Chapter 4
It was the second day of the field trip. The students were visiting the science lab at Oscorp, where some of the world’s most advanced medical and chemical inventions were being developed.
“They belong to the order Aranae, which is divided into three suborders — Mesothelae, Orthognatha, and Labidognatha. All spiders are carnivorous, ravenous eaters who feed on massive quantities of protein — in liquid form — usually the juices of their prey. Arachnids from each of these three groups possess varying strengths that help them in their constant search for food,” the tour guide explained.
The kids were in awe, seeing the variety of spiders.
“Over the past five painstaking years, Columbia’s genetic research facility has fully mapped the genetic codes of each of these spiders. And with these DNA blueprints, we have now begun what was once thought impossible — inter-species genetic transmutation. In this Recombination Lab, we use synthesized transfer-RNA to encode an entirely new genome, combining genetic information from all three spiders into these fifteen genetically designed super-spiders — the first of their kind ever produced by mankind,” the tour guide continued.
The class observed curiously. Creepy-looking mutant spiders crawled about in a glass tank.
“Just imagine — if one day we can isolate strengths, powers, and immunities in human beings and transfer that DNA code among ourselves, all known diseases could be wiped out. Of course, we’re nowhere near ready to start experimenting with humans. So for the moment, we're concentrating on these fifteen spiders. Any questions?” the tour guide asked.
“Fourteen,” Peter whispered, looking at the glass chamber.
“Fourteen?” Harley asked, having overheard him.
“I beg your pardon?” the tour guide asked.
“There are only fourteen spiders,” Peter said, pointing to the box.
“No, there are fifteen... Aren’t there?” the tour guide said, checking the spiders.
“That one must have been taken by the scientists for experimenting,” he added quickly and walked away. The students followed.
Peter kept looking at the glass tank, confused.
“What is it, Pete?” Harley asked.
“Spiders are so cool, aren’t they? My papa once said that if we could mutate the DNA of small creatures like this into humans, we’d become more powerful. And one day, it might be possible.”
“If your papa said so, then it must be true,” Harley said with a chuckle.
“Are you making fun of me?” Peter asked, pouting.
Harley found it adorable.
“No, Pete. I meant your papa and daddy are geniuses — no wonder you’ve become one too,” Harley said, putting an arm around him.
Peter smiled proudly. He was always proud of being his parents’ son.
“Now, can we take a selfie?” Harley asked.
“Yeah,” Peter replied.
Harley took out his phone and snapped some photos.
Flash, Harley's classmate—also known as the campus bully and a renowned asshole—pushed both of them.
"Oh, are the two lovebirds having a sweet moment?" Flash asked sweetly.
"Mind your own business," Harley sneered.
"Or what will you do?" Flash asked, laughing.
Harley was about to show him, but Peter stopped him.
"Har, leave it," Peter said.
Flash laughed even more and walked away.
“Pete, Harley — come on!” Ned called out.
“Coming!” Harley said, walking to them.
Peter was about to follow when he felt a sting on his hand. He winced and shook it. It was a very small spider. Peter knelt to check on it. The little creature was dead. He checked his hand again and saw a red mark where he had been bitten.
“Pete, come on!” Harley called again.
“Yeah, coming,” Peter replied, finally following him.
The students exited the lab after the tour.
“So class, this is the last part of your trip. And this is the fun part! You guys can go shopping or try out the rides here. But be back in one hour. Also, try not to get lost,” the tutor said.
The students squealed in excitement and rushed off to explore.
“So, where should we go?” Harley asked.
“I want to buy a teddy bear,” Peter said.
“For you?” Harley teased, smirking.
“Not for me, dumbhead. It’s for my sister. I promised her I’d bring one,” Peter replied, rolling his eyes.
“Alright, I saw a stall over there. We can play the balloon and dart game — you can win a teddy bear.”
The duo walked to the stall. Peter tried first but missed the last balloon. He looked disappointed.
“Let me try,” Harley said, and threw the darts, clearing all the balloons. The stall owner handed them a big teddy bear.
“For your sister,” Harley said, handing it to Peter.
“Thanks. I’ll tell her it’s from you,” Peter said shyly.
“Cool,” Harley said with a smile.
“You want some ice cream?” Peter asked, trying to distract himself from Harley.
“Sure,” Harley said.
Peter tugged his hand and led him to the ice cream stall. The duo enjoyed their ice creams.
“My papa will kill me if he finds out I had ice cream — I’m sugar intolerant. But daddy sometimes sneaks me some when I keep asking for it,” Peter said, chuckling.
“You really talk a lot about your papa and daddy,” Harley said, laughing.
