chapter nine:
❛ stuck in a storage unit with spiderman ❜

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Gwen strolled down the street, her backpack snug against her shoulders, filled with books and a sketchpad. The sun shone brightly, but she felt a nagging sense of worry gnawing at her. Where had Spider-Man disappeared to? They had been working together, swinging through the city, but now she felt strangely alone.

As she walked, she scanned the rooftops, hoping to catch a glimpse of the familiar red and blue figure. Suddenly, a loud rumble filled the air, and a massive truck thundered past. Gwen squinted, her heart racing as she recognized Spider-Man inside the cab, but he wasn't alone. Next to him sat a menacing figure with wings-Vulture. The sight sent a chill down her spine.

"Spider-Man!" she called out, waving her arms in a desperate attempt to get his attention. But her voice was drowned out by the truck's engine, and before she could react, Vulture's sharp eyes locked onto her.

In an instant, Vulture swooped down, his talon-like fingers gripping the fabric of her backpack. "Hey, let me go!" she screeched, panic surging through her veins. She kicked and squirmed, but it was no use; he was far too strong.

With a flick of his wrist, Vulture lifted her off her feet and tossed her into the back of the truck like she was nothing more than a ragdoll. Gwen's world spun as she hit the cold, hard metal floor with a thud, the impact jarring her head and causing a sharp pain to shoot through her skull. Stars danced in her vision, and a wave of nausea washed over her.

As she struggled to regain consciousness, she glanced over to her side. There lay Spider-Man, unconscious, his mask slightly askew. The sight of him made her heart ache; he was supposed to protect her, and now they were both at the mercy of Vulture.

The truck rumbled on, the city's sounds fading into the background as darkness closed in around her. Her last thoughts were of the chaos unfolding outside, unaware of the fate that awaited them both.

Gwen slowly regained consciousness, her vision blurring before it came into focus. She blinked against the harsh light, realizing she was in the back of a truck. Panic surged through her as she registered the figure beside her-Spider-Man. She reacted instinctively, her fist flying out and connecting with his cheek.

"Ow!" Spider-Man winced, his hand shooting up to cradle his face. Gwen's eyes widened in horror as she registered what she had done.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed, scrambling to sit up, her heart racing.

"It's fine..." he mumbled, trying to wave off her concern, though he couldn't hide the slight wince in his expression.

Gwen quickly brushed her hands against her shorts, trying to shake off the residual shock. "Your head is bleeding," he said, his voice suddenly serious. She instinctively reached up to touch her forehead, feeling the sticky warmth of blood on her fingers.

"Well, shit," she cursed, her eyes darting around the dimly lit interior of the truck.

"Does your head hurt?" Spider-Man asked, concern etched on his masked face.

Gwen shook her head. "No, no... I think I'm fine." She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.

Spider-Man muttered to himself, his eyes narrowing. "They must have hijacked the truck and taken me to their evil lair."

Gwen shot him a skeptical look. "You sound insane," she scoffed, rolling her eyes. Determined to take control of the situation, she stood up and walked over to the door, pushing it open.

Suddenly, Spider-Man bolted forward to try and follow her out, but his foot slipped, sending him crashing to the ground with a thud. Gwen couldn't help but chuckle at his clumsiness.

"Looks like we're in a warehouse," she announced, stepping down from the truck's side.

"No. Seriously? Argh!" Spider-Man exclaimed, pushing himself off the floor.

"Who are you talking to? Did you bump your head too hard?" Gwen asked, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion.

"No, no. I have this like AI lady in my suit," he explained, waving his hand dismissively.

Gwen's eyes widened in surprise. "Well, how do we get out of here, suit lady?" she teased, smirking.

"This is the most secure facility, Gwen!" Spider-Man exclaimed, his frustration palpable.

Gwen rolled her eyes. "Whatever. I'm gonna look around since we're gonna be in here until morning."

She wandered deeper into the warehouse, scanning the surroundings for anything useful. She spotted crates stacked high against the walls, various tools scattered about, and some old machinery that looked like it hadn't been touched in years. After a few minutes of searching, she gathered a couple of useful items-a crowbar and some rope.

When she returned to the truck, she found Spider-Man lounging awkwardly in a web he had spun, looking surprisingly comfortable, as if it were a hammock.

