Arachnida

by Lawliyet

Just the origin of someone being Spider-Man. But with a different Peter Parker and whole different story.

1. The Beginning

Chapter 1: The Beginning

It was a usual night, with the crescent moon lighting the city. Dark clouds formed in the sky and a rainfall began. Right now, Philadelphia was at the dead of night.

"To be continued… continues in chapter 2. Gosh, what a let-down." I lay the book on my chest. "I guess I have to buy the sequel now." Thinking of when to do that, I grabbed my phone, realizing what time it was, should've been asleep hours ago.

"Well, time to get some shut-eye." I threw the book on the floor. Got up to turn off the lights and went back to bed, making myself comfortable. Once under the sheets, I closed my eyes and waited to doze off.

---

Somewhere

A beam of light is shot into the sky. It reaches a certain height until it suddenly scatters. It was like orbs of light falling from different directions. Like shooting stars travelling far, only to come down to earth.

---

Back in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I was trying to sleep. Then I felt a bright light appear over my eyes. It made me open them and to my surprise, the window of my room illuminates in a bluish tone.

Wondering what was the source of such light, I got up, doubting myself. I approached the window and opened it. The cold wind with the drops of rain gave me the chills.

"What's going on?" I asked myself.

The light beams were too much, so I used my hand to cover my face. Taking a few steps back as the light was getting brighter and brighter.

Afterwards, I felt heat on my body. I couldn't see clearly, but suddenly I felt pressure on my chest.

An orb as bright as a star came through my window and impacted me. The light spread all around my body like it was hugging me. Feeling my insides burning, as I started glowing. I wanted to scream. However, my mouth is lock shut. And blinking images were going through my head, causing immense pain. It goes on for a while; then it instantly stops.

The glow disappeared. I felt exhausted and everything was spinning around me. I landed on the bed and slowly closed my eyes, hoping for the best.

[Hours later]

The sun rises and the sound of my alarm goes off.

"Ahhh, what the?" I woke up abruptly, gasping for air.

I stood up and threw my hand on my chest. I observed all over myself to make sure I was fine, to my luck I was. Maybe it was just a dream. I thought.

I glanced around my room, nothing was out of the ordinary. So, I turned off the alarm and leaned against the wall; I slid down to sit while holding my head, feeling dizzy about everything. I take a deep breath and then…

"PETER," my name was yelled.

"Mom." I glared at the door, hearing someone approaching. Then the door opens.

"Pet-" She looked at me directly and smiled, "oh, good, you're awake, hurry up breakfast is ready, you also need to get ready for school."

"Right!" I nodded.

She leaves and closes the door.

That distracted me a bit from my situation, until I felt a cold breeze pass by my shoulder.

I turn to where the wind blew and find out my window is open. My blood ran cold. Was it a dream? It couldn't be anything else, could it? Although, It was more of a nightmare than a dream. I start to suffer a headache, so I place my hands on my head. The pain is making me see people, people that are unknown, but they keep flashing in my head.

"Aahhhh!" The pain finally stops. "Get yourself together Peter," I look out my window, just doubting everything so far. I closed it. Knowing that the only light source now is the sun.

I proceed to amble to the bathroom in my room.

Once, in the bathroom, I opened the sink and poured water on my face. My head began flickering with images of people and various places. They were all unknown to me, but it's as if I lived those moments. I feel like I was in a person's point of view. I had everything in my head with extreme detail that It's hurting.

"PETER," my mom called for me.

"Uh, on my way!" I stare at myself in the mirror. "Get it together Peter, you're being paranoid" I decided to ignore everything and focus on what I needed to do right now. Not that it's gonna be easy.

I go to my closet and the first thing I see is a black hoodie, so I decide to put that on, joined by some basic jeans. Once I changed, I was ready to leave.

I left my room, just questioning everything I saw last night. If it was a nightmare, why am I having these kinds of visions, I mean I am awake… right?

"Peter, it's about time, what took you so long," my mom said, as soon as I entered the living room. My dad is already sitting at the table.

"I was just getting ready," I replied. Scratching the back of my head

"Fine then, just hurry up and eat."

"Yeah, ok." I took a seat and started eating.

"Wearing black again" my dad said, raising an eyebrow

"Oh, yeah, I've had this for a while, so I thought it would be a good idea to use it." I held the strings of the hoodie.

"You know, many people have the bad impression of someone that wears black" my mom puts her hand on my head, "but I guess it goes well with your black hair."

"Thanks," I smirk.

After eating, I packed my backpack and was ready to leave for school.

"Ok, gotta go, love you mom, love you dad," I headed to the door, waving my hand at them.

"Love you too," they both replied.

I left the apartment and proceeded to leave the building.

When I exited, I observed how everything was after the rain. I stepped on many fallen leaves and saw how the children played in the puddles on a cloudy day. Their footsteps in the water, as well as their laughter. I guess it was reassuring.

I walk to the left corner of the sidewalk. When I got there, I just waited for the bus.

As time went by, I was thinking about my first day in high school. I wasn't excited, It's like any other day of school, I don't wanna go, but I need to go. It's part of being responsible, apparently.

The bus finally arrives, so I enter and take my seat; then the bus just drives off.

In the bus, I took a seat next to the window, being able to see how we passed many buildings on the way to school. It's relaxing to me. The trip is short, but I hope the bus goes slow.

After a while staring out my window, I feel a sudden push forward. The bus stops at my destination. I get up and walk through the people in the bus. When I got off, I grabbed the straps of my backpack. You got this, Pete.

I observed the school right in front of me. The school was three floors tall and the walls painted a clear brown. There were also some students outside, talking with one another, or simply looking down at their phones. I proceeded to walk towards the staircase at the door, so I could enter the place.

When I entered, I saw the corridors replete with students. I walked through everyone and kept my head down. My ears being filled with all of their murmur and my shoulders slightly touching them as I go by.

When I arrived at my classroom, a feeling of doubt surrounded my head. I desist, entering the place where I'm gonna spend many hours of my life for the next few months. There were already some people inside, so I just took a seat and hoped they wouldn't be assigned.

I waited for a while until I heard the bell ring. I could see loads of people entering the classroom. Everyone takes a seat and the teacher finally arrives.

"Alright students, good morning, I'm professor Tomás," he said, while writing his name on the board, "so, I'll be giving all of you your first class and I would like everyone to present themselves one by one, please. Will do it in order of columns, so let's begin." He finished by clapping his hands.

He starts from left to right. I try to pay attention, but school does bring me back a lot of memories. That's when the visions started appearing in my head again. The pain was lighter this time; I had my hand on my forehead, waiting for the pain to end. Suddenly, I heard a voice inside my head. They're talking, their whispering, their shouting. It hurts.

"You..." I heard that as if someone whispered in my ear.

"You...you...you." I heard that again and again, just when in the hell was it going to end.

"You..."

"...Are next!" I raised my head when I heard that. Surprised by how time flies.

"You're next, present yourself, please," the teacher pointed at me.

"Right, my nam-" I was cut short when my teacher interrupted me.

"Stand up, please."

I do as he said.

"My name is Peter Ethan Parker, I'm 15, and I've spent my whole life in Philly."

"Very good." He gives me a sign to sit down and I do so.

Afterwards, I just do what I always did in school, I let the day consume me until school is over. And be lucky if I remember anything after.

The bell rings and school is over. I guess it wasn't that bad. How I'm gonna do homework is another thing I'll have to face, but figuring out what the hell I've been seeing in my head is my main issue, it's been happening this entire day, and it's frustrating.

I left the classroom and walked through the corridor. Suddenly, my vision became blurry. I shifted my view around; however, I couldn't focus on anything. My head was pulsating in pain and I felt nauseous, so I rushed to the bathroom.

When I got there, I saw myself in the mirror and thought, why do I have these memories, they're not even mine. I wanted to move my hand to open the sink, but I couldn't. I had my hands stuck to the counter. I tried hard to remove them, not knowing what was going on. I yanked harder, finally getting them off, though pieces of the counter stuck on my fingertips.

"What the hell…" My hands began to shake. I took a few steps back and started to take deep breaths, trying to understand everything.

I rub my hands, so I can get my fingers clean. While doing so, I knew I had to get back home before things got out of control, at least more than what it already was. I went to the door and I snapped the handle off. My body was shaking. So, I just gently pushed the door with my shoulder. I looked both ways; put my hands in my pockets and hustle to the exit. Not too surprising, I ended up taking the door handle with me.

The moment I stepped outside, I rushed home, refusing to take the bus. I didn't want to have problems in public, and besides, I wasn't that far from home. Along the way, the only thing I suffered was dizziness since these false memories were messing with my mind. I was running, stepping over the puddles the rain made. Having this urge to get home.

When I finally arrived at my residence, I stood in front of the door, questioning how to open it. To my luck, someone exiting the building opened the door wide. I backed up a bit, but reached to put my foot between the door. The person looked at me weird; however, he continued walking.

I go in and approach the elevator. I use my hand as a fist, so I can press the button. I do it quickly, which makes me fracture it, causing sparks. "Shit," I whispered.

Realizing it was no longer working, I took the stairs to get to my apartment floor. I covered my hand with the cloth of my hoodie, so I was able to grab my keys and open the door.

Once in, I closed the door behind me. My parents were working at this time, so I didn't worry about them.

I raised my hands, observing how the cloth of my hoodie and the handle from school wouldn't detach from me. I tried to shake them off with no avail. I started taking deep breaths; calming myself, which made the door handle fall to the ground. The cloth from the hoodie was also released, which I was glad about.

Then the visions—the hallucinations—came back to my head. The vision made me see through someone's eyes how they got bitten by a spider. I was feeling dizzy again, my head was hurting tremendously. I sat on the couch, and after moving around waiting for the pain to stop, it faded away. I felt calm, but I also felt cold. I lay down on the couch. The pain ended, but my vision became fuzzy, then it all faded to black.

[A Few hours later]

My eyes were opening. The sound of a rumble impacts my ear, it instantly makes me have my eyes wide open, 'What the hell?'' I was sweating, "was it all a dream?" I put my hand on my forehead, pondering about the images in my head. I peer at the window. It was nighttime; a stormy night.

Getting things straight, I headed to my room, but I stepped on something that made me trip. I stare down and what I see is the door handle from school. That makes it official, it wasn't a dream. I pick up the handle and go to my room.

There were so many things confusing me, but I guess it makes sense, I can't keep waking up every damn second in different places. I put the handle in a drawer and went to bed. I wanna stop this mental pain, but how do I do that? It's like trying to not remember something from your past.

I was rejecting the visions, I was pushing them away because the pain was too much. What if I just let it flow? There has to be more to this, I know it.

I start taking deep breaths and sweat begins to leak from my forehead. I close my eyes and I try to empty my mind; then my conscience is flood with images, as it was happening the pain was vanishing throughout. Everything was flashing quickly until I was able to open my eyes. I grabbed onto my head as the images faded away.

I sit on the bed, so I can reflect on this, "They're not visions or hallucinations, they're memories."

It felt as if I had lived a whole life. There's only one problem: it's not my life. They're false memories, memories of someone else's life colliding with mine.

When I closed my eyes, I saw a guy getting bitten by a spider and the same guy wearing a red and blue suit, all that, so he can fight crime. Practically saw a guy go from a nerdy teenager to an action hero. I also experienced the thrill, the adventure, and being seen as a savior. It was incredible.

I lifted my hand up against my face. The door handle didn't stick to my hand the last time I held it. I know something happened to me last night, something changed me. I want that life, that hero life, it seems incredible. I know I'm not him, but perhaps we're not so different.

"How does one become a hero?" I asked myself.

I remember when I got here, I smashed the elevators control panel. I made a fist and approached a pillar from my bed then rapped my hand around it, I applied force to it, it broke… I broke it.

I smiled, "I got this, I can do it, this is just the first step."

[The next day]

The false memories come and go. It doesn't hurt anymore, so that's good.

