A Spider-Man Story

Chapter 3: Becoming a Hero

Alex wakes up early in the morning and goes for an early morning jog. Vanessa wakes up not soon after. She's used to Alex doing this because he's always liked to be in good shape. She makes him a protein shake. He comes back into the house really sweaty, "Good morning my love." He hugs her from behind and he kisses her neck. She leans back and plays with his hair, "Good morning." She turns around and puts her arms around his neck and he puts his hands on her waist. She hands him his protein shake, "Good luck today my love. Tell me how training goes." He smiles, "Of course my love. But I have to go." He kisses her and he walks out of the house. She smiles and blows her a kiss as he gets in his car.

    Alex drives to a warehouse that he and Jose bought. He gets into the warehouse and sees Jose and the scientist talking. Alex greets Jose and the scientist. Jose looks at Alex, "Hey man, we were just talking about what we are going to do for the first training session." Alex looks around, "What's the plan?" The scientist fixes his glasses, "Here, put this on." He hands Alex a suit, "The test suit." The scientist nods, "Yes, I made the technology where we can see your power level and your heartbeat." Alex nods, impressed, "That is very impressive." Jose grabs Alex's shoulder, "You ready Spider-Man?" Alex looks up at Jose with a glow in his eyes, "Yeah, I am." Alex puts on his suit and it's tight fitted. Jose looks at Alex with a smile on his face, "How does it feel?"  Alex puts on the mask, "It feels good."

    The scientist points up to a platform, "I need you to jump off of that." Alex looks at him, "Okay." He goes on the platform and jumps off of it, "Grab that rope and swing on it after you jump." Alex looks at the rope. He swallows deeply and he also breathes in deeply. He thinks to himself, "I can do this!" He then hears a voice in his head, "You can do this baby!" He smiles as he knows Vanessa would support him. He jumps and grabs the rope. He swings twice and drops to the floor. As he rolls to his feet he remembers the man from last night. Alex is shaken up after thinking about the man. Jose takes notice that Alex doesn't have focus, "Maybe we shouldn't have him swing yet." He whispers to the scientist. The scientist looks at Jose, "We need to see where he's at." Jose looks at Alex, "He needs to focus on his power right now. If he is going to protect people we need to focus on that first. He doesn't know how to hold back."

    The scientist looks at Alex and nods, "Okay. Let's have him practice holding back." Jose calls Alex over, "Hey man. We need you to hold back on your strength. You almost killed a guy. So that's where we are starting." Alex looks at Jose and nods, "Alright. I agree, let's start with that because it seems the easiest to learn." Jose smiles, "Okay, I know you can pick up those planks but don't throw them like you don't have any power over your own strength." Alex nods. He goes over to the planks and he tries to pick them up. But instead of picking them up with control he throws them. Jose looks at him and says strongly, "Do it again." Alex nods.
    He tries again but he has too much power. Jose starts rubbing his eyes, "Again!" Alex tries over and over. He's sweaty so he takes off his shirt and thinks to himself, "Alex. If you want to be Spider-Man you have to hold back." Just then the door opens, "Baby! You got this!" Alex's eyes open. He turns around to see Vanessa with a smile on her face. Alex walks up to her, "What are you doing here?" Vanessa smiles and rubs Alex's cheek, "I'm here to cheer you on. Like always." He smiles and they kiss. Alex loosens up and puts his hands on the plank. He lifts it up above his head. Vaness cheers, "I knew you could do it!" Alex drops it with ease. Jose looks impressed, "Good job. That's it for today but tomorrow is going to be a lot more difficult." Alex looks at Jose, "I know." They shake hands as Alex and Vanessa head home.

    Alex's phone rings. He looks at his phone and it's Jose, "Why is he calling me at four in the morning?" Alex answers the phone, "Hello?" Jose sounds very energetic, "Come on Spider-Man. I need you to come out." Alex gets out and sees Jose in a jumpsuit. Alex laughs, "What are you wearing?" Jose looks at his jumpsuit, "Well, since I am your guy in the chair might as well continue training you. Come on!" Alex looks at Jose with a confused face, "We need to test your speed. So we're going to race." Alex scoffs, "You always won when we were kids. Let's see about that now." Jose looks offended, "Wow. Now it's on Alex!" They both have starting positions. Alex winks at Jose and they start running. Jose has the lead. He looks behind to see Alex who is really far away, "Just like when we were kids." He laughs. Just then he hears slapping feet on the floor. Alex is right next to him, "Premature celebration costs you." Alex passes the finish line.