"Hey, can you make me one of those?" she asked, grinning.

"Sure, but don't blame me if you slip," he shot back playfully.

As Gwen tried to climb in beside him, she almost lost her balance, but Spider-Man reached out to steady her, his grip firm.

"Thanks," she said, laughing. "I can't wait to tell people that I got stuck in a storage unit with Spider-Man."

He raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "Why do you keep following me, anyway?"

Gwen hesitated, looking down at her hands. "I have a hunch on who you are," she confessed, her voice softening.

"Why is it important to you?" he asked, tilting his head.

"I want to be a detective one day. I don't wanna expose your identity... I just want to know if I'm right about who you are." She met his gaze, determination in her eyes. "I know if I ask, you're not gonna say yes or no."

Spider-Man nodded slowly, understanding her resolve. "Fair enough," he said.

They shared a moment of silence, the weight of their circumstances settling in as they braced themselves for whatever lay ahead.

Spider-Man broke the silence, his voice lightening the mood. "Hey, suit lady. I kind of feel bad calling you 'suit lady,' you know? I think I should probably give you a name. How about... Izzy?" He tilted his head slightly, a playful grin hidden beneath his mask.

Gwen blinked, taken aback by the sudden suggestion. "What about Karen?" she shot back, a spark of mischief in her tone.

Spider-Man snapped his fingers enthusiastically. "Yes! Karen! I like it!" He beamed, the excitement evident in his voice. "It's got a nice ring to it, right? Much better than 'suit lady.'"

Gwen couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of the situation. "Karen it is, then. Welcome to the team, Karen," she teased, mimicking a formal introduction.

Spider-Man chuckled, clearly amused. "Perfect! Now we can have conversations without me feeling like I'm talking to a nameless AI."

"Glad I could help with that," Gwen replied, crossing her arms as she leaned against the side of the truck. "So, Karen, any thoughts on how we escape this warehouse?"

He nodded, his expression shifting to one of focus. "Alright, Karen, let's figure out our next move. We need a plan, and I need you to keep an eye out for Vulture, just in case."

Gwen raised an eyebrow. "Don't worry about me, Spidey. I can handle myself."

"Don't call me that!" he retorted, a hint of annoyance creeping into his voice.

Gwen shrugged playfully. "Why not? It suits you."

With their playful banter filling the air, they began brainstorming, each bouncing ideas off the other. In that moment, the weight of their predicament felt a little lighter, as they embraced the camaraderie that had unexpectedly formed between them.

Gwen had found a comfortable spot atop one of the storage containers, the cold metal cool against her back as she dozed off, her exhaustion finally catching up to her. The warehouse was dimly lit, the shadows stretching across the floor as the hum of machinery faded into a soft lullaby. She had wrapped her arms around her knees, drifting into a deep sleep, unaware of the world around her.

Suddenly, a loud thud jolted her awake. She squinted against the light as she sat up, blinking rapidly to clear her groggy mind. Just then, she noticed Spider-Man standing at the base of the container, a mischievous grin visible behind his mask. In his hand, he held a small, shiny device-a web grenade.

"What the-?" Gwen started, her heart racing as she realized what was about to happen. Before she could react, Spider-Man hurled the grenade at her. It exploded in a shower of webbing, catching her off guard and enveloping her in a sticky cocoon.

"Seriously?!" Gwen shouted, struggling against the strands as they pulled her down. "What was that for?"

Spider-Man doubled over with laughter. "I thought you'd enjoy a little wake-up call! You were snoring like a chainsaw!"

Gwen scowled, finally managing to free one arm. "You know, I was actually having a nice dream before you decided to launch a surprise attack!"

"Just keeping you on your toes," he replied, still chuckling. "Can't let a sleeping beauty get too comfortable in a villain's lair."

Gwen rolled her eyes but couldn't help the smirk tugging at her lips. "Yeah, well, next time, use a less sticky method, would you? I'd rather not wake up feeling like a bug stuck in a spider's web."

Spider-Man tilted his head, feigning innocence. "But you are a bug, aren't you? A detective bug, trying to solve the case of the missing hero."

"Very funny," she shot back, finally managing to pull herself upright, strands of webbing sticking to her hair. "Just wait until I get my hands on that web grenade. I'll show you a real wake-up call."

