‼️TRIGGER WARNING‼️
There will be a mention of suicidal acts in this chapter.

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I just...just...wanted to be special...like you...

Those were the last words given to Gwen by her best friend. After killing him.

Gwen's sullen expression showed as she wore a black dress for Peter Parker's funeral. If only she had done more to save him. If only she listened as he plead to not fight him in that stupid prom. If only she hadn't accepted Harry's invitation to be his date. If only she had protected him from the bullies...

There are many more ifs.

Gwen refused to look into "Uncle" Benjamin's eyes. After all, she was inspired to be a hero because of him. And now? She shows her heroism by killing his nephew.

She can only stare as her best friend's coffin is lowered deep underground. A few tears spilled from her now dull blue eyes as The Parkers made a speech. She felt a tap on her shoulder, seeing Ben's dark clothes next to her.

Gwen sniffed, turning her head away. Ashamed to look in his eyes.

"Gwen, sweety. Would you like to share a few words?" he whispered.

She bit her lips, trying to stop the sobs from coming out, the scream to confess that she is a murderer. But, no words come out. She shook her head. She didn't deserve to say any words to Peter.

Ben frowned in concern but left her be.

After everyone left, only Gwen stayed behind. She longingly stared at the tomb.

"I just...just...wanted to be special...like you..." she whispered.

Her lips trembled, "I'm not special at all. I'm so sorry, Peter."

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Gwen refuses to leave her room after the funeral a week ago. She only shut herself out, hearing the news from the tv, her dad always puts on.

George would try to console her and promise her Ghost-Spider will serve justice. But it didn't make her feel better as she is Ghost-Spider. He would often try convincing her to leave the room to get some air. Or go with the Mary Janes, but she refused.

She couldn't sleep as her dreams would be haunting her of Peter's screams and pleas to save her. There was at least one where Peter blamed her for his death.

After a few more days, she felt as if she was suffocating in her room and got out. Opening the door felt heavy from her head. It was already dark outside. She saw as the lights were on from the living room. Her father sat on the couch, seeing the Daily Bugle news. Her eyes squinted from the lights but she could hear the news perfectly with her advanced hearing.

"Stacy Stalks Spider Killer"

Gwen's eye's widened. Her dad?

Gwen turned to her father who was listening to the news intently. He noticed her daughter out of the room, jumped to his feet, and rushed to hug her.

"Gwendy, It's okay. You're okay," he murmured in her blond hair.

Gwen stood still as the news voiced out their opinions for the Spider-Menace.

"You're going to take her in?" She asked, eyes not moving from the tv.

George nodded, moving his head back to see his daughter, kissing her head. "Yes. I'll bring her myself. I won't give up on you and Peter. I promise."

Gwen's eyes watered and cried.

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After hearing the news, she once again went to her room and locked herself in. She spotted the red and blue lights from her window, indicating her father went hunting Ghost-Spider.

She sat on the floor, hugging her knees.

"I'm not scared...of the dark," she silently sang, her voice croaked.

"I'm not running, running,...running."

She remembered hearing this song on Peter's playlist back in middle school. It was one of his favorites.

No one likes Ghost-Spider. The police, The news,...her father.

Tired of everything, she took a jacket and left the house. She felt suffocating as she saw posters on the wall of Peter Parker. Words such as "You'll be remembered" "You'll be missed"

She didn't need to see the Ghost-Spider posters to see threats plastered on the wall with red paint.

She kept walking with her hood up. She didn't particularly have a destination, she kept walking. Her feet subconsciously dragged her to the familiar soil.

She only stared, seeing the familiar name sculpted on the tomb.

In Memory of Peter Benjamin Parker. Loving Son, Nephew, and Friend.

She grits her teeth in frustration. She knew all the people who treated Peter badly and they all have the nerve to call him their friend. Hell, she didn't deserve to be his friend.

"I'm so sorry, Peter."

🕸🕷🕸

"She's all over the news."

"Yes. It seems so."

The man held his chin as he stared at the newspaper of Ghost-Spider and smirked.

"I want her. Call Murdock."

"Yes, Kingpin."

🕸🕷🕸

George was finally able to convince Gwen to get out of the house and go back to school and with her friends.

She begrudgingly stood on the door and spotted the suit Janet made for her. Janet made an upgrade on it, creating nanotechnology so Gwen wouldn't struggle to wear the suit. It was now two bracelets for each hand.

She shook her head and left the house.

George asked if she wanted him to take her to school. She refused, taking her skateboard instead. George wanted to argue but left her be as she is still hurt.

Gwen felt the cold breeze caress her as she rode. She shivered from the cold and took out her phone to listen to music. She stopped for a moment, spotting the familiar park where these boys punched Peter to the ground and her defending him.

She frowned when she remembered their words to Peter.

"You're pathetic, Parker! Having a girl defend you like that! Be a man!"

