Two years later...

I landed on the warehouse carefully and tightened my bag over my back before pulling my gloves on and finishing my hot dog. I crawled around the side of the building and peered through one of the windows. At least thirty guys milled around large shipment containers filled with crates whilst a few scientists worked away in a glass box with loads of equipment. I heard a few shouts in Russian and craned my neck, recognising the voice. Markov was here. Bingo. I videoed things for a few seconds then quickly slipped my phone back into my bag. I climbed through the window and onto the warehouse ceiling, thinking about my next move. Thank God, Lucas had told me about the phone system he’d had. I put my hands together and said a small prayer for whoever had left a voice mail and called this in as suspicious. They’d just save me months of trouble.

I stretched out my arms. This was it. I’d finally got him. I could have fun with this. I fired a web and slowly dangled myself down above Null, until I was right above him. I cleared my throat.

“Hey Markov, you think you could whip up some ice cream for me? I’ve got a date after this and- woah!“ I said, leaping away from a huge icicle. I landed on the wall and fired webs at Markov knocking him to the ground. He froze them and broke free, but it was too late. I swung and kicked him, knocking him out cold. Then landed on the floor. Everyone stared at me in silence.

“Now, we can do this the easy way or the-“

My spider sense buzzed and leapt into action. Dodging gunfire, I flipped through the air with a practiced grace, before jumping behind a shipping container as gunfire continued to echo through the air.

“Where’d you learn how to aim?! Stormtrooper Academy?!” I shouted. I frowned. I was using that line too much. I needed new material. My spider sense buzzed again, and I leapt onto the container. I landed then fired webs and yanked away the gangster’s guns, then charged at them.

They were a mess. The scientists were cowering under tables and half the gangsters were running for vehicles whilst the other half were running at me.

“Aren’t you guys supposed to be organised crime?” I said. I webbed a guy and flung him around in a circle, knocking a bunch of the henchmen down. I fired webs, sticking them to the floor then turned my focus on the guys who’d managed to reach the vans. I webbed the tires of two of them to the floor when my webs suddenly ran out. Dammit I thought I refilled. I dodged a punch from behind and one tapped him, then leapt forwards towards the final van as it took off.

My spider sense buzzed, and I had barely enough time to dodge a shipping container as it slammed against the floor then skidded across the warehouse. Dammit there was a brute. The brute charged at me, swinging wildly as I dodged. I countered and he stumbled backwards but didn’t fall. I thought that’d knock him out.

“What are they feeding you? Spinach?” I said.

He pulled out a gun and fired at me. I weaved, rushing in closer even as he fired. He threw the gun at me and followed up with a punch. I dodged both and slipped between his legs, sweeping his feet out from under him. He slammed to the ground, and I hit him in the table, hard. He didn’t get up. I turned back to the exit. The van was gone. I went follow and paused glancing around the warehouse. I couldn’t just leave it like this. I pulled out my burner phone and speed dialled the police. I let it stick to my ear and swapped out the web cartridges, before leaping out of the warehouse and swinging away.

“This is emergency services, how may I be of assistance?”

“Yeah this is Spider-Man. I’ve got a warehouse filled with Bears at… where am I? I don’t know the address. It’s the warehouse just off the side of the Queensboro bridge. Oh and they’re the gang members by the way, not actual bears. They’re all restrained but they’ve Markov Boscovich, y’know… what was his name… Ice guy? I can’t remember. But anyway, he’s here and a brute so you might want to get the MDA involved.”

The responder sighed and I hung up, searching for the van again. I felt something in my bag buzz. My personal phone. Crap what time was it? I carried on swinging, whilst awkwardly taking off my bag. I pulled out my phone and stared at the caller ID. It was Liz. Shit. I picked up, pulling my ear away from the phone in apprehension.

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"Petey, where the hell are you?!" she shouted, loud and clear.

“Sorry, I got caught up at work and I-“

“Again?!”

“I know I know, I just… I’m coming as quickly as I can” I said. I was met with silence.

“Liz?” I asked tentatively.

“…Ok. Just get here in the next twenty minutes. I don’t want to miss the film”

“I’m on my way. Love you”

“… love you too”

The line went dead and I let out a tired sigh. I couldn’t keep doing this. I fired another web and swung awkwardly as I stuffed the phone into my backpack, then pulled it on. Shit. I was in a busier area now and still no sight of a truck. I’d have to get higher. I shot two webs on either side of the street and sling shotted myself high up into the air. I looked down as I flew, eyes searching about rapidly. There. I angled my body as I started to descend, falling towards the truck. I fired another web and swung towards the van, picking up speed.

It veered wildly through traffic as I gained steadily. Suddenly the backdoors flew open, and two guys open fired at me. Really? I weaved through the bullets, making sure to keep my swings high up. The van turned quickly and the fire stopped. I took my chance, firing webs at the guys in the back, and sticking them to truck’s cargo. I shot around the corner and leapt off my web landing on the roof. I heard shouts in Russian as the driver and passenger argued. Then the driver door flew open and a guy hopped out. Jesus. I leapt around the side, landing in the drivers seat and closing the door in one quick motion.

