Maya Stark

Chapter 25: Baby Monitor protocol

The next day at school, there's tons of talk about what happened at the Monument. Posters of Spiderman and the Shadow fill the halls and there's a constant buzz. Everyone seemed way too happy for a Monday. As I walk down the hallway, I try to listen to the announcements.

'This past weekend, Midtown's Academic Decathlon team defeated the country's best to win, the national championship. Later that day, they also defeated death,' Jason was saying.

'Explosion,' Abe yelled to the camera, 'Sally scream. Flash scream. Everybody screaming'.

'There were purple lasers and smoke everywhere, it was—' A cat emoji appears over Charles mouth and a beep was inserted when he sweared. '—just like a bon Jovi concert.'

'As you know,' Mr. Harrington said, 'we made it out alive, and that's the important thing. I couldn't bear to lose a student on a school trip. Not again.'

It went back to Jason and Betty. 'Thankfully, no one was seriously injured,' Jason said, 'thanks to the Spiderman and the Shadow.'

Both the kids said together, awkwardly, 'Thank you, Spiderman and Shadow.' I still hate that name.

'Up next,' Jason continued, 'The Spiderman and Shadow mania is sweeping the school. How can you show your superhero spirit?'

I turn into another hallway and run into Parker and Ned. Ned looked very excited. More excited about everyone talking about us than Parker and I seemed.

'What is it like being famous when nobody knows it's you?' Ned asked.

'Well, I am famous without the powers so...' I said trailing off.

'It's stuff like that, that makes people say—'

'I know, I know,' I said, cutting Parker off. He was right and I back tracked. 'Go back to Ned's question.'

'It's crazy for me,' Parker said.

'Should we tell everyone?' Ned asked.

'No,' I said, not even surprised by the question.

'Should I tell everyone?' Ned asked.

'How is that different?' I spoke.

'Dude, that's not a good idea,' Parker said.

'Come on,' I said. 'We'll be late to class.'

'I'm not going to class,' Parker said.

I sighed. 'Parker you're already in a lot of trouble for missing the Decathlon. You are going to class.'

'No, Maya, listen I figured It out,' he said, quickly. 'The wing suit guy is stealing from Damage Control. And what he takes from Damage Control, that's how he builds his weapons. So, all I gotta do is catch him.'

'You have nothing figured out. You don't think I know all of that too?' I spoke. My head starting to hurt already. 'We don't know where he is, who he is, and how to stop him. Besides, you have a Spanish test.'

I follow him quickly as he starts walking towards the door. 'I am so far beyond high school right now, Maya,' he said as we turn the corner to the door.

'Parker, come on—' I stop abruptly as Principal Morita stands in front of the doors to the school. 'Just to let you know, I was trying to stop him from leaving.'

'Stark, Parker, my office,' he said, ignoring my comment.

'I am going to kill you,' I said in a whisper as we walk towards the office. 'Literally murder you. It'll be so easy.'