Spider Quinn 19 Making the News Amidst the Storms Part 11

 

Quinn continued watching the broadcast, even as Donna kept changing the channels. “No good. It looks like she has taken control of the Emergency Alert System,” Donna said.

 

“Would you know where that is?” Quinn asked.

 

“I know there’s one nearby, on Bernstein and Mertz,” Andrea answered.

 

‘I could try that, but how to get away.’

 

 

Sandi passed Dewey Rodgers as she left the Historia and headed eastwards towards the Jefferson Bridge.

 

 

“Dewey!” Andrea said as she saw him enter the café.

 

“Hi Andrea, what’s this about Anders?”

 

“Calling SpiderGirl out. Speaking of…”

 

“My sister, Mina, said that you could do it,” Dewey responded. “She’ll be here shortly.”

 

“Good. I’ll just need to inform Ninja Talon in a short while.”

 

 

‘Good,’ Quinn thought as she overheard. She turned her attention back to the TV.

 

“You have half an hour, SpiderGirl. There are only three Emergency Alert stations in Lawndale. Can you find the right one?”

 

“What kind of sick challenge is that?” Quinn groused as she headed out of the café. She then went to the stairs upwards.

 

 

Linda arrived at the Emergency Alert station between Lawndale and Oakwood five minutes after talking to Sandi. It looked like it was deserted. ‘Like on Groundhog Day, I’m the older Moretti,’ she thought as she got out of the car.

 

She approached the fence and closed her eyes. She sensed that there was no one inside. ‘She’s not here. But she did sense someone nearby. She opened her eyes and brought up her flashlight. “Who’s there?”

 

A police officer appeared. “Officer Xanthe Peterson. I’m investigating Lynn Anders’ takeover of Lawndale’s television signals.”

 

“So, am I.”

 

“And I suppose you’re the fourth vigilante’s mentor?”

 

Linda sighed. ‘I suppose she’s the one who helped Sandi and Daria rescue Beresfield,’ she thought. “I’m neither confirming nor denying.”

 

“I’ll take that as a ‘yes,’” Peterson said. “What can I call you?”

 

‘I can’t use ‘Moretti,’ she thought. “The Violet Force.”

 

“Sounds good.”

 

“It looks like there’s no one here.”

 

“Then she’s at one of the other ones,” Peterson said.

 

“I was going to check the one at Bernstein and Mertz with my protégé next.”

 

Peterson nodded.

 

 

At the same time as her mother meeting Peterson, the Enigma approached the Emergency Alert station in East Lawndale. She approached close to the building and then used her enhanced perception to sense the interior. However, she was still uncertain as that aspect of her powers still wasn’t developed as much as her mother’s, despite it being an advantage against Mysterio a week earlier. She carefully opened a window telekinetically and entered.

 

She quickly found that the place was deserted. She then sent a message to her mother.

 

The one near Lawndale Flats is empty. Heading to Bernstein and Mertz.

 

 

SpiderGirl arrived at the Bernstein and Mertz intersection, which was one of Lawndale’s main ones. She saw that the Emergency Alert Station building was nondescript. She had passed it many times before without knowing what it was. As she approached, she felt a slight tingle of her SpiderSense. ‘Some danger, but not obvious.’ It was more of a warning than an indication of immediate danger. ‘But that’s what I knew already.’ She looked at the time. Twenty five minutes before Ander’s warning expired.

And over an hour before the play went to intermission. ‘Have I come to rely on Talon too much?’ she asked herself. She considered it as she landed on the roof. ‘Probably not. I have been doing my own thing, as she has been. It’s that the major events haven’t really left off since we rescued Sarah Robyn.’

She crawled in through one of the high windows and swung down through the attic space.

 

 

Lynn Anders heard something that wasn’t her captive squirming in his attempts to escape. A tell-tale thwip! “Ah! SpiderGirl! You’re here!” she said. “Now all of Lawndale will see what happens next.”

