chapter nine:

Caelum’s parents didn’t mind him going to the city to go Christmas shopping ― mainly because they didn’t know he was going. It was an easily crafted lie to sell, his decathlon team was doubling up on practices due to the regional event being so soon on the horizon. His parents took the bait easily, and now he was allowed to go to the school for extra study time.

Caelum left the apartment, promising to return before 6 PM, before heading out and stopping at Peter’s apartment directly one floor below.

He knocked, and Peter was quick to answer, all grins and excitement. “Great, you’re here,” He turned to call behind him. “Ned! Let’s go!”

Ned hurried over, bundled just as much as the others. They all said goodbye to Mrs. May before leaving, and walking across down the street.

Before they got off the train, Peter and Ned wanted to go get coffee. Caelum didn't mind, it was early, and he didn't drink coffee. The bitter taste to threw him off, and he preferred tea anyway.

They sat down waiting for their order to be done. Caelum's was finished first, and he accepted his green tea. He listened to Peter talk while he stirred the drink, delicately mixing two sugars in it before sipping it.

Peter was near ecstatic. Caelum had never seen the boy so happy. He was smiling brightly, his mouth running a mile a minute. “I want to get Mr. Harrington and May a gift, but I don’t know what I’ll get them. I know May likes anything yellow or something that has a cat, but I don’t know what. I looked online for something, but everything was either too expensive, or just not something I think she would like. Mr. Harrington is a teacher, so I want to get him, like, an apple, right? But that’s really overrated. I mean, what’s he going to do with an apple! Oh! What if I get him a whale?”

“You’re going to buy him a whale?” Caelum narrowed his eyes, but his mouth twitched in a smile.

“Not a real whale,” Peter shrugged. “Something small, like a paperweight.”

“I think teachers don’t need any more paperweights,” Ned admitted. “What are they going to do with it?”

Peter huffed, disappointed, and Caelum couldn’t help a smirk. He was so adorable when he pouted. He shook his head, looking out the window. He could see a few people walking, either looking down at phones or going in a brisk, even pace. Some were huddled over, ready to get to their location and out of the cold.

“Caelum?” He looked over, Ned was watching him. “What are you getting your folks?”

“. . . Nothing,” He admitted. He didn’t think about it until now. He didn’t have money to give them anything, and he also didn’t feel obligated to. His parents always got each other gifts, and they always supplied the boys with gifts. Usually, Caelum got a tie, or a nice pair of slacks. He was very grateful for that, but he never believed that he was supposed to give anything back. This month was all about giving, and Caelum never had anything to give. His money was limited, his time was finite, and his resources few.

“Oh,” Peter frowned. “You know you don’t have to buy them something, right?”

Caelum sneered, annoyed by the reminder that he wasn’t exactly spoilt rich. “Yes, I am well aware, Parker. I simply do not usually give gifts to my immediate family. It’s not in my best wishes and I have better things to do with my time.”

“Why are you so angry?” Ned suddenly asked, and Caelum frowned, blinking. “I mean, he wasn’t being rude, he was just suggesting something.”

“It doesn’t matter―” Peter insisted, but Ned wasn’t having it.

“It does matter! You stick your neck out for this–this bag of actual shit, and he just insults you in return!?” Ned scowled, annoyed and more than upset. “No wonder you have no friends, Caelum. He was trying to help you, and he wasn’t exactly being rude about it either. Why don’t you get off your high horse for a day and actually appreciate something for once?”

Caelum stared, surprised by Ned’s honest words. He crossed his arms and leaned back, thinking. He knew the consequences of having ‘fun’. He knew that he wasn’t exactly rich and hardly had money to spend.

However. . . his parents weren’t here ― Principal Davis wasn’t here. It was just Caelum, Ned, and Peter. He had already paid off the tuition for the month, he didn’t have any reason to need extensions from Principal Davis. In any case, he could always pick up more shifts around winter break ― that was really the season when people’s cars started to break down on them.

Caelum would have to work more hours anyway, if he just increased his workload and saved his money. . . it would jumpstart him on the next semester. Caelum would have the money to spend, technically. He would be able to have. . . ‘fun’.

“Fine,” Caelum said after much deliberation. “But only today,” He warned when he saw both Ned and Peter’s faces light up. He sipped his tea and managed a smirk. “Where are we going to first?”

° · ° · ° · °

Just as Caelum suspected, he didn’t have a lot of money, but he did have enough to buy a few presents. He bought a pair of cufflinks for his father that were on sale, 60% off, a nice handbag for his mother that may or may not came from Goodwill. His brothers both got a toy, which happened to be an interesting red and blue transformer that could split in two ― one would be for Castor, the other Pollux. With the last of his money, he bought a small teddy bear wearing a blue bow.

His eye caught it immediately, and warm memories filled his mind. Sweet laughter and gentle touches. Warm hugs and kisses to the forehead. Her favourite colour was blue, baby blue.

