Spider-Man: A New Spiral

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***

The Parker house. Late afternoon.

- Now might not be a good time, MJ," I rub the back of my head uncertainly.

- Is something wrong? You look tortured," the girl just walks into my house.

I sigh and close the door.

- Would you like some tea?

- I'd love some.

We go into the kitchen. I put the kettle on and take out the mugs.

The girl sits at the table and watches me intently.

- So what did you want to discuss? - I ask a question, leaning on the kitchen worktop.

- At first I sat at home for hours thinking about how to talk to you about a topic that could change a lot of things for us. But now I see that it can wait. You look shattered, Tiger, what happened?

My initial reaction to MJ's question was anger. Doesn't she realise I don't want to discuss this? And then the haze cleared.

Of course she doesn't know, you idiot. You're the one who told Mrs Watson not to tell Mary what happened.

I wanted to lie, to send her away and try to sleep, hoping that tomorrow would bring more good things.

But the emerald eyes looked at me with such tenderness and purity, I knew I had to talk.

To be weak for just a little while, at least with her.

- Uncle Ben and Aunt May were in an accident yesterday," I said with incredible difficulty.

- Oh my God, Peter! I'm so sorry," the girl ran up to me and wrapped me in a hug, "How are they?

- May, she suffered a head injury... she's not recovering. The doctors probably put her in an induced coma. And Ben," I rest my forehead on my girlfriend's shoulder, "he's gone, Mary. My uncle died right in front of me.

I can feel the tears starting to flow.

MJ doesn't answer, she just gently strokes my head and lets me cry.

This moment feels so cosy. The support of the redheaded beauty, makes me continue to share everything that's keeping me down.

- The doctor says May needs surgery right away. An expensive operation. I didn't know where to get the money on such short notice. And then things got so crazy. Maybe I just wasn't myself, it doesn't matter. I did something bad, Carrot-top. Something reckless and dangerous. You might say I betrayed myself.

- What happened? - the girl asks gently.

Am I ready to go that far?

- I don't know how to put it...

- Is this about Spider-Man? - The redhead said breathlessly.

I just froze. My heart seemed to freeze.

But how? I've always been careful. And intuition. I don't really see MJ as a threat, though. In fact, she's one of the few people I don't see as a threat.

And I'm paranoid.

- How--

- You should have jumped out of your bedroom in a less pompous costume, Tiger," she tried to smile.

- Now I'll have to," I said flatly, "what do you think about it? - I asked with a raised eyebrow.

- Honestly? At first I wanted to squeal with joy. To think that my boyfriend, Peter Parker, is a superhero! Then I realised how much of a risk you're taking by wearing the costume. All day two opposing opinions fought within me, even Gwen ignored for a while when we met. It's a bit embarrassing now. But in the end I realised one trivial thing: you save people, you help people, you protect those who can't protect themselves. And that's amazing.

It was nice to hear that assessment. Although recent events have made it feel even dirtier.

- You still haven't answered my question, Mr Parker," Mary smiled, thinking she'd managed to defuse the situation.

I wish I had, redhead.

- In my very first case, I stopped a drug deal, and that's when I learnt the name of one of the biggest crime leaders in the city. Since then, he's been giving me a hard time, sending mercenaries, creating villains. And today, I found out his real name, and I went straight after him. I don't know what I wanted to do..... it was just such a day. But I went there. And it was a mistake.

The tone I used to say the last words made the girl flinch. But she didn't pull away.

- Tell me," she gently urged me to continue.

- I can't.

- Why not?

I sigh.

- I'm afraid you'll hate me.

Mary slaps me sharply.

I stare at her in total shock.

- Listen to me carefully, Peter Benjamin Parker. Whatever you've done, I can see that it's eating you up, that you're suffering and feeling guilty. I won't hate you," she took my face in her hands, "I may not be able to tell you the answer, but at least I'll listen.

That gesture meant a lot.