 

SpiderGirl looked pensive as she swung down next to the cage where her captive was bound. “And, what will exactly happen next? And the play is on, not all of Lawndale would be watching.”

 

“Oh, yes. Tempest. A nice distraction that is. But enough people will see your attempt at rescuing that oaf of a quarterback.”

 

“Who are you calling an oaf?” the captive, Kevin Thompson, asked as struggled against his ties yet again.

 

“You are an oaf!” Anders said. “I have obtained your non-bye grades. And yes, Lawndale, your star high school quarterback gets by on byes!”

 

“Who will believe that?” SpiderGirl asked.

 

“Enough people.”

 

 

SpiderGirl examined the cage. “I’ll have you out of there soon.” But as she prepared to pick the lock. Her SpiderSense blared.

 

“What’s wrong Spidey?” Kevin asked.

 

SpiderGirl spun and faced Anders. “The cage is electrified, isn’t it?”

 

“Drat!” Anders said.

 

“Don’t worry, Kevin, I’ll figure out a way.”

 

“Oh, yeah, you go to Lawndale High, right?” Kevin asked.

 

“I doubt a Fielding girl would be seen around Lawndale High.”

 

 

The Enigma arrived at Bernstein and Mertz first, but the did hear her mother’s car approaching, so she waited.

 

Less than half a minute later, her mother pulled up, followed by Officer Peterson.

 

“Is she in there?” Peterson asked.

 

“Give us a moment,” her mother said and closed her eyes.

 

The Enigma did so too. And sensed that there were people inside.

 

“Anders is there,” her mother confirmed. “Along with SpiderGirl, who’s trying the rescue the quarterback.”

 

“Ugh, Kevin!” the Enigma said.

 

“Kevin Thompson?” Xanthe considered. “He has a knack for getting into minor trouble.”

 

“Then let’s rescue him,” the Enigma said.

 

“Without confronting SpiderGirl in front of most of Lawndale,” her mother said.

 

“Wouldn’t have said it better myself,” Peterson said.

 

“Not right now. Another time.”

 

Both Peterson and her mother sighed.

 

 

SpiderGirl looked at the cables connecting the cage to the various outlets.

 

“Problem, Spidey?” Kevin asked.

 

“This is more complicated than I thought.”

 

“You could just web the cage open.”

 

“I thought about that,” SpiderGirl said. “But this is tricky.”

 

Anders laughed.

 

“What?” SpiderGirl asked.

 

“It’s quite complicated.”

 

“You’ve had help didn’t you? Was it Oscorp?”

 

“It was someone,” Anders started before she interrupted herself and looked to the side.

 

SpiderGirl followed her gaze and saw that Peterson had arrived, along with the Enigma and who seemed to be her mentor. ‘Oh great! At least Peterson will keep her in line.’

 

“Yay, the cavalry!” Kevin said. “Is that Dafoanairi?”

 

“No, it’s the fourth vigilante,” SpiderGirl responded.

 

 

“I’m not Dafoanairi,” Sandi said to Kevin. “But I’m not saying my hero name in front of the majority of Lawndale’s population!”

 

“Of course not,” SpiderGirl groused.

 

Her mother sighed. “Of course you aren’t.”

 

“Oh,” Kevin said.

 

“But we need to get him out of there,” Peterson said.

 

“Easier said than done of course,” Anders interrupted. “But you have about fifteen minutes.”

 

“Is there a bomb?” her mother asked.

 

“Nothing so crude,” Anders answered.

 

“I have an idea,” Sandi said.

 

“What is it?” SpiderGirl asked. “Because your energy blasts might intensify the electricity.”

 

“I had thought of that,” her mother said.

 

“The telekinesis. We pull from both sides while SpiderGirl webs up the top of the cage from the ceiling,” Sandi said.

 

“That sounds like a plan,” Peterson said. “I’ll cover Anders, in case she tries anything.”

 

“Everything you just said has been broadcasted,” Anders said.

 

“You know I’m tempted to just shoot the equipment with my energy powers,” Sandi said. “But I doubt that would restore normal service.”