I was searching in the school library for books about spiders since I had a sticky hand and saw a spider bite in my head, so I suspect whatever I can do is spider related.

All I found so far was that spiders and insects belong to the same family as arthropods.

Upon returning home, I got on my computer and continued to research. And my research consisted of watching a lot of YouTube videos about spiders.

I took the following notes:

Jump very far, as to 50 times their on body length

Produces web/silk

They have setules that lets them stick to many surfaces

Has incredible strength. Can hold up to 170 times their own body weight

They don't have good eyesight, so they depend on vibration.

Spiders can easily be outrun by humans. However, if that spider is human size that changes everything.

Spiders also molt. God, I hope that doesn't happen to me.

As far as I know, everything I need is written down. I guess it's time to certify them. Time to prove myself.

With my heart pounding, I'm not sure if I am excited or worried as I leave home.

After I've walked around my neighborhood for a while, I come across a large building. I thought about going in, but then I look at my hand, considering another way to get on top of Somewhere.

I go into the alleyway of the building.

I put a hand up and placed it on the wall. I looked both ways, and then I laid my other hand on the wall. I took a small jump, so I can stick my feet, but I ended up falling off the wall and landing on my back. Goddammit, how am I supposed to get sticky and non-sticky when I want to.

I take a deep breath and try again. I put both hands-on the wall, it's just willpower, I know it. I take a small jump and throw my feet towards the wall. This time I managed to stick one foot, so I placed my other foot on, expecting it to stick as well. I then tried to fall back, but I was stuck in place. Realizing how I stood on the wall, I was impressed. I did it. I started climbing up the wall. It was a long way to go, but I was doing it. Hell yeah.

When reaching the edge of the roof, I toss myself to the top, sweating, and a bit dizzy, but had a wide smile on my face.

Sitting on the parapet to catch my breath; I happen to view the other building across the alley. I stood straight processing this idea of mine and stepped back, as I became willing to risk it, "don't die."

I run as fast as I could until I reach the edge, that's when I jumped. The adrenaline going through my body made me feel alive. In the air, my head was repeating: don't die, don't die, don't die. And when descending. "Don't die, don't die, don't die."

My chest impacts the edge of the roof. I use my arms to grab on; I slip. I fell hitting an air conditioner that was on the wall and landed in a dumpster. "That… hurt...oh, crud."

Crawled back to the top and jumped once again.

This time being able to land one leg on the other building. However, I couldn't land the other one, so only one foot stuck to the roof, but the weight put on one leg was too much, so I ended up falling back again. Hitting cables while falling, landing this time on trash bags, "this is not… gonna be easy."

Attempt after attempt.

I went to the other edge of the roof, then ran again. Tired and covered in sweat. I'm at my limit, that's when a sudden thought came to my head, stopping me before I jumped.

Trying to get my head around this. "What the hell am I doing, I'm slowly killing myself… I don't want to die." I step back. "Stupid!"

I decided to take the stairs this time. If I keep this up, there will be a moment I won't get back up.

It was nighttime when I got home. I was actually surprised by how many people ignored my actions, probably because it wasn't their interest or just really didn't care. It is someone's decision if they want to die or not.

I opened the door to my apartment and my parents were waiting for me.

"Peter" they screamed, while my mom approached me

"Mom, dad" I replied, while closing the door

"Where were you?" my dad asked, while my mom hugged me

"I was just-"

"And why are you all wet?" my mom puts her hand on my forehead

"That's just-"

"Why were you out at this time peter" my dad crossed his arms.

"Ok, can I finish what I'm saying." They both just stare at me. "I was just out...walking."

"Since when do you do that" my mom said

"ah, since now, that's why I'm covered in sweat"

"But you were still late" my dad said

"Oh, come on, I wasn't that late, it's not that dark"

"still, we thought that you would be here, but instead you went out without even telling us"

"Ah…" I sigh "ok, then I'm sorry" I start to walk towards my room

"are you hungry?" my mom asked

"no, I'm just tired" I replied, going inside my room

Sitting on the bed, the beating was good today.

I laid back with the intention to get some rest. Turned my head and my eyes land on my backpack. It took me some time, but I made up my mind, "I hate my life."

Grabbed my backpack and pulled out everything necessary for homework today.

The sun was rising. The rays of light went through my window, giving me warmth in bed.

My alarm clock goes off. Rapidly throw my hand to turn it off. Surprisingly, I end up breaking it. It releases sparks,"oh, crap!

The problem now is I don't have an alarm clock, "that's why we have phones, right"

I was preparing for school, trying my best to stay awake. While putting my things in my backpack, I heard someone knock on the door.

"Can I come in?" my mom asked.

"Ah, sure" I replied

She opened the door and after a few seconds she spoke, "So, how has school been?"

I rubbed my eyes, "What do you mean?" I hesitated

"Well 2 days ago was your first day in high school, and I haven't had the chance to ask you properly," she crossed her arms, "and yesterday you weren't home, so… "

"That again, I said I was sorry."

"I know, I just want to know how school was, is everything ok?" She scratched her ear. "So far"

"This is literally going to be my third day." I put my backpack on. "If you think I was late because of something related to school, you're wrong, I just have other reasons."

"Are...are you doing bad things? "

"Of Course not!" I sighed, "You don't think that of me, do you?"

"Never."

We looked at each other and smiled.

I approached the door, "gotta go mom, love you."

"Love you too," she replied.

I left the room.

"Hey, dad." I saw him in the living room organizing papers.

He turned to look at me, "Hey, I imagine after school you'll come straight home, right?"

"Yeah, yeah, understood, love you." I waved goodbye.

"Love you too, kid."

Leaving the apartment, I stretched and let out a yawn. Here we go again.

In school, I was putting stuff in my locker. Loads of steps, and murmurs of people as they walk around the corridors, were finally getting to me.

The false memories start flashing in my head again, seeing how the man in my head made the jumps I couldn't, how he crawled and swung with no fail. I want that.

When I came back to my senses, my hand was stuck to a notebook, so I tried to shake it off. "Dammit." desperate to get it off, I pulled my arm back and hard, taking a piece of paper with me.

The notebook is no longer stuck, so I put my hand in my pocket and slammed the locker shut, because of that I caught the attention of someone on my right. Someone around my height was looking at me with wide eyes, and I can imagine why.

"Huh, sorry," I whispered. Turned away with my head down.

"No problem," he said.

I glared at him, walking away. That was weird.

Suddenly, I was endeavoring to take my hand off the locker. "Great, now the other hand too." I haul my arm back. My head was going through memories until I stop to breathe. Trying to get my hand off, the palm releases, the fingers follow one by one. Some of the painting stuck to me.

Time went by and school finally ended.

There was a wispy breeze on my way home.

I was processing a lot of stuff. What I wanted to do in my life, thinking of leaving this superpower life behind. The false memories come back. Seeing how this guy saves people, him taking people's hand at the edge of their life, him carrying rubble on his back to avoid the death of many people. I closed my eyes. There's actually nice things to see; however, "I'm not him… I'm worst."

Suddenly, my head was shaking. It was like hard movement coming my way, it was something vibrating. Had the instinct to jump, so I jump very high as a car continued his path; land on my feet, and the few people that saw me had their eyes wide open, so I run as fast as I can, wanting to get home as soon as possible.

Once home, I locked myself In my room, took a seat, and held on to my head. That was new… finally something else than a sticky hand or foot.

What did I discover? My heart was racing.

Pulled out the notebook with the list that had the spider capabilities, I read it as the false memories continue with their flicker, everything that is happening in my head fills me up with emotion, I'm convinced that's supposed to be my life, I want that life no matter what, I want to be the hero.

Used a marker to highlight the next lines of text.

Jump very far, as to 50 times their on body length - high jumps

Produces web/silk

They have setules that let them Wall crawl - wall crawling

Has incredible strength, can hold up to 170 times their own body weight

They don't have good eyesight, so they depend on vibration

Spiders can easily be outrun by humans. However, if that spider is human size that changes everything.

Spiders also molt.

It seems like what happened today was, "the vibration thing." and I'm hoping to keep my eyesight. Also, hoping not to turn into a spider freak and molt. Hell, maybe I can't do what I see in my head, but I'm willing to take the risk.

Willing to attempt everything, so I can succeed.

Training in my home this time, I jump around the walls of my room, checking if I could stick to any of them.

After that, I look up, taking a jump to stick on the ceiling. It wasn't a big jump, but to put your entire body on the roof in one go is another thing. Removed my feet and then my hands, landing on my knees. I stand up and stare at my hands, I smirk.

I've done wall crawling before, there's just something about it that keeps me excited. But my head is then filled with imagery of swinging throughout the city.

So I proceed to try and generate web—doing many hand and wrist movements—none of them worked for some reason. Although the powers are spider related I expect the web won't come out somewhere else, either way, my decision is made. I want to be a hero.

The sun disappeared, leaving the moon to glow. Awaiting the sun's return as it becomes the last day before the weekend.

Today's Friday. I'm excited for the weekend, and I know exactly what I'm gonna do tonight, or at least try.

Focused on my classroom clock, eager for this day to end. My legs were restless. I was clasping my hands, and then it happens, the bell finally rings, putting an end to this day.

I go through the corridor to my locker, repeating in my head, you got this.

Left school so I can prepare myself.

Before going home, I went to a store nearby in search for a mask. When I found them, the first one to catch my eye was a black ski mask; however, when lowering my view, a red mask with no mouth hole became my interest. Thought about it since technically they'll be able to see me a lot easier in the dark—so I bought it—also bought a pair of orange goggles.

Got home and did the same thing as before: I locked myself in my room. Making plans for what could be my suit.

I grabbed a spare hoodie, this time it was dark blue, also some black shoes and a pair of gloves that are probably better in winter. Slide the mask on with the goggles, then observe myself in the bathroom. It was the best suit for what was at my disposal. Moved my hand closer to the mirror until making contact. "I am sure about this, right?" I guess even I don't know.

[After some hours]

Waited till my parents fell asleep, it was 12:30 pm by then. I peek into their room, and they sure were asleep, now I cross my fingers, so they don't wake up no matter what.

I put the suit on, even if it's just basic clothes I'm still calling it a suit.

Took a deep breath and opened the window. I'm ready for tonight.

Went out the window and stuck to the wall, so I began crawling to the roof. When I reached the top of the building, jumping up and down was my reaction, sure it wasn't the tallest building, but I'm also sure some people couldn't stick to the wall and reach this height.

I glance at my surroundings, shifting focus to the building on my left. Made me remember the jump back at the alleyway, the times I failed, being too scared to continue. I got this now. This is not a jump from a high building to a lower building, this is a jump from a lower building to a higher one.

Receded back, so I could sprint. Once near the edge, I put my heart into it and take a leap, being able to clutch my hands on the corner of the building. Think about launching myself to the roof, though I let go of my grip and lean back, my feet were the only thing holding me on to the building. My view was set on the stars now, took a deep breath and launched myself to the roof.

I stood up to check my surroundings, that's when I started jumping up and down again, my heart pumping fast, I got a smile on my face, I felt ready for anything.

"Woohoo," I was screaming while jumping from rooftop to rooftop. The city was big, and it looked beautiful at night. Nevertheless, night is the perfect time for people to do stupid things.

When I jumped over an alleyway, a sound bothered my ear.

"Hey, knock it out," I heard.

It made my eyes go wide open, it also made me slip to the ground. I didn't have a good feeling about this.

"What's wrong kid, just give us what we want" one of the muggers said.

There were 3 of them, and they were all standing around one person.

"Fine, here." He hands them his wallet.

"And your phone too"

"Come on, man," he complained.

"Hey, don't be dumb," The mugger slams him to the wall with his sidearm and raises his hand, "now give."

That's when I intervene. I drop down and start walking towards them.

"Fine." He reaches for his pocket.

"Smart move," the mugger to his left said, and with a glimpse of his eye notices someone approaching.

"Does it really take this many people to rob someone?" I said.

The mugger to his right turned around, "Who are you supposed to be?"

