Arachnoblast: I'm Fourteen This is Ridiculous

Chapter 12: Goodness, Gracious, Green Balls of Fire

The day after the barbecue, Kelsey was finishing loading the dishwasher—and irritably trying to pull her now shoulder length hair out of her face—after a late dinner when Justin got home, smiling apologetically.

"Sorry I'm so late," Justin said. "I didn't expect work to take nearly this long. Did you finish off the leftovers from the barbecue?"

"Yeah," Kelsey replied, closing the dishwasher door. "There wasn't a whole lot. Sorry, I should've left some for you."

"You're fine. I stopped for a bite on the way here. I'm just going to bring these tupperware dishes back to the Parkers. Be back in a flash!"

"See you in a sec!" Kelsey gave a slight wave as her dad took the tupperware and walked out the door.

*****

Unfortunately, Kelsey wasn't the only one who noticed the comings and goings of her father. The Green Goblin hovered in the shadows, watching Justin Osburn closely. Excellent. He's out of the house and away from Kelsey. The Goblin couldn't attack Kelsey directly just yet—not until she'd had time to fester in her own heartache, to beg for death to come and take that heartache away.

The Goblin grinned as Justin entered the Parkers' home. Now was his chance. He would take out Osburn and frighten the elderly couple as a fun bonus. Chuckling quietly to himself, the Green Goblin flew down to the other side of the house and lobbed a bomb at the wall, obliterating it and leaving a gaping hole ringed with flames.

As he watched May Parker collapse, clutching her chest, the Goblin cackled and turned his attention to Justin. "Say goodbye to your darling daughter!" he called as he prepared to throw a set of bat-wing blades at the man, but as soon as he raised his arm, something slammed into his side.

"Sorry, Gobby, but this neighborhood doesn't take kindly to murderous freaks!" Arachnoblast yelled as she wrestled the bronze sphere out of Green Goblin's hand. "So why don't you take your bombs and your slicey bois and toss yourself in the slammer?"

"Arachnoblast, you pest!" the Goblin shouted as the hero put him in a headlock. "I should've known you'd show up!"

"Yeah? Well, now I'm taking you down before you get the chance to attack any more innocents!" Arachnoblast pulled back, simultaneously choking and tipping the Goblin backward, trying to pull him off his glider. She had to get him on the ground so the cops could nab him more easily, but making such a plan and executing it were two entirely different matters. At least she had the assurance that backup was on its way, since she had noticed Justin speaking hastily on the phone.

Unfortunately, no one could arrive fast enough. Quick as a flash, the Green Goblin pitched forward, grabbing Arachnoblast's arm from around his neck and flinging her down. As a last resort, Arachnoblast shot a web ball at the Goblin's face, blinding him long enough for Justin and May to hide.

With his target out of sight, the Goblin scowled once he finally cleared the webs from his face. "You win this time, Aracnoblast," he snarled. "But I have a few more tricks up my sleeve. Just you wait. You'll be begging for mercy by this time tomorrow!" The Goblin laughed wickedly as he soared away, disappearing from view too quickly for Arachnoblast to follow.

"Consarnit!" Arachnoblast muttered, then her eyes grew wide as she watched Ben Parker's car pull into the driveway shortly after an ambulance, and her father reenter her home. Staying in the cover of the shadows, Arachnoblast leapt into her room, whipping her mask off and throwing her pajamas and bathrobe on, making sure every part of her costume was covered.

Just as Kelsey finished hiding the proof of her secret life, Justin burst into her room. "Kelsey!" he cried, pulling his daughter into a warm, relieved embrace. "Thank goodness you're safe!"

Kelsey returned her father's hug and feigned ignorance. "Dad, what was all the commotion about? I was about to go to bed when suddenly I thought I heard an explosion and yelling."

"It was the Green Goblin," Justin said, glaring out the window. "He attacked the Parkers' house. I thought he was going to—to kill you, by the way he was talking. Thank goodness Arachnoblast—"

"Wait wait wait," Kelsey interrupted, pulling away. "What did he say that made you think he was after me?"

"He said something like, 'say goodbye to your daughter,' and he was waving one of his bombs around when he said it, as though you were his next target. As I called the ambulance for May and watched Arachnoblast fight him off, I was so worried he might've done something to you."

"Don't worry, he didn't," Kelsey assured even as her head spun with questions. But why did he attack the Parkers? Why threaten me? How would he even know that I exist? Unless...

A chill ran up Kelsey's spine as the dreadful realization hit her. Unless he knows who Arachnoblast is—who I am. And now he's targeting my loved ones to get to me.

"Hey, dad? Are you okay? I mean, did the Goblin hurt you? And—and how are the Parkers?" Kelsey asked, the questions coming out faster and shakier than she intended.

"I'm fine, sweetie. Poor May was just rushed to the hospital, by the looks of it, but I'm sure they'll be able to take care of her there. Ben and Peter were out and barely returned when the worst of it was over, and will probably need a place to stay while their house is getting fixed. Think you'll mind having a couple of housemates for a bit?"

"I'll be okay with that, as long as everyone is safe," Kelsey sighed in relief. Having Ben and Peter stay over was likely to make it harder to sneak out and go superheroing, but Kelsey was still happy to extend a hand of hospitality toward her closest friend. Besides, she'd always wanted to have a sleepover, she just hadn't expected it would be under such intense circumstances.

*****

The next morning, Kelsey trotted downstairs to find Ben and Peter about to walk out the door. "Are you guys headed to the hospital to visit May?" she asked.

"Yeah. Wanna join?" Peter invited.

"I don't think I'm ready just yet," Kelsey replied apologetically. "I'll catch a ride there later. Let me know how she's doing and if you need anything!"

"Will do. Thanks, Kelsey!" Peter smiled appreciatively.

"Anytime. Drive safely!"

Ben and Peter nodded in reply and walked out the door and to Ben's car. Just as they left, Kelsey's phone dinged with a message from Harry.

It's crazy what happened to Mrs. Parker, huh? Wanna head over to the hospital this evening?

Kelsey typed out her reply with a small smile. Of course! Any chance you could give me a ride?

Harry replied with a simple thumbs up and Kelsey pocketed her phone, grateful that she now had a concrete plan to visit May and support Peter, and grateful that she had time before that plan took effect to swing around and check for crime. After a quick bowl of cereal, Kelsey donned her costume and began her usual patrol, keeping her eyes peeled for crime and the Green Goblin.