The Spectacular Spinneret || A Tale in the Web of Life and Destiny

~ Chapter 5: When?, Harry Osborn ~

~ 8:14PM ~

" Look, Bernard we've looked every where. Do you know what he was doing 2 days ago? " Harry turned to his family butler, Bernard, seeking answers about his father's whereabouts. It had been two days since Norman had gone missing, and despite searching the lab and the house, there was no sign of him. Harry and Bernard decided to take matters into their own hands earlier, that they drove around in search of any trace of Norman. They both agreed to refrain from contacting the police, not wanting to draw unnecessary attention to the situation.

" Sir, I've known your father for years. He doesn't do this, but his recent activities include working at Oscorp overtime for his project, and it doesn't dwell nicely on our hands when the news broke out that Oscorp had some sort of a break in 2 days ago that killed Dr. Stromm... " Bernard informed Harry, who remained in a state of disbelief, holding onto hope for his father's safety. As they were about to, an unexpected development occured.

" DAD! " He found him lying on the floor in his office, and Bernard quickly rushed to his side to help. Though Norman groaned as he woke up, the elevator in the back suddenly chimed, prompting Bernard to swiftly check it.

" Dad are you alright?! What are you doing on the floor..?! Where've you been?! " Harry demanded, his tone heard with concern and frustration.

" I.. I don't know.. I must've... passed out, I was working overtime for the serum and.. last night-... I.. I don't know.. " With a sigh, Norman sat up, attempting to gather his thoughts, just as his secretary from Oscorp unexpectedly arrived to inform him of recent developments.

" Dad, last night? It's been... two days- You've been missing-- " Harry paused, noticing the secretary's serious demeanor as she passed Bernard to address Norman with urgent news.

" Mr. Osborn..! I've been trying to reach you for days, Dr. Stromm is dead. They found his body two days ago in the lab, near the vapor chamber. The exoskeleton suit and the glider were also stolen... " Nervously, the secretary relayed the information, unaware of the context of Norman's recent absence, for him being missing, confused, now 'knowing' his trusted colleague and his prized innovative gadgets were now stolen.

" My father just collapsed earlier, will you please leave the premises for the time being until he's able to think straight. Thank you. " Acknowledging the secretary's words, Harry instructed her to leave and wait as he tended to his father, assisting him to his room to rest and recuperate. She was eventually told to take the day off for tomorrow, after a few minutes waiting.

~ 8:52PM ~

" ...For the last time, Harry I'm fine..! " Norman told his son as his voice started raising after Harry's continuous concern for his health and safety became too repetitive.

" I've been working so hard at Oscorp that I barely knew what happened. I was testing our equipment, working day and night for the performance enhancer... Damn, this is all of a sudden. " Norman added, as he was stressed out by the recent events.

Harry couldn't help but feel skeptical and worried, as his father often seemed more engrossed in his work than in acknowledging his son's existence. He pondered over it, wondering why it was so difficult to earn his father's approval. It stung, especially considering how readily his father seemed to accept Peter, almost as if he wanted to adopt him.

Despite his concerns, Harry eventually left his father alone at his request. The sudden collapse in his office was rather odd, especially since Harry had been aware of some noise for the past few days, though nothing seemed amiss around their unit. 

During dinner, Harry found himself eating alone while Norman dined in his room as he rested. The taste of fine dining never truly satisfied Harry, whose personality resonated more with the common man than with elites. His thoughts lingered on his father, and the insecurities surrounding his own position in life, particularly as the heir apparent to the company.

~ 10:04PM ~

Opting to retire early for the night, Harry couldn't shake the discomfort of knowing his father was troubled yet unwilling to confide in him. Restlessly shifting from left to right in his bed, the sound of torrential rain outside was punctuated by occasional bursts of lightning. Then, he heard the noises again, the same ones that had plagued him for the past two days.

Harry sat up, curious to determine whether it was a burglar or simply Bernard being clumsy, though he doubted the latter given Bernard's professionalism. Clad in boxer shorts and a t-shirt, Harry ventured downstairs into the darkened living room, which exuded an eerie atmosphere akin to a horror movie set. He paced back and forth, attempting to locate the source of the sound, which seemed like someone tinkering, followed by a faint laugh that sent shivers down Harry's spine. Abruptly, the noise ceased.

Heart pounding, Harry searched as he couldn't find anything of note, or trace that could lead to where that sound was. After a few minutes of silence, he eventually went back upstairs, approaching his room, about to enter...

Then he looked at Norman's door, pausing for a bit while as his expressions turned melancholic, " When will you think you'd be proud of me Dad... as your son... " He sigh, before entering his room... locking his door...