p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="29b2acdabd214961cb4c44d80b10a60d"I fixed my glasses sitting on the bridge of my nose, "The name's Parker, Petra Parker," I told the security guard standing between me and technology that would change the world./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="21db060f80ba394791e3e1d7cc51235b"I was standing outside of the main testing lab in the OsCorp Technology and Research Building. Keyword: outside. So why was I not allowed access? Well, I didn't have clearance./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="a425859ab29636eac69cbff4177e5303""Sorry kid, not allowed without a pass," the guard said in a gruff voice./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="234654c2bf8c70397e234e9ec7f5a3bb""Way to ruin a em style="box-sizing: border-box;"kid's/em dreams," I huffed then walked down the hall./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="9c7b432484346a880e826be80a0863c8"Stupid underpaid security guards with too much authority. I stopped walking when I realized I had lost my class./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="bbae9277bf5f958bb8ee198028b46d47""Well, that's just great," I huffed, looking around./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="4f6c306fb5905e9b1dfc65f2c9505d8d"Not only had I lost my class and my ride back to school, but I was also lost in the most technologically advanced research center in the world./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="8571f054cb8df3a7f9303fd4a98960ab""Wait a second," I smiled, "I'm lost in the most technologically advanced research center in the world!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="7d3f0f665a598a2a62e69dca23e9a8a3"I did a little dance in my head and my smile grew. All the possibilities; the things I could explore. Maybe I could even talk to the smartest guy here; Dr. Curtis Connors. Maneuvering to a map of the building at an intersection in the hallway, I found Dr. Connors' office and headed there, trying to act like I belonged. I pushed the handle down and opened the glass door after knocking then stepped into the room./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="37f0d7f463728f4f8b333c4acf3ed305"Dr. Connors looked up from the papers on his desk with warm eyes, "Hello. What brings such a young lady into my office?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="19398efbd907d15ae83e2739f055665c"His face looked tired and wrinkled and his hair showed his age. He wore small glasses and a lab coat with a button down and tie underneath. His right arm's sleeve was rolled up and I realized his arm ended just below his shoulder. There was no mention of only having one arm in anything I'd read about Dr. Connors. Just articles describing his brilliance./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="45a79b3ce3d4498f823a5b0329bdd558""Hi," I stuck out my left hand instead of my right once we were close enough and introduced myself, "My name is Petra Parker and I'm here on a school field trip."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="bd8d71512a377c210c268b10d2d770b5"He sat down after shaking my hand, "So, why are you in my office instead of with your class?" he asked and gestured to the seat to my right./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="c3f65251624da7cfb0c58364e8be3766"Pushing my glasses up and sitting down, I explained, "I was accidentally separated from my class and took the opportunity to talk to this century's brightest mind."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="cf7f4fdfae3b80cb52b3d196d7738c3a""I'm honored to receive such a title and-" he was cut off by the ringing of his phone./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="633f53d6fc9c18041f3a10fd06e977aa""Excuse me," he apologized, "Hello? Alright. I'll be down in a second."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="5554f5591c965ccf146c2cbfd79c4383"Dr. Connors set the phone down then stood, "I'm terribly sorry but I need to meet someone on the main floor. I might be awhile, but I'd love to continue answering any questions you might have if you could wait until my return. If you need to leave before I get back I understand."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="eb0399cb71f063809b5eda806438fe9d""Thank you for this opportunity, I'm sure I can wait until you return," I stood as well. I felt honored for a chance to talk to such a renowned scientist./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="04c5b13361b14775caba908828f7dcf7""If you do find yourself leaving, give your number to my secretary and we can set up a proper meeting," with that, the door shut and he walked to the closest elevator leaving me to gaze./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="874a4b9ba78dfb12ac2791f821a26848"His office was filled with the coolest things. Awards, blueprints, unfinished gadgets, and even a miniaturized version of the building. I brushed my finger along objects on his shelves, picking up dust and leaving my genetic footprint behind. My finger hit a small bronze globe more forcefully than I had anticipated and I watched as it fell to its side. My horror was short-lived because the globe didn't cause a domino effect with the rest of the items on his shelf. Instead, a soft click echoed around the silent room and a puff of air outlined the shelf as it pushed into the wall and slid to the left, leaving an opening large enough for a man to walk through./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="33eff3e21aa2021a59249e8b2fa00e83""Woah," I breathed./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="be8461579d8842cc7a06c74cb60288d4"Opportunity didn't come all the time so I stepped into the open space, the floor lighting up on either side of the path creating two white lines. Follow the yellow brick road-or in this case, the white lined path. My feet echoed with each step, but I paused when the room lit up even more. I stood in the middle of a ramp connecting two doors. On either side were three black screens, but to my right stood a control panel with various buttons. I stepped towards it and pressed the only green button. Green means go-right?