After that, Gwen made sure to stick by his side but Peter would sometimes argue to leave him alone. Then he started admiring Ghost-Spider, the bullying has gotten worse.

"Gwen!"

Gwen stopped as she heard Harry's voice. She inwardly groaned. Not wanting to talk to anyone.

"Hey, are you okay? You've been gone for a few weeks," Harry spoke softly.

Gwen shook her head, "I'm fine."

After her sharp tone, she picked up her skateboard and stormed off. Harry, seeing this, followed her.

"Gwen. C'mon, talk to me. Don't shut yourself out."

Gwen was losing her patience and walked faster. "Leave me alone, Harry."

Gwen spotted the school and glared as there were candles, flowers, and posters of Peter.

"What is this?" She glared.

She spotted the boys who bullied Peter, crying. She had enough and stomped in their direction. Harry noticed her expression and stopped her.

"Gwen, stop. It's not worth it."

Gwen grunted, trying to remove herself from him. She knew she can't use her power.

"But they—!"

"I know, Gwen. I know. Just leave them be."

She blinked the tears away and shoved Harry from her and left the school grounds. She can't take the school anymore. She didn't care that she was a "perfect" student.

She needed to leave. Far away from here.

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"You understand what I ordered you?"

Rhino nodded.

Murdock smirked, "Good. Start with Captain George Stacy, and kill him."

🕸🕷🕸

Her breath trembled as she stood on top of a building. She closed her eyes as the sun blanketed its warmth over the city. Gwen sighed as she spotted the nearest police station where her dad works at.

She didn't know what to do. She lost everyone, she's completely alone. All the pressure is being weighed on her shoulders. She only wished a time where she would swing by the buildings, feeling the freedom and warmth over her.

But now? She's not so sure anymore.

She stood up, looking down to the pavement twelve stories high. She took a deep breath and sighed. She doesn't have anyone, might as well get over it.

Her feet tipped over the edge.

What's up, Danger?

Her eyes snapped open and gasped. She fell backward and fell on her butt. She pants, trying to fill the air in her lungs.

"What was I just doing?" she trembled. Was she trying to?

What's up, Danger?

She gulped, taking her phone shakily. On the screen was Mary Jane calling her. She contemplated answering. She closed her eyes and answered.

"Jane?"

"Gwen! Oh thank god, are you okay?" MJ asked.

Gwen's eye twitched. What's up with the same questions?!

"I'm fine. What do you want?" Gwen winced at her sharp tone. MJ ignored it and spoke.

"Sweety, Harry told me you came to school. Did you ditch?"

Gwen groaned, rolling her eyes, "What about it?"

On the other side of the phone has gotten quieter. Gwen waited but didn't hear a thing and sighed. "If you called me to waste my time, I'm going to hang up." Gwen removed her phone from her ear to hang up until she heard MJ again.

"He was my friend too."

Gwen stopped.

"You don't have to go through this alone! We are all here for you. Please, come over. Let's talk about this. We still have a concert. You can come at least to watch," MJ pleaded.

Gwen shook her head and hung up. She grits her teeth in frustration as tears welled up again. She screamed as she rubbed her eyes but the tears wouldn't stop falling.

Her heart beats like drums as she kneeled on the floor and let out a blood-curdling scream.

🕸🕷🕸

By nighttime Gwen arrived at the house expecting her dad still out finding Ghost-Spider. Except, it was the opposite. He was in the kitchen, his hands covering his face in exhaustion.

She stopped and tried to sneakily go to her room when her dad called her. She sighed as she walked to the kitchen.

"I got a call from school, saying you weren't there?"

Gwen wanted to roll her eyes at his wording. He might as well say, "I forced you to go to school, and you were supposed to stay there."

Gwen refused to say a word.

"Gwen!"

Gwen didn't flinch. Only stare at the floor.

"Gwen," he spoke softly this time. "Talk to me, sweetheart." He walked over to her and hug her but Gwen placed a hand on his chest, stopping him.

"Talk to you?" she shook her head. "How can I?!" she shouted.

"Gwen," he tried.

Gwen threw her hands in the air in retaliation, "NO!"

"I lost my best friend and it was all my fault! Not only that! I see him everywhere! He didn't deserve this! Everyone is all fake and I somehow can't do anything about it because it will only get worse!" she shouted.

"I feel like I'm drowning and I can't breathe! He's been gone for at least two weeks and everyone is hoping for me to be smiling! I killed him! I killed Peter Parker! My best friend!"

George's eyes widened and hugged the girl to him, tightly. He waited as she sobbed. He shushed her softly as she continued to cry.

"It's not your fault, Gwen. It was Ghost-Spider's fault. I know my promises feel empty right now, but I will catch her and bring her in. She'll never hurt anyone again."

