10Okay, I had to get to this one sooner or later, since this is HUNTER'S story, and he's stood in his father's shadow long enough. So, be prepared, because, here it is- the infamous "Death of Spider-Man" issue! Enjoy- and make sure you have plenty of tissues handy...
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Red-Back: Son of the Spider #7: "A Death in the Family, or: A Hero Falls"
Open- Queens apt.- 8:35 PM.
Hunter is sixteen; he sits at a desk in his room, studying with an open chemistry book. The door is open. He writes with one hand, types on a computer keyboard with two others, uses a calculator with a fourth, and holds a soda can with another.
Voice from door: "Heh- ya know, kiddo, you take 'multi-tasking' to a whole new level! How on Earth do you manage it?!"
Hunter looks up, grinning. "Easy, dad! Practice!" He sees Peter in "work clothes". "Hey, are you going on patrol? Can I go with you?"
Peter shakes his head. "Nah- Tony called a meeting of all us Avengers tonight. Sorry, son; this is strictly a members only deal. But we'll go out tomorrow night."
Hunter (disappointed): "Aww! I NEVER get to have any fun. Oh! I just remembered- Mr. Summers and Ms. Frost wanted me to talk to you about early graduation. If I can pass a couple of exams, I'll be outta there for good. Unless I decide to join the X-Men. What do you think, Dad?"
Peter hugs him, ruffling his hair. "I think that's great. I'll be proud of you no matter what you decide to do, son- always remember that. I also think I'm going to be late to Stark Tower for the meeting! See ya, kiddo!" He leaves.
Hunter waits until he sees him swing away outside his window, then sneaks out to follow. If Iron Man called a meeting, it must be BIG! I wanna check this out. He makes his way to the Avengers HQ, and watches dad and the others all go in from doors, roof, etc to the top-floor conference room. He sees an open window in the next room and crawls in window to listen at the door.
Voice from room: Since everyone's here, we might as well start. I called you in because we've heard some disturbing reports at SHIELD. It seems several high-profile, powered criminals have taken over the prison at 'the Vault'; their ring-leaders are none other than Otto Octavius and Max Dillon- a dangerous
combination. They managed to free all the prisoners, and are holding the staff for ransom. Word has it at least a dozen of the prisoners have simply escaped; their whereabouts are unknown. SHIELD is keeping the situation under wraps to avoid a panic, but it's only a matter of time before something hap… Well. Hmm, it looks like we're not alone up here. Building security sensors have picked up an intruder on the floor. I just did a scan- my suit detects a heat signature in the next room- male mutant, about 5'10", 168 lbs- appears to be mid-teens. Anyone pick up a hitchhiker on the way over?
Peter groans, head in hands. He nods to Stark, who is armored up. "Yeah, Tony, I think maybe I did." He goes to the door and opens it. Hunter is standing outside, looking sheepish.
Hunter: "Uh- hi, Dad. (aside) Man I am SO busted…"
Peter (stern): "Son, I TOLD you this was an Avengers ONLY meeting! What are you doing here? You're supposed to be home studying!"
Hunter looks down. "Sorry."
Tony taps Pete's shoulder. Ease up, Pete. The kid's just curious- he probably just wanted to watch his dad at work. Is that right, Hunter?
Hunter nods quietly. "I just want to help, that's all. I never get to REALLY help you, Dad; I just get stuck on the sidelines, while you go out and fight all the bad guys. You always tell me to use my gifts to make things better, but when are you going to give me a CHANCE? I KNOW I can do it; I'm just asking you to let me try- please?"
Peter sighs. I knew this would come back to bite me someday. Well, like they say, the road to hell is paved with good intentions, yadda, yadda- whatever. "Son, this isn't a GAME. It's dangerous; We risk our lives out there. If I took you along and something happened to you, I'd never forgive myself- and neither would your mother!" He lays a hand on Hunter's shoulder.
Peter gives him a sympathetic look, and smiles. "Look, if it means that much to you, I'll let you try a patrol on your own. I'll tag along to keep an eye out, but I won't step in unless you get in over your head. But it'll have to wait until AFTER I help the team clean up this little mess in Colorado. Deal?"
Hunter (resigned): "Sure, Dad. Whatever." I've spent my whole life training for this, just to be told it's TOO DANGEROUS! We'll see about that… He stalks back to the window and leaps out to go home.
