Fractured Mind

Chapter 9

"Hello, Peter," Harry said with an arrogant smile on his face. Peter studied him for a moment; he no longer looked like the goblin he had that night in the tower. There were more subtle differences such as how sharp his teeth looked now, or how his ears were slightly pointed at the ends. He couldn't see his eyes behind the dark shades Harry was wearing. He also noticed how Harry wasn't dressed in his usual business attire, but had on a dark hoodie and a pair of worn jeans.

"What, no goblin suit today?" Peter mocked him.

"Nah, I didn't feel there was a need for it," Harry remained calm and never took off that arrogant smile that was slowly starting to aggravate Peter.

"You had no problem wearing it at the theatre," he spat.

"There was purpose for that," he waved his hand as if it were unimportant. "What I want to know is why you're here. An associate of mine tells me you come here quite often." Peter started to say something but Harry stopped him, "Yes, yes I had you followed while I was locked up. Skip that and tell me why you're here."

"You could have killed people, Harry."

"Uh, duh?" Harry shrugged at him.

"The girl you're supposedly dating was in there. Didn't that matter to you?"

"Why, does it matter to you?" Harry shot back at him. Peter remained silent. "Answer my question, I'm on a tight schedule."

Peter stared at him nonplussed for a moment before answering.

"You know why I'm here," he whispered.

"Do I?" he said raising an eyebrow. He peered behind Peter and saw the gravestone that read 'Gwendolyn Maxine Stacy', and his smile got even wider. "It's been months and you're still not over her!?" he barked.

"Gwen's not someone you just 'get over,' Harry," Peter said as his eyes flashed dangerously. He stared at Harry for another moment but then shook his head and turned away from him, staring intently at the gravestone.

"Not much fight in you anymore, I've noticed," Harry said dejectedly. Peter didn't answer him. "What, tired of being Spider-Man?"

Peter continued to ignore him.

"I asked you a question, Parker," Harry slowly said to him. Once again, Peter failed to answer him, and Harry felt long claws scraping the inside of his skull. He grabbed Peter's arm with one arm and flung his sunglasses aside with the other.

"LOOK AT ME WHEN I'M TALKING TO YOU!" Harry roared at him, specks of bright green dancing through his eyes. He finally took a good look at Peter and was surprised by what he saw. Peter's eyes were bloodshot as if he hasn't slept in weeks, and there seemed to be a permanent bruise-like purple under his eyes. But those were nothing compared to the look in his eyes, themselves; they were the eyes of a stranger, not Peter. There was hardly any life left in them, as if he had already given up. For a second, a split second, Harry felt a desperate need to help his friend.

"What's wrong with you?" Harry whispered. Peter saw all traces of green leave Harry's eyes. Harry let go of Peter and pocketed his hands. Before Peter could answer, Harry flinched, the claws trying to tear their way out. Flashes of black and red clouded his vision. The goblin was going to win. He looked back up at Peter and gave him a disgusted sneer.

"You're pathetic. Still pining away over a girl who was ready to just up and skip the country without you. Still grieving over her, months after I opened her skull on the floor of the clock tower! She's dead, Peter. Gwen is dead and you-"

Harry was unable to finish his sentence when Peter leapt onto him and wrapped his hands around his throat.

"Don't you EVER say Gwen's name again, Harry!" he spat at him.