Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Who am I? You sure you wanna know? 

The story of my life is not for the faint of heart.

If somebody said it was a happy little tale.... if somebody told you I was just your average ordinary guy with not a care in the world…then somebody lied. 

And that was even before I found out that we weren't alone in the universe.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

Any how this like any story worth telling all started in high school.

And a day that everything changed.

On a hot afternoon in late May, a yellow school bus roars through the streets of small-town Jasper Nevada.

Inside the bus are rows filled with teenagers, just the regular collection of jocks, nerds, and average kids alike. Cliques who usually stay in their own circle of like-minded friends and acquittances. Though today they all joined in laughter as they pointed out the bus window.

And who was it that all their jeering was directed at? 

A lanky teenage boy chasing after the bus desperately, much to the amusement of everyone inside.

Otherwise known as Jackson Darby, an outcast that even the outcast at school rejected.

"Hey! Stop the bus"! he begged, banging on the glass of the vehicle

But instead of helping the students continued to laugh hysterically.

It was then an auburn-haired girl jumped up from her seat and hurried to the front of the bus, shouting over the laughter of her peers she yelled at the bus driver "Stop the bus! Please! He's been chasing us since Woodhaven Boulevard!"

The bus drive looked to the bored looking teacher, who gave a simple nod before pulling the brakes

Everyone let out a disappointed 'Aww' as the bus slowed to a halt allowing Jackson Darby to climb aboard, looking breathless and sweaty.

"Thanks…sorry…sorry…thanks." he panted, casting an embarrassed look to the teacher.

 The teacher only raised a brow at him saying "Mr. Darby, while it is your right as a student to have an opportunity to learn outside the classroom it is also your responsibility to be on time for these events" he then added "A lack of punctuality on your part does not mean an emergency on ours, I truly hope you learn to have more diligence less this further hinders your academic career" 

Jack nodded stiffly straightened up and proceeded down the aisle of seats trying to find an available one, but by the way people were glaring at him and even putting their backpacks on any empty spaces they had he could tell that was going to be a struggle.

 "Jack! Over here"! he heard someone call.

His face brightened as he recognized the voice.

Sitting on a seat close to the back of the bus was a teenage girl wearing a pink and white sweater-vest and a dark skirt, her bright auburn hair that was pulled into a ponytail. This was Sierra Watson, one of his closest friends and unbeknownst to her his oldest crush.

He wasted no time in rushing to the back, tripping when someone held their leg out for one last laugh, but Jack kept going not stopping till he was sitting right besides Sierra.

  "Hi" he said, hoping she thought the blush on his face was just from exhaustion.

"Hi" she greeted back before sighing and saying, "What happened"?

Jack winced "I overslept, forgot to set my alarm last night"

After a busy week of sale at K.O Burger flipping patties, frying potatoes, and dealing with unbearable costumers; Jackson Darby was happy that Thursday night to collapse in bed. Only forgetting to set his alarm thus running late to school and then missing the bus for the field trip his class had that Friday.

 "Did you really have to put in those extra hours"? Sierra asked, "You're running yourself ragged Jack"!

The teen could only shake his head "I needed the money Sierra, it really helps mom" but added as a way to soften his comment "Plus if I save up enough, I can finally get some wheels! Like a motorcycle"

Sierra snorted "You and your obsession with motorcycles"

Jack blushed, growing up his walls were practically plastered with images of the bipedal vehicle, in all shapes and positions, Jack was determined to get one. It's why he got his learning permit so early; it's why he's been working himself into a frenzy just to buy one someday. His obsession has been a running gag among his small friend group.

Looking up Jack could see many of the more popular kids, both boys and girls, give him angry jealous stares. To the it was unbelievable that someone like Sierra was actually his friend, it was like a butterfly sitting with a house fly. Sierra was beautiful, smart, and talented, the exact opposite of Jack. And while that should have diminished her social standing, it didn't. Sierra was just that amazing, she didn't need a clique to join or run, but all the same she just had that aurora about her that had people flocking to her. It's why she was still had a still go social standing with almost every group and why she made captain of the cheer squad.

Which made a lot of people resentful of Jack for actually managing to become so close to her.

The yellow bus proceeded along crossing streets and bridges, till finally drawing to a stop in the parking lot of one of the town's only universities. Today's field trip was to the Oscorp Research Facility/Lab located in Jasper University where the students of Memorial High were given access to on that day.

The first off, the bus was Jacks tired looking teacher before the rest of the kids followed. The students gathered around the steps of the large stone building, Jack and Sierra were standing off to the side waiting for someone in particular.

"Where is he"? Jack asked out-loud.

 "Cut him some slack" Sierra scolded lightly "You're not one to judge over perfect attendance"

"Memorial High sophomores" the teacher instructed "No wandering, proceed directly to the-KNOCK IT OFF-" the teacher scolded to a pair of snicking boys who were playing with a hacky sack, before continuing "And remember it is a privilege to be here, we are guest to the universities science division, so behave accordingly. I do not one a repeat of our trip to the planetarium"!

The students all slowly moved to the steps, but their attention all turned to see a Bentley pulling up at the curb.

Out of the expensive looking car came a teenage boy, with bright orange hair wearing a green jacket, a white shirt, jeans, combat boots, and a shark-tooth around his neck. When he got out of the car there was a look on his face but when he caught sight of Jack and Sierra waving him over, he smiled.

"Jack-Man! Sierra"! he called

"Hey 'ah Vince" Jack greeted his other best friend.

As the group of three made their way towards the building a voice stopped them.

  Coming out of the Bentley was an older man with a distinguishing business suit.

 "Won't you be needing this?" he asked as he handed Vince a backpack, probably left in the car by mistake.

This was Norman Osborn, Vince's father and the CEO of Oscorp, who not only owned one of the biggest businesses in town but also probably the country. It often made Jack intimidated just to be around the man, but he was always polite and never let that show.

"Yeah, dad thanks" Vince said stiffly "I got to be going now"

  "Are these your friends"? Mr. Osborn asked 

Jack and Sierra tried not to wince.

"Oh yeah, these guys are totally my friends" Vince droned with a sarcastic edge to his voice as he gestured to the pair. Leaning in close however he whispered to the two "For the past 11 years"~

"Oh, I see now I remember" said Mr. Osborn looking between the two "Watson? Your Sarah's daughter, correct"? he asked Sierra

"Yes, sir" she answered diligently

Then turned to Jack "And you are...Darcy"?

Jack smiled but corrected "Actually sir, it's Darby"

The CEO only nodded shortly before fixing his attention back on Sierra "Are you excited to see some of your mothers work on display"?

"Yes, unfortunately she's not here today" Sierra responded

 Norman nodded understandingly "Yes, she and the rest of her team are setting up the companies new science branch in New York" he said "I trust you found your families new home accommodating"

The group shifted a bit, looking uncomfortable.

"My parents showed me...it looks very nice" the teenage girl responded quietly 

  "Good, good, I bet it will be a good opportunity for a girl like you to get out of a sleepy town like this and New York has some of the best educational system, it's why Vince is going to be enrolling soon" Norman stated before checking his watch "Anyhow I best get going, enjoy your trip kids"!

With a brisk march he was back in his car and driving off, leaving the group in an awkward silence. Which ended when the teacher called out to them.

  "Hey you three! Let's move"!

The three friends proceeded on before Vince scoffed "Storm 'in Norman, always brining the mood down" he looked at his friends "Sorry guys"

"Looks it's fine" Jack said, forcing a smile "Let's just have a fun day, there no school, no homework, summers just around the corner, and hey! Since both your parents are still big wigs maybe we can get some actual food instead of those moist turkey sandwiches the school brought"

Vince laughed "You know it Jack-Man" he then pulled out an I.D with his father's company name. Sierra just rolled her eyes, but the smile was now back on her face.

"There are more than 32,000 known species of spider in the world." The tour guide explained as the group of high school students were lead around the dark marbled research laboratory, passing a number of spider exhibits.

"They are in the order Aranea, which is divided into three sub-orders-Mesothelial, Orthognathic, and Labid Gnatha-" at some point Jack droned the tour guide out, his eyes focusing at Sierra who was talking to some girls in her cheer squad.

He was drawn away from his staring when someone bumped him especially hard. Turning around he almost groaned at who he saw.

  "Check out the goods while you still can, Darby" drawled the voice of Eugene Thompson, otherwise known as Flash Thompson. He was your typical bully type; good at sports, muscled to the extreme for a teen, and preyed on the weak "It's sad she's leaving soon, huh? For you at least"!

Flash laughs as did a crony who came to play audience to the jocks abuse "Poor Sierra must be relieved she doesn't need to babysit a freak anymore, especially one that keeps following her around like some sick puppy"

With that he made to flick Jack on the forehead, but the teen angrily slapped it away. Mad, the jock took a threatening step forward before like a guardian angel Vince got in between them.

"Leave him alone"! Vince growled.

The crony sized Vince up saying, "Or what?"

"Or his father will fire your father"! Flash retorted and they both laughed, then the jock grabbed the front of the red-heads jacket roughly "What's daddy going to do? Sue me"?

The teacher cut in just in time "What is going on!? I swear the next person who talks is going to fail this course" he warned " I kid you not"!

  With the bullies subdued Vince and Jack walked hurriedly to make their escape but not before they heard Dash mutter softly "Rich Boy isn't going to be around to save you forever, Darby"

The boys kept walking until they found Sierra on her own looking at one of the tanks, Vince was the first to approach her while Jack sided behind him. He could half hear what the guides was saying. Something about genetically engineered spiders, blah, blah, blah, super spiders, etc, etc,-

Jack was straining to hear Vince and Sierra.

"Disgusting." Sierra gasped

"Yeah, I hate the little things" Vince said.

"I love it"! Sierra said

Vince looked at her in momentary surprise before immediately backtracking "Really? Me too"!

Jack tried hard not to snort, luckily the guide was there with another explanation saying "Just imagine-one day we can isolate the strengths, powers, and immunities in human beings and transfer that DNA code among ourselves. All known diseases could be wiped out"

The teen though it was a nice idea, maybe it means his mom wouldn't need to work so hard if this stuff actually worked.

"Of course, we're nowhere near ready to start experimenting with humans, so the moment we're concentrating on these 15 spiders" The guide finished before asking "Any questions"?

"Fourteen" Sierra suddenly said

"I beg your pardon"? The tour guide questioned.

"There's only fourteen." she repeated

The tour guide and some of the other students looked closer to the tank of spiders and a head count revealed there were only fourteen.

"I guess the researchers are working on that one" said the guide.

The missing spider was quickly forgotten as the tour continued.

 "Jack, Jack"! Sierra called she pulled his sleeve before thrusting her phone in his hand "Take a picture of me and Vince! I want to put this on my blog"!

The teen nodded dumbly, saying "Sure"!

As Sierra posed by the tank, neither she, Vince, or Jack noticed a spider descend from the ceiling.

  "Now don't make me look ugly"! she instructed cheekily

"Or me"! teased Vince

"Impossible" Jack chuckled.

The spider dropped from a thread, right onto Jack right hand.

Sierra moved away from Vince encouraging Jack to come over "No your turn Jack-

It was barely a second and then the spider struck, burying its sharp fangs into the teens hand.

"Ow"! Jack yelped.

Immediately his friends surrounded him, asking what had happen. From the corner of his eye Jack could have sworn he saw a blue and red spider scurrying under some lab equipment.

  He stood there rubbing his hand.