Peter shakes his head and sits back down.
Ms. Marvel: "Relax, Peter- the boy's just eager to help, that's all."
Peter: "Yeah, a little TOO eager, I think. I know he can't help being who he is- heck, I helped MAKE him that way! I just don't want to see him get hurt."
Ms Marvel nods: "You should be proud. If is what you've made him, then I'd say you did a fine job. It's obvious he wants to be part of something important- maybe I can talk Tony into bringing him on board. I've heard some good things about him from Scott and Emma. Think Hunter would be interested?"
Peter: "Are you kidding?! He'll go NUTS! Thanks, Carol." He turns to Tony. "So- when do we leave?"
Later-
Midtown, on a rooftop. Hunter looks down at a purse-snatcher running on the street below.
Woman: "Stop! My purse!"
Hunter: This is just TOO easy. I could do this with my eyes closed, five hands tied behind my back, and no webs! Why does everyone keep treating me like a little kid? So what if I'm sixteen? I've beaten more- and harder- training programs in the 'Danger Room' than any other student at Xavier's! Oh well, time to go to work! He swings down onto the street in front of the thief, raises his arms and shouts "Boo!"
Thief: "Gaahhh!"
Hunter: "Okay, 'Marathon Man' time to hand off the purse. Why don't you just give it back to the lady- before I have to take away your medals!"
The thief tries to run.
Hunter stops him with one finger sticking to his back, and picks him off the ground, grinning. He shakes another finger at him. "Uh-uh, pal. Don't think you're getting away THAT easy! Sorry, but you're going straight to jail." He uses a web-shooter to tie him to a lamp-post, then hand the astonished woman her
purse amid light applause from on-lookers. He bows and mimes tipping a hat, then swings off into the night.
Xavier Institute- next day. Sunday afternoon.
A plain dorm room, with a bed, nightstand, dresser, and a small writing desk. Hunter is unpacking. He sighs. I'm definitely going to see Mr. Summers about testing out early. Maybe I could go to college
somewhere- like ESU, even. I'm not sure if I want to be an X-Man. It seems like all they ever talk about or worry about is how something will affect "us mutants". It's like they hardly even concern themselves with the rest of the world. I guess maybe they really do think we're superior. But I'd rather try to make a difference to everyone, not just mutants. This sucks. I didn't even get to say goodbye to Dad before he left. What am I even still doing here? It's not like they have anything left to teach me. Been here fifteen minutes, and I already want to go home. I'm BORED!
He lays his costume in the drawer, along with two sets of web-shooters. Dad'll flip when he sees what Leo made for me. Still not sure if I like the name "Red-Back" though. Not many people even know what that is!
Fx: Nok, nok
Voice: "Hiya, handsome! I saw Terra outside- she said you were here. How're things in the big city? Did'ja miss us?... Uh, hello?! You in there, 'Handy'?"
He opens the door with a scowl, to find a pretty blonde teen in a red tank top and short black skirt. He groans. "Elaine! You KNOW I hate that stupid nickname!" And yeah, I guess I missed you."
Elaine (miffed): "Well, geez. Don't sound so excited. I know you hate it- that's why I USE it, silly! What's eating you, anyway?"
He picks up a Rubix Cube and flops down on his back on the bed while he absently plays with it. "Sorry. Didn't mean to snap at you. I'm just really bored of this place. My studies are kid's stuff, and the training sims in the Danger Room stopped being challenging a LONG time ago. Why am I here?"
Elaine: "Are we talking in a metaphorical sense? Or just at school? Okay- spill it. This is more than just boredom talking. What's really bothering you?"
He sits up, the puzzle completed, and starts to pace. "Since when did you turn psychic? You pick up some new powers over the weekend?"
Elaine (giggles): "I don't HAVE to be psychic to read you, Hunter. You're like an open book. So what gives?"
He stops pacing and turns to look at her, frowning. He slumps a little. "Colorado."
Elaine (looking confused): "Huh?"
He shrugs, and starts pacing again. "The Vault. My dad's there with the Avengers right now. A bunch of powered criminals broke out, took over, and let everyone else out. Now they're holding the staff hostage. I wanted to go help, but he just gave me this whole 'it's too dangerous' speech. Fer Crissakes, I'm older than HE was when HE started! Why can't everyone just stop treating me like a little kid?!"
