His Protective Dad Completed ✓

Shadows in the Alley

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across empty college campus, Peter made his way back home. He had decided to stay late, hoping to catch up on some studying before the upcoming exams. The campus was eerily quite; the bustling crowd of students had thinned out, leaving only the sound of his footsteps echoing in the deserted hallways.

Peter pushed through the gates, feeling a twinge of unease as he glanced around. He hadn't told anyone he did be at college today, not even his friends. Maybe it was a mistake to stay so late.

"Just go home, Pete," he muttered to himself, picking up the pace. The shadows seemed to stretch longer with each step he took, and unsettling feeling prickling at the back of his neck.

As he turned into the alleyway that cut through the main Street, the air felt thicker, and a sense of foreboding washed over him. The alley was dimly lit, and just as he started to quicken his pace, a group of figures emerged from the darkness ahead.

Peter's heart raced as he recognised the familiar sneers of Jason and his crew. "Well, look who we have here!! The little hero thinks he's brave enough to walk alone," Jason said, a malicious grin spreading across his face.

"Just leave me alone, Jason," Peter replied, trying to keep his voice steady. The last thing he wanted was confrontation, but he could see the group was intend on something much worse.

"Oh, but where is the fun in that?" Jason said, signaling to the others behind him. "Boys, I think our friend Peter needs a little lesson in respect."

Peter instinctively took a stepped back, his mind racing.  He didn't want to fight, especially not without using his powers, but as the gang advanced, he knew, he was outnumbered. "Seriously, just back off," he urged, keeping his hands raised in a non-threatening manner.

Jason laughed, the sound cold and mocking. "You think we are going to let you just walk away?? You've been a thorn in my side for too long. It's time to fix that."

Before peter could react, a couple of goons lunged at him, grabbing his arms and pulling him deeper into the alley. Panic surged through him, but he forced himself to stay calm. He wouldn't give them the satisfaction of seeing him scared.

"Let me go!!" Peter shouted, struggling against their grip, but they were too strong. They shoved uonhard against the alley wall, causing him to gasp as the impact knocked the wind out of him.

"Look at this loser," one of the goons taunted, shoving peter again. "All alone, no friends to save him."

"Yeah, Spider-Boy is all alone. Just like we like him," Jason added, stepping forward with a wicked smile. Let's see how tough you're without your little powers."

The others laughed as they took turns throwing punches and shoving him. Peter grunted in pain with each hit, fighting to stay in his feet. He couldn't let them see how scared he was.

"Let's see how tough you're now, Spider-Boy!!" Jason taunted, his voice dripping with glee. Peter now struggled to stay on his feet, fists swinging in desperation, but he was quickly overwhelmed. He didn't want to use his powers – he didn't want to risk revealing his secret, especially not in front of these thugs.

"Come on, you call this a fight?" One of the goons mocked, pushing Peter back against the wall. He felt the cool brick scarpe against his skinas they continued their assault, each punch a reminder of his vulnerability. The world around him started to blur as pain radiated through his body, each blow weakening him further.

"Please.... just stop!!" Peter gasped, but the words barely registered above their laughter. He could feel himself slipping, conciousness wavering as the hits kept coming.

After what felt like an eternity, they finally stepped back, satisfied with their work. Peter crumbled to the ground, his vision fading as he lay there, gasping for air. "You will regret this, Spider-Boy. We will be watching," Jason sneered, before he and his goons melted into the shadows, leaving peter alone and broken in the alley.

________________________________________

Steve Rogers was deep in conversation, when his watch vibrated, pulling his attention away from the meeting. Frowning, he glanced at the notification, his heart racing when he saw Peter's alert. "I have to go," he said abruptly, standing up and heading to the door.

"Is everything okay?" One of the avengers, Dr. Strange, asked but Steve didn't wait for a response. He sprinted toward the exit, determination coursing through him. He couldn't ignore that something was wrong with peter.

As he arrived at the alley, the sight before him was shocking. Peter lay curled on the ground, bloodied and battered. "Peter!!" Steve shouted, rushing to his side. He knelt beside his son, checking for injuries as fear gripped his heart.

"Stay with me, buddy. I am here," he said, gently shaking Peter's shoulders willing him to respond. But Peter's eyes fluttered open only briefly before closing again.

"Jason....." Peter muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

Steve's expression hardened, fury surging through him. "I'll handle this. Just hand on." He quickly activated his communicator. "Tony!! I need you back at the tower now!! It's Peter – he's hurt!"

As he cradled Peter's head in his hands, feeling the warmth of his son's blood seeping through his fingers. Steve vowed to protect him. They had fought many battles together, but this time, he wouldn't let peter fight alone.