Was he just bitten by a spider? 

Jacks blood froze as he recalled the missing 15th spider.

But that's impossible right? No lab is that carless?!

The teen worry grew as he stared at the angry red mark on his hand.

Chapter Text

"Dude, are you sure you're okay"? Sierra asked for what felt like the 10th time.

The three of them were currently eating in the university mess hall, eating grease pizza and small cups of soda. 

  Jack sighed saying "I'm telling you, I'm fine" though it was taking everything in his power not to claw at his right hand. The skin of the bright was already looking inflamed and the start of a bump was just on the surface, ready to form. A part of him thought that maybe he should go to the college nurse or something, in the very least tell his teacher what happened. Not that he was convinced that some mutated spider bite him but mostly to do something to cure this stupid itch!

But he really wanted to avoid making a scene and just wanted to hang with his friends a little longer.

"I'm just saying your acting kind of weird, right Vince"? Sierra asked, but was confused why she didn't get a response "Vince"?

The red-haired teen was looking away from them and when following his direction, the pair could see why. From across the way workers and moving men were busying themselves taking items from the building, moving back and forth through the hallway and carting all manner of boxes and equipment.

"So much for trying to get our minds off things" he scoffed, before loudly slurping from his straw.

 Jack gave his friend a sympathetic smile "Look were here now, that's all that matters" 

Sierra placed a comforting hand on his shoulder saying "And we still have this week"

For the three friends this school year was the last one they would ever have with one another. 

Oscorp Industries is the corporation that was created by the famous and wealthy Norman Osborn, famous throughout the country for its development of technology and science. With the company typically dealing with experimental science, military research and cross-species genetics. While founded in the city of Jasper Nevada, currently the now famous company is now branching out into other parts of the country. In fact, moving its home location to the heart of New York city, moving all their important equipment, research, and employees to the site.

Unfortunately, Sierra's mom being one of them and her parents being offered accommodations to move out of state so suddenly. A fact of which that had Sierra crying as she told both boys the news a few months back while Vince also reveling that the same was happening to him. As his father being the head of the company, he needed to lead by example and user himself and his son to the new location. 

Meaning once they left, Jack, the only member of their whose family wasn't associated with the company would now be left on his own for his last two years in high school.

Sierra and Vince tried to fight it, tried to argue that their parents let them stay longer if just for the summer. But both adults agreed that it was necessary for their children to move with them straight away to the new city in order for them to "integrate" faster.

So that meant that this was the last few days the trio would have with each other and while it made them sad all three were determined to cram as much time as they could before the move date.

"I still don't get why he's dragging me along" said Vince "I mean they guy's barely home, what's difference would it be if we were in the same state or not"?

"I'm sure he cares Vince" consoled Sierra, though the annoyed look on Vince face said he though other wise

  "Well New York sounds cool ether way, right"? said Jack "Probably way cooler than boring old Jasper"

The red-haired rolled his eyes "Sure if you like pizza stealing rats and alligators in the sewers"

Jack didn't say anything just rubbing the spot of his bite.

Sierra then changed the subject "So were still on for Sunday"?

"Yeah, definitely" answered Jack "After I see my dad, I'll see you guys that night"

"Same place"? asked Vince

"Same place" agreed the other boy.

It was few hours later, after the field trip, after school, and after peddling all the way back home Jack was staggering through the side door of his garage. Pale, sweaty, looking as if he were about to pass out, dropping his bag and helmet as he walked. The teen figured he might have just been sweating due to the heat of the summer sun but resting his hands on his forehead he could tell that he had a temperature.

"A fever, seriously"? he thought 

But he figured as much, given how fatigued and exhausted he felt just by walking down the hallway. Once he reached his room, he slammed the door close and plopped down on his bed. He cringed at the amount of sweat that was coming off of him, making his feel too hot and too cold all at the same time. He pulled off his shirt trying to relieve some of the heat before pulling out his phone and flipping it open the teen then began to message his father, updating him on his predicament.

<Hey, dad?>

.................

<What's up>

................

<Not feeling good>

<Might not be able to see you today>

...........................

<That sucks :C>

<Told your mom>

..........................

<Gonna>

...................

<Alright, champ. Take care of yourself and update me if anything happens>

.......................................

<Okay>

............

After that last message to his father Jack began to dial his mom, but suddenly let out an agonized groan. His right hand burned with pain, the bite on it now the size of a marble with a white-hot infected center and angry red rings around its perimeter. He felt blood racing through his veins now, like molted led. Going head to toe, hot and cold at the same time, muscles spasming, nerves surging with confusing electrical shocks.

He clumsily pawed at his phone.

He wanted to call his mom, he needed to call his mom. Tell her about the bite, get him to a hospital, get him to a doctor becauseITFELTLIKEHEWASDYING!

But all he could do was make another pained noise as his shuddered once more and he became unconscious.

The next thing he heard was his mother calling his name.

Through blurry eyes he saw his mom, June Darby, looking at him concerned.

"Jack honey"? asked June "Did you come back from your dads early"?

"No" Jack said groggily "I never left"

For some reason that statement made Junes eyes widen in shock "You never left"?

"No..."?

From his window Jack could see that the sun was just barely making his way to the horizon, meaning it probably wasn't that late. Speaking of which why was his mom home so early? 

Rubbing his hair, he sighed saying "I know I should have told you earlier that I wasn't feeling good, but I just got back from school and just wanted to sleep it off"

"Sleep it off"? June said slowly "Honey, do you know what day it is"?

Confused Jack answered "Friday"?

"Jack, it's Sunday"

The teen stomach knotted up when he heard that statement.

He was asleep for close to two days!

"What"!

June was already rushing over, putting her hands on his palm and checking angle of his face "What happened, what were the symptoms, when did you start feeling sick"?

"Um, after school"? he said recounting when the worst of the sickness happened "Like around the field trip, I texted dad so he-"

He knew he made a mistake as a furious flame ignited in his moms' eyes and she let go of him to rush down the hall and to the houses only useable landline. The teen went up to stop her, but he then caught sight of himself in the rooms mirror and his whole head did a full eighty at his reflection.

Now Jack was by no means an athlete and by that sense nether was he a weak armed nerd, he was lucky enough to fall into the spectrum of "sturdy" like most of the school's population. But the reflection he was looking at was not his own, his head resting on the body of a stranger. What was a flat stomach, slightly bulged from overindulging in fast food, was a well-defined buffed abdomen. Not just his stomach though, his whole body was ripped. He had layer upon layer of solid muscle building up powerful shoulders, impressive, striated pecs, rope-like sinews running down his arms.

He cautiously flexed his left arm and yeah, there was a soft ball sized muscle there to greet him!

He stopped examining himself when his phone buzzed, picking it up he saw he had a text from Vince.

<We still on for tonight?>

Thats right! He promised to meet up with Vince and Sierra on Sunday! Today!

Immediately he dressed himself in fresh clothes and a jacket before leaving his room. As he made his way to the front door, he could hear his mom angrily talking to someone on the phone. The more she yelled the guiltier Jack got, knowing who she was scolding so furiously.

  "-and you didn't think to tell me"! she raged "Our son was home alone, suffering with who knows what! All because you couldn't communicate with me! Are you serious Ben"!

She paused before yelling again "I was at work! The door was close! Of course, I would assume he left to your house" 

Another pause, but Jack could hear the muffled but defensive reply on the phone.

"Well as his father you should have at least taken the time to come over to see you son"!

Finally, though Jacks guilt swirled into a bitter irritation.

"Benjamin Franklin Darby! You are the most unreliable-"!

She stopped short when Jack stomped into the room before slamming the phone down. His mom took note of his attire and gave a satisfied nod.

"Your dressed, good" she said moving to grab her car keys "Were going to the hospital"

 "No" Jack said simply as he pushed his feet into the shoes he left by the couch.

June narrowed his eyes at him "What do you mean no"?

"I promised I see Sierra and Vince today before it got dark" he replied.

Before he could go out the door his mom blocked his way, throwing both her hands up in affronted.

"Oh, absolutely not"! she said "You were asleep for almost two days Jack, no minor fever could do something like that! You need a hospital; you need to get yourself looked at" 

A few days ago, Jack would have agreed but now he brushed her words aside "I feel fine mom really" he pleaded "I needed to see my friends today, this is the last weekend before they move"

"Jack my answer is no" June said finally "Now you're going to the car and were taking you to the doctor"

Finally having enough Jack pushed past her easily "Look, I don't want to deal with this now" he hissed "If you want to keep yelling at someone call dad"!

"Jackson Darby-"! he could hear his mother starting to yell, but he was already out on his bike and peddling out the garage. 

He knew he would get hell for it when he got back but for now all he could think about was getting to the park. While he was riding his way there his phone buzzed all the while with calls and text, rom who it was obvious. So, when he was halfway to his mark Jack took out his phone and clicked it off the kept going.He knew the route like the back of his hand and knew exactly where he needed to be. Soon enough he was in the parking lot by a playground that was bathed in streetlamps, there he pulled up beside a dark blue muscle car with flames painted on the front. Jack knew that Norman Osborn wasn't the best parent, but Jack seriously couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy whenever he saw the expensive cars Vince had in his collection.

Speaking of the red-haired teen he was currently sitting on the hood of the car, looking at his phone while a convivence store bag sat beside him. When he caught sight of his friend the teen face light up and he waved his hand in greeting.

"Yo, Jack-Man!" said Vince "You made it"

"Like I promised" said Jack, gently laying on his bike on the pavement before looking around "So is Sierra going to be here soon"?

Vince winced in disappointment as he said "She just texted, apparently she had it out with her folks and they didn't want her out"

"Seriously" Jack sighed disappointed

The red-haired gave him a mock look of hurt "Oh, what? You can't stand to see my ugly mug"?

Jack snorted before climbing up the hood of the car to sit beside his friend "What you bring"? he asked as he dug through the bag of surplus snacks.

"You know the usual" Vince said, taking out a chip bag "Doritos, Lays, donuts, cookies, soda, and a granola bar or two cause-"

-you don't want to be filling up on empty carbs" Jack finished, repeating the phase that Sierra always said whenever they bought snacks for themselves. The paired laugh thinks of that moment, knowing for a long time that this time together would be rarer now or even nonexistent now that they would be moving away.

"So, how'd it go with your dad"? Vince asked innocently as he took a swig of one of the coke bottles he bought.

Jack gave his friend an uncomfortable look before he explained what when on that weekend, well almost.

Vince reasonably nearly spat his drink from his nose when he heard the story.

"You were asleep for two days"?

"I think I was sick, maybe something bite me" Jack reasoned "But any way I was knocked out till today"

The other teen carded through his carrot locks "I knew you weren't feeling well, I knew it"

"Look I'm okay" Jack tried to reassure him "I wouldn't be here if I wasn't"

Vince looked at him and asked "What your mom have to say about that"

Jack winced saying "She didn't want me out, wanted me to go to the hospital"

"But you came here instead" he said before bowing his head in a dramatic fashion "So you have chosen death"

"Shut it" Jack growled, but with no real heat behind it "She just didn't get it, we made these plans"

The red head put a hand on Jacks shoulder "It's fine man" Vince said "Adult's suck....but try to be easy on your mom, okay"

Vince words had an underline message to it, just like always whenever he vented about his parents.

A silent, it could be worse.

