??? ??? ? ? ????? ??????

THIRTY FOUR

She couldn't help but worry about Peter, especially when he never showed up.

"Okay, Flash, you're taking Peter's spot again," Mr. Harrington informed him, throwing him the jacket, "Ned. If Peter doesn't show up before we leave..."

"He'll show up!"

"Sure, Ned," Michelle scoffed, "Just like he showed up to the decathlon?"

The others laughed but Astrid continued to worry about Peter.

She was a little distracted during the competition but still managed to help the team as much as she could so they could bring the trophy home to Midtown.

Michelle chuckled a bit as they all pulled away from the celebratory hug at the end.

"That was great, you guys," Mr. Harrington smiled, "How about a little celebratory trip?"

"Oh! What are we thinking? A club? A pub? A-"

"Flash, you do realize you're underage, right?"

"He doesn't even drink," Harry chuckled, "Eugene is just trying to act cool."

Flash only stuck his tongue out when Liz pointed out the massive monument.

"How about we go in there?"

"That's definitely appropriate. Everyone in?"

Everyone agreed so the team crossed the street and began to make their way into the building, minus Harry, Michelle and Gwen.

"Why aren't they coming?" Astrid mumbled to Liz who shrugged.

Before Astrid could try to go after them, Ned's phone went off and he sighed in relief as he answered it.

"Peter! What the hell? Why aren't you here? Where are you?"

"Is that Peter? Give me the phone," Liz frowned, taking the phone from Ned.

Astrid watched as Liz lectured Peter before she had to go past the security system and handed the phone to Astrid.

"Peter, honestly, I don't know what the hell is going on with you but I don't appreciate you having me worry like this."

"Astrid," he sighed, "Please, you have to listen to me."

"Fine. I'll listen but it's going to be a bunch of bullshit, isn't it?"

"No. It's not. Actually, can you pass me to Ne-"

"Ma'am. We have to keep the line moving."

"Okay, I guess I'll tell you then. Astrid. I-"

"Ma'am."

Astrid rolled her eyes, "Fine. Sorry Pete, gotta go."

She placed the phone in the bin before stepping through, finally joining the others who soon went into a packed elevator.

"What did Peter want anyway?" Ned frowned, "My phone's all messed up now."

"I don't know," Astrid sighed, "He's being as confusing as ever- like always."

"I really don't see why you like him so much," Flash scoffed.

"I don't like him!" Astrid groaned.

"You do," everyone said in unison, only making Astrid roll her eyes.

With that, the tour guide began her little speech although Astrid wasn't really paying attention.

At first, she thought she was imagining things, seeing Ned's backpack glow but when the elevator suddenly stopped after Ned's backpack went off, she knew what she saw was real life.

Whatever was in his bag ruined the elevator.

He quickly threw his bag on the floor while Astrid looked at him wide-eyed, "What the hell was that?!"

"I don't know," Ned mumbled while everyone around them began to freak out.

"Look at the ceiling!" Flash gasped.

"We are all going to die."

"Not to worry everyone," the guide began, "Our security systems are up and running. We are completely safe."

"Like hell we are," Astrid scoffed, "We need to get that escape hatch open and everyone out before we all fall to our deaths."

"We really should-"

"I'm team Astrid," Flash quickly interrupted the guide, "Cmon, I'll give you a lift."

Before Astrid could walk towards Flash, the guide quickly stepped in.

"I'll do it, just... you all step back and get ready to come up."

So that's exactly what they did, one by one they piled out of the elevator.

It wasn't long before it was only Liz, Astrid, Ned and Mr. Harrington in the elevator.

Flash, of course, cut Liz off before she could go up but they were so close that she didn't mind.

She didn't realize though just how much the elevator was starting to break off though- neither of them did because before they knew it, they were all starting to fall.

"We're gonna die!" Ned yelled when suddenly, they stopped falling.

They all looked up in shock and confusion, Astrid smiling when she saw the familiar webbing.

"Spider-man's here to save us."

written: December 07, 2018
posted: May 07, 2019