 

“And people in Lawndale heard that.”

 

“She’s just riling you up,” SpiderGIrl said. “Let’s do this.”

 

 

They quickly moved into position and SpiderGirl shot the web to the top of the cage.

 

“Um, what is going to happen?” Kevin asked.

 

“The cage is going to fall apart, so be ready for that,” Peterson said.

 

“Um, OK.”

 

“Now!” The Violet Force said to her protégé,

 

The cage groaned as their telekinetic forces pulled in opposite directions.

 

 

It took about ten seconds as the Violet Force and her protégé slowly ramped up their efforts, although the latter had less finesse. It broke apart suddenly with Kevin falling to the floor in a yelp as SpiderGirl sent the roof clattering elsewhere in the room, before swinging down and cutting his ties.

 

 

“Thanks, SpiderGirl,” Kevin said.

 

“You’re welcome, but we’re not clear yet,” SpiderGirl said.

 

“You think you’ve won?” Anders asked.

 

“Maybe not,” Peterson said, as she drew out her cuffs. “Lynn Anders, you are under arrest for kidnapping, and interrupting broadcast signals. You have the right to remain silent, anything you do say may be used against you in a court of law.”

 

Anders struggled.

 

“And I might add resisting arrest to the charges.”

 

The Violet Force went up to the set up. “It looks like someone may need to called in to fix this.”

 

 

“I did call it in,” Peterson responded. “And someone is coming, along with an ambulance to check Kevin over.”

 

“No need, Officer,” Kevin said. “I’m fine.”

 

“No, you were kidnapped,” Peterson said. “You still need to be checked over.”

 

“Alright,” Kevin said.

 

 

More officers and paramedics entered and the superheroes made themselves scarce. The Violet Force and her daughter met outside near the former’s car. “You changed the plates,” her daughter asked.

 

“If Peterson traces them, they’ll come up with an address SHEILD set up for me back in the day,” the Violet Force answered, as she unlocked and opened the car. She then opened the glove box and pressed a button inside. The plates then rotated to the normal ones.

 

“Like, You’re not out of it as you said,” her daughter said with a hint of sarcasm.

 

“Old habits die hard. But this is still the second time I have been active in Lawndale. I know why Dafoanairi didn’t respond.”

 

“No, you don’t.”

 

The Violet Force sighed. “You don’t think I wouldn’t figure out that it’s Daria. It’s obvious, given that you two are working together. But her secret is safe with me as ours is with her.”

 

“Yes, you’re right.”

 

“I still don’t know who SpiderGirl is, nor Ninja Talon or the Shadow.”

 

“I’ll still figure that out eventually,” her daughter said. “Anyway, I’m heading back to the Historia.”

 

“Yes, fill her in on what just happened when the play goes into intermission, which should be soon.”

 

 

“A technician is enroute, normal service should be restored soon,” the female police officer, Peterson, said.

 

Osborn switched off the television and then dialled a number, but not Fields’, as he knew she wouldn’t be back at work until Monday.

 

“Yes, Mr. Osborn?”

 

“Find out all you can about Officer Xanthe Peterson of the Lawndale Police Department.”

 

“Yes, Mr. Osborn. I shall have the dossier ready as soon as possible,” the other person said before hanging up. ‘I know she’s working with SpiderGirl and the others,’ he thought. The situation at the Emergency Alert Station had gone as he had expected, although he hadn’t expected Linda to call herself the Violet Force rather than the Purple Avenger. But he still had no idea who SpiderGirl was. ‘Even with Lynn Anders out of the game, but she was unpredictable,’ he thought.

Strange Days in Lawndale (2)

 

2

Elsewhere in Lawndale, someone else was having a similar reaction.  Jane Lane was incredulous. It was impossible. But it was there. A flying saucer, in Lawndale. “I better call Daria,” she decided.

 

 

“I’ve seen it. I thought Quinn was being her usual self.”