"Besides, mind your own business, punk" said the one in the center.

"Wait, dude, we can take 2 for 1 night."

"I like the sound of that."

The mugger approaches me. My hands were shaking. He lifted a crowbar that was laying on the floor, made me shiver.

"Give me all the valuables you have"

"No," I whispered.

"What was that?" he pokes my elbow with the crowbar.

I lowered my head, "I said no"

He tilted his head, "oh, well that only makes it more enjoyable" he pulls his arm back and swings.

I flinch, "What the…" It was like everything froze for a second. "I did it."

I was able to stop his swing, it was out of pure instinct. Then I felt the vibration in my surroundings again.

"Mother-" I moved my head to doge his punch, that's when the adrenaline builds in my body.

I throw a punch to his face with my spare arm, he lets go of the crowbar and falls to the ground.

"You little punk," one of his friends is coming towards me.

He tries to punch me, but I dodge by moving my head to the left. I throw the crowbar to the ground, and punch him right in the gut, the air is blown out of him, he falls to his knees, so I proceed to punch him again, this time with him falling to the ground. I then focus on the last one of the muggers, the one who did all the talking

"I guess you're next." I approach him.

"And I guess you're the next one on my list," he replied, taking a knife out.

He starts running towards me. "Come on, you son of a bitch." he swings his knife at me.

I take steps back to avoid getting cut, when he throws a direct attempt to stab me, I grab his hand and slammed him to the ground, we were staring directly at one another.

"Huh, what the fu-" I punch him in the face.

He was now unconscious. I stand straight and look at the victim of all this. I grab his wallet that one of the thugs had in their pocket, I then begin getting closer to him.

"I believe this belongs to you," I extend my hand to him.

"Yeah, thank you," he grabs his wallet with a smile on his face. "Thank you so, so much" he starts shaking my hand.

"Don't mention it," I nodded

"I mean seriously, I was just here a-" he stopped shaking my hand, but he didn't let go, he was looking to his side to cans of spray paint.

"Just call the cops."

"Yeah," he lets go of my hand, running out of the alleyway.

I turn to my right and I see cans of spray paint on the ground. The guy must have been doing graffiti before getting jumped. I grab a red can and leave the area, knowing that the muggers will soon be arrested.

Decided to leave it there for tonight, since it was just the beginning, I had to start with baby steps.

Traveled home feeling great about myself, knowing I did good, as there's obviously a difference between a guy doing graffiti and a guy stealing from someone else.

I land on my apartment building and crawl to my room's window. I open it and enter. My heart was racing, I had a smile on my face, I felt incredible with myself.

I bared the mask, and went to the bathroom to look at myself in the mirror, as memories of a spider symbol flash inside my head. "Spider...spiderman." I move my finger to draw a circle over my chest.

Took my hoodie off and tossed it on the bed, then proceeded to shake the can of red spray paint. "Spiderman with a hyphen, Spider-man." I started spraying on the hoodie, trying my best to not screw it up. Once the spider symbol was finished, spider-man was official.

---

The next night

---

A man out of nowhere snatches a woman's purse and runs away.

Saw it happen, so I jumped down to stop him. I throw my arm at his chest, slamming him to the floor, stopping right in his tracks. Grab him by the collar, and just stare at him—He was looking at me with his eyes wide open—"Yo," that's all I said before throwing him back to the floor.

I immediately run across the street, the cars beeping for my annoyance. I leap to the wall of the other building, trying to get away from here.

When I got home, I undressed from the suit. What a good Saturday night for starters.

[Sunday night]

A man points a gun at the owner of the store that was behind the counter

"Hurry it up with the money, old man" the robber shouts.

The man behind the counter was doing as told, until he raises his head at the robber the man gasped

"Hey, what's wrong, I got somewhere to be," the robber turns his head around.

"Oh, fu-" I stepped back

He jumped to my presence. "Holy shit." he pointed his gun at me.

I quickly raise my hand "hey, calm-" the sound of him pulling the trigger rumble in my ear, I had the vibrations all around my body, it was like instinct to move, the gun flashed, and the loud crack of the gunshot echoed through my ears, the heat of the bullet made my skin warm, I could see it pass right by my side.

The vibrations stopped. I instantly grab his wrist and start squeezing it. "You…you almost killed me," I quavered.

"How did you…aaahh" he croaked, dropping the gun.

"Yo-you'll be surprised what you can see on a rooftop." I look at the owner, "oh, and sorry for the lock on your backdoor. I thought of making a quick but dramatic entrance."

I punched the robber in the face, dropping him to the floor. I punched him again, this time knocking him out.

I gasped as sweat was running down my body, my heart was uneasy. I could barely stand. I look at the owner once more, "sorry for the door again."

"Yeah, don't worry," he nodded.

"Good." I exited through the front door. I ran to the corner of the sidewalk and jumped to the other building, crawling to get to high ground.

[Back to school]

Once in school, I was checking stuff in my locker. Well, that was quite a weekend.

I was arranging my notebooks when I read the school subjects on some of the covers. It hit me, I had homework for today.

Very well then, I have to start focusing on school in a different way, since my teachers were giving me a bad eye in class.

[Hours later]

"School has just begun, it's not the biggest problem," I said. "Yeah, if you don't care about your grade, they say.

"It's just that-SHUT the hell up!" I fling my locker. "We all have those days."

When school ended, I walked back home. I needed time to think about my situation, my hands were sweaty, and I was a bit dizzy. Homework is important, apparently, can I just use the excuse that I'm literally doing something more important.

Then again, I almost died last night, almost dying sure turned my head around, maybe I'm just someone being stupid in a costume. The false memories take control of my head again, it showed me all the problems the hero had to overcome, that doesn't make it easier tho.

I sighed, "it's just a small price to pay." I guess I won't need to put in effort, I need to make time.

---

It was one o'clock in the morning, the stars were all I could see from where I was.

---

I was resting on the edge of a roof. Ok, it's Monday night. What will criminals do on this day? Literally everyone is busy this day of the week.

Started to walk around "think about it Pete, you stopped a mugging, a robbery, what's next? And on this day. Unlike New York, we actually sle-" The sudden sound of police sirens caught me off guard "What in the…" I lowered my view and saw a car that the police were chasing.

"That's what's next, huh, a car chase it is." I look ahead of me and begin running as fast as I can. Leaping from rooftop to rooftop.

I was reaching a good distance, then noticed the massive space ahead of me. It wasn't an alleyway jump it was a street jump, before I could stop myself, I stepped on the corner of the roof, so I leaped, I didn't focus on reaching the other building just on the strength of the jump, I was used to the pain of falling, the jump was a longer length than expected, it made me able to reach the car.

I landed on top of the car the police were chasing "ok, a bit unexpected, but you got this, no need to worry"

One of the robbers in the car puts his head out the window. "What the hell was that" he shouted.

"Just a passenger" I waved at him.

"You just signed your death, stupid." He pulls his gun on me

I start feeling the vibrations. You don't got this, you don't got this, you don't got this. I rolled to the side of the car, heard the gunshots, just glad they didn't hit me.

"What in the hell," the robber in the back seat said

"What's wrong, wanna play sticky fingers" the chauffeur pulled his gun on me.

I was able to move in time. He shoots, shattering the glass, I move to the back of the car. "You really don't got this, you really don't got this, you really don't got this."

The robber on the back opens his door a bit, that's when he also shoots.

Made me move to the roof of the car. The vibrations came back instantly, I looked down and clearly heard a gun cocked, then the vibrations became stronger "What the…" I took a strike to the side of my head. The pain was intense, it made me roll off the car.

On the ground, my head was rumbling. I was holding on to my head when looking at the car getting away, my vision was blurry, and the sirens of the cops behind me were getting louder. I shook my head and began running; I felt faster than ever as the pain was fading away.

When I was close enough gunshots were fired, so I jumped to a traffic light and leaped once again, this time it was an extended leap. Rolled on the ground when I landed, and about to get up, but the vibrations were stronger than ever. Lights shimmer on one side of my face, turned around, and the car stops.

The car stopped by just opening my arms, making the airbags activate. My body was cold, I struggled to breath and had watery eyes. I stood straight with my body shaking.

I noticed that the robbers were getting out, they all fell to their knees. One of them was helping another, while the one from the driver seat just looked at me—he had blood going down his nose—he reached for his gun.

"Come on, man," I said.

He cocked his gun. His eyes were frowned, and his finger was on the trigger.

Then the sound of the police sirens got to us, the robber turned around, and I tilted my head as the officers got out of their vehicles and pointed their guns.

We both glanced around us. We were surrounded. People had their phones out, focused on us. He looked at me again and takes his mask off. A man with orange hair and blue eyes, who had blood running down his face, was scowling at me. He drops his gun and gets on his knees, putting his hands behind his head.

I take a deep breath, "Finally."

The cops were approaching. I jump to a pole, and leap to a wall of a building, running to the top just trying to avoid the heat.

"Huh, hey you can't leave, come back here…" a cop shouted.

I ran away from the place, and headed home.

When arriving at the hotel, I rushed to my apartment window, entered my room and got my mask off. I was shivering. I hold my head, and begin smiling. I did well tonight.

[Later in school]

Walking these corridors became an issue. Apparently the Internet is good at distributing everything that happened last night. People were talking about the many videos of me stopping the car chase, especially on how I stopped a car in movement and just how high I can jump. All of their words got into my ears…

"Someone who appears to come straight out of the circus."

"Are version of that supposed springer from London."

"Whatever he is, he's not human."

Everything they spoke got to me. Only being known for strength and jumping high. It all led my attention over to my hand. I pulled down the cuff of my sleeve. I remember seeing in my head, how the hero swung with webs that came out of his wrist, why haven't I been able to do so?

Suddenly, I catch a conversation happening to my side.

"Maybe this guy is a gymnast or worked in the circus, wouldn't that be something," one of them said.

"The dude was involved with the police, and you only care about that," the other one replied.

"Yeah" he sighed, "I guess, he's now a fugitive then."

My eyes open wide.

"I guess you're right, he avoided following the cop's orders, and technically he was a suspect, that makes him a wanted person, but is that for sure?"

He shrugged with one arm

I close my locker. Dammit, I am not a felon.

Arrived at the school library, and used a computer to search me up. If many people saw me last night, that means that many people have a different idea of me.

I went through a lot of articles and videos about myself.

Some of the headlines read the following:

"Masked individual 'stops' getaway vehicle."

"Person causes a ruckus in the streets."

"A person flees the crime scene after refusing to cooperate with the police."

I click on page 2 and read the first one that appeared

"masked person, vigilante or menace"

I lay back on the chair and sighed. Damn

The bell rings.

I focus one last time on the monitor. I notice that the same article mentions how I fled the scene by sticking to the walls, feeling glad it was something else about me. I take a deep breath, and turn off the monitor.

I took the bus home. I had my sight focused out the window, trying to clear my mind; however, various things came back to my head, about me being, or at least attempting to be a hero, especially almost getting shot more than once, and that I could have been run over.

This hero thing, this hero life, it made me hesitate everything so far. "I could've fucking died." I utter.

When I got home, I took the stairs. Had to do a lot of thinking. Always thought fear was something holding me back, maybe it was keeping me alive this whole time, I never saw it with this eye before. "I'm lucky I survived."

I reach my apartment. I enter and trudge to my room. Throw my backpack in the corner. All these thoughts that I've never even considered, this playing hero thing is messing me up. My vision becomes blurry, couldn't focus, so I close my eyes. Why am I thinking of this now, and not when I was out there.

Tucked myself into bed, then the words vigilante or menace came to mind. "I just wanted to help people," I snarl.

---

Waited until the sky became dark.

---

From a rooftop, I could see the city below me. Why am I out here? Do I need to be here? Do I want to be out here? I'm doing something people get paid for, and I'm not asking for a damn dime, so why am I here? Why didn't these thoughts cross me before?

The city was beautiful from where I stood. And knowing that people see me negatively has given me a lot more appreciation for my life. I'm more worried than ever now, but maybe that's for the better.