- I met with that head. I was planning on arresting him. But to be perfectly honest, I wanted to beat him up. I gave in to my anger. And then he started saying that crime never goes away, that no matter how much you fight it, the tendencies stay in people forever. And he offered to work for him. Put a suitcase full of money in front of my face. I-I was so lost, Mary. I was so scared about May. She's the last person I'm ever gonna be close to. I had to make a choice. I know it wasn't the right one, but I had to make it now. Put me in the same situation and I'd make the same choice. And I'm even angrier knowing it.

- Pete," MJ gently turned my face to hers, "you did what it took to save your family. Some will say it's wrong. Some will understand. There will be no consensus. Like you said, it's your choice. So right now you just need to sleep, Tiger.

- Stay with me," the words came out before I even realised them, "I mean, I don't mean... just sleep... I mean, I don't mean with me, I mean...

- Pete, I get it," Mary said, blushing slightly, "I'll go home and get my things and ask my aunt, I'm sure she won't mind," and kissing me on the cheek, the redhead left.

At that time the kettle whistled. I switched off the hob and went to get some bedding. Although I really wanted MJ to sleep in the same bed with me, I thought it would be too cheeky. I didn't want my girlfriend to think I was a pervert.

I make up the couch and hear the front door slam. My redhead walks into the corridor and, holding my bag with both hands, stares nervously at the floor.

- Aunt Anna doesn't mind, she said you could use some support right now. To be honest, I barely talked her out of "babysitting."

- That's funny," I smile nervously.

- So, should I go this way? - The redhead points to the couch.

- Honestly, I wouldn't mind sleeping together in my room, but that would be too cheeky of me," I say, "for a fool.

- Come on, Tiger, I'm sure we'll both be more comfortable, in terms of feeling safe, and besides, we'll both be in our pyjamas," Mary shoves me in the side, "I'll take the stuff to your room, and you can finish your tea, Mr Parker.

MJ's gone.

It's going to be a long night.

I'm done with the tea ceremony and thinking about the situation.

Thankfully, by nightfall, my emotions had subsided.

Now it's not so much painful as empty.

I knew I could lose Ben, and yet he'd become family to me over the months. So one statement is true.

"His killers will not live," I clench my fists with hatred.

But it is necessary to act smarter.

Immediately after entering this world, and recognising in the puny boy with poor eyesight the one who would become a great hero in the future, I decided to myself: "if Spider-Man is to be born into this world, he will be what he has always embodied - a symbol, a friendly neighbour, a hero."

But life is not the pages of comic books. I realise that now.

Which means I'm going to have to compromise some morals. Spider-Man will remain a symbol. But not the guy in the mask.

We're gonna have to design a costume.

- Tiger?

I turn around at the voice, and everything stops. It's the same MJ, but so.... homely. There's no trace of the usual bright make-up on her face, which makes her freckles look much cuter. In emerald eyes there is no usual challenge, only calmness. Her hair is tied up in a bundle. The street clothes have been replaced by a white tank top and pink socks.

- You're beautiful," I said before I could think.

- Stop it, Pete. You couldn't be nicer," the blushing girl replies.

- I've made tea," I point awkwardly at the cups and the table.

- Then let's drink it," the redhead takes my hand and leads me to the table.

We sip the steaming drink in complete silence.

- So... how long have you been flying around the city in a red and blue suit? - Mary interrupts the silence.

- Almost a year.

- Wow, I never noticed. Although you've been acting a little strange at times.

- What can I say, am I a good liar?

- No, not really.

We're both laughing.

- You're just good at manipulating the events of your life.

- Yeah, now I'm really doubting that.

- Tiger, you may be able to fly on spider webs (and damn it, you're going to explain to me how that's possible), stick to walls (that too), and God knows what else. But you're not omnipotent," the girl takes my hand, "don't blame yourself.

- I'm really trying, Mary. I know in my mind that you're right, but in my heart ...

- You realise I moved in with my aunt for a reason, don't you? - Watson changed the subject.

- Anna told me, before we went out, that there are reasons why you're here and they're not good.

- My dad's an alcoholic tyrant. My mum doesn't realise how much trouble he's in, or maybe she just doesn't want to see it. He's a real out of control psycho and probably hates my mum, my sister, me. At first it was just screaming about how ungrateful we are. Blaming Mum for giving him two girls instead of a son. Then it got worse.

