Chapter 3
So when he woke up on the hoverboard, peering down at the Manhattan bridge and the minuscule boy in blue and red upon it, he wasn't surprised.
"Spiiiiiidderman," he called out gleefully.
Spiderman turned his head up slowly. He sipped something into his pocket.
"Look who we have here," Green Goblin taunted. He came down to Spiderman's level and jeered in his face. "Little boy in blue, thinks he can save the world."
"I don't think that," Spiderman said. "Not anymore, anyways."
"Aw, give it up. The tortured hero, the grinning villain. We've done this run before."
"Okay," Spider man said. "So we have. What now?"
Even through his suit, Spiderman was beginning to look frail. More than that he looked tired-- his shoulders wore down, like they were carrying something heavy. His voice sounded strained.
"What do you mean, what now?"
"What now? You've got me. I'm here. What, you're gonna kill me?"
"No. Now, them?"
Green goblin pointed out at the sea of cars, honking angrily at the distraction in the middle of the road. Distraction was one word for it-- it was a massive crack, and he didn't quite remember how it got there. Something large, obviously.
"--will collapse," he heard himself say. "All at the press of a button."
He tauntingly held out the remote, a cartoonishly designed panel with a single red button. Simple enough. Peter had always been the better one with designing things.
"You know I can't let you do that, Harry."
The Green Goblin sneered. "And how do you plan on doing that?"
Maybe Spiderman really could pause time, because once again everything slowed down. Spiderman turned his head-- the slightest of sounds, the brush of metal on leather. All at once he jumped up, as a shot rang out-- then another, and another.
Tucked behind his vehicle, unnoticed, the policeman gasped as he realized what he'd done.
Harry froze.
Peter fell.
It took seconds for him to process what had happened-- he swooped down, barely catching Peter before he hit the water. He flew them under the bridge, to the little platform at the base of the bridge support.
Blood was beginning to seep through Peter's suit, spouting from the three little holes in his chest.
It would be fine, Harry told himself. Surely Peter-- surely his super healing, surely he could heal from this.
"Peter," he said. He shook him by the shoulders, practically ripped his mask off. "Peter."
Peter opened his eyes, and Harry could almost see them dimming right then.
"Hey, Harry," he gasped. "Fancy seeing you here."
"Stop-- Peter. Peter, look at me."
He did. Right into Harry's eyes and Harry thought he might choke. He looked so scared. Surely this kid couldn't be spiderman. Somebody so young, so fragile, so Peter, he shouldn't be here bleeding into Harry's arms.
"I'm sorry," Peter said. He shook his head, the shadow of a smile crossing his lips. "I'm sorry, Harry."
"No, Peter. Peter, stop. Don't-- Don't--"
Don't die. Please, please don't die.
Isn't this what you wanted?
No. Not-- not like this. Not dying. Peter can't die. He can't-- I-- I couldn't--
It's too late, Harry. He's dead.
No. Not Peter. Please. This can't be real. I promise I'll make it up, just don't let him be dead.
Peter is dead.
Peter is dead.
Peter is dead.