CHAPTER 3
------------------
BURNING HEART
After that gripping experience with Spiderman the second time, she was about to give up all together, but something in the back of her mind told her to keep going. Something pushed her towards the right path. That something was wanting to meet Spiderman again. When she felt his grip, her heart wanted to burst out of her chest and goosebumps grew on her pale skin. She'd never loved anyone..never—oh, well..she couldn't say never. She had had her crushes in school, but she had never felt anything for someone who'd face she'd never even seen. She'd laugh at herself for being so childish, but, these feelings were new to her. Maybe she was in love.
It was another day for job hunting and as she wandered down the busy streets of New York City, she came across two suspicious looking characters. They glared at her with malicious eyes and she simply ignored them and continued her way. They followed, she continued, they sped up and so did she until she came to a dead end accidentally. "Damn." She spat under her breath as she turned around to look at the two men, "Hey, cutie.. wha'cha doin`?" the thug in all black said with a mischievous voice, "What do you care ass-face?" Alice taunted. The second thug advanced on her, a grin on his face. Alice stepped back.. she didn't want to punch the guy and send his nose blasting out of the back of his head. If someone happened to see her fighting these brutes with the strength she had; they'd probably think she was some sort of freak with mutant powers. They inched toward her. With each step, she stepped back until she was flat against the wall. Where was the Spiderman when you most needed him? She grunted, having no other choice, but to beat the living hell out of these two numbskulls. As the first thug came into an appropriate distance did she send her right fist slamming into his jaw. They connected and she could feel the bones smack against each other as he went flying hard into the wall to her left. The second thug took the hint and fled in a second, ".....Screw this!" he howled, running back into the busy streets. A sigh escaped Alice's lips as she wandered back into the sidewalk, leaving the other brute behind in a lump....
Boom.
Thud.
"Oh, geez, sorry!" said a male voice as Alice held her head. She had walked right into someone without even realizing it. Her vision was a bit blurred as a hand helped her to her feet, "It's alright.. I've been through worse," she said a soft tone, focusing her eyes on the hand that had helped her, "Are you okay?," he said, looking into her aquamarine eyes. She stared back, a smile curled on her lips as she did. Boy! What a cutie! she pondered, "I'm fine, thanks." she replied, smiling at him as well, "My names Peter...and yours?" he asked, arching a brow, "Alice." She said with a girlie-girl tone. He smiled shook her extended hand, "Nice to meet you. Sorry about running—" he began, but she interrupted, "No it was my fault!" she said. They both nodded and smiled one last time at each other before taking way. That....grip. It felt familiar...Alice thought to herself when a hard buzzing began to ring in her head..Spidersense.. kicking in. The buzzing. Both in their heads. Something was wrong and they both knew it. The upper building. Smoke. Smoke equaled fire! A building was going to burn into flames. They had to act quickly.
Alice disappeared into the crown of onlooking bystanders. She wished they'd leave and get the hell out of here, because she knew for a fact that this wasn't going to get any better. She ran to the side of the building and removed her clothing to reveal her Spiderwoman suit underneath. She slipped on her mask...ready for action. She pressed her fingers against the side of the building, crawling up as fast as she could to the floor which poured out dark gray smoke. She was climbing the East side of the building and she knew Spiderman had to be around here somewhere. When she reached the floor and jumped through the window, she was stunned to see Spiderman standing right across from her. "You, again.." Peter said in an inaudible muffle. "Spider-Man.." Alice also muffled inaudibly. There was silence between them, when their spider sense warned them again. They looked to a door to their right and saw hard, black, and thick smoke seeping through the bottom. "Since your here, you'd better help." Spiderman called out to her, "Since I'm here I might as well, huh?" she replied with a grin, though Peter couldn't see it. They ran towards the door and kicked it down simultaneously. They gasped as a ball of flames exploded in their faces. Good for them that their spider sense had warned them and they jumped to one side of the door before they were Kentucky Fried Spidey's. Alice opened her eyes and felt weight on top of her. Her eyes widened through the black oculars that protected her eyes as Spiderman looked down at her, "You okay?" he asked, getting up in a flash, "Fine." She said, trying to sound as cold as possible, but managed to sound bashful.
Trago la gota gorda. She jumped up as well, watching Spiderman run inside. She followed. Both of them couldn't believe their eyes as they saw a metallic green figure punch a poor, chubby man suited in his working man's outfit, ".. Is that..?" Alice began, but the green figure had cocked his head to one side. Time seemed to slow down as her heart stopped for what seemed a second. She never thought she'd face this grinning green demon in her life, but when those sharp and evil yellow eyes glared at the two cladded in blue and red; her entire perspective changed. "Oh God." came Spiderman's voice as the metallic green figure stood erect, facing them, "Well.. well.. well..if it isn't Spiderman and his.." he turned his head to face Spiderwoman, ".. ally? .. On top of that.. female ally..?" an eerie, cold cackle rang in their ears as that green figure charged at them. Her spider sense seemed scream at her as she jumped and glued herself to the ceiling. Spiderman had jumped to one side as he watched the green figure tumble through the open doors.
Suddenly there was a sickening crash from behind them as the windows of the office shattered over the plump man who now laid unconscious on the ground near his desk. A hovering machine that looked a lot like a bat zoomed past the two hero's and toward its owner who now stood at the doorway, "Good bye, Spiderman!!" cackled the green figure as it hopped on its hovering craft and zipped out of the building, "We'd better get out of here!" Spiderwoman said as she detached from the ceiling. Spiderman hurried over to the unconscious man, but Spiderwoman's shriek caught his attention, "Oh my God! Let's get the HELL out of here! NOW!!" she howled, running towards him. He'd seen it. The large metallic box that flickered red digital numbers that read: 0:10. It was a bomb..and they didn't have a lot of time to get out of there. He guessed most people had already evacuated. Spiderman grabbed the man and extended his hand toward the broken glass. His webbing caught a building far across from the one they were in and he swung as fast as he could out of there. Spiderwoman followed, keeping steady with his quick movement. Her movements were very clumsy compared to his as they swung as fast as they could away from there. They heard a massive explosion behind them and Alice's heart seemed to shrink. She prayed to God no one was hurt. They landed on a building roof as the man on Spiderman's shoulder regained consciousness and thanked him for saving his life. He scuttled towards the booth that would lead to the stairs, leaving the two hero's by themselves.
Spiderwoman was about to leave when she heard Spiderman's soft voice call for her, "Spiderwoman.. wait." He said, standing erect and elegant. This time, Alice stopped and turned to look at him, "I want to thank you again, for helping me out." He said, stepping up towards her, "I could've died if you hadn't seen the bomb," he continued now standing atleast three feet from her. "Your welcome. I just...want to help," she said timidly and she could have sworn she saw the outline of a smile under his mask, "Say, do you think we can meet up tomorrow night and see what we can do together? Without popping out of nowhere?" he said, a soft chuckle coming from him. Her heart when light and she could feel her cheeks rush with blood, "Uh-um.. sure!" she said, jumping a bit in excitement. He extended his gloved hand as Alice reached and shook it firmly. She couldn't have been happier at that moment.