The Spectacular Spider-Men: The Great Web

CHAPTER-6: Unseen Horrors

ARUSH KUMAR'S POV:

Agrim and I moved stealthily through the darkened corridors of Oscorp, our steps soundless on the polished floors. The building was eerily quiet, the usual buzz of activity absent at this late hour. We had to be cautious– Oscorp's security was no joke, and any misstep could spell disaster.

"Almost there..." Agrim whispered, his eyes scanning ahead as we approached the lab where Edward Whelan, the man who had taken over Curt Connors' research on cross-species genetics, was working. The glow of computer screens illuminated the room beyond the glass wall.

We paused, making sure the coast was clear before slipping inside. Whelan was hunched over a microscope, oblivious to our presence. Agrim and I exchanged a glance, and I could see the determination mirrored in his eyes. We needed the antidote, and Whelan was our only hope.

I stepped forward, my voice low but firm. "Whelan."

He jerked upright, eyes wide with shock. "What the—? How did you get in here?"

Agrim stepped up beside me, his presence imposing. "Doesn't matter. We need your help."

Whelan's eyes darted between us, fear evident in his expression. "Help? With what?"

I reached into my pocket and pulled out a vial containing a sample of the neurotoxin we had isolated from Zain's bloodstream. "This. We need an antidote."

Whelan's eyes widened further as he recognized the sample. "That's... That's from The Scorpion, isn't it? The neurotoxin..."

"Yes." Agrim said, his voice brooking no argument. "You're going to help us neutralize it."

Whelan hesitated, glancing nervously at the lab door. "Look, I don't know what you think I can do, but this toxin is extremely complex. Even Connors would have struggled with this."

I took a step closer, my tone hardening. "But you're not Connors. You've taken over his research. You know more about cross-species genetics and your previous work on toxins proves that no one is better for this job than you. If anyone can do it, it's you."

Whelan's shoulders slumped slightly. "Even if I wanted to help, it's not that simple. This kind of research takes time, resources—"

"We're not asking." Agrim interrupted, his voice a low growl. "You don't have a choice."

Whelan looked at us, his fear slowly being replaced by resignation. "Fine. I'll do what I can. But you have to understand, this isn't a quick fix. It could take weeks, even months, to develop an antidote."

"We don't have that kind of time." I said, my voice tight with urgency. "Do whatever it takes. Work around the clock if you have to. We need that antidote, and we need it soon."

Whelan sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. "Alright. I'll start immediately. But you need to give me access to any data you have on the neurotoxin. The more information I have, the faster I can work."

Agrim nodded. "You'll get everything you need. Just make sure you deliver."

Whelan looked at us, a mixture of determination and fear in his eyes. "I'll do my best. But if you're caught, if anyone finds out what you're doing here..."

"We'll handle it." I said, cutting him off. "Just focus on the antidote."

With that, Whelan turned back to his equipment, already pulling up data on his computer. Agrim and I exchanged a glance, the weight of our mission heavy on our shoulders. We had taken a big risk coming here, but it was a risk we had to take. For Zain. For all of us.

As we slipped back out into the night, the cold air biting at our skin, I couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope. We were one step closer to saving our friend. And no matter what it took, we would see this through to the end.