Spider Quinn 22 Attractions of Lawndale - Part 9

 

Dafoanairi reflected on what happened as she and the Enigma stepped into Dega Street from the laneway.

 

“You, like, think it could have gone another way?” the Enigma asked.

 

“You know how Kevin is,” Dafoanairi responded.

 

“I do. And I can see why he’s crushing on SpiderGIrl rather than myself.”

 

 

“I do too.”

 

 

Stacy looked out as Trent drove towards Kevin’s place. “You know, street racing is starting again soon.”

 

“I still don’t know why you’re into that,” Jane said.

 

“When I’m racing, I’m not anxious. I’m focused on the driving.”

 

“There have to be better coping mechanisms.”

 

“There are other ways I cope,” Stacy said defensively.

 

“It’s the thrill, isn’t it?” Trent asked.

 

“That’s a part of it,” Stacy admitted.

 

“But there are more reasons to be careful. You don’t know how the vigilantes will react,” Trent said.

 

“I have thought about that.”

 

 

Jane took in what Trent had said. ‘I know I won’t interfere unless there is more going on than just racing.’ But she didn’t know about the others, particularly SpiderGirl.

 

 

They stopped at Kevin’s place first, as it was closer to the downtown than Stacy’s house.

 

“Remember what everyone said,” Jane said as Kevin got out.

 

“Um, that SpiderGirl wasn’t coming and I need to talk to Mr. O’Neill?” Kevin asked.

 

“That’s, sort of the gist,’ Jane said. “But remember too, that asking SpiderGirl out is a bad idea.”

 

“Of course,” Kevin said in a tone that implied that he would forget.

 

 

Andrea let Ninja Talon and SpiderGirl into her room again. “Twice in two nights,” she said.

 

“So, there are reports of a new Goblin Glider?” SpiderGirl asked.

 

Andrea brought up the forum she had got the information from. “Not in so many words of course. But that description is rather apt, from the reports on Groundhog Day. But anyway, just from the past hour or so, in the southern area of Lawndale.” She then grabbed a map of the town which lay nearby. “And guess what’s in the area?” she asked rhetorically.

 

Ninja Talon saw that Andrea had marked it. “Osborn’s mansion.”

 

“We’re on it,” SpiderGirl said.

 

“But can you stop it again by yourselves? That is, given that the Shadow and the fourth vigilante helped you last time.”

 

“We have to try,” SpiderGirl responded.

 

“I knew you would say that,” Andrea said as she grabbed the map. “You see that it seems to heading in a particular direction.”

 

“But this doesn’t make sense,” Ninja Talon said.

 

“Yeah, why would he be approaching the Winged Tree Country Club?” SpiderGirl asked. “There wouldn’t be anyone there in the middle of the night.”

 

“Or maybe something’s being hidden there?” Ninja Talon speculated.

 

“But It doubt it would be something of Andrew Landon’s,” SpiderGirl mused.

 

“It could be someone else’s,” Ninja Talon said.

 

“Any one of the upper crust in Lawndale,” SpiderGirl said.

 

“The Sloanes,” Andrea said.

 

“I have heard of them,” SpiderGirl responded. “But why bring them up?”

 

“Because it has been reported that Osborn had a meeting with Angier Sloane yesterday,” Andrea responded. “At Grace, Sloane and Page. According to the leak, it had something to do with the Country Club.”

 

 

“In any case, we’re on it,” SpiderGirl said.

 

“Did the leak say much more?” Ninja Talon asked.

 

“Unfortunately not. Whoever it is, is being very careful.”

 

‘Reminds me of Fields,’ SpiderGirl thought, as Fields had leaked maps of Lawndale’s rooftops she had been working on to herself and Ninja Talon several days earlier.

 

 

Up on the Hecuba-Croft’s roof, SpiderGirl looked out in the direction of the Country Club. “It could be anything.”

 

“Even him not being allowed to join,” Ninja Talon said. “Tom may be in the play, but he hasn’t said much about his family.”

 

“I have wondered why he was interested in playing Prospero at a community theater, but we probably can’t wait until tomorrow night to investigate.”

 

“No, we can’t.”

 

SpiderGirl shot a web to a nearby tree. “Let’s go.”

 

 

After dropping Stacy off, Trent drove back towards Howard Drive. “You’re doing it again,” he said.

 

“Doing what?” Jane asked.

 

“Following people. You followed Kevin last night.”

 

“Protecting him from his own stupidity.”

 

“I know you’re still investigating who the other vigilantes are occasionally,” Trent said.

 

“That’s true, but not often, especially with the Oscorp agents hanging around now.”

