THE FINAL CHAPTER

"Peter, where are you going to go?" Aunt May was standing in my doorway as I packed some clothes into a bag. "You can't just leave Peter!" I stopped what I was doing and looked at her sadly. I knew my leaving was hurting her but I had to get out of New York. I couldn't be here anymore. I couldn't be Spiderman anymore. "I have to leave Aunt May. I have lost too much to this city and I need a break." I zipped my backpack and walked over to the woman that raised me to be the man I am now and wrapped her in my arms. I felt her body sag against mine as she sobbed into my shoulder. "I'm so sorry" I whispered into her hair. I walked out of the house and began the long journey to a new place. When I got to the edge of the city I was tempted to look back. I was tempted to remember everything that I had been through and convince myself to stay. The years of bullying, my relationship with Gwen, Uncle Ben's death, becoming spiderman, loving Elizabeth. Every moment had a special place in my heart but I kept moving. In the back of my mind was a new list of rules I was going to live by. Elizabeth's rules. I would add my own of course but the one she taught me was never look back. I was done looking back. It was time to move forward. It was time to stop living in the past and trying to change things I never could. I was starting a new life. One without Spiderman.

I was drowning. I was in deep water unable to kick to the surface. I tried to breathe but all I inhaled was water. I began to slow down but a light was coming towards me. In my last effort to make it to the surface I reached out drowsily to the mysterious source of light but my world went dark. I opened my eyes and sat up in bed gasping for air. I was breathing heavily as I looked around the stark white rooms. I looked at my arm and saw a blue hospital bracelet on my wrist. I also noticed I was wearing one of those ugly hospital gowns. My head was pounding and everything hurt. "Elizabeth. It's so nice to have you awake again." I looked to where the voice was coming from. It was director Jones of the CIA standing in the doorway. He entered the room slowly. "You're dead Elizabeth." I must have looked shocked because he smirked and went on to clarify. "Let me correct myself, your identity is dead. There is no more Elizabeth Lewis." "What?" I just wanted to take more pain meds and go back to sleep. "To Spiderman and your brother you were killed in the cross fire in that fight at the warehouse. To the rest of the world you were in a tragic car accident." My heart sunk. Peter and Bryan thought I was dead. The only reason they would kill off my identity is to send me on another mission. But I had never been on a mission without Bryan. What was going on. "Wait. Bryan thinks I'm dead?" "Yes and it will stay that way. We have a new assignment for you." I sighed. I was tired. I didn't know how much more of this life I could take. "What is it sir?" "Spiderman has left the city. He is completely off the grid and we need you to find him. You of course will be a different person. A new identity is being established for you right now." I didn't want this mission but I knew I had no choice. I simply nodded my acceptance. The director walked out of my room and I sank back down into my bed and cried. I wanted Brian and Peter to be here with me but mostly Bryan. He was my brother and my best friend. How could the CIA tell him I was dead. I needed to tell him I was ok. I glanced around the room and saw my pile of blood stained clothes sitting folded on a chair. I wonder if my cell phone was still there. I got out of bed and walked quickly over to the corner and searched all my pockets. Luckily, the clean up crew did an awful job of damage control because my phone was still in the back pocket of my jeans. The battery was almost dead but I had just enough to text Bryan our code word. I then went back to the bed and prayed he would get the message.

My phone vibrated and I checked the screen. I had one new text message. I opened and my heart beat quickened. It said, "Red birds." Elizabeth and I had that as our code word to tell each other we were ok. Our mom's favorite type of bird was the red bird and when our parents died there were a couple red birds in the trees at the funeral. We both noticed it and decided it was a sign that everything was gonna be just fine. Elizabeth was alive and I had to find her. I had to get off the grid. The CIA was up to something that I wanted no part in and I'm sure Elizabeth was involved. I had to find Peter.

I was asleep on a park bench because no one bothers people who sleep on park benches. I was somewhere in New Jersey. I didn't know where I wanted to go but I knew that fate would take me to where I was supposed to be. I would get a good job and maybe rent an apartment in a new city. I woke up at the crack of dawn and felt a presence beside me. I sat up straight ready to fight when I saw a familiar face and smiled. "Hey. It's good to see you Bryan."

"Peter Parker, I have a proposition for you."

THE END! Looking Back is now completed! I hope you enjoyed it! I know I left a cliffhanger and I did that on purpose. I am considering a sequel but want to know if there's any demand for it. I don't even care if you leave a review just somehow let me know you want more. I don't want to waste time on something no one will read. Even though I really enjoy writing, I will be starting college soon and will need my time for school work BUT if people actually want more than I will gladly write more. Thank you so much for sticking around this long even through my leaves of absence. I loved writing this and I hope you liked reading it.

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