09

Pov Nick Fury

Nick Fury and Maria Hill are in a meeting room at S.H.I.E.L.D., looking at a screen showing images of the Oscorp fire and the body of Norman Osborn.

Fury - This is a disaster, Hill. Oscorp was one of our main sources of advanced technology, and now it's in flames. And Norman... he was a genius, but also a madman. He was involved in some very dangerous projects, like the super soldier serum.

Hill - I know, sir. But what are we going to do now? How are we going to explain his death to the public? And to his son, Harry?

Fury - We're not going to explain anything. We're going to hide Norman's death as much as possible, even from his own son. We'll say he's missing, or in a coma, or whatever gives us time to investigate what he was doing. And we'll confiscate all his files and equipment before they fall into the wrong hands.

Hill - What about Harry? He's the only heir to Oscorp.

Fury - Harry's a problem, but he's not our priority right now. We're not going to interfere in his life. He's just a teenager, he doesn't know anything.

Fury - Changing the subject, Tony Stark is our greatest hope, and our greatest risk. He's a self-centered man who doesn't care about anyone but himself. We're going to activate the Avengers alternative as soon as he gets back from Afghanistan, and to ensure his safety, I'm going to send agent Natasha Romanoff, the Black Widow, to infiltrate his life and gain his trust, knowing Tony's nature and the likelihood that he'll want to take Natasha to Afghanistan with him.

Hill - The Black Widow? She's one of the best spies we have, but she also has a dark past. Can she handle Tony Stark?

Fury - She can handle anything, Hill. She's a professional. She'll do whatever it takes to fulfill the mission.

Hill - Yes, sir. I hope you're right.

Fury: I'm always right, Hill. Now let's get to work.

Pov Peter

Peter opened the front door and walked into his house, seeing Ben and May sitting on the sofa, with worried expressions and eyes fixed on the radio.

Peter - Hi, uncles. How are you? - Peter said, trying to sound casual.

May - Peter, my dear. I'm so glad you're here. - May said, getting up and hugging him.

Peter - What happened? Why are you like this? - Peter asked, feeling a twinge of fear.

Ben - We heard terrible news on the radio. There's been a fire at Oscorp. - Ben said in a deep voice.

Peter - A fire? At Oscorp? - Peter repeated, pretending not to know what it was about.

May - Yes, son. It seems to have been caused by an explosion in one of the laboratories. They said there were many people injured and some dead.

Peter - My God, this is too much for me to handle, I need to lie down for a while.

May - Get some rest, Peter.

Peter went to his room and lay down on the bed with a smile on his face.

Pov Emma Frost

Emma Frost was sitting on the sofa in Norman's office, watching television. She was bored and impatient, waiting for Norman to survive the injection of the super soldier serum.

Suddenly, she saw an urgent news item on the screen. A reporter was standing in front of Oscorp, Norman's company, which was on fire.

Emma was surprised; the most she had imagined would happen was that Norman would now die in a fire. She took out her cell phone and called Sebastian Shaw.

Emma - Sebastian, it's Emma. Did you see what happened at Oscorp? - she asked.

Shaw - Yes, I did. It was a disaster. What are you doing there? - he replied.

Emma - I was looking for Norman, but I couldn't find him here at his house.

Shaw - Then get out of there now. Go back to the Hellfire Club. We need to talk.

Emma picked up her bag and left the mansion, without worrying about Norman. She hoped he was dead, but she also knew that he could be alive and cause trouble for her in the future. She got into her car and drove towards the Hellfire Club.

Pov Gwen

Gwen - Is he okay? He said he'd be a while, but it's been over an hour. (sighs) Maybe I should call Peter. He always makes me feel better. (dials Peter's number)

Peter - Hello.

Gwen - Hi, Peter.

Peter - Gwen! It's good to hear your voice. How are you?

Gwen - I'm fine, I guess. I'm a bit worried.

Peter - Worried about what?

Gwen - My father. He's been called in to help with a fire at Oscorp.

Peter - Wow, that's dangerous. But he's just going to help keep people away from the fire, I'm sure he'll be fine.

Gwen - I hope so. He sent me a message saying that everything was under control, but then he didn't reply.

Peter - Don't worry, Gwen. He's probably busy. He'll get back to you soon.

Gwen - Do you think so?

Peter - Of course. He's your father, he loves you. He won't leave you without news.

Gwen - Thank you, Peter. You're so kind to me.

Peter - I'm just telling you the truth. And you know I love you too, right?

Gwen - I know, and I love you too.

Peter: Good.

Gwen: What are you doing?

Peter - Oh, nothing much. Just playing with a spider.

Gwen: A spider? What kind of spider?

Peter: A special spider I'll show you later.

Gwen - Peter, that's very dangerous! You don't know what this spider can do!

Peter - Relax, Gwen. It's harmless. She just has special powers.

Gwen - Special powers? What kind of powers?

Peter - Well, you'll find out, but not now.

Gwen - Boring, why don't you just tell me.

Peter - It's a surprise if I tell you.

Gwen - Does Jessica know?

Peter - No!

Gwen - Bye, I'm going to talk to Jessica about our boyfriend keeping a secret from us.

Peter - Bye, stubborn girl.

Pov Harry

Harry was sitting on the sofa in his living room, staring at the TV screen. He couldn't believe what he was seeing: Oscorp, his father's company, was on fire. A reporter was speaking live from the scene, saying that after a lot of work the firefighters had finally managed to put out the blaze, but that there was still no news of any injuries or deaths.

Harry felt a lump in his throat. He didn't know where his father was or if he was all right. He tried calling his cell phone several times, but all he got was a voicemail. Harry decided that he wouldn't go to school for the next few days. He wasn't in the mood to face his classes, his teachers or his classmates. He just wanted to stay at home, waiting for some news from his father. He didn't want to talk to anyone either, not even his closest friends. He felt alone and scared.

He turned off the TV and went to his room. He threw himself on the bed and covered his head with the pillow. He tried to sleep, but he couldn't. All he could think about was his father, Oscorp and the fire. He wondered what had happened, who had caused the fire and why. He wondered if his father was alive or dead.