 

“Of course, but I don’t think confronting Osborn would be a good idea either.”

 

“There are some rumors that the fourth vigilante did,” Jane said.

 

“Probably didn’t achieve much.”

 

 

SpiderGirl and Ninja Talon approached the Country Club, where they could see the Goblin Glider hovering nearby.

 

“It looks like he’s just scouting it out,” Ninja Talon said after a few minutes.

 

“But what for?” SpiderGirl asked. “Hopefully not for a repeat of Groundhog Day!”

 

“There’s nothing coming up, not until the autumn.”

 

“Sorry, just jumping to an extreme there.”

 

Ninja Talon shrugged. She knew SpiderGirl’s proclivity to think of the worst outcomes by know. Her father’s death still affecting her.

 

 

Daria got home around forty five minutes after leaving the Historia.

 

“Daria, you didn’t say that you would be out this evening,” her mother said.

 

“Oh, it was spur of the moment.”

 

“Are some things going on?”

 

Daria went and sat on one of the lounges. “Plenty, but I’m not sure where to start.”

 

“Quinn told me about the assignment and the fad.”

 

“The fad may have started to fade.”

 

“You’re worried about the assignment,” her mother said.

 

“Yes, its causing some people to act crazier than usual.”

 

“Like?”

 

“Kevin is convinced he has a crush on SpiderGirl after he was rescued and is now trying to ask her out,” Daria answered.

 

“Oh my!”

 

“Jane and Trent stayed to make sure he didn’t cause trouble,” Daria said as she stood.

 

“You were also doing your investigations.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Have you found out a lot?” Her mother asked.

 

“Quite a lot,” Daria said carefully. She didn’t want her mother to connect the dots that she was Dafoanairi.

 

“It’s just that you haven’t shared much since we dealt with that fake interview.”

 

“That’s true, but I’m still analyzing what is happening.”

 

 

Helen thought about Daria’s answer as her daughter headed upstairs. It made sense, but she was sure that she was hiding something. ‘But that’s something about her that Jakey’s passing hasn’t changed.’

 

 

The Spider Talon team watched as the glider moved to and fro over the Country Club. Not only the Clubhouse but also the golf course. After an hour, it withdrew, going back in the direction it had come.

 

“That’s weird,” SpiderGirl said after she had swung onto the clubhouse roof. “It’s like he’s planning something.”

 

“It could be something to do with what Andrea said.”

 

“The meeting with Angier Sloane?”

 

“Yes,” Ninja Talon answered. “Tom could still be up.”

 

“You want to go there now? He would be wondering why Lawndale’s first two superheroes are visiting him.”

 

“I’ll show up as the cheerleader actress.”

 

“And I’ll wait on the roof,” SpiderGirl agreed.

 

 

Tom Sloane was surprised when he opened the back door to see Brittany.

 

“Brittany? Why are you here, late on a school night?”

 

“I thought I would come by and hang out with my cast mate, given that the play is about to finish its run,” Brittany replied as she twirled one of her pigtails. (An affectation he found a little annoying.)

 

“I see,” Tom responded. He sighed. “Come in then.”

 

“Thanks.”

 

 

Tom lead Brittany to the library. “My parents are still up, although Elsie should be in bed,” he said, as he sat, referring to his sister.

 

“Actually, I heard a rumor that Norman Osborn met with your father about something.”

 

“You came over just to ask about that?”

 

Brittany twirled her hair again. “Of course not.”

 

“I admit, being part of Tempest has been a nice change of pace.”

 

“It has allowed me to be more than a cheerleader.”

 

“I’m sure there was more to you than that,” Tom said.

 

“Of course, but It was my focus. I have always been athletic.”

 

“That makes sense.”

 

“But with what has been happening, I thought I could, like, branch out,” Brittany said.

 

“I certainly think you have a great understanding of Ariel’s role. I thought it had resonated with you in some way.”

 

“I would say that it’s the same with Prospero.”

 

“He focused on his arts rather than his responsibility as Duke,” Tom mused. “As my father’s son, I feel the responsibility already placed upon me. Thus when the role was advertised, I knew I couldn’t pass it by.”

 

“And you have done very well too.”

 

 

Tom sighed. “I know you’re here for more than reminiscing about the play. Why are you really here?”

 

Brittany looked more serious. “I have not only been involved with Daria’s play, but I have been helping her investigate what’s going on in Lawndale.”

 

“So you want to know what my father and Osborn talked about?”

 

“And whether the favorite animal fad is also at Fielding?”

 

“Oh don’t remind me of that!” Tom said with annoyance. “Yes, it is. It’s spread across the county.”

 

“That doesn’t sound good, but it seemed to be fading at school today.”