Elaine stares at him, amazed by his outburst. "Wow... When you spill, you don't hold back, do you? So that's what this is about? You're mad because you got left behind? Come on. Cut the man some slack. I'm sure he'll let you help once he thinks you're ready."
Hunter's expression turns angry. He balls up his fists; his whole body goes tense. "But I'm ready NOW!" He turns suddenly, and punches the wall. She just stares at him in shock. after a moment, she comes over quietly, and lays a hand on his back.
Elaine: "Hey. It's okay. He's not around all the time- he just doesn't see how hard you work at it. Just give it a little time. Anyway, we better do something about that wall before one of the teachers finds out. They hate it when students damage the school- even if it's in a major battle!"
Hunter looks at it thoughtfully for a moment, then brightens. "Hey, you think your power could fix this?
It's just a matter of realigning the molecules, right?"
Elaine (shrugs): "I suppose so. Let's find out." She lays one hand on the hole in the wall, and stares at it. Her eyes start to glow golden, and her hand flashes with a blinding light...
Suddenly, the wall is whole again!
Hunter: "Wow! Remind me to see you next time I need my room cleaned! You could make a killing in repair or construction work!"
Elaine looks at her watch. "I almost forgot- it's time to eat! Let's go before Jason and Tommy get there. The way those two 'pigs' eat, we'd be lucky to get anything!"
Hunter: "Yeah, right!"
Six months later- house in Queens:
The family is having dinner together- it's take-out, since M-J still doesn't cook. Everyone is laughing,
having a good time. Then they all help clean up, still chatting. M-J pops some popcorn, and they watch a movie. Finally, Peter goes to his bedroom, and comes out in the familiar red-and-blue suit. He kisses M-J and gets ready to leave. Hunter and Terra trade looks, a Hunter taps dad on the back.
Hunter: "You're not leaving without US, are you, Dad?"
Peter feigns a sheepish grin. "Darn, guess you caught me. I suppose you two want to come along?" At least having them along is good for bonding. Though somehow I DOUBT this is what's meant by 'quality family time'!
Hunter grins, chuckling. Terra strikes a cocky pose. Terra: "You got it, Dad!"
Peter rolls his eyes. I can't win with these two! "Alright, we'll do this in pairs. Terra, I'll call Felicia, and you can team with her. Son, you'll be with me. In fact, to make it interesting, we'll make a contest out of it. Whichever team stops the most crimes gets treated to dinner by the other team. It's 9:30 now; we'll meet at the Guggenheim at midnight. Deal?"
Both: "DEAL!"
10 minutes later- on the roof of the Daily Bugle.
All four stand at the edge, ready to go. Hunter is in his costume, and Terra is sporting a new dark blue one with a silver web design on it.
Felicia: "Okay, handsome. You and Hunter take the West side, and we'll cover the East. Good luck, boys! You'll NEED it to beat US!" She laughs, and both women swing off into the city. Hunter and Peter do the same.
One hour later, after a mugging, a convenience store robbery, two break-ins, and three car-jackings have been foiled, the two heroes spot a suspicious car in an ally behind a warehouse near the waterfront. Three men are standing near the car, when another pulls in and stops. Three more men get out of the second car.
All are wearing suits; four of them have long dusters over their suits despite the warm weather. One of the first three is bald, and one of the new-comers is tall, with a distinctive white fedora and a metal briefcase.
Peter whispers from warehouse roof: "Well, looks like we hit pay-dirt, son. You know what THIS is, right?"
Hunter (softly): "Uh-huh. Drug deal. Mob guys, from the look of 'em. These guys are slick- real professionals. Let's go down and have some fun!" He gets ready to spring into action.
Peter grabs him from behind. "HOLD it. Did you forget something? Take another look. And for heaven's sake, pay attention! What's your spider-sense telling you?"
Hunter looks again, closer. He sees large bulges under the dusters of the four coat-wearers. "Oh. Uh... Sorry. Forgot to check for guns. So now what?"
Peter: "Well, I think the bald guy down there is Sal Maccelli, a real big-time boss. The one in the hat is Vinnie Lombardo, a mid-level dealer and hood. We use a two-prong attack. You draw their fire, and I'll swing in behind and take the two bosses. But BE CAREFUL!"
Hunter grins. "Don't worry, pop. Compared to the 'Danger Room', this is a walk in the park!"