/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="086d8074ec5f9a80520efacab4bc8a89"Each of the six screens lit up with different pictures. Two in front of me had formulas, variables, and math equations, while the third had a video feed but something was blocking the view, leaving triangular pockets of white light. Turning around, a slide show was playing on two screens while the third had more formulas. The slide show flipped through slide after slide showing trial and errors with different formulas. What formulas they were testing or what they were testing the formulas on, I had no clue. What I did know was that none of the formulas had worked because of the smallest error, an error I could fix. I stared at the keyboard contemplating fixing the error before I came to the conclusion that it would save Dr. Connors time and money. Feeling successful after I changed the formula, I switched my attention to the other metal door./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="3b7a52bba14871710bfc29216d5379af""To go in, or not to go in. That is the question."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="fe68afd3feb505bb6c654e654e9d3c73"Shrugging, I pulled the lever and opened the door, my curiosity getting the better of me. Too busy with the task at hand, I missed what was on the third video feed when the object blocking my view moved. Once the door was wide enough to enter, I stepped inside, but my other foot caught on the ledge and I tripped, my glasses falling off my face int the process. The lights flicked on as I landed on a hard white floor. Searching for my glasses, I brushed my fingers along the textured ground. Once I slipped on my glasses, I gazed around and froze with terror. Thousands of spiders were everywhere. They were dangling from webs, climbing on the walls, and crawling across the floor. My attention was momentarily averted from the spiders to the metal door now swinging closed./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="edecc7bb86fb0a43898801e4146bc562""No, no, no, no, no!" I scrambled to my feet, but reached the door too little too late, "Crap."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="5eecbd3573ad5f120603835bd31b9b51"Turning back around slowly, I stifled a scream when I saw a black and green spider hanging a few inches from my face. I noticed a yellow and brown one to my right and I slowly began to creep around the hanging creatures to a door on the opposite side of the room./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="54f6a8e7dfe73de36b67bb19d0bd0cd9""Ouch!" I felt a small pinch behind my left ear. Feeling for what caused it, I grabbed a smooth string connected to my skin. "What the-"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="3c7fd370bd146d34eec23db2d8ffaa51"At the end of the string dangled a red and blue spider, lifeless./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="5f1f88412e0602dc874374eec146cb95""EW!" I screamed and yanked the web from my skin, tossing it to the side./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="468a0024d0bba3fec56dd6eb2606af3c"Suddenly, a purple mist floated out of little pockets that opened in the ceiling. Once a spider came in contact with the gas, it lay limp./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="9c3ecf1d02ee9197edc2d11eb7964dda""This isn't good."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="2607e6e208059bfab2cd198363aa5353"Fearing for my life, I ignored the dangling spiders and small pinches I felt when they bit me, and ran for the other door. Pushing the handle down and the door forward, I emerged on the other side, quickly closing the door and sighing in relief. I opened my eyes and shivered, feeling my skin crawl. I pulled out my phone and switched the flashlight on, examining my skin. No spiders./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="e80b3a09eb71695487b8b03d4ec04e46"I moved the light around and realized I was in a maintenance closet. I should probably get back to my class, they'd be leaving soon. Stepping out, I recognized where I was and ran for the closest stairwell. No time to wait for elevators and I flew down the stairs faster than expected. Reaching the bottom, I stopped, brushed my wavy shoulder-length, brown hair with my fingers, and fixed my glasses before stepping through the door and casually walking with the rest of my science class to the bus./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="36f75a4b89c41e6ca6dd288f87a3a700"Sitting in a seat behind Harry and MJ, I rubbed behind my left ear./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="bd672043165164a8df81a9271311a072""Hey, Tiger," MJ said, turning around in her seat and brushing a strand of her bright red hair behind her ear, "Where've you been?