Friday, 17 October 2025

Spider Quinn 19 Making the News Amidst the Storms Part 2

 

Quinn entered the office to find the principal busy with paperwork.

 

“Ms. Morgendorffer?” she asked.

 

Quinn placed a copy of the Lowdown on her desk. “I’m sure you’re aware of the article quoting me saying something about Kevin Thompson.”

 

“I knew you would come here today, once I read the Lowdown.”

 

“I’d like you to allow Ted to print a retraction.”

 

“That is a massive step, Ms. Morgendorffer. Are you sure?” Li asked.

 

“Of course I’m sure.”

 

“Give me a reason why?”

 

Quinn leaned forwards. “Because there are likely false rumors spreading and Daria and I might tell our mother that you’re allowing libelous articles to be published.”

 

The Principal looked annoyed. “Fine! I will allow Mr. Dewit-Clinton to print a retraction. As far as I know, the Lowdown has never printed a retraction before!”

 

“There’s a first time for everything,” Quinn said as she turned to leave.

 

 

Angela thought after Quinn left, and grabbed the Lowdown. She re-read the article. ‘I can see how that can be misinterpreted,’ she thought and switched on the PA system. “Ted Dewit-Clinton, please report to the Principal’s office.”

 

 

Daria heard the principal call Ted to her office as she got her food. ‘I guess Quinn managed to get her to print a retraction,’ she thought.

 

She approached the usual table to find Jane Lane and Sandi starring daggers at each other. ‘But what else is new,’ she thought. Harry wasn’t there yet and she saw that Tania Ashworth was sitting with her usual friends on the other side of the cafeteria.

 

“Hey, Daria,” Jane said.

 

Daria sat down next to Jane and across from Sandi. “A lot of interesting things today.”

 

“Do tell,” Jane prompted.

 

“Oh, you know, the attention that SpiderGirl is getting in the media.”

 

“I was out for a run when Anders made her announcement, but Trent told me later,” Jane responded.

 

“It seems that you have running at night a lot lately,” Sandi commented.

 

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Jane asked with an annoyed tone.

 

“That, like, it’s dangerous,” Sandi responded.

 

“There hasn’t been that much crime in my neighborhood,” Jane said with a shrug. “Besides, it helps keep my mind off recent experiences.”

 

“I suppose,” Sandi said.

 

“Anyway,” Daria said. “And then there is the Sun-Herald questioning her motivation.”

 

“I read it,” Sandi said. “Why they are focusing on her, I don’t know.”

 

“The article did mention her partnership with Ninja Talon,” Jane said.

 

“That’s a good point. But it only mentioned the remaining three in passing, which I suppose is just as well,” Daria said.

 

“Good,” Jane said.

 

“I agree,” Sandi said.

 

‘I’m sure that the Enigma will remain the ‘fourth vigilante’ to most for now,’ Daria thought with a brief glance at Sandi. ‘But still, all this attention on SpiderGirl isn’t good.’

 

 

Harry arrived at the table to see the three discussing the media attention SpiderGirl was getting. ‘That’s not surprising,’ he thought as he sat next to Sandi and across from Jane.

 

“I heard about Quinn and Kevin.”

 

“Quinn was about to talk to Ted about that when I left the Lowdown office earlier,” Daria said. “I’m sure she has already talked to Li about it.”

 

“But I’ve already heard many rumors,” Harry said.

 

“Like, I’m sure Tori is already hard at work quashing them,” Sandi said.

 

“Of course.”

 

 

At the same time, Ted arrived at the principal’s office.

 

“I’m sure you know why I called you here.”

 

“Yes. I messed up a little and didn’t read Jamie’s article thoroughly,” Ted admitted.

 

“I thought it was something like that, Mr. Dewit-Clinton. That is part of the reason why I’m allowing you to print a retraction as Ms. Morgendorffer requested. But I expect you to have due diligence in future. Do I make myself clear?”

 

“Absolutely Ms. Li.”

 

“Good. That is all.”

 

 

Kevin entered the cafeteria as he heard Ms. Li call Jamie to his office. ‘I wonder what that’s about,’ he thought as he looked around for Quinn.

 

 

“Uh oh!” Tori said. “Kevin at Three O’clock.”

 

Quinn looked and saw him coming over. “But you’ve been countering the rumors, right?”

 

“Of course,” Tori answered.

 

“Hey, Quinn?” Kevin said.

 

“No! Kevin!” Quinn said, as she stood up. “Whatever you might have read, or heard, I don’t think you’re cute.”

 

“But didn’t Jamie say in the Lowdown that…” Kevin began, but Quinn interrupted.

 

“He did say something, but he got it wrong,” Quinn said.

