Spider-Man: Web of Shadows

Chapter 80: Unraveling the Web

The conversation with Harry hung heavy in Peter's mind as the school day ended. It wasn't just the weight of what Harry had said that unsettled him—it was the implications. Oscorp was no stranger to Peter's world of Spider-Man, but the idea that they could be involved in whatever was brewing now filled him with dread. Could they be the force behind everything—the puppet masters pulling the strings?

Peter had spent years fighting rogue villains, but he had never really understood the full scope of the game he was playing. Oscorp, a company that seemed like just another corporate giant, had always been a background presence in his life. But now, Peter was beginning to see it for what it was—an ominous shadow casting its influence over his world, from the creation of the Green Goblin's tech to the experiments that turned Norman Osborn into a monster. Harry had already hinted at a larger project brewing within Oscorp. If that was true, then it was only a matter of time before Peter found himself standing on the front lines once again, trying to piece together a puzzle that would destroy everything he cared about.

Peter grabbed his bag and stood up, the weight of the situation pulling him into a new resolve. He had to talk to Harry again. Find out what he knew and try to dig deeper into the mystery of Oscorp. The Vulture had been the first threat in a long time that felt connected to something bigger, and it wasn't going to stop with him.

"Peter!" a voice called out, snapping him out of his thoughts. He turned to find Gwen Stacy approaching, a friendly smile on her face.

"Oh, hey, Gwen," Peter replied, trying to shake off the unease that was settling into his gut. He didn't want to show how much the conversation with Harry had affected him, but he knew Gwen would see right through him if he didn't act normal. "What's up?"

Gwen gave him an amused look. "You seem distracted. Something going on?"

Peter hesitated for a moment, unsure of how much to tell her. He hadn't confided in Gwen about Spider-Man before, but something about her—her intelligence, her understanding—made him think she might be the one person who could help him make sense of everything. Still, he couldn't risk pulling her into the mess of his secret life. She had enough to worry about.

"I'm fine, just… a lot going on, you know?" Peter said with a forced smile. "Nothing I can't handle."

Gwen's expression softened, her gaze filled with concern. "If you ever need to talk, you know I'm here for you, right? Don't bottle everything up."

Peter felt a wave of gratitude for her words, but at the same time, a pang of guilt gnawed at him. He wasn't sure if he could ever really open up to anyone about what he did as Spider-Man—not completely. It was a burden he couldn't pass onto anyone else. Not even Gwen, no matter how much he trusted her.

"Thanks, Gwen," Peter said, giving her a genuine smile. "I appreciate that."

As he watched Gwen walk away, Peter's mind drifted back to the looming threat. Oscorp. Venom. The Vulture. It was all coming together, and he had no idea what the next chapter of this fight would look like.

That night, Peter couldn't shake the feeling that the city was holding its breath. He had spent hours researching Oscorp, trying to find any clue that might connect the company to the strange occurrences he'd been seeing—Venom's resurgence, the Vulture's cryptic warning, and now Harry's mention of a new project. But so far, all he had found was dead ends.

Peter lay in his bed, staring up at the ceiling, the weight of the situation making it hard to fall asleep. He thought about what Gwen had said to him, about not bottling things up. The thing was, he didn't know how to not bottle things up. He'd spent his whole life keeping secrets, keeping his two worlds separate. The weight of being Spider-Man was something he carried alone. He had to. It was the only way to protect the people he loved.

Suddenly, the faint buzz of his phone interrupted his thoughts. He grabbed it from his nightstand, and his heart skipped when he saw the name on the screen. It was Harry.

Peter picked up immediately. "Harry, what's going on?"

"Peter," Harry's voice crackled with urgency. "You were right. You need to know what's happening. There's a meeting tonight. A high-level one at Oscorp. I overheard something. They're talking about a project… something that could change everything. And not in a good way."

Peter's blood ran cold. "What kind of project, Harry?"

"I don't know all the details, but it's got something to do with a biological weapon, and I think it's connected to Venom. The way they were talking, it sounds like Oscorp's been working on something… or someone for a long time. This isn't just about tech anymore. It's about control, Peter."

Peter stood up, his heart racing. This was it. This was the break he needed. Oscorp had to be the key to everything. The Vulture's warning about something worse, the strange behavior of Venom, and now Harry's revelation—it was all pointing to something bigger. Peter had to act fast before it was too late.

"I'll meet you," Peter said, his voice tight. "Where's the meeting?"

Harry gave him the address, but Peter didn't need to hear more. He was already in motion, grabbing his Spider-Man suit from the closet and slipping it on. There was no time to waste. Whoever or whatever was behind this new project needed to be stopped before it got out of control.

Peter arrived at Oscorp Tower just after midnight, the towering building standing silent in the night. He was high up on the roof, keeping to the shadows, waiting for Harry's signal. He couldn't afford to be seen, not yet. There were too many questions swirling in his mind—too many unknowns about what was going on inside.

From his vantage point, Peter could see figures moving in and out of the building's upper floors, the glow of lights from windows offering a faint glimpse into the world inside. Oscorp was always a fortress, but tonight, something felt off. There was an unease in the air—an ominous tension that seemed to seep from the very walls.

Peter's phone buzzed again. It was Harry.

"I'm in. You won't believe what I just saw. They're bringing out a sample—something… alive. Something that shouldn't be."

Peter's heart pounded in his chest. Alive. The word echoed in his mind, and suddenly, he understood. Whatever Oscorp was working on, it wasn't just a project. It was a living weapon.

"I'm coming in," Peter replied, his voice filled with determination. "Stay low, Harry. I'll be there in a minute."

The time for waiting was over. Whatever was inside Oscorp had to be stopped before it was unleashed on the world.

End of Chapter 80