 

“The same at Fielding. Anyway, All I know is that Osborn was seen at Grace, Sloane and Page yesterday. That is all I know. He didn’t say anything to me,” Tom said. “He doesn’t usually.”

 

 

Brittany was thinking about what Tom had said when Tom’s mother entered the room. She had seen her at the Historia occasionally.

 

“Tom, you didn’t tell me you had a visitor.”

 

“Mom, this is Brittany. She’s also in the play.”

 

“Hi, Mrs. Sloane.”

 

“Please, call me Kay.”

 

“I was about to go,” Brittany asked.

 

“Didn’t you just get here?” Kay asked.

 

“Brittany wanted to ask me something,” Tom said.

 

 

Kay Sloane was a little suspicious. “And she didn’t call instead?”

 

“It was spur of the moment. I was at the Historia for dinner,” Brittany said.

 

“Oh. Would you like some cocoa? It’s still cold out.” Kay said.

 

“Um, sure.”

Spider Quinn 22 Attractions of Lawndale - Part 8

 

Daria was trying to ignore Kevin’s stupid story when she saw Sandi as the Enigma outside. ‘I guess she’s concerned about what Kevin may do too.’

 

She looked at the just as bored Marta. ‘Not sure why she’s listening to Kevin.’

 

“…And so, I made the goal! And unlike Tommy Sherman, I didn’t hit the goal post.”

 

“That’s a low bar,” Jane commented from where she was sketching.

 

“At least Kevin isn’t anywhere near the jerk Tommy was,” Daria commented.

 

“Is it true that he was hitting on students just before his death?” Marta asked.

 

“I saw him proposition every girl he came across,” Daria answered.

 

“Except Daria.”

 

Daria was uncomfortable. The moniker that Tommy had given her hit uncomfortably close to home now, after what happened to her father. “Let’s change the subject.”

 

“Of course,” Jane said.

 

 

The Enigma retreated, as she didn’t want to be noticed. Not yet. ‘Wait until Kevin is actually doing something.’ She went around the back of the Historia and changed to the usual Sandi before entering the theater from one of the back doors.

 

 

“Uh oh!” Daria said as she grabbed her now empty plate.

 

“Uh oh?” Jane asked.

 

“Sandi’s here.”

“It’s not likely she’ll cause problems for Quinn while she’s working, right?”

 

“No. But she might have news from the fourth vigilante,” Daria obfuscated.

 

“So, she knows her identity too?”

 

Daria sighed. “Yes.”

 

 

Jane noted that down.

 

Sandi also knows fourth vigilante’s identity.

 

 

“You’re also keeping an eye on Kevin?” Daria asked.

 

“Yes. But I also located Marta,” Sandi answered quietly. “And she was looking at Kevin when I did so.”

 

“So, you think she might be SpiderGIrl?”

 

“I didn’t want to ignore the possibility.”

 

Daria considered that. Sandi’s quest to find SpiderGirl’s identity was starting to make things more complex.

 

“So, I’ll stay until closing,” Sandi concluded.

 

 

The phone rang in the office and Quinn picked it up,

 

“Hi, Quinn,” her mother said. “I’m just checking that Daria is there.”

 

“She is, Mom. She was having dinner with Jane.”

 

“Thanks. I was a little worried, although she knows how to look after herself.”

 

“That isn’t all, is it?”

 

“For the moment it is. I need to get back to work.”

 

Quinn sighed. Her mother had been taking work home in the evenings before her father died, but it seemed that the tendency had increased in the four months since his passing. “OK. I’ll see you later.”

 

“Bye, sweetie.”

 

 

When the café closed for the evening, Daria saw Kevin and Marta hanging around in the foyer. “Are you waiting for someone?” she asked Marta.

 

“My mother said she’d pick me up, as we’re in Newridge,” Marta responded.

 

‘That makes sense,’ Daria thought, as Newridge lay on the southwestern edge of Lawndale’s sprawl. She looked to where Sandi and Jane were standing with their backs to each other to either side of the double doors to the café. “Looks like we’re all waiting around.”

 

“I’m going up now,” Kevin said as he approached the stairs.

 

“Wait, Kevin,” Daria said.

 

“No!”

 

Daria paused. She could get another staff from the apartment instead of the one on the roof. ‘Dafoanairi and the the Enigma instead of SpiderGirl? I’m sure that he would be disappointed.’

 

Kevin went up the stairs.

 

“Fine, let him,” Jane said in exasperation. “Trent will be here soon.”

 

 

Sandi watched Daria leave as she headed backstage to change to Dafoanairi. ‘Marta may not be SpiderGirl, but she’s drawn my attention.’