Gwen sniffed. She felt a painful pang on her heart, hurting her more. She knew her father wouldn't understand her. And she knew she could never tell him. She nodded to him.

She removed herself from him and walked to her room. George sadly sighed as he stared after his daughter.

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Gwen lay back on her bed as she played her music on low. Her phone kept ringing but she refused to answer it. She knew Harry and MJ were calling her, hoping she would come to the concert.

She heard a knock on the door and pretended to sleep. The door opened slightly. George entered the room, putting a plate on the small table. They were both quiet, not knowing what to say.

"Sweetheart," he finally spoke.

She didn't turn to him and only listened.

"I heard there is a concert going on in your school. You can come with me, it can be a small break," he tried.

She didn't respond.

He waited, hoping to at least try to cheer her up to see her bandmates. Seeing how she didn't make a move to do anything, sighed.

"I'll be back, alright? Call me when you need anything." He turned to leave.

"Hey, dad?"

He stopped and turned to her, eagerly waiting for what she needed.

"Can you close the door on your way out?"

Ignoring the disappointment, nodded and closed the door behind him.

🕸🕷🕸

Gwen stayed alone eating her sandwich in her room. She felt as if the whole world is falling apart in just minutes. She doesn't know what to do and it scares her. A lot. If only she had Peter here. He would always make her feel better.

Her phone buzzed, the tenth text message she would get. She attempted to throw it away but her hands would stick to the phone, annoying her.

Can she even go on with herself? How can she?

Her blue eyes turned duller as she looked out the window. She sighed and decided to hate the soundless night and turned on the police radio she has connected to her bed.

It instantly flashed with sirens. Her eyes widened at this.

"What's going on?" she shook her head and ran to her window. She spotted a horde of police cars heading to her right. To the school's direction.

Her eyes widened more and ran to the closet and found her bracelets. She stopped as her thumb neared close to the button. She closed her eyes and grits her teeth.

She can't escape what happens next.

With that, she pressed the button and the familiar technology enveloped her as she jumped out and swung in the school's direction.

🕸🕷🕸

As soon as Ghost-Spider arrived at the school, all she saw was flames in the gym. She ran and hoped nobody was hurt. She can't let anyone die. Not again!

Her senses flared as she neared the door. She narrowed her eyes at it and kicked the doors down. She noticed there wasn't a single person there. Her eyes narrowed in confusion as her senses were going haywire.

"Hello?! Is anyone here?!" she shouted running around the flamed gym. But couldn't find anything.

She stopped as she spotted a burned poster of Peter Parker on the wall. She shook her head.

"It's not him! It's not him!" she murmured to herself.

She jumped upstage and ran backstage when she heard things breaking. She took a moment to peak inside and her eyes widened.

Rhino was trashing the place following someone. She took in the situation and climbed to the ceiling to sneak attack him. She spotted a broken wall below and spider-webbed it towards her, discretely.

She kept hearing Rhino grunting, destroying the instruments. Her eye twitched in annoyance as he destroyed her drums.

Seeing him slightly exhausted, she threw the wall at him. He was flung to a side as she dropped to the ground.

Rhino saw her and smirked. He'll be done with the mission as soon as he can get a challenge from the famous Ghost-Spider.

Ghost ran towards him and started throwing everything heavy to put him unconscious until the police arrive. She doesn't want any more trouble with the police.

The Rhino saw her hesitating for a moment and grabbed her. His arms hugged her tightly and started to crush her.

"You're so weak! Why would Kingpin want to hire you?!"

Her eyes widened. Kingpin?

Feeling her bones breaking, she grunts as she managed to take her arms out of his hold. Rhino saw that and crushed her even more.

Not holding on much longer, she screamed as she fought back with her own strength. He saw the sudden shift and couldn't dodge the punch she gave him.

Ghost started frantically punching him to let her go.

Rhino was getting disoriented as he fell back a step, dropping her. Ghost took this chance and punch him through the wall, instantly defeating him.

She huffed as she finally defeated him. She stopped as she heard something click behind her and sighed.

Ghost turned around and her eyes widened as she saw her father, bloody in front of her pointing his gun at her.

She tried looking for a way out, including the new open but a bullet ricochet at the wall next to her.

"Stay where you are! Don't move!" George shouted.

He was able to get everyone out of the building but it seemed Rhino was going after him and stayed. He never thought Ghost-Spider would come back and defeat Rhino. Now that he has her in front of him, he'll finally save Gwen from blaming herself.

Ghost-Spider killed Peter, not her.

"Stay where you are!"

Ghost didn't know what to do. All the weight is finally breaking her shoulders as she stared at her father.

"Remove your mask now!" he ordered.

Ghost's shoulder dropped as she raised her arms. He flinched lifting his gun at her. "Slow!"

"C'mon, really? Really? Geez, man. What's a girl gotta do to impress you? I just want to be loved," she joked as she tried to find a way out.

