A.N: Welcome to the newest chapter of Along Came a Spider! I forgot to mention this in the notes of the previous chapter, but we're nearing the end, ladies and gentlemen!

More on that at the end!

Enjoy!

Chapter 9: Emancipated

At Ewen High the next day, almost no one noticed that Carrie didn't show up. Sue and Tommy however, did. Since neither of them had a class with her today, they didn't realize until they were waiting for her at lunch that she didn't come. Both looked all over the place before giving up.

"She really isn't here, is she? That's... shocking.", Tommy commented. "When was the last time she missed a day?"

"As far as I remember, never. She's here every day no matter what.", said Sue.

Something in her gut told her whatever caused Carrie to no-show was bad. Really bad. She tried to think of something else, something rational, but whatever she thought of led her right back. She sighed and said, "I hope she's okay."

Tommy nodded.

"Me too. Maybe after school we could go and check on her, make sure nothing's wrong.", he said.

"And risk her mom answering the door and slamming it in our faces? Yeah, I don't think so.", Sue replied.

"Yeah, that probably won't end well, will it? She'd more than likely yell at us too. What do you suggest we do, then?"

"I don't know. I'll... I'll think of something."

As soon as she said that, Heather and the Watson twins walked up to their table and sit with them. Sue saw them and said, "Hey, guys."

"Hey. What's going on?", Heather asked.

"Carrie's not here.", said Tommy.

"Yeah, we noticed. She didn't show up to social studies.", said Nicki.

"Or Algebra.", said Lizzy. "Is she okay?"

"We hope so. Maybe she's just sick and we're overthinking things.", Tommy hypothesized. "Right?"

'I hope so. Dear God, I hope so.', Sue thought.

"I think so.", she then said out loud, though she didn't sound convinced.

"Hey, this might be unrelated, but I saw Miss Desjardin a little while ago gunning for the exit.", Heather then brought up.

"Why?", Sue asked.

"I don't know. I saw her on her phone in the teacher's lounge on my way to meet with Nik and Liz, and I don't know who she was talking to, but all of a sudden, her eyes looked like they were about to bulge out of their sockets. I couldn't hear most of what she was saying, but afterwards, she bolted right out of the room and ran towards the exit."

"Damn, wonder what that was all about.", said Nicki.

"I don't think I've ever seen her like that. Maybe it's some family or personal thing that happened?", Heather wondered.

"Probably, from the sounds of it.", said Lizzy.

Hearing this intensified Sue's thoughts from earlier.

"Hey, by any chance, did you hear her say Carrie's name?", she then asked.

Heather tried to remember if she did.

"Actually... I think so. I think I did hear her ask 'What about Carrie?' before, you know, she bolted."

Sue's heart rate picked up. Immediately, she thought Chris did something. Maybe she found her somehow and beat her up like she tried the other day.

"You don't... you don't think Chris has something to do with this, right?", Tommy asked, beating Sue to the punch.

"I doubt it; we'd hear about it from everyone already.", said Nicki.

"Then, who else would do something to her?", said Sue.

"I don't know, but whoever it was, I hope they'll get what's coming to them.", said Tommy in a dark tone. "If not, then I'll show them a bad time."

Sue had never heard her boyfriend talk like that. Neither did the others.

"I'll help.", she then found herself saying.

"Can we get in on this too?", Heather then asked.

"You know what they say; the more the merrier."

They had a good laugh at Sue's remark, lightening the mood a bit.

"In all seriousness though, let's just hope she's alright. We'll ask around; try and find out if anyone knows anything, and if no one does, then we'll meet up with her ourselves. If we have to go to her house to do it, then screw it.", said Tommy.

They all agreed and ate their lunch, feeling a little more at ease. It sucked having to wait considering what they know, but it was all they could do right now. They just hoped whatever happened wasn't as bad as they thought, and that Carrie wasn't in danger or harmed in any way.

The lunch bell later rang, and everyone went to their next class.

Meanwhile, Carrie and Peter were at the police station waiting for the DA to show up.

