signingbooks Chapter 888
Chapter 888
Chapter 888
Lightning's father is Harrison Thompson, who, like George Stacy, is a police officer with the NYPD. However, unlike George Stacy, who is a model cop and had been unable to get promoted for a long time due to his "obsession with patrolling," only recently starting to improve his career.
Furthermore, George Stacy was clearly luckier. Although he was aware of the corruption within the NYPD, he rarely directly cooperated or partnered with those corrupt officers; at least, Peter hadn't heard George Stacy mention it. Perhaps he simply didn't care about these things, and even if he did witness them, they wouldn't sway his principles or get involved.
Harrison Thompson not only witnessed these things, but he was also unwilling to compromise, unable to ignore them, and unwilling to resign. In the end, he chose the worst way to deal with them: he drank heavily, committed domestic violence, and took out his pent-up resentment on his family.
Lightning, too, would vent similar emotions on others. The other students didn't know why, but that's at least how his bullying habits started.
You despise the perpetrators, yet dare not fight back; you hate your own powerlessness, yet can only inflict violence on others.
Peter didn't comment on Lightning's actions, but Venom was blunt; in fact, one could say Venom had spoken much more and earlier than Peter in this regard. Lightning sighed after listening and remained silent.
They quickly returned to the Thompson's house, where Harrison Thompson was still at home because it was Christmas Day and he didn't have to go to work; he could just stay home and drink.
Peter and Lightning stood on the roof of his house. Peter could clearly hear old Thompson drinking. He turned to Lightning and asked, "What do you think of your dad?"
"Me? I don't know. When he used to hit me, I thought he was awful, but after I beat him up that day, I realized—I felt sorry for him. He suddenly became delirious, drank even more than before, but also—"
Lightning didn't know how to describe it, but Peter thought for a moment and indicated that he understood. Undoubtedly, when he could no longer resort to domestic violence, this pitiful yet hateful man became utterly pathetic and began to give up on himself.
Peter wasn't sure what to do, so he gave Lightning an idea, whispering something in his ear. Lightning looked at him in surprise: "Will this work, Spider-Man?"
"I don't know. The more crucial point is your opinion of your father, whether you think he can be saved, or whether you believe that someone like him has any value or significance in being forgiven."
Lightning heard the question, thought about it for a moment, and then countered with, "What do you think, little spider?"
"Me? My answer is clear, Lightning. The key now is you, my friend." Peter waved his hand, preparing to leave. "If you've sorted things out, come to the party. There should be enough time."
Watching Spider-Man leave, Flash scratched his head, muttering to himself uncertainly, "What did Spider-Man mean by that?"
Do you consider yourself and your father to be the same type of person?
"What? I, uh—I don't know—"
Venom was speechless. What was wrong with this kid? He was probably doomed. After a while, he sighed and said, "Spider-Man's question is, do you think bullies, or others, should be given a chance to change their ways?"
Flash then realized that Spider-Man was referring to him. He hesitated, then asked uncertainly, "So, um, what does Spider-Man think?"
No opinion.
Flash was confused. He was certain that Venom was lying to him, but he wasn't sure what Spider-Man's attitude was, so he could only stand on his rooftop and let the wind blow through him.
As for Venom, he did feel that Peter didn't have a standard answer, or rather, Peter's answer varied from person to person.
Peter's attitude towards Cal King was not good; he collaborated with the Punisher and had him cremated. As for Lightning, Peter didn't seem to have any particular harsh treatment of him.
Lightning stood there, the wind blowing, and Venom joined him. He stood there, his mind a jumble of emotions, until Venom asked him another question: "You feel sorry for your father, so do you want to forgive him for what he did to you?"
"No, why would you think that? You haven't been hit by him."
Do you think those you bullied in junior high will forgive you?
"This—this isn't the same, is it? I'll go apologize." Lightning said hesitantly, then shook her head and sat down on the roof. "No, no, these are two different things, right?"
Since you know your apology won't bring forgiveness, fine, if you could go back in time, would you still apologize?
"This—this doesn't make sense! If I could go back in time, what I would do is stop bullying them!"
"But you can't go back to the past." After Venom finished speaking, he asked one last question: "Right now, you won't forgive your father for what he did, but you know why he became like this. The question is, are you willing to give him a chance? Even if you don't forgive him."
Lightning was silent for a while before asking, "What if he doesn't intend to make any changes?"
A few minutes later, the symbiote pried open the window of Harrison's room, and then Agent Venom rushed in and looked at him: "I've heard you have some information on corrupt cops, Harrison. What information do I need to bring those corrupt cops to justice?"
"What? Bullshit, why would I do that? Get lost."
Agent Venom stared at Harrison for a moment, then turned and left.
"Whatever, tell everyone you're just a bastard who beats his wife and kids. I'll find someone else to help."
"Wait, wait a minute!"
Seeing that Agent Venom had no hesitation and was about to leave, Harrison heard his words and quickly got up: "You're planning to teach those guys a lesson? Screw it, the internet's down today anyway. Come on, I'll show you the way. By the way, can you drive? If you can't, I can drive you."
Agent Venom turned around, looked at the bottle of liquor in Harrison's hand, and then at Harrison's drowsy appearance.
"No, forget it. I'm not planning to drive. Actually, I have a more convenient mode of transportation that can also help you sober up."