Vince was the first in their group to have his parents divorced and when Jacks parents split, his friend was more than helpful to share his experience more in depth. Or to be more precise to remind Jack how much better he had it compared to the divorce between his own mom and dad. 

Norman and Emily Osborn never seemed to have a happy marriage as even when Vince was a little boy, he could remember from his early years his mother yelling at his parents yelling at each other constantly, stabbing at each other with pointy words, and never even casting a look at their child. And while the divorce was amicable the custody was a nightmare, with each parent trying to gain custody other their son by any means. Slander was said in court, dates kept extending, and there was an attempted kidnapping at one point. But in the end Norman had more money and better lawyers, so custody of Vince was given over to him. His mother still gained a significant alimony and last Vince or his father knew was spending it away in a villa in Germany.

Despite all that fuss though Norman Osborn didn't take much interest in his son after the court ruling, leaving him with nanny's now that his mother was gone. That was actually how he, Jack, and Sierra met, in this very park. The place was a favorite place between the two moms and one nanny, so they often brought their charges here to play while they chatted idly. The trio had a lot of good memories to this park and even when Vince became too old for a nanny the three still hung out here.

So yeah, Vince Osborn was almost an expert in dysfunctional families.

 "Okay" Jack said, finally grabbing his phone and turning it back on.

And woah! He had like 10 miss calls and over 15 messages from his mom. 

All asking him where he was, demanding for him to come, and even begging for him just to answer. But what really got him ache remorsefully was the last message, one message from his father reading <Please come home, were worried>

Jack let out a heavy breath "Vince" he said "I think I need to head back"

"What me to come with"? his friend asked "It'll be harder for your mom to straggle you if there a witness"

"Nah, my dad will be there" Jack said waving him off "He'll watch out for me...hopefully"

Getting off the hood Vince still patted at his passenger door encouragingly "At least let me give you a ride"

The black-haired teen finally conceited and placing his bike in the trunk got into his friend luxurious car. He would have taken more time to admire the interior if Vince hadn't decided to turn on the radio and play what was basically a chorus of screaming chalkboards. 

"Dude, what is this nightmare"?! moaned Jack clutching his ears

 "Hey, don't diss on Slash Monkey" defended Vince "There a band apart of this new wave of music that's coming out, totally awesome"

"To whom"? muttered Jack "The kind of people who liked to blow out their ear drums"?

"You just don't get good music Darby" said Vince

His friend only rolled his eyes next to him.

After reassuring Vince he didn't need any emotional support A.K.A a human shield he cautiously walked into the house.

He didn't know what to expect, maybe his parent quietly arguing like they used to before they separated or maybe them having a screaming match that Vince had surmised was what happened between divorced people.

But no.

He walked inside to see his dad standing on a chair under the light of the kitchen, while June Darby watched with her arms crossed at him.

And The Lord said, 'Let there be light," Ben Darby declared, turning the light-bulb one last time "And voila! There is light. 40 soft-glowing watts of it"

"Good boy," June said to her ex-husband as he replaced the clip-on shade over the bulb "God will be thrilled, now just don't fall on your-"

She paused when she caught sight of Jack.

Turning around Darby Senior smiled as he saw his son.

"Hey'ah, tiger"! his dad greeted stepping up the chair to embrace his son "How are you feeling"?

Jack approached the kitchen cautiously "Better, I guess"

His dad nodded at that, Benjamin Franklin Darby was a man in his late 40's. Dressed in a blue plaid, black vest, and jeans; his eyes and hair were a brown unlike his wife and child with the latter being peppered with gray. But it was obvious besides Jack inheriting his bother hair and eye color he had his father jawline and brow.

"Well, sorry to pop by here all of a sudden, but glad to see your doing okay" Ben said to Jack "But since I was here, I figured I help do a little handy repair"

June didn't say much to that, but Jack could see that the rims of her eyes looked read and puff, almost like she was crying. All the same she walked towards the stove and began stirring a bot.

"I made soup" June said "Best you have something light"

Jack smiled softly "Thanks mom"

Surprisingly the nurse than turned to her ex-husband "Would you like to join us Ben"?

The man looked equally ask shocked but after a few minutes gave a grateful smile "Mighty generous of you, June, thanks"

Soon enough the three were all at the table, bowl of chicken soup at hand and at the center a plate of toast, chatting idly with one another.

"So how are things with you, Ben" June asked 

"Could be better I guess, when the plant lays off its senior electrician after 20 years " he answered, his voice chipper "The company is downsizing their people and upsizing their profits"

Jack's eyes widen "You got fired"?! he asked scandalized

His father only put up his hands dismissively "It's nothing you have to be worried about; I already have a job lined up" he said "Something that suits me well, a real find. I swear to you Jack today's job market is all about computers! Computer salesman, computer repairman, computer analyst, my gosh, even the computers have analysts these days" Ben ended with a laugh one that had even June chuckling at the end.

"Guess I still have a job then" the woman said "Cause you can always count on people getting hurt, either on accident, on purpose, or just through their own stupidity"

Jack felt a warmth build in his chest; this moment was so peaceful. Just like the old days, back when they were all together.

Ben turned to Jack "So how's your job, Jack"?

The teen shrugged "You know same old same old"

"He's working more hours" June added

"Probably why he slept for so long"

There was a record scratch silence as after that comment June glared hard at her ex-husband

  "That could be it" June said "But we don't know that we don't know what happen to Jack, we still don't know"

While his eyes were understanding Ben voice remained firm "If he says he's feeling okay, then there's nothing"

Jack bowed his head staring tiredly at the reflection in his soup.

So much for that....

"You know how many people I meet on the daily at work that say, "they felt fine" and end up lying flat on their back in the next hour" his mom argued. 

   "You're worried I get it" Ben said "But not every problem is as serious as you think it is, a fever could just be a fever, a cough could just be a cough, and a nap could just be a nap"

"I was two days, Ben"! June said raising her voice

"June"! the man said in a pleading tone, nondescriptly nodding at Jack. But the teen ignored him, ignored both of them, hurriedly trying to sip the last of his soup before he could make his escape to his room.

There was a quiet moment before Ben sat up and took his plate to the sink "Well, I think I'll be off" he said before turning to his son "Sorry we didn't get a chance to hang out, but if you're not to busy how about you come by tomorrow"

"Really"? Jack asked eagerly 

 Ben rubbed "Well, I wouldn't say I wasn't inviting you over for selfish reasons" he gave a dry laugh "Was hoping you like to help me paint my kitchen"?

Jack hummed a little taking a second to think it over, but the answer was obvious.

"Yeah, sure"

His dad tussled his hair good naturedly "Thanks Tiger" before turning to the door "Well I'll be off, have a good night you two"!

As soon as he left through the front door, Jack was on his feet and rushing to his room.

"Jack, honey" June tried "Can we talk"?

"I'm tired mom" the teen responded, going down the hallway before she could muster up another word.

Then just like on that Friday, Jack slumped onto his mattress, back in a restless sleep.

It was the cusp of winter break from middle-school and Jack was so excited to hang out with Vince the next day after his friend had just gotten back from a ski trip.

When he went downstairs to inquire about dinner, he saw his parents sitting at the table.

Coming into the dining room Jack noticed nothing was on the stove so he asked "So are we having dinner here or going out"

his parents casted each other solemn looks before his dad said "Neither, we just want to talk to you"

"Talk with you" June corrected

"He gets it" Ben gritted impatiently

Jack hid his exasperation at the thought of seeing another one of his parent's arguments, so wanting to get this over with he slipped into the free seat in front of them.

"Jack....we want you to know we love you so much" June said quietly "But things are going to be changing soon"

It was clear to the teen at that moment what this was about, all the same he tried to deny it.

Laughing nervously "Changing"? he said getting up from his seat "Is this like a puberty thing? Cause if so I'm fine"! he turned and was trying to leave the room quickly "Hey, I remember Vince wanted to hang out tonight so-"

But he had only made it two steps before Ben called his son back with a firm shout of his name.

"Ben" scolded June, though it was a single word it held a silent plea.

Do this slowly, be gentle.

Reluctantly Jack sat back down, his easy-going facade gone and only an unhappy frown on his face.

"What"? the teen found himself asking.

"You might have noticed your dad and I have problems, sometimes-" June explained "-like arguments, things like that"

Jack stayed quiet. 

But he knew it was true, he recounts all those times. Where they argue fiercely under hushed voices, where he found his dad sleeping on the couch more often in the morning, and were simple drives and trips out were suffocated in hateful silence and radio music.

"We've tried fixing things, but your mother and I decided to take some time off from each other" he paused to look at his son, but Jackson still didn't say anything.

"Jack, are you okay"

No, he really wasn't.

To this day he could still remember at that moment how sad he felt, how mad, and just so alone he felt.

Jackson Darby woke with a gasp, one hand clutching at the side of his bed frame. Slightly disoriented through his groggy vision could make out the faint darkness that was slowly being illuminated in a soft blue by the rising sun. He barely registered his relief that he still had a few more hours of sleep before slowly drifting off again. Never noticing the large dents on the wood of the furniture.

For once he had someone else to blame for why he was late getting to the school bus.

Not his job.

Not his load of homework.

Not even his own sucky time management skills.

No, but because his mom had to make sure he was relatively healthy before letting out the door. And by making sure she meant doing every type of home test and triage; from taking two types of temperatures, one from his mouth and one from his ear, and checking his pupils for abnormalities. He once again had to insist that he felt fine to get away from her fussing, before sneaking out the back door. 

He realized he should have asked his mom for a ride as he now started to once again give chase after the school bus as it drove ahead of him.

From the one of the open windows, he could hear someone laugh "Sorry Darby, the buses full"!

When he finally made it within arm's length of the bus he reached out to the side of it, ponding on it to get the bus to stop. His hand touched a corner "Go Wildcats!" school banner that's pinned on the side of the vehicle.

"Tell them to stop" he tried to plead "Tell them to-"!

His heart sunk in defeat as the bus accelerated but was surprised as his hand stuck to the paper, tearing the banner right off down the middle.

He stood on the road in shock before trying to unstick the banner from his hand, having to tug especially hard just to get the thing to release his hand. But even as the ruined sign laid on the ground, he could only look at his hands in confusion, wondering just what had happened. His fingers didn't feel sticky at all, he can't recall if he ate anything like that ether, not even on paper.

So, what happened?

Deciding not to dwell on it Jack got off the road and hurried through the street to try to make it to school on time.

In the Memorial High Cafeteria, Jack had just gotten out of class and was now sitting with a plate of food waiting on his friends. Vince was currently in line trying to fill his own tray, while a smiling Sierra was making her way towards him with her lunch in hand. His chest fluttered wistfully as he looked at her smiling face, her grin infections and the teen unable to help but draw up his own lips. She was beautiful, even in the light of the fluorescent lights her bright ginger hair glowed in bright reds and gold. Her skin glowed, cheeks flushing a natural pink as her sea-glass eyes locked onto him making Jack feel like a deer in headlights.

Everything felt like it was going through slow motion.

The blink of her lashes.

The bob of her ponytail.

Her boot about to land on a spilled puddle of juice.

Jack was only given a second to panic before he feels the strangest sensation come over him and almost on autopilot, he was out of his seat and besides Sierra just as she was about to slip backwards. Catching her tray and all it's food with his left hand while dropping his right shoulder just enough for her to grab onto. 

When Sierra regained her balance, the cheerleader looked impressed and grateful at Jack "Wow" she said almost breathless "Great reflexes!"

