain explained. "She only looks at one guy like that, and I could feel the intensity of your stare myself, even despite the mask."
"Okay," Peter said, his mind still questioning exactly how he should proceed.
"Let me just get this out in the open," the captain said. "I'm only even telling you this because, with my daughter's life at stake, we need to work together to explore every possibility. We've already looked at places she would normally go and considered a variety of scenarios, but long enough has passed that I think we need to consider a particular possibility: that one of your enemies knows who you are and has taken her to get to you."
Peter couldn't help but agree with the captain's discernment of the situation, finally relaxing a little.
"I've actually already been looking into that, but I haven't had any luck yet," he explained.
"Are you aware of any of your enemies that currently know your identity?" the captain questioned.
"No sir," Peter replied.
"Okay," the captain said. "Well, we still have to consider the possibility that someone put the pieces together without your knowledge."
"True, but, now that I've had a moment to think about it, I'm finding it harder to believe," Peter explained. "I likely would have gotten a note of some kind by now letting me know they have her; trust me, most of my enemies would rub something like that in my face if they got the chance."
"Or they could be torturing you through the suspense, so we must consider the possibility still," the captain insisted.
"Okay," Peter remarked. "Well, I already tried paying a visit to the Bar With No Name, but that was a bust. Honestly, even if Scorpion hadn't picked a fight, I'm still not sure I would have learned anything."
"That's where I come in," the captain replied. "I have more than a little experience when it comes to shaking down a perp, even super powered ones. Come on."
"Where are we going?" Peter questioned as he started to follow the man. The captain glanced back at him as they opened the door.
"To the other place where all your friends hang out."
The professor stopped as they came to the latest destination on their tour of the property. By now, Gwen had lost track of time, but she could see through a nearby window that the sun appeared to have begun setting for the day. Ignoring the worried feeling of what night likely meant she would soon have to deal with, she addressed the man as he went through the necessary means of granting them access.
"Where are we now?" she asked.
"The answer to how it's possible for a man of science to have all that he has," the doctor answered. The door then opened, sounds of loud roars and clanging against metal emitting from within. She looked at the man skeptically.
"Don't worry, we will be perfectly safe," Doctor Warren assured her. Taking the man at his word, she then stepped through the entryway, and she could feel her mouth practically drop to the floor as she gazed at the sight before her: a large host of varying creatures in cages, some large and some small, that were all going nuts. The weird thing was that Gwen didn't recognize a single living thing in the room. The doctor then came around her, pressing a button on some kind of control panel; a high-pitched noise could be heard, and suddenly, all the creatures within became quiet.
"Please, have a look around," the man encouraged her. Hesitantly, Gwen did as instructed, taking gentle steps as she came within about five feet of the first cage. She observed the creature within; it had a head, teeth, stripes and tail she would normally associate with a Tiger, but legs and large paws that seemed more fitting to a bear. She then turned to the professor.
"You're genetically splicing different species together?"
"Cross-species genetics," Doctor Warren replied. "A field that many frown upon, certainly, especially after the rampage of the Lizard a few years ago, but nevertheless a curious one, don't you think?"
Gwen could only turn back, staring at the bizarre creature in front of her. Her facade was threatening to crack, but she couldn't help it. What could have possessed the man to create these kinds of things?
"I just... I don't understand," she finally spoke up. "What purpose do these creatures have, exactly?"
"Not much in the traditional sense," the man replied, "but you would be surprised how many would pay a pretty price for such creatures."
"Like who?" Gwen questioned.
"Big game hunters seeking a unique challenge, overseas military organizations that require a leg up to turn the tide of war, or even perhaps some who wish to display these creatures in parties," Doctor Warren replied. "Frankly, it is of little consequence to me as to their use, so long as any clients pay up when the time comes. Of course, I make sure to communicate with them through anonymous means, so as to protect against any attempts to trace these creatures back to their point or origin."
Turning back towards the rest of the room, Gwen slowly strolled on, trying to quietly process both what she had just been told and what she was seeing. She would never have even imagined that there was a market like this, much less even the ability to CREATE such things! Yet, here she was, looking at creatures that had obvious visible characteristics of as many as three or four different animals, all confined here until whatever horrible purpose awaited them in the end. Gwen had thought she couldn't get more anymore disgusted with the professor, and yet...
Suddenly, both her mind and body paused at the sight of the most horrifying creature she'd seen yet: something that looked like a canid creature, but much, much larger. It glanced her way, its yellow eyes seemingly peering into her soul, sending a shiver down Gwen's spine.
"Ah yes, my favorite creation yet!" Doctor Warren boasted as he came alongside her.
"What... what's it made of?" Gwen questioned.
"It has the genetics of seven different species," the doctor explained, "but its baseline genome is that of a black-backed Jackal."
"Why that?" Gwen asked, remembering she still needed to feign at least some level of interest.
"They are incredible creatures," the man explained. "They are highly territorial, yet also monogamous, with elder offspring even helping to raise the pups of their parents."
Gwen then suddenly felt the professor's hand touch her arm, having to stifle a shiver at his touch.
"These creatures understand that, in order to survive, they must unite with others who are strong," the man said, Gwen's skin crawling as he slowly ran his hand up her arm. "Only those who have all the right characteristics, strength, speed, intelligence... they are the only ones who can not only survive, but truly make the world their own..."