Peter sighs and shakes his head. "Whatever. Just TRY not to get carried away!"
Hunter (laughing as he leaps down to the top of the first car): "Sure thing, Dad!"
Peter: That kid's gonna put me in early retirement one of these days!
Hunter lands on the car, (Thwoomp!) crouching with his hands on the roof. All heads turn to him in dumbfounded surprise, while Peter sprints along the roof behind them. Hunter grins at them and waves. "Hi, fellas. I hope I'm not interrupting, cause, ya know, if I am, I can always come back later. So how's it going?"
Fedora/Lombardo: "What the-? Who's he?"
Bald man/Maccelli: "Doesn't matter! Boys- take 'im out!"
The four coats pull out semi-autos and start shooting at Hunter.
Peter watches from the roof. That's right, son. Keep their attention on you. I'm going after Maccelli. But first, I see a snake trying to slither off into the night…
Lombardo is slowly trying to sneak off toward the alley's entrance with the case. He gets to the end and is
suddenly yanked off his feet to find himself hanging up-side-down from a street lamp.
Lombardo: "Huh?!" He looks up to see Peter waving at him from the top of the pole just before he's webbed tight.
Hunter is still leaping around, toying with the gun-men. He grins as he vaults over gun #3's head, web-yanking the weapon and grabbing the man by his coat to toss him into a dumpster, which he then webs shut.
Hunter: "Come ON, guys! Can't you do better than that?! My great-aunt could shoot better! And she's not even alive! You guys are pathetic!"
The gun-men keep shooting at Hunter, who is enjoying the game of dodging bullets. Meanwhile, Peter leaps across the roof-tops, toward the bald man.
Gun #1: "Eat $*%&, mutie freak!"
Gun #2: "Keep shootin'! He can't dodge 'em ALL!"
Hunter trips up Gun #4, and webs him to a wall. "Au contrare, mon ami! I CAN, and I WILL!" He laughs, and lands on the side of the warehouse.
Gun #4: "Hey?!"
Peter (on roof): Oy! He's GOT to stop spending so much time with Gambit!
The bald man (Maccelli) starts to edge toward his car in the confusion. Peter lands beside it just in front of him and clears his throat. The boss looks startled.
Peter: "Maccelli, isn't it? You're not planning on leaving already, are you? I'd hate for you to miss the rest of this little get-together." He waits a moment, tapping his foot with his arms folded. "Well?"
The mobster glares at him, taking a step toward him, trying to look intimidating. "Ha. You don't scare ME, 'hero'. Not when every two-bit hood in the city knows your name. Who do you think you're dealin' with? Me and MY boys- we OWN this town! Maybe one day real soon you come home and find that pretty wife of yours with a bullet in her head, eh?"
Peter grabs the boss by his collar, fist clenched in his face. "Don't. Even. Think. About. It. You or any of your men come anywhere NEAR my family, and I will make the Punisher look like a boy scout compared to what I'LL do!"
Maccelli looks nervous-for about an instant. Then he snarls, reaching into his suit in a sudden rage.
A hand holds up a gun.
Fx: Kpow! Kpow! Kpow!
Peter staggers back a step, letting go of Maccelli in surprise. The mob boss's gun is inches from his chest, still smoking. Peter glances down to see three small holes in his suit, already wet with blood. "Urkk!"
He slowly sinks to his knees, one hand going to the wounds to try to slow the bleeding. "Oh. Damn."
He slumps over on his side at the mobster's feet. His eye-holes show a blurred view of Maccelli's feet, then blackness.
Hunter has been keeping the other two gun-men busy. He is crouched on top of the dumpster, and glances over at where Peter was standing. His eyes go wide, his usual mischievous grin fading. "Dad…? Dad…? DAD?!"
All eyes turn toward the boss, who stands triumphantly over the fallen hero, The two goons stop shooting, jaws gaping in surprise. Maccelli grins maniacally, laughing. He looks at the goons. "Wadda'ya waitin' for! Waste the KID!"
Hunter is suddenly overcome with rage; he leaps from the dumpster an lands twenty feet in front of the thugs. He charges forward toward them as they open fire again, screaming in animalistic fury.
Hunter: "Rrrrraaaaaaaggghhhhh!"
He is still rushing forward, eyes locked on Maccelli, ignoring the bullets whizzing by all around him; miraculously, they all miss but one, which grazes his upper-most left arm. Maddened with pain and fury, he darts between the two goons, his normally handsome, boyish features contorted in vengeful rage, an inhuman bloodlust in his alien black eyes.
