Chapter Text
Everything hurts.
Is what Weaver first noticed when they came to their senses. Their head pounded, their joints ached, and they thought they might’ve busted a rib.
They tried to move, only to discover they were tied to a chair. They felt their heart rate speed up with anxiety as they came to the realization that they were currently in captivity. They felt the familiar tingling of their spidey senses, eyes snapping up to see someone lurking in the shadows.
“Well, well, well,” the figure footsteps drew nearer, until they stopped in front of Weaver, “looks like the little spider got caught in their own web.”
A light was flicked on, causing the spider person to blink in order to adjust their eyes to the light. Before them they saw one of the big baddies they had to deal with on a daily basis, Alley Cat, a cat themed thief that has a streak of stealing valuables that catches her eye. She had a smug smirk on her face as she stared down at Weaver.
“Wow, thought about that one for a while huh?” They remark, a small smirk hidden under their mask.
The rouge’s smug expression shifts to one of annoyance, “Shut it, you bug.”
“Arachnid.”
Alley Cat’s eye twitched slightly, scoffing at the spider themed hero’s quip backs.
“Why am I here anyway?” Weaver’s head tilted slightly, the eyes of their mask reflecting the curious look under it “I’m assuming it’s not because of my lively presence.”
“You, have been a thorne in my side since day one,” the cat thief started to circle them, “ruining my plans, getting me thrown in jail, all while hiding under that stupid mask like a coward.”
She stops in front of them, with a quick swipe she grabs the front of their spider suit and tightens her grip.
“Let’s see how cocky you are without it,”
Weaver’s heart quickened in pace, Alley Cat slips a clawed finger under the hem of their mask. Their eyes widen and the mask is quickly swiped off.
They watch as the thief’s face shifts into one of shock and confusion. She releases her grip and the chair Weaver is seated in lands back on four legs, stepping back slightly.
There was a brief silence, before Alley Cat broke it with a question that caught the spider off guard.
“How old are you?”
Okay, now Weaver was confused. How old did AC think they were? Did they seem older?
“Uhm… I mean, I’m in high school.” They admit
She looked at them dumbfounded, muttering something under her breath as she turned her gaze to the floor.
Weaver glanced around awkwardly before looking back at Alley Cat, “uh… you good?”
“No!” She suddenly snaps, “You’re one of my worst enemies and you’re still taking algebra!”
She walks around them, muttering to herself in a language that Weaver didn't really understand. And to their surprise, she starts to untie them.
Once freed, they rub their sore wrists. The thief tosses their mask into their lap.
“The exit is down the hall,” they look up at her, confusion evident.
“Wait, hold up, why are you helping me?”
Alley Cat crosses her arms, her hard expression softens just slightly.
“I may be a criminal, but I draw the line at fighting kids.”
Weaver blinks at her, but they decide it’s probably best to go before she changes her mind. They slip on their mask and stand up.
“uh… thanks, I guess.”
She doesn’t respond, which the spider hero takes as their cue to leave. So they exit the small room, and they recognize the place they were dragged to is the abandoned warehouse near their older sister’s workplace.
“Katlyn,” Weaver’s eyes widen, “Oh jeez, she’s probably home by now!”
They speed towards the exit and burst down the door, they ignore the cold breeze and shoot a web towards a high building and start swinging home.
***
Reese slowly opens their window, stepping into their room. They heard the jingling of keys at the front door, and they sigh in relief.
They close the window behind them and toss their backpack on the floor.
They go over to their bed and flop face first, exhaustion finally taking over. After a long, long patrol. Their mind started to drift off into sleep, but one question sat quietly in the back of their mind.
“Why did she help me?”