 

“So, you know who the fourth vigilante is?” Jane asked.

 

Sandi glared at the experimenting artist, ignoring her more conventional look. “Did Daria say that?” she asked, trying not to sound too defensive.

 

“She did. So I guess you found out yourself given that Daria promised to keep her secret.”

 

“You, like, surmise correctly.”

 

“But, how? Why?” Jane asked.

 

“Like, how Daria knows.”

 

“I think there’s more to it,” Jane saiid.

 

 

Jane was about to prod Sandi more when she saw Trent enter the building.

 

“Evening, Janie,” he said.

 

“Just in time, Trent. You might witness a quarterback try to ask a superhero out,” Jane said.

 

“Here in the theater?” Trent asked.

 

“Like, up on the roof,” Sandi interjected.

 

“Hmm. This I’d like to see.”

 

“Really?” Jane asked.

 

 

Quinn emerged from the café with Stacy to find everyone gone, including Kevin. “He must have gone up to the roof,” she told Stacy.

 

“Do you want me to come up to?” Stacy asked.

 

“I can handle it,” Quinn said.

 

Stacy breathed deeply. “I know Quinn,” she said seriously.

 

“You know what?” Quinn asked, trying not to be defensive.

 

“That you’re one of the heroes. Not which one, although I have some idea.”

 

“Stacy, I hope you haven’t told anyone.”

 

“No one!” Stacy said in an assured tone.

 

Quinn breathed a sigh of relief. “Thanks Stacy.”

 

 

Quinn and Stacy emerged onto the roof to find Jane and Trent waiting just outside the door. Kevin was pacing near the northern edge, with Dafoanairi sitting unimpressed on the edge.

 

‘Can’t change to SpiderGirl here,’ Quinn thought. ‘But I expected that, especially with Stacy here. But can Daria as Dafoanairi cope with Kevin?’ she wondered, as she was more sure that Dafoanairi was Daria. ‘An anagram of her given names. Daria Fiona. Dafoanairi.’

 

“Right. Dafoanairi, but no SpiderGirl, Ninja Talon, Shadow or fourth vigilante,” Stacy murmured. She looked to Quinn. “But maybe one of them may be here.’”

 

‘Great, she’s narrowed down that I’m not Dafoanairi. But Brit is at home, or patrolling somewhere in the south. I’ll catch up with her later.’

 

“Quinn!” Kevin said. “SpiderGirl’s not here yet.”

 

“She’s not always here,” Quinn responded.

 

“Although the Wednesday nights are consistent,” Dafoanairi pointed out.

 

‘I’ll be here as Spidey after this is resolved,’ Quinn thought. “I guess so, but you’re not going to wait for her.”

 

“I’m not?” Kevin asked as he stepped closer to the edge while looking around.

 

 

Trent noticed the tension rise after Quinn and Stacy stepped on the rooftop. Kevin was being obstinate, Dafoanairi looked more tense, like she was ready to jump if she thought she needed to intervene and Janie was sketching the moment, but also ready to change to the Shadow in an instant if she needed to. He looked out over Lawndale. Fog was coming in. ‘Maybe Janie wouldn’t need her usual fog,’ he thought as Kevin stepped closer to the edge.

 

 

Dafoanairi’s heart rate rose, as she looked over the edge herself. The Enigma was down in the rear car park, but she wasn’t sure whether she’d would be able to catch Kevin telekinetically if she fell.

 

“SPIDERGIRL! I’m here!” Kevin called out.

 

“This is enough. Just because you chose this for Mr. O’Neill….” Jane said.

 

“I don’t want to fail!” Kevin said.

 

“You failed at meeting SpiderGirl. But that means that Mr. O’Neill will say that you succeeded at failing,” Jane said.

 

“I guess so,” Kevin said.

 

 

Kevin sat down.

 

Quinn got a text message. She looked at her cell phone and saw that it was from Brittany’s burner number.

 

Reports of the Goblin Glider appearing again. I know you might be dealing with Kevin, but we need to meet at the Bridge.

 

Quinn typed a response.

 

I’ll be there within ten minutes. Others are dealing with Kevin.

 

“Quinn?” Stacy asked.

 

“Something has come up. I have to go,” Quinn said.

 

“Is it Anna? Or Angie?”

 

“Someone else. I’ll see you later.”

 

“But!” Stacy objected.

 

“You can help them handle Kevin if need be.”

 

“I suppose.”

 

 

Quinn headed to the apartment before changing to SpiderGIrl, but then she saw that the Enigma was in the rear car park. ‘Can’t head out that way,’ she thought. But she could use the windows on the western side of the Historia.

