Tolerance - Miguel O'Hara

Two ♡

I walk down the street, holding up my umbrella with one hand while the other is busy wiping tears. Good thing it's raining, and dark. Although the lights from nearby shops are brightening up the world with neon signs and flashing lights. I look onto the various billboards, hoping to find a sign that might cheer me up. 

I wonder if Uncle Baron is still alive.

My heart shatters into a million pieces. I stop walking and let multiple people pass me by. Luckily there aren't as many people out tonight which would make this moment much more embarrassing than it already is. 

I turn down a street into a nearby park, resisting the urge not to stroll into a pub and get absolutely wasted. I find myself at a playground for children. Memories of my own childhood rush through my mind. My Uncle Baron, who taught me just about everything that I'll ever need to know. My Aunt Mai, who was practically my mother. We would drive miles just to reach a playground, but it would all be worth it because Mai would sing songs and tell me stories while Baron pushed me on the swings.

I walk over to the set of swings in this park and wipe the various tears flowing down my cheeks. My hands are cold against the chains and a shiver shoot down my spine. I sit down on the wet seat of the swing, rocking myself back and forth. I set down the umbrella, allowing my hair to finally get wet. I kind of like the feeling of rain falling over my body and down my face, it camouflages my tears and almost calms me down. 

It's too wet to light a cigarette.

I share a few more moments alone in the rain, I hear the buzz of the city nearby. I hear footsteps approaching me.

I feel my senses tingling.

Not now...please not now...

I turn my head and notice a figure I've never seen before.

A masked villain, walking right up to me. The figure seemed almost twice my size. My heart races, but I find myself still seated onto the swing.

Does he know I'm Spider-Woman? Or am I simply his prey.

The dark blue and red of his suit give a feeling of familiarity...almost too familiar.

I clear my throat as he gets closer to where I'm sitting.

"Do you need something?" I ask, his presence almost making me angry.

"You're Petra Pachner." He finally speaks. He's not from here, he has a slight accent but manages to say my name perfectly. Who is this man and how does he know me?

"How do you know me?" I stand up from the swing, embarrassed on how my ass is probably soaked. 

"You're Petra Pachner of Earth 17901." The masked figure looks down at me. "Or, Spider-Woman."

My eyes widen. Has my identity been revealed somehow? How does this man know? 

"Earth what-now?" My voice shakes slightly. I can tell how unbelievably stupid I probably look as I try to figure out if this man wants to kill me or not. He places his hands on his waist. I notice his strong build and try not to feel intimidated by it. This guy might easily be able to beat me in a fight...that scares me. Usually, the villans I fight are weak or powerless. Suddenly, I get the feeling that we may be the same. He might have the same abilities as me. 

I notice the spider on his chest.

He's Spider-Man.

He laughs at my statement. "You don't seem to understand."

"No, I don't" I tilt my head at him. "Care to explain, please?"

"You're not the only one with these...spider-like abilities." He takes a long breath. "You're not the only spider-woman."