SPIDER-MAN: ALL ALONE (CHAPTER 12)
PARKER RESIDENCE…
Inside the garage, Peter scrounged around for tools and materials that will help him build the makeshift wing glider. As he shuffled through old boxes, he picked out some measuring tape.
"Years ago, Ben would have called you out for touching his gear. But seeing that you're a young and smart man, I'm sure he would be encouraging you to follow his footsteps as an electrician." May said startling Peter from behind.
"Oh no, I was just looking for stuff that you know… Could benefit the project for tomorrow." Peter said seeing May at the door.
"Would you like to share?" May curiously asked.
"Dr. Connors is bringing over a patient with a missing arm to see if my prosthetic arm is ready for trial." Peter said rubbing the back of his head.
"Hm? Why doesn't he do it himself considering his own impairment?" May wondered.
"Well, he's the brains behind this project." Peter replied, "I'm just following through and assisting him. Besides, he needs to collate the data himself as the primary scientist."
"All of which is beyond my understanding." May chuckled.
"So, how are you doing? If you don't mind me asking." Peter wondered back.
"Me? I'm living quite a life, my dear." May answered, "I've been making quite a bit of doctor visits as of late."
"Whoa, is everything okay?" Peter asked with concern.
"To tell you the truth…" May said with a chuckle at the start, "I think that fall I had at work may not be an act of carelessness. It might be…"
"A health problem?" Peter added, "May, maybe I can help look into things for you. I mean… Everyone who gets older is likely to face some sort of problem."
"One doctor is enough. Dr. Bromwell isn't just our MP; he's a friend to the Parker family." May assured, "He's my doctor. Your doctor is Connors himself."
"Different doctor…" Peter murmured as he clutched the measuring tape.
As May turned away, Peter then asked something else for her.
"May, you don't mind if I borrow the sewing machine for a bit tonight?" Peter asked, "I want to repair some of my old clothing."
"Why not just buy new ones?" May asked.
"Oh, you know… Saving money for rent." Peter answered sheepishly.
CONNORS LABORATORY…
Peter arrived in time to see Curt seated at the table next to another man of Hispanic descent with a missing arm like Curt. He had a bald head and wore black t-shirt and black trousers to match his casual look.
"Peter, I want you to meet Hector Jiménez. The one whose story I told you about the other day." Curt introduced, "Hector, this is my assistant, Peter Parker. He'll be strapping you the new arm."
"Hello." Peter greeted as he shook the candidate's functioning hand.
"Nice to meet you." The man said in return.
"I hope you're feeling comfortable for this, Hector." Curt said as he and Peter went to prepare the arm.
"Come on, I've been waiting for this for my entire life." Hector assured.
"Peter, you know how to assemble." Curt said looking judgemental in his lab coat.
Peter heeded Curt's words as he helped Hector lodge the arm onto the segregated limb.
After that was done, the next thing was booting up the computer programs for data analysis and activation of functioning. In Peter's mind, he was ready for failure even after going through multiple experiments beforehand.
The arm began to twitch to life as Peter watched what was going to happen next.
"Alright, Hector. Use the power of the brain. Stimulate those nerves of yours to make this arm yours to command." Curt instructed.
Hector did exactly as instructed and motioned the arm around.
"Give me all the gestures." Curt said as he watched the arm in motion.
A wave, a thumbs up and even a middle finger was all demonstrated. So far, Peter was impressed as he read the reaction times on screen.
"Good." Curt said, "Shall we try moving things? Why not the chess pieces next to you?"
"I'm not actually playing chess, right?" Hector asked looking at the chessboard close to him.
"No, you're just picking things up." Curt answered as Hector went to pick the king piece from the chessboard placed near them.
Peter and Curt observed the arm's grip and both of them smiled at the result. It was all promising. After Hector placed the piece back down, Curt turned to Peter.
"Peter, clap for yourself." Curt said.
Peter looked at both Curt and Hector before clapping awkwardly in front of them.
"See? With all that testing, there's always a glimmer of hope in sight." Curt said with a smile while fist bumping Peter on the shoulder with his functioning right arm.
In return, Peter smiled in response and was optimistic about his educational progress.
BEDFORD APARTMENTS…
Gwen followed Peter to his new apartment place for the first time. To Gwen, she was envious that Peter could find a place that felt small yet cosy and because Peter was lucky to have rented a place at the right time.
"Sure seems to embody you." Gwen said eyeing the furniture and other items at the place.
"Oh, I've definitely been keen to decorate this place, but you know how the landlords are." Peter answered as he pulled out his suit from his bag.
"Are you sure this is the best place for the test run?" Gwen asked with a whisper.
"I've studied the aerodynamics of this thing. I bet this thing will sail even under a tornado." Peter remarked as he started to put on the suit.
"You sound confident." Gwen said seeing the bits of fabric attached under the arms of the suit before turning around to avoid seeing Peter fully dress.
"Well, you see. I happened to make a breakthrough today with Dr. Connors. We may change lives soon." Peter said as he slipped the leggings on.
"Wow. So uh… What did you make the wings out of?" Gwen asked.
"Only what can match the best nylon. Something that balances and resists external forces." Peter said continuing to pull the suit upwards.