 

 

Stacy stepped forwards toward Jane and Trent after Quinn had dashed back down the stairs. “You may need to dash towards Kevin in case Dafoanairi can’t stop him falling,” she said.

 

“You seem confident this evening,” Jane commented.

 

“Oh, I’m still anxious, but working downstairs has helped me, even in just over a month.”

 

“That’s great, Stacy,” Jane said. She then looked towards Kevin.

 

 

Kevin barely noticed Quinn leaving. He was still thinking about what Jane had said regarding Mr. O’Neil. “So, I succeeded at failing to meet SpiderGirl. Btu I still have a crush on her.”

 

“It’s probably still a rebound from Brittany,” Stacy pointed out.

 

“Exactly,” Dafoanairi said.

 

“Um, maybe, but less so than with Quinn.”

 

Kevin then jumped and stumbled next to Dafoanairi. “Uh oh!”

 

Dafoanairi steadied him. “She’s not coming,” she said. “You’re just making a fool of yourself.”

 

Kevin sighed. “Maybe next week. But I’ll have to tell Mr. O’Niel something.”

 

 

SpiderGirl and Ninja Talon arrived at the spot below the Jefferson Bridge where they had revealed their secret identities to each other and unmasked. “How was it with Kevin?” Brittany asked.

 

“It was still touch and go, but I’m sure Stacy, Jane and Dafoanairi handled it.”

 

“That’s good. I may have broken up with him, but I don’t want him to hurt himself in some ill advised quest!”

 

“So, the sighting of the Goblin Glider?” Quinn asked.

 

“Some reports from the southern areas of town this evening, most of them around Osborn’s mansion.”

 

“Was it from Andrea? Or just forums?”

 

“Both,” Brittany responded.

 

“Right. Then we’ll swing up to the Bridge lights and look in that direction.”

 

 

Upon swinging up onto one of the bridge streetlights, SpiderGirl sighted the glider low in the distance to the southwest. “There,” she said, pointing.

 

Ninja Talon looked. “Now we need to find out what Osborn is up to.”

 

“Easier said then done. Andrea’s?”

 

Ninja Talon nodded and they started swinging in that direction.

 

 

Back at the Historia, Kevin, Jane and Trent waited as Stacy locked the front door.

 

“I know how you feel, man,” Trent said to Kevin.

 

“No you don’t!” Kevin said.

 

“I mean I haven’t tried to date a superhero,” Trent said.

 

“I seriously doubt Monique would be one of the heroes,” Jane said, referring to Trent’s on again off again girlfriend.”

 

“You still don’t,” Kevin said.

 

“Done!” Stacy said as she came back to the two.

 

“So, you want a lift home?” Jane asked.

 

“Of course. I was going to call Mom when I was ready,” Stacy said.

 

“Sure!” Kevin said. “I don’t want what happened with that Anders lady to happen again.”

 

“Sure,” Trent said.

 

“Being with people is no certainty of safety,” Jane commented.

Convergence on Lawndale - Part 17

 

Stacy saw the column in the middle of the console go up and down, but it was the sound of the engines and the shaking of the floor that nearly overwhelmed her. But there was something else she felt, as if someone was trying to reassure her.

 

The Doctor turned to Stacy. “Relax. We’ll be there shortly.”

 

“There’s something, nice,” Stacy said.

 

“That would be the TARDIS herself. She doesn’t want you to think she’s overwhelming in a bad way. I mean it’s always overwhelming when people see that she’s bigger inside than out and that she exists…”

 

Stacy interrupted. “She’s alive?”

 

“Yes,” Quinn answered. “In a way.”

 

 

The TARDIS landed in Middleton not far from the portal, a minute after departure from the Morgendorffers from the perspective of Lawndale on the other side of the poral. The Doctor ran the scan immediately.

 

The results were similar to those in Lawndale. “It’s also a flower,” Jane said.

 

“I’ll also zoom out to Upperton and Lowerton,” the Doctor said.

 

The scanner then showed that both Upperton and Lowerton had similar coverage to Oakwood.

 

“No real difference,” Quinn commented.

 

“True, and I think the reverse scan will be similar, the Doctor responded. He ran that scan and saw that the progression was the same as in Lawndale.

 

 

The Doctor, Quinn, Daria and Kaelyn stepped out of the TARDIS into the early morning Middleton.

 

“Kim and Ron should still be asleep,” Kaelyn commented. “But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t find out what’s happening here.”

 

“But maybe what we need to deal with is back in Lawndale,” Quinn suggested.

 

“Or maybe those who Kim fights against are aware of the portal in Middelton and will try to take advantage of the fact Lawndale wouldn’t know about them yet,” Daria added.