The passenger and I locked eyes, their hands white knuckling the steering wheel as they leaned over from their seat.

“Well this is awkward” I said, searching for the brakes with my feet. They reached for my neck, yanking their hands of the steering wheel. Mistake. The van veered and I heard the tires squeal as we were both thrown about. I recovered quickly. I webbed the guy to the door and then leapt out the windshield as the van flipped. I caught it , stumbling as I tried to gain my footing, then finally stabilised and set it down. I looked through the now broken windshield staring at the criminal.

“That was seriously stupid”

“Sorry” the guy mumbled defeated.

I looked around as people began to clap and cheer. I gave a small wave, grinning underneath my mask. I pointed at some random guy.

“Call the police for me, ok?” I said. He nodded, eyes wide. I jumped up and swung away, I could finally go home. Oh crap, the last guy. I turned around, swinging back down the road as I searched for him. I couldn’t find him. I stopped on a wall. Crap, did I keep looking or did I go home? I didn’t want to keep Liz waiting, but the guy couldn’t have gotten far, right?

I pulled off my bag to check the time. Dammit, it was ruined, parts of it shredded to bits by glass. I webbed up the holes.

“Spider-man!” I heard someone call out from below. I glanced down.

“Some guys just robbed a store like two blocks over” a guy shouted.

I flashed him a thumbs up but sighed, slipping my bag back onto my back. Today was going to be a long day.

-

I landed on Liz’s apartment roof, and quickly pulled off my mask and started to pull on my clothes, over my costume. I paused smelling the costume. Dammit I smelt like smoke. Had I been in any fires today? I couldn’t remember. Either way, I couldn’t wear my costume under my clothes. I struggled for a few seconds, pulling it off before putting on my regular clothes. I stuffed my gloves, mask, and rest of the costume into my bag then paused, staring at the web covered holes. I wrapped my jacket over it and rushed through the roof door, leaping through the gap down the middle of the stairs, and catching myself on Liz’s floor. I jumped onto the stairs, and speed down the corridor stopping outside room 7. I adjusted my hair in my phone camera quickly and smelt myself. I still smelt lightly of smoke. Hopefully she didn’t notice. I knocked.

The door flew open and Liz stood in front of me arms crossed as she glared.

“The movie started twenty minutes ago” she said.

“Sorry I-”

She put a finger to my lips before I could even say anything. Uh oh.

“Do you have any idea how many times this has happened?!” she said annoyed.

“I-“

“Don’t talk” she said curtly. I nodded, going silent.

“” she said. I glanced down the corridor. People could definitely hear us.

“Look at me Peter” Liz said angrily. I turned back to her instantly, standing stock still.

“You forgot, didn’t you?” she said. I shook my head. “Just admit it, you forgot and only left work when I called” she said. I shook my head again. “You can speak now you idiot”

“I’m really sorry, I know I’ve done this repeatedly but I didn’t forget. I could never forget” I said.

“That makes it worse!” she said, throwing her hands up and walking back into her apartment.

“I-it does?” I said confused, following her inside.

She ignored me and made her way into the kitchen. I followed her, walking through the apartment. The apartment was small but nice. Liz was an interior designer, so she was masterful at making spaces feel homely. The mixture of warm indoor lighting, plants, and décor made the place feel welcoming.

I stood at the kitchen door, watching as she poured herself a cup of water.

“Babe?” I said. She continued ignoring me. “Babe?”

“Just leave me alone”

“Look I’m sorry. I know we missed the film but I can order takeout a-“

“Don’t try to change the subject” she said, shooting me a glare.

“Wha? But you-“

“Don’t try to shift the blame onto me”

“I wasn’t trying to. I’m just trying to figure out what’s wrong”

“The fact you don’t even think being late is wrong is the problem!” she said barging past me.

“Hey, I didn’t mean it like that. I know being late is wrong. It’s just that you said, me not forgetting is worse and then started ignoring me. I’m just trying to talk to you” I said, exasperated. Liz ignored, turning on the TV. “Liz?”

“You need to apologise” she said.

“I- I did?” I said confused.

“Not properly”

Ah, now I understood why she was being abrasive. I sat down on the couch next to her and pulled her into a tight hug. Her head rested against my chest as I held her for a few seconds before I gave her a kiss on the cheek.

“I’m sorry Liz. I really am” I said.

“If you think this is a proper apology, your sorely mistaken” she said. I held her tighter, my body relaxing at her warmth.

“Petey, you can let go now”

“Don’t want to” I said, yawning.

I saw the corners of her mouth tug upwards in a smile she tried to hide. I let out a laugh, then another yawn. God I was tired.

“If your gonna fall asleep at least order the takeout first” Liz said.

“Yeah… I’ll do that…” I mumbled, before drifting off to sleep.