Spider Quinn 18 A Birthday and Stormy Sonnets Part 8

 

Officer Peterson was still on duty at the station. William was still in one of the cells, waiting for his parents to come with their part of the story, and for transport back to the hospital as a patient. She knew it was going to continue to be a mess.

 

“Call for you. It’s Helen Morgendorffer.”

 

‘Of course!’ she thought. Given what happened that morning she wasn’t surprised. ‘Too bad I couldn’t get a warrant before SpiderGirl and Ninja Talon tried their rescue. The situation at the Hospital would have been prevented.’ She took the handset. “Peterson here.”

 

“I’m calling about William Morris,” Helen began.

 

“He’s in protective custody, until he can be officially admitted to the hospital.”

 

“That’s good news, but what about his parents?”

 

“I haven’t been able to get in touch with them, which may mean that they’re on the way here,” Peterson answered.

 

“I expect that they will cause problems.”

 

“They might, but there are more officers on duty than usual.”

 

 

‘The situation has the LDPD spooked,’ Helen thought. She didn’t know what they would do. “I hope they’re level headed.”

 

“I’m sure they are, but most are worried about another Groundhog Day.”

 

“I hope that won’t happen again.”

 

“I do too. But I’ll let you know what happens.”

 

“Thank you for that. Bye.” She then turned to Daria and Quinn.

 

“What was it about his parents?” Quinn asked.

 

“They may be on the way to the station, but it seems there are many officers on duty,” Helen said.

 

“That’s good,” Quinn said.

 

“I hope so,” Daria said. “I also hope that there are many watching him.”

 

“I doubt the LDPD is corrupt in that way.”

 

 

At the same time, Jane arrived back at Casa Lane, where Jennifer was getting ready to leave. “Where have you been?” the latter asked, when Jane entered the kitchen.

 

“I was looking for clues, as I said.”

 

“You went after him, didn’t you?”

 

“Probably,” Jane admitted.

 

“Despite SpiderGirl’s warning?”

 

 “I guess so.”

 

“Reckless,” Jennifer commented.

 

“I know that, but you don’t know what it’s like being kidnapped by a maniac and then watching one of the other victims struggle with what she experienced…”

 

“With Beck? Have you sought professional help?”

 

“I talked to the FBI shrink on the day,” Jane said. “And I have talked to Trent. Not to Daria yet. I have mostly poured it into my artwork.”

 

“Oh.”

 

‘And I have been the Shadow a little more.’

 

“I’ve already said bye to Trent,” Jennifer said. “I need to get home before dinner.”

 

“See you another time, then.”

 

“I did learn some things from those maps.”

 

“Such as?” Jane asked.

 

“Lawndale’s layout is more complex than I thought it was.”

 

 

Jane found Trent in the kitchen. “How did it go, Janie?”

 

“I didn’t do anything. SpiderGirl came up with an idea and the situation got resolved.”

 

“That’s good, but that’s not it.”

 

“It seems like the fourth and fifth vigilantes are pushing the third out,” Jane answered quietly.

 

“That’s not true, Janie,” Trent said as he hugged his sister. “Lawndale still needs you.”

 

“I realise that,” Jane responded. “But sometimes I have doubts.”

 

“Everyone has doubts, Janie. You think I don’t have doubts about Spiral?”

 

“This is completely different!’

 

“No it isn’t,” Trent said. “And I’m sure that SpiderGirl and the others also have doubts about whether they are making a difference for Lawndale. And I remember, late last year when Mom started training you after SpiderGirl had appeared, that you were excited to make a difference.”

 

“I was,” Jane said. “And I’m not giving up. Just maybe, I don’t need to respond to every major thing that happens. Something like Groundhog Day, of course I’ll respond.”

 

“So, you’ll think before you leap?”

 

“Yes. But maybe I’ll need a partner, like SpiderGirl with Ninja Talon. But I know I don’t want to do that with the fourth vigilante.”

 

“That would leave Dafoanairi,” Trent said.

 

“Maybe,” Jane considered.

 

 

Peterson was at her desk when William’s parents came in. She went up to them. “William is fine,” she said.

 

“I want to see him,” his mother said. “Somehow the Morgendorffers told SpiderGirl or Ninja Talon.”

 

“Apparently, the news spread through the school like wildfire,” Peterson said.

