Chapter 34 School Aftermath (2)

As I swung away in Midtown High School, my mind was filled with a mix of relief and worry. The battle was over, and the school was safe, but I couldn't shake off my concern for my friends, Mark, Chris, and Emily. Using my chi sense, I concentrated on locating them, eager to reunite. I knew they'd be looking for me too.

The familiarity of their chi signatures eased my mind somewhat, also reminding me of where I found them last time, right in the midst of all those moments, where our teacher, Dan died. a wave of sorrow washed over me, remembering the tragic loss of our beloved teacher, Dan. The memory of his death weighed heavily on me, reminding me of the risks they faced.

Before landing nearby, I made a quick decision to switch back to my civilian guise as Michael Wilson."Hero off,"  I whispered to myself mentally, prompting the system to turn off my superhero identity. My black Spidey suit transformed into the ordinary attire of a nerdy high school student, minus the glasses—a small detail (chuckle)

"Alright, time to find my friends," I whispered to myself, my determination pushing me forward as I scanned the surroundings, relying on my chi sense to guide me to where Mark, Chris, and Emily were.

I saw Mark, Chris, and Emily looking for me. It's not surprising, considering I'm their friend who vanished during the attack. What else would they do? Hide and wait while their friend is still out there? So, that's the conclusion I reached.

Just as their worry was reaching its peak, I popped up right in front of them, catching them off guard with my sudden arrival. "Surprise?" I said awkwardly, feeling relieved to see the tension on their faces ease up a bit.

Meanwhile before this happened:

Mark looked around the dark halls, feeling really worried. The school was a mess after the explosion and attack. There was stuff everywhere, and the walls had burn marks on them. It was scary to see. Mark's heart was racing as he tried to find his friend, Michael.

"Michael, where are you?" Mark's voice bounced off the walls, filled with worry as he looked around for his friend. The lights flickered on and off, making strange shadows on the broken floor. Mark felt like he was walking through a mess, his heart beating fast with fear for Michael.

Emily Hawkins walked closely behind Mark, her eyes filled with fear as she looked around for any sign of their friend. The school looked completely different now after the attack. It was so quiet, unlike how it used to be when students filled the halls. The broken windows let in a bit of moonlight, making everything seem eerie and strange. Emily's footsteps made soft sounds on the cracked floor as she followed Mark, feeling a sense of unease hanging in the air.

"Michael? Are you there?" Emily's voice shook with fear, her hands trembling as she held tightly to Mark. She felt a knot of worry growing in her chest with every second that passed. Despite the fear, she tried to stay positive, hoping against hope that they would find their friend soon.

Chris Hilton kept moving forward, determined to find his friend. The explosion had wrecked the school, leaving it in a mess with desks flipped over and broken glass everywhere. The only sounds were far-off noises and the occasional creak of damaged things, making everything feel eerie and quiet. But Chris stayed focused on his goal: finding his friend in the chaos of their school.

"Where on earth is that guy?" Chris muttered under his breath, growing increasingly impatient with every passing moment. The faint glow of the emergency lampsdidn't do much to brighten the dark hallway, But Chris wasn't about to back down. He kept walking, his footsteps loud on the cold, against tiled floors of the school.

In the aftermath of the recent explosion and terrorist attack, the air felt weirdly quiet, with only the occasional creak from the broken stuff around. It was like the school was holding its breath after all the chaos. Everything seemed kinda spooky, making him feel a bit uneasy. Despite the unsettling atmosphere, Chris remained focused, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of his missing friend.

Then Mark, Emily, and Chris were taken aback when Michael suddenly appeared in front of them. They were clearly surprised by his sudden appearance.

[Back to Michael POV]

Just as their worry was reaching its peak, I popped up right in front of them, catching them off guard with my sudden arrival. "Surprise?" I said awkwardly, feeling relieved to see the tension on their faces ease up a bit.

Mark's eyes widened in disbelief as he spotted me, and without a moment's hesitation, he dashed towards me with an exclamation of relief. "Michael!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with a mixture of joy and disbelief as he enveloped me in a tight hug.

Emily followed suit, her expression shifting from concern to sheer happiness as she joined in the embrace. "You're okay!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with relief as she held onto me tightly.

Chris, couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief as he watched our reunion. "About time you showed up," he said with a hint of teasing in his tone, but there was genuine relief in his eyes as he stepped forward to join the group.

I couldn't stop myself from smiling when I saw my friends. I felt really thankful and relieved. "I'm fine, guys," I told them, hugging them back just as tightly. "I'm just really happy to see that all of you are safe."

Mark's initial relief quickly gave way to frustration as he pulled back from the hug, his eyes looking annoyed. "Where the hell have you been, Michael?" he asked, sounding really frustrated. "We looked everywhere for you! Do you have any idea how worried we've been?"