 

“Wrong?” Kevin asked in his usual dumbfounded manner.

 

“I’m not interested in you that way,” Quinn answered.

 

“But why would it be in the paper if it’s wrong?” Kevin asked.

 

“Because Jamie wasn’t careful and neither was Ted,” Tori answered.

 

“I guess so, but Quinn, you want to go to Chez Pierre tomorrow night?” Kevin asked, with his stupid grin.

 

“What did I just say?” Quinn asked.

 

“But you go to Chez Pierre with a lot of guys,” Kevin insisted.

 

“Not recently,” Quinn said.

 

“Oh.”

 

“So, no,” Quinn said. “See you later.”

 

“Sure,” Kevin said as he turned away.

 

 

Stacy watched Kevin walk away. “I’m not sure that you convinced him, Quinn,” she said.

 

Quinn sighed. “I know.”

 

“I’ll keep saying that you don’t like him that way,” Tori added.

 

“Thanks.”

 

 

“Looks like, Kevin just tried to ask her out,” Sandi commented.

 

“I’m not sure that he got the message,” Daria said.

 

Jane shrugged. “Maybe she needs to be more forceful.

 

“Probably,” Daria said.

 

 

Jamie arrived at the Principal’s office.

 

“Come in, Mr. White.”

 

“Am I in trouble?”

 

“You could say that. I just have had to allow a retraction for the Lowdown for the first time in Lawndale High’s history, as far as I know.”

 

“Oh.”

 

“You misattributed Ms. Morgendorffer, Mr. White.”

 

“I know that now.”

 

“And I also hear that you want to do an interview with SpiderGirl,” the principal said.

 

Jamie nodded.

 

The principal lowered her voice. “That is something I will allow, if you can pull it off.”

 

“Really?” Jamie asked in surprise.

 

“Yes. Think of the honor and glory for Lawnda-ale High.”

 

‘Of course,’ Jamie thought.

 

 

After school, Quinn entered the library to find Angie Zammit waiting.

 

“I heard that Kevin asked you out,” Angie said as she opened her history textbook.

 

“I said that I don’t want to go out with him,” Quinn responded as she sat at the table.

 

“But did he get that message?”

 

“I’m not sure,” Quinn said with uncertainty. She knew that she had her work cut out for her there. ‘But what else is new?’

 

“Where were we?” Angie asked.

 

“Up to the early ‘70’s, with the Watergate scandal.”

 

“Got it.”

 

“You may see some relevance there,” Quinn said.

 

“Persistence of investigative journalism,” Angie considered.

 

“But this is different. If Mayor Lawson is taking bribes from Osborn I’d want to know about it.”

 

“But?”

 

“I wouldn’t want the Shadow, or Dafoanairi to be unmasked by a journalist,” Quinn said.

 

“I’m still not sure that the additional vigilantes are a good thing,” Angie said as she turned to the relevant page.

 

 

At the same time, Daria and Sandi changed to Dafoanairi and the Enigma on the school roof. “A long day,” Dafoanairi commented.

 

“Like, I did my part in quashing the rumors, but I didn’t expect to be doing so,” the Engima said.

 

“I thank you for that, although I know you still don’t like Quinn.”

 

“Quinn doesn’t deserve that hanging over her head. Besides, Brittany just broke up with him. It’s too soon for him to be chasing after others.”

 

“That’s true,” Dafoanairi said.

 

“But anyway, we need to focus on what Anders might do to try to get an interview with SpiderGirl.”

 

Dafoanairi looked out over the town. “Knowing her stunts, she would probably try to stage something to draw SpiderGirl out.”

 

“And therefore us out too?”

 

“Exactly. And that is what we’re going to look out for this afternoon.”

 

“You’ll be at the Historia this evening?” the Engima asked.

 

“Yes. Another rehearsal before tomorrow nights performance of Tempest. I have to figure out how to work with Brittany’s sprain.”

 

“I’m sure you will figure it out.’

 

“Thanks,” Dafoanairi said. “But if Anders was to pull off a stunt, where in town would it be?” She looked around, from the Giant Strawberry, to the Historia, to one of the apartment complexes in Lawndale Flats, and then back to the Lawndale Mall. ‘Either there or Cranberry Commons.’

 

“I’ll try downtown.”

 

“And I’ll try the Lawndale Mall.”

 

“Why there?” the Enigma asked.

 

“Easier to keep cover as one approaches.”

 

“Good point.”

 

 

The Enigma reached the Historia first. She took out her portable radio and waited. “Now, where would Lynn Anders be?”

 

She then looked down on the street, and saw Lynn Anders enter the Historia. ‘Too bad Dafoanairi headed to the Mall,’ she thought. ‘But maybe she’ll be needed there.’

