Don't Leave Me Here - Starker

16

Peter stood among the rooftops, atop an older apartment complex, enjoying the rushed sounds of late night traffic and the chilled night air that engulfed him.

"Good evening, Peter."

"Hi Karen! Have anything for me?"

"Not at the moment." She replied. "Although it seems unusual, as crime rates have risen slightly in your absence. However, I will let you know if something requires your attention."

"Thank you."

Peter sighed, settling himself onto the ledge of roof. "Hey Karen- is Tony doing alright?"

"You seem worried about him?"

"A little. He's been struggling the last few days. Anxious over the thought of me being out here on patrol, if the suit is perfect, just everything really. He's been doing well, but- I don't know." Peter explained, his heart weighing with guilt. "I've missed being Spider-Man so much. But he's waiting for me to come home, hoping that everything goes well. And I feel bad, because I'm out here enjoying this."

"Based on what you've said, it seems like Tony would have opposed you being out here if he had disagreements with it."

Peter laughed lightly, shaking his head. "No, he wouldn't- that's the thing. He would do anything for me, if it made me happy. Without a complaint."

"It sounds as though he loves you." She said knowingly.

"Yeah. I know he does." He hummed.

"If that's the case, why are you contemplating your choice to be out here then?"

"Because he puts me before himself. Always. It's something I admire about him. But I know the last few days have been hard for him, and he needs me as much as I do him. Especially now." Peter explained.

"So what would you like to do?" She asked.

"I think I'll call this one early. I've had enough fun for the night."

He stood, stretching for a moment. "And Karen, thank you- for talking with me."

"Of course, Peter."

When he decided the chill had been warmed from his bones, he leapt from the roof straight into the busy streets below. He caught himself at the last second, pulling upwards, and back into the night sky.

"Peter, you won't be headed home just yet. A silent alarm has been triggered at the gas station on Fiftieth and Caldwell. Three block left of your current location." Karen interrupted.

"On it! One minute out." He confirmed, changing direction and swinging on.

Peter watched with anxious eyes as he got closer to the station. Doubt flooded his mind, unsure he could handle whatever he was about to walk into. Unsure if he could help the people that needed him. But any doubt or fear he had melted away when he saw the two people being held hostage behind the counter.

"Peter, that man is armed." Karen spoke, giving him the final push he needed.

He didn't hesitate, bursting into the small store, catching the attention of the armed man. Before he'd had the chance to change his stance, Peter took the gun from his hand, kicking it to the floor out of reach. Catching him off guard, he quickly webbed his leg, pulling it out from underneath him.

With a sickening crack, his head hit the tile, knocking him unconscious. Peter webbed him up, but was sure he'd be out longer than the webbing would last.

"Are you guys okay?" He asked the pair behind the counter.

"Y-yes, we're alright. Thank you Spider-Man!" The older man exclaimed.