Gwen then ducked away, stepping forward as the doctor's hand moved up her arm and neared her shoulder. Recognizing the shift in his expression, she sought to course correct.
"I'm sorry," she said. "I couldn't help but notice that this creature's eyes look almost..."
"Human?" the man replied. "That's because this is the first cross species where I introduced human DNA into the equation."
Gwen's eyes widened as the professor continued.
"This one was custom ordered by someone desiring a great hunt, and I realized that, to meet this requirement, I needed to create something with the ability to think, to understand things in a way that humans can and animals cannot. This can never be replicated to the full potential of a pure human brain of course, but it has already displayed intelligence beyond anything I've created before it. Unfortunately, this has made it harder to control than most, so I've had to ensure the largest batch of security measures yet for him."
"Wow," Gwen replied, still unsure of what she should truly be feeling.
"I know," the man replied. The two then made their way out of the room, but not before Gwen turned back to glance at the creature one more time, and she could almost swear that it was... smiling.
"So, what do you think?" the professor questioned.
"It's all incredible," Gwen forced out before she could second guess it. "I can honestly say that I never even dreamed that a lot of the stuff you've shown me was even possible, but what you've done is nothing short of amazing!"
The man then took a couple of steps towards her, his gazing piercing into her own. Despite her rapidly beating heart, Gwen met his gaze head on, refusing to show any signs of intimidation.
"I must say, this has been nice," the professor spoke up. "For so long, I've desired to know someone who understands that the boundaries of science exist only to be pushed and even broken if true progress is ever to be made. The world is our oyster, Gwen, and we must stop at nothing until we have conquered it in every way possible."
"I agree," Gwen replied, nodding.
"Well, it is starting to get into the evening," the man replied. "Perhaps we should prepare dinner, and afterwards, head to my room to... enjoy ourselves."
The man's hand was then grazing her cheek, and it took everything in Gwen not to pull away harshly. Instead, she simply took his arm gently, but didn't pull it down, instead holding the man's gaze.
"Why in such a hurry?" she questioned. "After all, do we not have the rest of our lives now?"
"Are you saying that you are refusing, Ms. Stacy?" the man questioned, his gaze sharpening in accordance with his words. Fighting back a nervous swallow, Gwen continued.
"The truth is, doctor, that... I would like to take some more time to study the copy of me that you made," she said. "Looking back, I believe there are certain flaws that I might have noticed. I simply wish to study her more closely, if only to see that perhaps I was mistaken."
The man narrowed his eyes towards her, seemingly contemplating her words.
"I'm fascinated by her," Gwen spoke up again, "and I simply wish to try to understand and piece together more myself how exactly she came to be by your hand."
The man smiled, though it was in such a way that she was still uncertain of what would come out of his mouth next.
"Very well," the man replied. "As you have said, we have time still, and I'm a patient man."
"I simply cannot help my curiosity," Gwen said. "Besides, I want things to be perfect."
"I can understand that," the man replied, stroking her cheek again. "Come, let us dine, then you may head down to her, then perhaps tomorrow we will discuss exactly how we can ensure things are to your liking."
Gwen nodded.
"Thank you."
The man desperately tried to concentrate, the picture in his mind, the memory, slowly starting to clear.
"Young man, what's wrong?" the doctor questioned as he came into the room.
"Quiet!" the man yelled, not wanting anything to disrupt his concentration. "I think it's coming to me this time!"
"Are you having more heada..."
"I said QUIET!" he yelled louder this time. He refocused, his eyes remaining shut as he tried to will the image, the person in his mind to become clear. Slowly but surely, the image eventually came: a woman, with dark but short brown hair.
"Betty."
Yes, this had to be a memory!
"I think we need to intensify your treatment," the doctor said, beginning to take him by the arm.
"No!" the man replied, jerking away. "You're wrong; I think we were wrong from the beginning. My mind... I think it's been trying to fix itself! I can see people, remember names! If I can just find this woman..."
"You'll do no such thing," the doctor replied, his tone frustrating the man.
"Excuse me?" he questioned. "You're not the boss of me, doc."
"What I mean is that this could all be an elaborate trap," the doctor insisted, seemingly backtracking. "These 'visions' that you are seeing could even be false memories implanted by those who took your real ones. My treatments, will work; they will just take time."
"Don't you get it, doc?" the man questioned. "Look, I appreciate all that you've tried to do for me, but I need to try something different now. I need to go my own way to find answers."
"You're not going anywhere," the doctor replied. "You need me; you'll never make it out there on your own."
"You know, it's starting to sound like you need me a lot more than I need you," the man replied. "But I'm afraid I can't be your enforcer anymore."
The man started to leave, but the doctor grabbed onto his arm. Almost instinctively, the man struck the doctor in the chest, sending him flying several feet and landing against his equipment. Not wanting to waste any more time, the man broke into a run, heading straight for another room across the hall and leaping straight through the window, shattering it as he fell two stories, somersaulting on the ground before breaking into a sprint again.
He didn't know exactly where he was going to go from here, but the man was determined to find answers. The only thing he knew for sure was that, somewhere, there was a woman named Betty that he once knew, and perhaps still knew him as well. Hopefully, with any luck, his mind could continue to conjure up memories to provide more context.
Either way, he was going to find out, once and for all, who he really was.
Hope you're still enjoying it!
Continuing to pray for you all; stay safe and healthy!
"So again Pilate asked him, 'Aren't you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.' But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed." Mark 15:4-5