 

 

“Lynn Anders?” Stacy asked as she saw the TV host approach the counter.

 

“That’s me. I’m sure you heard about my announcement last night, about SpiderGirl?”

 

“Yes, but why ask here?”

 

“Because, SpiderGirl is often seen here, including last week when that girl, Jane, was abducted,” Anders answered.

 

“Actually, it was Ninja Talon, Dafoanairi and the fourth.”

 

“Maybe, but SpiderGirl comes here. In fact, I’m certain that her secret identity is a regular.”

 

“I’m certain she would be. But I have no idea who she might be,” Stacy said, trying to not let her usual anxiety show.

 

“Maybe you don’t. But I could use this place to observe.”

 

 

Sandi entered the cafĂ© and heard Anders say that she could use the Historia to observe. ‘Then I’ll keep an eye on you,’ she thought. ‘Another reason Daria and I need two way radios.’ She sighed and went up to the counter behind Anders.

 

 

“Are you going to order anything?” Stacy asked Anders as she saw Sandi line up behind her.

 

“Just an ordinary coffee,” Anders said. “I’d like to know how an anxious girl became a barista.”

 

“I may be anxious, but I’m capable,” Stacy retorted as she input Anders’ order into the register.

 

“Or it’s nepotism.”

 

Stacy ignored that and just gave Anders the price of her order.

 

 

“You handled that well, Stacy,” Sandi said.

 

“Amazing what one can do when they’re not in an oppressive club!” Stacy said with annoyance. “Now, can I take your order?”

 

“A latte. What do you think Anders is up to? Trying to get an interview with SpiderGirl?”

 

“Just as well I know you’re working with Daria to solve the mysteries.”

 

“Yes. And?” Sandi prompted.

 

“I’m not sure, and it’s the same with Jamie.”

 

“Don’t get me started about Jamie.”

 

“I did hear that you were trying to quash the rumors,” Stacy said, before giving Sandi the price of her order.

 

 

Dafoanairi arrived at the Lawndale Mall, which seemed rather normal. ‘Of course it does,’ she thought as she looked through one of the skylights. However, she then saw something. Some of the shoppers were running from something. She looked and saw that it was some kind of robotic pterodactyl. ‘More weird things in Lawndale!’ she thought as she went to the closest door downwards.

 

 

Sandi was waiting for her order, and occasionally looking at Anders, when she heard the news on the radio. “A robot pterodactyl is causing havoc in the Lawndale Mall. Dafoanairi has responded.

 

‘Robot pterodactyl!’ Sandi thought. ‘But I’m sure that Daria would find who’s responsible before I could get there, even if a I jack a car.’ She didn’t want to resort to that.

 

“Here’s your latte, Sandi,” Stacy said.

 

“Thanks.”

 

“What was that about a pterodactyl?”

 

“Something Dafoanairi is fighting,” Sandi answered.

 

“More things…”

 

 

Dafoanairi looked at the robotic pterodactyl as it flew around the food court. ‘I can do something about this. I don’t need the Engima to knock it out with one of her projections, or SpiderGirl to catch it in a web.’ She looked at her quarterstaff. ‘I could damage it that way, but there is another way.’ She looked at one of her ropes. ‘I can use that. But it would be better to find whoever it is controlling it remotely. They would have to be nearby.’ She approached the area carefully and looked around.

 

The robot swooped over her.

 

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” she said as she twirled the quarterstaff. “It looks like I can damage it if I get a hit in.”

 

She looked around. There were many tables from where she could get a good swing from. ‘But I’ll try to lasso it first. I’ll see if I can get the attention of the controller that way.’

 

 

Dafoanairi clambered up on to a table as the pterodactyl turned around and came back in her direction. She prepared her rope. She then threw her lasso at nearly the last second.

 

 

Ninja Talon hadn’t expected to be active that day, as she was still recovering from the injury she had sustained two days earlier. She had been shopping as the usual, but recovering, Brittany when she had seen the robot pterodactyl causing chaos. She knew that Quinn was tutoring Angie, and so went to the bathroom to change.

 

She emerged into the food court and saw Dafoanairi expertly lasso the robot pterodactyl. ‘But she probably will need help,’ she thought.

 

 

Indeed, Dafoanairi was struggling. The robot was trying to get loose and dragging her along. ‘But then it was probably designed with SpiderGirl in mind, to draw her attention. Yet another person trying to draw her out.’ Her thoughts were then interrupted as a couple of shuriken struck the side of the robot. She looked and saw Ninja Talon approaching with a limp. “Ninja Talon?” she asked.

