Spider-Girl: the Life of a Teenage Spider Person

Chapter Forty-Four

I am now swinging through the skies of Queens, looking for any suspicious activity. I detour from my mission to stop a few simple pickpockets, all the while still looking for the familiar figures of mystery man, strange accent guy, and his two helpers.

"Incoming call from Layla," CASSI says.

"Answer."

"See anything yet?" Layla asks quietly, the sound of a bustling cafe behind her.

"Not yet... I don't know where else they would be! The only tactic I have is to search every nook and cranny of Queens!" I say, exasperated.

"Well, if that is what you have to do, maybe you should work your way from the outside in. Circle the city, each time moving farther into it. That way you know where you have or haven't checked!"

"Great idea, Layla!" I exclaim, slowly regaining hope.

I make my way to the border of the city, following the border around the premise of the entire city. I keep my eyes peeled to the ground below me, searching for any movement.

I notice a boat making its way to a dock in front of me. I slowly lower myself to the ground, quickly slipping behind a barrel to spy on the boat as it pulls up to the dock.

A small gasp escapes my throat as people begin stepping off the boat. My heart beats faster as I recognize the figures as strange accent man and his associates. I follow them with my eyes as they slowly make their way across the dock. I'm startled when out from the shadows another figure appears, holding a case.

"Here's your last order. I've done what you've asked me to. Happy?" mystery man speaks, sounding annoyed.

Strange accent man catches the case tossed at him, a smirk growing on his face as he admires the newest weapon. "I am very much happy. You have done well," he signaled one of his helpers to hand a wad of cash to mystery man.

I watch as strange accent man passes the case to his other helper, before turning back to mystery man to discuss something. The helper begins walking toward the boat carrying the case.

I slowly crawl my way across the dock, staying behind barrels, following the helper with the case. At the same time, I keep my enhanced hearing focused on the conversation between mystery man and strange accent guy.

"I'm afraid this is the last time we will be doing business. I must now return to my country. Thanks to your help, I will now have the power to take over my land."

"Not on my watch," I mutter, leaping from my hiding place to snatch the case.

The helper yelps in surprise right before being wrapped up in a snug cocoon. Strange accent guy whips around, snarling when he sees me, "Get her!"

I look around, trying to figure out where to go, as the other helper slashes the cocoon with a knife, freeing the second helper. These two, followed by strange accent man and mystery man, come barreling toward me.

I frantically fire a web, starting to swing away. I yell in surprise as a cold hand wraps around my ankle, pulling me to the ground. I crash into the cement, struggling to stand up while keeping a hold on the gun case.

I'm about to dart away when the case is pulled away from me. I spin around, realizing this was a mistake as my arms are pinned behind me. I fall to my knees, heart pounding as I look up to find strange accent man standing above me.

"Nice try, Spider-Girl, but I am afraid you have lost," he smirks. I struggle to escape from the helper's grasp. Strange accent man grabs my head, forcing me to look at him. "Before I dispose of you, let's find out who the 'great Spider-Girl' is," he sneers, snatching my mask. I look at him with wide eyes, as he and his associates look at me in shock. His shock slowly turns into an evil smile, "The great Spider-Girl is merely a child... No wonder you failed. Oh well."

I look at him in horror as strange accent man pulls a gun from his pocket, pointing it straight at me. I close my eyes, tears welling up inside them. I tense up, heart pounding out of my chest.

I wait for the blow, instead hearing a yell and fighting. I quickly open my eyes, finding myself released from the hold of the helper. I quickly turn around, someone unexpected greeting me, "Mr. Williams?!"

Mr. Williams looks at me with concern, "Crystal!"

I step away from him, realizing where he fits into the situation, "You - you're the mystery man?!"

"Yes. I'm sorry, Crystal! I would never want to hurt you! Please let me explain!"

I cross my arms and glare at him, "There better be a good reason why I shouldn't turn you in to the police right now for building and selling guns illegally."

Mr. Williams sighs, "I know it was wrong for me to do, but I had no other choice! I had been out of a job for awhile, and after the fire at the apartments, I needed a way to make money fast. While I applied to be a teacher at your school, I built weapons for these men to keep a roof over my family's head. I had no idea what they would use the weapons for until today, I promise!"

"There is no excuse for choosing to do something illegal," I hesitate, "However, I won't turn you in to the police, because your heart was in the right place, and I can tell you have realized your mistakes."

Mr. Williams opens his mouth to speak.

"But!" I add, "Do something like this again, and I will turn you in."

Mr. Williams looks at me gratefully, "Of course. Thank you."

I nod to him while reaching for my mask and pulling it over my head, "CASSI, let the police know to come and pick these men up."

"Yes, Crystal."