❛ chasing you ❜ | peter parker

Chapter 8

A long burst of white noise trickled through Licia's ears as she sat up abruptly. Her vision was over-exposed and blurred, she could vaguely make out a short figure leaning over her.

"Miss, excuse me, miss" the voice was high-pitched and very British, "Are you okay dear?" Licia's mouth opened but nothing came out, she recalled the previous nights incident and her focus was drawn to her still red palms, yet thankfully, the claws in her hand had vanished.

The person caught her eyes and gasped, "Oh doll, let's get you cleaned up, poor thing". The teenagers vision was sharper now, the person was an old lady that wore a kind smile.

Licia stood up with the lady's guidance, "Thank you" she said.

The lady looked at her with pity, "No worries hun, my house is across the road." It was a sight to see, two structurally unsound women hobbling across the road, you'd be unable to tell who was injured and who was the elderly. The old lady's humble abode stuck out like an sore thumb, picture a fairytale cottage crammed between a couple of extremely urban sky scrapers, it looked like the house from Stuart little. On the interior it was lovely and cosy with an overall peach lighting, very homely. The kitchen was extremely dated, but really comforting. With mahogany cabinets, vinyl counters and laminate flooring. All complimented by the odd lace and floral curtain, table cloth and hand towels. The living room was similar, except with a tacky, white leather couch, with added embroidered cat and dog cushions and various fluffy blankets scattered along the seat. Her walls were filled with many pictures of the same man, tall, dashing and handsome. Licia thought It'd be the old lady's late husband, since they were all in black and white.

The lady ordered the girl to sit as she rummaged around in her kitchen cabinets, she pulled out some aspirin, bandages and a cloth.

"My names Peggy" the lady said as she dampened the cloth under a warm tap.

"Thank you, Peggy" Licia replied as Peggy handed her the aspirin and a glass of water while she took her hands in hers and dabbed the cloth onto them.

"Now darling, how did we manage this?"

"I'm- I'm uh not sure" the teen responded as she winced. Licia stared at her delicate hands, wondering if the claws had been a figment of her imagination.

"Well to me, it looks like you've been jumped. And I don't know how you don't remember being jumped, but that's what it looks like to me doll." Licia grabbed the aspirin and threw it in her mouth, downing it with the water. Peggy took the bandages and wrapped them around both of Licia's hands, leaving just enough leeway for her to move her fingers.

"Your Mother must be worried" Peggy scolded.

"I'm not sure she'll notice I'm gone" The girl chuckled to herself.

"A Mother always notices that her baby's missing"

"So does her school,-hey uh Peggy what time is it?" Licia asked with genuine worry.

"7:40, why?",

The girl stood up immediately, "I have school! Shit"

"Language!" Peggy warned Licia.

"I'm sorry I- I just have to get going, thank you so much Peggy, really thank you!" Licia hurried as she kissed Peggy on the cheek.

"Here, here's my phone number call me if you need anything dear" the old lady said as she scribbled her digits onto a scrap of paper, "Goodbye dear"

"See you!" She said as she closed the door behind her waving to Peggy.

"Now, where the fuck am I?" Licia asked herself as she took her mask out of her pocket and attached it to her eyes, hiding her identity because she still had her cat suit on. She ran down the block to the nearest shop and went in.