 

“Hey, Dafoanairi, mind if I help?”

 

“Not at all. But I notice that you’re limping.”

 

“I’ll tell you later,” Ninja Talon said as she fired a zip line.

 

It whipped around one of the pterodactyl’s wings.

 

“Now to stop it!” Dafoanairi said.

 

“If we go in opposite directions,” Ninja Talon suggested.

 

“That should work,” Dafoanairi said and jumped to another table.

 

 

The robot jerked from side to side as it tried to break free, but smoke soon rose from it as servo motors burnt out. Dafoanairi and Ninja Talon kept the zip line and rope taut as they walked back together.

 

“Now, let’s see if we can turn this thing off before it catches alight,” Dafoanairi said.

 

“If not, I have a small extinguisher.”

 

“We may need it.”

Tuesday, 14 October 2025

Mysteries of Aurora - The Manuscript Part 11

 

Olivia looked closely at the unofficial map of the hidden corridors around the library. “No evidence. But I could look tonight.”

 

“Tonight?” Alexia asked.

 

“If I can’t sleep,” Olivia said. “I have insomnia as well as dyslexia,” she admitted.

 

“You shouldn’t go alone,” Freya said.

 

“I could go with you,” Janara offered.

 

“But first, we should continue with this,” Alexia said.

 

“Of course,” Olivia said as she turned to Alexia.

 

“Next. The known sequence of how the Library was built. The Ancient Section is the core, but not all of it was built over the same time,” Alexia added.

 

“Wait,” Janara said. “I had heard that the campus is a fractal.”

 

 

“The campus is, yes,” Alexia said. “But the Library isn’t.”

 

“Right,” Olivia said. “According to the records we have, the oldest parts of the Library date from the Second Age.”

 

“So, the Ancient Section was complete when the Roman occupation started?” Janara asked.

 

“Yes,” Olivia answered. “The records state that the Early Roman Section was constructed early in the Second Century.”

 

Alexia tapped her tablet and the Early Roman Section was highlighted on the projection. “It lies to the south of the Ancient Section.”

 

“There hasn’t been much speculation why the expansion happened in that way,” Olivia said. “But each expansion occurred as the Library came close to running out of space. At least that’s the official explanation.”

 

“Next was the Late Roman Section, added in the Fourth Century,” Alexia continued.

 

 

As Alexia continued describing the expansion of the library, Freya was distracted, but she managed to get the gist of it. She continued her sketching, filling the page with various symbols from Aurora’s cultures.

 

 

Alexia concluded and sat next to Freya. “I saw that you weren’t focused. I tried to be engaging for you.”

 

“It’s fine,” Freya said. “I’m sure that comes from experience.”

 

“But you followed Olivia,” Alexia said.

 

“She’s also more passionate about Aurora’s history. that helps,” Freya added with a smile.

 

“Noted,” Olivia said.

 

“But what are we going to do next?” Janara asked. “We can’t just snoop around the Library, or the nearby buildings looking for the hidden passageways.”

 

“Where else?” Alexia asked. “The Library itself may hold the clues somewhere in the public collection.”

 

“I’ll look tonight,” Olivia said.

 

“I’ll have to come with you,” Janara said. “You can’t go alone.”

 

“We’ll talk about that later,” Olivia said.

 

“In the meantime, I’ll keep working looking at the various blueprints,” Alexia said.

 

“And I’ll work through what we talked about artistically,” Freya added as she jumped up.

 

 

“Are you sure you want to investigate the hidden corridors in the middle of the night?” Janara asked Olivia as they left Sigrun Sigurdottir Hall.

 

“I’m sure I won’t get much sleep with this mystery on my mind.”

 

“So, you want to use the time productively?”

 

Olivia nodded. “I am up to date on my studies.”

 

“I wasn’t questioning that.”

 

 

Freya returned to her room and stuck her sketch to the wall, which was already half covered in sketches. ‘It’s starting to look like my room at home and I have only been here a week,’ she thought. She turned to the window and looked out, at the campus and the glow of the streetlights of most of Urbs Aeterna beyond. ‘Somewhere out there the solutions of these mysteries will be found.’ The manuscript mystery wasn’t the only mystery on her mind.

 

 

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Olivia returned to the vicinity of the Library shortly after midnight. She had waited until Janara was deep into a gaming session before sneaking out. The University was quiet around her, with the on campus bistro closed for the night. She took out a schematic of the western side of the building Alexia had given her. “There is some kind of hatch somewhere near where the Renaissance and Late Medieval Sections meet.” She then took out a torch.

 

It was, of course, shaped like an old-style torch, rather than an American flashlight. But even so, the light could be focused in a beam. Olivia did so, before sweeping it over the façade of the Library.