It had been a rough few hours. After they arrived to report what happened, Carrie told the officers everything she endured under Margaret's care. She cried as she told them what she'd do to her whenever she did anything slightly wrong, going into vivid detail. The descriptions she gave deeply disturbed even the veterans in the force as they had never encountered anything close to this in their careers.

After getting this, the police went to arrest Margaret, who would be charged with child neglect, abuse and a plethora of other charges.

Peter put a hand on her back. He could see a few tears run down her cheek as she stared at the carpeted floor.

"You did good, Carrie. How are you feeling?", he asked.

"I... that was... hard. Telling them all that... I felt like I was back there. Why... why did she do this? What did I do?", Carrie whispered, putting her head in her hands.

"Nothing. You did nothing wrong, and you definitely didn't deserve what happened to you. She did whatever she could to break you and make you fear what's out there in the world and you know what? She failed.", Peter said firmly.

"What do you mean?", Carrie asked, now looking up at Peter.

"Well, even though she did all that, trying to make you scared of, well, everything, you stood up for yourself and against everything she tried to plant inside your head. You showed her who was stronger and as a result, she'll never hurt you ever again. Remember when I told you that you're one of the toughest people I've ever met? You just proved again how strong you are. I'm proud of you, Carrie."

Carrie hugged Peter as more tears ran down her face. He stroked her hair and planted a small kiss on her head. Little by little, Carrie began to calm down and wiped her tears away.

After all of this, Carrie felt a sense of euphoria flow through her. She was finally free; free from her mother's influence and the fear she was constantly subjected to by her.

She just wished it didn't happen like this.

A few minutes later, they heard the door open and a man in a suit and tie holding a briefcase walked in.

"Hello you two. My name is Andy Sanders and I'm the DA called in about your situation, Miss White. I just finished talking to the detectives about what's been going on such as your mother's arrest and what they found in the house. I know that this all a lot to you, so if you'd like to meet another time, I can make that happen.", he said.

Carrie shook her head and replied, "N-No, Mister Sanders. We can do this now."

Andy nodded and took out some papers from his briefcase.

"Well, after reviewing your case, it comes to no surprise that there's insurmountable evidence to lock up your mother for a long time. Given her mental state, she will most likely be sent to an institution to get whatever help she could get. Suffice to say, given the details, she'll never be allowed to go anywhere near you. Also, if I remember correctly, you're a few months away from turning 18 and with graduation coming soon, you're liable to become emancipated.", he said.

"Emancipated? What does that mean?", Carrie asked.

"Simply put, this is a legal way to become an adult before turning 18. You would be living on your own terms moving forward."

Sanders then explained other details regarding what her situation and what was next. The meeting took a little less than an hour with Peter and Sanders guiding her through whatever documents laid before her with the DA giving her clear explanations on some of the text.

In the end, Carrie was to be granted temporary emancipation while under the supervision of a legal guardian until she turned 18. The legal guardian part got her attention as she had no idea who it could be or if someone has even heard about her case. Part of her was nervous as to who would take her in. There was no way they'd be like Margaret, right? She didn't know what scared her most, if someone like her mother were to take her or no one at all.

"C-Can I ask something?", she said.

"Of course, what is it?", Andy asked.

"This legal guardian, um... has someone..."

Andy smiled.

"Yes, Miss White. Matter of fact, I actually got a message a few minutes before I came in saying that someone has already stepped in to fill that role. She should be coming in-", he said before a knock at the door interrupted him. "Ah, that must be her. I'll get this."

He opened the door slightly and Carrie heard him say, "Are you- yes, yes, of course, come in."

Her eyes widened when she saw who it was.

It was Miss Desjardin.

"Hi Carrie.", she said softly with a smile.

"M-Miss D-Desjardin?", Carrie stuttered. "W-Why?"

