Chapter 31 [Five Minutes Earlier]
Mists swept the Stacys away from the Coffee Bean. Emotions—Confusion, Inquisitiveness and frankly Disbelief worked on their minds. They wandered about what seemed to be a ten foot circle in the cloying cover.
His hand batted at the mists. "Amazing." Older legends from his British (particularly Welsh) upbringing came to mind. "I remember hearing folklore and myth related to such things. People vanishing and then reappearing through such fog."
"That's what happened to Mrs. Kent and me last night! This stuff dropped us on our front doorstep." Gwen made a face. "Wish that creep had let us eat lunch first. Poor Peter! He didn't even get a chance to finish eating. And then, he went…" A wince contorted her face. "Oh no! Don't tell me. He…."
He did. Heloise stepped into view through the mists. "George and Gwendolyn Stacy, thank you. My apologies for taking you away from a scene last night and tonight. Matters forced me to do so." A serene smile and a nod of the head greeted them. "And yes, he did face Yodoshi. Unfortunately, there was no choice. I gave him something to boost his capabilities."
"Boost…?" Gwen raised an eyebrow. "Meaning what?"
"An enhanced healing potion." Heloise allowed a few magical sparks to dance across her fingertips. "Mr. Parker will be joining you. It is over. Perhaps he should rest the next few days? The potion has healed the worst of his injuries. Still, his body will require more time to be at its best. Consider what the others offer you."
"Wait. So, you're one of the ancient priestesses?" He sized her up. "I thought your order was gone. Forgive me. I do not wish you harm."
"It is a fair question, Monsieur. My order is scattered. There are but a few of us left in the world. I have practiced in solitude for centuries. My name is Heloise. I am a friend." Heloise bowed slightly.
"And what about Peter? Is that potion going to hurt him?" Gwen tried to imagine scenarios. All of them involved Peter having heart attacks or complications.
"He had severe head trauma…I'd say a concussion." Heloise shook her head. "Nausea…several strained ribs, vertigo, a sprained ankle. It is fortunate that he was being watched this morning in any event. Louise?"
Thanks! Louise batted the mists aside. Her mouth pretzeled into a frown. "This stuff is murder! UHH!" She smoothed her white robes. "I figured we should tell you all the truth. Right?"
"You're dressed in white robes. She's a priestess. That make you angel-like or something?" Gwen supposed.
Louise smirked. "I am an angel, Miss Gwen! My name's Louise MacCallum. I've been in these robes since 1961. I keep an eye on things down there. I warned your Mr. Peter about that nasty bomb!" She winced. "Never seen anyone get into his duds that quick!" She shook her head. "At least I could that for him."
"You're an…angel?" Stacy grasped that concept. "But we're still alive? Aren't we?"
A warm giggle spurted from Louise's mouth. "Why yes! You both are very much alive! Heloise pulled you out of that terrible spot. She also helped Mr. Peter up to the roof. You know those nasty ninjas were waitin' for him to come out that bathroom window?" She shook her head. "My goodness! Well instead of them trapping him, they were so surprised when he dropped him on them! Serves them right!"
"You're stepping into a bigger world now. It is unfortunate what happened with your home and Mr. Parker's apartment. That was Hansei Arighatto's doing. There are understandings you will be asked to keep if you can do that." Heloise made herself seem more solemn than before. "Transitions are happening. Even as doors close here, others open elsewhere. Metropolis University, for example, has a stronger biochemistry department than Empire State I believe? Others noticed Mr. Parker's work in the newspaper this morning. Opportunities await."
"Opportunities?" Gwen turned to Stacy. "What about Dad? I mean he has his connections…."
Stacy took a deep breath. "Connections can be maintained. Professor Warren is the only biochemist on the ESU campus. Perhaps that adjunct professor, Morris Sloane, might make something of himself? We can't tell. Decisions do not need to be made now. Perhaps we might see if Mr. Luthor and the Kents can help us? We can see Metropolis for ourselves? And then Peter could look at the university and freelance for the Daily Planet? I do worry about Jean. Still, she will have to make her own way."
"Jean? You mean that Lieutenant? There's something out there if she wants it too! Can't say what…but it's there." Louise shrugged her shoulder. "Yeah. I know about fighting with Daddy about things." Her eyes rolled.