Suddenly, a door to the roof of a building near me is opened. I immediately duck as five men come out, and one of them has a black bag; they're talking. I didn't want to eavesdrop. However, I observe them. When someone opens the bag, he shows off multiple other bags containing a white product inside them.

So I slip to the wall of the other building, getting close enough to hear their conversation.

"You take the bag and go down the fire escape then you do whatever the hell you want, understood…" one said.

I listen closely.

"This shit is powerful, do you know how much people would pay for cocaine?" he declared.

My eyes go wide. It was time for me to act. I grab onto the verge of the roof, and toss myself to the top. "Hey, so are you aware of what happens after you commit a crime." The thugs gasp at my presence. "I didn't mean to scare any of you, if that helps."

One of them draws a knife. "No snitches allowed," he growled, and charges straight for me.

The vibrations warn me. I grab his arm, and kneed him in the stomach, then tossed him to the ground. I proceed to punch him twice in the face, knocking him out.

I turn around, and two of them are approaching me. Punched the closest one, leaving him on the floor. I jump over the other one, then kick him in the face. He fell instantly.

Another thug comes at me, and manages to wrap his arms around my neck. With no struggle to get him off, I toss him to the floor. He's about to get up, so I elbowed him, making sure he stayed down.

The last one standing runs at me. "AHHHH!" he shouts.

I was able to grab him by the neck before he could lay a finger on me. He struggled, and before I realized it my grip had him in the air. All of the goons were laying on the floor. How many did I leave on painkillers? Place him on the ground without letting go. Have I really done any good? I lower my head.

My surroundings were fuzzy. It's good to stop these people, but not this way. I didn't pay attention to the World around me. The man right in front of me took advantage of this by putting a hand in his pocket. That's when I felt something cold go through my arm, "Crud!" I shout.

Raised my head, and immediately released the man. My upper arm starts to burn, place my hand on top of it, and begin to feel wetness on my glove. I put my hand in front of my face, and see blood dripping down my glove. Shifting focus to my arm, a trail of blood was made underneath my sleeve. I was slashed, and it had my heart thumping. I gasp for air as my body shudders. Then the vibrations start to kick in.

The thug lunged at me. I stopped his attack by grabbing his hand that wielded the knife. Stare at him directly, and when he stares back, I begin to crush his hand, making him lose balance, so I punched him in the face with my injured arm. Seeing him fall made me feel better already.

I approached the black bag that contained the cause of all this. I opened it. Full of curiosity I inspected inside it finding loads of bundles of money that were underneath. Took one and examined it, my hand shuffles through a great deal of money. A smile was forming under my mask, then I looked down at the bag again, the smile quickly drifts away. "Better call the cops." Dropped the money into a bag.

Searching for one of the goons' phones, until a loud thud resonates near me. I believe the sound came from the alleyway.

I drop down, and walk into the alleyway. "Ah, hello." Advanced one more step and a rat came out of the darkness, going between my legs. My eyes follow behind the rat as it runs away. "Maybe it was just scared." Then heavy breathing blares behind me. I measured my movement to turn around, and when I got a glimpse of what it was, I frozed.

What I saw stood tall against me; it looked down at me with red glowing eyes, had a hairy head, yet a smooth body. When we make eye contact it tilts its head, and immediately growls at me revealing the fangs it had, also raising its arms, soon after, it takes off into the air, flapping its arms to fly away. Growling at the night sky

I step back, and went to the roof to see if I can spot it, but had no sign of it. it was either too fast or I was too slow. I was sweating, then looked at my injury again. I really need to get going.

Left the area once I called the cops.

As soon as I got home, I went to the bathroom, and poured water on my injury. It wasn't that bad. The cut was a lot thinner than I thought. Took the suit off, and with only 3 hours before I needed to get ready for school. Threw myself on the bed, and just waited to fall asleep.

[Hours later]

I rub my eyes in front of my locker. I should really start focusing on myself. I stretched my arms out wide, just hoping this day would end quickly.

[In the school library]

People come here to find something that will help them learn, like prepare themselves for the exams in a few months. I, on the other hand, search for something known as "arthropoda."

I was scrolling down a webpage about spiders. "Bugs and spiders are both arthropods… interesting...they're divided in two classes insecta and arachnida… so either entomology, or arachnology.

"They're all branches of Animalia—the animal kingdom—that's zoology, right." Images of last night go through my head, wondered what the creature was. The wings sure remind me of only one animal. I wrote in the search bar 'bat biology' the damn thing stood on two legs, it was either half-bear or half-human. Although it's obvious which one it is.

On the bus home, I rest my head on the window. Many things crossed my mind: I remember stopping those goons on the roof. Why was I on the rooftop that night? Why the hell did I stop them? I shouldn't be doing this. Who asked me to do it? Let the police do their job they say, but the police weren't there, I was. The Image of me tossing the bundle of money into the bag; it was giving me a lot to think about.

Got home, and laid in bed. I didn't want to think about anything unpleasant right now, I have way too many problems at hand. I don't know if I'm a criminal, and there's a damn giant bat in the skies. Should I even try to do something about it? I'm doing the police's job for free, and there are people who look at me in a bad way, I don't like this one bit. It was like a feeling of doubt and regret surrounded me. I close my eyes, and let my consciousness fade away.

Hours go by, and my head surrounds me with the creature of last night.

I spin around, and my surroundings were empty. It was like being cornered by solid gray walls. A growl blares above me. I follow the sound, and a scrunch is made near me. The creature landed right in front me, opened its wings, letting out a roar that burst into my ears. I clutch my ears by instinct. It focuses on me, inclines its head, then bit down on my neck.

I open my eyes. It was just a dream, a bad dream. Taking deep breaths, I look out my window. The clouds covered the sun. I don't belong to the night. Sometimes you just need to use the light to your advantage.

After a while, I suited up. Climbed to the top of a building where I sat on the edge. Checked my phone, and only had two hours before my parents got home, so I was running against the clock. At this time of the day, I'm easier to hit, but it also benefits me. I hope.

Time goes by, and nothing out of the ordinary happens. The sun was setting. I'm just wasting my time. Cars drive through my side. I look down at the streets, and a man is opening a gate. "What the?" it was a gate to a warehouse. "Wasn't that place abandon." I was defeated by curiosity.

So, I sneak in, climb on a pole, and scan the area. The cars stop just outside the warehouse. Six people get out of the vehicles and enter the building. "I wonder what can be so secretive."

Jumped off the pole, and landed on the roof, where I can see everything through the glass. Found a roof hatch on the other side, so I enter the warehouse. My ears can finally catch their conversation.

"Do you wanna make a deal or what?" the dealer said.

"Yeah…we do," the goon replied. He snaps his fingers and his companion opens a briefcase filled with money.

"Just what I wanted." He also snaps his fingers, and his companion opens a briefcase with a rifle. "Impossible to track, and nothing like it."

They switch briefcases.

And the one who grabbed the rifle starts to put it together.

"Pleasure doing business with you gentlemen," the dealer mentioned.

I land on the railing of the second floor. "Yeah, and it's my pleasure to ruin the deal," I shout.

"What in the hell," one screams. "Shoot him now!"

The man with the rifle activates the laser, points at me and shoots.

Sensing the vibrations through the air, it made me jump out of the way, dodging the bullet. "Ahh, for me, you shouldn't have."

He shoots at me three times in a row while I was approaching them. I dodge each single bullet. Came up to him and pushed the gun up, striking his face with my elbow, yanking the gun, and tossing it away. He fell to the ground

Another one pulls out a knife; he tries to stab me. I grab his wrist, and throw him against the wall, when I did that a big shadow dashes on the floor. I stare up. "Huh." That's when I feel a tremble behind me, it thrust me forward. Got hit with a plank of wood on my back with enough force it broke. You can't dodge this shit, even though you can dodge a bullet. I regain my balance and immediately turn around, striking the man's face with enough force to go down cold.

Two of the other goons make their move, one grabs me from behind, while the other one approaches me. When he was close enough, I kick him back then slide my leg between the ones of the man behind me, making me able to toss him away. I ran to him, when he was getting up, he turns to face me, that's when I hit him with my knee blowing his air out.

The man I kicked was getting up, I noticed this, so I advance towards him. He sees me, and starts patting around his body, he pats his leg, and pulls out a gun from a holster he had tied around his ankle. He was going to point it at me, but it was too late I grab his hand and squeeze it, the force made him shoot flipped him over, and punch him in the face knocking him out.

The last of the goons stared widely at me, one was scowling while the other one was shivering. "Screw this, I'm out." the other doubted it for a while but proceeded to do the same.

I followed behind them. "I don't think so." I leap over the nearest one, landing right in front of him. "So, how do you want to do this?

He jumps to my presence, and takes a swing at me. The vibrations make me dodge it easily. "The hard way, they never choose the easy way."

The goon throws another punch, unable to hit me. "You didn't ask until it was too late," the goon shouted.

"Really?" I kick him, making him fall over. "You people tried to kill me."

I turn around, and the last one is opening a car door. I ran outside the warehouse. As soon as he sees me he points a gun at me, even though I can tell he hesitated, the vibrations kick in. Grabbed a rock from the floor, and threw it at his gun. It forces the shot, but he shoots sideways. The vibrations fade away only so it can hit me back instantly stronger than ever. The bullet hits a pair of red barrels on the side of the warehouse, it causes an explosion. It pushes me forward, and the goon is pushed back.

On the ground, I was recovering from blurry vision. "I don't know if I'm brave or just really, really stupid."

I stand up, rubbing my head. Once my vision is clear, the fire expands to the warehouse. "NO, NO, NO, NO!" Suddenly something drops on my cheek, I slide my hand across my face just as I stare up a smattering of water appears on my goggles. It's raining softly, the drops run down my suit. The sky rumbles once, then it starts to downpour on me, puddles begin to form as the sun is setting. It's turning the fire into smoke. I felt it took a load off me.

I take a deep breath. Shiver to the rain that got me drenched. Looked at the man who shot the bullet. He was crouched reaching for his gun, I was fast, so I ran, stepping on the gun before he could grab it. "Ok, I'm sick and tired of this, just let me take you in, the explosion was loud, cops are surely on their way, so stop this gun dealing crap will you."

He raises his head, staring directly at me.

"I mean, we're in the US, who doesn't have a gun?" I said.

His eyes go wide. "I suspect the whole point of this is that it was illegally modi...fied.'' A large shadow forms in front of me. My body wasn't vibrating, so I felt secure, then the shadow grew larger. It's like a damn bat. My eyes open wide, turn around immediately. "You little motherfu-" I slammed against the car beside me, flipping the car over, and launching me into wooden crates, shattering them on impact.

The creature releases a growl and faces the man on the ground. The man starts crawling to get away. The creature lifts its wings while the man puts his hands on his face.

I sit up as I regain my consciousness. The creature with its raised wings made me think he would slash the man, but it turned into something else as it opened its mouth wide. I moved my hand, and it felt cold. Check to see what it was, and it was a metal pipe.

The creature quickly descends its head, but inches before biting down on the man it was screeching. The man opens his eyes and sees the creature with a pipe in his mouth, avoiding the bite.

I get up. "Looks like you have something in your mouth," I said.

It bites with enough force that the pipe breaks, and spits it out.

The sound of police sirens are like music to my ears. I felt relieved, knowing the cops were finally here. "And it looks like you're also out of time."

The police lights illuminated the creature. It looks at the police cars, cops get out and point their guns. "What is that?" one of them said.

It focused on me once again, his eyes gave me a chill, it felt like he was staring right through me, the mouth was moving, the lips were reaching each ear. it was smiling at me.

I shake the feeling away. "Checkmate bi-"

It starts flapping its wings, taking off into the skies, before it could fly away the cops start shooting.

"Oh, you gotta be kidding me."

I climb to the top of a pole, and leap as far as I can. the creature turns to look at me, before he could have a clear view, I grab on to it.

it screeches at me. It flies away with immense speed.