 

“I still want to see him.”

 

“We’re having him admitted to the hospital.”

 

“Not without permission!” his father said.

 

“He’s been taken into custody we can do that. It’s the LDPD that will foot the bill. Besides, considering that you had him declared dead when he was still very much alive, you don’t have a leg to stand on. You can see him at the hospital.”

 

“That was to protect him from people like Norman Osborn!” Mrs. Morris said.

 

“I wouldn’t repeat that here,” Peterson said. “But you can still see him at the hospital.”

 

“We’re going to wait!”

 

Peterson turned and then rolled her eyes. ‘Of course they are!’ she thought in exasperation.

 

 

After the Morgendorffers had dinner, the phone rang. “Hello?” Helen said as she picked up the handset.

 

“William is now at the hospital,” Officer Peterson said. “There was no incident. His parents were patient. It seems that the wife has a calming influence on her husband.”

 

“That’s good news,” Helen said.

 

“And William is asking to see Daria. It’s probably to do with the poems.”

 

“I’ll put her on. It is up to her if she wants to see him.”

 

 

“I’m here, although Mom and Quinn are still here in the kitchen,” Daria said quietly.

 

“I wasn’t going to bring that part up, yet. Just, you don’t want to see him if you don’t want to.”

 

“I will see him. At least there’ll be some closure to the situation.”

 

“For you, maybe. But not for him,” Peterson said.

 

“Of course not for him. But I won’t be finding poems at my father’s grave anymore.”

 

“That’s true.”

 

 

“You are going to see him now?” Helen asked.

 

“It’s not too late,” Daria responded.

 

“Of course not,” Helen said.

 

“Just, be careful, OK?” Quinn said.

 

“Of course,” Daria responded.

 

 

Less than fifteen minutes later, Daria entered the hospital room to find William with his mother doting over him.

 

“Daria, is it?” Mrs. Morris asked.

 

“Yes,” Daria answered. “I’m sorry for the shock that Quinn and I must have given you.”

 

“We didn’t realise that he had been sneaking out to the cemetery.”

 

“That still doesn’t excuse your husband threatening us with a gun. He’s lucky my mother has decided not to press charges.”

 

“Yes, Peterson gave him a long earful about that,” Mrs. Morris said. “I’ll be out in the hall.”

 

“Thanks,” Daria said before turning to William. “How are you holding up?”

 

“I’m fine. It’s all a blur from when SpiderGirl and Ninja Talon appeared in the basement until I reverted in Osborn’s room.”

 

“So, you didn’t see Dafoanairi and the fourth vigilante?”

 

“Only briefly,” William answered. “But I’m sure that’s not why you’re here.”

 

“No, I brought you some light reading,” Daria said as she handed over some books.

 

“Edgar Allen Poe? How is that light reading?”

 

“I figured ruminating on The Raven might give you a slightly different perspective. Besides, some of his detective stories are there too.”

 

“Are you sure you want to give me these?” William asked.

 

Daria shrugged. “I have additional copies, and various stores in Lawndale and Oakwood sell the others.”

 

“Thanks, actually I do remember some things. I did hurt Ninja Talon, and tried to push through the fourth vigilante’s forcefield. Why doesn’t she give out her name, I wonder?”

 

“She wants to lie low, I guess,” Daria said quietly. She was thankful for the low lighting that would hide any discomfort she might have shown.

 

“Probably.”

 

“Anyway, enjoy those books.”

 

“You’re leaving?” William asked.

 

“Shortly. Why did you want to see me?”

 

“I thought we could get to know each other.”

 

“No. It was still creepy, leaving those poems on my father’s grave,” Daria said with a slight annoyance showing in her voice that would otherwise be monotone.

 

“I guess not. I guess I’ll have to stick to being an anonymous pen friend. And no, that’s not online, actual letters.”

 

“Almost the same thing, but at least handwriting shows more character.”

 

“We could keep meeting like this, trade barbs,” William suggested.

 

“Sorry, I have Jane, and now Sandi, for that.”

 

“What about Quinn? You two seem pretty close.”

 

“It wasn’t always like that,” Daria admitted.

 

“I guess losing your father brought you closer.”

 

“Yes. But I’m going now.”

 

“Oh!” William said, in a disappointed tone.

 

“I’m sure you’ll remember me.”

