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⋆ twenty ⋆
When Madison Kennedy died, it was as if Peter's life had ended, too.
Whereas once the world was covered in vibrant colours, it had all dulled into black and white and occasional shades of grey. The joy of the sunshine and the ice cream van music had disappeared, leaving only painful memories seared into his heart with a hot poker.
After she died, Peter could no longer laugh. He stayed away. He lived in Maddy's big old house all by himself. He didn't talk to Gabrielle or Imani or Aleah. He quit his job, wallowing at home in the memories of what were and what could have been. No one ever saw him, and he couldn't find joy in the little things like he used to anymore.
Maddy's room collected dust, apart from the spot on her bed where Peter would sit every day and sob. She had felt so lonely... and he wasn't there for her. But in the end, she had killed herself to save him.
What was running through her head at that very moment? When her fate dawned on her? When she'd made the decision to leave Peter Parker behind?
For a long time, he'd resented her. But after that, he'd just missed her. How she'd insist she'd eventually go to the gym but never did. How she had ice cream before breakfast. How she always had Strictly Come Dancing or Doctor Who playing in the background of everything, the theme song by which she played her life.
He'd missed how he felt when he was with her. He'd missed the secret texting while at work, the frequent meet-ups, and even coming back home to see her once they'd moved in together. He'd just missed all of it.
When Captain Stacy died, Peter saw his ghost. Everywhere he went, Captain Stacy was there too, reminding him of his mistakes. Of the people he'd lost. Of the threat he had over the lives of those he loved. But after a while, he grew colder. He'd stopped believing in ghosts.
So how is it that right now, in another universe, Madison Kennedy is standing there before him?
Peter 3 is frozen in place, all colours of disbelief and shock and hope painted across his expression. Thoughts rushing between she can't be alive right now and but what if she is?, hopelessly letting himself believe the impossible for just a few moments.
For the others, the question the mysterious woman asked feels strange. The 'real' Peter Parker? In a way, they're all the real Peter Parker, but if they observed the question from the most practical perspective and assumed she meant this universe's Peter, it still wouldn't make sense. After all, he's never seen this woman before. Not to mention her staring at Peter 3, recognition glinting in her eyes.
Peter 3's heart is thudding in his chest. It's been months. Months since Madison Kennedy died, so how is it possible she's standing there looking as good as ever?
Before he can ask the others, confirming that they're all seeing the same apparition, she speaks again. "Wow."
He barely has control over his tongue as the words spill out. "Wow what?"