 

 

After finding a hatch, she managed to flip it open. “I guess they don’t expect students to come looking, or for them to expect it to be locked.” She saw a ladder going down. “I came this far,” she said as she adjusted the torch to diffuse mode.

 

 

She then found her way into one of the Stack levels of the Library, specifically of the Renaissance Section. ‘But it would likely be below the Ancient Section, right? Or is that what they would expect someone to search?’ She decided to try to go in that direction anyway.

 

 

It didn’t take her long to get to the Ancient Section stacks.

 

 

But the layout was chaotic and she was sure that the shelves hadn’t been moved in centuries.

‘This will take ages,’ she thought, as she wandered around them.

 

 

Janara logged off after finishing a raid. She then turned and stretched, then realised that Olivia was gone. “You didn’t go by yourself, did you?” she asked herself before quickly grabbing her own torch and jacket.

 

 

Olivia had spent some time looking around when she heard something. She turned with her heart beating fast. “Who’s there?” she asked.

 

Janara came around a corner. “You came here alone?” she asked, with an annoyed tone.

 

“Yes. You were busy, gaming. And I wasn’t asking Freya or Alexia.”

 

“Because you haven’t been around them as much?”

 

“I suppose so,” Olivia responded.

 

“But I’m not sure that the manuscript would be here, in the stack.”

 

“It might still be here, but also, there might be doors to the hidden corridors somewhere.”

 

“They may be well hidden in ways neither of us would notice,” Janara said. “They usually are in games.”

 

“This isn’t a game.”

 

“No, but sometimes they are based on reality.”

 

“Wait, you said ‘neither of us,’” Olivia said. “You’re saying Freya might be able to find the doors?”

 

“It’s worth a shot.”

 

“She did find the obfuscation.”

 

“So, come back tomorrow?” Janara asked as she turned.

 

“Maybe she’ll still be up.”

 

“I don’t want to take the risk of waking her.”

 

“Then it will have to be tomorrow night,” Olivia decided as she followed Janara.

 

 

When they returned to the dorm room, Janara found that Alexia had emailed her a copy of the campus blueprints she had presented. She looked at where Olivia was already dictating a recording of the day into her diary. ‘I’ll tell her in the morning.’

Saturday, 11 October 2025

Church notes - 12th October 2025

 12th

Genesis 1

Creation is big

Our prespective matters.


Genesis 1 - confronts us with God's worldview.


Eternity


This world is not all there is.


A question of origins

In the beginning.


Moses

- He was up against the worldview of Near East Paganism


Creation out of nothing, ex nihilo


The one and only true God didn't have to overcome a might cosmic champion of chaos.


In the beginning - God


vs 1 - 2


John 1:1 - 5


Stewardship

Being thankful

Making others happy - meeting their needs.

Giving back to God.

Taking care of the Earth


vs 35


Very good


Contrast Revelation 21:1 - 6


Friday, 10 October 2025

Spider Quinn 19 Making the News Amidst the Storms Part 1

19 Making the News

Amidst the Storms

It was a busy evening at the Historia. Quinn Morgendorffer was busy as she delivered drinks and meals to various customers. ‘It is the way of it,’ she thought as she returned to the counter.

 

“Did you notice Jamie?” Stacy Rowe asked.

 

“I saw that he’s here,” Quinn answered as she looked over to where she had seen Jamie White. “But so are many others from school, as is usual.”

 

“I think he’s writing something,” Stacy said.

 

“I doubt he would be trying to do homework here. It’s too loud.”

 

“Maybe it’s something else.”

 

“Of course it’s something else,” Quinn said before turning to someone who had just come up to the counter.

 

 

Jamie was writing something. But he was also re-reading the day’s paper.

 

Lawndale Sun-Herald

Wednesday, February 28, 2001

Situation at Hospital Resolved with SpiderGirl’s Help

 

He had had an idea, earlier in the day. That he would interview SpiderGirl for the school paper. ‘Even if Ted only said that he would think about taking me on. I mean, both Quinn and Daria are in the paper.’

 

He then reflected that there hadn’t yet been an interview with SpiderGirl. ‘Not even Mrs. Jericho has had an interview with her,’ he thought as he looked at the byline on the main article. He continued writing his proposal.

 

 

Quinn took a break and went over to Jamie. “Hi, Jamie.”

 

“Hi, Quinn.”

 

“What are you writing?”

 

“Oh, you know, something for the Lowdown.”

 

“Hasn’t Ted been turning you down?” Quinn asked, in a skeptical tone.

 

“Yes, but this would be something that would get me in.”