 

“But, could it be a hoax?” Jane asked.

 

“If it is, some test pilot is going to get into big trouble.” There it was, Daria’s usual snark. The world hadn’t completely changed.

 

“So, should we go and have a closer look?”

 

“It depends on how many people would be there,” Daria answered. “I shall meet with you nearby.”

 

“Sure.”

 

 

“Hey Daria,” Jane’s brother, Trent said after he had opened the door. “Janie will be down in a minute.”

 

“Has she told you what is happening?”

 

“Yes. Quite interesting. I’ll come and have a look too. It may provide inspiration for a new song.”

 

“That would be good.”

 

Jane then came down. “Ready to go?”

 

“Yes,” Daria answered.

 

 

They arrived at a parking lot on the edge of Central Square ten minutes later. They could see the saucer shaped object on the square, surrounded by national guard and police, not to mention the media and a large crowd.

Church notes - 14th December 2025

 14th

Luke 1:36 - 55

Joy to the World

Luke 1:23 - 33

The visitation.

vs 45

Humble. Gr. Tapeienos

Shamefully low

Insignificant

Yet God chose her anyway.

All of us are lowely in comparison to God.

A Posture of Humility.

The song is intentional. Mary drew from the Old Testament.

There is similarity to Hannah's Song.

1 Samuel 2:1 - 10

God is continually working.

Holding onto the posture of humility

Hold to His character, not to your circumstances.

Deuteronomy 7:7 - 9

The Pharisees were right about Scripture, but wrong about God.

Praise in adversity.

1 Thessalonians 5:16, 17

Saturate yourself in Scripture

Be saturated in Scripture

Psalm 46:10, 11

Romans 8:38, 39

Spider Quinn 19 Making the News Amidst the Storms Part 10

 

“Why wouldn’t I?” Anders asked as she allowed Fields in. “Your boss has ruined my career! Interviewing SpiderGirl was going to be a stepping stone, but now it’s a stumbling block.”

 

“I guess that’s one reason why I’m here.”

 

“Why did he send you?”

 

“He didn’t tell me,” Fields answered as they arrived in the kitchen.

 

“Figures,” Anders said as she picked up a wine glass from the cupboard. “You want some?” she asked as she lifted the bottle, which Fields recognised was from a local vineyard.

 

Fields shook her head. “I’m working.”

 

“Of course,” Anders said as she took a sip.

 

“I think you have had enough.”

 

“You can’t tell me what to do!”

 

“I feel guilty too!” Fields said. “But I’m not crawling into a bottle!”

 

“I’m not you!”

 

“No, but drinking yourself silly isn’t the way to deal with your situation. Osborn may have come up with a way salvage your situation.”

 

Anders took a swig and grimaced as she did so. “So, I would be in even more debt to him? You don’t sound like you believe him.”

 

“I know, but I also need this Oscorp job. I don’t want to go back to New York to live with my parents as I search for another job. Besides I have settled into Lawndale.”

 

Anders was quiet and was starring at her glass.

 

 

Fields then looked at Anders’ kettle. “I’ll make you some coffee.”

 

“You know that’s a myth right.”

 

“Come to think of it…”

 

“Nice try,” Anders said.

 

“But Osborn still wants to see you.”

 

 

“Fields for you,” the orderly said.

 

“Finally!” Osborn said. ‘What’s taking so long,’ he thought as he took the phone. “Is Anders there?”

 

“She is, but she has been drinking.”

 

That wasn’t shocking but then he figured that an inebriated Anders would be more amenable to what he was going to suggest than a sober one. “I see. Bring her in anyway.”

 

“I’ll try, sir. But what about the hospital.”

 

“I’ll deal with the Hospital staff, at least that Cuddy. If not, bring her to the office instead.”

 

“Yes, sir.”

 

 

SpiderGirl noticed a slight commotion as she swung past the Hospital. “Is that Lynn Anders?” she asked herself as she swung closer. She arrived and saw that Anders was being refused entry by a woman with curly brown hair. ‘What’s happening here?’ she wondered as she got ready to intervene as she could tell that Anders had been drinking.

