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Chapter 10 (On the cat's trail (2/2)) are already available for Patrons.
***
Felicia Hardy had always known that the world hid more shadows than most were willing to see. Born in Queens, she grew up surrounded by privilege and luxury, an admired cheerleader and dedicated athlete, with impeccable grades that completed the picture of the perfect daughter. But behind the golden glow of the Hardy family, there was a dark secret. The fortune that sustained her lifestyle was the result of her father's illicit skills, a notorious thief whose exploits made him both a legend and a target.
When Felicia graduated from high school, her father disappeared under mysterious circumstances, leaving behind more questions than answers. Determined to find him, she abandoned the role of the exemplary person and dove into a new path. Years of rigorous training shaped her body and mind, sharpening her skills until she felt she was ready.
And so, following the only clue to her father's whereabouts, Felicia arrived at Oscorp. There, she infiltrated with subtlety, starting small until she reached the position of executive assistant to Harry Osborn. Her keen eye and observational skills made her indispensable, and her influence grew behind the scenes.
However, her favor with Harry sparked envy among Oscorp's executives, and after his downfall, Felicia was summarily fired. But this retaliation mattered little, as her goal at that company had already been accomplished.
***
A woman ran gracefully across the rooftops. Her silver hair, tied in a high ponytail, shimmered under the moonlight, swaying with each agile movement. Her green, feline-like eyes scanned the horizon, alert to any detail that might signal a threat. She wore a tight black leather suit that fit perfectly, accentuating every curve of her slender and athletic body.
'Five months to decipher that file, only to find this address and the name of a jewel.' Felicia stopped at the edge of a building and observed her target below: a museum. Her gaze swept over the escape routes, possible traps, and blind spots. 'This better be worth it this time, Dad.'
With that thought, she pulled out a device and pressed the button at its center. A grappling hook shot out in an arc, anchoring firmly to the museum's structure, while a second cable secured itself to the building where she stood. The steel line gleamed under the city lights, forming a zipline.
Felicia gripped the handle tightly, bent her knees, and launched herself into the air in a fluid motion. The wind whipped against her face as she slid rapidly toward the museum's rooftop, landing with a silent roll. She rose in an elegant movement, adjusting the cuffs of her gloves before advancing.
The museum's security was tight, but Felicia had already studied every detail. Thermal sensors, motion alarms, and guards patrolled the hallways—nothing she couldn't handle. Her gaze locked onto a reinforced skylight. She retrieved a tool from her belt and began working on the locks with practiced skill, dismantling the mechanisms without triggering any alarms.
With a subtle click, the skylight opened, making Felicia smile. 'Too easy.'
Slipping inside and landing on a beam, she balanced herself with the precision of an acrobat. Below, a jewel rested at the center of an exclusive exhibition. A deep blue glow reflected off the glass walls protecting it.
Felicia licked her lips. 'I hope you're worth all this trouble, darling.'
Pulling a small capsule from her belt, she activated it with a slight twist of her fingers and tossed it into the center of the room. As soon as it hit the floor, the capsule released a dense mist, quickly spreading and revealing the laser beams surrounding the jewel.
Felicia smiled, observing the security pattern. 'Elaborate, but nothing I can't dance my way through.'
With a precise leap, Felicia latched onto a lower beam and gently swung her body, analyzing the spaces between the lasers. She then extended her leg, touching the ground lightly with the tip of her foot before bending her body with the flexibility of a contortionist, maneuvering around the luminous beams with precision.
Every movement was measured, every breath controlled. With one final graceful twist, she slipped through the last of the beams and stopped just inches from the jewel.
Felicia knelt beside the glass case and pulled a small cylindrical device from her suit, about the size of a lighter. She carefully placed it against the base of the jewel's protection and pressed a button on the side. The device emitted a faint hum before releasing an electromagnetic pulse, disabling the case's alarms and momentarily shutting down nearby sensors.
She waited a second to make sure no alarms had been triggered. Silence reigned.
Satisfied, Felicia ran her fingers along the edge of the case and slowly lifted it, exposing the jewel in all its glory.
'Come to mama,' she thought, reaching out and taking the jewel.
However, the moment her fingers touched the stone, a strange sensation washed over her. Her gaze narrowed, and upon closer examination, she realized something was off. The texture, the weight… everything indicated that the jewel was a fake.
Felicia furrowed her brow, rolling the stone between her fingers. 'Hmm… why would my father lead me to a forgery?'
Before she could further analyze it, a voice interrupted her thoughts.
"You can't just take that without permission, miss."
Felicia spun around quickly, her muscles tensed to react. Her eyes widened as she saw a man standing a few meters away, dressed in regular clothes and… wearing a paper bag over his head.
She blinked, incredulous. "…Who the hell are you?"
"I'm… Spider-Man." He said, his words almost inaudible by the end.
Felicia raised an eyebrow. "Oh, sure. Spider-Man. And I'm the Queen of England."
'How humiliating.' The man sighed, adjusting the paper bag on his head. "Look, my day hasn't exactly been great."
She tilted her head, holding back a smile. "Really? And this was the best you could come up with? Not even a spare suit? Another mask? A scarf, maybe?"
"Haa… I'd rather not talk about it," he replied, his shoulders sagging slightly.
Felicia let out a low chuckle. "Well, you sure know how to ruin a hero's intimidation factor. So what now? Are you going to arrest me, Bag-Head-Man?"
He raised a finger as if about to correct her but hesitated. "Okay, I'll admit that name has a certain charm. But yes, I have to stop you from stealing that jewel. So how about you hand it over, and we just call it a day?"
Felicia twirled the fake jewel between her fingers, watching the self-proclaimed Spider-Man with a playful gaze. She took a step forward, closing the distance between them, and tilted her head slightly to the side, letting a mischievous smile curl on her lips.
"You know… it's rare to find someone so chivalrous these days," she said, her voice smooth as silk. "Stopping a poor girl from making a mistake and even offering such a generous way out… You really are a hero, aren't you?"
"Well... I'm just doing my job."
***
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or songs featured in this fic. Additionally, I do not claim ownership of any products or properties mentioned in this novel. This work is entirely fanfic.