The Tangled Web | Peter Parker

Chapter 16

Flash walked me home, not letting go of my hand the entire walk there. He tried his best to lighten my mood, telling jokes and sharing funny stories about something ridiculous that his friend Charlie had done at practice the other day. It was a successful distraction for a few minutes, allowing my brain a moment of peace as it tried to recover from my interaction with the man.

I had so many unanswered questions. Am I really the only journalist that has quotes from Spider-Man in their stories? Why is he so convinced I know Spider-Man's identity? Who is he? Who does he work for? Does Eleanore know more than she's telling me? Should I warn Spider-Man about these men trying to expose his identity?

May was standing on the front porch, clutching her cardigan around her body, shivering, as she watched us approach the street. She was chewing on her nail, waiting anxiously.

I pulled my eyebrows together, staring up at Flash. "How does she-"

"I texted her from your phone," he sighed, shaking his head. He pulled my phone out of his jacket pocket, slowly handing it back to me. "Sorry, I just thought she should know."

I shook my head in confusion. "I didn't even know you had my phone," I exhaled, lowering my gaze to the ground.

"Yeah," he said slowly. "I slipped it out of your pocket when Mrs. Brant was walking away. I had a feeling you would try to convince me when we got here that you would be fine by yourself," he explained, slowly coming to a stop on the sidewalk that connected to the steps leading to the Parker residence. He tugged on my hand, turning my body to face him as he pulled me closer. "I didn't want you to be alone tonight," he whispered, placing a kiss on my forehead.

"Am I really that predictable?" I sighed, wrapping my arms around his waist as I looked up at him.

He brought his hand to my cheek, lightly tracing my skin as his eyes scanned over every inch of my face. "Sometimes," he admitted, a smile tugging at his lips.

"Emerson," May gasped, running down the stairs to meet us. She grabbed my shoulders, tearing me away from Flash's arms and into her own. "I was so worried about you. What happened? Are you okay? Did he hurt you?" she questioned, holding my head between her hands. She examined my body for any marks.

"No," I whispered, shaking my head. "He didn't touch me."

"Who on earth would threaten a child like that?" she exclaimed, running her hands over my hair. "I'm just glad you're here and safe." She turned her attention to Flash, her eyes softening. "Thank you for making sure my Emerson got home."

"You're welcome, Mrs. Parker," Flash nodded, returning her smile.

May let out a loud sigh, running her hands up and down my arms. She glanced between us, pulling her eyebrows together. "I was about to put on a kettle," May stated, looking up at Flash. "Would you like to stay for a cup of tea?"

"That'd be really nice, Mrs. Parker," Flash smiled, blushing. "Thank you."

I let May lead me to the steps and into the house. She took my coat, placed it over the banister on the stairs, and pulled me into the kitchen, gesturing for me to sit at the kitchen table. She quickly walked to the couch, grabbed a blanket, and wrapped it around my shoulders before moving to ignite the stove.

Flash slowly walked into the Parker's house, his head turning to look around as he hesitantly observed his surroundings. He paused in the living room, his eyes scanning the picture frames that decorated the TV stand. He smiled, pointing to one of the pictures. "This you?" he asked, tilting his head.

I looked over at the picture he was referring to, grinning as I recalled the day the photograph was taken. Peter and I were about six; it was one of the first times I that I stayed the night with the Parkers. May had decided it would be a good idea to let us bake cookies and allowed us to make them from scratch. Peter and I were covered from head to toe in flour. We were holding up our messy hands, eyes squinted shut, and sticking out our tongues at Ben who had captured the moment.