"Bring it on!" he teased, backing away dramatically. "I'm ready for the ultimate showdown!"

Gwen took a deep breath, gathering her energy. "Oh, just you wait. I'll get you back for this. I'm not going to let you forget it."

"Can't wait to see what you come up with, Detective Gwen," he replied, a playful glint in his eye.

As she continued to wriggle free from the remnants of the web, Gwen couldn't help but laugh along with him, realizing that despite the chaos, this unexpected camaraderie made their dire situation a little brighter.

Gwen and Spider-Man lay side by side on top of the towering storage containers, the cool metal pressing against them as they stared up at the dimly lit ceiling of the warehouse. The muffled sounds of the bustling city outside created a distant backdrop, fading into a serene silence that felt almost surreal amidst the chaos they had just escaped.

Gwen turned her head, catching a glimpse of Spider-Man's masked face, a blend of determination and empathy in his posture. "Hey, do you know anything about my mom?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, vulnerability threading through her words. She felt the weight of uncertainty pressing down on her, the ache of not knowing where her mother was.

Spider-Man shifted slightly, turning to face her more fully. "I'm really sorry, Gwen," he said, his tone sincere and warm. "I haven't found any leads yet, but I promise I'll look for her. I won't give up."

Gwen felt a flicker of hope igniting in her chest, mixed with the ever-present fear that had been gnawing at her since her mother's disappearance. "I just wish I had some answers," she admitted, her eyes momentarily glistening with unshed tears.

Spider-Man hesitated, his expression thoughtful. "I think Vulture might have taken her," he said, his voice low and serious. The name hung in the air, heavy with implications. "He's been involved in some pretty shady stuff lately. It's possible."

"Oh," Gwen replied, her heart sinking at the thought. The fear of the situation felt even more tangible now. "That makes sense. He's always been trouble, hasn't he?"

"But don't worry," Spider-Man continued, his tone firm as he shifted closer, closing the distance between them. "I'll get her back. I promise. I won't stop until I do."

Gwen chuckled softly, a bittersweet smile crossing her lips. "Good, because if you don't, I'll be mad," she teased, her eyes sparkling with a mix of gratitude and playful defiance.

Spider-Man let out a light laugh, the tension between them easing just a bit. "I'd hate to be on your bad side. That sounds terrifying."

"Believe me, it can be," she replied, her tone shifting slightly as she propped herself up on one elbow. "What about you? Do you have any siblings?"

He raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Just wondering," he said, his curiosity piqued.

"Yeah," she said, her voice growing softer. "I have a little brother named Max. He's staying with a family friend in our apartment building while I'm on this school trip. He can be a bit of a handful, but I miss him a lot."

Spider-Man smiled at the mention of her brother, warmth spreading through him at the thought of their bond. "I'm sure he misses you too. Siblings are important," he said, genuinely.

Gwen sighed, a hint of sadness creeping into her expression. "Yeah, he does. I just hope he's okay. I worry about him being alone, especially with everything going on."

"He'll be fine," Spider-Man reassured her, his tone confident. "You're a strong sister. He's lucky to have you looking out for him."

"Thanks," she said, feeling a sense of comfort wash over her from his words. They fell into a comfortable silence, the world outside fading as they shared their burdens. In that moment, it was just the two of them, connected through their struggles, the bond between them deepening amidst the uncertainty surrounding them.

Gwen drifted back to sleep, the gentle hum of the warehouse lulling her into a peaceful slumber. She felt safe atop the storage containers, the earlier tension fading away. But it wasn't long before her subconscious began to stir, the faint sound of clicking and beeping rousing her from her dreams.

Blinking sleep from her eyes, Gwen slowly pushed herself up. To her surprise, she found Spider-Man hanging upside down from a metal beam, his figure silhouetted against the dim light of the facility. He was intently focused on a complex panel on the wall, poking and prodding at it with a gloved finger.

"What are you doing?" she asked, rubbing her eyes to clear her vision.

Spider-Man jumped slightly at her voice, his focus broken. "Oh! Uh, just... uh, checking the time locks," he said quickly, trying to sound casual as he maneuvered his body to right himself.

