The Spectacular Spider-Men: The Great Web

SIDE STORY-3: Into The Mind Of Zain Zaffar

ZAIN ZAFFAR'S POV:

My eyes burned from the constant strain, and my hands shook as I carefully measured out another reagent. The hideout was eerily quiet, save for the faint hum of machinery and the occasional clink of glassware. It was past midnight, but I couldn't afford to stop. We were running out of time, and too many lives were at stake.

I glanced at the clock, frustration gnawing at me. Agrim, Ritvik, and Arush were out in the field, risking their lives, while I was stuck here, failing over and over again. I couldn't let them down. I added the final ingredient to the mixture and watched with bated breath.

Nothing. The liquid remained unchanged, mocking my efforts.

"Damn it!" I slammed my fist onto the table, sending a tremor through the lab. A few beakers wobbled precariously but didn't fall. I rubbed my eyes, trying to refocus. I couldn't give up now.

"Zain, you need to take a break." Betty's voice broke through the silence. She stood at the entrance of my makeshift lab, her expression a mix of concern and determination.

"I can't, Betty." I replied, not looking up. "We're running out of time."

MJ, who had been quietly sitting in the corner, approached me. "We believe in you, Zain. But you won't be any help to anyone if you burn out."

I sighed, the weight of their words pressing down on me. "I can't stop now. Not when we're so close."

I turned back to my work, trying to block out the exhaustion and frustration. I added another reagent, hoping against hope that this time would be different. The liquid turned a sickly green before fizzling out, releasing a pungent odour. Another failure.

My shoulders slumped, and I buried my face in my hands. How many times could I fail before it became clear I wasn't cut out for this?

Betty stepped closer, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. "It's okay to fail, Zain. It just means you're one step closer to finding the right solution."

MJ nodded. "We're here for you, Zain. No matter what."

Their words were like a balm to my raw nerves, but the pressure was still immense. "Thank you." I said quietly. "I just... I need to keep trying. I can't let them down."

Betty and MJ exchanged worried glances but didn't argue. They knew how much this meant to me, how determined I was to succeed. They stepped back, giving me space, and I took a deep breath, returning to my calculations. Maybe this time...

Hours blurred together as I worked tirelessly, my focus unwavering despite the growing fatigue. Each failure weighed heavier than the last, but I couldn't stop. I wouldn't stop.

Finally, I leaned back in my chair, exhaustion crashing over me. The lab was a mess, and I had nothing to show for my efforts. Despair threatened to overwhelm me, but as I looked at Betty and MJ, still watching me with unwavering support, I felt a flicker of hope. They believed in me, even when I didn't believe in myself.

Maybe, just maybe, I could find the strength to keep going.

A few hours later...

I took another deep breath and stared at the latest batch of the formula. My hands trembled as I carefully mixed the final components, my heart pounding in my chest. This had to be it. I couldn't afford another failure. I couldn't let everyone down.

Betty and MJ were silent, watching me with hopeful yet anxious eyes. They had been my rock throughout this entire ordeal, their belief in me unwavering despite the countless setbacks.