 

“I will.”

 

 

Daria emerged from the room to find William’s mother waiting. “How was it?” she asked.

 

“Closure-ish.”

 

Mrs. Morris nodded. “Although Lawndale is smaller than some places.”

 

“It still isn’t likely we’ll cross paths again. Just make sure he stays out of trouble.”

 

 

Peterson had waited in the office that Cuddy had vacated for the evening. She saw Daria enter. “What did he want?”

 

“Friendship, given that he had spent years in that basement with only his parents for company. But I’m not the person to be his friend.”

 

Peterson nodded. “I guess so. But it must have been difficult for you and the Enigma to fight against him.”

 

Daria shrugged. “More so, for the Enigma, because she didn’t want to hurt him inadvertently.”

 

“Obviously. So, she was on the defense. It must have been hard for her.”

 

“Yes, but that’s all that I’ll say.”

 

“Don’t worry, I don’t want to know her secret identity,” Peterson said. ‘Not at present, anyway. But that could change, but I will tell Daria if that is so.’

 

“Really?” Daria asked sceptically.

 

“I might change my mind if her rivalry against SpiderGirl proves to be detrimental to Lawndale, but otherwise…”

 

“Got it. I’ll try to temper her in that area, but those would be her choices to make.”

 

“I realise that,” Peterson said. “But given that you two are sometimes working together.”

 

“I’ll see what I can do. I’ll be off home now.”

 

 

Elsewhere in the hospital, Harry was back at his father’s side. “I’ll have to stir up some feathers, father. I want to know what happened to cause William to have the condition he has.” He looked at his father again. ‘Still the same.’

 

But something was different. His father had moved. Did that mean he was regaining consciousness? He looked at the monitors. They looked the same to his untrained eyes. ‘But would the nurses see something in that data?’ But he didn’t want to call their attention unnecessarily. As he was thinking on that, something changed and his father stirred again.

 

His eyes opened.

 

“Father!”

 

“Harry.”

 

 

Doctor Davison checked Osborn over. “It seems that whatever you took, had no long-term effects.”

 

“That’s good,” Norman said.

 

“However, you need rest and I advise staying for another week so we can continue to observe,” Davison said.

 

“That would be best,” Norman said.

 

 

Harry watched as Davison checked his father over. It was good that whatever had happened seemed to have no long-term effects. Eventually, Davison left.

 

“You have been spending every evening here, Harry?”

 

“Most evenings.”

 

“You don’t have to,” his father said.

 

“I know. I’ll see you in the morning, before school.”

 

“That would be good.”

 

Harry then turned to leave.

 

“Wait,” his father said, propping himself up.

 

“What?”

 

“One thing; your friend, she isn’t exactly as she appears.”

 

“You mean, Sandi?” Harry asked, wondering what his father might have dug up on the Griffins.

 

“Yes. She and her mother have secrets.”

 

“Everyone has secrets,” Harry said as he left.

 

 

“Not like these,” Norman murmured after his son had left.

 

 

After midnight, Dafoanairi arrived at her father’s grave again. It seemed to her a good way to help her process the events of the day. “Hi, Dad, I found the source of that poem. It’s quite tragic really…”

Church notes - 28th September 2025

 28th

Psalm 131

Jeremiah 29:1 - 14

vs 1 - 6

Make it your home.

Live where you are as if you are at home.

Be active in your local community.

Luke 6:27, 28, 31

Hope vs. False Hope

Dreams of a swift return to Jerusalem were based on lies.

vs 11 - 14

A word of assurance

But in context

- You - plural not singualar.

Hope

Restoration

Not just 70 years later, but looking forward to when Jesus would come and when He will come again.

Romans 6:23

Jesus is our future and Eternal hope.

Mysteries of Aurora - The Manuscript Part 10

 

“The Seventh Age. Modern Aurora. The Industrial Revolution and onwards. Steam, electricity and telecommunications,” Olivia explained.

 

“It’s a lot more than that though,” Janara said.

 

“True. The Althing became more democratic over the course of the 19^th Century,” Olivia responded. “But that didn’t stop Aurora colonising more of the islands in the Southern Hemisphere.”

 

“Even that influenced Aurora’s art,” Freya said.

 

“And that is when Auroran literature exploded, including a great many action-adventure novels,” Janara added.

 

Olivia and Alexia looked at her.