Jack smiled nervously before noticing how his hand was now resting on her waist and quickly let go, his face heating up. Only in doing so letting go of the tray and splattering the whole floor.

Sierra had a disappointed expression on her face but was quick to mask it as she moved away from him.

"Sierra" Jack stumbled "I am so sorry-"

"It's fine" the girl said waving it off "Vince is still in line, I'll see if I can hit him up to pay for me this time"

With that she left back towards the cafeteria line.

In all his days Jackson never felt more embarrassed in his life, this was by far the second worst day on his life.

Trying to console himself he picked up his fork to start eating his own lunch, though he didn't feel much up for it. But when he went to grab the fork and tilt it into his macaroni, it didn't tilt like he wanted to.

Scratch that! It wasn't moving at all!

Was some leftover juice on it? Some sort of cling condiment?

Jack didn't know what he wanted the utensil off!

Finally picking at where his hand and the metal met Jack managed to tug at it and make it finally release its grip from his wrist. Only for the most unexpected thing to be shown from the underneath the fork, a long silky stand connecting it from his wrist to the utensil. Horrified and silently shaking Jack tried to separate the fork from the strand, but nothing. He tried harder, and then another strand shot out from the same part of his wrist. Flying out across the table and onto someone else tray with that same sticky string substance. Panicked that someone would see the teen quickly jerked the webbing back. Only for the harsh yank to pull it toward him and send it flying in his direction, fast. Jack ducked in time and the tray sailed over his head, but unfortunately hit the person behind him straight in the back.

Who just happened to be Flash Thompson.

The world really didn't want him to live past 20.

 Jack got up from the table and quickly walked toward the exit.

Call him old fashion, but he really liked being alive? At least enough not to have to eat through a straw the rest of his life. The teen walked fast, before hearing a soft thumping behind him and realized with horror that it was still attached to his wrist. 

Seriously!

To add (yes add!) to the already horrible scenario he heard the jock grunt out in a near smelting question "Darby"?

Jack was almost to the door; he could hear the whispers and stares of all the students in the cafeteria but right now he didn't care. He just wanted out of there before Eugene "Flash" Thompson brain finally connects to his rage

"DARBY"!! Flash roared.

Too late.

He needed to get out of here, get out of school, leave the country even.

Jack hurried out of the cafeteria doors something tugged on his wrist. He looked back and the stupid tray that started this whole mess was caught on the other side of the door. He pulled the webbing hard till it finally broke and then tossed it aside.

As he walked hurriedly dawn the hall trying to rush to his locker to grab his bag, but for a second, he looked down to see his hand. Jacks' eyes widen as he saw a small barely noticeable slit in the center of his wrist, connecting that slit to a swollen spot about two inches up.

This was so weird, this was so weird, this was so weird-

 Finally making it to the end of the hall Jack practically ran for his locker, fumbling with the padlock as he tried to get it open. His locker number suddenly being the hardest thing he could think off.

But then he felt something, as if his whole body was telling him to be on alert.

The hairs on the back of Jacks neck stood up with alarm and a buzzing sensation rattling in the back of his head. And all at once the world seemed to slow down again. It was as if he'd become hyperaware of his surroundings, everything becoming brighter, louder, and clear all at the same time. Like he had eyes all over his heads. He could almost see the detail of the hallways from the paper airplane as it sailed, the whirl of a fly's wings as it buzzed, he could even see the wet spittle of a spit ball as it was launched out of a straw.

But more importantly he could feel the rush of air from Flash Thompson's flying fist coming towards 

Jack ducked to his right just as the punch came, missing him but leaving a fist-sized dent in the locker door next to him.

The teen jumped back panicked but Flash was already circling around to face him, chest pumped and seething. Jack looked through a way to escape but people were already crowding around the two, interested to see what was going on or just blood thirsty enough to see the local jock body slam the local dweeb.

"You think you're pretty funny, don't you, freak?" Flash growled

"Leave him alone, Flash, it was an accident!" someone shouted.

 It was Seirra, who was practically running down the hall and pushing the gathering crowd of students aside. Jack really hated himself right now, it was bad enough that he made a fool of himself in front of his crush but now he was forcing her to dissolve his fights.

Gosh he was pathetic.

"No, my fist breaking his teeth-" the jock snarled "-that's gonna be the accident," 

"Come on, Flash," Sierra tried to beg.

"I don't want to fight you, Flash," Jack heard himself say, trying to make himself braver than he actually was.

"Yeah? I wouldn't want to fight me neither," Flash said cocking both his fist up "Come on, Darby! Show me what you've got"!!!

All Jack could see was Flash's knuckles coming towards him, in that painfully slow way, as if mocking him that he could avoid-

Wait a minute

Surprising everyone and himself Jack ducked aside from as a fist brushed by his head.

Flash threw another jab at him, but once again Jack slipped just a few inches to the side and the blow missed again.

Flash looked like he couldn't believe it but all the same he snapped a left hook to his target

Jack dodged, again.

How was he doing this?

Was some guardian angel leading him away from the fatal blows, had an old karate master taken possession of his body?

Flash the fired an uppercut right to Jacks face

To avoid it all together Jack bent backwards, literally! To the point he was practically doing the limbo, his feet firmly in place and looking upside down at Sierra's shocked expression. He snapped upright and looked around him, everyone was staring even more now and the crowed was getting larger. Jack caught sight of Vince getting through the crowed to end up standing beside Sierra.

"Vince, help him!" Sierra urged, gesturing toward their friend.

Before he could reassure them, Jack felt that strange sensation of alarm again and on instinct sprang into the air. Good thing he did though as one of Flashes lackey had dived to tackle him, only for Jack to double backflip like some Olympic gymnast and land on his feet to face the two bullies while the crowed whooped and hollered.

"Which one?" he heard Vince ask

Jack could still feel the low echoes of his landing, but they were painful. He was never anything but a C- in gym, and diffidently didn't have the diet or excursive to do anything like this on his own. What the heck was going on with him!

"He's all yours, man," the suddenly nervous lacky said to Flash

The bully pushed him away in disgust before once again unleashing a flurry of punches at Jack. The teen once more bobbed and weaved past them, before finally coming to a conclusion. He was tired of just being on the defensive. When Flash's next bout of punches came in, Jack actively blocked them all with his hands. To the outside specter it might have hurt, those willowy arms bracing against the jock's pythons. But not for Jack who barely registered the impact of where his arms met Flashes.

It was then when the bully was sending a fist to Jacks side, he caught Flash's right wrist and twisted it away from him.

The jock screamed in agony, mouth agape in a howl.

Then with a resounding yell, Jack sent his own fist out and catching his attacker right in the chest

Flash went sliding across the floor finally crashing into a teacher's feet, who dropped his entire cafeteria tray's contents onto Flash's face.

Cheers went up from several students and Jack felt himself smiling, this was every school revenge fantast he had. Finally getting back at Flash, humiliating him. seeing that fear in his eyes.

 He wasn't going to be ever pushed around again! Nobody would ever push him around again!

But his bubble burst when Flash lackey caught his eyes, looking between him and his leader.

"Jezz, Darby," he spat "you really are a freak" 

The crowd began to disperse as teachers approached. He looked to his friends and stared into Sierra's face and saw nothing but startled panic.

Vince seemed to be the opposite "Jack" he said, awe in his voice, "that was amazing"!

Those words though did nothing to soften the ache inside him.

He needed to leave; he couldn't be here.

Forgetting his backpack, he turned and ran out the front door. "

"Jack"! he heard Vince call out for him

Jack ran and ran until he couldn't run anymore.

When he finally stopped, he had no idea how far he'd gone before he finally opted to stop into an alley and ducked behind a dumpster, breathless and exhausted.

Once alone all the questions that had been bugging him since the cafeteria and consequential fight came rushing back to him.

How did he do all that?

Why was he suddenly so fast and strong?

And was he really a freak?!!

He leaned against the wall and looked down at his right wrist, where the strange silky string came from and had started this whole disaster. He took note of the discolored skin around it, thumbing the area and almost making out a clear, white, almost iridescent substance that was peeking through and spread star-crossed. 

Almost like a spider....

Jacks' memory rushed back in an instant and he turned his right hand over. The bite was still there, smaller now and only slightly visibly red with irritation.

"Could this be the cause"? he thought to himself

He suddenly looked up, noticing something.

Between a circle of razor wire hanging over the alleyway entrance, a huge brown spider, building a classic wheel-shaped web.

"Through five years of painstaking research and new techniques in genetic breakdown and recombination, we have combined properties from all three of these species of spiders to create these fifteen genetically enhanced super-spiders"

Genetically enhanced super-spider.... Jack looked back at his bite scar.

And one of them had bitten him.

Jack watched the spider gracefully move over those fine silk threads, elegantly traipsing along, seeming to defy gravity, balancing nimbly on just the pinpoint tips of its eight spindly legs.

The string from his hand, his heightened strength, his new speed...could this be related to the spider.

And if so, what else could he do?

Jack looks back to the underside of his hand, he was even more taken aback when he noticed something covering the flesh. From the tips of his fingers to the center of his palm, tiny almost microscopic hooks with pinpoint tips laid there. Jack's fingers tingled and he looked at his hands carefully.

The banner and then the fork.

  Jack recalled the way spiders could climb, while annoying, it was actually incredible the way they could almost everywhere. On a hunch, he planted his right palm firmly against the wall about shoulder height. He could feel every detail of the brickwork surface and his fingertips had found anchor points to dig into. Jack took a deep breath, letting something inside him, something primal, something that urged him forward. The teen reached higher and did the same thing with his left hand, repeating the process.

He began to climb up the wall, or more so, he began to crawl up the wall.

Like a spider.

Hand over hand, steadily traversing the bricks like he was walking very carefully on flat ground. Jack felt the tips of his sneakers scrap against the brick wall. He used his feet to balance his lower body but not to actually climb; his entire body weight was being borne on the tips of his fingers. He was so much stronger than he had ever thought, everything felt so natural! So right 

Jack suddenly stopped as he noticed a fire escape. 

He looked down and amazed he was at least four feet up.

He had never been this high on his own before, nowhere near the safety of a building, ladder, or even climbing supports.

Instead of feeling frightened an almost giddiness consumed him and a huge grin spread across his face. And there was nothing else to say except…

"Woo-Hoo!"

From the tops of few building circling Jaspers, Jackson Darby was running at incredible speeds, leaping across alleyways, rooftops, and metal terraces. Landing each time with no more impact than jumping off a short step, it was incredible. 

He felt like he was almost flying.

So, this is what it was like to have superpowers!

If only Sierra and Vince could see him now!

 Though the teen came back to reality when he realized he was almost at the end of a block at one of the few major cross streets of Downtown Jasper. He barely managed to stop running as he reached the drainpipe ringing the top of the building. He audibly gulped as he took note the four lanes of traffic down below. And from where he was it was a four-story drop to the shorter building across the street.

Jackson wasn't sure he wanted to take the risk, sure he had powers, but he barely got them today. He stood there for a moment, trying to decide if he wanted to go back the way he came, or find a dark corner and shimmy down the bricks.

Just then he saw something across the street, towering cranes were lowering an air conditioning unit to the rooftop of the building on the other side. The teen figured if he could snag that crane, he could easily swing across the cars below and get to the other buildings rooftop, and then it would be off to the races again.

Excited Jack rolled up his sleeve, giving the slit on his arm a clear path out of his wrist. Then spreading his fingers wide, then gestured dramatically at the crane and shouted, "Go web"!

