𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲: 𝗮 𝘄𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆

Chapter 5

Peter POV

While I was Spider-Man it could be free. I was a hero, a symbol of justice, to the public eye. Not some worthless nerd.

As I sat on a rooftop, I took a deep breath. I let my gaze wander over the bland buildings sticking out against the skyline. As usual, I always found myself gazing at the Avengers' Tower.

I smiled to myself. Maybe one day I could go there. When I was younger, before Ben was killed, I had fantasized about interning there. Now I knew that would never happen, but maybe I could go one day as Spider-Man.

Sirens blared in the distance, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I shot a web onto a fire escape on my left and swung towards the flashing lights. 

As I swung onto Shore Front Parkway, I caught a clear glimpse of the threat. Half of the brown apartment building was on fire while the other half threatened to collapse. Because of my super hearing, I could tell there was a little girl trapped on the fifteenth floor. Fire trucks and police cars ringed the perimeter of the block.

I climbed through a window on the floor the girl was on and carefully winded my way down the hall. The charred floorboards creaked threateningly under my feet.

I glanced into the nearest room. No one but the fire wasn't contained yet.

I'm running out of time.

Stepping over a piece of ceiling, I heard another cry. This time, I could pinpoint the exact location.

I jumped onto the ceiling to avoid a patch of flames and rounded a corner. There, at the very end of the hall, was a little girl who was clutching a brown teddy bear. Her matted brown hair clung to her face and her Dora the Explorer nightgown was singed on one side. If I had to guess, I'd say she was around five or six.

"Hang on, I'm gonna get you out!" I called. This earned me a little nod.

I avoided all the hazards until I reached the little girl.

"Let's get you out, okay? Hold on," I told as I picked her up.

Looking back down the hallway, I realized that escape route was impossible. A long plank had fallen and blocked the exit. Our only other option was the window.

I unlatched the window and swung a leg over the window sill.

I took a deep breath and climbed out completely. Now the only thing keeping me from falling was my natural ability to stick to things.

I slowly took a steady step down, making sure the girl wouldn't fall. 

About thirty shaky steps later, we reached the damp grass.

I set down my passenger and she ran into the crowd.

"Elise!" A frantic voice called. "Has anyone seen my daughter?!"--she spotted the girl--"Elise!"

The mother and daughter embraced each other. My heart ached. I wish I had someone like that. A parent, someone to hold.

"Good work, Spidey," a fireman patted me on the back.

"Thanks," I smiled. "See you around!"

I shot a web onto the nearest building and swung away.

"Karen, what's the time?" I asked my home made AI.

"It is currently 3:29am." I yelped and almost crashed into the nearest grocery store. I had to get back before The Warden noticed I was gone.

I raced across Queens with renewed effort. Stopping at my orphanage, I climbed in through the window and climbed inside as quietly as I could.

After making my way across the room and changing out of my suit, I collapsed on my bed.

I smiled up at the ceiling and fell asleep knowing I had helped someone today.

Tony POV

"F.R.I.D.A.Y, pull up any information you have on that fire today." I fidgeted with a loose wire, waiting for her reply.

"It seems as if the entire building burned down but Spider-Man got everyone out in time."

"That's good, that's good," I muttered, tapping a pen against my thigh.

"Do you want me to research Spider-Man too?" She chirped.

I thought for a second before replying, "No. I'm going to let him do his own thing. As long as he stays our way, he's fine."

"Okay sir,"—a pause—" Mr. Rogers recommends you get some sleep."

"Tell him I said no."

"Are you sure?" Steve asked, leaning against the doorframe.

"How did you get in here!" I complained.

"F.R.I.D.A.Y. let me in."

"Really, Fri?" I said.

No reply.

"C'mon, you need rest," Steve urged.

I waved him off, my eyes heavy at the thought of sleep.

"It wasn't a request," he said, shoving me out of the lab.

I didn't have the strength to protest. He walked me to my bedroom.

"I heard about Pepper," he said abruptly. I stiffened.

"I'm sorry," he muttered. 

"Goodnight," I said, changing the subject.

He seemed to understand and padded down the hall.

I sighed. I had a feeling my life just became a lot more complicated.