Surprised by how fast we reached the main part of the city, I still kept my grip. It flew through a building, ramming me against the windows, it was able to make me crack a few. However, I was not letting go. He picked up the paste and flies upward. Once up in the clouds, it begins to descend with high speed, apparently aiming for a tall building. I didn't know if I should feel safe or worried, then the vibrations comeback

"What the-"

It spins and stops instantly, sending me flying to the roof. I made a hard landing, almost rolling off.

I tried to get up, but the wing flapping gets louder. It landed in front of me, and there wasn't any growl this time, it was just staring at me. We were like that for a while

"So, do I have something on my face or something like that?" I asked.

It dashes at me, the vibrations warn me. I dodge its claws swinging towards me. However, it swings with its other arm against my face. It managed to put me down, it tore my mask, as its claws went inside my skin, I was slashed open. I could feel the burn. I put my fingers on the injury. The blood and rain were trailing off my face, leaving a red color on my pale skin.

The creature screams. I start crawling away, and it flew towards me. It towered against me.

"What do you want?" It spoke.

"Huh." My eyes go wide. "You can talk," I said.

"I can talk, I can think, and I can kill." It lowers its head at me. "So, why did you get in my way?"

"Y-you were going to kill someone."

"Someone who deserves it!"

"Who the hell deserves to die."

He tilts his head. "You must be from the south of Philly, if that's the way you think."

"... Just… What the hell are you?"

"Who am I?... Just someone from the north."

"You're-you're a monster!" I claim.

"Monster," he hissed. "That's what you call me, then I'm dying to know what you call yourself."

"What are you trying to say?"

"I saw you, you did good, you stopped people who've done bad, becoming a fugitive in the process"

"But I'm not a felon."

"Then what are you? You're a goddamn vigilante. You did good, but try to play with the big kids. And you might regret it later!"

"I feel regret right now."

"Then stop."

"I can't stop now, knowing you're out there"

"What have I done?" he asked.

"You almost killed someone. You tried biting someone's head!" I exclaimed.

He stands straight. "Those people were corrupt, they were selling guns. Guns landing in irresponsible hands is a cause of chaos."

"That-that's...well, yes, but-"

"Then you understand what I mean, some people just deserve to die."

"And who are you to choose who lives and dies."

"I am the consequence of their actions."

"I guess I have to ask. But why are you doing this?"

"Because I suffered the cruelty of this World, society made me into what I am today. I was kicked from a place I gave 10 years of my life, only to be betrayed, that left me rambling the streets, until out of nowhere a flare of light shines in the sky, I thought it was the light that shines once you die, but it wasn't that it was worse much worse."

"A light in the sky… you mean you're like me." I wondered.

"Huh, like I suspected, you were also a victim of the light…tell me, what are you? I can see by the part of your face I scratch that you conserve regular skin, who are you?" he asked.

"I'm from the south of Philly. And I'm not a victim of such light."

"Well, well…you don't see the World for what it is yet, there are criminals, but there are worse things that you're gonna face going down this path, believe me I'm one of those. Keep believing that you are not cursed with power, and you'll find out about it the hard way, eventually," he smiled.

"I'm just trying to help people."

"How you don't have a uniform nor a badge."

"I don't need a badge to do what's right."

"However, you need it, so people stop staring. It doesn't matter how much good you can do, if you don't have the necessary requirements, to their eyes they can see you in so many ways. To their eyes, you're an insult to people who actually do their job. And be honest with me, are you really doing this just because it's right?"

I remember when I found out about my powers, I had more than just a reason. "...I don't know."

"You don't want to kill," he said.

"Never."

"Then sooner or later you'll understand how the World really works. You can't just not kill, violence is a warning and violence can be used for good. The guns on cops and soldiers do you think they're just for decoration, hell we have death penalty in this country, that's why I told you some people deserve to die. Nobody is born evil, society corrupts you takes you to your breaking point, and when you become that, you become chaos, you're not the good one, and I'm not the bad one."

"Then who is it? Who's the good one in the story? I doubt it's you."

"It depends, you have special abilities, I have special abilities, now just who are the ones wielding such power…

"...Not every story has a hero and a villain."

"You're a criminal," I stated.

"Criminal, huh, interesting."

"You said you were betrayed, why the hell do others have to suffer because of you?" I asked.

"Because they are corrupt," he answered.

"That doesn't explain shit!"

"They're inhumane, they sell weapons, those weapons go to crazy people, and they kill innocent people, they have no mercy."

"...When we first met back at that alleyway, what were you doing?"

"Oh, yes, my prey before that day told me about his dealer, when I got there I saw you taking care of the situation. I hid in the alleyway, just listening very, very closely. When I was ready to leave the scene, I slipped, and the rest is history."

"What do you mean by prey?"

"A man's gotta eat."

"If you're like me, that makes you a cannibal." I said.

"I feed on the corrupt, the ones who don't deserve a glimpse of air." he said.

"Since when killing another man is a good thing, it's a damn human bean, you became what you wanted to destroy"

"You're just going in circles, there is nothing human with those people I go after… and believe it or not, you and I are not that different"

"We're nothing alike."

"Maybe we're not, but people might think otherwise, it won't matter how many people you helped, men with masks are called cowards, and all it takes is one bad action, one screw up to become a bad person in someone's eyes, we live in a World that judges everything. Before this happened to me, I was called many things. That by your appearance, they make you feel that you're useless, try putting yourself in my chose being strangled, being called a failure your whole life, and once you think things could get better, most of the time you're left with no choice, you gotta join the strong by hitting on the week, and even then, you can lose it all to those you called friends."

"...There has to be another way," I said.

"No, there isn't," he said.

"Ok, listen, you're not a monster, you-"

"Exactly I was turned into one, you chose this path probably because you still have a human form, if you were to become me, you'll hear all type of shit, you would be rejected by the World, surely even killed"

I sigh, "You're just sick, ok, you need help"

"No, I was cursed by the devil, to make payback to all of those who have sin and never suffered the consequence, and you are cursed to, the devil starts it, you just finish the job." He walks to the edge of the roof. "You're just a few steps away from becoming like me."

"Hey, come back here." I run after him

He spreads his wings, and begins to fly away.

I jumped trying to reach him, I didn't think about it, as a result I failed to do so by a hair's breadth.

My view is now focused on the ground. "Ahhhhh," I was screaming deep from my lungs, my heart was pounding, and a shill went through my entire body. My head was going crazy; my whole life was flashing through my eyes. This can't be it, it can't be.

A vision flashes in my head; I see how the hero is doing a hand position, so he can release the web. My instant thought was to do the same, so I opened my hand, pressing the middle and ring finger against my palm. "Come one, work, work, work." I tried tapping again and again with no success. The vibrations kicked in, it made me grab onto a flagpole on the wall of the building, which breaks a second after I grab it. "Fuck."

Thump!

The top of a car was destroyed by my fall. I'm sure I heard some bones crack. My sight was blurry, my breathing was heavy, and had people murmuring around me. When I recovered my sight, I knew I had to move. Rolled off the car, and left the scene.

-_-_- Line break

Back home, I took the suit off. Getting all the way here was complicated, especially with no harsh movements. Sat down and appreciated that I was alive after that.

Then, I went to the bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror, checking the deep cuts I was left with. Poured water on my face. The bleeding stopped, but they're deep cuts. I couldn't hide this. "At least you're not dead." Touched my ribs and sure enough it hurt. "Good thing that it isn't noticeable." Just make something up for the cuts since I didn't plan on telling my parents I was out trying to play hero, either way I need to rest.

Time goes by, and the sound of my alarm wakes me up. The alarm suddenly stops. "Thanks." I closed my eyes again, then understood my situation. Opened my eyes instantly, and stared up at my parents. I forgot for just how long I was gone.

"Where were you last night, Peter," my dad said.

"Alright, just, let me explain," I replied.

"You better, your mom and I were very worried."

"I was out, and-ahhh"

"Out where?"

"I-I just."

"Peter!" My mom said as she hugs me.

I return the hug. "I just went with a friend, I guess I lost track of time."

"Is that really it?"

"Ye-yeah."

My dad sighs, "Then what happened to calling."

"I'm just glad you're okay, that you came back home." My mom kisses me on the forehead.

Okay, you said? I put my hand on my cheek. All I felt was smooth skin, no hard scabs on my cheek.

"However, we can't have you being out so late, so I think it's best we have a curfew."

"I agree." My dad nodded

"Wait, why?" I asked

"Are you really asking that"

"I mean I'm here right, I'm fine"

"Peter, we just can't risk it, be back by at least 10 pm, does that sound good" my mom said.

"Sounds good to me" my dad said.

"Are we clear, Peter?" She looks at me straight in the eye.

"It's just that-"

"Peter, are we clear"

My dad takes a step forward. "Listen to your mother, kid"

"Yeah, I got it loud and clear" I said.

"Good." She kisses me on the cheek. "You do that again, and we'll be picking you up from school now."

My dad looks at her walk out of the room. "You almost gave her a heart attack, kid."

"I don't get it. It's the first time I'm out late, and now I have a curfew."

"It's not the first time, this one is different because you arrived overnight."

"Huh, fine, I'm sorry"

"Don't be sorry, follow the rules, kid."

"...I love you"

"Love you too, now hurry up and get ready." He leaves and closes the door.

The smooth feeling on my cheek sure intrigued me, so I headed to the bathroom. "If they didn't mention, it is probably due to…" I gaze at myself in the mirror. The scratches are gone, not even a scar. "Perhaps all I needed was a good nap, it's true what they say that sleep helps you for everything, especially for me."

My head flashes with the jump of last night, especially the landing. I stare down at my wrist. I tried to shoot web, and failed at that.

Ring!

The bell from school sounds as loud as it can.

On my way to science class, a few thoughts crossed my head.

Well I can't produce webs, it won't come out of my wrist and god I hope it doesn't come out somewhere else. If that's the case I prefer to not produce webs at all, this is not something I have.

I enter the classroom, and take a seat as the class is about to start.

The idea of shooting webs bothers me, I haven't been able to do so, not even in a life death experience.

"Ok, students, today I have a demonstration for you," the teacher said.

I laid my head on my arms resting on the desk, having my eyes focused on the teacher.

"This is 1,6-hexanediamine." She holds up a small bottle. "And this is sebacoyl chloride." She held up another bottle. "Now, they're both liquids. However, if you combine these two you can form a polymer, the result is like a rope made out of liquid."

That catches my attention right away. I raise my head, so I can see clearly.

She pours the liquids into a container. She also grabs a small wooden stick. "Once you put them together…" She twirls the container, then lifts the stick. "You practically get a rope out of liquid." She pulls out a type of see through string stretching from the container to the stick.

The teacher approaches the board. "What I just formed is known as an adhesive." She writes adhesive on the board. "And an adhesive is a substance that can hold two or more items together, and resists their separation. Their sticky, their strong, adhesives are made to hold things together…"

Her clear words became a murmur as my head focused on just one word.

Adhesives. Not having webs was a concern for me now. "Maybe I can recreate it," I whispered.

"What was that?" the student to my left asked.

"What?" I replied.

"Did you say something?"

"I said… may-ybe I can read a...crate."

"O-ok, then."

Saved it.

When I got home, both thoughts from school, and last night were affecting me, especially the fact that I almost died. I survived a fall, I'm sure no one else would survive. It was a terrifying ordeal.

Remembering what I saw in science class with the topic of adhesives, I had an idea of creating something that can help me out.

"Ok, I'm not a science guy, but I got this," I hummed.

If you wanna make something similar to another thing, you first gotta study that thing. The internet was my main source. I turn on the computer, and get started. So, I opened youtube.

"My job here is to immobilize the spider and then proceed to milk the silk out of the creature."

"What the fu-" I wondered.

[1 hour later]

"… As the liquids leave the spider, it dries on contact with the air forming a strong trend, and twisting several strands together gives the thread even more strength." I pause the video.