And....nothing happened

Jackson scowled his face in confusion before throwing up his hand again "Fly"!

Again nothing.

 "Up, up, and away, web"!

Nothing.

 "Shazam!"

Okay, now he was getting desperate.

He kept gesturing, even doing the rock sign over and over, trying to gage a reaction shouting "Go"!

And even that attempt was less successful.

"Uh, typical comic book rules" muttered Jack, of course when someone get new superpowers, they have no idea how to use them at first. But of course, they act up when he doesn't need them too, like say ALMOST GETTING HIM KILLED BY THE SCHOOLS PET CAVMAN!

 He breathed through his teeth frustrated, he kept messing with hands motions and finger positions. Flipping his wrist face up and before reaching toward the fleshy part of his palm with his curled middle and ring fingers before pressing down. Just then a thick strand of white webbing shot out.

Jumping back in shock Jack let go of his palm, cutting the string off and letting it float harmlessly across the street.

Excited Jack tried again tried again, copying the motion from earlier and again the silky webbing came right out. The feeling was unnerving at first, with these huge globs of string coming out of his hands but with time it felt more comfortable. With his aim surer Jack smiled and eyed the length of the crane he shot out another web, not cutting it of but letting it continue to spool out.

Till finally the sticky white robe smacked against the arm of the crane.

It was then Jack stopped the line and grabbed the end of his self-made rope.

He gave the line a gentle-but-firm tug to be sure of the strength and was relieved that it didn't budge.

The teen breathed in and out heavily, psyching himself up for what he was about to do. Trying to think and not think about the 5 stories to the street below.  What a long way down it was. And he better not miss this shot.

"Tally ho"! he whispered before the teen closed his eyes and took a step off the railing.

For a near gut retching business instant, he was free falling. Then his screams of panic became screams of joy as the web rope slack kicked in and he was swinging on an arc, right over the tops of cars, easily to the other side of the street.

He was doing it! He was doing it!

Look at him! This modern-day Tarzan!

Except Jack was never any good at math and almost anyone could tell you (well almost) how badly this almost junior miscalculated the angle. The arc wasn't steep enough to carry him over to the taller rooftop. As he accelerated faster towards the face of the billboard Jack d desperately tried to stop and vainly used his shoes to steady himself, but the result was inventible. 

The smashed face-first into the building wall.

Jackson Darby gasped in pain as he laid with his back on the white pebbled roof.

Guess some lessons were harder to learn than others.

Chapter Text

It was dark by the time Jack came into the house, which was expected given that his mom was probably working late tonight. He just make himself something to eat and do his homework, he just needed to get ride of the dirty dishes in the sink-

Jack paused when he noticed to three bowls from last night, then it clicked.

"Oh, shoot"! Jack whispered to himself.

With everything that happen to him today he totally forgot the promise that he had made to his dad about helping him paint his kitchen. He made to rush out the house, hoping his dad wouldn't be too made for arriving late, but when he opened the door he nearly crashed into Sierra.

  "Uh, hey Sierra" he said awkwardly

"Hi Jack" she said, before her eyes drifted to the bag in his hand "Are you going somewhere"?

"No, wait yes-I-" Jack stuttered "I mean I was supposed to go over to my dad today and help him with something"

Sierra looked a little disappointed "Oh, I was hoping we could talk"

Wincing Jack realized what it was about "Uh, listen, Sierra, about today...at school, I mean, with Flash..."

"You really freaked us out," she said concerned.

 "I'm sorry" Jack said immediately, though he didn't really mean it. Flash was a jerk and if he didn't have his new powers the teen knew that he would have been the one knocked down to the floor. All the same he couldn't bear the idea of Sierra being scared of him  "Is he okay"? 

 "I hear he's just glad you didn't give him a black eye for the summer" Sierra said before rolling her eyes "Vince thinks it's the best thing ever"

That brought a chuckle to him, remembering the astonished and gleeful look his best friend had when he finally knocked their long-time bully to the ground.

"That doesn't make it okay" Sierra chided lightly before saying "I heard you were sick this weekend"

Jack jumped a bit before answering "Well it was just a bad stomach flu" he said "I'm fine seriously"

"Sorry I couldn't see you yesterday" Sierra said "It's just...my parents"

"I heard" Jack nodded sympathetically

"It's just they-they run their life like its one of their projects"! Sierra exploded, she was breathing hard as she added "It's not enough they decide where I live but they also want to decide what I study"!

"Hey, hey, hey" the teen said, holding up his hands pacifyingly. He paused before adding "Do you want to talk about it"?

 The girl was quite for a second before looking away "They really want to go to those Ivey League or STEM schools, you know, places that pour out a lot of scientist"

"But aren't you good at that stuff"?

Sierra then turned to glare at him "Yeah, but that's not what I want to get stuck with for the rest of my life" she countered "I mean the only reason I'm that good is because my folks have been drilling the periodic picnic and chemical recipes in my head since I was in middle school"

The teen nodded "So that's not what you want to do, that make sense" he said " Then what is it you really want"?

Sierra looked a little flustered not meeting Jacks gaze.

"Oh, come on," he chided smiling "Try me"

She looked at him "I think I like to act...on stage"

"Wow! No kidding? That's perfect! You'd be great"! Jack said encouragingly

Sierra seemed surprised at his enthusiasm. "Really"?

"Yeah seriously! I mean, you were awesome in all the school plays" Jack said, as if Sierra not being good at anything was impossible "I cried like a baby when you played Cinderella"

She arched a brow at him skeptically "Jack, that was in the first grade"

The teen chuckled awkwardly "Well, yeah, I just mean even back then" he stuttered for awhile "I mean, with some people, you can just tell! You can look into the future and see what the future holds for them"

Sierra looked at Jack softly "Then what do you see coming for you"?

"I...I don't know" Jack said, clenching his fist, feeling the slight velcroed grip his fingers gave one another "But whatever it is, it's different from anything I ever felt before" 

"And...what for me"? asked Sierra

"You?" he said, Jack looked at his longest female friend. Even under the dim glow of the porch bulb Sierra shined like nothing else, her ginger hair shining off the illumination while her green eyes sparkled in his direction.

"You're going to light up Broadway someday" he finally said

Sierra looked stunned for a second, but seem to brighten even more.

"I've never noticed before but you're actually taller than you look" she finally said, raising a hand to emphasize this.

Jack felt his cheeks heat as her finger lightly brushed his hair "I hunch" he mumbled 

"Don't" she said laying her hand on his shoulder.

The night was quite all except for the small chirping of crickets and the streets were empty, it was just the two of them outside.

Without even thinking Jack slowly reached up his left hand to rest it against the one Sierra had on his shoulder, his eyes never leaving hers.

Then a car-horned roared out, breaking the silence and having the teens jump away from each other quickly.

Turning around they recognized Vinces's flame-painted car with the red-head waving at the pair from the drivers seat.

  "Hey kids"! he yelled "Want a ride in my car, I got candy"!

Jack rolled his eyes while Sierra giggled, then taking her friends hand she ushered him towards the car.

"Let's have Vince give you a ride, kay"

The teen was almost speechless but gripped her hand tightly.

"Yeah".

He never wanted to let go.

He hated how he had to let go.

Jack sighed as he emptied the wire basket of fresh hot fires into the metal container besides him.

It's only been a week since Vince and Sierra had left but it felt like a month already, with them gone this small town felt even emptier. Sure, the two were had been emailing him on the daily and sending him pictures of the sky-high buildings there but still it's hard to feel enthusiastic for a city your friends now occupied when it was states away. 

The two had left that Saturday, accompanied by Sierra parents. Vince was supposed to have left earlier with his dad but with a lot of prodding was able to stay for a day longer thanks to the Watsons generous offer of escorting him to New York. Though the fact he was the boss's son played a big role in it, no doubt about that.

All the same Jack had been grateful for that extra bit of time with his friends. His dad had driven them almost two hours to the nearest airport in the county, even went as far as to wait in the parking lot as the kids made their goodbyes. Another thing that Jack was grateful for, his dad was intuitive like that, knowing that his son was about to part with the friends he's had with for years and those kids need whatever time they needed to fill a months' worth of farewells and good memories.

Jack of course wasn't the only one there, Sierra cheer squad was at the air-port lobby with a hand-crafted sign that wrote "WE'LL MISS YOU, SIERRA"!!!

In a weird way, Jack was touched by the sentiment. This group of girls and Jack have never interacted and probably never would after today, but what connected them together was their friendship with Sierra and the fact that they would miss her.

Gosh, he missed her...both of them...

He could still remember Vince tight hug and the silent tears that wet his shoulder from when Sierra laid her head against his shoulder.

"I'll miss you" she whispered

"Take care of yourself, bro" said Vince

Jack did his best to keep his tears at bay, a few escaped but he managed to smile and wave as his two best friends made their way up the terminal to the plane that would whisk them away from the desert state. His eyes burned, but with steady breath he made it outside and to the parking lot.

Finally, when he slumped inside his dad's car he broke down, full on blubbering. 

His dad laid an arm across his shoulders, tugging him close.

His dad always did know what he needed.

Jack blinked as the drive-through alarm sounded saying that a car was at the order sign.

"Hello and welcome to K.O. drive-in where every patty's a knockout" he recited "May I take your order"?

"Yeah; I'll have two number two's, couple of fries" a familiar voice sounded through the speaker

"Okay, dos número dos and fries, anything else"? Jack echoed.

"Yeah, some advice" the voice Jack recognized as Flash said "How do I get an awesome job like yours"?  a chorus of laughing was heard on the other end.

Jack frowned angrily at that, while Flash hasn't outright threatened him or confronted him since the "incident" but that hasn't stopped him from harassing him at work. Comfortable that he couldn't face any repercussions from the teen while Jack was working.

And he was right, unless he wanted to lose the only job that would take him while he was still in high-school.

"So, that's two 'we're not as funny as we think we are with a side of bite me" Jack snappily retorted as he placed the order bags on the ledge.

"What'd you say"? Flash demanded

"$5:59, sir, at the window" he gritted out into the mic before turning his back.

He heard the car pulled up to the window and more laughter was heard, before a screech of tires let him know that the car was speeding off. Jack hurriedly turned back around but he was to late, the care was gone as was the bagged food.

"Hey"! Jack shouted as he rushed to the window futilely "I have to pay for that..."

Frustrated he pounded his fist on the metal ledge, then he walked away from the window passing one of his coworker who was manning the grill.

"Cover for me, Tobey"?

He didn't wait for a response before crossing the counter to the main dining area and heading through the front door, once there he felt free enough to give a furious stomp to the cement and rip the stupid paper hat from his head.

He hated this job! 

He quite if he could, but he really needed the money-scratch that-his family really needed the money.

His mom could only make so much at the hospital she worked at and while Jack goal was to save up enough to buy his own motorcycle it was handy having that extra cash to soften the monthly bills or grocery purchase. Something his mom was indeed grateful for; the trouble was now he had to think about his dad. His dad who had worked as a soldier in the Army had transitioned as an electrician when he finally retired from the military. That job paid well for the last 13 years but since he was fired Jack learned that the only job he could find so far in this sleepy town was running the one of the only six taxies in this town. And while his father did his best to ease his sons worries with a good natured smile, Jack couldn't ignore the wanted adds on the counter of his single apartment or the rental notices that had been haphazardly hidden under a pile of motor magazines.