Mark's words made me feel really bad, like when you get punched in the stomach. I could feel myself getting guilty. "I'm sorry, Mark," I started, feeling really sorry. "I didn't mean to make you guys worried. I was just..." I stopped talking because I didn't know how to explain without revealing my secret identity.

Before I could say anything else, Mark got really mad. He blurted out,"If Spider-Man hadn't told us you were just hiding, I would be even more scared right now!" he exclaimed,  looking super upset as he pointed a finger in my direction.

As Mark let out his frustration, Emily and Chris looked at each other and nodded, agreeing with what Mark said.

 "Exactly!" Emily said, basically repeating what Mark had just said. Chris didn't say anything but sighed loudly, showing that he felt the same way Mark did.

I flinched at his words, knowing that they had every right to be angry with me. "I'm sorry, guys," I repeated, my voice filled with sincerity this time. "I didn't mean to cause you any trouble. I was just trying to... to grab my stuff from the room when suddenly this terrorist guy showed up then Spider-Man came to the rescue, and before I knew it, he was telling me to hide." I said Trying to bullshit my way out

"It's not like I'm going to tell them the truth, like, 'Hey guys, I'm Spider-Man, I saved everyone,'" I thought to myself. "That would be pretty stupid."

Instead, I focused on reassuring them and making things right, even if it meant keeping my superhero alter ego a secret. It was a burden I had to bear alone, but if it meant protecting my friends and keeping them safe, then it was a secret worth keeping.

I stumbled over my words, feeling the weight of their disappointment bearing down on me. "I'm so sorry, guys," I continued, trying to regain my composure. "I won't disappear like that again, I swear. From now on, I'll stay with you the whole time."

As I spoke,I could tell they weren't fully convinced, but I really meant what I said. I knew I made a mistake, but I was serious about fixing it and showing them they could count on me.

Then Mark's stern expression softened slightly as he exchanged a glance with Emily and Chris. He took a deep breath, feeling relieved but also a little annoyed. "Alright, Michael," he said, sounding like he forgave me a bit.  "Just... don't scare us like that again, okay?"

Emily nodded, her eyes showing she was both worried and understanding. "Oum,  we were really worried," she admitted, her voice getting softer now that she knew I was okay.

Chris grunted, his face still serious but not as mad as before. "Yeah, seriously," he added, his tone softer now. "But as long as you're okay, that's what matters"

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding, feeling a wave of gratitude wash over me. "Thanks, guys," I said, my voice filled with genuine appreciation. "I promise I won't vanish like that again.

With a nod from all of us, we shared a moment of quiet relief, glad to be back together and prepared for whatever comes next.

"Now, let's go find the others,They might be that way" I said, pointing in that direction.

"Why?" Chris asked.

"Well, my gut tells me that way we can find people," I replied confidently.

Chris looked at me and raised an eyebrow.  "Sure, let's just follow our 'gut feelings' then," he retorted, his voice sounding a bit sarcastic.

Mark and Emily burst into laughter at Chris's response, the tension of the moment momentarily lifted by his sarcastic remark.

I chuckled inwardly, knowing that despite their skepticism,I know that my dad and the others were in that direction."Keep laughing, I'll prove you all wrong with my chi sense." I thought to myself

Meanwhile

Captain Edward Wilson guided his team through the dark, messed-up hallways of Midtown High School. Their footsteps sounded loud in the quiet, broken only by the occasional noise from fallen stuff or far-off sirens. The school, usually full of students and teachers, now looked like a big mess.

Captain Edward Wilson turned to Kevin Bridget, his expression grim yet determined. "Kevin, I need you to lead your wife and son, along with the others, to safety outside," he instructed, his voice is steady calm

Kevin looked worried, his eyes widening as he glanced between Captain Wilson and the others. "But what about you, Captain?" he asked, his voice full of concern.

Captain Wilson's expression turned resolute as he surveyed his team. "I'll take two of the guys with me  and  keep searching for the remaining teachers and students, especially my son, Michael," he stated firmly, his eyes showing his determination.

Just then, Thomas Halloway spoke up. "Can I stay here and go with you, Captain?" he asked, his voice steady and determined.

Captain Edward Wilson raised an eyebrow, curious about Thomas's sudden offer. "Why do you want to come with us, Sir?" he inquired, his tone guarded.

Thomas Halloway nodded, understanding the need to explain himself. "Spider-Man asked me to help other students and teachers who got injured and bruised with these potions," he explained, pulling out a set of potions to show Captain Edward and Kevin.

As Captain Edward Wilson listened to Thomas Halloway's explanation and noticed how calm he seemed, he felt curious. Even though this teacher just seemed like an old man to Captain Wilson, he had a feeling there was more to him than met the eye.