 

“What? I’m not just a gamer,” Janara said defensively. “I also read action-adventure novels.”

 

“Which ones?” Freya asked with interest.

 

“Let’s try to focus,” Olivia said.

 

“I’ll tell you later,” Janara said to Freya.

 

Freya nodded.

 

 

“Where was I?” Olivia asked herself. She looked at the timeline again. “Modern Aurora. Up to this time, other than during the Roman period when it was part of the Empire, Aurora hadn’t been involved in European affairs, other than England threatening invasion during the late Fifth Age and the addition of Munnsland in the Sixth.”

 

“Maybe you could go into that?” Freya asked.

 

“It doesn’t really have much to do with the development of AAUA,” Olivia said. “But it is a part of our history.”

 

“So, it started in 1066?” Janara asked.

 

“Before that, actually,” Olivia said. “But it was indeed the Normans who weren’t satisfied with England and set their sights on Aurora, which was still weakened by the Nordic settlement and conquests.”

 

“And thus, the Unification,” Freya said, as she sketched the Auroran flag beneath the longship.

 

“The English threat was a contributing factor, to be sure,” Olivia said. “But not a major one. From the 11^th Century through to the 18^th, Aurora and England were rivals. Then In the middle of the 17^th Century, England erupted in civil war, with Parliament rising up against the Monarchy.”

 

“Oliver Cromwell, right?” Janara asked.

 

“Yes, he took control of England. But the jist of it is, that Aurora took advantage of the situation to seize Munnsland from them. Why more of Ireland wasn’t taken, nor any areas of Britain itself, was complicated.”

 

“The Irish campaigns are indeed complicated,” Janara commented.

 

“And so, we can move on,” Olivia said, as she turned back to the Seventh Age on the timeline. “The Seventh Age. Industrialisation occurred in Aurora and Britain simultaneously. At the same time, they cooperated against the Post Revolutionary French when they temporarily took over Europe.”

 

 

“And Aurora became further entangled with European affairs after that?” Janara asked.

 

“Yes. They had a presence at the Congress of Vienna,” Olivia said.

 

“And the older aesthetics were maintained through the 19^th and 20^th Centuries despite that not happening elsewhere,” Freya commented as she sketched a factory with smoke coming out of its chimneys.

 

“That it didn’t happen elsewhere is an oversimplification,” Janara said.

 

“But it is mostly Aurora, Munnsland and the former colonies, isn’t it?” Freya asked.

 

“Mostly,” Alexia said. “It happened in Ireland, the areas bordering Munnsland admittedly, and Georgia and parts of the United States, mostly Virginia.”

 

“Because they border onto Kristaanland,” Freya argued as she sketched the coastline Kristaanland, including the barrier islands.

 

‘True,” Olivia said.

 

They thought about what Olivia had revealed. She had broadened their understanding of Aurora’s history.

 

“But how does this lore help us find the manuscript?” Janara asked.

 

“Lore?” Alexia asked with an eyebrow raised.

 

“You didn’t expect me to not use gamer slang?” Janara asked with a shrug.

 

“It’s not that helpful,” Olivia admitted, “But it is a beginning.”

 

 

Alexia took out her tablet. “Maybe knowing more about AAUA’s layout would help.”

 

“Certainly!” Janara said. “It’s quite complex, even with all the maps and signs.”

 

“Those don’t cover everywhere,” Olivia said. “Far from it.”

 

“But as part of my coursework, I have access to a more complete set of blueprints,” Alexia added.

 

“That’s great!” Freya said as she leapt up.

 

“I’m sure it’s going to inspire you,” Alexia responded.

 

“Certainly,” Freya said. “You can start,” she added as she flipped a page in her sketchbook.

 

“Certainly,” Alexia responded as she connected her tablet to the room’s projector. The Aurosoka map of the University was then shown. “This is just a simplification of the true complexity of the campus.”

 

“That’s obvious,” Olivia said.

 

“Many Auroran games have levels based on AAUA,” Janara said.

 

“But the developers certainly wouldn’t have had the full picture,” Olivia said.

 

“Of course not,” Janara said. “But it’s an example of how the university is known for it having hidden areas.””

 

“Quite so,” Alexia said. She zoomed in on the Main Library on the map. Only the outline of the building was shown. “Aurosoka doesn’t have the interiors on it’s maps. You have to go to the University’s sites for that.””