"I'm placing you under arrest for the murder of Peter Benjamin Parker. You have the right to–"

"Wait. Listen. Peter's death wasn't...it wasn't my fault. At least not in the way that you think."

"I said don't move!"

'His hands. They're so steady,' she thought.

"That's not my job to decide," he spoke as he glared at her with hatred.

"Right. You'll leave that to Jameson's angry mob?" she asked, incredulously.

She grabbed her mask and forcibly took it off.

"Yeah, I have no doubt you want that captain. But sometimes what we want–"

George's eyes widened, expecting a different girl. But no. It was Gwen. His Gwen. His jaw dropped as he saw Gwen sullenly look at him, but her chin lifting proved she is strong.

"Oh my god," he trembled.

"–isn't what the world needs," she finished.

"Gwen?! H-How? Why?!"

Gwen strongly stared into his eyes, now making a decision. If her father takes her to jail, she will become the criminal everyone deemed her to be.

"You're a good cop, dad. You put on that badge and carry that gun because you know if you don't someone who shouldn't will. When I put on this mask, I only did it because it freed me from responsibility. I thought I was special. And Peter died–" she closed her eyes in anguish.

"–because he tried to follow my example. I have to take responsibility for that. To make his death mean something. But I can't do it in a jail cell. This is my badge now. If I don't define what it means... monsters like this will. This is where I'm needed most."

She waited for him to say something as her eyes burned in rage. His hand trembled as he lowered his gun.

His lip trembled, not knowing what to do. He only wanted to turn Ghost-Spider in to protect her. But all he was doing, was hurting her more.

He grits his teeth and turned around.

"Leave."

Gwen's eyes widened, "What?"

"Damn it, Gwen. Go, go on then. Get the hell out of here before I come to my senses," he turned to her in slight exhaustion.

"Dad...I..." she stopped and put on her mask, turning away from him.

"...Thank you." With that, she jumped out of the broken wall and swung away.

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"He couldn't kill the cop?!" Kingpin punched his desk in half. His men flinched from the destructive motion.

"Where's Murdock?!"

"Murdock left the building, sir."

Kingpin grew an irk mark. He glared as the door opened in front of him revealing Matt Murdock, smirking.

"Murdock..." Kingpin seethed.

Murdock only smiled and sat at the empty chair in front of him.

"Give me one good reason not to kill you right now..."

"Now, now. You don't want to hear about my plan?"

Kingpin only glared at him. His plan to have Ghost-Spider as an ally went down the drain and now this bastard is playing coy with him.

"What if I tell you, I have a new plan to recruit Ghost-Spider?"

🕸🕷🕸

Gwen sighed as she was fighting The Vulture. She hated to admit it, but she lost. But she won't give up and find him.

She'll defeat him and then turn him into the police to finally clear her name. It's a great plan...except she doesn't know where he is.

Gwen sighed as she walked by an ally. Suddenly her senses flared making her stop her tracks. She looked around but couldn't find anything out of ordinary. She trusted her instincts and waited for more.

Her senses flared once again, making her dodge a punch. She jumped high and stuck to the wall. She spotted a tall and thin man with dark glasses, smirking up at her.

"We finally meet, Ghost-Spider."

"Do I know you?" she asked.

The man kept smirking, playing with his watch. Her senses warned her about that watch and stayed alert.

"You don't, but I know you."

She narrowed her eyes at him. She was thankful that she still wore her suit.

"The name's Matt Murdock. I work for Kingpin by the way," he stated.

Her eyes widened. Kingpin wanted to recruit her...why was that?

She glared at him. He noticed this and smirked widely. "Don't be too upset. Kingpin just wants to free you from the media and the police from unjust acts. Why don't you follow me and we'll talk more on this discussion?"

After Kingpin tried to kill her father? Like hell, she will. She saw as he kept a tense form as if preparing for a fight. And she'll give it to him.

"I don't think I will," she stated strongly.

Murdock kept his composure, "I'm afraid you don't have a choice."

She webbed his hands from reaching his watch and ran towards him. Murdock struggled as he tried to pull his arm away from the web but Ghost punched him in the face.

Murdock spit out blood and kicked her back, making her stumble. She webbed him more but he kept dodging her. Just as she was finally going to knock him out, three men appeared behind her. She sensed them too late as they grabbed her and pushed her to the ground.

Ghost grunts to remove them. She was able to do just that until she grunts in pain as she was electrocuted in her neck. She let out a scream as she fell down to the ground. Looking up, she can see how Murdock kept giving her a smirk.

The Devil kept smirking.

"Good night, Ghost-Spider."

With that, her view turned to a variety of different colors as she fell into limbo. She screamed out, trying to get something in order to not be sucked in.

But it was too late.

Published: January 6, 2022

Word Count: 3775