Soon, it was time for the science exhibition.
Peter Parker and his classmates arrived to gather materials for a report. Zayne followed along as well.
"You actually came?" Peter asked in surprise.
Zayne slung an arm around his shoulder. "I was worried you'd be bored alone, so I came to keep you company."
"Bored? I've got classmates." Peter gestured behind him, though his relationships with most of them were… questionable.
"Oh~ Zayne, you came too!" Ned Leeds grinned and high-fived him.
"Of course. I'm here for my brother."
"Relax, your brother has me," Ned said proudly, thumping his chest.
"Alright, students, follow me. We'll begin the tour," the instructor called from the front.
Each student wore a badge listing their school, class, and name. The group moved in an orderly line through the exhibition hall.
Half an hour later—
"You may explore freely now. Gather back here in thirty minutes," the instructor announced.
Peter hesitated before speaking up. "Uh… does anyone want to check out the nuclear testing exhibit?"
The moment he said it, the surrounding students turned toward him.
"Give it a rest, Nerd Peter. Careful you don't turn into a radioactive monster," Flash Thompson laughed loudly.
A few others joined in. Clearly, no one wanted to accompany him to the nuclear section.
"Sorry, man. I'm gonna follow…" Ned glanced toward a female classmate and trailed off awkwardly.
"It's fine," Peter said quietly.
Zayne nudged him. "Told you. Let's go. I'll go with you."
Peter's expression brightened instantly. "Thanks."
At least he wasn't alone.
They headed toward the Nuclear Radiation Exhibit together.
Inside—
"Zayne, look at this!" Peter lifted his camera and began snapping photos enthusiastically.
Zayne responded absentmindedly, his real focus scanning the surroundings.
Where is it?
Then he saw it.
A spider was crawling quietly along the railing, inching closer to Peter.
Peter remained completely unaware, focused on framing his shots.
Ow—
Peter suddenly flinched and touched his neck. "Something just bit me."
Zayne reacted instantly. He stepped closer, pretending to tie his shoe, and with swift precision, caught the spider just as it tried to scuttle away.
The moment he grabbed it, the spider bit down hard into his palm.
"Hiss—"
The pain was sharp but brief. Zayne forced his expression to remain calm.
He stood up. "What's wrong?"
"I felt something bite me."
Zayne looked around deliberately. "There's nothing here."
Peter rubbed his neck. The sensation had mostly faded. "Weird."
"You done with the photos?" Zayne asked, smoothly shifting the topic.
"Yeah! Got everything."
"Good. I'm heading to the restroom."
Inside the restroom, Zayne locked the stall door and opened his palm.
The spider was still twitching.
Without hesitation, he sent it into the Shadow Realm.
Then he washed his hands thoroughly and stepped back out.
"That fast?" Peter asked.
"I just got dust on my hands tying my shoes," Zayne replied casually.
"Oh. Let's go."
They returned to the gathering point as students trickled back.
"How was it?" Ned asked.
"Not bad," Peter said happily. "Got great photos."
Ned leaned in, raising his eyebrows suggestively. "I've got a date with Kate tomorrow."
"How… how did you manage that?" Peter stammered.
"Just like that. And you should really tell Liz how you feel."
Peter subconsciously glanced toward Liz Allan, who was chatting nearby.
As if sensing his gaze, Liz turned and looked directly at him.
Peter immediately dropped his head and adjusted his glasses.
"What's wrong?" her friend asked.
"Nerd Peter? Don't tell me you like him. I mean, he is a top student," the girl said with mock sweetness.
Liz shook her head. "As if I'd like a nerd like that."
Peter whispered, "Is she still looking at me?"
"No," Zayne answered flatly.
Only then did Peter dare to look up again.
He exhaled heavily.
"Peter, you need to look her in the eye," Ned insisted.
"Next time," Peter muttered.
The instructor soon returned.
"That concludes today's exhibition. I expect your reports on time."
A collective groan echoed—except from Peter.
"And Zayne, I've already coordinated with your teacher. You'll submit the same report to me Monday."
Zayne's expression froze. "You've got to be kidding me."
After dismissal, Ned suggested hanging out longer.
"Next time. I feel… dizzy," Peter admitted.
Zayne felt it too—a strange heaviness settling into his body—but his enhanced physique kept it manageable.
"Don't worry, I've got him," Zayne said, picking up Peter's backpack.
"See you!" Ned waved.
The brothers headed home.
"Aunt May, I'm going upstairs to rest," Peter said weakly, leaning on Zayne for support.
"Were you two running around all day?" Aunt May asked.
"Yeah," Zayne replied briefly before guiding Peter upstairs.
The moment Peter hit the bed, he passed out.
Zayne felt exhaustion sweep over him as well.
After making sure Peter was settled, he returned to his own room and collapsed onto his bed.
As they slept, something was changing.
Deep within their bodies, genetic structures began to rewrite themselves.
Cells divided at abnormal speeds. Neural pathways rewired. Muscles and reflexes recalibrated.
A mutation had begun.