❛ chasing you ❜ | peter parker

Chapter 20

"We've managed to recover just four pictures from the building," the officer reported grimly.

"And how many were there originally?" Fury asked, his tone sharp.

"We estimate at least 200."

"That's... seriously messed up," Fury muttered, his voice laced with disbelief.

"Yeah, and the strangest part? The girl in the photos—she doesn't look a day over 18."

"Let me see them," Fury demanded, his eyes narrowing.

"Sure, I'll grab them for you, Mr. Fury."

The officer returned moments later, handing Fury four ziplock bags. Each bag contained an A4-sized photograph of a blonde girl. The pictures were invasive, clearly taken without her knowledge—some from a distance, others obscured by objects, as though the photographer had been hiding.

Fury's expression shifted from horrified to deeply concerned as he examined the photos. He pulled out his phone, snapping detailed images of each one before signaling to the officer to take them away.

The phone buzzed as Fury pressed a few buttons.

"Tony, it's Nick Fury," he began, his voice tight. "Remember that girl—the one Peter was interested in? Yeah, her. I just sent you some photos. They were recovered today, weeks after the Horse and Crow explosion. No, I don't know why it wasn't made public, and frankly—" Fury turned, his gaze falling on the rubble of the ruined building.

"Listen," he continued, lowering his voice, "she knows something. I know we cleared her of any wrongdoing, but this? This is different. Something's not adding up. Yeah. Alright, I'll stop by tomorrow."

He ended the call with a frustrated sigh, slamming the car door shut. Tossing his phone onto the passenger seat, Fury leaned back, pinching the bridge of his nose.

.

"I don't think you should be stealing her stuff, Pete," Ned said, sitting next to his best friend, who was sprawled on his bed, staring at the ceiling.

Peter didn't respond, his mind clearly elsewhere.

"Some things are best kept secret," Ned continued. "Like when your Lego Millennium Falcon fell and broke—and I tried to fix it."

Peter abruptly sat up, frowning. "Wait. What? You broke my Falcon? And fixed it!?"

Ned froze, his face turning red. "Uh—no! I mean... yes! But that's not important right now!" he stammered, quickly pointing to the notebook Peter was holding. "You having her stuff is way more important!"

Peter rolled his eyes but couldn't hide his excitement. "I've already flicked through it, Ned," he said, gripping his friend's shoulder. "And it's filled with clues!"

"Clues?" Ned asked, tilting his head.

"Yeah, about her being the Black Cat!" Peter whispered, nodding eagerly. "This could be the key to everything. I just need one more little look..." He trailed off, starting to peel the notebook open.

"No!" Ned shouted, slamming his hands on the cover. "It's none of your business! For all we know, it could just be her diary—like, gossip or something. Who she likes, who she doesn't..."

Peter raised an eyebrow, a mischievous grin forming. "Who she thinks is hot?"

Ned froze, eyes widening. "Dude. What if you're in there?"

Peter shook his head. "I don't know... The kiss felt like an in-the-moment thing. Nothing serious."

Ned's jaw dropped. "You kissed?! You've got to check now! She could've been talking about you for months!" he urged, nudging Peter to open the notebook.