CHAPTER SIXTEEN: XVI

CONNOR WALKER

THE WORK AREA WAS BUZZING, EVERYBODY WAS MAKING CALLS WHILE WATCHING THE LIVE BROADCAST ON THE WILLIAMSBURG BRIDGE. I stare at the TV screen with wide eyes, my chest filling with terror as the cameraman got a closer shot of the greenish lizard who looked like he was on a rampage. Gasps filled the open room as the lizard began smashing and throwing cars over the bridge before making its way to a near bus, people were still boarding off.

"Oh my god, that's a school bus." Hazel gasped, her hand covering her mouth in utter fright.

"They won't make it out in time, Jesus," Kai stresses, he fell back on his seat as he stares with impeding anticipation.

I shook my head before running a hand over my already messy blond hair, tension, and anxiety hung heavily in the air, and every reporter, editor, and photographer stopped working. Everybody watched with utter suspense, wanting and not wanting to know the fate of those kids, I chew on my bottom lip with a racing heart.

The lizard slammed his hands on either side of the school bus, we watched as some kids fell on the pavement while others were stuck in the bus. "He's going to throw them off the bridge," I whispered in realization, the lizard began to move over to the edge of the bridge. "He-He's going to throw a bus full of kids off the bridge."

Hazel let out a shaky breath while Kai just looked away, his face paling as he squeezed his eyes, none wanting to witness the death of innocent kids. The lizard abruptly let go of the bus, luckily the bus fell on top of the railings, the camera moved toward the lizard and zoomed in. The animal was clawing at its face furiously before the camera move to the left, an uproar of cheers filled the room as the camera fixated its attention on the Spider-guy.

I let out a triumphant yell, hugging my coworker Hazel. "He made it!"

"Go spider!"

"Conney! Hazel! Kai!" I scowl at the way he purposely messed up my name, I turn to stare at the boss. "What the hell are you still doing here? Are you waiting for an invitation? That spider-ling is out there, and I want pictures!"

I glance at the TV before shooting him an incredulous look. "You want us to go there? Are you crazy? The lizard is still attacking, it can be dangerous!" I argued.

"That's why I pay your insurance."

I narrowed my eyes at him and scoffed. "No, you don't."

Hazel, my workmate, groaned while anxiously running a hand over her chestnut hair. "It doesn't matter if I pay your insurance or not. I hired you to use your fingers and get me those damn pictures, so shut your trap and get moving!" He clapped his hands together thrice. 

Without further ado, the three of us packed our cameras before leaving the Daily Bugle building. We managed to get a cab to take us near the bridge seeing as the police had arrived and closed the street, we paid the man before getting off in a haste.

"Whoa, whoa, sorry fellas." The police officer was quick to interfere between us and the path to the bridge, I quickly showed him my Daily Bugle badge. "Sorry, can't let you through until we get that thing off the bridge."

Hazel shook her head, "You don't understand. We have to get at least one picture; we won't go in; we just need to get up a building or near enough."

"Not a chance."

"Sir, we understand you're doing your job, just like we are doing ours." I started. "We just need to go to that building, that's it. You have my word." I pointed to the building beside him.

"Please, man, help us keep our job." Kai pleaded, we all knew J.J. Jameson was crazy enough to fire us if he felt like it.

The officer gave each one of us a good stare before he glanced back, he met my gaze before giving me a reluctant nod. I breathe out in relief, the officer grants us permission. "Thank you, sir. You just saved our asses."

"In and out, got it?" The officer said, to which Hazel responded with a salute and Kai with a thumbs up.

"Got it." I nodded before the three of us took off running, we managed to get inside the building, the lobby was empty, meaning the police had evacuated everybody.

"Ooh, nice couch." Hazel gushed over the white leather couches, running her hands over the fine texture.

I came to a halt just before the elevator, I pressed the button and the elevator's door opened immediately, we all got in. The elevator took us up to the roof, I took off the camera around my neck before verifying everything was set.

"This is crazy," Hazel confessed, taking in deep breaths.

I nodded in agreement, and Kai sigh. "Always knew if the world didn't kill me, Jameson would."

"I know right?" Hazel gushed, her pretty hazel eyes rolling. "Gosh, what if he really is the grim reaper? What if he's disguised as a human, like Detective Lucifer?"

"First, what a horrible skin." Kai snorted, causing Hazel to giggle. "And second, I think he's a consultant, not a detective. The detective is the blonde girl from Hot Tub Time Machine."

I chuckled, shaking my head slightly as I screw in the super-telephoto lens, hovering the camera before my eye as I made sure the resolution was alright. The elevator's door dings open, and the three of us were greeted by some stairs that lead to the door. We burst through the door and were greeted by the pitch-black sky along with screams of people still trapped on the bridge.

"Alright, kids, let's work for a living," I announced, we glance at each other before moving in different directions across the roof, all pointing at the bridge.

My blue eyes skimmed the bridge, searching for a red and blue suit, once I did, I began to snap picture after picture. I managed to witness the fight between the lizard and the spider through my lenses, I made sure I got different angle shots since Jameson was a hard person to please.

"Fuck, I forgot my long lens!" I heard Kai curse a few feet away from me, I glanced at him for a brief second before going back to the fight only to notice that both, the spider and the lizard were gone.

"Where did they go?" I asked loudly.

Hazel let out a sigh, "I got enough shots. Kai, you still need the lens?"

"Forget it, they're gone," I said, about to lean away from the roof guardrail system when I spotted a car being suspended by none other than a friendly spider. "Oh shit, wait a sec."

"No way." Kai gasped as he fumbles with his camera.

"What? What is it?" Hazel voiced as she came near the guardrail, squinting her eyes to try to locate what had us so marveled, before gasping in realization. "Jesus, Joseph, Mary, and the camel!"

"I can't get a clear shot," Kai grunted.

"I got you," I said as I tried to steady my arms, they were growing tired, so I had to place my elbows on the guardrail.

I continue to snap picture after picture, wondering why the spider was so keen on preventing the car from falling. Was someone inside it? I felt myself freeze as I witness the man do the unexpected, he took off his before handing it to someone. I stopped snapping pictures, my eyes staring wide-eyed, before squinting shut one eye and confirming what I just saw.

My finger hovers on the button, hesitant. Not sure if I should obtain this type of evidence, I knew J.J. Jameson would be delighted, but knowing him he would probably destroy the boy's reputation and image. With a reluctant push, I snapped the picture, the one evidence of who is behind the spider mask.

Peter Parker.

"We should go. Now." I instructed my team, both glancing at each other with questioning looks.

"What bit you?" Kai deadpanned as we began to climb the stairs, walking toward the awaiting elevator.

"Let's say, a certain spider."

🅷🅾🅻🅰

QUE ONDAS RAZA?

Did I surprise you
With this new POV?
Cause if that's so, then
Expect much more.

What do you think
Connor will do with
That picture of a mask-less
Spider-Man?

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Stay safe kiddos, the world

Depends on you💞