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="b7fbdea71085186696d866b7157c394d"She plucked a dead spider from my shoulder and flung it on Harry./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="dc3b9515722f20921cc561b56b0025c8""Gross," he shrieked, brushing his hands through his slightly curly, dark brown mane, "Why was there a spider on you?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="971fba95d3b4a85785fb15aeca41d354"I debated telling them, but decided to see how they would react anyway, "I found Dr. Connors' office, but he had to leave and there was a secret room full of spiders. They bit me several times and I escaped through a closet."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="aa30976850f697d1c38d2afad38c9a12"MJ and Harry looked at each other before laughing, "There is no way you talked to Dr. Connors."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="12602580fe0d842dfbe6a6abe48e95ca"I sighed internally. They'd never believe me./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="4c6f8a12ca653fb7c82c2248f04d9f4e""You got me. I fell in a storage closet and I guess a spider crawled on me."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="bcbd051ecd4cc5303dd028515bfd6580""That sounds more like you, Petra," Harry smirked./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="eb316b125939978d34f68f4fdea67737""Yeah," MJ quipped./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="d1754236eee445382ff3e2936dfa828e"I stuck my tongue out at them. The bus rumbled to a start and I sunk back in my seat. I'm not em style="box-sizing: border-box;"that /emclumsy./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="4c761f170e016836ff84498202b99827"~/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="5bd221adf62163c3184cfebc84a47566"By the time I got home, the spot behind my ear was throbbing and I started to feel extremely tired and sick. I could barely focus; my mind drifted, I slurred my speech, and my eyes couldn't seem to focus. I sloppily turned the doorknob, opened the door, and stumbled inside, Aunt May rushing to my aid./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="fe18dc4bec9a5b6f974137c744ef0f88""Honey, are you okay?" she asked, helping me to the couch, "What happened?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="bf69533806b99b593aea654f3b7bb0b4""I'm fine," I said groggily. I didn't want to say I found a secret room with thousands of spiders inside, "I'm just really tired."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="b467462fa3eb1355013e9a09c29acecf"Aunt May helped me to stand again, "Okay, let's get you to your bed and I'll make you some tea. Hopefully, you'll feel better once you're well rested."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="b61c99c4b2f8241e4d838e96724fc28a"I couldn't bear it anymore. I was cramping up and it felt like everything was burning. She hurried me up the stairs and I collapsed into my covers, falling asleep instantly, the smell of Honey-Lemon Tea clearing my head and relaxing my tense muscles./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="21db060f80ba394791e3e1d7cc51235b"I was standing outside of the main testing lab in the OsCorp Technology and Research Building. Keyword: outside. So why was I not allowed access? Well, I didn't have clearance./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="a425859ab29636eac69cbff4177e5303""Sorry kid, not allowed without a pass," the guard said in a gruff voice./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="234654c2bf8c70397e234e9ec7f5a3bb""Way to ruin a em style="box-sizing: border-box;"kid's/em dreams," I huffed then walked down the hall./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="9c7b432484346a880e826be80a0863c8"Stupid underpaid security guards with too much authority. I stopped walking when I realized I had lost my class./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="bbae9277bf5f958bb8ee198028b46d47""Well, that's just great," I huffed, looking around./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="4f6c306fb5905e9b1dfc65f2c9505d8d"Not only had I lost my class and my ride back to school, but I was also lost in the most technologically advanced research center in the world./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="8571f054cb8df3a7f9303fd4a98960ab""Wait a second," I smiled, "I'm lost in the most technologically advanced research center in the world!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="7d3f0f665a598a2a62e69dca23e9a8a3"I did a little dance in my head and my smile grew. All the possibilities; the things I could explore. Maybe I could even talk to the smartest guy here; Dr. Curtis Connors. Maneuvering to a map of the building at an intersection in the hallway, I found Dr. Connors' office and headed there, trying to act like I belonged. I pushed the handle down and opened the glass door after knocking then stepped into the room./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="37f0d7f463728f4f8b333c4acf3ed305"Dr. Connors looked up from the papers on his desk with warm eyes, "Hello. What brings such a young lady into my office?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="19398efbd907d15ae83e2739f055665c"His face looked tired and wrinkled and his hair showed his age. He wore small glasses and a lab coat with a button down and tie underneath. His right arm's sleeve was rolled up and I realized his arm ended just below his shoulder. There was no mention of only having one arm in anything I'd read about Dr. Connors. Just articles describing his brilliance./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="45a79b3ce3d4498f823a5b0329bdd558""Hi," I stuck out my left hand instead of my right once we were close enough and introduced myself, "My name is Petra Parker and I'm here on a school field trip."