Rita kneeled in front of her and said, "Because you deserve to be happy, sweetie. Every day since I met you, I had to watch over and over again what they were all doing to you. I did all I could to help you, but... I just wished I could've done a lot more." She held Carrie's hands in hers before continuing, "What happened in the lockers... I swore never again would something like that ever happen to you. When I heard about this, I signed those papers without any hesitation. You can stay with me as long as you like, I just want you to live in a safe and proper home, Carrie. I'll do whatever it takes to take care of you, sweetie. I promise."

Carrie was frozen in shock. If this was a dream, she didn't want to wake up. She wrapped Rita in a hug with tears running down their faces. Peter and the DA left the room together to give them some time alone.

"You're her friend, right? Peter, I believe?", he said as he extended his hand.

Peter shook it and said, "Yeah. I've been in town for only a few days when I met her. I did whatever I could to help her with this."

"That's very noble of you, Peter."

"Thanks. It was a tough road, but it was worth it. She won't have to live in fear anymore."

Once everything was ready, the three of them were on their way out of the station when Rita overheard a conversation between two officers.

"So, you went to the White residence when they arrested Margaret?", one asked.

"Yep, but here's the thing; when we got there, she was all beaten and bloodied up.", the other said.

"For real?"

"Oh yeah, she was bleeding from her nose, mouth, she had a cut on one of her brows, there was a broken chair, it was unbelievable."

"Damn. Serves her right, though. I just wonder who did it. I'd buy them a cold one."

"Me too, but we couldn't find anything; fingerprints, DNA, nothing. They did good hiding their tracks, that's for sure."

Rita had to suppress a grin from forming on her lips.

One hour ago...

Rita was both seeing red and very pissed off.

Peter called to tell her that he and Carrie were at the police station to report that Carrie's own mother tried to kill her in her sleep. Once she heard that, she sprinted out of the school and into her car to make her way to the station. Before igniting her car, she took numerous deep breaths and tried to keep the tears pooling in her eyes from falling.

She was shaking and seething with anger. Every instinct in her body told her to drive to Carrie's house and, if she hasn't been arrested already, beat the ever-living shit out of Margaret.

So, she decided to go there first.

Rita could practically hear Carrie's screams in her head when Peter told her what happened. Carrie... sweet innocent Carrie who would never hurt a fly was nearly killed by her own damn mother. The girl who Rita admittingly saw as a daughter nearly died by that bitch's hand. She couldn't let her get away with that. She knew Carrie's home address whenever she graded her, and after typing it into her phone's GPS, drove there.

When she got there, she took a few deep breaths before getting out and walking to the door. There were a few cars parked down the street, but no one was out and about. It was all quiet.

'Good.'

Rita was still shaking, but she was more in control of herself at this point. She knocked on the door and waited.

A minute later, the door slightly opened, and Margaret White poked her head out.

"Who are you and what do you want?", she hissed.

"Mrs. White? I'm Rita Desjardin, your daughter's gym teacher. I noticed Carrie didn't come to school today and I was hoping to check in to see if she was alright.", Rita replied as calmly as she could.

Margaret's eyes narrowed as she replied, "That she-devil is no daughter of mine. Nothing can save her, not even the Lord. Now, go away."

Before she had the chance to close the door, Rita kicked it open, sending Margaret to the floor. The gym teacher stormed in and slammed the door closed behind her.

Margaret quickly got up to her feet and hissed, "You... you dare?!"

"You're goddamned right I do, you bitch!", Rita yelled before storming up to her and punching her in the nose.

Margaret stumbled to the floor and Rita kicked her on the side, sending her back further. The crazed woman got up and grabbed a wooden chair, attempting to hit the gym teacher with it. She raised it above her head, but Rita tackled her to the floor. The chair broke when it hit the floor. Rita held her down while punching her repeatedly. Margaret tried to break free, but the gym teacher's grip was too strong.

Then, using all the strength she had, Margaret punched Rita in the chest, forcing all the air out of her lungs. While she gasped for air, Margaret slowly got up, went to the kitchen and grabbed the same butcher knife she tried to kill Carrie with. She saw Rita still on the floor coughing and trying to get back on her feet. She took that chance to try and stab her with the knife, but Rita grabbed her arm and twisted it in a direction it definitely shouldn't, forcing Margaret to scream in pain and drop the knife.