She then changed the map to show the outline of the library, showing it’s sections. “Even here, the scattered layout of the Library is not shown in detail. It directs visitors to the Information Science pages.”

 

“The digital version of the Information Science Section,” Freya commented as she sketched the outline of the Library as seen from the east.

 

“Built over millennia…” Janara commented.

 

Alexia zoomed in on the Ancient Section on the map. “This is where the manuscript was before Olivia found that it was missing, and where we were earlier today.”

 

“But does it show any hidden corridors or tunnels?” Janara asked.

 

“It doesn’t, but they are certain to exist,” Alexia responded.

 

“Are there unofficial maps we can access?” Freya asked.

 

“Of course,” Alexia answered. “But whether they are reliable would be another thing.”

 

“Even unreliable maps would be better than having none at all,” Janara said.

 

“I agree,” Olivia said.

 

“And I have access to some of them as part of my courses too,” Alexia said. She clicked to the next slide, and a veritable web of corridors and tunnels was shown around the Library. “It is believed that these are most of the various passages known to exist.”

 

“That is a good start,” Olivia said.

Spider Quinn 18 A Birthday and Stormy Sonnets Part 7

 

“SpiderGirl?” Peterson asked.

 

“I have an idea,” SpiderGirl said and told Peterson her theory that turning off the lights should cause William to revert.

 

“But what if it doesn’t work quickly? It would probably then be too dark to do anything.”

 

“My hearing is enhanced. I’ll know where he is, and his hearing may not be.”

 

“Right, Cuddy and I will announce it. I hope it will work, Spidey.”

 

 

“Are you sure?” Cuddy asked Peterson.

 

“I trust SpiderGirl. Her instincts have often proved correct over the past several months.”

 

“OK, let’s do this.”

 

 

“The assailant is a metahuman who transforms in strong light. Turn off the overhead lights and close all the curtains, and be vigilant,” Peterson announced over the intercom.

 

Dafoanairi and the Enigma looked at each other as they heard the announcement. “I hope that would work,” the latter said.

 

“It better, but it would take time and he knows what we’re up to.”

 

“We better get started.”

 

“Ahead of you,” Dafoanairi said as she found a light switch and flipped it off.

 

The Enigma smiled as she saw another switch in the distance and flipped it telekinetically.

 

 

The Shadow heard the announcement as she entered by one of the roof doors. ‘Of course it’s Peterson,’ she thought. She prepared to switch her mask to low light mode.

 

 

SpiderGirl heard the announcement and then turned to Doctor Phillips. “Could you help me with this corridor? I’ll do one way and you can do the other.”

 

“Sure,” Phillips said.

 

SpiderGirl went to the door and looked both ways. “He isn’t in this corridor, quickly now.”

 

 

William hurried through the corridors. He wanted to get to Osborn before it became too dark and he reverted to usual self. He then heard the Enigma and Dafoanairi catching up behind him. ‘And SpiderGirl is certainly to be ahead.’ He wasn’t sure that he would last against three of Lawndale’s vigilante heroes. ‘Just as well Ninja Talon is out of action.’

 

 

SpiderGirl waited near Osborn’s room after reassuring Harry again. She had considered webbing up the corridor, but decided that wouldn’t be a good idea, given that it would take time for the cleaning staff to deal with. Soon, there was an echo as William slammed open the fire doors at the end.

 

“SpiderGirl!” he called out.

 

SpiderGirl could see that he was beginning to revert, but he was still mostly in his altered form. “William! I can’t let you hurt Osborn!”

 

“What? So his son won’t be an orphan?”

 

“That’s part of it! The other is that there are certainly others in Oscorp who are more responsible than he is.”

 

“But I don’t know who they are,” William said.

 

“I repeat what I said!” SpiderGirl stated as she saw the tell-tale purple glow of the Enigma’s powers appear at the door behind William.

 

William continued running towards SpiderGirl.

 

 

Dafoanairi followed the Enigma into the corridor and saw SpiderGirl trying to keep William from entering a room. “Fire some warning shots over his head, but not near SpiderGirl,” she said.

 

“I suppose,” the Enigma said. “Low intensity,” she added as she pointed above William and then fired.