"Indeed, Spider-Man must have seen something in this old man," Captain Wilson mused silently, his thoughts reflecting on the trust Spider-Man had placed in this teacher. "He wouldn't have entrusted this old guy with this task if he didn't believe in his competence and strength."    

With a nod of acknowledgment, Captain Wilson accepted Thomas Halloway's offer. "Alright, Sir," he said, his tone firm but respectful. "You can join us, but stay close and follow my lead." 

Kevin expressed doubt, asking, "Captain, are you certain about this?" Captain Edward Wilson affirmed his decision, responding, "Yes, I am confident. You should go now, Kevin."

Kevin hesitated, his worried expression clear on his face. But seeing Captain Wilson's determination, he nodded reluctantly. "Okay, Captain," he said, his voice filled with concern. "Just be careful, alright?" his voice filled with worry.

With a final nod to each other, Kevin led his family and the others towards safety, their footsteps fading away in the dim hallway. Now, only Captain Wilson, Thomas Halloway, and the two enforcers remained. Their mission was simple: delve deeper into the school and find any survivors.

"We keep going," Captain Wilson said firmly. "No matter what's in our way, we find everyone still here and get them out safe. Let's go."

.......

As they moved forward, Captain Wilson and his team were met with scenes of destruction that deeply affected them. In one corridor, they were confronted with a devastating sight. Several students lay unmoving on the ground, their lifeless forms on the ground It was the result of the tragedy that befell Midtown High School.

The aftermath of the attack was clear to see everywhere they looked. Broken windows were scattered across the floors, shattered glass sparkling in the dim light like pieces of ice. Desks and chairs were flipped over, their metal frames bent and twisted, showing the chaos that had happened. Burn marks covered the walls, showing how hot the explosion had been.

"Stay alert, everyone," Captain Wilson called out, his voice firm but calm. "We need to find those who are still trapped and get them to safety."

The two police officers accompanying him nodded in agreement, their eyes scanning the surroundings for any movement. They knew that time was of the essence, and every second counted in their mission to rescue the remaining students and teachers.

Thomas Halloway, the ex-vigilante known as "The Angel," stayed near Captain Wilson, his experience and determination boosting their efforts. With his sharp senses and knowledge of the school, Halloway would be a big help in finding people.

As they kept looking, Captain Wilson couldn't forget the sight of the students who had died. Their faces stayed with him, their silent calls for help echoing in his mind as he guided his team further into the school.

As they continued through the school, they found groups of survivors gathered together, their expressions filled with fear and confusion. Captain Wilson and his team quickly approached them, offering words of reassurance and directing them towards safety. Their presence brought a feeling of relief and protection to those they encountered, amidst the overwhelming confusion and fear.

Thomas Halloway, sensing that there were twenty individuals in total, comprising fourteen students and six teachers,  realized that he had already used up 20 of the 40 health potions Spider-Man had given him, leaving him with only 20 left. He deduced that Spider-Man intended for these potions to aid the remaining injured individuals.

Thomas Halloway, observing the injured survivors gathered before them, turned to Captain Edward Wilson with a solemn expression. "Captain," he began, his voice steady yet filled with resolve, "I'll stay here with them. It seems they're in need of immediate medical attention, and I have just the means to provide it."

Captain Wilson regarded Halloway with a mixture of respect and concern. "Are you sure, Sir?" he asked, his brow furrowing with worry. "It could be dangerous to stay behind alone."

Thomas Halloway nodded confidently. "I get it, Captain," he said firmly. "But these young 'uns need me, and I'm the best one for the job. Don't let my age fool you—I've got plenty of strength and know-how from my younger years to handle this."

Captain Edward Wilson thought to himself, "Well I already  got a feeling this old man is tougher than he looks, especially if Spider-Man trusted him with those potions."

Then Captain Wilson paused, considering the situation. He knew this old man could handle himself but leaving him behind was still a concern. Eventually, he relented. "Alright, Sir " he said, reluctantly. "But stay safe. We'll keep searching but call for help if you need it."

With that Thomas Halloway leading the survivors to safety, Captain Wilson and his team pressed on, determined to find anyone still trapped. They searched every part of the school quickly, looking for anyone who might need help.

 Edward Wilson's thoughts were filled with concern for his son as they continued their search. "Please, Michael, be safe," he silently pleaded, hoping for his son's well-being.

As they pressed on, Captain Wilson and his team suddenly saw familiar faces drawing near. Among them were his son Michael Wilson, along with other three people.

"Michael!" Captain Wilson exclaimed, relief flooding his voice as he saw his son. "I'm so glad you're safe!"

"Dad!!" Michael called out, rushing towards him with a mixture of relief and excitement to meet his father.

Mark Fletcher, Chris Hilton, and Emily Hawkins followed closely behind, their expressions reflecting a combination of relief and disbelief. "See, I told you guys," Michael said triumphantly, a grin spreading across his face.                 

To be continued