The sound of her screaming was music to Rita's ears. She then drove Margaret into a wall so hard, the crazed woman got a cut on her forehead that immediately started to bleed before Rita ran her knee onto Margaret's gut, knocking the air out of her and causing Margaret to fall to her knees gasping for air. When Margaret tried to get back up, Rita kicked her in the face. Margaret fell onto her back and the gym teacher let out a yell before delivering one final punch to her face, knocking Margaret out.

Rita panted as she stared down at the unconscious woman. She had to restrain herself from choking her or punching her more. She saw her hands trembling and she clenched them into fists as she took a deep breath. This was when she became fully aware about what was around her.

She saw a few religious paintings on the walls along with a crucifix or two. The furniture looked old, the wallpaper was a dull beige color and there wasn't a TV around. Heck, there wasn't anything electronic around. Rita took a peek into the kitchen and even the appliances looked old too. The aura of the place was just... wrong.

Then, she saw a door in the living room that was busted open from the middle. Against her better judgement, she poked her head through the hole and saw a small closet with more paintings and a crucifix with Jesus on the cross. It looked like there was real blood on it for some reason.

Then, the smell hit her. It was like something died in there.

Rita stepped away from the door and started coughing and retching. Her mind created an image of Carrie in there, screaming and begging to be let out.

'Oh... oh Carrie.'

Once she composed herself, she was about to leave until she heard a low groan. She saw Margaret slowly opening her eyes and turn her head to Rita. The gym teacher knelt down next to her and gave her a look of fury. Margaret saw that and... something else in her eyes.

Something she couldn't pinpoint, but it certainly wasn't human.

"You never deserved her.", Rita growled before getting up and leaving the house.

Before turning the engine on, she took a deep breath and calmly turned the car on before driving off to the police station as if nothing ever happened.

Now...

Rita let out a small chuckle remembering the sight of a defeated and bloodied Margaret.

Good; she deserved it.

She lightly patted Carrie on her back as they left the station.

Soon after, Tommy, Sue, Heather and the Watson twins finished their day at school. After finding out nothing from everyone they talked to, the group decided to bite the bullet and go to Carrie's house once school ended. If her mom answered the door, well... they'll figure something out.

They all crammed inside Tommy's Jeep and began making their way there.

"I really hope Carrie answers the door so that we don't have to deal with her mom. Knowing her luck, though, I doubt she'll get the chance.", Heather commented.

"Tell me about it. Hey, you remember the first time we met her mom?", Nicki asked her sister.

"Yeah, that was the first time we saw Carrie too. Her mom called us 'demon spawn' the moment she saw us along with a bunch of other stuff. Carrie looked like she wanted to die right then and there, and I really can't blame her.", said Lizzy. "I kinda felt bad for her, actually. Then Chris told us about her, called her a freak and a bunch of other things and unfortunately, the rest is history."

Nicki nodded before Heather asks, "Who else could know what's going on with her?"

"Maybe... Spider-Man?", Tommy suggested as he stopped at a stop sign.

"And how are we even gonna find him?", Sue asked. "It's not like we can shout "Hey, Spider-Man, over here!" and just expect him to show up."

"You rang?"

Everyone yelped. Spider-Man was hanging upside-down on a web before he flipped and landed on his feet near the car. Heather and the Watson twins nearly freaked out as they saw him approach the car.

Tommy shakingly waved at him and said, "H-Hey, Spidey."

"'Sup, Tommy.", Spider-Man casually greeted with a small wave.

Tommy looked like he was going to die from happiness.

'He knows my name! Oh right, Carrie told him, and he saw me the other night, but still!', he thought, trying to not look like a complete dummy.

"W-What are you doing here?", Sue asked.

"I was looking for you, actually. It's been... it's been a bit of a hard day, really. Here.", he said, taking out a piece of paper and giving it to Sue.

"What is this?", she asked as she unfurled the paper.

