My Son.... Come to me!

Running Into Trouble (Literally)

You know that feeling when you're being chased by something, and you're not exactly sure what it is, but you're 99.9% sure it's bad? Like, "New York City's on fire" bad? Yeah, that's me right now.

Sling!

Flip!

Sling!

Yeah, you heard that right. I'm web-slinging across the city like a caffeinated squirrel who found out the nuts were poisoned.

"Come on, Pete! Why do these things always happen to you?" I mutter to myself, flipping off another rooftop and barely dodging... something.

Let's pause for a second. I know you're probably wondering: "What's chasing you, Peter?"

Honestly? I have no clue. Haven't had time to look back and take notes. But I'm getting the distinct impression that turning around for a better view would result in me being turned into street pizza.

All I know is, I was minding my own business—helping Aunt May, eating pizza, living that quintessential New York teenager life—and then... boom! Something wanted to make my life even harder than it already is.

What's that? Oh, sorry, no time to explain. I'm busy swinging for my life.

I shoot another web, launching myself around a skyscraper, because, you know, nothing says "safe" like flinging yourself through New York traffic at high speeds. Mid-air, I flip again—because style points are important, even when you're on the verge of dying—and land on a ledge.

Now, I can't help but take a quick peek behind me. I know, rookie mistake, but curiosity killed the cat—oh wait, I'm Spider-Man. I can't let the cat steal my gig.

I glance back, half-expecting a giant monster, a pack of crazed symbiotes, or maybe a pizza delivery guy who's been stuck in traffic too long and has finally snapped. But... nope. Still no idea. Whatever it is, though, it's fast. Like, "Usain Bolt on Red Bull" fast.

Okay, time to go! I leap off the ledge, flipping backward, because again—style, people! I shoot another web, aiming for the top of the nearest building, when—

BAM!

I crash right into something. Or, more accurately, someone.

"Whoa, watch where you're swinging, kid!"

Uh-oh.

Mid-flip, my face gets reacquainted with a metal suit that can only belong to one guy.

"Oof! Hi, Mr. Stark!" I manage to say, my voice muffled because, you know, my face is literally pressed into his shiny red armor.

I feel him grab me by the back of my suit, like I'm some kind of kitten, and yank me upright. I dangle there for a moment, looking at him, while he looks at me. Just two people hanging out. Totally normal.

"Well, well, if it isn't New York's favorite web-head," Stark says, clearly amused. "Got time for a chat, or are you late for a track meet?"

I groan, pulling myself free and landing on the rooftop beside him, rubbing the back of my neck. "Yeah, about that... I'm kinda in the middle of a thing right now."

"Oh, a thing? Very specific." Tony crosses his arms, the red and gold of his suit gleaming in the sunlight. His visor slides up, revealing that signature smirk. "So, what are we running from this time? Angry moms? Another science fair you forgot about?"

I shoot him a look, pulling at my mask so I can breathe a little easier. "Ha-ha, very funny. If you must know, I'm being chased by something really dangerous. Don't ask me what it is, because I'm still working that out."

Tony raises an eyebrow, glancing around. "You don't know what's chasing you? And you're running anyway?"

"Yeah, well, I figured I'd start with the whole not dying part first, and then, I dunno, do the research later. You know me, always putting safety first," I say, giving him my best innocent smile.

He gives me a look that's half-amused, half-"you're an idiot." It's a look I'm very familiar with.

"I'm sure there's a lesson in all this about 'thinking before you leap,' but I doubt you're interested in hearing it right now."

I shrug, looking over the edge of the building. Whatever was chasing me hasn't caught up yet, which is good, but I know it's only a matter of time before it figures out where I went. The clock's ticking.

"I'll take a rain check on the life lessons, Mr. Stark. But right now, I've gotta move."

I turn, preparing to shoot another web and get back to the whole "escaping certain doom" thing, when Stark's hand lands on my shoulder, stopping me mid-motion.

"Hold up, kid. What exactly are you running from? If something's chasing you through Manhattan, I should probably know about it, don't you think?"

"Honestly, Mr. Stark, if I knew, you'd be the first one I'd tell. But so far, all I've got is a bad feeling and a lot of cardio."

Tony narrows his eyes, clearly not satisfied with that answer, but before he can press the issue, a sound echoes through the air.

It's subtle, but there's a faint whoosh, like something moving fast—too fast.

I freeze, my Spidey-Sense tingling like crazy. Oh boy. That's never a good sign.

Tony glances around too, his expression shifting from casual to serious in less than a second. "What the hell is that?"

See? It's not just me. Even Iron Man thinks this situation's weird, and that guy's seen some stuff.

"Yeah... that's what I've been trying to tell you," I say, backing up toward the edge of the building. "Whatever it is, it's fast, it's scary, and I'd really, really like to not be around when it shows up."

Before Tony can respond, the noise gets louder. I don't even wait for him to react. I shoot another web and leap off the rooftop, swinging out into the open air.

Behind me, I hear Stark's voice calling after me, "Parker! Where the hell are you going?"

But I don't look back. Looking back is for suckers. And heroes in training. And people who actually want to get caught by whatever nightmare is on their tail.

Sling! Flip! Sling!

I move as fast as I can, heart racing. No time to explain, no time to think, just pure instinct. My mind's a blur, but I'm focused on one thing: don't get caught. Because whatever's behind me? It's getting closer.

I hear the sound of jets firing up, and I know Tony's on the move too. Great, now I've got Iron Man trailing me. It's like I'm hosting the weirdest game of tag ever.