Interesting. I thought while chewing a pen.

[2 hours later]

'Spiders have 7 different types of silk, and Believe it or not, silk is actually stronger than steel.'

I'm reading an article online. I know I can't milk a spider, I just have to try, and recreate it.

[3 hours later]

I've written in my notebook about different ideas on how to bring this webbing to life. The formula that my teacher taught us was intriguing, then the word adhesive hits me, stuff like that already exists. I don't need to be a scientist, I need the right materials.

[4 hours later]

Time goes by searching on the internet with just the simple words on the search bar, 'world's strongest adhesive.' After a while, I searched for 'World strongest adhesive commercially available.'

Hoping for better results. What I got was a white goo adhesive, and a few links to chemicals that can supposedly be added.

[The next day]

"Spiders have 7 different types of silk and believe it or not, silk is actually stronger than steel."

"Don't worry, I actually believe you."

I bought the products on my way home. I realized that one of the products is strong; however, it's thick, and not that elastic. The other one—the chemicals—I think can enhance everything with the right mixture.

Poured the products in a cup. I grab a pen, and start to mix them. I put gloves on, then when I'm pulling the pen out it has the mixture sticking to it in a thin line. I use my hands, and begin to stretch it, it's hard, but it suddenly tears.

"It's strong just as one…" I pulled a lot more from the cup, and tangled it together. "... But it becomes stronger if you twist several of them together." I stretched it again, it became a lot stronger now. I smile at the result.

So, I need to make a lot of them tangle together, maybe that's something from where the webs come out of. I'm working on the mixture for the webs, but I need something to shoot that mixture from, I actually didn't think of that. I guess I need to make web shooters. Damn that's weird. Also, I need to learn how to build things. I've come too far to give up now, unfortunately.

[1 week later]

Alright, design number 1:

It's a simple design. I have a test tube filled with the web mixture, inside another tube connected to a lever that when it's pulled down it will shoot.

Here we go, test number one. I press down on the lever, and the 'web' does shoot out only that it disperses, making a mess.

"It's a failure, what a surprise," I said, smacking my head on the desk.

[Another week later]

Design number 2:

I think I got it this time. The second design was a bit more advanced. It has a spinning mechanism with a chamber, so when the web comes out I hope it will be tangled, making it a lot more durable. However, there's only one way to find out if it actually works.

"Here goes nothing." I press down on the lever, and it explodes with a great deal of webs sticking to my face. I sigh and start taking the webs off my face. I need to make this dissolve just in case.

[One more week later]

Design number 3:

This has to be it, if not I'll just be a spider themed hero with no webs, simple as that. It was the same design, only that smaller. I changed the test tube for a small cartridge. I also changed the chamber, so hopefully it can make the web disperse when it's going out, that way it will be easier to stick to a surface. And I was ready to test it. "Here we go again."

I proceed to press down on the lever, and the web is shot in a straight line, sticking to the wall, with the end of the line being dispersed. Got close to it, and use my finger to pull it down, then release it. I lean down on the web. It was durable as well as elastic, it put a smile on my face.

"I did it, I finally did it, hell yeah, all of those days of hell finally gave results, who said you need to go to school to learn something that is free online," I shouted.

"Peter." I heard someone shout outside my room. It made me flinch.

"Ah, mom."

"What are you doing?"

"Ahh, nothing," I said, trying to yank the web off the wall.

"Do you know what time it is."

"Yeah, sorry ¿did I wake you up?"

"No, I got up for a drink, but your scream scared me"

"Sorry," I said. Finally, being able to get the web off the wall.

"Just go to sleep, Peter."

"On it, tell dad I'm sorry if I woke him up."

"Fine, just go to bed."

"I will."

"Good night."

"Good night, love you."

"Love you to."

I sigh, "Well that was close, yet again I finally did it, now I won't have to depend on crawling and jumping, also on my awful luck."

[In the morning]

I opened the door to a roof. I run to the edge, and stare down, just to know how high I am. It was a huge building, getting dizzy because of the view.

I observe my wrist, checking the web shooters. "You got this, you do, you made a few adjustments, but you did it, you're not a coward, beat the fear peter" I stepped back. I don't know if fear is keeping me alive. However, I hate the feeling. Got through bad falls before, and now I got what I need to not die from any fall.

"AAAAAHHHHH." I was finally able to move, when I was close to the edge I jumped.

The strong air of my descent was hitting me. The fall had me reflected on the glass of many buildings. Cars moving from far away. Just like that, something in my brain instantly hits me. Fall… falling. I instantly enter a state of panic. "I'm falling," I screamed. "Fuck, shit, fuck, don't fuck it up." I shot the web pressing down on a button that was on my palm, using both my ring finger and middle finger to press it, it shoots to the wall on the verge of the building I jumped off.

I had a tight grip, the moment it sticks to the wall my arm is pulled up. I felt the velocity of the swing, my heart was rushing. It was almost as if I was going to hit the ground, but the swing took me up, reaching a great height. I no longer faced the streets, but the sky. Released the web to face the ground again, and realize how close I was to a building; I was able to grab on to the edge of the roof when I was close enough. My blood was pumping, and my wrist was resisting all my weight. I don't know how to feel, like someone unnatural or just very powerful.

I climbed onto the roof, and relaxed. I laid there, taking deep breaths, observing the clouds as they went by. The false memories were showing me the web swinging. It was incredible. Even though I had a lot to learn, I knew I needed to do this. There's a damn giant man-bat out there. "And I'm his hunter."

I sit on the verge of the roof, contemplating the sunset, but the thoughts of a maniac out there haunts me, then again there are always maniacs on the loose. You can't catch them all. I sigh, "he stands out because of the obvious appearance. I guess he was right about all the judging someone by their looks thing."

I lay down on my back. "That doesn't take the whole killing aspect away, the bastard has taken a few lives. He went rogue with the power he was cu-curssssed, I guess." I check my wrist, feeling proud with the result of the devices. Was I cursed? Remembering that confrontation kept me thinking. I was injured, I almost killed myself, he debated with me. I squeeze both of my hands together. "He also said that he was aiming for the higher ups." I have to keep an eye out for that, but 3 weeks have passed and nothing new about that. Did something happen? Maybe he felt more comfortable in a cave or something.

I stand up, either way the day is young, I should probably blow off some steam in the city. No hesitation this time, I stare down from the roof, and just take the jump.

The cold air as I fall made my body shake. You got this, you got this. I shoot a web line to another building swinging from a larger distance this time as I shoot one web I reach a certain distance then let go, and repeat. I need to be aware of anything, no matter what.

In another part of the city.

Two masked men exit from a back door, carrying bags filled with money.

"Come on, we gotta-" he was startled out of nowhere. He had his hand with one of the bags he was carrying stuck to the wall. He saw a load of thin white lines, keeping him attached to the wall. He dropped the other bag, so he could try and release himself.

"Hey, didn't your mom ever tell you to not steal." I said

"What the?" he replied

"Trouble," the other one said, pulling his gun at me.

"You know gunshots are the source of a lot of attention."

He shoots at me I dodge in time. I drop to the floor, and he pulls the trigger again. I flip to my left dodging the bullet, and shot a web line to the gun, yanking it away from him.

"While you." He pulls out a knife.

"A knife really, you know what they say, don't bring a knife to a gunfight, and if you couldn't do much with a gun what do you expect with a knife."

He was ready to make a move.

"I mean really." I shoot a web to his hand, sticking him to the wall as well. "Didn't I tell you."

Police sirens suddenly sound, they were getting closer. "I also told you gunshots attract too much attention." I fled the scene. My job here was done.

The sky was full of clouds, the sun glows almost below the horizon

In a parking garage, a group of three people were around a car, one of them had a crowbar, he was trying to force the door open.

"Why do you need the vehicle? Are you going to a party Somewhere." I mentioned.

As soon as they noticed me standing on the railing in front of them, they all pointed their guns at me.

"I guess that's what I get for showing up uninvited." I lift my arms

"Who are you? Say your name and purpose," one of them said.

"Yeah, that's a no, no." I replied.

I shoot webs at the guns of the two guys.

"Fire!" the one with a crowbar shouted.

The vibrations alerted me, so I flipped, entangling the web lines that way pulling the guns away from the goons.

Got close to the one who shouted. I kick his hand, making him drop the gun, I kick again hitting him in the face, slamming his head against the car.

One saw the crowbar fall next to him, he rushed to pick it up, but I shot web to his hands, sticking him to the crowbar right on the ground.

I pat him on the shoulder. "Hey, good luck, man." Shot some web to cover his mouth.

The last one just stares at me abruptly, he turns away and runs off.

Aimed the web to one of his legs, and arms, then wrench back making fall to the ground.

"I'm sure you thought that would go better, huh." I shoot webs to one of his hands, making sure he wouldn't go away.

"Help," he was screaming.

A cry for help is actually good, I don't think I have phone service around here.

I run, and jump off the building, swinging away from the area.

---

The sun is gone. The moon shines in the sky now.

---

While swinging around, I caught with the glimpse of my eye right on the streets a masked man in front of a woman.

I crawled on the wall, so I could get closer. I couldn't hear what was happening. A few seconds later, another masked man appeared. She was startled. She pushed one, and tried to walk away, but they stopped her, that's where I stepped in.

I drop behind one. "Hey." I tapped his shoulder. As soon as he turns around, I punch him across the face. "Not to interrupt, but I don't think it's a good way to handle things."

The other one throws a punch, I dodge and hit him with my elbow, then hit him with my fist. They are both knocked out now.

I approached the girl. She was on the floor, hugging herself against the wall. I see her with clear eyes now, she was a skinny redhead with somewhat dirty clothes.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"Ye-yeah, t-thank you, who...who are you?" She said in return.

"Just a guy." I extend my hand to her.

She just looks at me, but ends up taking it. "You should go home, it's not a safe place at night." I warned

"Easier said than done." She replied.

I was speechless for a while. "Well… that sucks…so do you have anywhere to stay?"

She tilts her head. "Not right now."

"Ahhh, sorry...you need help I can't give you. I think there's a shelter nearby, maybe I can take-"

"I'll manage, I always do."

"Mm…look where that got you." I pointed at the two men on the floor. "Maybe next time i won't be here if this happens, you could-"

"Then thank you," she declared.

We stared at each other for a while until she turned her back on me, and walked away.

I sigh, "I guess there are people you just can't help… crap."

BipBipBipBip!

"Mmm." The alarm on my watch went off. "Nine o'clock already." I ran up a wall and leaped, then began swinging, so I could get back home. You got an hour to beat curfew.

I landed in an alleyway near my building. I changed clothes going against the clock, so I can enter.

Once I got in, I just headed to my apartment.

"Ahh, I'm back, thirty minutes before curfew." I closed the door behind me.

My mom was in the kitchen. "Wait, where were you the last 7 hours?" she asked.

"Just… walking around." I replied.

"Really…"

She approached me and looked me straight in the eyes. She then started to inspect me, putting her hands through my abdomen all the way to my head.

"I have nothing on me, so don't worry." I stated.

She puts her hands on my head and stares dead into my eyes.

"I'm also not under any influence."

She put a hand on my forehead. "You're sweating."

I take her hand off me. "Because I wanted to get here early."

She backed off a bit, and at that moment I hugged her. I can understand why she would be worried, after all if she knew the truth she would be more than worried.

"I love you." I ended the hug

"I love you too," she replied

"Your dad is coming home late tonight, so I imagine since you were gone for so long, you did your homework before leaving, right?"

What she said stopped me for a while. "Oh yeah, of course." I headed to my room.

"Wait don't you want dinner, before-"

"No, I'm good, thank you." I enter my room, locking the door.

"C'mon, what the hell am I doing?"

I rip a piece of paper from my notebook, and draw on it. When I finish, I put duct tape to stick it on my desk, then write underneath it. "Main issue." The drawing was a simple doodle of a bat.

"Just what are you planning?" I asked myself.

I write in my notebook, "clue 1." Let's begin.