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="bd8d71512a377c210c268b10d2d770b5"He sat down after shaking my hand, "So, why are you in my office instead of with your class?" he asked and gestured to the seat to my right./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="c3f65251624da7cfb0c58364e8be3766"Pushing my glasses up and sitting down, I explained, "I was accidentally separated from my class and took the opportunity to talk to this century's brightest mind."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="cf7f4fdfae3b80cb52b3d196d7738c3a""I'm honored to receive such a title and-" he was cut off by the ringing of his phone./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="633f53d6fc9c18041f3a10fd06e977aa""Excuse me," he apologized, "Hello? Alright. I'll be down in a second."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="5554f5591c965ccf146c2cbfd79c4383"Dr. Connors set the phone down then stood, "I'm terribly sorry but I need to meet someone on the main floor. I might be awhile, but I'd love to continue answering any questions you might have if you could wait until my return. If you need to leave before I get back I understand."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="eb0399cb71f063809b5eda806438fe9d""Thank you for this opportunity, I'm sure I can wait until you return," I stood as well. I felt honored for a chance to talk to such a renowned scientist./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="04c5b13361b14775caba908828f7dcf7""If you do find yourself leaving, give your number to my secretary and we can set up a proper meeting," with that, the door shut and he walked to the closest elevator leaving me to gaze./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="874a4b9ba78dfb12ac2791f821a26848"His office was filled with the coolest things. Awards, blueprints, unfinished gadgets, and even a miniaturized version of the building. I brushed my finger along objects on his shelves, picking up dust and leaving my genetic footprint behind. My finger hit a small bronze globe more forcefully than I had anticipated and I watched as it fell to its side. My horror was short-lived because the globe didn't cause a domino effect with the rest of the items on his shelf. Instead, a soft click echoed around the silent room and a puff of air outlined the shelf as it pushed into the wall and slid to the left, leaving an opening large enough for a man to walk through./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="33eff3e21aa2021a59249e8b2fa00e83""Woah," I breathed./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="be8461579d8842cc7a06c74cb60288d4"Opportunity didn't come all the time so I stepped into the open space, the floor lighting up on either side of the path creating two white lines. Follow the yellow brick road-or in this case, the white lined path. My feet echoed with each step, but I paused when the room lit up even more. I stood in the middle of a ramp connecting two doors. On either side were three black screens, but to my right stood a control panel with various buttons. I stepped towards it and pressed the only green button. Green means go-right?/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="086d8074ec5f9a80520efacab4bc8a89"Each of the six screens lit up with different pictures. Two in front of me had formulas, variables, and math equations, while the third had a video feed but something was blocking the view, leaving triangular pockets of white light. Turning around, a slide show was playing on two screens while the third had more formulas. The slide show flipped through slide after slide showing trial and errors with different formulas. What formulas they were testing or what they were testing the formulas on, I had no clue. What I did know was that none of the formulas had worked because of the smallest error, an error I could fix. I stared at the keyboard contemplating fixing the error before I came to the conclusion that it would save Dr. Connors time and money. Feeling successful after I changed the formula, I switched my attention to the other metal door./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="3b7a52bba14871710bfc29216d5379af""To go in, or not to go in. That is the question."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="fe68afd3feb505bb6c654e654e9d3c73"Shrugging, I pulled the lever and opened the door, my curiosity getting the better of me. Too busy with the task at hand, I missed what was on the third video feed when the object blocking my view moved. Once the door was wide enough to enter, I stepped inside, but my other foot caught on the ledge and I tripped, my glasses falling off my face int the process. The lights flicked on as I landed on a hard white floor. Searching for my glasses, I brushed my fingers along the textured ground. Once I slipped on my glasses, I gazed around and froze with terror. Thousands of spiders were everywhere. They were dangling from webs, climbing on the walls, and crawling across the floor. My attention was momentarily averted from the spiders to the metal door now swinging closed./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="edecc7bb86fb0a43898801e4146bc562""No, no, no, no, no!" I scrambled to my feet, but reached the door too little too late, "Crap."