"Something out there? You mean a position? Really?" Stacy frowned. "My apologies. This seems all too convenient for me." Skepticism and questions raised red flags in his mind.
"There is something. You're about to learn a very deep secret. Perhaps even deeper than Mr. Parker's. There are others who know. They're moving out there as well." Heloise bowed her head. "You suspect your visitors after yesterday. Do you not?"
"Dad?" Gwen stiffened. "Clark, Lana, Miranda and Mrs. Kent are really great! Why?" She frowned.
"Yes, they are. I still have questions. So does Jean. How did they survive the crash as they did? How did Clark and Lana get down here so quickly? According to Peter and Ben Ulrich, there was nothing found at the scene. No parachutes. No blood. Nothing but the burnt-out plane. There was no flight data. Those two walk around as if they tripped or fell on the grass instead of from that height?" Stacy shook his head. "You saw Peter after he returned last night. It wasn't just from Hansei Arighatto. He was uncertain. He saw something out there. He's not saying."
"He saw me and two others," Louise confirmed. "That horrible Arighatto guy was out there too." She shook her head on that note. "I can say that Clark and Lana are a force for good not evil. They're like Peter. You know?" She coughed. "That boy sure needs you to keep his head on straight! Anyway, they need friends. You all need that ol' success! Peter knows the whole deal on them. He trusts them."
"Yeah…trust." Gwen held up the pictures. "Dad! You have the pictures?"
"I have them in a safe place." Heloise frowned. "Why do you doubt Mr. Parker? He's still the same person. Now your questions about his disappearances and physical condition are answered. He's saved your life on several occasions. After his aunt, his thoughts are of you. He is also a force for good in this world. He needs you at his side."
"I wish I had such a chance. And your Daddy accepts him too! You two together! WOW! You could be stars in your own movie!" Louise twirled about in a complete circle. Stardust glittered in her eyes. "Joe and I never had that chance. Oh, how I wish it could've been!" A pronounced sigh escaped Louise's lips. "That boy loves you! Take that and RUN WITH IT!"
"I want to talk with him. For the most part, I agree, Gwen." Stacy furrowed his brow. His fingers rubbed up against his chin. "He needs to learn how to manage his time better. I think with his aunt in Florida, that will be one less matter for him. If he wishes to freelance and then work on his studies, that's fine. If he could get a staff position, that would be an option. I think he'd be best at biochemistry myself."
"My Prince the Genius. But it's him and me but Spidey makes Three." Gwen frowned. "I just want him to be honest. That's all. So you're saying this is his big secret? He's not…?" Doubts and accusations flooded her mind.
"Doing what? Cheating on you? HIM?" Louise's eyes rolled at that point. "Perish the thought! NEVER! That boy's heart is true and it's locked in on you! Even that red head who's trying to push her way into the picture." She scoffed. "She called herself 'the jackpot' or some such nonsense."
"Mary Jane." Gwen bowed her head. "Girl has a great guy in Harry Osborn but has no clue! She wants Peter. Wish she'd understand!" She clenched her fists.
"She won't. She'll move on when she's supposed to. Her prince is waiting for her." Louise smirked. "Peter's yours. You're his. Just accept it. Talk to him about the Bug Guy…."
"Spider-Man." Heloise sniffed.
"Okay…Spider-Man…whatever!" Louise threw her hands up in the air. Exasperation narrowed her eyes at Heloise. "I wish Joe would get the point too! But he won't…so far." A pout twisted at her face.
"Joe? Who's that?" Gwen noted Louise's emotions toward that name. Louise's frustration stood out clear as day.
"Joe's Clark's Dad. He's a ghost too." Louise shook her head. "Ask Mr. Peter. He's spoken to him a few times."
"He's spoken to a ghost? Really?" Stacy considered that last insight. Granted, he knew Peter ran into unbelievable things. (They'd just seen a possessed Ronin storm right in front of them.)
"Yes. We trust him. He proved himself twice yesterday alone." Heloise listened to something inaudible to the others. "It is time for you to go back. Remember to keep your minds open. They are friends not enemies. Enjoy Kansas." She waved her hands. Mist encompassed Louise and her,
"Dad!" Gwen looked about them again.
The mists dissipated. Wind blew them away. The air cleared. Just like that, they found themselves in front of Swann's observatory.
Time for that discussion it seemed….