If my memory is not fuzzy, he mentioned attacking the higher class. So I gotta find out who and where he's attacking.

My eyes focus on the drawing, then my focus shifts to my backpack. "Homework huh." I grab my backpack. "If I'm not wrong, not even the country with the best academic system has homework.

"That damn number at the end of the semester is what matters, it always has and always will." I murmured

---

The day dawned crisp and clear, the blazing sun shone through the city. it bathed everyone with its warm light.

---

"Woohoo," I shouted.

I was suited up, and had a whole smile on my face. I never felt so alive before.

I was swinging my way to school, changing the bus routine. Philadelphia doesn't have a lot of skyscrapers, but it has decent size buildings that let me swing from.

Throughout the way, people looked up at me. I guess people talking about me isn't a fear of mine. The only problem is the bad media that they make about me.

I arrived at school, ready for another 6 to 7 hours of my life to be planted here.

Hours go by, until the bell finally rings, putting an end to this school day.

"Alright kids, tomorrow will be having an exam, so please study. Don't forget your grades are important."

Yeah, what else is gonna matter, especially if you're being told the exact same every day. And I have to study now… my worst enemy.

While walking home. "Enemy, enemy, my worst enemy, where the hell is that giant bat bastard."

I walked through an electronics shop where they had various TV's behind the glass. My ears picked up on something, I stayed to listen to the rest.

"Today is the 33rd birthday of the company Roxxon Corporation, and to celebrate, the CEO of the company is apparently planning a huge celebration night, for him and all of his employees…"

I smirk, "interesting."

---

Waited a long time until the sun was no more, it was just the night sky and a half moon.

---

I was spying on the verge of a building across from the one where the party was.

Stared at my watch, it's 8 pm. I was wrong wasn't I, he's not gonna come. I should've gone home and study a long time ago, or not be stupid and should've study before coming out here. And the only thing I brought in my backpack is clothes.

The party from afar looked like a simple reunion, there were servants walking with traits of drinks and food, they all had elegant clothing. Some of the richest people in the city were present, and they were all making conversation.

---

In the party

"What's that," someone said

"What?" a woman asked

"There." He pointed out the window, where two red orbs were glowing in the distance.

"What is that?"

They see how the orbs were getting bigger, then a huge shadow is created, showing its true form. Only a few people noticed it. A loud squeak could be heard, and the windows were vibrating as it approached.

---

Inches away from being cleared out of the darkness. I kick him from underneath, throwing him upwards, and away from the people.

The man in the party simply says, "Nuts."

We both land on the roof. But he landed a lot further away.

"I've been searching like hell for you!" I said.

He laughs, "sometimes the reencounter needs to be at the right time… in the right place."

His laugh made me uncomfortable. "You do know that we've met more than once, right?"

"A bladder mouth you are, I will enjoy stitching it shut for you-"

I shot some web to his mouth. "Not if I do it first."

He cuts the web off with his hand. He growls and lunges towards me.

"I meant to you, obviously."

Being alerted by the vibrations, I jumped over him landing behind him, then my head goes nuts. "Jesus Christ-" He strikes me with the back of his wing, throwing me back.

When I was on the floor about to get up, he flew towards me, stepping on my hand. "I see you learned new tricks.

"You were cursed with the abilities of a spider, weren't you?" he asked.

"Piss off," I replied

He twists his foot, crushing my hand, it made me scream.

"Now, since when do the bugs beat the animal kingdom?"

"Ouch, technically an arachnid."

I shot a lot of webs to his wing and neck. Punched his ankle, then kicked him away.

"And to answer your question, haven't you seen the 'Spider Kills Bat' video on YouTube, dude that's a classic," I said.

He cuts some of the web off, and throws himself at me.

Seeing that made me tense. "Oh, shit."

We crashed on the roof lantern. People inside heard it, they stared up, and they were presented with us both.

He thrust me into the glass, making it crack. He growls. I gaze at his fangs close to me with the spit he was letting out. He pulls his hand back, making his claws shine due to the moon. He swings.

I escape from his grip, making him scratch the glass.

"I wonder…" I said

He swings again.

I duck. "Why do you look more like a bat, than I look like a spider?"

"Shut up," he shouted, swinging once again.

I duck, but he boots me, stabbing my side arm with his claws, I step back immediately.

"Fuck!" I rambled.

He lunges at me, though I jumped over him, shooting web at his hands, pulling him back.

"I got you," I declare.

Suddenly, two officers open the door to the roof.

"We heard about a disturbance on the…" he looked at us, making his eyes go wide. "…what is that?" one of them said, but they both got their guns out.

"Wait," I shouted.

Then I was pulled forward, where I was slashed by the creature's claws. My chest was cut, and blood dripped down my suit.

"Shoot," the officer screamed.

"No, wait," I said.

The creature flew away in time.

For me, it was too late, they pulled the trigger. The vibrations alerted me, so I avoided the bullets; however, one bullet grazed my shoulder, while the other one grazed my forehead. It made a trail of blood scatter into the air. The shrapnel that stabbed my skin burned like hell.

The injury made my vision blurry. I misstepped, tripping off the building.

The air is rushing around my body. Drops of blood were trailing off my face. My vision was getting clear, I shook my head and recovered my sight. The stars were getting further and further away, as my surroundings were getting larger. The traffic in the streets gets louder by the second. I touch the injury on my head, just when a shriek pierces the sky. I stared up, and I could see the reason I'm here—the bats getting away. "No."

I shoot a web line reaching the top of the building. I swing crashing right into a window. "Hope I'm not interrupting the party." I landed on a food table, smashing everything that was on it. "Sorry for that, not a cop, but it was so I wouldn't die."

The shriek is made once again. "Not this time." I shot two webs at the edge of the window, pulled back, and swung myself out the crashed window. The swing was hard enough to make the surrounding window's crack.

I'm out in the city again. I swung to where I heard the noise, launching myself into the sky. I think luck was on my side, because I found my objective. "Not this time." I shoot a long, throwing myself at him.

I land on his back. "What's up, is this seat taken"

"Ahh, back for more, huh," he growled.

"Well, that depends actually," I said.

"Hold on tight."

He rockets down on an alleyway, rising at the last moment. I was getting dizzy hitting the clothes lines, then he ascends high in the sky.

"Is that all you got."

He aims down and flips, stopping hard in his position. Made me lose my grip, and threw me away. "Apparently not!"

Shooting a web line to his foot had me tangling beneath him. I start climbing up the web, but he turns to face me. And uses the claws on his other foot to cut the web.

I shoot a web line again, this time to his other foot. "You're not getting rid of me that easily."

"Challenge accepted," he responded.

He flies close to the buildings, where he did a simple movement. He smashed me into some windows. Later on, I balanced my feet on the wall, so I wouldn't smash into anything. I propelled myself by yanking the web, pulling him closer.

"You know I'm really getting tired of you and your nonsense."

I began to crawl all around his body, webbing him up completely to the point that he couldn't maintain himself in the air.

"You idiot," he shouted.

I web his mouth up. "Aren't you one to talk"

We're falling. He was able to cut through some of the webs, but I kicked him, slamming him against the floor while I shot webs to break my fall.

I approach him, and stare him right in the eye. "I guess this was your destiny."

He growls at me. He swings at me with his claws, making me step back. He gets up and gets the rest of the web off.

We're now staring right into one another, and the surrounding people are either just staring in astonishment or filming with their phones as the car lights illuminate us.

"What do you want?" he growled.

"Ain't it damn obvious the reason I'm looking for you, I want to stop you," I said.

"Why?"

"Because, it's the right thing."

"When you say the right thing, do you mean that you're doing the right thing because you're the hero."

"Exactly."

"Don't you know that there is no such thing as a hero or a villain, we just think different."

"True, but I know what makes us human, and what makes us inhumane."

"We're no longer human."

"You aren't," I declared.

"Very well, then, want to be a hero." He begins flapping his wings. "Let's play being a hero."

"Wait, what are you doing?"

He flies into the crowd at the sidewalk, putting a grip with his feet on a woman's shoulders, taking her away.

I follow after him. "Put her down."

At that point I didn't know I was following him or the screams of the woman.

"So you wanna keep playing Mr. Hero."

"Put her down now!"

"But that would take the fun away, wouldn't it?"

He flew far until we started circling the biggest skyscraper in the city. He kept flying high, and I launch myself once I reached the roof, it wasn't enough to catch him though. So I had to settle on the roof.

I was shooting web lines with the hope of hitting him. He just dodged everything, mocking me with how easy he had it.

"That's enough! If you want to fight, I'm right here. If you want to die, go ahead, but don't take her with you," I shouted.

"Well ain't that lovely! You want to save people, be a hero, so choose save her or let me go, people's lives are in your hands." He lets go of her and flies away. "If you waste your time saving her, there's no telling on how many people ill prey on next, hero."

His words became nothing more than a whisper to me. The view I was focused on provoke a rampant thudding in my heart. Without thinking of anything, I just threw myself into action.

I run as fast as I can. Her screaming hit my ears, causing an unease slithered down my back. At the limit of the roof, I jumped, trying to grab her, but I missed by a lot. "Fuck." I shoot web at her, pulling her close to me. I had her in my grip now. "I got you." I shoot web to the building, swinging from a very high altitude. "Hold on tight." I was building a lot of speed putting more strength than ever on my wrist, then the web tears, making us fall. "Ow, crap." At least we were already close to the floor; I use my body to break her fall

I was gasping for air. And I looked at her closely this time. A woman with short blonde hair wearing a brown coat. She had tears going down her pearl skin.

"Are you okay?" I asked

"Yeah," she whispered

We got up, as a crowd was forming once again.

"Well… mmm… take care." I turned around, ready to leave.

"Wait!" She grabbed my hoodie.

I turn around to face her.

"Who are you?" she asked

"...I'm spider-man," I answered

She nodded at my response, letting me go.

"Oh, and with a hyphen before man," I clarified.

I leap into the air, and swing away.

Ok, the reason you were out here in the first place, is now gone, but I know where he's heading.

A sudden sound uncomforts my ears.

"What the?"

My web shooters were empty.

"Shit,shit,shit."

I fell on a small lake in an alleyway, making a splash on impact.

I shaked it off and sat against the wall. Seeing my reflection down on the wet floor, I contemplated my injuries for the first time.

I put my hand near the wound on my head, "I really got fucked up tonight, didn't I." A gunshot made this whole persecution. And the words I didn't pay attention to before were coming back."'there's no telling on how many people ill prey on next' that's what he said."

Grabbed a web cartridge I had on my leg, reloading my web shooters.

Once again, swinging around. I took my phone out, following the tracker's location. A smile forms, now knowing that he was closer than expected.

It led me to a building under construction. Apparently it's abandoned, since funding was cut a long time ago.

Checked the tracker one last time, and it all indicated that I was in the right place.

"Here we go!"

I entered the building, swinging in on the top floor. The place was dark, it made me uneasy, so I kept myself alert.

Where are you, you little bat bastard? I trip. "oh, god." I turn to look at what I stepped on. Got close to it and touched it. "What is this?"

I raise it to get it out of the shadows. My eyes go wide once I have a clear view.

"A bone of the arm..." someone spoke behind me.

I turn around, and I was faced with a bald man only wearing pants

"...it's amazing right ain't that a work of art"

"Who are?" I asked.

"What, isn't it obvious," he replied.

"Yeah, just wanted to be sure." I squeeze on the bone. "Who was this person?"

"Just another victim of one of the city's suppliers."

"You didn't kill him or her?"

"Of course not."

"Then why is this here!"

"She was already dead, I couldn't let her remains go to waste."

"What did you do exactly?" I asked.

"Let's just say, a man's gotta eat," he answered.

I dropped the bone. "You said that if I didn't stop you, you would-"

"Don't worry, I wasn't in the mood for a feast." He waves no. "Not since you ruined my last one."

I scan my surroundings. Looked at the bone again, and found similar forms near it.

My hands are shaking. "How many people have you… made your prey?"