 

 

Lisa Cuddy was annoyed. “Osborn may have asked you to come, but you can’t visit patients in your condition. Come back when you have sobered up!”

 

“No!” Anders said as she stepped forward.

 

“Don’t make me have you removed by force,” Cuddy said as she noticed SpiderGirl nearby.

 

“See, I told you,” Fields said from next to Anders. “Let’s go to the office.”

 

“Yes, go to the office,” SpiderGirl said.

 

 

Anders turned from Cuddy to SpiderGirl. “Come to gloat at destroying me?”

 

“You’re the one who faked an interview with me,” SpiderGirl said. “But I forgive you.”

 

“It’s too late!” Anders said. “My career is ruined.”

 

“Come on,” Fields said, as she lead her away. Even in the state she was in, Anders noticed that Fields avoided looking at SpiderGirl.

 

 

Cuddy watched them walk away before turning to SpiderGirl. “Thanks for the help,” she said.

 

“You’re welcome, although I didn’t expect Anders to…”

 

“To drown her sorrows?” Cuddy asked rhetorically. “I have seen many people; even close colleagues fall to addiction.”

 

“Like, one thing I have been doing is trying to stop drug deals, but it’s like whack-a-mole, and they are dealing in areas that are under cover, or otherwise out of my sight.”

 

“I’m afraid that is something a superhero can’t do much about, as long as the demand is there.”

 

SpiderGirl nodded. “Which is one reason why I hang around the Historia. It’s a place that is giving people hope at this time.”

 

“I have been thinking of seeing Tempest. A modern take on Shakespeare by a teen is, intriguing.”

 

“It certainly is. I’ll see you around. There’s more of Lawndale to check up on.”

 

“Of course, Spidey,” Cuddy responded as the superheroine swung away.

 

 

SpiderGirl followed as Fields drove to the Oscorp headquarters.

 

She swung to the roof after Fields had taken Anders inside, but she found that there were cameras watching there. ‘Of course, Osborn has done that!’ she thought. She then went to the Historia to watch over the town from there.

 

 

Fields escorted Anders into the office, where the video set up was still set up. She switched it on and Osborn was there on the other end waiting.

 

“I heard what happened,” he said, “Cuddy complained to me personally.”

 

“You have ruined my career, Norman!” Lynn slurred.

 

“I have not. It can still be recovered.”

 

“And I’m not going to be working for Oscorp!”

 

“And you won’t have to. Fields, you come back here now. I don’t want you to hear what I’m talking to her about.”

 

Fields sighed. “Yes, sir.

 

“I want her here!” Anders said.

 

“She doesn’t need to know.”

 

 

Fields stepped out of the office and closed the door. Osborn definitely didn’t want her to know what he was talking to Anders about. She tired listening but found that the office was soundproofed. ‘Of course,’ she thought as she headed off.

 

 

Fields got off work at 5:00. Osborn had been tight lipped about what he had talked to Anders about. She headed towards the Historia, as she knew SpiderGirl had been hanging around there.

 

The café was busy, as it seemed that people were getting ready for the production of Tempest at 6:30. She went to get a coffee.

 

 

Donna Bolton hadn’t expected to find the Historia as busy as it had been. But she had quickly got used to it. “Welcome to the Historia, how may I serve you?” she asked the lady with short dark hair.

 

“Coffee,” the young lady answered.

 

“2 dollars.”

 

The young lady handed over a two dollar note. “I heard that SpiderGirl hangs around here,” she said.

 

“Apparently, although I haven’t seen her myself,” Donna responded. “Sometimes with Ninja Talon.”

 

“I see.”

 

 

While Fields waited for her coffee, she watched the teens in the café. ‘Any one of the girls could be SpiderGirl, even the barista.’ It wasn’t long before her coffee was ready and the red headed barista came over.

 

“Are you coming to the play?” she asked.