 

 

SpiderGirl saw the small projection fly over William’s head. “See, the fourth vigilante is here too, give up!”

 

“No!” William cried out.

 

SpiderGirl blocked the doorway.

 

“No!” William cried out again and tried to get past her. But he found that he couldn’t move.

 

 

The Enigma was trying to hold him in place telekinetically. “This is very difficult,” she said.

 

“Weak!” William said as he squirmed.

 

“I’m not weak!” the Enigma said. “I just don’t want to hurt you. But I will if you insist on hurting Osborn!”

 

“The same here,” Dafoanairi said, as she came up alongside the Enigma and brandished her staff.

 

 

William squirmed some more and leapt.

 

The Enigma was startled by his leapt and so her concentration was interrupted, causing her to let go of him. “Eap!”

 

SpiderGirl saw it and shot a web to the upper door frame and leapt herself. The two missed each other, and thus William was able to enter the room.

 

 

Harry threw himself protectively over his father. “No!” he said.

 

William was continuing to revert as he approached the bed. As he changed back to his usual form, his resolve wavered. He then felt something. SpiderGirl had shot a couple of webs onto his back.”

 

“Let me…”

 

“No!” SpiderGirl said. “It’s over, William.”

 

“Now that we know, we’ll also investigate what happened to you, along with everything else that’s happening in Lawndale,” Dafoanairi added as she followed SpiderGirl in.

 

“But it will be dangerous,” William said, tiredly as he completely reverted, he sat in a chair, exhausted.

 

 

Doctor Phillips entered the room, passing the fourth vigilante where she stood next to the door looking around the room. ‘Except at SpiderGirl, it seems,’ he thought. He saw that Norman Osborn was still in the same condition. William hadn’t done anything to him. He also saw that William had collapsed into a chair.

 

SpiderGirl webbed him to the chair. “Just as a precaution,” she said. She turned to Phillips. “Could you tell Peterson we have him secured here?”

 

“Sure,” Phillips said as he picked up the room phone.

 

 

‘Why am I taking the calls?’ Cuddy asked herself as she picked up the phone and put it on speaker.

 

“Doctor Phillips here. SpiderGirl has secured young Mr. Morris.”

 

“I’ll be right up,” Peterson said.

 

 

“The metahuman has been secured. The lockdown is no longer in effect,” Cuddy said over the intercom.

 

The Shadow took that in as she dashed through the dark corridors. “Oh, I was a little late, then,” she murmured. ‘May as well return home, relieve Jennifer.’

 

 

It wasn’t long before an orderly ushered Peterson into the room where Osborn was being treated. “Here it is, officer,” he said,

 

“Thanks,” Peterson said as she entered the room.

 

SpiderGirl, Dafoanairi and the Engima all looked relieved.

 

“Thanks for helping out,” Peterson said. “William Morris. I’m taking you down to the station for some questions as soon as the Sun has set.”

 

“I heard you this morning, at the front door,” William said. “Thanks for helping the Morgendorffers.”

 

“And I’ll have to tell Mrs. Morgendorffer about this as well. Her reputation as a lawyer precedes her,” Peterson added with a glance at Dafoanairi, who was making a quick exit with the Enigma.

 

“I better get going too,” SpiderGirl said.

 

“Sure,” Peterson said.

 

SpiderGirl opened the window and swung away.

 

 

“That was touch and go,” the Enigma said as they went to the nearby stairs.

 

“I agree. It was lucky SpiderGirl came up with that idea. I probably would have taken longer to think of it,” Dafoanairi said.

 

“Probably not too much longer,” the Enigma said as they came up to the stairs.

 

 

Brittany was glad the situation had been resolved. The lights in the Emergency Room had been turned back on when she saw Quinn enter.

 

“Quinn again?” Ashley-Amber asked. “She must be quite concerned.”

 

“She is,” Brittany said as she went over.

 

 

“I got them to turn off the lights,” Quinn said quietly. “After I remembered how dark the basement was, and that Daria and I didn’t have many of the lights on in the café last night.”

 

“That makes sense,” Brittany commented as she twirled a pigtail. ‘I did think that the basement was a little dark.’

 

“And so, Peterson is taking him in after sunset.”

 

“Well, that isn’t long.”

 

Quinn looked out the window and saw that the sun was setting, that what could be seen of Lawndale was already in shadow. “True. Anyway, I better get going. Mom is expecting me to be at home.”

