Side Story: The Amazing Spider-Man (Part 4)

"Peter! What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to get you out of this asylum."

"But… you're the one who put me here! And with good reason…" Dr. Curt Connors paused, conflicted. "I can't leave. Not like this."

Baobhan Sith observed the exchange with mild curiosity. "Who is this man, master?"

"His name is Curt Connors," Peter explained. "He's the scientist who transformed into the Lizard and wreaked havoc on New York City."

Connors flinched at the reminder of his dark past. His eyes shifted warily to Baobhan. "And who… might this young lady be?"

"My name is Baobhan Sith," she said with a sly smile, latching onto Peter's arm. "I'm his owner."

Connors blinked, startled. "Owner? Peter, I didn't know you were into that sort of thing. Kinky!"

Peter turned bright red. "No! It's not like that!"

Baobhan smirked, thoroughly enjoying his embarrassment. "Isn't it, though?"

"Can we not do this right now?" Peter huffed. "Time's running out, Connors. Something bad is happening—something really bad."

•

Peter and Baobhan walked through Midtown Manhattan, heading toward Oscorp Tower. The daylight did little to ease Peter's nerves.

"Master, what do you think about me?" Baobhan asked out of the blue, her tone deceptively casual.

Peter looked at her warily. "You're… um, beautiful, Baobhan. But can you not stand so close to me?"

"Why not?" she asked, leaning in closer. "Do you hate me?"

Peter sighed. "No, I don't hate you. It's just… I'm not used to being treated like this by… well, girls."

Baobhan chuckled, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "What a shy little boy you are, master. Don't worry—this big sister will take good care of you."

"Can you not call yourself my big sister? And stop patting my head! People are staring!" Peter groaned as passersby gave them amused glances.

•

As they approached Oscorp Tower, Peter stopped. "Baobhan, hide your presence. We don't need any… complications."

"As you wish, master," she said, vanishing into her spirit form.

Inside the tower, Peter was greeted by Gwen Stacy, who was already waiting for him.

"Thanks for coming with me, Peter," Gwen said with a nervous smile. "You're brave to even step into Oscorp again."

"Yeah, well, you twisted my arm," Peter joked, though his humor felt forced.

As they made their way through the building, Peter suddenly froze. On a nearby wall, words written in blood appeared:

{I'm watching you, Master :)}

Peter's heart raced, but when Gwen turned to see what he was looking at, the writing was gone.

"Peter?" she asked, concerned.

"N-Nothing," he stammered, trying to shake off the unease.

•

They arrived at a heavily secured lab, where Peter and Gwen witnessed a horrifying sight: a humanoid rhino-like creature, trapped behind an invisible energy barrier. Armed guards monitored the creature, occasionally using shock batons to keep it subdued.

"What the hell is that?" Peter whispered.

"Oh my God," Gwen gasped. "This could be proof they're continuing Connor's work."

The creature roared, slamming into the barrier. Gwen stumbled back, nearly falling.

"Are you alright?" came a voice. Dr. Alistair Smythe entered the room, offering Gwen a hand.

"Dr. Smythe, thank you," Gwen said, regaining her composure.

Smythe's gaze shifted to Peter. "And you are?"

"Peter Parker," Gwen introduced.

Smythe extended a hand. "Ah, the infamous Peter Parker. I've heard about you."

Peter hesitated but shook his hand. "And I've heard a lot about you tonight," he replied coolly.

Smythe ignored the comment. "Gwen, you're not supposed to be here after hours, especially with a guest."

"I'm sorry, Dr. Smythe," Gwen apologized. "But we found something troubling." She gestured to the rhino creature.

Smythe sighed, rubbing his temples. "Gwen, I've told you—the cross-species experiments are over. What you see here is the result of failed projects we're trying to clean up."

Peter narrowed his eyes. "Failed projects? So there are more of these… things?"

Reluctantly, Smythe led them to a larger room. Peter's stomach turned as he saw rows of cages, each housing grotesque, animalistic hybrids—creatures that were once animals but had been twisted with human DNA.

"This is wrong," Gwen whispered.

Smythe's smile was tight. "Trust me, we're doing everything we can to contain this mess. Oscorp's future lies in erasing its mistakes."

Baobhan's voice echoed in Peter's mind. "Master, this man is lying. He reeks of deceit."

"I know," Peter replied silently. "We'll get the proof we need and stop him."

Smythe continued to lead them through the lab, oblivious to the two teenagers' growing distrust.

"Keep everything you've seen tonight in the strictest confidence," Smythe warned as he opened another door. "Oscorp's reputation—and humanity's future—depend on it."

Peter clenched his fists. "Yeah, I bet it does."

Side End.