"Carrie's new address. If you want to check on her, you'll find her here. I won't say what happened, that's for her to say. Just be ready to hear a bunch of messed up stuff. Like, really messed up stuff."

Everyone was relieved to hear she was safe, though that last part was alarming to hear. Spider-Man then turned to see Heather and the Watson twins in the back of the Jeep. They looked like they were containing their excitement to see him. His eyes narrowed and as a result of seeing the twins. The lenses on his mask also narrowed. Heather and the twins could almost feel the atmosphere tense up in an instant.

"Why are they here? Have you been lying to me?", he asked Sue in a serious tone while pointing to the twins.

She quickly shook her head, eyes wide in a panic.

"N-No, no, i-it's not what you think. T-They want to say sorry to Carrie and they're serious about it. Nobody's planning anything, I swear.", she said.

Spider-Man, still pointing at the twins, then said, "I saw these two the other day chasing her and you. You're just gonna blindly take their word for it after all that?"

Before Sue could respond, Lizzy beat her to it by replying, "She's right. We fucked up big time and we want to say sorry to her for what we put her through. I know it's a sudden change from the other day, but Sue's telling the truth. That's all we want."

The web-head looked at Sue and at the girls before sighing.

"Fine, I believe you... for now. But I swear, if this turns out to be some sick trick in the end; I'll make you regret it.", he said.

'Again', he added mentally.

With that, he leapt and swung away.

"Damn...", was all Heather could say.

"I know. Who would've thought a guy looking like that and making jokes on the fly in life-or-death situations could be so scary?", said Tommy.

"So... what happens next?", asked Nicki.

"I guess we go to wherever this place is. That's where we'll find Carrie.", said Sue.

Lizzy let out a hum and said, "Let's go then."

Heather then interjected, "Actually, how about only Tommy and Sue go instead?"

"Why?", asked Nicki.

"Well, you know how Spider-Man said about some messed up that happened with Carrie? If it's something serious, maybe it's better that they go. Carrie trusts them more than the three of us anyway. That's just me, though.", Heather replied.

The twins mulled over what she said and agreed with her. Whatever it was that happened, they didn't want to add on to it by being there. For all Carrie knew, they still laughed behind her back and were planning other ways to trick her.

"Fine.", they said at the same time.

"So where do I drop you guys at?", Tommy asked.

"Maybe my house. It's not too far from here.", said Heather before turning to the twins. "That okay?"

The twins agreed and Tommy dropped them off there before setting course for the address.

He and Sue were not ready for what Carrie would tell them.

Later that evening, Vulture was in another abandoned warehouse repairing the damaged wings on his suit again. Thanks to Shocker's idiocy, any tech they could've gotten away with was either taken back or blown up.

"Fucking dumbass...", he muttered under his breath as he was working.

As if the wings weren't damaged enough, his helmet was also cracked, so now he both wouldn't be able to see clearly as he flew and where any pieces of tech, assuming there's still more, were at.

Then, as he was taking a break, his helmet lit up. He put it on and while it informed him that a new piece of tech was detected, the map of the town was barely legible due to the crack.

"Goddamn it.", he then muttered.

Despite this, he was able to see the value of what it was, which was displayed on the bottom left corner of the screen. His eyes widened, and his lips formed a smirk.

"Gotta finish quick."

He took off the helmet and went back to work, trying to work with what he has.

Whatever it was, it was valuable, one-of-a-kind...

And one way or another, it was gonna be his.

A.N: Hoped you enjoyed this chapter. Like I said, we're nearing the end of the story! Chapter 10 will take a little longer to be ready since, well... it's very, very long, so bear with me on this one.

Chapter 10 will be the final chapter, and it'll be followed by two epilogues. One is short, and the other is longer.

Chapter 10 will, of course, cover the night everyone's been waiting for; Prom Night! I can't wait 'till you see it!

As always, feel free to leave a review, favorite or follow the story, or send me a private message. Constructive criticism is welcome!

Thank you all for your support! See you next time!