 

“Not yet, but I might next week.”

 

“I saw it last week, and last night. It’s quite good,” the barista said.

 

“I have heard good things, despite Ondrovick’s negative critique.”

 

The barista shrugged. “Not everyone likes it.”

 

 

SpiderGirl returned to the Historia after another patrol to find the lady who had been with Anders at the hospital on the roof.

 

“SpiderGirl?” the lady asked.

 

“I saw you with Anders earlier.”

 

“I want to talk to you about the situation. Osborn is up to something.”

 

“Tell me something I don’t know,” SpiderGirl responded.

 

“It’s to do with the fake interview. Osborn is behind it!”

 

“I have suspected such.”

 

“And I was the stand in,” the lady confessed with shame in her voice. “I’m sorry, but I’m sure that Osborn would have fired me if I had refused!”

 

SpiderGirl came closer to the lady. “I see that you are regretting it. What’s your name?”

 

“You can just call me Fields,” the lady answered. “I don’t like my name.”

 

“Fields,” SpiderGirl considered. “I forgive you, although the forgiveness isn’t easy.”

 

“I’d be understanding if you didn’t.”

 

“But resenting you wouldn’t have been the answer.”

 

 

Fields paused as she considered that. ‘It seems SpiderGirl is more mature than I expected,’ she then looked turned and looked towards the hospital. “I know Osborn is manipulating Anders further. Into what, I can’t guess. But It certainly can’t be good. For her, or for Lawndale.”

 

“Thanks for letting me know, although it is something else that Talon and I will worry about.”

 

“You mean, Ninja Talon? You are partners?”

 

“More that we’re friends that team up when something serious is happening,” SpiderGirl answered. “Which seems to be happening more often.”

 

“But she teamed up with Dafoanairi when that robot pterodactyl appeared.”

 

“I was busy, as my secret identity. Like, we have lives.”

 

“That makes sense.”

 

 

After Fields had left, SpiderGirl pondered what the woman had revealed. “I’ll try to keep an eye on Anders.” She glanced towards the Court House clock tower. Five twenty. ‘Talon will be downstairs.’

 

There was time before the play for them to catch up.  She waited a few minutes before changing to the ordinary Quinn and heading down.

 

 

Brittany saw Quinn enter the auditorium in a determined manner and went over to her. “Something happened?” she asked quietly.

 

“Anders and Osborn,” Quinn began, and she quietly explained what had happened at the hospital and what Fields had told her.

 

 

Brittany took in what Quinn had said and was annoyed. “Osborn needs to be stopped!” she said vehemently.

 

“I agree,” Quinn responded.

 

“I’ll see if Andrea can obtain evidence of illegal activity.”

 

Quinn nodded. “Good idea. We’ll talk more after the play.”

 

Brittany nodded.

 

 

At 6:25 Daria checked the theater over. After the events of the past two weeks, she wanted to be sure that the performance wouldn’t be interrupted.

 

She entered the former projection room.

 

“All is going well,” Dani Moreno said. “I haven’t found any more of Beck’s surprises since yesterday.”

 

“That’s good, but we need to be prepared,” Daria reminded her.

 

Dani nodded. “If something comes up, I’ll deal with it and let you know.”

 

“Thanks.”

 

 

The curtain went up and the play started.

 

As the play went on, Quinn kept an eye on the news. She had a feeling that something was going to happen that SpiderGirl would need to respond to. ‘And as Brit is in the play, she won’t be able to respond as Talon, nor would Daria if she’s Dafoanairi.’ She was still uncertain of that. ‘But that leaves the Shadow and the Enigma. I guess I’ll have to handle it alone.’

 

 

At the same time, Andrea was in the café, waiting for Dewey Rogers. She wondered yet again how she had got involved with two of Lawndale’s superheroes. ‘Although I’m sure, Brittany is just skilled in martial arts.’ She hadn’t yet seen Ninja Talon in action, but what she had heard about had impressed her. She looked outside, and still didn’t see Dewey, just Sandi Griffin arriving.