"If this goes well, I suppose we're ready to catch a bird. If not then, we tear them off? Cause I'm worried those things would be awkward to walk around with." Gwen said back.
"Ah, don't worry. That's why you're watching my back." Peter said as he adjusted the mask onto his face, "Alright, you ready?"
Peter walked up to the nearby window as Spider-Man and opened the window. Gwen immediately put her mask on too alongside her webslingers and a hoodie.
"You've got the head camera also right?" Spider-Man said putting one foot on the window handle.
"Oh yeah, I'm going to record your swinging." Gwen said as she attached a dash camera device on her forehead.
Without hesitation, Spider-Man jumped out for the swing. Once enough altitude was made, Spider-Man spread the wings out as he skydived back down. At first, it seemed the gliding was for naught before Peter added a little force on his own.
"Woohoo!" Spider-Man cried out with Gwen following behind.
Pedestrians soon watched Spider-Man testing his new gear and were desperate to catch a single photo of Spider-Man's new gear.
"I don't know… Seems like the gliding is too slow." Gwen yelled.
"It's the air time not the speed." Spider-Man yelled back.
As they traversed the corners of Manhattan, they were quick to notice a lady crossing the road with an incoming car approaching. In quick response, Spider-Man swung to the edge before gliding down for a rescue swoop.
In a nick of time, Spider-Man saved the lady from collision before hitting the ground.
"Watch your step, lady." Spider-Man said getting up.
"Gee, thanks…" The lady said as she hurriedly walked to the side.
Gwen followed behind and landed near Spider-Man. The pedestrians all witnessed the act with some eager to clap.
"Okay, let's not talk near the public." Gwen said tugging Spider-Man's arm.
The two then swung back to the air before finding a rooftop to speak on.
"I say it works." Spider-Man said sitting down.
"It's only a draft first run." Gwen said back.
"Beats falling flat on the ground. If I can trim the wings a tad more, I think this will be the best non-web gimmick I had." Spider-Man said.
"Let's hope this does us a favour for catching Vulture then." Gwen seemed to agree.
"I got an idea, why don't we order some pizza and then try swinging down from the Chryslers?" Spider-Man asked.
"We have to make a swing for it before the line gets packed." Gwen said.
"Race you to it?" Spider-Man said before the two jumped back down again.
OSBORN LOFT…
After another slog of a meeting, Norman sat on the couch slouched and overwhelmed. The deal between him and the city government was done. Now all he had to do was wait but waiting was the last thing he would want to do.
Immediately, Emily came over from around the corner and started talking. Her hands touched Norman's shoulders yet Norman did not feel.
"You look down, dear…" Emily said, "Perhaps a nice bath?"
"I need nothing from you now." Norman said back as he acted aloof.
"Don't be like that, honey. It's business as usual." Emily cooed.
"You're not even there!" Norman yelled back.
The response then caused Emily to go emotionless as she pulled away.
"You're a sad, sad little man…" Emily began to say.
Norman then raised his eyebrow and questioned the tone of language.
"What do you know of feelings?" Norman asked back.
"Look whose talking." Emily said back.
"Whoever is talking, get out." Norman warned as he suspected something off.
"You're a pathetic man. You're withering but most of all, you've cowered all your life. Staging farces in front of people." Emily said without a care, "No wonder Oscorp is spiralling into chaos."
"Enough, get out!" Norman shouted with force.
After the yell of anger, Emily then stopped motion. She started to flicker and it turned out that Norman's wife had been a holographic projection all along popping up on its own will. The exchange stunned Norman who now believed that every corner of Oscorp technology is breached.
"This is worse than I feared." Norman muttered as he looked to the ground.
With the holographic projection gone, Norman decided that it may be a good time to check on his secret project hiding behind the wall of masks. As he accessed the secret room, he saw the chemical he was cooking up right in front of him.
Norman watched the formula sizzle inside its container. This time, the colour was greener than usual after some new modifications. Putting on his lab coat and gloves, Norman picked up the container and marvelled at its visual.
"Incredible…" Norman said staring into its luminous glow.
As he held the formula in one palm, conflicted thoughts crossed into Norman's mind. This formula was meant to save the lives of others first and foremost but at the same time, Norman did not want this work to be exploited from anyone. In fact, he worked hard even overseas to discover secrets that will make this formula work.
"It's my company. Nobody should be pushing me around. Especially that bitch Donna…" Norman said with building resentment, "It's all mine…"
Even though the formula had not undergone human trials and the mouse trials were disastrous, Norman had wanted something of his own to ensure his legitimacy. If he wanted to be strong, he needed something that only he would know about.
"For you, Harry. And for all of Oscorp." Norman said with a sniffle.
With one flick off the cap, Norman peered down at the green solution and without hesitation and nothing left to chance, he chugged the solution down his throat. It was a horrible tasteless feeling but not enough fear could deter him.
After consumption, Norman began to lurch due to the unpleasant taste. The potency of the formula spread into his bloodstream. He was feeling what feels like an increase in heart size and beat. Physiologically, something in him was changing and once the uncertainty left him, he simply smiled.
TO BE CONTINUED…