"Around 13."

"And how many of them deserved it-"

"All of them!"

"How many did you actually kill?"

"Eleven."

"You really do have a spot reserved in hell," I said.

"You still think like that, huh, you still think you're the hero of this city." He approached me until we met each other's eyes."You know many of them were asking for their hero, for their savior, now where was he?"

I kept myself silent, but many bad thoughts were flickering in my head. My blood was boiling with all of this.

"You let people die, maybe I was wrong about you, you weren't just cursed, you're an absolute disgrace, an embarrassment to cops, firemen and doctors alike. You're no hero, a hero would've." He tilts his head. "Save them, I guess"

I lower my head. "I'm not a hero, I'm just someone doing what he thinks is right."

"Ah, the smartest thing you said all night."

"Aaahhh." I stand firm, and throw my fist to his face. Made him turn his head, but he faced me immediately.

"Hit me," he said.

I did as told, and punched him again.

His head tilts. "Hit me!"

"Aaarrrgghh." I hit him again.

Blood starts to drip from his nose.

"I said, hit me!"

I punched him twice in a row now. Blood went out from his nose and cheek. His eyes were completely bright red now.

"What are you waiting for, I said, hit me."

I punched him one more time, this time made his whole body spin. He turned back and growled at me. His body was changing.

He's getting bigger, his fangs were showing, loads of hair appeared, and his arms spontaneously became wings.

"Skkreeee!"

I'm shivering. "You actually look a lot better than what you did before."

He flew at me. But my head became dizzy that it hurt. I couldn't move in time. He hit me with one of his wings, throwing me to the floor, and grabbed me by the neck.

"You think I don't know you, you tell stupid jokes because you're afraid. Afraid of dying, afraid of me," he growled.

"Who isn't," I replied, webbing his face

I try to take his hand off me. "The problem is not being afraid, the problem is living with fear."

He tossed me straight into the wall. He throws his claws at me; I dodge his attack. I was surprised just how strong his claws are. They went through concrete with no problem.

He kicked me, pushing me back. He flew at me again. I was able to dodge this time. I kick him, but he dodges with his arms.

"Skreeeee!"

He swings his claws multiple times; I manage to dodge all of them then he throws both of his hands at me. I stopped him, but his claws were close, almost touching my head.

He opens his mouth wide, his fangs coming close to me.

I headbutt him to stop the bite. I jumped and kicked him in the face. He croaks and holds me by the neck, slamming me to the ground.

"You won't stop until you kill me, right?" he asked.

"Until I put you behind bars," I replied.

He laughs, "If you don't kill me, those people surely will."

"You don't know that."

"It's just obvious...tell me, do you see me as a bad person, or do you just don't understand me-"

"Oh, yeah." I was gonna shoot web at his eyes, but he grabs my wrist, keeping it in place.

"Besides what makes you better, you stop crime, but wear a mask and play the hero, you're a disgrace." He squeezes my wrist, bursting the web out of the cartridge "The people I've found hurt in many hideouts were begging for a hero, now they decorate this place as corpses, now where were you exactly, where was their hero"

"I… don't know," I whispered.

"Remember why I'm doing this, the World is unfair to those that don't deserve it. I was told money isn't everything, I was told that by a bird in a golden cage" he pulls my head back and slams me to the ground, making it crack.

"Ahh, mother-"

"I learned that a talented bum will never go further than an ambitious loser, so it's time I bring fairness to everyone."

"If you're the one telling me that, you must have an inflated ego."

He neared his head to me. "You, on the other hand, showed me that you don't need to kill to end a life, your city is killing you-"

"What the hell are you saying!"

"Sooner or later you'll understand what I mean." He gets off me. "But right now, let the hunt continue.

"Skaaaaawww!"

He's about to fly off, so he expands his wings. I was able to launch web at his wings, pulling him back while he was pushing forward.

He turns to me, then he yanks the web, pulling me close. I heard a fade click-noise. He strikes me with the back of his hand. He growls and runs off.

"Yeah, you better..." He jumped and flapped his wings, but he wasn't ascending. All I heard was a squeak sound before he started to fall. "Run"

I heard something like a piece of sheet hitting the floor. "Shit."

Moved to the edge and glared down. The reason I was here is now on the floor forming a puddle of blood, showing no response.

Took my mask off. My body was shaking, struggling to stay in balance. "Jajaja-" I threw up. "Crazy, son of a bitch."

I got out of there, and went back to the building where I left my backpack. "Thank god it's still here." I took my hoodie and mask off, pulled out a shirt and changed into it. I leave the building by taking the stairs.

On the streets, I proceed to enter an electronics shop nearby. The reflection from the door glass made me see the cuts on my face healing. I went in and grabbed the cheapest phone I could buy. Once I got out, I made a call.

"911 what's your emergency?"

"Hmm, you might not believe me if I tell you."

I arrived at my apartment building, entered through the front door, and took the elevator.

I got hurt, but I was healing faster than ever. How much blood have I seen and never bother to see how much I've spilled. How much of that blood is mine exactly. I slide my hand through my arm, scanning all the blood stains. Then the door opens, so I head to my apartment.

Before I could enter my apartment, the alarm on my watch rings. Just in time.

I opened the door and saw my mom on the couch. "Hey, guess who made it just in time for curfew again."

"Being at the exact moment doesn't mean you beat curfew." She turned her head to me. "You're supposed to be here before…what happened to you"

"What do you mean?" I asked

"Why do you have scratches on your face?"

I touch my cheek. I thought she wouldn't realize, but underestimated her. "A few cats over did it."

"Really?"

I nodded.

"Well that's unfortunate. Good thing they were small scratches."

"Yeah." They were deep cuts a while ago, it's a good thing you didn't see those. I did heal fast, so that's good.

"Come sit." She signails me to a chair.

I go and sit, while she grabs a small rag and soaks it in water.

"Here." She passes the rag through my cheek. "You should really be more careful...what did you do for a cat to harm you"

"I guess, we wanted to go to the same place… we just couldn't take the same path."

"That sounds weird coming from you"

"it's just that, how should I know which animal is good and which one Is bad"

"...You can't tell, they just act how you treat them, you know how they say treat someone how you wanna be treated."

"I guess you're right"

"And where were you tonight, peter?" she asked.

"I was, you can say, managing a certain bird." I responded.

Her eyes go wide. "By any chance did the cats try to eat the bird?"

I turned to her. "Listen, I know you're just worried, but please don't be."

"I'm always going to be worried about you"

I sigh and turn my head again.

Her hand slips off my cheek. "Wow, your scratches are quite subtle now, they're like thin scars"

I couldn't let her curiosity build, so I got up. "Yeah, well thank you for everything, seriously, I have to...do something."

"Do you have an exam tomorrow"

The word exam hits hard in my head. Goddammit.

"Yes, I do, so I should get to it"

"Ok, I won't bother you then"

"Thank you." I hustle to my room.

She looks at the rag she's holding. "What type of water do we have on our sink?"

I went to my room. She was right about having an exam tomorrow. But I can't take any of that right now. I take my mask out of the backpack, and sit down to let my mind flow with everything so far. I've seen and done many things before…

What happened tonight, though, it hit me differently. The flickering in my head of who was a human bean falling to his death right in front of me. "The hunt has ended…" I remember hearing something seconds before his death. I think one of his shoulders popped when I yanked his wings. "Did I do it… did I kill him." I squeeze my mask. "I could've saved him...but I waited to hear the landing fuuuck." I toss the mask to the wall

I threw myself on the bed, and had my eyes focused on the ceiling. My head has constant flashes of the dead human-bat on the floor.

"I didn't kill him," I whisper.

Then the bone I held back there, also makes its way to affecting me.

"But he did kill someone, I don't know who, but someone...a real hero would've saved them.''

My head was practically ticking. It was a small bone. A tear goes down my eye and when I wipe it off, I gaze at my backpack. This day still isn't over."

---

"Alright, class, get ready for your exam today," the teacher spoke.

I rub my eyes, just wanting this day to end.

The teacher goes around the classroom handing the exams, when I was handed mine I didn't think much of it. "Here goes nothing, Peter, here goes nothing."

Ring!

"You did bad, parker..." the teacher said.

An instant chill went down my spine.

"But good enough for few." He hands me the exam. "I know you can do better next time."

I look at my score. Many ideas went and came, but I smirk. The score on the exam read C+

"You were the lowest of the class, by the way."

"I...I appreciate the honesty, professor."

---

There was no more swinging, no more leaping, just a simple walk home.

"Well, isn't this nice, at least I didn't fail."

While on the way home, I decided to extend the walk, going through midtown. I wanted to relax my mind, let all the stress slide away.

Seconds, minutes, hours go by.

I reflected on everything so far. The books I read were wrong all along. I don't need a tragic act to do what's right. I was given this power and I do this because I can because I feel I should. I'm someone who thought could do good...and I think I did.

I was surrounded by people, I wasn't talking to anyone, just walking around in circles. I don't know what it was, but I felt better, then as if out of nowhere something catches my attention.

"Important broadcast here today, ladies and gentlemen…"

I was standing outside an electronic store, right in front of the glass with TV monitors. I stood there, paying full attention to the news report.

"Apparently, what many would think can only be seen in fiction can now also be seen in reality. Last night, an unknown caller told the cops giving information about a dead body…"

The rest of his words fade out to me, then my head flashes with images of last night.

"An unknown organism was found; it was big and resembled a bat. However, unlike a big bat species this one had clothes on, and is assumed that it had two legs resembling those of a person, this gives us many ideas, but we're not too sure of any…"

So they found him.

"It's practically proven that the creature is the same one as in this video…"

They play a small clip of when he and I landed in the middle of the streets last night, seconds before he took a woman hostage. I swallowed hard.

"The bat creature moves his lips, so we know that they're talking to one another. You might also be wondering who this individual is." They zoom in on me. "Well, we don't know for sure, but these two have been given names online, the most on favor for the bat like creature is simply Man-Bat...and for the other one they given him the name Spider-man, and it's said he gave himself this name after supposedly saving a woman where he specially told her that his name is Spider-man with a hyphen, she didn't know why he told her that…"

"I don't either," I whispered.

People begin gathering around me to see the news report. That's when I continue my path.

Just when I was about to take a turn on the sidewalk.

"Now, we're not sure how good of spider-man's intention actually were-"

I turn immediately to the billboard.

"When the dead creature was found, the entire building went under investigation where loads of human remains were found, and these two were seen with each other, so maybe they were both involved in this."

My heart tribes and my blood is boiling with what he says.

"This spider-man individual has been seen in the center of crime before." Images of when I stopped a car chase appear on-screen. "So they both should be under the lookout by the authorities. Thank you very much for your time."

I lay a hand on a pole close to me, adding pressure to my grip, and the metal starts to bend. Then an image appears on the billboard, a picture of me and the Man-Bat with text that read spider-man threat or menace.

"Neither."

---

A/N

Obviously all rights belong to Marvel, I don't think it's necessary to clarify it.

I don't know why, but out of nowhere, I just had the idea for this story, and maybe it was a bad idea. I just thought of spider-man and one thing led to another, hope I got something good out of it.

I chose Philadelphia literally out of random I thought of Philly instead of New York and the idea wouldn't disappear from my head. There aren't many skyscrapers in that city, so just use your imagination, but either way I hope it's not a problem.

And even though the story is in first person, it's not a SI, so my name is not Ethan. The name Ethan got stuck in my head because of Resident Evil and from there I just imagined the protagonist having the name Ethan, and I know having Ethan as a middle name might sound a little weird for a few people. It's something I just wanted to add, and I hope I don't regret it in the future.

And the most obvious thing being that the character is Spider-Man, only that a different Peter Parker and a whole different story.

The last thing I want to mention is thank you for reading, that and if the story is bad, please don't kill me. It's my first ever fic and I know I have a lot of grammar mistakes, so forgive me for that, and please go easy on me.

So once more, thank you for reading. Be happy and have a good day!