  Jack knew he needed to start funneling some of his income to his dad now too, the whole thing if he had too! 

He looked to the crumpled paper hat in his fist.

"Even if it means taking whatever garbage Flash throws at me" he thought, though his paycheck was on the line if the bully kept pulling stuff like that again.

Just then he noticed a flier on the glass window of the restaurant.

When he read what was on it, his face light up in a hopeful smile.

Maybe he would have to take Flashes abuse after all. 

From his bed Jack looked wistfully at the yellow ad, on it featured the following words;

Attention Amateur Wrestlers!

THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS

For just three minutes in the ring!

Colorful Characters a MUST!

All this time he's been left wondering he would do with this power he received, but he finally found something he could use it for!

He thought back to his fight with Flash, how strong he was, how easy it was to not only dodge his blows, and even how easy it was to send the jock flying.

He was strong now! He could probably fight, right!

And three thousand dollars would be such a huge amount of money, at least to him. While it may not be a whole lot in the grand scheme of things but defiantly a big help, and with three thousand dollars he could divide it evenly between himself and his parents! And a thousand can definitely be a great addition to his motorcycle fund.

While the words "colorful characters" confused the teen for a while it only took a quick web search to identify that the ad was looking for costumed wrestlers, basically people in colorful tights and bejeweled mask. While he wasn't sure he could buy anything like that the teen was sure he could throw something together. Essentially what they were asking for was like a Halloween costume, right?

He could bust that out easy-peasy!

Taking out a note book he opened to a blank page where he began to draw the outline of a human figure. The teen spent hours coming up with costume ideas, basing them on which would be the easiest to make, easiest design to follow, and how cool it looked!

But as soon as his pencil touched paper, his mind found a blank. 

Could he even design clothes? What should he even base it off?

Jack rubbed his fingers together, feeling that same velcro like sensation.

And then it hit him, and the pencil danced eagerly with ideas

Costume with an hour-glass face? 

Mmmm, to plain.

Spider costume with wings?

Okay, that just made him cringe with second hand embarrassment...

The teen went through several pages before gripping his head exhausted. All the designs he came up with were good for the most part, but so unpractical, he just needed one good and easy design to use. Something with just enough color and-and maybe a symbol.

Jack began to draw various stick spiders, bodies contrasting from round, to narrow, to decorated. When he finally settled on one Jack placed it on the center of one of his blank figures before adding some web-type lines over the face, arms, and body. The eyes were like pumpkin lantern features, drawn with ovals with upturned edges.

Finally came the easy part, color.

Jack played around with it for a while, the teen definitely wanted to include black but he needed to another color to balance it out.

Green, no.

Red, not his favorite.

Blue....its his favorite color so why not?

Jack smiled as he drew, penciled, and colored.

Till standing before him was a figure dressed in black, dark blue taking up most of his outer wear, while silvery webs stretched from the fabric of his knees to his face, and bright white eyes glared from off the page.

Satisfied Jack stared in wonder at his creation, who knew he was such an artist!

Even as the birds began to chirp and he could see the sun beginning to peak over the horizon Jack wasn't done yet. Getting an empty can of High-Grade soda, he place it on his nightstand.

 Pointing his wrist at the can he breathed deep before firmly pressing down on a specific portion of his hand.

 SPLAT!

The effect was instantaneous as a web strand fired toward his target...only to miss by a mile.

He winced as the strand knocked down his model space ship

Frowning Jack tried again.

SPLAT! Another wild miss on his part that not only avoided the can but the force was enough to break the thin layer of glass to a photo of his. 

Maybe he needed to adjust the aim?

It took several more tries before finally, finally! He was able to get that one can of soda from the table to his hand.

Jack smiled as he noted down his trick to his success, if aim was all about keeping your target in your sight than he be the best. With these heightened eyes, all he had to do is position his shooting arm towards the place of his target. Steady his pupils, aim, and then fire!

"This was going to be so easy"! he thought.

So sure, of himself he pointed to the lamp on the side of his room, feeling the need to test out how much he could grab. Only to tug it both too fast and too hard when the web meet its target, he ducked at the last second before the lamp came crashing towards him. Instead it hit the wall and shattered on impact.

The teen winced at the sound the ceramic made as it went to the floor.

Maybe mom wouldn't hear that?

"Jack"? June Darby called, knocking on his door.

Nope, she definitely heard it.

Quickly rushing to his door before his mom could barge in and see the mess he made, when he widen the entry just a crack there was June Darby staring concerned from the sliver of wood that was open.

"Morning, mom"! Jack said, trying to keep his voice upbeat

"What's going on in there"? she questioned through the door.

  "Just exercising" Jack explained "And I'm not really dressed, Mom"

She looked at her son strangely "Are...are you sure you're okay"?

Jack nodded, making sure the door didn't widen anymore than it should.

"I'm fine mom"

"Because if there's anything that's bothering you, anything at all, you could tell me" June said, her voice soft yet pressing.

Impatiently though Jack only gave only a small "Okay, thanks" before firmly shutting the door.

When he turned back around, he was greeted by the mess he made. 

Webs were hanging off almost every corner of his room, it be nightmarish really if he hadn't been the one to produce them, lucky thing his mom was polite enough to knock.

Jack hung his head as he slumped to the floor.

The more rational parts of his brain were screaming at him to match outside and show his mom this scene, to finally reveal to her what happened after that spider bit him. 

Only he didn't.

He didn't tell anyone.

He couldn't tell anyone.

His mom and dad (especially his mom) would freak out no doubt, scold him no doubt, and probably ground him till he was 30 for keeping this hidden for so long.

It probably had been the one thing his parents would have agreed on in years.

Maybe even rush him to the hospital, run some test, and then some doctor going to call the press and talk to them all about the weird spider-kid. Then next thing he knew some men in black guys would be carting him away to Area 51within the hour.

Then again maybe mom would have that same thought process and just opt to keep him at home for the rest of his life, saying goodbye to any semblance of a normal life.

Meaning no school, no college, no girlfriend, and definitely no motorcycle.

 Jack ran his fingers over the discolored skin of his wrist.

That begs the question, if he couldn't tell his parents why didn't he tell his friends?

I mean Jack knew that they be freaked out but probably wouldn't rat on him, well maybe not Vince, Sierra would definitely need some convincing. 

But still he could have told them, but he didn't.

Part of him reasoned that it was because he didn't want to bring any weird drama to the last week they'd have together.

But a deeper part of him remembers the look Sierra had on her face after his fight with Flash and to keep her or anyone from looking at him like that again he'd keep his new abilities a secret.

He looked down at the can that was still in his hands and with little to no effort crushed it practically flat.

Jack smiled and said to himself "Maybe something good can come from this"

With his backpack ready, the teen steadily breathed in and out thinking over his plan for the night.

The venue was across town and the event was listed happening at 8:pm, so if he left around 7 he should be able to get on a bus and be there on time to get his costume ready then enter the place.

3 minutes, 3minutes was the magic number.

Arrive around 7:50, beat the guy at 8:03, get the money by at least around 8:30, and be at his dads house by 9:50.

What gave him an extra edge to executing his plan was the fact he was staying over at his dads and with his new work schedule he wasn't due to be back till at least 10 or so. It made Jack feel bad that he was taking advantage of his dads situation but he reasoned once he got the money Ben would have less to worry about.

Resolved Jack shouldered his bag and opened the front door, only to see his dad standing outside smoking.

"Dad"! Jack squawked 

Benjamin Darby looked back at his son with a surprise look on his face before smiling "Oh, hey Jack"!

"I thought you were working tonight" Jack asked nervously

His dad grimaced but still chuckled awhile saying "Boss has three guys out tonight, didn't think it was worth the gas tonight"

"So... you going somewhere"

Jack adjusted the strapped closer "Um yeah, just the library"

"Library" Ben perked up he snuffed out his cigarette and turned to his son fully "This late"?

  "Yeah" Jack said inching a bit out the door "I got a summer project that I kind of left at the last minute, but I figure I just needed to get it done"

He was nervous that excuse was going to get him a scolding, but Ben only nodded.

"Need a ride"? he asked

Jack gulped but tried to keep his voice causal "Nah, its fine dad" he said, turning into the hallway "Was going to take the bus, though I'll be back kind of late"

"Well, let me drive you" his dad insisted

The teen tried to keep walking "It's fine, didn't you say you needed to save gas"? he said "It's at the college library, so downtown and pretty far"

"Hold on"! Ben said, gentle taking hold of his shoulder "I said, I'll drive you" his voice held a tone of finality 

 Jack bit his lip anxious as he watched his dad grab his jacket and keys.

But with a sigh he realized he had not choice.

As they drove Jack made sure he didn't look too suspicious, but he was honestly feeling like he was going to crack up any minute.

He didn't even have the nerve to look in his fathers direction.

Jack jumped when the car came to a stop

"Well, kiddo we're finally here" his dad said.

"Oh, right" Jack said, hurriedly unclipping his seatbelt and grabbing his back pack but he was stopped once again today by his fathers words.

"Hold on a minute…we need to talk" Ben said

  Jack looked at him "..about what"? 

"You're not the same boy lately" his father stated "Your shirking your chores, you stay in your room all day doing who knows what, you barely sat a word to me or your mom, and that fight-"

"Didn't start that fight, no one said it was a fight" Jack hissed defensively.

The school had called his mom about the "altercation" as they called it between him and Flash, but with neither student talking and no serious injuries they're wasn't much they could do or ether Darby parent to press on if Jack insisted it was just an argument.

Ben shook his head defeated before looking back earnestly to his son "Is there something going on, Jack"? he asked, "You know you could tell me anything"?

Jack held the bag with his suit tightly, this whole situation was practically torture. He never pulled a lie this big on ether one of his parents, first about the super-powers and now about the wrestling contest.

Should he say something? Should he spill on everything?

"Dad" Jack started hesitantly "If you could do something and do it better than anyone else!...than it would be wrong to you know, cashing in on your talents, right"?

Ben obviously looked confused before saying "Well, son, it would depend on what kind of talents were talking about"

Jack sighed; he knew it was a long shot but it was clear at this point that his dad wasn't going to understand.

"Thanks for the ride dad" he said opening the car door, but felt a hand grasp his 

"I know things haven't been easy...a-a lot of things have changed and it's okay to feel frustrated over this, even angry, I went through the exact same thing at your age"

"No, not exactly" whispered Jack.

He took a breath before continuing "When I graduated high-school I joined the army" said his dad "Now, do you think I joined because I had this grand dream of defending my country"?

"No"? Jack answered

"Nope! I had no idea what direction my life was taking and to me that seemed like a good place to start" said Ben "But when I was there I was taught many things, how to fight, how to use a weapon..." he stopped awhile a distant look getting into his eyes "Things that give almost a power to ordinary men, I was taught these things in order to protect people"

He looked directly into Jacks eyes

"The point is your changing, into the man your going to be"! Ben said smiling briefly "But just because you can do something doesn't mean you should, with great power there must also come great responsibility"

Jack looked away, he was only half listening but hoping his father had said enough he gave a quite "Okay"

Ben looked like he wanted to say more but let his son step out of the car.

"What time should I pick you up"? Ben finally asked

"Just let me call you" Jack said simply before shutting the door tight.

Jack went to the edge of the library not turning a corner till he saw his dad's car pull away, when he felt like he was in the clear then he headed off in the other direction.

Jacks watched from the top of the bleachers as a costumed wrestler was slammed into the floor and in the middle of the ring.

