Untamed

Chapter Seventeen

After we have snuck into the hotel, changed
out of our suits, grabbed our bags, and gotten
back onto the bus, we are bombarded with
questions. Everyone asks where we were and if we saw Spider-Man and the newest superhero,
the Dark Dahlia.

"Really? The Dark Dahlia?" I ask Peter, once
everyone has sat back down and resumed their
conversation of how awesome their near death
experience was.

"It was the first thing I thought of!"

"What made you think of it?"

"Well, your magic is dark magic and you love
the black dahlia true crime case. So I just thought that Dark Dahlia makes sense and it sounds cool."

"It is pretty cool. Thanks, Spidey."

"So you really do like it? I almost
said your name, but that would have been so
bad so I just said the first thing I thought of. I
don't think anyone caught it, though. Do you
think anyone caught it?"

"Peter, don't worry, no one caught it. And yes, I really do like it."

We smile at each other and then look over at Ned, who sits in the seat next to us. "Guys, you have to tell me everything."

•

"What the hell were you thinking? You were supposed to be smart with your powers, but you went and did the stupidest thing you possibly could have done. You're all over the news and the whole world has seen your face by now!"

"Dad! It's okay, I used my powers to hide my identity. People can see my face, but even if someone were to put my picture next to a picture of me as the Dark Dahlia, they wouldn't know it was me. It tricks their brains so no one will know that I'm the Dark Dahlia, unless you already know my secret. That's why you knew, but no one in Peter's class did."

"Okay, when I'm angry, you're not supposed to make me proud. You put yourself in danger! I heard Peter wasn't even at the decathlon, and both of you weren't in the monument with the rest of the class, so where were you?"

If I tell him the truth, he'll realize Peter took the tracker out of his suit, and that would get him in so much trouble. I can't do that to him.

"We were walking around D.C when the class went into the monument. Peter's sixth sense and my intuition told us something was wrong, so we ran to the monument to save them." I maintain eye contact with him and try to keep my voice even. "He'd never been to D.C before, so I was just showing him around."

Tony pauses, before pulling me into a tight hug. "I'm proud of you, kid."

I hate lying. It makes me feel sick to my stomach, so that's why I never do it. I want to cry, but I keep myself composed.

"I'm gonna say hi to everyone and get unpacked. I love you, Dad."

"Love you to, kiddo. To infinity."

"And beyond."

I give a small smile and try to ignore the guilty feeling that is making me feel sick. I turn around and walk to my room, unable stop the tears running down my face.

•

The next morning, I allow myself to sleep in. No one wakes me up, but my phone going off does.

"Miss Stark, Peter Parker is calling you," F.R.I.D.A.Y tells me.

"Answer, please."