- Carrot-top.

- He raped Gail. Big sister always stood up to him. Protected me. Even after it happened, Mum didn't believe it. Nobody did. The bastard always managed to appear a decent citizen to the neighbours or the police. But when there was no one left in the house," Watson trembled.

Hugging the girl who begins to cry silently.

- That's when I decided to run away. Pleaded with Gail, but it was like she faded away. She just stopped responding. I left them, Pete. I left them because I was scared, because I knew no one would protect me. I couldn't protect them myself. I'm as much of a monster as he is.

- Don't say that! - I'm shaking a sobbing girl. Don't blame yourself. Your father's a real bastard, but you're not like him. Not everyone can survive a nightmare like that and you're not a coward, MJ. You're a miracle. A miracle that saved me. And rest assured, no-one will dare hurt you now! - after five minutes of silent embrace, the girl pulls away.

- So we're both broken teenagers? - Mary remarks in a sad voice.

I chuckle sardonically," I fix a loose lock of hair, "but at least we're together.

- It's time for bed," she takes my hand and leads me into the room.

The cups stay on the table.

***

New York. Hell's Kitchen Bay.

It's two in the morning.

Climbing a container, a silhouette freezes in the shadows. Only a shifting spotlight illuminates for a second the dark red suit of Daredevil, the notorious crime fighter and guardian devil of Hell's Kitchen.

Matt Murdoch lost his sight at the age of ten. Since then, he's seen the world very differently. As he sees it, much better than anyone else will ever see it.

Matt has been fighting gang violence for years. With his arrival, the crime that was breeding in the red vigilante's home neighbourhood has bowed its head, but it hasn't disappeared.

It just got smarter.

Daredevil hid from the spotlight and watched the deal in progress.

Only under the auspices of one criminal mastermind would these guys decide to risk operating in Hell's Kitchen - Wilson Fisk, Kingpin.

Murdoch clenched his fists. He hated Ambal with every fibre of his being. The criminal embodied everything the lawyer had tried to eradicate: corruption, hypocrisy, cruelty, manipulation of others for his own gain, an inordinate lust for power.

The devil of Hell's Kitchen interrupted his deals more than once, but Fisk always came back. And got smarter.

Murdoch counted at least thirty bandits with guns in the harbour. And that was just the host side of the Ambal. There's no telling how many fighters are on the ferrying ship.

Unfortunately, there's no stopping this deal from going through. We're gonna have to follow them to the point of transfer. And shut them down.

***

A few million kilometres from Earth.

So long in transit.

He's tired.

Forgot his own name.

Why is he even where he is now?

And more importantly, when will it all finally end?

***

Peter Parker's bedroom. It's the morning of the next day.

I crack my sleepy eyes open.

It takes a few seconds before I try to collect my thoughts and get out of bed.

I was prevented from doing so by a cute redhead nestled on my chest.

On instinct, I ran my palm over the fiery head.

MJ just frowned sweetly and continued to snore.

- Wake up, sleepyhead," I whispered softly into the girl's ear.

With a slight groan that made my groin rumble (thanks to the blanket and pajama trousers), the girl opened her eyes.

- Good morning, Tiger.

- Morning, Carrot-top.

- Not a kitten anymore? - Mary said with a smile.

- It suits you better," I answered, looking at her fiery hair, with the sunlight playing in it, "if you want to be a ginger kitten?

- I'm going to shower," the girl leaves my comment unanswered.

I just smile at her. The girl forgot to put on her leggings when she was asleep.

And the sight of a woman's taut arse in the morning cheered up my spider spirit. My trousers are not going to help me now.

Good thing there's another bathroom downstairs.

Having done my morning routine and showered, I go to the kitchen, which smells marvellous.

Leaning on the corner, I watch MJ perform culinary magic, dancing slightly.

- Is that scrambled eggs and bacon? - I ask, hugging the girl from behind.

- Close enough, Tiger. Scrambled eggs and bacon," the redhead replies, kissing my neck.