 

“But we can’t really guard the portal,” Kaelyn pointed out.

 

“No,” the Doctor mused. “But the TARDIS can monitor it for me.”

 

“Or UNIT?” Peter asked from the door.

 

“UNiT is already involved in Lawndale’s time. It would increase the possibility of temporal complications if we involve them in this time. Besides, they would be aware of that.”

 

“So, we’re on our own. No pressure,” Daria added.

 

“We will get to the bottom of this,” the Doctor said.

 

“I have no doubt of that,” Quinn said as she looked out at Middleton.

 

 

Stacy watched as Jane sketched the map of the Middleton that the scanner was showing. She then looked to where Brittany was pacing near the door. “All this is overwhelming,” she said to Jane.

 

“But you’re not alone in this,” Jane said.

 

“I know, but Quinn is used to this. Brittany too. You seem to be taking this in stride.”

 

“Well, Daria actually told me about the Doctor. That, and there are many things my older siblings have got involved in.”

 

“The ones who wander?” Stacy said.

 

“Yes. Although my brother’s band has also seen things.”

 

“Is Mystik Spiral as bad as they say?”

 

“That depends on what you’ve heard,” Jane responded. She looked at the Scanner again. “I wonder if I can compare Middleton and Lawndale side by side.”

 

The TARDIS beeped and the screen changed to show the scan results of the two towns as Jane suggested.

 

“Oh, thanks, TARDIS.”

 

“I feel that reassurance again,” Stacy commented.

 

“She’s trying to help, in her way.”

 

“You understand what the Doctor said?”

 

“In a way,” Jane answered. “All this Time Lord stuff is beyond all of us.”

 

Stacy glanced at the two maps on the screen. Lawndale and Middleton had different layouts. ‘It’s the different landscapes,’ she thought. But the layout of the energy readings looked the same. The same flower pattern. “They look the same.”

 

“They are identical.”

 

 

Jane emerged from the TARDIS.

 

“Something up?” Daria asked.

 

“I compared the maps of Lawndale and Middleton,” Jane answered.

 

“And?” the Doctor asked.

 

“They’re identical.”

 

“Oh.”

 

 

The Doctor re-entered the TARDIS. He quickly saw that Jane was right.

 

“But what does it mean?” Stacy asked.

 

“We’re going to have to looking at each of those places, in both towns,” the Doctor said. “And we may not be able to wait for Kim and Ron.”

 

“It will take long enough for them to wake,” Daria said.

 

“Quite likely,” the Doctor said. “But we can’t just focus on Middleton or Lawndale.”

 

“Obviously,” Jane responded.

 

“But we’ll go to the closest energy source here in Middleton,” the Doctor said.

 

“Isn’t that the portal?” Stacy asked.

 

“No, it’s the one corresponding to the Coulthards,” the Doctor answered.

 

“Let’s do it,” Quinn decided.

 

 

“So where is it?” Kaelyn asked.

 

“In a neighbourhood to the south of here,” the Doctor answered.

 

“Then let’s get going,” Daria said.

 

 

While they were travelling to the location, Kim awoke to Wade’s call on the Kimmunicator. “Wade, it’s only been an hour and a half.”

 

“I know, but you have to see this,” Wade said. “The TARDIS has materialised here in Middleton.”

 

“So, what did happen in Lawndale is also happening in Middleton?”

 

“That seems likely. I tried contacting UNIT but they’re not saying anything.”

 

“We’re on our own then,” Kim said. “Call Ron, have him meet me in the park.”

Spider Quinn 22 Attractions of Lawndale - Part 7

 

“Jane?” O’Neill asked. “What about you?”

 

“Being conventional.”

 

“And how is that going?”

 

“I have just started. It’s difficult to tell,” Jane responded.

 

“Excellent!”

 

 

O’Neill then turned to Brittany. “How about you?”

 

“I have started studying it.”

 

“So you’ve just started?”

 

“Yes.”

 

He then turned to Daria.

 

 

 

He also asked the Junior class. “Quinn?” he asked.

 

“I have started reading a Charles Dickens novel.”

 

“A Christmas Carol?” O’Neill asked.

 

“No. One of the other much longer ones,” Quinn responded. “I finished one chapter last night.”

 

“Another long term one if she’s persistent,” O’Neill noted. “Sandi?”

 

“I’m still deciding,” Sandi stated.

 

“But what are you trying to decide on?”

 

 

Sandi sighed. “An extracurricular activity,” she answered, although she was sure that anything O’Neill would suggest wouldn’t be helpful.

 

“Too many too choose from?” he asked unhelpfully.

