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<span class="mu-r">“I think I’ll call it…’The Wall-Crawler’!”</span> you muttered to yourself, jerking the wheel back and forth like you were a kid in a make-believe race car.
<span class="mu-r">“I can always come back later if you need some time alone.”</span> said Madame Web, now floating in front of the wheel.
You jumped in surprise and very nearly fired your hidden gun on reflex. She just smirked at you.
<span class="mu-r">“You almost gave me a friggin heart attack!”</span> you shouted.
<span class="mu-r">“You okay in there?”</span> Rocket asked.
<span class="mu-r">“You’re the only one that can hear me, remember? I’m speaking directly into your mind.”</span> Web informed you.
<span class="mu-r">“I’m fine! I just had to knock Jackson out again.”</span> you lied.
<span class="mu-r">“Well, give him another punch for me, will ya?”</span> Racer called out.
<span class="mu-r">“Will do!”</span> you yelled back, before lowering your voice to a whisper. <span class="mu-r">“What are you doing here? I did what you asked me to.”</span>
She nodded at you. <span class="mu-r">“That you did. And for that, I am grateful.”</span> she said, giving you a cordial bow. <span class="mu-r">“But I do believe that you intend to do something both incredibly reckless and hopelessly foolish.”</span>
She pointed a sharp claw at the Wall-Crawler’s control console.
<span class="mu-r">“You have no idea how to drive that thing, and you were about to take it for a joy ride through the city.”</span> she continued.
<span class="mu-r">“Oh, come on. It can’t be that hard.”</span> you proclaimed, glancing over the assortment of colorful knobs, dials and switches. <span class="mu-r">“You just, uh…”</span>
Your hand reached out to press a shiny green button, only for it to be swatted away by a wrinkled, ethereal hand. <span class="mu-r">“Not that one.”</span> she said, shaking her head ruefully.
You drew your hand back and reached for a lever, only to achieve the exact same result.
<span class="mu-r">“Not that one, either.”</span>
You threw up your hands in frustration. <span class="mu-r">“Fine! I don’t know how to drive this thing!”</span> you admitted. <span class="mu-r">“There! You happy!?”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“Not particularly, no. But I can show you a thing or two so you don’t get anyone killed.”</span> she said, gesturing at the console once more.
<span class="mu-r">“How do you know how to drive it? Is this because of your whole…psychic thing?”</span> you asked.
<span class="mu-r">“Something like that, yes.”</span> Web said, her lips compressing into a thin line. <span class="mu-r">“From what I was able to extract from Mr. Wheel’s mind, I do believe that I’ve gained a somewhat decent knowledge of this vehicle’s…intricacies.”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“So you can walk me through it.”</span> you concluded.
She nodded. <span class="mu-r">“That is the plan. Bear in mind that I only possess the barest of knowledge on the matter, so there will be no horseplay on your way home. No stunts and no flashy maneuvers. Straight home.”</span> she demanded, pressing an ethereal finger into your chest.
<span class="mu-r">“Yes ma’am.”</span> you confirmed, giving her a lazy salute before gripping the wheel.
You couldn’t see through her blindfold, but you had the distinct feeling that she was rolling her eyes beneath them.
(Cont.)
