Chapter 5

"What happened to my son?" Norman asked as Spider-man removed his restraints.

"It's a long story," Spider-man sighed. "Basically, he's been taken over by a symbiote that's fueled by his anger."

Norman glanced over at Venom, then back at Spider-man.

"Are you going to help him?"

"I've got a cure ready. I just need to get it into my web-shooter."

Spider-man quickly pulled out the cure and placed it into his web shooter. Venom still tussled with Oc.

Noticing Norman was free, Oc spat at Venom, "Why don't you go torment your father that you hate so much?"

Venom punched Doc Oc away.

"Get out," he growled, holding his fists at his sides.

Oc smirked and quickly left. Spider-man ran over to Venom. Before he could react to Oc's escape, Venom lunged towards Norman.

"I don't think so," Spider-man mumbled, leaping and tackling Venom.

In an instant he shot the cure into Venom. The symbiote shrieked and hissed as it died. Soon Harry came into view. Spider-man knelt down and held an unconscious Harry in his arms. Norman rushed over.

"Harry?" he said, taking his son in his arms.

Harry's blue eyes slowly opened. He looked up at his father, taking in his extremely worried expression. Norman stared down at his son.

"How could you do this to me?" Norman asked, becoming furious. "You were this monster."

Harry couldn't stand the way his father glared down at him. His gaze seemed to pierce his soul.

"I thought that I had lost you for good," Norman added in a gentler tone, tightly hugging Harry.

Completely in shock, Harry sat still. He remembered being ready to hurt his father as Venom. Maybe Venom would've killed him. Deep down that wasn't what he really wanted. This, his father finally showing that he cared for him, was what he had wanted all along.

"I hate to interrupt, but we should probably get going before Oc tries to send some octo-bots after us," Spider-man said.

He escorted Norman and Harry safely home, keeping an eye out for Oc if he decided to rear his ugly head again.

"Thank you, Spider-man," Norman said, keeping a hand on Harry's back.

"You're welcome. I hope you two have a better night without Oc around," he replied.

He glanced at Harry. He hoped he'd be able to get along with Norman at least for the night. Reluctantly, he left.

"What happened to you?" Norman asked, grabbing Harry's shoulders.

His tone was less accusatory than usual, but still had that extreme urgency for an answer. Harry looked away from his father.

Harry answered, "I-I couldn't control that symbiote that Doctor Octopus sent after me. It took over me and went after you."

"Has this ever happened to you before?"

"A couple times before you lost your memory," he admitted.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"How was I supposed to? I never thought Venom would come back. I thought it'd be better if you never remembered those horrible things."

"What else aren't you telling me?" Norman asked.

Harry pulled away from his father and shied away.

"Harry, please, I need to know. Octavius mentioned that he wanted to make me the Goblin again. What was he talking about?"

Norman put his hand on Harry's shoulder. Rubbing his face, Harry shook his head. He couldn't tell his father about what a monster he was before. About how he abducted Peter, terrorized the city, and even hurt him. The amnesia was supposed to make things better. His father was supposed to be a better person now.

"You were a monster," Harry uttered.

"Harry," Norman said, making Harry look up at him. "I don't ever want to be that monster again."

Harry sat in the kitchen holding the landline telephone. He'd left his cell at Peter's. He dialed Peter's number and held the phone to his ear.

"Hello?" Peter answered.

"Hey, Peter, it's Harry," he said.

"Harry?! Are you all right," Peter asked.

"I'm fine, Pete. Spider-man saved the day, as always. I'm at home," Harry replied.

"That's good. I'm glad you're okay. Are you and your dad…?"

"He was worried about me. I think things are better between us right now. I'll explain a little more tomorrow when I come to get my stuff."

"Okay. I'll keep your stuff safe."

"Good night."

"Night."

Yawning, Harry hung up the phone. What a night.