【 Stranded 】 Miguel O'Hara

Prologue

A mechanical click sounded from Lori's camera as she captured the rare view before her. Hues of gold and pink adorned the New York skyline, illuminating the towering skyscrapers and the iconic Empire State Building where she was perched. She set her camera down for a moment. With closed eyes, a slow exhale escaped her mouth as she allowed the chillier dusk winds to caress her cheeks. It was regretful that no one else could experience a view like this.

The New York skyline was Lori's best friend when it came to confronting her problems. Within its towering presence she discovered an escape, devoid of emotional confrontation or unwelcome sympathy. She would simply swing her way to any dangerously high location, take a deep breath, and the clouds would absorb all her worries.

Despite being Spiderwoman for four years, Lori only realised her skyscraper-climbing hobby about three months ago. Her fear of heights had held her back for a while, but after a particularly painful breakup with her longtime friend and boyfriend, she realised her biggest fear had already come true. And suddenly, nothing seemed quite as scary anymore.

Lori decided to take one more shot of the skies, now painted in a deep blue and lilac as the sun retired in the west. She readied her camera, squinting her eyes and adjusting the lens for a perfect shot. However just as she was about to click the shutter, a loud buzz erupted from her jacket pocket. The camera slipped through her hands as she flinched, diving down to the observation deck below. Her breath hitched as she quickly shot a web out after it. It travelled some distance but with a squelch the web attached itself to the camera, stopping it in mid-air.

A large sigh of relief escaped her and she thanked the lords that her expensive investment hadn't plummeted into the ground, or onto an observer's head.

However, despite her save, the phone in her pocket still buzzed angrily, demanding her attention. She pressed her head to her shoulder, jammed her phone there and answered the call. All while hoisting up her expensive camera with the utmost care. "It's Lori. What's up?"

"Where the hell are you? It's game night? Everyone's here already." Her friend's voice rang loudly through the phone. It was Gigi Lee, Lori's best friend and former college dorm mate. She organised meetups every second Friday at her brownstone, inviting a few friends over to play games and drink.

Lori was usually good at attending. She liked games, perhaps not as avidly as Gigi but she enjoyed them nonetheless. But lately, she just couldn't bring herself to get out of the suit and socialise.

Shoot."Uh, sorry, I was just finishing up this painting for this client." She laughed nervously but stopped upon hearing dead silence. "I'm leaving the house now—"

Gigi let out a huge groan. "How many times have you skipped out now?" Having been friends for over five years, Gigi could easily detect Lori's lies.

"I know, I know, I'm sorry. It's been... busy." Lori said hesitantly.

She sighed, catching her tone. "Alright, as long as you get here. See you. In ten." The line dropped.

In ten... Sounded like a challenge. Lori finally pulled up her camera from her long line of web and secured it in the pack slung across her chest. She adjusted her mask, giving it a tight pull before diving and swinging into the beautiful city below her.

​​Lori often wrestled with the urge to open up to Gigi— to tell her everything about herself. It would no doubt be a relief to have someone who knew all of her, including the half she kept hidden. But she couldn't bring herself to do it. She'd already faced the fallout of revealing her true identity to her ex, and she wasn't willing to risk that again with her best friend.

It didn't take Lori much time to land on Gigi's apartment roof. She knew the route so well by now. Swiftly, she removed her mask and gloves, stuffing them into her trusty sling bag. Finally, she tucked in her suit neckline to ensure it wasn't visible. Feeling ready, she descended the fire escape staircase to Gigi's floor and knocked on the window. She peered inside.