    They both start to catch their breath. Jose drinks his water and Alex does the same, "Haha I won." Alex starts laughing and celebrating. Jose, still catching his breath, says, "You really are fast. Come on." They start walking to the lab. When they get there the scientist is in a chair, "Hey guys. Alex, you are really fast. You can run at 60 miles per hour." Jose nudges Alex, "You're faster than Usain Bolt." Alex laughs and smiles, "So I have Spider-Man powers and super speed? Count me in." The scientist adjusts his glasses as he taps the keys on his computer, "Alex, there's a robbery down at the bank on Chase Avenue." Alex nods, "On it." Jose grabs Alex's arm, "Do you want me to call Vanessa?" Alex shakes his head, "No, it's okay. I don't want to worry her." He puts on his suit and swings off.

    Alex gets to the bank, "Okay I'm here." Jose is scanning Alex's HUD, "Alex they have guns be careful." Alex looks at them and notices the guns, "Okay. Noted. What should I do?" Jose sits up in his chair, "Take the guy out on the left. Quietly." Alex knocks out the guy but then he hears a voice behind him, "Hey! Who are you?" Alex turns around slowly, "Well this might be hard to believe but I'm Spider-Man." Jose hears Alex and laughs, "That was so cheesy but it was gold. Get them Spider-Man." The guy laughs, "I would hate to kill Spider-Man." The man then whips a gun. So do the rest of the men, "No, I got this. Just take the money to the warehouse."
    Alex webs up the man's gun and pulls him towards him hitting him with a knee, "Can't let them get away." Alex jumps into action, "Guys what should I do? I'm on a chase right now." Jose taps keys on the computer, "It looks like they split up into two cars. Take the one on the right because he's driving way more recklessly." Alex jumps onto the hood of the car. The men all look up at Alex, "There's the bozo who thinks he's Spider-Man. Shoot him!" They all whip out their guns and start shooting. Alex jumps off the car and webs it. Holding on to it for dear life, "Think Alex, think!" Alex then has an idea. He springs up into the air and lands inside the car, "Hey guys! You might want to slow down." Alex kicks one man out of the car, knocks out another, webs one man's face. Until the driver is left.

    Alex hops into the passenger seat, "Sir, you mind stopping the car?" The man looks over and sees Alex, "No, I got places to be." Alex nods, "Oh yes the warehouse. Well then let's go!" The man looks surprised, "Wait really?" Alex nods again, "I'm serious dude. I want some money too."  The man looks at Alex surprised, "Well, we need a guy like you-" Alex then knocks him out causing the car to swerve. Alex jumps out of the window and gets in front of the car. Stopping it. People are taking pictures of him and murmuring amongst themselves, "No worries you guys are safe." A small child walks up to him, "Who are you?" Alex looks at the kid and chuckles, "I'm Spider-Man." He swings off as the people look at him.

    Alex goes back to the lab, "First Spider-Man mission was a success." Jose puts his hand on Alex's shoulder, "You did it. The police stopped the other car not soon after and they were all arrested." Alex smiles, "Good. No casualties right?" Jose nods, "None." Alex takes off his suit, "I should get home soon before Vanessa worries where I am. Since you kidnapped me this morning." Jose laughs, "I didn't do anything. You came at your own free will."  Alex laughs, "Alright man whatever you say." Jose gives Alex a side eye, "You know I'm right Alex." Alex shakes his head as he starts leaving, "I have no idea what you're talking about." Jose chases Alex, "Seriously man, you did an amazing job with the thugs today. I'm happy that we made this happen." Alex nods, "Yeah me too. But I gotta get home. I'll talk to you tomorrow."

    Alex gets home and he feels his spider sense tingling and it surprises him. He hesitates before opening the door but he does anyway. As soon as he opens the door he sees Vanessa with her arms crossed, "Where were you?" Alex looks at their T.V and sees the news playing footage of the chase, "I trained with Jose and then I had a mission." Vanessa looks pissed off, "You could have woken me up Alexander." Alex keeps his eye contact, "I know, I just didn't want to wake you up my love." He tries to reach out to her but she backs up, "I was worried. Until I saw the news. It didn't help seeing you on the news as Spider-Man. I got even more worried." Alex looks at her, "I know my love I'm sorry-" She cuts him off, "I can't do this right now." She goes upstairs and slams the door.