The crowed chanted "Cracker! Cracker! Cracker"

The audience went wild as the beefy wrestler climbed to the top of the tumbuckle. The man raised his arms, looking invigorated by the people shouting his title he leaped and delivered a crushing flying elbow to his opponent in chest just above the jugular creating a wincing sound of pain that made Jack grimace in sympathy.

Just then the ring announcer came up on stage and shouted into his microphone.

"For Three-Thousand Dollars! Is There No One Man Enough To Stand In The Ring For 3 Minutes With This Titan Of Testosterone" he shouted pointing to said "titan" who was sitting arrogantly as an entourage of bikini woman prepped him for his next victim opponent.

"WHO"?! the announcer screamed before pausing for effect "I Know....The Flying Dutchman"!

As nervous as Jack was he reminded himself that he's already gone to deep, so before going to change into his costume he went to wait in the lineup row. 

  When he finally reached the lady behind the table gave him a once over "There's no feather-weight division here small fry, next"!

"No, no,"! Jack insisted "Sign me up"

 "Okay…you understand the NVWL is not responsible for any injuries you may-" The woman gave Jack another once over "-and probably will sustain while participating in said event and that you are, at sub 150 pounds, indeed participating under your own free will?"

"Yes" Jack answered.

  "Down the hall and up the ramp" she instructed. "And may God be with you"

Jack only nodded and turned to exit down the hall, he kept walking till he was at a screen that projected his silhouette and was just separating him from the ring. He couldn't help but feel his shadow looked awkward, as awkward as this costume felt. While his costume idea was a solid thing that he was proud of he barely had the time or money to execute it properly. The best he could do was an old navy hoodie that used to belong to his dad wearing his hood up, along with some gray gym shorts, a pair of blue sneakers he had, some black bicycle gloves, and a medical face mask he nicked from his mom's emergency medical bag. The only thing he got right were the silver and black spider designs he mange to paint on both sides of his hoodie. Though he kind of was regretting his wardrobe choice, as he felt like he was sweltering under his clothes from the summer heat and the stage lights hitting down on him.

  "Are You Ready For More?" Jack heard the announcer yell and the crowd screamed in excitement.

"Cracker is ready"! boomed the voice of the main wrestler

"Who Dares Test There Skill, Their Strength, Their Stamina! Against The Venues Own And Still Undefeated Legend, Cracker Hogan"!

The crowd roared again and Jack did his best to ease his breathing, he never been one to have stage fright but really it was the first time he probably have so many people eyes on him since playing the horse in that Cinderella play in first grade.

"Will The Next Victim Please Enter The Ring At This Time"! The announcer said coming up the to curtain that Jack was behind "If They Can Withstand Just Three Minutes In The Cage With Cracker! Where The Sum Of Three Thousand Dollars Will Be Paid To-" the man looked behind the curtain to Jack and covered the microphone with his hand. "Hey, kid, what's your name"?

Oh, geez! He didn't think of a name!

He should have figured this out before coming here! It's not like he could get on stage and say "Oh, hey! I'm Jackson Darby"

Mind scrambling he said the first thing that came to mind.

"The Human Spider"! Jack said with his voice slightly muffled.

  "The Human Spider? That's the best you got"? the ring announcer asked slightly taken back

 "Yeah...." Jack mumbled happily, admittedly thinking he could have thought of a better name.

"Jeez, that sucks" The ring announcer muttered before speaking back into the microphone "-The Sum Of Three Thousand Dollars Will Be Paid To-" he paused before adding "-The Terrifying-The Deadly-The Amazing-" the curtain finally opened, and the spotlight swung over to Jack "-SPIDER-MAN"!!!!

Jack was left temporarily frozen as a sea of people began to boo at him.

Finally, a stage hand shoved him hard yelling "Get out there"! 

With really no other choice Jack cautiously made his way toward the ring, he felt his face flush with embarrassment as the people around him and even some of the wrestling staff began to jeer and taunt him even before he made it on stage.

Just think of the three thousand grand, just think of the three thousand grand, Jack repeated like a mantra in his head even as popcorn was thrown cruelly at him.

"I can't feel my legs! I can't feel my legs"! A voice suddenly howled in pain and the teen turned to see a wrestler, obviously a previous opponent, being wheeled away on a gurney.

"KILL! KILL! KILL! KILL"! the people cheered

Just think of the three thousand grand, just think of the three thousand grand, he kept thinking more desperate than stubborn.

Finally, Jack made in on stage crossing the roped of the arena. But no sooner had he stepped on Crusher Hogan made a gesture with his hands and from the ceiling four giant metal fences began to lower themselves to the ground.

"CAGE! CAGE! CAGE!" The crowd screamed frenzied

Jacks eyes widen, surely he heard wrong right?

 But as the fences came down with its sides folding in, it formed a cage outside the ring.

"Um, hello guys..." Jack tried.

 "Will The Guards Please Lock The Cage Doors"! the announcer instructed.

The teen noticed as stagehands wrapped huge metal chains around the corners of the bars, effectively locking him and Cracker inside.

"Hey, wait a minute-" Jack said scrambling to the edge and grabbing a bar and testing the metal, but it wouldn't give "There's been some kind of mistake" Jack pleaded to a stage hand "I didn't sign up for a cage match"!

The man only ignored him and after securing the lock walked away.

"Hey! Unlock the thing"! Jack demanded

"Hey, freak show!" Cracker suddenly yelled, when Jack faced him panicked he continued saying "You're not going nowhere! I've got you for three minutes-three minutes of playtime"! he added almost giddy

The man wasted no time at all as he rushed at the teen but was cut off guard as Jack leaped up and clung to the top of the cage. Because of that Cracker crashed into the bars and fell to the ground. Angry and bewildered the man got up looking to Jack.

"What do you think you're doing"!!!

 "Staying away from you" Jack deadpanned.

The wrestler leaped up furiously, but so Jack and he leaped across the cage before dropping to the ground in a crouch. Cracker made to lunge at the teen again but Jack sent two of his webs into the air onto the top of the bars before pulling at them and using them to flip away and land back high into the corner of the cage.

Cracker looked around confused once more before again spotting Jack again

Feeling suddenly embolden Jack waved playfully at him saying "Yoo-hoo"~

"Get down here"! his opponent said frustrated 

Jack put a hand on his chin like he was thinking about it "Thats one option" he said, before shooting a string of webbing to the wrestlers back.

Cracker noticed and confused grabbed onto the organic rope "What is this"?!

Instead of answering Jack instead push part of the web over the cages fencing and railing, then pulling his opponent up much to his distress.

Jack let himself fall away from the ceiling and like a scene taken from The Hunchback of Notre Dame Jack while midair jumped and tugged on the web making Cracker flail almost helplessly.

"Why I out-to-"! he said before Jack swung himself back to the wall of the cage and let the rope drop.

  "Your welcome to try"! said Jack before the "legendary" Cracker Hogan crashed to the ring with a thud and an audible groan.

"But I think you'll find-" the teen made another web rope, using it to carry him on top of his opponent "-the match is already over" setting foot on the wrestler's chest to further establish who was the victor of this match.

The cage was lifted up quickly and the announcer rushed to the stage, lifting one of Jacks hands he proclaimed "Ladys And Gentlemen, The Spectacular Spiderman"! 

The crowed that was once screaming for his blood was now cheering at him in delight.

No one had ever cheered for him before, Jack used to have fantasies of things like this; of being popular, of being one of the jocks on campus scouring a touchdown, or even a celebrity with adoring fans.

"Spiderman! Spiderman! Spiderman"!

And now he finally had it!

Jack or Spiderman looked around the crowd before raising his arms triumphantly. 

"I got your money right in my safe, kid" said the announcer or manager as Jack came to learn.

They were walking backstage under the arena, door decorated with stars and names were lined on either side wearing the names of past wrestlers and entertainers. Jack eagerly followed, still exhilarated by both the fight and the adoration thrown his way.

He had actually done it! He had actually won a fight! For the second time this month!  

The manager continued "All you got to do is sign an exclusive management contract with Sullivan Edwards I.E. me"!

Jack stopped taken aback.

"Woah! Woah! I'm not signing anything" Jack said firmly.

This was supposed to be a one time thing, so he could get the money, help pay some bills, get a motorcycle-

"No signature no cash" the manager said shrugging with a sleezy smile "It's just one of the caveats of the tournament"

"But I won"! Jack objected, getting angry "I fought in that ring for three minutes"

The man held his finger up "Actually it was two minutes...so technically your not owed squat"

"But that's not fair"! yelled Jack

 The manager shrugged again and kept walking but not before turning the corner he finished with "Fair's not my problem"

Jack stood there for a moment just shaking in rage in the middle of the hallway, but he knew there was nothing he could do. So disappointedly he went towards the elevator he had come from earlier.

Just as he pushed the button, he heard a scuffle was heard and the manager and another man were running towards him. The other person was dressed in all black standard robber gear, with even a black beanie that swallowed his mostly white hair. And if that wasn't enough the guy also held a gun in one hand while the other was cradling a gym bag bursting with money.

"Hey, that's my money"!

Fear bloomed inside the teen as he gazed at the firearm but that went away quickly when he heard Edwards words.

"Kid, Spiderman, stop him"! he pleaded

Then all to calmly Jack backed away, giving the robber easy access to the elevator that had just arrived.

Not wasting the opening the robber dashed inside just as the elevator opened, then right before they closed, he gave a grateful look with his grey eyes and a nod to the teen direction.

Edwards made it too late and began pounding futilely at the door.

He turned furiously to Jack "You could've taken that guy apart! Now he's gonna get away with my money"!

"Not my problem" Jack said, echoing the words he had been given.

The man realized this and only scowled in response.

The night was a bust if Jack had to put it simply.

No thousand, no money, nothing to show for any of tonight's actions.

Jack walked the street back toward the library, dressed back in his street clothes again. He pulled out his phone to call his dad and let him know he was ready to leave this area.

As the line rang several police car raced by him, their siren wailing, almost muffling the ringtone.

It was weird though it was like he could hear it somewhere outside the end of the reception, he called again and the same echoing ring joined the one that was pressed against his ear. Looking around Jack saw a crowd of people at the corner were the police cars had gathered.

A sinking filled his stomach, Jack brow furrowed and he walked faster towards the group, elbowed his way through people in order too see what they were surrounding.

"What happened" he heard someone ask

"Someone got hurt"

The ringing had gotten louder.

Finally when the teen breached through to the center of the commotion he looked down and where police officers stood over a person.

Jack leaned close to look closer, hearing a phone ring from somewhere on the down mans person.

"Hey, stay back! Stay back" the officer said trying to keep him away from the scene.

But as soon as he peaked at the person face Jack saw who it was and his horror shot through him

"That's my dad"! Jack screamed pushing the cop out of the way.

On the cement floor was Benjamin Darby, laying on his back. Breathing hoarsely and obviously in great pain, worst of all his right hand was laid over his chest where red blood was quickly seeping through.

"What happened"? Jack asked as he kneeled tentatively next to his father, his phone slipping to the ground.

"Carjacker" the cop stated, "He's been shot, look, we just called the paramedics their on their way" the last part was added as almost a reassurance but Jack kept looking anxiously at his dads wounds.

Jack looked back at his dad, while he saw that someone was kind enough to lay some fabric under his head Jack frighteningly noticed how his dads' eyes were barely open and that his breath had become even more shallow.

