Web of Secrets

Chapter 9: When the Web Breaks

It started with a sound.

A low, mechanical whirr outside Shauna's window. She sat up straight in bed, the hairs on the back of her neck standing. Jackie stirred beside her, still half-asleep, murmuring something unintelligible. It was barely 3 a.m., and they'd only fallen asleep a couple hours before still curled together after their rooftop flight.

Then the sound came again.

Shauna crossed the room, pulling open the curtain.

Her breath caught.

Across the alley, perched like a phantom in the shadows, was a figure in sleek black armor red visor glowing like a pulse. He stood on the rooftop, silent and still, watching their window.

The Wraith.

He hadn't come for a fight this time.

He'd come to finish what he started.

⸻

Shauna didn't hesitate. "Jackie wake up."

Jackie blinked, still groggy. "What is it?"

"He's here."

That sobered her instantly.

Jackie swung her legs over the side of the bed with a grimace, her bruised ribs flaring up with pain. She grabbed for her suit but she wasn't fast enough.

CRASH.

The window exploded inward.

The Wraith launched into the room with terrifying force, landing like a cannonball. His voice was filtered and deep, robotic and inhuman. "You're not getting away this time, Spider."

Jackie lunged to shield Shauna, but her body faltered—her injuries still raw, her reflexes dulled. The Wraith moved faster.

He struck her hard across the chest, sending her flying into the wall with a sickening crack.

"Jackie!" Shauna screamed, running to her.

Jackie was breathing barely. Dazed. Blood at the corner of her mouth.

The Wraith turned his head toward Shauna.

"Unarmed. Civilian." His voice buzzed. "Irrelevant."

He started walking away from her toward Jackie.

"No," Shauna whispered.

Then louder: "No."

She grabbed the closest thing she could Jackie's web-shooter.

⸻

She'd seen Jackie use it a dozen times. Knew the pressure point. Knew the rhythm.

She aimed, heart pounding and fired.

Thwip.

The web shot clean across the room and struck Wraith's arm, yanking him backward.

He turned, surprised.

Shauna stood her ground, shaking, but defiant. "You want her? You'll have to go through me."

"Not a problem."

He raised his gauntlet.

She dove just as the blast fired ducking behind the bed as it shattered half the wall. Smoke and sparks filled the air.

Shauna rolled, came up on one knee, and fired again.

The web tangled around his legs this time. Enough to trip him.

She ran to Jackie, helped her to her feet.

Jackie's eyes fluttered open. "Shauna..."

"Stay with me," Shauna breathed. "Please."

Jackie blinked, confused. "You're using my"

"Not the time," Shauna snapped, hauling her toward the fire escape.

Wraith recovered fast. Too fast.

He blasted the window frame as they climbed out, debris raining down. Jackie stumbled, nearly falling, but Shauna caught her.

She wasn't strong like Jackie. She wasn't fast or trained. But she was furious.

And sometimes, that was enough.

They made it to the rooftop, and Shauna pulled Jackie behind a ventilation unit. She fired one last web—this time at a nearby satellite dish. The current sparked as the web connected.

The Wraith leapt after them.

But the web she'd fired overloaded the dish.

Electricity surged through the air in a loud, crackling burst.

It caught the Wraith mid-air. His armor sparked and sizzled—he howled as the current knocked him off-balance. He slammed to the rooftop and didn't move.

Shauna stood there, panting, the web-shooter still wrapped around her wrist.

She turned to Jackie.

Jackie stared at her like she'd never seen her before. "You—you took him down."

Shauna exhaled. "Temporarily."

Jackie smiled, bloodied but proud. "That was hot."

Shauna laughed, half-hysterical. "You're concussed."

"Still true."

Jackie leaned on her, eyes soft despite the pain. "You saved me."

Shauna held her tighter. "Now we're even."

They disappeared into the night, away from the ruined rooftop—two girls clinging to each other, knowing that this fight wasn't over.

But from now on, they'd face it together.