 

Quinn took the notebook. “Interview with SpiderGirl?” she asked incredulously. ‘I don’t need to give an interview,’ she thought, for she was that superheroine.

 

“Imagine what a scoop that would be.”

 

“Somehow, I don’t think she wants an interview.”

 

“I’ll give it a try,” Jamie said.

 

“You’d be better off trying the Shadow.”

 

“No, she’s a lot more elusive. I might as well try the fourth vigilante.”

 

“Or you could try Dafoanairi,” Quinn suggested.

 

“But she could snark her way out of it.”

 

‘I’ll see if it is Daria that way, maybe.’

 

 

Stacy watched Quinn and Jamie talking. ‘Clearly, he’s writing something Quinn is interested in hearing about.’ It was better than dwelling on the recent events in Lawndale. ‘Groundhog Day was just the start!’ She shook her head. She didn’t want to think about that.

 

 

At the same time. Quinn’s sister, Daria, was typing something and listening to the television. “Up next. Lawndale’s Extreme Evening Host, Lynn Anders!”

 

Sick Sad World was interesting,” Sandi Griffin commented from where she was sprawled on Daria’s bed.

 

“I mostly view it as a view into the stupidity of the present day,” Daria responded.

 

“That’s one way of looking at it,” Sandi said with a thoughtful look on her face.

 

“It certainly is.”

 

Good evening, Lawndale! This is Lynn Anders. Tonight, I’m wrestling a bear!”

 

“A bear?” Daria asked incredulously.

 

“She has pulled off many other stunts,” Sandi commented.

 

Daria turned around. “I guess I have to see it to believe it.”

 

And there is another thing. It is over three months since SpiderGirl appeared, and yet she hasn’t given a single interview. Some time soon, I am going to get it.”

 

“Good luck with that,” Daria snarked. “We’re all elusive.”

 

“Like, I know I won’t,” Sandi commented. “The fourth vigilante is remaining enigmatic.”

 

“So’s Dafoanairi.”

 

Why SpiderGirl? I say ‘why not?’

 

“She’s trying to drum up ratings. That’s all it is,” Daria said.

 

“I agree,” Sandi said as she looked at the ceiling.”

 

“She’ll try to reach out to SpiderGirl and continually fail.”

 

“And so might be inspired to go looking for her,” Sandi said.

 

“I guess we’ll need to keep an eye on her if that is the case.”

 

“I agree.”

 

 

Quinn was still thinking about Jamie’s proposal when she finished her shift. ‘It’s not surprising that Jamie wants to interview me,’ she thought as she changed to SpiderGirl on the roof. ‘It has been a few months and people in Lawndale are curious about their first superhero.’ But she still didn’t want to give such an interview. It would just make things more complicated. ‘I’m sure Talon would think the same thing,’ she added as she looked southwards towards Crewe Neck. But she then heard sirens somewhere to the northwest. “Responsibility calls,” she said as she swung off in that direction.

 

 

“This is clearly staged,” Daria commented as she and Sandi watched Lynn Anders wrestle the bear.

 

“Obviously,” Sandi responded. “But, I guess that is what she thinks the viewers want.”

 

“That’s exactly it.”

 

“And it’s the same level of farce as that Sick Sad World episode.”

 

“I knew you would get it,” Daria said.

 

“But in a different way to Jane, I’m sure.”

 

“Of course.”

 

 

That was exhilarating!” Lynn Anders said in a measured tone. “Question for the viewers. Do you think things in Lawndale are getting weirder?

 

“Of course they are,” Daria commented.

 

“Well, duh!” Sandi said.

 

“And it’s not just the heroes and villains,” Daria added.

 

“Like, with everything that is happening people are on edge and are letting their eccentricities show.”

 

“It’s not just that.”

 

“Like, I wouldn’t have believed that brownouts would occur one week and kidnappings related to a play the next,” Sandi said.

 

“Exactly, even if we played a role in resolving those situations.”

 

“And I’m certain that more will come up.”

 

 

SpiderGirl arrived back at the Morgendorffers about an hour after leaving the Historia. She arrived on the roof and heard Sandi commentating on Lynn Anders in Daria’s room.

 

‘Of course, Sandi’s there,’ she thought. ‘I don’t mind, really. I see that they are seeing Lynn Anders’ show for the trainwreck it is.’

 

She then swung down behind the house and entered the basement, where she changed to her usual self before entering her hidden sanctuary.

 

 

There still wasn’t much to the hidden room in the basement, other than various designs Quinn had been working on to improve her SpiderGirl gear, various maps of Lawndale and the surrounding countryside and extra storage space. She took out a notebook and wrote down her thoughts on Jamie’s proposal.

 

It was inevitable, but I thought it would be longer before the media would be seeking an interview.

