Thanks guys for checking out my story! I am a long time reader but this is this is my first ever story so pointers would be great and much appreciated. I already have a couple chapters typed but I'm going to release it a little bit at a time for revision and so I can stay ahead. I do work full time so plz be patient with me! Enjoy...
I do not own Spider-Man! All other ideas and characters are original.
Prologue:
Rain. Of course it had to rain when I didn't have an umbrella. I have alway loved the rain just not without the appropriate clothes. There was something about when it rained in the city at night. Certain things seemed to sparkle because of the reflection of the puddles. It has always been beautiful to me just not in this exact moment. Once I made it to my seat in the subway I stared out the window knowing it was only going to be flashes of light sporadically as the train made its way through the tunnel. When I was bored of the view I closed my eyes and concentrated on the train running over the tracks and how each jolt hurt my sore muscles.
I was finally making my way home after a long day at the NYPD academy. Today was more rigorous than others, defensive tactics. How to take down your opponents by manipulating their body weight against them. I can not stress enough how in pain my arms were from the constant strain of the instructor bending my limbs in ways I never thought possible. Physical training was throughout the entire academy but there was one notorious week instructors beat the living crap out of you. Hell week, or so the cadets called it, and it was finally over. Now I could start my weekend by not leaving my bed and stuffing my face.
I was cold, soaked, and tired. Good thing this was my dream job or else I don't think I would have the motivation to make it through. However that was the point of the righteous academy, to weed out anyone who couldn't take the pressure. But I could see the light at the end of the tunnel, only a couple more weeks and I would be out on the streets. I couldn't wait. I have had to make a lot of life changing decision to get to the point of wanting to be a police officer. I often think that it might hurt my family and friends to have a stressful job. Sometimes helping others is more important. There are some cases when having a difficult job you have to separate professional and personal life. We even go as far as to put on a false version of ourselves so we don't break under pressure. However I have never been more driven to prove everyone wrong about my ability to handle it and of course break the glass ceiling. I'm also stubborn to a fault.
"Now coming to Penn station," the intercom interrupted my thoughts. I grab my duffel bag full of my sweaty uniform and got ready to exit the train. I was a couple blocks from my apartment and with the rain coming down hard I was going to have to make a run for it.
Once I was out of the station I followed the street lights to the back alley behind my apartment complex. It was the best short cut and mostly covered—not that it mattered since I was already soaked through.
I couldn't hear due to the constant back and forth of vehicles on the road behind me. The rain was almost deafening like a windstorm. I passed by a couple dumpster's when I heard a loud crash coming from just behind them. I walked towards it trying to figure out what it was. A large black cat suddenly jumped out and just about gave me a heart attack.
"Jeez! Little guy, don't do that" I told the cat as if it could understand me. It simply hissed and ran away from me. "Screw you too!" I continued walking. I pulled out my key to unlock the side door to the stairwell of the apartment building.
I have always been careful coming home at night. With a police officer as a father I was usually vigilant but tonight I was off my game because of the week of torture I had to go through.
I was suddenly grabbed from behind. The assailant had me in a chokehold. I dropped my bag and keys. Gasping for air, I clawed his arms hoping it was enough to loosen up his grip. When that didn't work I had to try another method. He then yelped in pain from my teeth sinking into his forearm. Bingo. Once my feet hit the ground, I was given the leverage I needed. I then twisted the attackers wrist bending it enough to get behind the him and pulled his arm along with me. I lifted up on it which practically had him on the ground grunting in pain. I could almost hear my instructor's voice, "If you control the wrist, the rest of the body is yours and always use their weight against them."
"You bitch!" he shouted venomously. "Get the hell off of me!" the attacker yelled almost loud enough to wake the dead.
"Well maybe if you didn't go around attacking women late at night you would have this goddamn problem!" I screamed back. Hardly able to catch my breath from physically restraining this asshole, my heart was pumping a mile a minute from the adrenaline.
"Were you looking for easy cash?" I asked knowing I was most likely right.
"Non of ya business" he spat with that thick New Yorker accent.
"I think it kind of is since you tried to kill me"
As if this night couldn't get any stranger a blue and red figure dropped out of the sky. He landed in front of the both of us. The rain was now coming down so hard I could barely tell that it was in fact a man.
"Can someone tell me who I am supposed to be saving? Because I'm a little lost in this situation," the man clad in spandex asked sarcastically while scratching the back of his masked head.
"I'm innocent! Can't you see this woman is fucking crazy! She attacked me out of nowhere," I tightened my grip on his wrist. "Ouch!"
"You know, I would take that as a compliment but since you almost choked me out, I'm not," I was losing my temper with this guy, and fast.
"Easy tiger, I would hate to get in a fight with you," The masked figure said in a very flirtatious way.