 

“I’ll let you know how I go.”

 

“Thanks.”

 

 

At the same time Linda got home to find Sam waiting for her int the kitchen. “Sandi is out with Daria Morgendorffer doing something,” he said.

 

‘Something must have come up. That’s why the car is there,’ she thought. “It seems that they are becoming friends, like she is with Harry Osborn.”

 

“They said that they were looking for someone.”

 

Linda did hear about the situation at the hospital on the way home. “Maybe,” she said. She was about to say more when she heard the front door open again. She looked and saw that Sandi and Daria where there.

 

 

‘Should I let Mother know that Sam has been eavesdropping and knows about our powers?’ Sandi wondered as she went over to the kitchen. ‘No, I’ll let her find out herself.’

 

“There’s things we need to tell you,” Daria said. “But not with Sam here.”

 

“Why not?” Sam asked.

 

“Because of your eavesdropping,” Daria said.

 

“Sam, what have I told you about that?” their mother said.

 

“To keep my ears to myself,” Sam said in a dour tone.

 

“Exactly!” Sandi said.

 

“Fine, I’ll go to my room.”

 

“And close the door too,” their mother said.

 

 

Daria watched as Sam went up the stairs. She remembered the earlier conversation. ‘He must have figured it out over time. But what about the younger brother, Chris?’

 

“Now, I know something happened at the Hospital, Sandi,” Linda said.

 

“It would be better that I explained,” Daria said.

 

“Oh?” Mrs. Griffin asked.

 

“Are you sure?” Sandi asked.

 

“Yes,” Daria answered and started from where she found the poem at her father’s grave.

 

 

Linda listened as Daria explained everything. “And Peterson took this William into custody?” she asked when Daria had finished.

 

“Yes.”

 

“I rarely encountered such things in Boston.”

 

“But you did?” Daria asked.

 

“Nothing like what you have described. Just the occasional metahuman villain with powers hardly worth mentioning, or those who used strange machines they built. But what I fought most was the Mafia. They had their fingers everywhere, that’s one reason I came back here.”

 

“You haven’t said that,” Sandi murmured.

 

“I thought you didn’t need to know. But Oscorp is proving to be unscrupulous,” Linda said. “This incident just proves that they have been so for some time. What other skeletons do they have in their closet that are going to affect Lawndale?”

 

“That’s definitely something to think about,” Daria responded. “But for now, I need to get home.”

 

“I don’t doubt that,” Linda said. “And I’m certain that I will see you again soon.”

 

 

At the same time, Brittany’s results came back.

 

“Your bones aren’t broken. It’s just a sprain. But it does mean that you have to take it easy for a few days. No cheerleading.”

 

“Oh,” Brittany commented.

 

“That’s good news,” Ashley-Amber said.

 

“Yes,” Brittany responded. ‘But no being Ninja Talon for few days either.’

 

“Don’t worry, Brit! I’m sure the days will fly by.”

 

Brittany wasn’t sure that they would. “Probably not.”

 

“We can put a movie on tonight. Something light hearted that can help you take your mind off things.”

 

“Sure,” Brittany said with a slight smile.

 

 

SpiderGirl arrived at her place after a patrol and saw that her mother was home. ‘Of course,’ she thought. She changed to the usual Quinn in the laneway and entered through the back door.

 

“Quinn! Where have you been?” her mother asked.

 

“Looking for Daria. She wasn’t at the Historia or Jane’s.”

 

“Probably at the Griffins,” her mother commented with slight annoyance.

 

“She has been hanging out with Sandi and Harry at lunch as well as Jane,” Quinn said.

 

“Another way she’s changing.”

 

They then heard Lexus pull up and the front door open.

 

“Here she is now,” Quinn said.

 

 

Daria went to the kitchen, after hearing what Quinn had just said.

 

“Where have you been? That William had been loose, potentially causing trouble after SpiderGirl and Ninja Talon tried to rescue him.”

 

“I heard about it,” Daria said and then told them what happened between Jennifer telling her and Jane what SpiderGirl had said and her arriving at the Griffin’s the first time.

 

 

“I see,” Helen said after Daria had finished. “But now we’ll have to follow up on things.”

 

“Of course,” Daria said.

 

“I’ll try to reach Officer Peterson.”