 

“Tell me something I don’t know.”

 

“See, you’ve succeeded at failing to choose something.”

 

‘Great!’ Sandi thought.

 

 

Despite the continuing fad and the murmurs related to the assignment it was mostly an ordinary day at Lawndale High.

 

Daria considered this as she waited for Brittany in the Library after school let out. ‘The students are resilient,’ she thought. ‘They have taken these changes in stride.’ She took out the Math textbook and opened it. Brittany was making progress. She wanted to continue with the Math first, then Science.

 

Brittany entered with her enthusiastic bounciness “So, we’re starting with Math as usual?”

 

“Yes, consistency is key.”

 

Brittany nodded. “I agree. Science can be later,” she said as she twirled a pigtail.

 

 

At the same time, Fields entered Osborn’s office. “One of the engineers is here,” she said.

 

“Send him in.”

 

The engineer entered quickly and placed a folded blueprint on the desk. “Does she know?” he asked, referring to Fields.

 

“I trust her, as much as I trust any of my close colleagues,” Osborn answered.

 

“It is ready for testing as you requested,” the engineer said.

 

“Good to hear,” Osborn said as he unfurled the blueprint.

 

The engineer turned to leave. “I guess you know what that is?” he asked Fields.

 

“Yes,” Fields answered as he left.

 

 

Osborn looked over the glider blueprints again. ‘It should prove more effective against SpiderGirl, Ninja Talon and the Shadow now.’ He paused. It was still vulnerable to Linda and Sandi’s powers, but he had to be sure to tie them up elsewhere in Lawndale while he dealt with the Country Club.

 

“Are you going to use it for something?” Fields asked boldly.

 

“You are being bold,” Osborn commented. “I intend to use it for observation.”

 

‘Observation of the vigilantes no doubt,’ she thought.

 

“Reports of Oscorp involvement on Groundhog Day are false.”

 

“I wasn’t thinking otherwise.”

 

“Good. I have been looking over your rooftop maps. When do you think you’ll get to the whole town?”

 

“A few weeks, given it’s not the only thing I’m working on,” Fields answered.

 

“Of course.”

 

 

At the same time, Jane’s brother Trent saw Jane arrive home. “Janie? What are you wearing?”

 

“Something conventional,” Jane answered.

 

“Why? Is it something to do with being the Shadow? Or when you were abducted?”

 

“I don’t think it has to do with either. It’s more to do with this assignment that O’Neill assigned.”

 

“I don’t see how being conventional would have much to do with Language Arts,” Trent said.

 

“I don’t either.”

 

 

In her room, Jane looked at her maps of Lawndale. More specifically, at the various schools in town. “Is the fad present at all of them?”

 

Lawndale Schools

Lawndale High

Glenfield Middle

Lawndale Middle

Lawndale East Middle

Lawndale West Middle

Lawndale Elementary

Glenfield Elementary

Lawndale East Elementary

Lawndale West Elementary

Fielding Private School

St. Agnes Catholic

St. Augustine Catholic College

 

 

“That is a lot,” Jane said to herself. She had gone to Lawndale Elementary and Glenfield Middle before starting Lawndale High. ‘But the Shadow just showing up to the Elementary and Middle schools out of the blue might not be the way to go. SpiderGirl might be the only one who could pull that off. She grabbed a piece of paper and wrote that down. ‘It’s Wednesday. SpiderGirl might well be at the Historia. I could ask her and If Kevin is there too, I could probably stop him from doing something stupid.

 

She then heard Trent knock on the door. “Come in.”

 

“I was thinking,” Trent said. “Is this assignment something I need to worry about?”

 

“I don’t think so.”

 

“I mean, you being conventional.”

 

“Maybe it means that being the Shadow has changed me more than I thought,” Jane responded.

 

“Or it could be your experience with Beck.”

 

“Could be, Trent. Could be.”

 

Trent sat on her bed. “Do you want to talk about it?”

 

“Not at the moment. But you’ll know when I want to.”

 

“Have you been talking to Daria about it?”

 

“Not yet either,” Jane answered as she turned to her easel.

 

 

Daria and Brittany finished their session, with Daria going over the various sub fields of science.

 

“Maybe more on biology, or zoology, or botany?” Brittany asked herself as she twirled a pigtail.

 

“You don’t have to choose straight away,” Daria said in a reassuring tone.

 

“Good point. We can do all of them!” Brittany decided. She grabbed her backpack. “I’m heading off.”

 

“Where?”

 

“The Pizza Place. I have mostly being going to the Historia, but I don’t want the pizza place to close either.”

 

“I don’t think it’s suffering. We’re not competing with it directly,” Daria pointed out. “We don’t make pizzas.”