- I'm starving," I say, staring at Watson as she sets the plates down.

- Careful, Pete. You're going to burn a hole in me at this rate," Mary said with a wink.

- What can I do? I'll never get tired of looking at you.

- Just looking? - asks the girl with both arms around me erotically.

Abruptly I turn the redhead around and, sitting her down on the tabletop, begin kissing her roughly.

In response, MJ wraps her legs around my waist and pulls off her tank top, leaving her in just her bra.

My eyes glaze over with desire and I switch to Mary's neck. Erotic moans echo in response.

Her hands reach for my trousers as the doorbell rings.

We bounce away from each other like a scalded man. Mary, with a blushing face, lifts up her T-shirt, and I, adjusting my trousers, go to the door.

When I open it, I see Anna Watson on the doorstep.

- Mrs Watson, good morning, what a pleasant surprise," I said in a nonchalant tone.

- Good morning, Peter, you're red, is everything all right? - the woman asks.

- Yes, of course, come on in," I let her pass, equalising my breathing.

In the kitchen, MJ is quietly drinking coffee, casually pulling her T-shirt up to her chin.

- 'Aunt Anna, good morning,' the younger Watson salutes with her mug, 'would you like some breakfast?

- No, thank you, niece, I see you and Peter had a good night?

We're trying not to blush.

- Absolutely, I'm confirming the elder Watson's thoughts.

- What news from the hospital? - Anna cuts to the chase.

MJ gives me a pitying look, and I say firmly:

- May needs an operation, and I'm on my way to do the paperwork.

- But before he has breakfast," Mary says, pulling a nearby chair, "sit down and eat.

- Whatever you say, my love," I said meekly, chewing under the surprised looks of Aunt Watson and Niece Watson.

What did I say?

*

New York General Hospital.

Ten o'clock in the morning.

Traffic's always a problem in the city, but not when there's an underground.

I'm getting there without any trouble. Of course, I could fly in on a spider web, but after recent events, I need to ground myself. And certainly not showing up as Spider-Man in places important to Peter Parker.

The of the lift announces that I'm on the right floor.

I walk to May's room and spot her attending physician at the front desk.

- Doctor," I draw the man's attention.

- Mr Parker, good to see you," the man extends his hand to me, "you're looking better.

- Healthy sleep," I respond to the handshake.

- That's good. You're just in time to thank the foundation representative.

- The representative? - I'm genuinely surprised.

I thought Felicia would just transfer the funds to the hospital's accounts. Apparently an operation like this requires a personal presence. Who did the cat send?

- She's just in Mrs Parker's room.

I ignore the doctor's caveat and go to the room in question.

She?

I open the door and enter the room. I'm greeted by the smell of medicine and someone I didn't expect to see at all.

I usually associate Felicia with a black latex suit, but not with a cream skirt, a lettuce shirt and a thin leather jacket. But at least the usual black stiletto heels don't take away from the look.

- Mr Parker? - rises from her chair and asks the girl.

I wonder how much the mask muffles my real voice?

- Yes.

- I'm sorry, I knew about your aunt, but the doctor also told me about Mr Parker. I'm very sorry.

- Thank you, Miss.

- Hardy. Felicia Hardy," the girl extends her hand.

- Pleased to meet you," I shake her hand gently.

- I am pleased to inform you that our foundation has allocated funds for the operation of your aunt and several other patients who need urgent medical assistance.

I hadn't realised how much of an age difference there is between me and Felicia. She looks about five years older. She's got a lot of confidence.

You can blame it on upbringing, but Harry's not that different from his peers, and the families are similar. At least in their privileged position.

- Of course, it's a shame to complain, but why us? - I'm probing.

- You can thank your friend," the girl says with a smile.

It's a smile that came out... warm.

- Now if you'll excuse me, I'm in a hurry to meet you," Felicia throws her bag on her shoulder and leaves the room.

I catch up with the girl at the lift.

- Wait, a friend?

In response, Hardy only demonstrates the gesture that always accompanies the release of my web.

The lift door closes.