Spider-Man: Web of Shadows

Chapter 7: Beneath the Mask

The streets of New York were quieter than usual as Peter swung through the city, his thoughts a whirlwind of uncertainty. The information Felicia had handed him painted a picture far darker than anything he'd faced before. Oscorp wasn't just reckless—they were methodical, deliberate, and more dangerous than he had ever realized.

His webbing snagged a lamppost, and he flipped onto the rooftop of a nearby building to catch his breath. The city lights stretched out below him, but tonight they felt distant, cold.

He opened the flash drive again, using his suit's built-in tech to scan the files. Diagrams of grotesque creatures, reports of failed experiments, and detailed schematics of something called "The Genesis Protocol" flooded his display.

Chimera was just the beginning, Peter thought.

A chill ran down his spine. Oscorp wasn't just trying to create weapons—they were trying to rewrite the rules of biology itself.

A Late-Night Visitor

Back at Peter's apartment, he landed softly on the fire escape and slid through the window. The room was dark, save for the faint glow of his desk lamp. He pulled off his mask and dropped into his chair, exhaustion weighing heavy on him.

But as he turned to his desk, he froze.

Sitting on the windowsill, arms crossed and smirking, was Felicia.

"You really should lock your windows," she said.

Peter sighed. "And you really should stop sneaking into people's apartments."

Felicia hopped down, her movements graceful and deliberate. "Relax, Spider. I'm here to help."

"Help?" Peter said, raising an eyebrow. "You mean like dropping cryptic hints and then disappearing when things get tough?"

Felicia ignored his jab and leaned over his desk, glancing at the flash drive still plugged into his device.

"So, what's the verdict?" she asked.

Peter leaned back, crossing his arms. "The verdict is that Oscorp is out of control. They're trying to create an army of super-powered creatures, and Chimera was just the start."

Felicia's smirk faded. "Sounds like you've got your work cut out for you."

Peter narrowed his eyes. "We've got our work cut out for us. You're the one who brought me this in the first place."

Felicia tilted her head, as if considering his words. "Maybe. Or maybe I just enjoy watching you squirm under all that responsibility."

Peter shook his head, turning back to the files. "You're impossible."

"And you're adorable when you're frustrated," Felicia said, hopping onto his desk.

The Genesis Protocol

Peter ignored her and focused on one of the documents labeled "Genesis Protocol: Phase One." It detailed a plan to distribute Oscorp's genetic tech to "potential buyers" worldwide.

"This isn't just about creating weapons," Peter said. "They're planning to sell this tech to the highest bidder. Governments, private armies—who knows what they'll do with it?"

Felicia's expression grew serious. "And if they succeed?"

Peter clenched his fists. "Then it won't just be New York in danger. It'll be the whole world."

Felicia leaned back, studying him. "You're really planning to take all this on by yourself?"

Peter turned to her, his voice firm. "If I have to, yeah."

Felicia sighed, her playful demeanor slipping. "You really are something, Spider."

Before Peter could respond, his phone buzzed. It was MJ.

He hesitated, glancing at the screen. Felicia noticed and smirked.

"Ah, the famous Mary Jane Watson," she said. "What does she want?"

Peter shot her a warning look. "None of your business."

Felicia shrugged. "Suit yourself. Just don't let her distract you from the big picture."

Peter answered the call, turning away from Felicia.

The Call

"Hey, MJ," Peter said, trying to sound casual.

"Hey, Pete," MJ replied, her voice warm but tinged with concern. "You okay? You sounded… off at lunch earlier."

Peter rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, just… a lot going on, you know?"

MJ was quiet for a moment. "You know you can talk to me, right? About anything?"

Peter glanced at Felicia, who was pretending not to listen but clearly hanging on every word.

"Yeah, I know," he said. "Thanks, MJ."

They talked for a few more minutes, but Peter kept it light, not wanting to burden her with the weight of what he'd uncovered.

As he hung up, Felicia raised an eyebrow.

"Keeping secrets from your girlfriend?" she teased.

Peter shot her a glare. "You wouldn't understand."

Felicia's smirk faded, and for a moment, something vulnerable flickered in her eyes. But she quickly masked it with her usual playful grin.

"Maybe not," she said, hopping off the desk. "But I do know one thing—Oscorp won't go down without a fight."

A New Lead

Before Felicia left, she handed Peter a slip of paper with an address scrawled on it.

"What's this?" he asked.

"A warehouse on the docks," Felicia said. "Word is, Oscorp's been using it to move some of their… less public projects."

Peter frowned. "And you're just giving me this? No strings attached?"

Felicia winked. "Consider it a gesture of goodwill. Besides, I'd hate for you to get bored."

With that, she slipped out the window, disappearing into the night.

Peter stared at the address, a sense of unease settling over him. Whatever was waiting for him at that warehouse, he knew it wouldn't be good.

The Docks

The air was thick with the smell of salt and diesel as Peter approached the warehouse. It was heavily guarded, with men in tactical gear patrolling the perimeter.

"Definitely not your average security team," Peter muttered.

He perched on a nearby crane, scanning the area.

His spider-sense tingled as he spotted a large crate being loaded onto a truck. The Oscorp logo was stamped on its side, but the markings were unusual—almost alien.

"Great," Peter said. "What fresh nightmare are they shipping now?"

He swung down, landing silently on the roof of the truck. He peeked through a gap in the crate, his heart sinking as he saw what was inside.

A series of glowing canisters, each containing a swirling black-and-red substance.

Chimera.

Before Peter could react, his spider-sense flared. He turned just in time to see one of the guards raising a weapon.

The fight was on.

End of Chapter 7