 

She tapped the pen against the page and her gaze wandered to one of the maps of the town, on which she had marked crime hotspots. She looked at the concentration of markers in Lawndale Flats. ‘With everything that’s going on, I have hardly been there.’ She decided that she would be there when she did her usual early morning patrol later.

 

 

“It was an interesting evening,” Sandi said as she got ready to leave. “Hardly any homework.”

 

“I got mine done earlier. But I can tutor you if you want, just unofficially,” Daria said.

 

“I’m doing well enough,” Sandi said. “Besides I’m sure your plate is full enough already, what with tutoring Brittany, the Historia, investigating what’s going on in Lawndale and being Dafoanairi.”

 

“While that’s true, the offer stands,” Daria said with a slight smile.

 

“I’ll consider it,” Sandi said with a thoughtful look.

 

 

Sandi climbed out of the house by the hall window as she usually did. When she got to the ground she thought again about Daria’s offer. ‘It is a good idea.’ She then heard Quinn’s voice in the kitchen. ‘Better be off!’ she thought as she dashed off towards the street.

 

As soon as she was out of sight of the Morgendorffers she hid behind some trees and changed to the Enigma. ‘Now, there is sure to be something happening, somewhere,’ she thought as she headed down Glen Oaks Lane.

 

 

After midnight, Daria snuck out as Dafoanairi as usual, rappelling out of one of her bedroom windows and heading to the laneway.

 

‘If Anders wants to interview SpiderGirl, it is only a matter of time before she wants to interview the other four of us too, including Sandi and I. That’s something I don’t want. The full publicity of the media isn’t what we want, nor would it be good for Lawndale.’

 

She headed downtown, to an area that she had neglected due to the situation with the missing critics the previous week. ‘Dega Street. The paper has reported that crime has increased there again.’

 

 

Samara Collins emerged from the Zon/Zone and looked around. One could never tell when someone could come out of the shadows and mug someone else. She quickly walked down the street and someone came out of an alleyway. “Hand over your cash!” he said.

 

“Not on my watch!” someone said nearby.

 

“Doesn’t sound like SpiderGirl,” the would-be thug said, but Samara had used the moment to run back the other way.

 

 

Dafoanairi came out twirling the staff and knocked him over. “I may not be SpiderGirl, but I can still defend those who can’t defend themselves.”

 

“Dafoanairi!”

 

“Yes, that’s me, and I will keep fighting if I have to. I have been gaining experience.”

 

The man ran off.

 

‘They may not all give up that easily though.’

 

 

Samara turned back and saw Dafoanairi coming towards her. “Thanks for the save, Dafoanairi.”

 

“All part of the responsibility I have taken on to protect people in Lawndale.”

 

“The second time…” Samara mused.

 

“Second? When was the first?”

 

“With the Shadow, just after the Historia opened.”

 

“OK,” Dafoanairi responded. “Quite a lot has happened since then.”

 

“Groundhog day,” Samara said quietly. “To think something like that could happen here.”

 

“That’s when I realized I needed to find out what was going on.”

 

“I see.”

 

“I could walk you home if you like,” Dafoanairi offered.

 

“I was actually going to catch a taxi, as I live on the other side of the creek.”

 

“Oh. I’ll wait until you find the taxi.”

 

“That would be OK,” Samara said as they approached one of the taxi ranks along Dega Street.

 

 

Dafoanairi listened to their surroundings as Samara waited for a taxi to arrive. Lawndale was quiet, save for some traffic, some dogs barking and the sounds of various nocturnal animals, including the chittering of squirrels. ‘It may seem quiet more now, but danger always comes when it’s least expected.’

 

She didn’t have to wait long before she heard sirens somewhere near the Creek. ‘There!’ she thought.

 

 

SpiderGirl emerged onto the roof at the usual early time, and started listening to Lawndale as she usually did. But this time she was distracted by remembering what Jamie had said. Even so, she did hear something to the north east. ‘Ruminations can wait, responsibility calls,’ she thought as she swung away.

 

 

Lawndale Sun-Herald

Thursday March 1, 2001

People Ask Again, What Motivates SpiderGirl?

 

“It should be obvious,” SpiderGirl said as she looked at the paper at a newsstand. ‘Even more scrutiny!’ she thought. ‘As if Jamie and Lynn Anders weren’t enough.’ She looked at the byline. ‘Melinda Parris, of course! It wouldn’t be Mrs. Jericho.’ She put the paper back and swung away.

 

 

Sandi arrived at the school and met up with Harry Osborn. “Morning, Harry,” she said.

 

“Morning, Sandi.”

 

“Is your father up and about?”