The goons, still firing, miss Hunter and hit each other. Maccelli stares in shock while both gun-men fall dead. He starts to raise his gun again, realizing he's made his last mistake, as the enraged teen careens straight for him. His hand shakes, and his eyes go wide in terror. Hunter reaches him, and grabs his hand, crushing it in a n iron grip as he shoves it aside; the gun goes off with a wild shot, then falls from the man's limp hand, even as Hunter continues his rush.
Fx: Kpow! Crunncchh!
The terrified boss screams; Hunter, still rushing madly on, grabs him by his collar and slams him against the wall of the warehouse. Maccelli's scream is cut short. His face is frozen in terror, as he goes limp- neck snapped and skull crushed by the impact of the wall.
Maccelli: "Eeeeeaaaaggghhhkk-!"
Fx: Krracckk! Kr-splunch!
Hunter slams him against the wall again, then drops him with a feral growl. "Rrrrrggghhh!"
Slowly his rage subsides, and the animal fury turns to heartrending grief. He rushes to his father's side and skids to a sudden stop, falling to his knees. Oh, god- please, no. Please don't let him be…
He gently lifts the body in his arms, the stares in horror at his own hands covered in blood from a spreading pool on the ground. He pulls his dad's mask off, and sees Peter's eyes staring blankly out, empty. His face
contorts with utter grief. He screams out, eyes shut tight, head thrown back.
Hunter screams. "NNOOOOOOOO!" He cradles his father's body, and begins sobbing softly.
Ten minutes later- Outside the alley.
A police car sits by the entrance, with two officers in it. Cop #1: "Is this the place? Dispatch radioed that the report said it was an alley behind the Val-Rich Shipping warehouse, but it looks quiet enough. Should we check it out?"
Cop #2: "Uh, yeah. Something tells me this is definitely it. Look up."
Both stare up through the windshield at a man in a web-cocoon hanging from a street lamp.
Cop #1: "Oh, great. Another one of THOSE. Uh, Lieutenant Blaire, I think this one's yours. Have fun, sir!" He chuckles.
Cop #2(Blaire): "Yeah, thanks. Can't WAIT to file THIS one." He gets out of the car and heads into
the alley. The other officer follows. They enter the alley cautiously. Their flashlights soon reveal a gristly scene- walls riddled with bullets, two men lying dead in pools of blood with guns in their hands, and another man stuck to a wall with a web. A dumpster is webbed shut; at the far end of the alley is a man slumped against the wall with a red streak down the bricks. Near the two dead men with the guns is a figure kneeling on the ground, bent over cradling a body.
Cop #1: "What happened here?!"
Blaire: "Sweet Mother… Murphy, call dispatch. Tell 'em we've got a multiple homicide. Have them send Detective Lamont down here; the kid over there is definitely a mutant- that means this crime scene falls under his department."
Murphy stares at him with his eyes wide. "You mean- SHC Division?"
Blaire nods. "Yeah. Better have 'em send in some FBI guys, too. These guys all look like mob goons- in fact, I think that's Sal Maccelli over there with his head cracked open. The Feds'll probably want to hear about this. Oh, and Murphy? Let's keep this quiet for now. Tell them NO media. If that body the kid's holding is who I think it is, the last thing we need is a bunch of vultures from the press poking around. This is going to he the biggest $*it-storm this city's seen since the Registration act. NO PRESS. Got it?"
Murphy nods slowly, gulping. "R-right, sir."
A little later…
Several police are at the scene- three squad cars, and coroner's van are parked at the entrance. A forensics team is going over the alley for evidence, while the coroner carries a body away on a gurney and two cops are lowering Lombardo from the lamp-post as another leads off the one from the dumpster. A man in plain clothes gets out of an unmarked car.
Blaire approaches the newcomer. The man is older, with short-cropped grey hair and a worn face. Blaire seems stressed and pale; the other man looks annoyed.
Blaire: "Detective Lamont, I'm glad you're here. We've got a real situation here. And frankly, I'm not sure what to do. We have three DEAD mobsters, and three others in custody."
Lamont grumbles. "You guys dragged me down here for THAT? So what's the problem?"