"Dad! Dad! It's me, Jack!" the boy said frantically 

Ben opened his half lidden eyes, his mouth forming into a smile as he focused in on his son "Jack.."?

The teen felt a few tears slip down his face as he responded softly "I'm here dad"

His father, his brave, strong, wonderful father could only reach out his hand weekly for Jack to take. All the same the teen grasped it, his hand was still so warm. The teen felt the worn callouses that peppered his palms from years of use and work, the same that guides him how to fish, how to camp, and how to drive. Having them memorized as if they were his own.

Jack grasped them tightly his face never leaving that of his fathers.

Benjamin Darby gasped lightly in pain again and looking at his son he called his name "Jack"

The with a shudder the man whole body sagged letting lose all the air he had, his hand dropped from his sons grip and with that Benjamin Darby closed his eyes for the last time.

"Dad"? Jack questioned, praying for a reply "Dad"?!

When none came the teen let out chocked sob and soon enough a torrent of wet tears began trailing down his face.

He had never before felt something this painful, no bad day or wound could even match what he felt. Not even losing his friends could match this devastating loss that left him feeling that his heart was torn out.

Suddenly a police officer got a message on their radio "They got the shooter! He's headed south on Fifth Avenue"!

Jacks suddenly stopped; his face becoming stony and determined.

And with a new mission in his head Jack rose from where his father's body was, getting up and walking from the crowed.

Running like mad Jack ripped away the outerwear of his clothes, showing the costume he had still underneath. From his pocket he pulled out his mask and slipped it on hurriedly. He kept running before coming to the end of the alley where he then suddenly leaped high into the air latching onto the building through his gloved hands. The teen climbed straight up the building,  going even higher and higher until he was just over the roof's edge. Looking around for another vantage point Jack spotted just what he needed and  jumped backwards, grabbing a flag pole, swinging on it, allowing his weight and momentum to hurl himself to the next building which he scaled quickly.

The teen was practically in a frenzy, climbing and running atop buildings, his single thought was to only head south!

Finally on one roof top the masked teen saw a cluster of police car lights racing down Fifth Avenue in pursuit of another car, his fathers car!

Knowing he had to hurry Jack raised his right arm and shot a single strand of webbing out across the street.

Jack paused for only a second to gauge the sheer height he was at, but the fury in his heart demanded he needed to be the one to go after his father's killer. So wrapping his hand around it and jumped forwards between the two buildings. Jack screamed terrified at first as he was sent racing into the other building  only through his desperation he shot a second web from his other had shifting his weight and taking forward to another building.

It felt natural, almost second nature the way he swung from building the building using his webs. When one strand couldn't carry him forward he let himself freefall before shooting out another, then another.

Jack grunted as he twisted and turned and even spun; trying to stay behind the police and the person they were chasing

The person driving his dads stolen car drove desperately to shake the cops, even cutting around  several street corners and smashing through a row of newspaper boxes.

Wanting this chase to come to an end, needing this chase to come to an end Jack made a daring move and giving another big swing onto the hood of his father's stolen car. Jack could almost make out the shocked look on their face.

With newfound fury the masked teen reeled back a fist before sending it through the glass of the windshield

The car swerved and skidded out of control, taking down a lamp post before finally crashing into the side of a building. Jack leaped just in time before he could be splattered across the brick walls. But that hardly mattered as he saw the front of the door open and the driver slink out. Jumping onto the ledge of a fire escape and breaking a window into the building.

Jack narrowed his eyes at the man before jumping towards the building and duking inside. 

As Jack crawled along the walls, he could make out the silhouette of the man, gun in tha air and rushing around the floor of the building, obviously aware that they weren't alone. When the thief finally caught sight of him, he unloaded several shoots in his direction.

All missing as Jack leaped away and landed in front of him.

He tried to aim his gun again but the masked teen shot his own web forward, grabbing hold of both the man and his firearm. And with a great swing he launched the man over head and painfully against both a clutch of boxes and the wall they were leaning on.

As Jack advanced forward  the man pleaded with Jack.

"Don't hurt me"! he yelled "Just give me a chance, gives me a chance"!

  "DID YOU GIVE HIM A CHANCE"? Jack snarled back "THE MAN YOU KILLED! DID YOU"!?

Jack grabbed the man by the front of his shirt and slammed him against the window nearest to them

"ANSWER ME"! he demanded as the sound of breaking glass sang through the air.

Only when the light from the outside shown through Jack finally took notice of the man's appearance.

Those eyes.... the white hair...the all black attire.

This was the man who was at the venue, the thief, the man he left get away.

The fist knotting the man's fabric knitted and trembled with horror at the realization of what he had done, what he had contributed too.

He let this man get away and in turned caused his fathers death.

His dad was dead because of him.

With a roar Jack pushed the man further out the window, taking secret delight in the terror the murder had in his eyes.

He messed up! He messed up! But if he could do one thing right tonight....

With that though Jack let the man go.

He screamed as he fell and Jack watched on.

This was justice!

This was vengeance!

This was right!

Wasn't it....?

Suddenly an image of his Dad smiling at him entered his mind.

And before the man could crash into the ground a web of rope grabbed onto his foot, letting him dangle just a few inches from his fatal kiss with the concrete. Police surrounded the man to apprehend him.

Jack stared almost numb at the scene, but than a bright light shone at him.

"YOU, FREEZE"! an officer yelled "DON'T MOVE! WE'VE GOT THE PLACE COMPLETELY SURROUNDED"!

Jack could hear the footsteps of the other cops and was quick to jump somewhere safe.

As the men and woman in blue searched the building, they were unaware of the of teen just hanging in the shadows outside their vision. Once Jack found the nerve to leave, he swung to a few other buildings, stopping to finally collapse on the roof of one rooftop.

There he curled on his knees staring at the stars that were bright enough to shine through the cities sky.

He stayed there for as long as he could, knowing full well that tomorrow would bring only more sorrow.

So he hoped among the city-skyline he could find some sanctuary for what to come.

I'm sorry, Dad.

Chapter Text

This was a really crummy day for a funeral.

The air was hot and dry, even in the watered lawn that made up Jasper Memorial Park. Jack could feel the sweat build up behind his neck and other uncomfortable places, he looked up with tired eyes to squint at the bright summer sun.

Shinning cheerfully against the blue sky, it felt like a mockery to such a sad day.

Jack casted a look to his mom who had an arm wrapped around him, his heart clenched as he noticed the silent tears that came from her eyes.

 He had always felt that one of the reasons that his parents had divorced was because they didn't love each other anymore, or at least in the way that had prompted him to get married and start a family.

But looking at her now, how could he doubt her love for Ben Darby?

Here she sat as the pole barrier lowered her ex-husband into the earth, openly crying after his death.

All because of him.

It was a week since his dad had been shot died and he still remembers that night right down to the second.

He had been so reluctant to come back home, wanting to simply waste away on top of the roof, the image of his dad lying on the concrete bleeding invading his mind at every turn.

But then his thoughts turned to his mom.

 His mom who was probably worried sick over him.

Jack knew he had to get to her.

  So swiftly crawling down the wall and changing out of his costume. He had found the bag he had brought with him and it took a lot not to just trash the horrible reminder of the whole awful night.

That Stupid Custom!

Jack walked in a daze across downtown Jasper, in the hazy light of the rising sun, not sure if he was heading the right way but determined to try to just get home. He made it out of the city to the more residential areas when a cop car flashed their sirens at him.

He froze suddenly remembering his confrontation with the cops and how his custom was just laying in the gym bag next to him.

 "Jackson Darby"? the female cop asked as she got out of the car.

Hesitating the teen nodded, wondering how much time he has to spend in jail for running from the police to vigilantism.

 But instead of laying the cuffs on him the officer gave him a sad look "Your moms been looking for you"

Jack stared at the ground silently and didn't even put up a fight when the officer gentle led him to the back seat of the squad car. 

  He continued to say nothing but did question quietly why they weren't heading the direction of his moms house, that is till he saw that they had stopped at his fathers apartments. Jacks heart clenched as he saw another cop car and an officer standing outside his dads apartment.

For a second Jack sat terrified at the thought of going into that place without his father, the home that Ben Darby would never again occupy. 

 But all the same he moved when prompted by the two officers, there faces a same somber look to them.

After making it up the stairs the other police officer by the door nodded to the pair before opening the door.

Inside Jack saw his mom siting on the threadbare couch his father had owned, her face had a fretful look as she talked to an officer.

  But no sooner had Jack stepped inside through the door June snapped her head in his direction, June looked at her son before a hiccupping sob escaped her lips and she got up from the couch to launch at him.

Jack could feel her shaking as she cried while hugging him.

  And soon enough his own tears started to flow.

It was that moment he knew he couldn't ever tell his mother what had happened that night.

That he was the reason his dad was dead....

And For What?!!

Because of he wanted to make some cash for a stupid motorcycle? For three thousand dollars that he never even saw?

Benjamin Darby was dead because he was so greedy and resentful, he couldn't be decent enough to stop that crook when he had the chance!

No matter how he spun it this was all on him...

He went to the venue.

He lied to his dad.

He let that man get away! And he-

  Jim clutched his fist tightly.

Almost sensing his tension, June gently rubbed his back to sooth him.

 Yeah, he would never let his mom know what he did.

As much as it hurt him to lie to her, she could never know what he had done.

Deciding he needed to distract himself from his guilty conscious his eyes drifted to the beautiful set of bouquets that made up the memorial on his dad's coffin. His eyes immediately landed on the two sets that were on the far right.

Seeing them caused a bitter sort of happiness to come to him.

 The first one was a wreath with blue hydrangeas and white carnations, on the card that was on it there was written in messy black ink "With Condolence, the Watson Family".

The one next to it was a white and violet orchid flower in a fancy glass vase, Jim snorted when he remembered how the card read "Best Wishes, OSCORP".

Vince would throw a real riot if he ever found out about the card.

He and Sierra really had wanted to be here for the funeral, wanted to fly out and just make sure that their friend was okay, but their families wouldn't let them. 

Apparently, Sierra parents had put her in this Summer Science Readiness Program to prep her for the following school year. While Osborn wanted Vince to stay in the city and get accustomed to it and the many associates that lived there.

"He means learn whose butts I have to help kiss and who wants to kiss our butts" muttered Vince over the phone "But seriously, why does he even bother to keep me around if-"

  "Vince"! he heard Sierra whispered harshly.

"Oh....right..." said Vince solemnly ", I really shouldn't be complaining..."

Jack had given a hiccupping laugh "No, it's fine Vince" 

Both were silent as Jacks laugh soon turned into white sobs.

 The both of them were good friends who would have been their for Jack if their parents had let them, but because they didn't these flowers were just the best they could do.

They made Jack feel like he wasn't so alone....even if he felt that's all he deserved.

It was after the funeral and Jack and his mom where back at home.

  "Jack"? said June "Do you want me to fix you something"?

"No thanks" he said as walked quickly down the hall.

Jack went straight to his room to finally take that stuffy suit off, just when he sat on his bed abd was taking off his necktie he stopped as something from his desk caught his eye.

A framed picture of him and Ben, he looked 10 at the time and his father was showing him how throw a fishing line. The younger version of him had a hard look of concentration while his father had a small smile on his face. Jack stared at the picture, focusing on his dad warm eyes behind his glasses and the way his whole face seemed to light up at just watching his son.

Jack didn't know how long he sat for till his mother came in, June didn't say anything as she stared at the photo.