 

“Good point.”

 

 

Daria waited until Brittany had left before heading up the library’s roof, and changing to Dafoanairi there. She looked out over Lawndale before heading off. First, to the Historia to the south, and to where the strip mall that contained the pizza place hidden behind some houses to the southwest. ‘But where first,’ as she glanced towards the Zon, partially hidden behind some of the other establishments in Dega Street. ‘Haven’t patrolled Daga Street for a while.’

 

 

Quinn entered the Historia shortly before her shift. The café was nearly full with the now usual early evening crowd. Stacy was already working and quickly came over to Quinn. “Something up, Stacy?” she asked.

 

“Oh, just our classmates still talking about the fad. They’re mostly laughing about it. Like most of them think it’s funny,” Stacy said.

 

“I can see how favorite animals could be seen as funny,” Quinn mused.

 

“But it’s now old, even though it’s only been two days.”

 

Quinn knew when Stacy’s thoughts were swirling due to her anxiety, even when she wasn’t hyperventilating. “Let’s focus on work for now, OK.”

 

“That’s what Mom said,” Stacy said, referring to her mother, who managed the café. “Easier said then done.” Even so, Stacy calmed.

 

 

Dafoanairi arrived on the Historia’s roof as the sun was setting. She briefly looked at the sunset as it made patterns though the trees and buildings in Lawndale Flats. She then looked at the door downwards. ‘But would Kevin be waiting for SpiderGirl now, or later.’ He was sure that he would be at the Historia at some point. She placed her staff next to the door, changed to the ordinary Daria and headed down.

 

 

Jane entered the Historia and saw Daria emerge from the door to the stairs. “You were watching the sunset?” she asked.

 

“You’re still wearing conventional clothes?”

 

“That’s what Trent asked; more or less. So, we’re going to observe our peers at dinner?”

 

“They’d be less guarded than at school,” Daria answered. “That, and Kevin’s determination to try to meet SpiderGirl.”

 

“I doubt we’d be able to dissuade him.”

 

 

“You’re having dinner here?” Quinn asked Daria when she and Jane had come up to the counter.

 

Daria nodded. “I’ll have the usual.”

 

“Sure, and you, Jane?”

 

“Why not?” Jane responded rhetorically. “I’m sticking around here tonight anyway.”

 

“Got it.”

 

 

“Sticking around?” Daria asked when they had sat.

 

“I thought, why not be conventional while hanging around the Historia.”

 

“There’s more, isn’t there?”

 

“And try to stop Kevin from being stupid with SpiderGirl if I happen to be in the same place at the same time,” Jane answered.

 

“Wouldn’t want the quarterback to be webbed to the roof.”

 

 

As she opened her yearbook, Sandi reflected on the day. ‘The fad is very much present,’ she thought as she grabbed her yearbook.

 

After Emma King was Marta Lamaris. ‘She’s another who keeps to herself,’ she thought as she grabbed her energy drink. “Findu mann sem heiter: Marta Lamaris!”

 

She found Marta at the Historia, where she was watching Kevin being his usual goofy self.

 

“Right, Kevin wanting to ask SpiderGirl out,” she mused with her usual post search fatigue. “That’s why he’s waiting there.” But did that mean Marta was SpiderGirl? ‘Unlikely.’ But she couldn’t ignore the concidence of Marta watching Kevin while Kevin was intending to meet SpiderGirl. She then noticed something in the memory of the perception. That Daria was there too. ‘I won’t tell her about the possibility, but I can still be there shortly, if I can give Mother an excuse.’

 

 

“And why are you patrolling as the fourth vigilante at this hour?” Linda Griffin asked. She knew Sandi was up to something, probably related to her intention to confront SpiderGirl.

 

“Criminals have seen through our patterns,” Sandi answered. “Not just Osborn either.”

 

“I concede that, and I have heard that the Shadow often patrols at this time.”

 

“I haven’t heard that.”

 

“I keep my ear on the ground,” Linda responded. “Or is it due to Kevin Thompson? You’re using him as bait?”

 

“Maybe.”

 

“A bad idea, Sandi.”

 

“I don’t doubt you used similar tactics in Boston,” Sandi said as she tied her hair back before putting on her mask.

 

‘You may not intend to be my ‘mini me’ but you still take after me in many ways.’

 

 

By the time the Enigma arrived on the Historia’s roof and had abseiled down the eastern side next to the café, Kevin was being more annoying than usual. Her attention was drawn to the quarterback who was trying to regale Marta and a rather annoyed Daria with a story. Jane was sketching something near the counter, where Quinn and Stacy were serving some other customers.