Blaire points to the back of the alley where Hunter has been sitting in the background, still holding Peter's
body, rocking and sobbing softly. "He's been like that since before we got here, and no one can get a response out of him. He won't even let go of that vic for the coroners- just keeps saying 'I can't leave him' over and over. Maybe YOU can deal with him. That's YOUR department, after all."
Lamont finally recognizes who Blaire is pointing at, and stares in shock. "My God! It can't be. Not HIM."
He approaches Hunter slowly and kneels down beside him, one hand on his shoulder.
Lamont: "Hunter? Do you remember me? It's Detective Lamont. What happened, son?"
Hunter turns to him as if in a daze, his black eyes glistening with tears. He is shaking. Lamont gazes down at
Peter's glassy-eyed stare, suddenly grief-stricken. "He-he's dead. My Dad's dead."
Lamont: "Oh. God." He reaches out with one hand toward Peter's face, and closes Peter's eyes. The boy looks over at Lamont, holding up two hands, covered in blood. He croaks hoarsely, as though the words are difficult to get out. Lamont pats him on the back consolingly.
Hunter: "Why did this happen? It's not fair!"
Lamont: "I don't know, son. I'm sorry. Why don't you come over to the car with me? I need you to tell me what happened here. I have too many bodies and too many questions that need answers. It's a sure bet those guys we're bringing in won't talk, and even if they did, it wouldn't be the truth. What do you say, son? Will you help me out here?"
Hunter shakes his head, and bends over Peter's body protectively, clutching it tighter. He sounds desperate. "N-No! I- I can't leave him! Please, let me stay with him, sir!"
Lamont lowers his gaze, his expression sad and resigned. He realizes that the boy is still in a state of shock and denial. "I know you're upset, Hunter, but you need to let go. Let the coroner do his job; he'll take good care of your father, I promise you that. But I need you to trust me now, and help me understand what happened. Will you do that?"
Hunter hesitantly nods, wiping tears from his cheek. "Okay. But what about my mom and sister? I have to t-tell them."
Lamont: "We'll go together. I'll be with you. Now, come over to the car with me. You look like you could use a cup of coffee."
Lamont waves the coroner over, and Hunter grudgingly lets him take the body from his arms. They both watch as Peter is carted away. Hunter is trying not to cry again. Lamont lowers his gaze, his hat off in respect for his friend.
A few minutes later, they are sitting inside Lamont's car; Hunter has a blanket over his shoulders, and is holding a paper coffee cup in his hands, staring down at it dully. Lamont is shakily lighting a cigarette. "What happened in that alley, son? Did you two get caught up in a drug deal gone south?"
Hunter shakes his head. "N- no sir. They were in the middle of the deal when we busted it up. I went down first to play decoy while dad came in from behind. I was supposed to keep the guns busy so he could take the boss and the guy with the money."
Lamont looks puzzled. Hunter suddenly looks up at him, scared. Lamont prods him for a response. "The boss- you mean Maccelli? He had a gun near him. Was he shooting too? And who killed him?"
Hunter: "He- he's dead?! Oh God. He can't be- please, tell me it's not true…"
Lamont stares at the boy, taken aback, and a little suspicious. The coffee cup in Hunter's hand shakes as he realizes what he's done. "Hunter…did you kill him?"
Hunter stares at him, his eyes wide, an expression of horror on his face, which has gone suddenly pale. "I- I think… I think maybe I did." He swings with the car door open, and bends over with his head out the side, turned away. He vomits."Oh- Go…Huuaacckk!"
Lamont mutters softly. "Sweet Mother…" He stares at the boy, concerned and shocked. Hunter finally sits up again, wiping his face.
Hunter: "Sorry. Am- am I going to jail? I didn't mean to do it- it was an accident!"
Lamont: "Calm down, son. Just tell me what happened."
The boy fidgets nervously with the empty cup, looking scared. Lamont listens patiently. "I guess it was while I was playing with those goons. I should have been paying more attention. We didn't even know he had a gun on him. I saw dad stop him from sneaking off to the car to get away, and I think they were talking- I only glanced over for a second- just long enough to see Dad grab the guy by his shirt. He looked mad."
Lamont: "Maccelli?"
Hunter shakes his head. "No. Dad. The next time I looked over, Maccelli was standing there with the gun in his hand, and Dad was lying on the ground. With all the other bullets flying everywhere, I never even heard it go off. I think I screamed, and Maccelli- he was laughing- laughing! He said something to his men because they had stopped shooting when they saw my dad go down- and then… I- I don't remember much after that. It's all sort of a blur."
