Violet Tides: A Spider-Woman Story

chapter 1. In Crisis

For as long she could remember violet had been alone. Watching the rest of the world pass by her. No one even gave her a second glance. Tossed to the side. Violet stood at the door to apartment 4a, a trash bag with all her belongings in hand, her social worker, Alice to her left trying to reassure her that these were good people. The usual jazz. Violet would make her own judgement but she nodded along eagerly anyway. She took in everything Alice was saying. Violet wanted to be prepared before she met her new foster family.

One or two carers? Violet thought

"Ms Wren is a lovely carer, she sent her oldest to college last spring."

Any other children?

"She has two other kids, both younger than you." Violet tried to hide her grimace. "You will get a room to yourself though," Alice consoled. That was a bonus; you more often than not shared a room. "You ready?" Violet was not read but managed to squeak out a "yes." Alice knocked on the door. Footsteps and the sound of unlocking chains were heard behind it.

"Hi you must be Alice, come in" Ms wren greeted them with a smile. She was a short middle aged lady with long greying hair and blue eyes. She ushered them into the living room, large and well lit for a New York city apartment. "You must be violet" Ms wren beamed. "You can take your stuff to your room, end of the hall on the left."

Violet gave Ms. Wren a polite smile and nod and took off down the hall. Violet could hear snapshots of the conversation behind her. Ms Wren asked Alice if she wanted to stay for coffee. Alice politely declined,

"No I really must be off but I will check in on Vicky in a week"

Violet she thought to herself. Her room was small with a small window and sparsely furnished with a bed and chest of draws. Violet placed her bag in front of the draws and turned to the bed, some basic stationary and a notebook had been left for her she picked it up and flicked through the pages. Ms wren knocked softly before entering. "I see you have found the stationary"

"Yeah"

"I should probably introduce myself, I'm Ms wren you can call me Ms wren, Elizabeth or Ellie. Whatever makes you comfortable"

"Ms wren"

"That's fine whatever makes you comfortable, I have two other children, one in grade six and the other in grade two. They are at a friend's house. I thought it would be easier if I introduced them when you're a bit more settled. That being said, my sons are my top priority. If your presence makes them uncomfortable or feel unsafe then I can't help you, I am aware of your history. "

Everyone knew her history, the reasons she seemed to be constantly moving between homes. Nothing horrible but she wasn't perfect.

"I will do everything I can to make sure you are provided for. You have school tomorrow, there is a bus to midtown high at 7.30 tomorrow so you'll catch that. I'll leave you to unpack" Ms wren closed the door.

Sighing, Violet took a moment to appreciate the silence and then flopped onto the bed. It felt like she was lying in a strangers . but that was who Violet was used to being, A stranger.

***

Muffled screaming pulled Violet from her sleep, rubbing her eyes she made her way to the kitchen and found two blond children fighting over fruit loops. Violet hovered uncertainty at the door, not sure what to do.

"That's not fair, I want fruit loops"cried the shorter one

"Too bad I got here first." the other shouted

"Muuummmm" whined the shorter one.

"All right all right I'm coming."

Violet jumped at the voice behind her. Violet sank to the side of the hall as Ms Wren walked past.