Spider-Man: Web of Shadows

Chapter 79: The Storm Before the Calm



Chapter 79: The Storm Before the Calm

The night felt colder after Venom and The Vulture disappeared into the shadows. Peter stood on the rooftop, looking out over the city, his mind spinning with unanswered questions. The threat of the Vulture was unsettling enough, but the cryptic warning about something worse coming… it gnawed at him. Who—or what—could be coming for him next? And why did Venom seem so different tonight?

Peter took a deep breath and tried to calm himself. He couldn't afford to spiral. He had to think clearly. The world wasn't going to stop turning just because he was having a rough night.

With a sigh, he shot a web to the building across the street and swung into the night, heading home. The lights of the city whizzed past him as his mind raced. As much as he wanted to put everything out of his head and relax, he knew better. There would be no rest until he figured out what was coming next.

When Peter finally reached his apartment, the glow of the city seemed far more distant. The familiar walls of his apartment felt oddly comforting, even though his mind was still tangled with the events of the night. He locked the door behind him, stripped off his suit, and tossed it into the laundry basket. The costume was now just another reminder of the weight he carried as Spider-Man—a weight that only seemed to grow heavier with each passing day.

But before he could even think about trying to relax, the familiar sound of his phone ringing broke the silence. He glanced at the screen, seeing MJ's name flash across it. A small smile tugged at his lips. MJ was one of the few constants in his life, and even though things between them had been complicated, he couldn't deny how much he appreciated her presence in his life.

"Hey, MJ," he answered, his voice a little lighter than before.

"Hey, Pete," MJ's voice came through the phone, warm and steady. "You okay? You sounded off earlier."

Peter hesitated for a moment, unsure how much he should share. He could lie—tell her everything was fine, that it was just another fight with a villain and that he'd shaken it off. But there was something in her voice that told him she could see right through him. MJ knew him too well.

"I'm… I'm not sure, MJ," Peter admitted, leaning against the kitchen counter. "Tonight was strange. I ran into Venom again, and then this new guy, The Vulture, showed up. It was like a fight waiting to happen, and… I don't know, something doesn't feel right."

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and Peter could almost hear her thinking. "The Vulture? I haven't heard anything about him in a while. And Venom? I thought you two were done fighting."

"Yeah, so did I," Peter muttered, rubbing his temple. "But that's not the weirdest part. There's something bigger going on, MJ. The Vulture… he said something about how there's something worse coming. Like, worse than Venom. Worse than anything I've ever dealt with before."

"Peter," MJ said softly, a slight tremor in her voice. "You've faced a lot of things—dangerous things. You've gotten through every challenge, every battle. But you don't have to do it alone. Remember that. Whatever comes next, we'll face it together."

Peter closed his eyes for a moment, the weight of her words sinking in. She was right. He wasn't alone—not as long as he had people like her, Aunt May, and even Harry. But there were times, especially now, when it felt like the whole world was coming down on him at once. And yet, every time he doubted himself, someone was there to remind him that he didn't have to carry the burden alone.

"I'll be okay, MJ," he said, his voice steadier than before. "I just… I have to figure out what's going on. I can't shake the feeling that something's coming. Something big. I just don't know what yet."

"I trust you, Peter," MJ replied, the sincerity in her voice comforting. "You're not just Spider-Man. You're Peter Parker, and that's who I believe in."

Peter smiled, feeling a warmth spread through him at her words. Sometimes, he forgot that there was a world beyond the mask—a world where he was just a regular guy trying to make a difference. But MJ reminded him, time and time again, that it wasn't just about the hero he became at night. It was about the man he was, every day.

"I'll talk to you later, okay?" MJ said, a touch of concern still in her voice. "You take care of yourself."

"You too, MJ," Peter replied, his heart lifting at the thought of her. "I'll see you soon."

After hanging up, Peter leaned back against the counter, his mind still racing. It wasn't just the villains that kept him up at night—it was the constant battle to keep his two lives separate. The struggle between being Peter Parker, the guy who cared about his friends and family, and Spider-Man, the man who had to save them.

But right now, it was quiet. There was no immediate danger, no fight looming over him. Just a brief moment of calm. And for once, he allowed himself to take it.

A few days passed. Peter returned to his normal routine, but the unease in the back of his mind never quite left. He kept his distance from the usual vigilante work, trying to get a handle on the situation before it spiraled any further. The Vulture's warning had lingered, and as he went about his day, he couldn't help but feel like he was waiting for something—waiting for the storm to hit.

School was busy as usual. Peter tried to focus on his classes, but the thoughts kept creeping back in. In between lectures, he caught up with his friends, but it was hard to shake the feeling that something was about to change. He could sense it in the air. The tension was rising.

He was sitting in the school cafeteria, absentmindedly picking at his lunch, when Harry walked in, his face tense. Peter's gaze flicked up as Harry sat down beside him, looking more serious than usual.

"Pete, we need to talk," Harry said, his voice low.

Peter raised an eyebrow, suddenly more alert. "About what?"

Harry glanced around, making sure no one was paying attention before speaking. "I've been hearing rumors. There's something going on with Oscorp. People are talking about… a project. Something connected to all the things you've been dealing with. I don't know all the details, but it doesn't sound good."

Peter's stomach dropped. Harry had always been caught up in the corporate side of things, but the mention of Oscorp's involvement raised alarms. Was there something Harry hadn't told him? Something connected to his father's legacy—and to Peter's own past?

"Are you sure about this?" Peter asked, trying to keep his voice steady. "What kind of project?"

Harry leaned closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm not sure yet, but I think… I think it might be connected to the things that are happening. The Vulture. Venom. It's all tied together somehow."

Peter's pulse quickened. It was all starting to come together—or rather, unravel. Oscorp had always been at the center of some of his worst encounters, but this was something different. Something bigger than any of them could have imagined.

End of Chapter 79


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