“Am I boring you?” Peter asked.
“No, I love hearing about your family. Your family is really cute,” Harley said.
“When I was little, papa wasn’t with me and dad. I vaguely remember crying for him. When he came back, I was scared he’d leave again. But gradually, I realized they’d stay together. I never asked them why they were apart — I think they’re trying to forget those days too. And they’ve proved to me and Morgan that it’ll never happen again,” Peter said.
“Hearing about your family makes me wish I had one like that. Not a single day goes by without my mom and dad yelling at each other. And if one of them can’t win an argument, they take that frustration out on me,” Harley said, laughing bitterly.
“Do they abuse you?” Peter asked, concerned.
“Yeah... but it’s okay. I’m used to it,” Harley said with a forced smile, though his eyes were teary.
Peter felt a pang of sadness and hugged him instinctively.
“I’m so sorry,” Peter whispered, staying in Harley’s arms.
Harley was surprised but smiled.
“Peter?” he said.
“Yeah?”
“Your ice cream is all over my shirt,” Harley said.
“Oh shit, sorry!” Peter said, pulling away, embarrassed.
“That’s fine. But now you owe me a shirt,” Harley said, laughing.
“Alright,” Peter chuckled.
“Let’s go, or they’ll abandon us here,” Harley said.
“Yeah, let’s go,” Peter nodded.
On the bus ride back, Peter started feeling unwell. His body felt like it was expanding, and his head ached. He leaned on Harley’s shoulder.
“What’s wrong, Peter?” Harley asked.
“I think... I’m falling sick,” Peter mumbled.
“Is it because of the ice cream?” Harley asked.
“I don’t know,” Peter mumbled again.
“Doctor Strange is gonna kill me,” Harley muttered under his breath.
“Don’t tell papa,” Peter whispered before falling asleep.
Harley was shocked. He had spoken so quietly, more like a thought than actual speech — yet Peter heard him. Still, he didn’t comment. Instead, he wrapped an arm around Peter and let him sleep.
Harley accompanied Peter home.
“You want me to come in?” Harley asked, worried.
“No, I’m alright. You can go,” Peter said.
“Okay. Text me tonight, alright?” Harley said.
“Yeah, bye,” Peter replied and walked in.
Peter entered the house, looking exhausted.
Stephen was in the kitchen, while Tony was serving food to Morgan.
“Pete’s back!” Morgan squealed happily.
“There he is,” Tony said.
“Hey, Pete. You’re just in time for dinner,” Stephen said, walking out of the kitchen.
“How was the field trip?” Tony asked.
“Don’t feel well... gonna go to sleep,” Peter said tiredly.
“You won’t have a bite?” Stephen asked, confused.
“No, thanks. Had a bite,” Peter said, heading to his room.
“Okay... show me the pictures later, Pete,” Tony said.
“Gotta crash... everything’s fine...” Peter mumbled, shutting his door.
“Is he okay?” Stephen asked, frowning.
“Doesn’t seem like it,” Tony said.
“Let me check on him,” Stephen said, heading to Peter’s room.
Peter was lying on the floor, not even on his bed.
“Pete, what happened?” Stephen asked, alarmed.
“...Not well, Papa,” Peter mumbled.
Stephen lifted him onto the bed and checked his temperature.
“You have a fever. What do you feel, Pete?” he asked.
“My whole body aches... and I feel like... I’m growing,” Peter mumbled.
“It’ll be okay tomorrow, baby. Papa will give you medicine,” Stephen said, tucking him in and kissing his forehead.
Stephen rushed to get medicine, with Tony following behind.
“What happened?” Tony asked.
“He’s running a fever. I think it’s an allergic reaction — maybe he ate something,” Stephen said.
“Pete, take this medicine. You’ll feel better tomorrow,” Stephen said, helping Peter take it.
“Papa... I love you... don’t leave us again,” Peter mumbled, clutching Stephen’s shirt.
“Papa’s not going anywhere. I’ll be right here when you wake up. Sleep now,” Stephen whispered, kissing his head.
Peter lay back and passed out.
Stephen sat by him, watching him sleep.
“Come on, Stephen. Let him rest,” Tony said gently.
“My baby still thinks I’ll leave him again...” Stephen said, disappointed.
“Let it go, Stephen. It’s just the fever talking.”
“No... It’s his fear speaking. I’m a bad parent, aren’t I?” Stephen said quietly.
“No, you’re not. If you were, Peter wouldn’t have said that. Now come — let him sleep,” Tony said, placing a hand on Stephen’s back.
Stephen nodded and followed his husband.
Peter continued to grumble and whimper in his sleep.