His Protective Dad (Starker FF) Completed ✓

Shadows of Fear

The hospital room was stark and sterile, filled with the faint hum of machines and the smell of antiseptic. Peter lay on the bed, bandaged and weary, a world of pain wrapping around him like a heavy blanket. Despite the care surrounding him, his mind was trapped in a storm of anxiety, fixated on Jason and the threats he posed.

Every time the door creaked open, Peter’s heart would race, a reflex he couldn’t control. He didn’t want to think about Jason, didn’t want to remember the way he had grinned with malice, the feeling of helplessness as he had been overpowered. But the memories invaded his mind uninvited, churning in a whirlpool of fear.

As the nurses checked on him, he plastered on a smile, trying to convince them—and himself—that he was okay. But inside, he was unraveling. “I’m fine,” he insisted, each word feeling heavier than the last. “Just a few bruises.”

He could hear the faint chatter of nurses outside the room. “He’s young… should heal quickly,” one said. “Such a shame he was attacked…” another replied, her voice tinged with pity.

Peter clenched his fists beneath the covers, trying to push the fear away. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't escape the reality that Jason was out there, and it made his skin crawl. What if he comes back? The thought haunted him, sending shivers down his spine.

After the doctors left, Peter’s parents arrived, concern etched into their faces. “Hey, buddy,” Tony said, his voice gentle but heavy with worry. “How are you feeling?”

“Better,” Peter lied, forcing a grin as he glanced at his father. But the smile didn’t reach his eyes. The weight of Jason’s threat hung over him, suffocating any sense of relief.

“Just a little sore,” he added, hoping they wouldn’t notice the tremor in his voice.

Steve placed a reassuring hand on Peter’s shoulder, but the warmth of the gesture only intensified his anxiety. “You’re a fighter, Peter. You’ll get through this,” Steve said, his tone firm yet comforting.

Peter nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat. “Yeah, I know.” He wanted to believe that, wanted to feel strong like the superhero everyone thought he was. But he felt anything but.

In the days following the attack, Peter forced himself to act normal, laughing at his parents' jokes and participating in conversations with his friends. Yet, when he was alone, the fear settled in like a dark cloud. Every creak of the floorboards in his house, every unexpected shadow on the wall, sent him spiraling into panic. What if Jason was watching?

There were moments when he would hear laughter echoing in the distance, the kind that made his heart race. He would remember the feeling of Jason’s hands gripping him, the taunting laughter ringing in his ears. In those moments, he felt paralyzed, trapped in a loop of terror that threatened to consume him.

Jason was still out there, and the idea of facing him again sent waves of dread crashing over him. What if he came for me when no one was around?

Despite his growing fears, Peter kept his struggles to himself. He didn’t want to burden his parents or friends with the darkness that loomed over him. He could already see the worry etched on their faces, the pity in their eyes. He didn’t want them to feel helpless. So he remained silent, convincing himself he could handle it on his own.

But the nights were the hardest. When darkness enveloped his room, Peter would lie awake, heart racing as he imagined Jason lurking just outside, waiting for the right moment to strike. The shadows seemed to stretch and morph into figures, taunting him with memories of the alleyway, of the punches and kicks that had left him battered.

One evening, after a particularly long day at school, Peter walked home feeling exhausted. The sun had already dipped below the horizon, casting the world in shades of blue and black. The shadows danced along the sidewalk, and a chill crept up his spine.

What if Jason was following me? The thought seized him, turning his legs to lead. He quickened his pace, glancing over his shoulder more than once. The streets felt deserted, the silence pressing down on him, suffocating.

Suddenly, a figure stepped out from a nearby alley, and Peter froze. His breath caught in his throat as he recognized the sneer that had haunted his nightmares. “Well, if it isn’t Spider-Boy,” Jason drawled, stepping into the light, flanked by his friends. “What a surprise to see you here, all alone.”

Panic surged through Peter, and he took a step back, heart pounding against his ribcage. “Get away from me, Jason,” he managed, his voice shaking.

“Oh, come on. You know I can’t do that,” Jason taunted, moving closer. “I just wanted to see how my favorite target was doing.”

As the group closed in, Peter’s mind raced. He felt cornered, his instincts screaming at him to run. What if they decide to hurt me again? He swallowed hard, willing himself to stand tall, even as fear threatened to overwhelm him.

“Look, I’m not in the mood,” Peter said, forcing bravado into his words. “Just leave me alone.”

Jason chuckled, a low, menacing sound that sent chills down Peter’s spine. “Oh, but it’s so much fun when you’re scared,” he replied, stepping closer, invading Peter’s personal space. “Besides, I think we have unfinished business.”

Just then, Peter’s phone buzzed in his pocket, and he felt a jolt of panic as he fumbled for it, using it as a distraction to break eye contact. “What do you want from me?” he asked, trying to mask the tremor in his voice.

Jason leaned in, a sinister grin stretching across his face. “Just a little fun, Parker. You can’t keep running forever.”

As Jason and his crew laughed, Peter felt a familiar rush of fear wash over him. He took a step back, ready to turn and run, but the laughter echoed in his ears, a haunting reminder of the darkness that loomed behind him.

He would have to face this fear, but for now, all he could do was keep it hidden, buried beneath layers of bravado. He couldn’t let his parents or friends see him break.

Not now, not ever.