Spiders Crawl

Nine

"What the hell were you thinking, Rider!" James followed me from the front door of the building to his office. "That was our chance! We could have turned the whole city against Spiderman!"

"Why? Why do hate him so much?" I questioned. He stared at me as if I had grown another head. He seemed as if he was about to say something, but decided against it. He stormed out and I sighed.

"Mr. Jameson?" I called out. He stormed back in.

"This is my office!" He shouted and I left. I had a feeling that today wouldn't be my best day.

Of course I was right. I reached home and noticed Matilda at the door. She collects rent every two months, and today was the due date.

"I'm so sorry! Please just give me more time." I pleaded as she demanded for the keys of the house.

"The only time I'll give you is time to pack up and leave." With that she snatched my keys and left in her minivan. As soon as I entered my room, I took out my savings.

50....80....100....I was $400 short. I cursed under my breath and sat there. My phone started ringing, but I ignored it.

"Trouble?" I jumped so high I stuck to the ceiling. "Woah!" I realized someone was in the room and quickly got down. It was Ava.

"Why are you here!?" I hoped she didn't just see that. If she did...I don't want to think about it.

"I was resting. Sam and Luke left and Danny said he had an appointment." She said. "How did you do that?"

"Do what?" I quickly replied. I was pretty sure she could smell the fear right off me. She looked at me suspiciously.

"Where's the bathroom?" She asked.

"Out the room, sharp right." I said. She left and I started packing up. Where would I go? More importantly, what will I tell them? I fell on my bed and closed my eyes. I had about 48 hours to take my things and leave.

Maybe Harry will let me stay at his place. That was my last thought as I drifted off to sleep.

...

"Stop! Come back!" A woman cried as a boy took her purse and ran off. I pulled up my hoodie and ran after him.

For the last two months, I've been stopping petty thief from all over NY. Having no costume like Spiderman, I went simple and used my hoodie.

He noticed me catch up and started sprinting. "I hate it when they do that." I muttered and started shooting webs and swinging towards him. I caught up to him and snatched the purse back. I front flipped and kicked him back. I landed on my hands and pushed myself upwards. Once I was back on my feet, I approached him.

"Who are you?" He asked scared. I didn't say anything back. I wrapped him up in webs and stuck him to the alley wall. I called 911 and reported it in."Wait, you're a girl?" He seemed ashamed of himself and I couldn't help but smile.

"Nice work." I turned around and saw Spiderman standing there. I rolled my eyes at him.

"Can't say the same about you." I said and jumped on the rooftop just as I heard sirens closing in. He followed and we stayed silent until they left along with the thief.

"I'm sorry but Rhino just won't stop. He brought Sandman with him." He said, hoping it would work as an excuse. I ignored him. "Ok, fine. I was training." I scoffed.

"Thats another thing, I don't know where you train! Who you train with or where you even disappear to!" I complained.

"I'm sorry. You're doing a good job. How bo-" He was cut off by something flying over us. Fast. I looked back up and noticed somone was on some sort of glider. "I'll handle it. You go to school." I wanted to protest but he was already gone. I sighed and left.

Once I got to school, I went to the locker rooms and took off my hoodie. My long brown hair fell gently into place. I looked in the mirror and noticed I had dirt on my cheek. I quickly wiped it off before the bell rang and all the girls rushed in changing for PE.

Peter wasn't at school today which struck me as weird. He never misses a day, no matter how late he is. He reminds me a bit like Spiderman. I shook my head. Stop dreaming, Charlotte.

Everything was the usual until I noticed a certain someone.

"Ava?" I called out and she looked at me. She waved and walked over.

"Hey, Charlotte!" She seemed fatigued.

"What are you doing here?" I walked with her to the water fountain. I took a sip and waited for her.

"For some reason," She spoke between sips. "I was transferred."

"Thats weird. By this time, no one is allowed to switch." I've tried many times.

Ava shrugged. "I don't really know anyone here. Any hints?" I smiled.

"Sure." I told her who was who and who to avoid. We went our separate ways.

"Charlotte!" Sally caught me. "Come on! We have to practice!" She dragged me to the squad and taught me the new moves.

Finally, the bell rung and everyone shifted to their next classes. Peter was still nowhere to be found. I'll just go by his house later today.

...

Aunt May opened the door and greeted me with a smile.

"Charlotte! Are you still living with Harry?" She asked concerned. We heard a crash in Peter's room and we both ran up to see what happened. I tried opening the door, but someone slammed it back shut.

"Don't come in! I'm naked!" I stepped back a bit grossed out but tried again after a few seconds. He wasn't holding it closed anymore so we walked in.

"Charlotte! Aunt May!" He said happy. He dropped his bag and it landed half open. "Whats for dinner?" He went downstairs and Aunt May followed. I was about to go after them, when something caught my eye.

A bright red called out to me from his bag. I picked up the bag and thought about whether or not I should look in.

Its not right.

But what could it be?

After having a mental battle with myself I finally decided to open it.