"Very funny," I scoffed. He started walked towards us and then crouched in front of my attacker.
"Yeah as much as I want to believe you, I really don't. Especially for grabbing helpless women in the night! How," he paused while pressing his finger against his lips trying to find the right word, "unoriginal can you get?" Without another moment's notice, the hero-of-sorts shot a rope-like substance out of his wrist to pin down the assailant's hands and mouth preventing him from expressing more excuses to prove his innocence.
I was able to let off the man's arm and stand up to greet the stranger who helped me.
"Listen little lady, why don't you leave the bad guy hunting up to the heroes. I wouldn't want a civilian getting hurt," The masked man said in a lazy manner while spinning my apartment keys on his finger. He was leaning against one of the dumpsters like this was run of the mill stuff and maybe it was for him but not for me. I was so stunned, I barely made the connection that this man was in fact New York City's one and only Spider-Man or when he grabbed my keys off the ground.
"Umm hello? I know it's hard to concentrate in my presence," he said while pretending to slick his hair back which added to his arrogance. "but I did want to tell you that you did a fantastic job for a woman," stressing the word "woman". "Now, I'm going to drop this guy" he said pointing his thumb over his shoulder in the direction of the thug "off at the local station. So if you will excuse me, I will get going." Spider-Man grabbed the assailant and threw him over his shoulder.
Now feeling particularly insulted that I was viewed as ineffective when it came to my job, just a mere "woman", I started fuming. The arrogance of this guy! And to think I was going to thank him! Unfortunately my pride was starting to get in the way of my logic.
"Excuse me but I was handling that fine just on my own." My voice stopped Spider-Man in his tracks. I crossed my arms in the most stubborn of ways. "You know that they're are more heroes than you, they just don't parade around in a leotard!" I then pointed my finger at him to emphasize my displeasure. It was childish of me but I was angry and born hot blooded. After all, I was raised by an entire precinct of cops so anyone in uniform is a hero in my eyes, woman or not.
Spider-Man turned around and took a long moment to stare at me. I was starting to feel self conscious because I couldn't tell what he was thinking since the mask he wore hid his facial features.
"I'm just saying, lose the arrogance and start appreciating the average heroes and they come in all shapes and sizes, male OR female," I put my hands on my hips and puffed out my chest. I guess I had to prove that he didn't intimidate me. However even though I tried to say my speech confidently, but I couldn't help but notice the slight waver in my voice.
"You're a stubborn one. It's kind of refreshing," He said almost chipper about it. "This is definitely different than saving any other woman,"
I shot back immediately and quick witted. "I apologize for not being the typical 'damsel in distress' you can sweep off her feet and take her home so she can cook dinner for you," I sneered.
"So... I sweep women off their feet?," he asked in a boyish manner that I would almost find adorable if I wasn't pissed with him. His reaction baffled me.
"Do you not know that half of the women in this city swoon over you? Shoot I think some men do too," how does he not know this?
"I guess I'm just too busy to notice" he laughed nervously. "Saving people and juggling my personal life can be challenging." Wow, this guy is an idiot. He then turns the conversation back to a serious tone.
"Sorry miss, I wasn't trying to insult you. Just superhero talk. I'm just not fond of anyone getting hurt that's all. I apologize for coming off cocky," he said in the most sincerest way. I, all of a sudden, felt shameful for what I said. Sometimes my pride gets the better of me.
Once my tense shoulders loosened up, I took a deep breath and said, "It's fine. I appreciate everything thing you do Spider-Man. I just don't want to be viewed as helpless. I'm glad you were there even if I wasn't the 'damsel in distress this time'," feeling a little shy, I look at my feet for a brief second. I don't usually apologize for things when I know I am right. My stubbornness plays a big role in that. However, Spider-Man was right. He feels a strong sense of duty when it comes to the people of New York and that's something I can relate to. Unfortunately, not everyone has a mask to hide who they are, and split their life in two.
He was just trying to prevent awful things from happening to good people and I gave him a hard time for trying to help.
"No problem," I could almost hear the smile in his voice. "You know, I do like how you handled yourself with him." Nudging his head towards the shoulder that the man was on. "I'm really impressed with the entire independent woman theme you have. But really, be careful! I don't want anything happening to my new sidekick. One other thing can you not call my suit a leotard I'm already feel self conscious about it." He said tugging on the fabric. I quickly nodded and giggle a little at his shy and boyish nature.
"Maybe I will catch you around, Oh and by the way I'm winking at you in case you couldn't tell, ya know with the mask and all," he gives me a salute right before flying off on his web.
I gave a small chuckle.
"Thanks again, Spider-Man," I said knowing he wasn't able to hear me.
That is how I meet the one and only Spider-Man.