Not only did Caelum spend more money than he would have ever spent on himself, he also had a great time hanging out with Ned and Peter ― although he would never admit it aloud. He immediately knew why Ned and Peter were friends. They were funny and easily compatible. They made pop culture jokes to each other, most of them Caelum didn’t understand. He had never taken the time to watch any of the films or shows they references. When Peter realized that all these jokes he was spouting were going right over Caelum’s head, he nearly had a heart attack.

“What do you mean you’ve never seen Jaws!?” Peter demanded, and Caelum rose an eyebrow.

“You just answered your own question.”

“But,” he looked to Ned for help, but he looked just as shocked as Peter was. “It’s Jaws, Cael! I mean, you’ve had to at least heard of it.”

“I don’t watch television much,” Caelum admitted. “My brothers are big on TV, though. I usually watch news outlets.”

Peter looked absolutely stricken, “You, Ned and I are going to come over to my house,” Peter said seriously. “We’re going to have a. . . ‘Get-Cael-Caught-Up-On-Movies’ night.”

“If movie are usually an hour and a half to two hours long, I don't think I'll be able to watch them all in one night.”

Peter frowned, “You're right.” He agreed, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “We need to set out a schedule for proper binge watching.”

“Where are we going next?” Ned spoke up.

“What time is it?” Peter asked.

“About 4:30.”

“Can we go to Wal-Mart or something?” Caelum asked. “I need to pick up some wrapping paper.”

“Oh! Good idea!” Ned agreed and they began to walk again. The nearest Walmart was too far, but they did go to Target, which was as packed as they would expect.

Caelum frowned at the flooded counters and desperate people. “Actually, I can use newspaper. . .” He said, and the others nodded their agreements.

Caelum and the others began to leave, but Peter stopped abruptly, turning around and looking for something. “Peter?” Ned said, and he turned.

“I, uh, we need to go to Target!” Caelum furrowed his eyebrows, but there was no arguing it.

Peter was already running back, slipping inside the doors with both Caelum and Ned close behind. “Did you need something, Parker?” Caelum asked, confused as they were greeted but several dozens people, all running in and out of the store. Peter didn’t answer, and he didn’t get to.

The loud pop-pop-pop were distinct. Caelum crouched down, and people began to run immediately. “We have to go!” Ned shouted, leading them outside. Caelum listened, and turned to run, but Peter was lagging behind and was soon imperceptible from the rest of the crowd.

“Peter!?” Caelum called, stopping and looking around. Several people bumped into him, knocking him a few steps back. He couldn’t find Peter! In a situation like this, Peter could have fallen and be trampled to death. He could have been inside still.

He could have been shot.

Caelum ran back inside, shoving past people and moving along the sides of the walls. Target was a lot quieter now that everyone was gone. He saw that one of the lights above were broken, the gunshots shattering the glass.

Caelum stayed along the side of the wall, keeping his head down. He heard sharp, indistinct sobbing, and he forced himself to stay as quiet as possible. He heard someone speaking sharply, anger layering his tone. “Open it!” He hissed, and the sobbing got louder.

“I–I can’t!” The person was a young woman, probably a few years older than himself. She was breathing raggedly and he heard her voice tremble as she spoke. “I--I’m not the manager! I ca–can’t open it wi–without the–the manager―! No! Please!” Caelum moved closer, all he had to do was look one of them in the eyes.

“She’s lying,” another man said gruffly. “I say, we shoot her and throw the thing on the ground. It’ll open eventually.”

“Please!” The girl sobbed, “Please, don’t! I have a family!”

One of the men laughed, “‘I have a family’!” He heard a thud, and the woman cried out, gasping. Caelum felt his gut twist, he could see the ankles of one of the men. He needed to draw their attention.

He picked up a small toy and toss it. It hit the ground with a sharp thud, drawing all of their attention. “Check that out,” someone said softly, and he heard heavy footsteps approaching him.

Caelum moved in his line of sight, and stared right in his eyes. The back of his neck prickled and when he blinked, he was looking down at himself.

“What was it?” Someone asked, and Caelum turned around.

“Nothing,” He said. His voice sounded like he had a sore throat. It was coarse and heavy. He walked back over, stepping close to the first man. He wouldn’t have a lot of time.

Caelum balled his fist and reared back. Then, he saw something on the wall behind the man he was about to attack. What the hell?

Something white came at him, and they came into the light, Caelum’s hand got hit back from the attack, attaching to the white shelf, unable to move. “What―?!”

“Sorry, but I don’t think that’s for sale!” Spider-Man shouted, swinging towards one of them men, his feet knocking into their face. They fell back, bowing over the table. Caelum tried to yank his hand away, and turned to one of the men behind Spider-Man, going for the gun at his waist.

“Stop!” Caelum shouted, and the man turned, looking at him. Caelum felt the tingling in his neck, and blinked.

Then, he was in the man’s body, pointing a gun at Spider-Man. It was cold in his hands and it momentarily stunned Caelum. He had never held a gun before. “What ― Lucas!?” He didn’t have time to say anything.

Spider-Man whirled around and punched him. Caelum’s head snapped back, and he was nearly taken off his feet by the force of the attack. Caelum stumbled away, the gun going off,

He suddenly felt a sharp pain in his shoulder, and gasped aloud. It burned and Caelum felt tears in his eyes. He looked over, feeling his shoulder, which was fine. Then, he looked across the room. The man that had his hand stuck also had a gunshot wound through his shoulder.