Gwen raised an eyebrow, skepticism creeping in. "Time locks? You mean like security measures?"

"Yeah! Totally secure stuff," he replied, trying to sound convincing. But his demeanor suggested otherwise.

She squinted at him. "Are you sure that's all you're doing?"

Spider-Man hesitated, caught off guard by her directness. He thought about the purple glowing device he had been carrying around, not realizing she had already seen it when he was Peter. "It's nothing to worry about," he said, waving a hand dismissively.

"Right, because that's always reassuring," she shot back, rolling her eyes. "You know, I've seen that glowing thing before. What is it really?"

He chuckled nervously, shifting his weight as he tried to maintain his composure. "I, uh, can't really tell you that. It's... classified."

"Classified? Seriously?" Gwen crossed her arms, unimpressed. "You can't just hang upside down in a warehouse with a 'classified' object and expect me to just let it go."

"Don't worry about it," he insisted, forcing a grin.

Gwen leaned closer, eyeing the panel. "And what exactly does it do? Is it a bomb?"

Spider-Man stammered, "No, it's not a bomb! I mean, it's just... really powerful. But in a good way!"

Gwen let out a laugh, shaking her head. "You're terrible at this. If it's so 'good,' then why are you hiding it?"

He sighed, finally admitting, "I guess I just didn't want to freak you out. But I'll figure it out. Promise."

She studied him for a moment, the playful banter softening into concern. "Just... be careful, okay? I don't want to end up in another sticky situation because of some secret weapon you're toting around."

"Got it. No more secrets," he said, a touch more serious now.

"Good," she replied, her tone more relaxed.

Gwen stirred from her uneasy sleep, the echoes of shouting slicing through the fog of her dreams. As her senses sharpened, she blinked against the bright fluorescent lights of the storage facility. A group of workers surrounded her, their expressions a mix of confusion and annoyance.

"Hey! You can't just sleep here!" one of them yelled, his voice booming in the cavernous space. Another tossed a crumpled piece of paper at her, which hit her square in the shoulder.

Gwen squealed, jolting upright. "What the-?" she exclaimed, her heart racing as she took in her surroundings. Panic coursed through her when she realized Spider-Man was nowhere to be found.

"Where is he?" she muttered, eyes darting around the warehouse. The workers were closing in, their frustrated chatter growing louder, making her feel trapped. She felt a rush of anxiety as she scrambled off the storage container, her feet landing with a soft thud on the cold concrete floor.

"Get out of here!" another worker shouted, and Gwen's instincts kicked in. She turned and sprinted towards the exit, pushing past the men who were still yelling at her. Their voices faded as she focused on escaping.

Bursting through the heavy metal door, the cool air hit her like a splash of cold water, invigorating yet disorienting. The cacophony of the city enveloped her-horns blaring, people chattering, the distant hum of life all around. She ran down the sidewalk, her heart pounding in her chest, every step fueled by adrenaline and fear.

"Taxi!" she shouted, waving her arms frantically as she reached the nearest cab stand. A yellow taxi pulled over, and she leaped inside without hesitation, slamming the door behind her as if to seal off the chaos she had just escaped.

"Where to?" the driver asked, glancing back at her in the rearview mirror, his brows raised in curiosity at her disheveled appearance.

"Anywhere but here!" Gwen replied, her voice a mix of urgency and anxiety.

The driver raised an eyebrow but nodded, pulling away from the curb. The city whizzed by outside, a blur of lights and colors, and for a moment, she allowed herself to breathe.

As they sped through the streets, her mind raced with thoughts of Spider-Man. Had he managed to escape? Did he leave her behind? A mix of gratitude and confusion washed over her. He had helped her, but where had he gone? The questions buzzed in her mind like a swarm of angry bees.

Gwen pressed her forehead against the cool window, watching the world rush past. The buildings loomed tall and imposing, their shadows flickering like memories of the warehouse. She felt a tightness in her chest, the reality of her situation crashing down on her.

"Just drive," she urged the driver, her voice firmer now. "Just get me as far away from there as possible." The driver nodded, picking up speed as they merged into heavier traffic.

As they moved further into the heart of the city, Gwen's thoughts turned to her family. She hadn't thought about them while stuck in the warehouse, but now they flooded back into her mind. Her little brother, Max, staying with a family friend while she was on this trip. The thought made her heart ache. What if he had woken up and realized she was gone?

