Web of Deception: The Webbed Avenger

Chapter Sixty-nine: Once Upon a Full Moon (Part 2)

1995

Derek's Escape from Oscorp

The level of 'Oh Shit-'ery going through both Derek and the security guard's heads as they went crashing through the glass had to be off the charts. For Derek, looking back he had no idea how he managed to survive the fall to the street below.

Being one hundred percent honest, Derek really had no clue. With the guard clinging to his neck like a toddler, screaming at the top of his lungs, spinning at extraordinarily dizzying speeds, the werewolf had no sense of where he was. Blurs of steel, sky, and the street below melted together.

There was an overwhelming sense of heat that rushed over his body, and the next thing he knew was that he was standing in an alley kneeling over the now unconscious guard. It was a new sensation that he was slowly getting used to. He'd heard that occasionally werewolves would lose control in moments of extreme duress, but that had never been a problem for him before. Although, now he had a super soldier serum running through his veins that amplified his abilities.

Given that the guard was still alive, Derek assumed he'd gone into survival mode to save the both of them, but that didn't really matter right now. He had to get out of there.

So he ran... disappearing into the concrete jungle. Perhaps it had been foolish of him, but Derek ran to the only place he could think of: home.

Coming to a stop, Derek's heart sank seeing the charred remains of his home. He could remember every detail of that night as if it had just happened moments earlier. The smell of the fire, the screams of his family and friends as they were burned alive. He also remembered his uncle pulling him free and saving him as one of the pillars came down.

Did Peter survive the fire... did anyone? Flashes of the flames rippling off of his skin, extreme blood-curdling pain that was only accentuated by his healing factor, terrifying echoes of their screams, it all came rushing at him at once.

By the time the memories stopped flooding in, Derek realized he had been aimlessly staring at the building for far too long. The people passing by were giving strange glares towards him, murmuring under their breaths. He was drawing attention to himself, and that meant it was time for him to go whether he wanted to or not.

Present Day.

"I kept under the radar the best I could, traveling mostly at night. When I wasn't, I stayed in abandoned houses and shipping yards. New York wasn't safe for me so I left the state. Eventually I found myself at this carnival. I don't remember the name of it, but I do remember the Ringmaster. He smelled of meat and lilac, this greasy shine constantly on his forehead. I would have kept on my way, but I met this kid. His name was Vincent." Derek explained with a soft smile, adorned with a touch of regret upon it.

"He wasn't any older than sixteen, I'd say. I saw a lot of myself in him; he was lost, afraid, and alone. Normally, I wouldn't have given him much attention given the circumstances, but the kid was a mutant. His skin was as green as the Hulk."

Fury raised an eyebrow. "Green skin? I'm taking this kid was Mesmero?"

"Yes. He was different back then. That kid couldn't hurt a fly if he wanted to. At that point he hadn't explored his powers, but then again he hadn't met a werewolf before either."