“Wha. . .?”

“Hey! Put that thing away!” He felt the gun yanked from his grasps. Someone on the ground tried to jump Spider-Man, but he twisted, his body lithe, and sent out the sticky white substance. It stuck firmly to his chest.

Suddenly, he was pulled forward and sucker punched in the face. Caelum felt his nose crack and pain spread across his nose. He fell back, squirming, and his neck felt like it was on fire. He needed to get back to his body ― fast.

Caelum scrambled up, running to where he knew his body was slumped, and Spider-Man was fast on his heels. “Where do you think you’re going?” He called after him.

Caelum dove, and saw his body leaned against the wall, a slight sweat on his face, and his eyes scrunched in pain. “No!” Spider-Man shouted, and Caelum was promptly kicked in the stomach. Caelum gasped, but looked in his own eyes and blinked.

Caelum groaned, gripping his stomach, feeling the phantom pains from the other two men. Spider-Man was going all out, webbing the man to the floor. Caelum vaguely heard pounding on the glass windows and rubbed his eyes. “Are you okay? Did he―Did he hurt you?”

Caelum muttered a swear under his breath, rubbing his once-broken nose. “No, I’m fine,” He growled. He still needed to find Peter! He struggled to his feet, feeling a bit lightheaded.

“Hey, I don’t think you should―”

“Don’t touch me!” Caelum snapped, upset. He pushed the masked annoyance away, and began to walk around. He held his gut and limped slightly. “Peter!?” He had to find Peter, if he got hurt, or was hiding. Knowing him, he’d want to play hero and try to save the day, the idiot. He’d only manage to get himself shot and killed, and where would that put either of them. “Peter, I swear if you’re hiding and being a complete shit, I am going to murder you!”

“Uh―” Spider-Man began to say, but he stopped when there was banging at the door again. He turned, and Caelum froze when he realized it was the police. This would be all over the news. His parents would know immediately where he was. His father would find out and he would not be happy.

They needed to go, he needed to find Peter. “Parker! Come on, we have to leave.”

“Hey. . .!”

“Shut up!” Caelum snapped at the man, “I know you seem to always want to be the star of the day, but I need you to be quiet for a minute! Make yourself useful and let the police in!”

“I―!”

“Go!” Caelum practically screamed. His heart was racing, what if one of those bullets had hit Peter, where was this stupid boy!?

Spider-Man did as he was told. He swung up to the rafters and opened the previously barred doors. Caelum wondered why they didn’t simply break the glass, but he didn’t want to get too much into it.

Caelum searched the aisles, looking up and down them frantically, calling Peter’s name ― he refused to leave without the boy. He refused to go anywhere.

Eventually, a police officer found him looking around for Peter and stopped him. “I’m looking for my friend, I need to find my friend!” Caelum persisted to the man. Peter definitely ran back inside, he was in here somewhere.

“Young man, there will be paramedics coming,” he insisted. “Maybe he’s outside?”

“No,” Caelum tried to pull himself away. “He was in here! I saw him run back in here ― Peter!”

“Cael!” The voice came from the entrance. Caelum turned sharply, and let the police officer lead him to the front of the store. Peter was there, waiting. Caelum could have fainted in relief. Thank god, he was safe.

Caelum walked over, his relief suddenly transforming into anger. As soon as he was close, Caelum smacked Peter on the arm. “Where the hell were you!?” His hissed. “I saw you run back in here! Why would you do that!? Are you insane!?”

“I–I saw a woman trip inside,” Peter said, rubbing the back of his neck. “I went back to help her.” Caelum stared at the boy, stunned, but still angry. He still wanted to hit him. He still wanted to kiss him.

“I am going to kill you, Parker,” Caelum growled, wanting to hit him again. He suddenly realized he was shaking. The prospect of losing Peter seemed to much for him to even dream of. If it became a reality, he didn’t know what he would do.

Caelum shook his head, rubbing his temples. He saw news cameras filling the area, filming him. He went stiff, “We have to go. Where’s Ned?” Caelum said quickly, and began to leave, keeping his head down. Ned, for his sake, was chattering with a reporter, giving his account of what happened.

“Then, we heard gunshots and started to run. I look back and both of my friends are gone and―” Caelum yanked Ned by the arm, pulling him away.

“We’re leaving,” He insisted, keeping his head down. He recognized the symbol on the microphone ― Daily Bugle, his father’s favourite. Caelum prayed that his father wasn’t watching.

Ned looked a bit stunned, but seeing Caelum’s no-nonsense face and tone, he didn’t put up a fight.

It wasn’t hard they rushed to the subway, Caelum completely silent the entire way. “Hey,” Caelum looked over to see Peter smiling at him. “You alright?” Caelum didn't know what to say. On one hand, he was terrified that his father would see what happened. On the other hand, Peter was alive.

“I'm fine,” Caelum promised. “Don't worry.” Peter nodded and smiled at him, and they were fairly quiet all the way back to Queens.