The cab turned a corner, and she caught a glimpse of the sun setting over the skyline, casting a golden glow over the buildings. It reminded her that life continued on outside of her chaotic situation.

"Can you drop me off at the nearest park?" she finally asked, wanting a place where she could gather her thoughts.

"Sure thing," the driver replied, making the necessary turn.

As they approached the park, Gwen felt a sense of relief wash over her. She paid the driver and hopped out, taking a deep breath of fresh air. She watched the people walking their dogs, children playing, and couples laughing. It felt like a world away from the fear and uncertainty she had just experienced.

For a moment, Gwen allowed herself to think about what had happened, the whirlwind of emotions crashing over her like waves. She knew she couldn't stay lost in her thoughts for long. She needed to find Spider-Man again, to figure out what had happened and to understand her own place in this chaotic new reality.

With renewed determination, she stepped further into the park, ready to confront whatever came next.

Gwen walked through the park, the evening air crisp and refreshing against her skin. The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting a warm golden hue over the landscape. She took a deep breath, trying to shake off the whirlwind of emotions that had consumed her since her encounter with Spider-Man. Every step reminded her of the chaos that had unfolded-the adrenaline, the fear, and the unexpected bond that had formed in that cramped storage unit.

As she approached the hotel, the familiar façade offered a sense of relief. Pushing through the glass doors, she stepped into the warmth of the lobby, where the buzz of chatter and laughter filled the air. A part of her longed to disappear into the crowd, to blend in with the other tourists who were blissfully unaware of her recent adventure.

Gwen made her way to the elevator, her heart racing not just from the memory of being trapped but from the anticipation of facing MJ. She knew her friend would be worried, and she felt a pang of guilt for not being there for their planned outing.

When she reached her room, she hesitated for a moment, gathering her thoughts. Finally, she pushed the door open to find MJ pacing near the window, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. The moment MJ saw her, her eyes widened, a mix of annoyance and relief flooding her expression.

"There you are!" MJ exclaimed, her voice rising. "We need to go soon! The group is meeting to head to the Washington Monument, and you're late!"

"I know, okay!" Gwen snapped, frustration bubbling over. "I got stuck in a storage unit with Spider-Man!"

MJ's brows knitted together in confusion. "Wait, what? You were with Spider-Man? Like, the Spider-Man?"

"Yes, the Spider-Man!" Gwen replied, throwing her hands up in exasperation. "It's a long story, but I-"

"Wait, hold on," MJ interrupted, her curiosity piqued. "How did you end up in a storage unit? Did you get kidnapped or something?"

Gwen took a breath, trying to steady herself. "Not exactly. I was chasing after him because I thought he might know something about my mom. I ended up in the warehouse, and then there was this whole thing with Vulture, and-"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," MJ cut in again, eyes wide. "You're telling me you were chasing after Spider-Man because of your mom, and then you got trapped with him? Did he save you or something?"

"Kind of," Gwen admitted, running a hand through her hair. "But then I woke up, and the workers found me. I panicked and ran off."

MJ shook her head, clearly trying to process everything. "So, you went from being with a superhero to getting yelled at by some storage workers? That's wild, Gwen."

Gwen let out a small laugh despite the stress weighing on her. "Yeah, it was pretty surreal. And now I have to figure out what's next because I need to find him again."

MJ crossed her arms, her tone shifting from annoyance to genuine concern. "Are you okay? Like, for real. That sounds intense."

"I think so," Gwen replied, her voice softening. "But I'm worried about my mom, and I feel like I need to be doing something. I can't just sit around."

"Alright," MJ said, her expression shifting to determination. "But first, we need to get to the Monument. We can't miss the group tour. After that, we can figure out your next steps."

Gwen nodded, appreciating MJ's support. "Okay, let's go. I'll explain everything on the way."

ASH SPEAKS!

EEEEEKKKK!! GWEN FINDS OUT HES SPIDERMAN OFFICIALLY NEXT CHAPTER GUYS

please check out "matching scars" and "cinnamon girl"!! they're both my finished cobra kai fics (until s6 part 2 ofc)

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!
COMMENT AND VOTE! IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:)