 

“Not yet, he’s still resting,” Harry answered.

 

“I see.”

 

“Is something up. Did he say something during that dinner?”

 

“No,” Sandi said. It wasn’t really a lie, but it was the same night, that she found that he knew her secret identity.

 

“Oh. Whatever it is, you can tell me, right?”

 

“Maybe,” Sandi said. ‘I’m not going to tell him that I’m the Enigma, the fourth vigilante. It was hard enough trusting Daria.’

 

 

At the same time, Quinn arrived at the school with Stacy and their friend Tori Jericho. “I read the paper earlier,” she said to Tori.

 

“Mom says that many people have been asking the paper whether they are going to interview SpiderGirl,” Tori said.

 

“I haven’t read the letters to the editor lately,” Quinn admitted.

 

“That doesn’t matter that much,” Tori responded. “There are many that don’t get published.”

 

“I suppose I could ask Daria later,” Quinn said.

 

“Is she making progress?” Stacy asked.

 

“You know she’s doing other things,” Quinn said.

 

“Oh, of course,” Stacy said. “I’ll be at Tempest again tomorrow night.”

 

“And we’re both in the Lowdown,” Quinn added.

 

“I heard some of what you and Jamie were talking about last night,” Stacy said.

 

“It’s unlikely he would be able to get an interview with SpiderGirl,” Quinn said.

 

“She’s probably too wary for that,” Tori said.

 

‘You’re right there,’ Quinn thought as they entered the school building. She then saw that Tiffany Blum-Deckler was waiting for them there.

 

“Good Morning,” Tiffany said, holding up the latest Lowdown.

 

“Is there something in that you want us to see?” Tori asked.

 

“Quinn,” Tiffany said as she handed it to her. “Something on the second page.”

 

Quinn took the paper and looked on the second page. She saw that Jamie had managed to convince Ted that he had something worth publishing. ‘Wait, is he saying that I thought Kevin was cute?” she asked.

 

“That’s exactly what it is,” Tiffany said.

 

“And it probably went over Ted’s naive head!” Quinn groused.

 

“So, what are you going to do about it?” Stacy asked.

 

“I’ll talk to both of them,” Quinn decided, “But it will have to wait until lunch.”

 

 

Brittany Taylor read the article as she settled into homeroom. ‘I doubt Quinn actually said that!’ she thought.

 

“Penny for your thoughts?” her friend, Angie Zammit, asked.

 

“Jamie’s wrong,” Brittany answered.

 

“How so?”

 

“Quinn doesn’t like Kevin.”

 

“Why does it matter? Given that you have broken up with him,” Angie said.

 

“Um,” Brittany wasn’t sure how to answer without giving away that she and Quinn were closer as friends than it appeared, that they were partners as Lawndale’s first two superheroes. “Like, the old Quinn would have, but the new Quinn wouldn’t.”

 

“Like, she’s tutoring me, but I don’t really know her beyond that.”

 

 

Rumors spread through the school as the students headed to their first period classes. Quinn tried to find Ted, but their paths didn’t cross.

 

 

Quinn entered the Lowdown office as the Lunch period started and found Daria and Ted discussing something.

 

“Hey, Quinn,” Daria said. “I have left it to you to discuss that article regarding Kevin.”

 

“Thanks, Daria.”

 

“I’ll leave you to it.”

 

Quinn watched her sister go and turned to Ted. “Why did you publish that article?”

 

“I only skimmed over it,” Ted admitted. “I thought it was fine.”

 

Quinn sighed. “It isn’t. I merely said that Kevin could be interesting to some people. Not that I like him. Now most of the school probably thinks I’m taking advantage of Brittany breaking up with him.”

 

 

Ted thought for a moment. “I see your point.”

 

“I’d like you to print a retraction.”

 

“Today?” Ted asked. “I’m not sure Ms. Li would go for that.”

 

Quinn sighed. “Let me handle Ms. Li.”

 

“Then I’ll write it up by the time school lets out, and it will be out tomorrow.”

 

“Good. But also, Jamie was writing a proposal to interview SpiderGirl last night, while he was at the Historia.”

 

Ted thought on that. “That seems a bit much for a school paper, to interview a superhero, even if it appears that her secret identity is a student at that particular school. But I did see Anders’ announcement at the Arcade last night and the Sun-Herald this morning.”

 

“I agree there, and I think Anders is getting in over her head.”

 

“Most likely, and as far as her motivation goes, she wants to use her powers for good, to help people. Isn’t that enough?”

 

“I agree,” Quinn said.

 

“I’ll talk to Jamie about that, as well as the article,” Ted said.

 

“Thanks, Ted. I’ll go to Ms. Li now.”