 

 

Sandi entered the Historia. She had spent the early evening patrolling as the Enigma and had decided to get an energy drink from there before heading home to conduct her usual nightly search. She saw Andrea nearby. “Hi, Andrea,” she said.

 

“More change,” Andrea said. “You giving me notice.”

 

Sandi shrugged. “Like, I’m friends with Daria now.”

 

“That’s still difficult to believe.”

 

“Compared to Lawndale having superheroes?”

 

“Yes,” Andrea answered. “I’m sure you’re up to something.”

 

“I’m helping Daria investigate what’s going on in Lawndale.”

 

 

Quinn considered ducking back into the theater as she saw Sandi and Andrea talking. But then something caught her attention. The television in the café, which had been showing the local station had gone to static. ‘Something’s up,’ she thought. ‘But how is that linked to the static?’

 

She saw Donna grab the remote. “Could it be the ariel?” Donna asked.

 

“Maybe,” Quinn said. “I could check.”

 

Donna changed the channel. That channel was also out. “If it’s not the ariel…”

 

“Let’s not jump to conclusions.”

 

Donna changed the channel again. The third channel was also out. However the reception then cleared, showing a dishevelled Lynn Anders. “What?” she asked.

 

“What?” Quinn asked herself.

 

“Good Evening Lawndale and surrounding towns, I wouldn’t change the channel. I have taken over all of them for the duration. I’m sure that you’re aware that I have been suspended because of last night’s interview with a fake SpiderGirl.”

 

“How is she doing this?” Donna asked.

 

“I’m not sure,” Quinn answered.

 

 

Sandi turned from Andrea and looked at the TV. “Looks like she’s taken over the broadcasts. I have to call home.”

 

“I know your mother works at a station, but what could she do?” Andrea asked.

 

“More than you think,” Sandi responded as took out her cell phone.

 

 

Quinn was ready to head out, she just needed to know where Anders was, and what she was up to she looked back to Andrea and saw that Sandi had already ducked out into the lobby. ‘How to go about this without revealing that I’m SpiderGirl.’

 

“…SpiderGirl. I want you to come.”

 

‘No real choice there, but not for your reason,’ Quinn thought.

 

“She’s focused on SpiderGirl, isn’t she?” Donna asked.

 

Quinn nodded. “It’s a little weird, like I would have thought she would have mentioned Ninja Talon or the Shadow more.”

 

“Maybe because SpiderGirl is the most well known,” Donna considered

 

“…And I have kidnapped a member of the Lawndale Lions!” Anders revealed.

 

“She’s definitely gone too far,” Quinn murmured.

 

 

“I’m watching it now,” her mother said. “But she hasn’t said which member of the Lawndale Lions was kidnapped. What I can say is that she must have gained access to the Emergency Alert System.”

 

“And you would know where that would be?” Sandi asked.

 

“There are a few around Lawndale, but one of them is halfway to Oakwood, so that’s a bit far for us to search. And another is next to Lawndale Flats…”

 

‘So, one of us goes to get close to the one on the way to Oakwood…’ Sandi mused. It would be a waste of time if Anders turned out to be in the one next to Lawndale Flats. “We could head to two of them, then converge to at the one in the middle.”

 

Her mother sighed. “My Boston hero identity isn’t appearing in Lawndale. Besides, Sam already knows too much.”

 

“You don’t have to use the name you used in Boston, and Father can watch Sam.”

 

“When did you get so mature?”

 

Sandi rolled her eyes. “Not that mature. Just, like, being pragmatic. And I suppose Daria is rubbing off on me.”

 

“I shall go to the one towards Oakwood. You can go to Lawndale Flats. The third is downtown on Bernstein and Mertz.”

 

“Bernstein and Mertz, got it.”

 

 

At the same time, Fields was making dinner when she saw Anders on the TV. ‘Osborn must have talked her into this!’ she thought as she put the meal in the oven. ‘But I don’t know where she would be broadcasting from.’