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="5eecbd3573ad5f120603835bd31b9b51"Turning back around slowly, I stifled a scream when I saw a black and green spider hanging a few inches from my face. I noticed a yellow and brown one to my right and I slowly began to creep around the hanging creatures to a door on the opposite side of the room./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="54f6a8e7dfe73de36b67bb19d0bd0cd9""Ouch!" I felt a small pinch behind my left ear. Feeling for what caused it, I grabbed a smooth string connected to my skin. "What the-"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="3c7fd370bd146d34eec23db2d8ffaa51"At the end of the string dangled a red and blue spider, lifeless./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="5f1f88412e0602dc874374eec146cb95""EW!" I screamed and yanked the web from my skin, tossing it to the side./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="468a0024d0bba3fec56dd6eb2606af3c"Suddenly, a purple mist floated out of little pockets that opened in the ceiling. Once a spider came in contact with the gas, it lay limp./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="9c3ecf1d02ee9197edc2d11eb7964dda""This isn't good."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="2607e6e208059bfab2cd198363aa5353"Fearing for my life, I ignored the dangling spiders and small pinches I felt when they bit me, and ran for the other door. Pushing the handle down and the door forward, I emerged on the other side, quickly closing the door and sighing in relief. I opened my eyes and shivered, feeling my skin crawl. I pulled out my phone and switched the flashlight on, examining my skin. No spiders./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="e80b3a09eb71695487b8b03d4ec04e46"I moved the light around and realized I was in a maintenance closet. I should probably get back to my class, they'd be leaving soon. Stepping out, I recognized where I was and ran for the closest stairwell. No time to wait for elevators and I flew down the stairs faster than expected. Reaching the bottom, I stopped, brushed my wavy shoulder-length, brown hair with my fingers, and fixed my glasses before stepping through the door and casually walking with the rest of my science class to the bus./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="36f75a4b89c41e6ca6dd288f87a3a700"Sitting in a seat behind Harry and MJ, I rubbed behind my left ear./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="bd672043165164a8df81a9271311a072""Hey, Tiger," MJ said, turning around in her seat and brushing a strand of her bright red hair behind her ear, "Where've you been?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="b7fbdea71085186696d866b7157c394d"She plucked a dead spider from my shoulder and flung it on Harry./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="dc3b9515722f20921cc561b56b0025c8""Gross," he shrieked, brushing his hands through his slightly curly, dark brown mane, "Why was there a spider on you?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="971fba95d3b4a85785fb15aeca41d354"I debated telling them, but decided to see how they would react anyway, "I found Dr. Connors' office, but he had to leave and there was a secret room full of spiders. They bit me several times and I escaped through a closet."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="aa30976850f697d1c38d2afad38c9a12"MJ and Harry looked at each other before laughing, "There is no way you talked to Dr. Connors."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="12602580fe0d842dfbe6a6abe48e95ca"I sighed internally. They'd never believe me./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="4c6f8a12ca653fb7c82c2248f04d9f4e""You got me. I fell in a storage closet and I guess a spider crawled on me."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="bcbd051ecd4cc5303dd028515bfd6580""That sounds more like you, Petra," Harry smirked./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="eb316b125939978d34f68f4fdea67737""Yeah," MJ quipped./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="d1754236eee445382ff3e2936dfa828e"I stuck my tongue out at them. The bus rumbled to a start and I sunk back in my seat. I'm not em style="box-sizing: border-box;"that /emclumsy./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="4c761f170e016836ff84498202b99827"~/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="5bd221adf62163c3184cfebc84a47566"By the time I got home, the spot behind my ear was throbbing and I started to feel extremely tired and sick. I could barely focus; my mind drifted, I slurred my speech, and my eyes couldn't seem to focus. I sloppily turned the doorknob, opened the door, and stumbled inside, Aunt May rushing to my aid./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="fe18dc4bec9a5b6f974137c744ef0f88""Honey, are you okay?" she asked, helping me to the couch, "What happened?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="bf69533806b99b593aea654f3b7bb0b4""I'm fine," I said groggily. I didn't want to say I found a secret room with thousands of spiders inside, "I'm just really tired."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="b467462fa3eb1355013e9a09c29acecf"Aunt May helped me to stand again, "Okay, let's get you to your bed and I'll make you some tea. Hopefully, you'll feel better once you're well rested."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="b61c99c4b2f8241e4d838e96724fc28a"I couldn't bear it anymore. I was cramping up and it felt like everything was burning. She hurried me up the stairs and I collapsed into my covers, falling asleep instantly, the smell of Honey-Lemon Tea clearing my head and relaxing my tense muscles./p