Lamont takes a puff on his cigarette- we see his hand up, holding it, while he blows out smoke as he talks. He looks at Hunter, and notices that he is wounded. He is surprised. "Kid- you're bleeding."
Hunter looks down and sees the blood on the blanket. He seems unconcerned, and shrugs it off. "Huh? Oh. Guess one of 'em must have grazed me. Never noticed."
Lamont chides him gently. "You need to get that looked at. So you don't remember?"
Hunter rips a strip from the blanket and tying it around his arm as a make-shift bandage while he talks. "I think I remember them shooting at me again, and Maccelli was yelling at them. I ran past the two guys that were still shooting. They stopped again- I think they might have hit each other- and all I saw was him holding that gun. I ran toward him, and I think I tried to grab the gun away from him, and it went off- I do remember
hearing the shot. After that… I guess I was going too fast to stop. I must have slammed him against the wall. Then I rushed over to try to help Dad, but… It was too late. He was already gone."
Lamont puts out his cigarette, his eyes sad and tired looking. "I'm truly sorry, son. To see something like
that…"
Hunter is suddenly on the verge of tears again; Lamont reaches out to take one of his hands."Will I go to jail? Please, d- don't lock me up, sir! I- I couldn't take it…"
Lamont: "Don't worry, Hunter. I promise you that won't happen It sounds like it was self-defense; I'll make sure that's how it goes on the report. I know you're a good kid, and going to prison on top of what you're already going through is the last thing you need- especially with the kind of enemies you and your father have made. Those creeps in the Raft would tear you to pieces inside of a day."
Hunter fidgets with his web-shooters nervously, turning to Lamont again as though suddenly remembering where he is. He looks frantic. Lamont looks at his watch. "What time is it? We were supposed to meet Terra and Felicia at midnight!"
Lamont replies in a dull voice, his face seems very old and worn. "It's twelve-ten now. Where were you supposed to meet?"
Hunter exclaims worriedly. "The Guggenheim! They're probably waiting there right now!"
Lamont picks up the radio. Hunter still seems lost and frightened, like a little kid. "I'll radio precinct twelve and get someone to find them. Maybe we can keep them there until we get over there. Those two deserve to hear the news first-hand, not from the news. Let's get going."
Hunter: "Are you sure I won't go to jail? I-I never meant for this to happen."
Lamont shakes his head adamantly. "You won't. I'll see to it."
Hunter answers softly. "Thank you."
Later- outside the Guggenheim. A police car sits on the street, with two officers chatting with Terra and Felicia as Hunter and Lamont walk toward them. Felicia appears apprehensive, as if she knows something is wrong. Terra is talking to the cops, but looks slightly bored.
Lamont: "Miss Hardy, Miss Parker- I'm Detective Lamont, SHC Department. I'm afraid I have some bad news for you both-"
Terra (interrupts): "Where's Dad?"
Felicia (silencing her): "What's happened, Detective? Is it…Peter?"
Lamont (nodding): "I'm sorry, ladies. I'm afraid he's dead. We came as soon as we could. I wanted to tell you personally, before the media gets wind of it. If either of you needs anything, just let me know."
Terra and Felicia stare at him, shocked and grief-stricken. Hunter steps forward to embrace his sister, head down with a pained expression. Felicia just stares at the two teens. Off to the side, the two officers are dumb-founded and silent.
Felicia: "How? I never actually thought Spider would…"
Terra: "Noooo! He can't be!"
Hunter: "I'm so sorry, sis… I couldn't save him…"
Lamont seems tired. The two women appear distraught. Terra is crying openly, and even Felicia has tears on her cheeks. "He was shot, Miss Hardy. Three bullets in the chest, point-blank. He was dead before anyone could even call it in."
Felicia starts to shout angrily. "And the man who did it? Is he in custody? Because if he's still out there, I'll…"
Lamont interrupts her. "No, Miss Hardy, he's not. He's dead. Hunter accidentally killed him in self-defense. He won't be going anywhere except the morgue."
Both women turn to Hunter in shock. He gives them both a guilty look, trembling with grief. The two cops stare, surprised. He finally breaks down into tears, and both women embrace him and each other, as they all
try to console each other...