Liz sat in a coffee shop, clutching her phone. Her shoulders were bunched together tightly and all her breaths were short, sharp, as though the weight of anxiety was pressing against her chest. She'd called Peter back at least seven times, but he still hadn't answered. Given what he'd said, he was probably way too busy. That was definitely an understatement. She clutched her phone tighter dispelling the thoughts. She'd listened to what he'd asked, and left work to hole up in some random restaurant a decent distance away. She was filled with worry, confusion, hurt and anxiety, but there was only thought at the forefront of her mind.
Petey was Spider-Man.
Liz didn’t know what to do with that information. It didn’t seem like another lie. In fact it made a lot of things make sense. It explained why he worked less hours than he could despite his love for his job, all the random times he’d pulled away, the small cuts and bruises she’d noticed that he claimed were the result of clumsiness and whatever had happened when his whole demeanour shifted at the ball.
But it still felt like she was missing something. Why? She didn’t know. But she still had so many questions. Why tell her now? Was he in trouble? That was a silly question. If someone was after, then they had to know his identity. Were they going after other people? His aunt? His friends? His grandpa? Or was it just her? Either way it was clear the situation was bad. Seriously bad.
But that couldn’t be it. If some villain knew his identity, they’d have shared it with the world. Who knew how many villains were lying in wait for an opportunity to get a leg up on Spider-Man like this? If they wanted Spider-Man too preoccupied with protecting his loved ones then wouldn’t they share the info as soon as they got it? She was searching for what was going on online, but there wasn’t anything about Spider-Man’s identity. She could only find breaking news reports of those robots attacking the city and an electric storm over Oscorp Tower, with some sightings of Spider-Man running around, charging headfirst into danger. No, Petey. Petey was charging headfirst into danger. Her stomach twisted into knots, and Liz hung her head slightly to dissuade the nausea. She needed to do something, but what? She didn’t know who, or what was after her, didn’t even really know what was going on. She still couldn’t believe Peter was Spider-Man, but it was all starting to feel a little too real. She pressed her phone to her chin, staring at the the untouched scrambled eggs she'd gotten.
“Are you okay?” someone asked. Liz looked up to see one of the waiters wiping down the table next to hers, staring at her with concern. She just blinked back in response, the question catching her off guard.
“Miss, are you okay?” the waiter said, stepping forward, their concern amplified.
“I’m fine” she said quickly, shrinking away. The waiter paused and nodded uncertainly.
“Ok. Sorry to bother y-”
A car slammed to the floor outside, screeching as it skidded against the asphalt. People outside cried out in shock, when a horrifying screech cut through the air. Then there was a boom, and the entire building rattled. Everyone in the restaurant was silent, staring out into the street as people began to race by, crying out in fear. The ground shook again, more violently this time and people inside the shop cried out. Liz felt her panic spike, her heart jumping into her mouth. Was this what Peter had warned her about? But how had it followed her here? She’d never been here before., that’s what Peter had told her. Find somewhere she hadn’t been before. Did it not matter? Did she run, or would running just draw attention? She clenched her fists together tighter, standing as people in the shop backed away from the entrance.
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“Everyone, there’s an exit out the back!” a barista shouted. Everybody turned and ran, stumbling and pushing as they tried to get away from the commotion. Liz stared in horror, watching the scene, unsure of what to do. If this was it, she might be putting everyone in danger if whatever it was saw her. But if she didn’t go, she might just die here anyway. Her hands started to tremble as she stared out into the street, watching the panicked faces of people as they ran.
“What are you waiting for?! Hurry!” the barista shouted again. Liz turned realising she was the only one left, then indecision gone, she rushed forward, sparing a glance back. She watched as a blur of green shot across the street, followed by Spider-Man zipping through the air, a blur of red and blue. She continued running for the back of the store, her mind awash with too many thoughts to focus on any one thing. So she just ran, following everyone as they made their way out into the alley beside the store. The sounds of chaos raged out behind them, as windows shattered, concrete cracked and people screamed. Liz continued running emerging into the street over from the commotion as everyone slowed, sneaking panicked glances back. Liz glanced back too. Even in the chaos, a grim curiosity for the unknown, no matter how dangerous, gripped her. She watched for a second, the sounds of the chaos raging just a street over fuelling her imagination before something emerged above the buildings. The robot flew into the air, assaulted by a barrage of web that served to tangle it more and more, as it rose steadily into the air. It released a deafening screech before flashing yellow. Liz looked away in time, but the explosion was big enough for her to feel the heat on her back, even from this distance. When the heat dissipated, she turned back, just in time to catch a glimpse of Spider-Man swinging away.
She felt a surge of relief, followed by a shudder of guilt as she looked at the scared faces around her. She turned back to the sky, watching as the smoke dissipated. Was that it? Or was she still in danger? Liz didn’t know enough, but she was still just glad Petey gotten caught in that explosion.
Then she paused, frowning. If it was over, where was he going? She closed her eyes, trying to place the direction she was facing on a wider map, then gave up pulling out her phone. She had a missed call from May. She'd be so anxious she hadn't even realised. She went to answer then paused. It could wait for a second. She quickly went to maps and zoomed out from her location. Queens. He was heading towards Queens. To his Aunt’s house. She clicked out the maps app and immediately called Aunt May. The phone rang and rang and rang, but no one picked up. Her heart hammered, as a sinking feeling growing in her gut with every ring. Peter's Aunt always picked up. Something wasn't right. She could feel it. She needed to do something, but she didn't know what. She was paralysed by the lack of information.
"Everything's ok. Everything's gonna be ok" she mumbled to herself. Liz looked back to the sky, in the direction Petey had gone, her body twisting with anxiety. Dammit, what was even happening?