Rise Of Avatar - A New Avenger

A New Beginning Part I

Molly:
I remember this night better than any other. It was mid-to-late fall. My little brother, Ian and I were left home alone, I was only 14 years old, so it wasn't illegal. We lived in a rather large family home in the tri-state area. My father was working and my mother - well - she died, when I was ten years old. I have no idea what happened. My dad just told me she died in a car crash. My brother was two when it happened. Now just for years after he was six on this particular night. He was very annoying, never listened very well and it took a lot of bribing just to get him to go to bed; which was what I was in the middle of trying to do.
It was 7:30, I was chasing him up and down the upstairs hallway just to get him in bed - shouldn't have bribed him with those extra chocolate chip cookies, at this point, I'm never getting to sleep. "Ian Williams!" I had him cornered in the bathroom and had his pajamas in hand. He was naked- I was chasing my naked little brother around the house.... When he was 6 years old... Boy the stories I'll be telling him when he's older.
Ian was smiling and laughing hysterically. "Ian you get your hairy little ass to bed right now or so help me" I was about to say was "no dessert for an entire month" but the words escaped me when he had turned on the water and sprayed me with the fire hose. I was done, I had had it with him. "That's it!" I snapped after whiping the water off my face with my free hand. "You little rat, I'm done playing games with you" I marched over, took the shower hose from him, shut off the water, then lifted him up, and carried him by the waist over my shoulder to his bedroom as he kicked and screamed.
After locking the door momentarily I dropped him on the bed and proceeded to frantically put his pajamas on shoving him back on the bed everytime he tried to run past me. "No! I don't want to go to bed! I'm not tired!" He complained. "That's too bad! You need to try to go to sleep" I said, as I pulled his pants over his legs, then proceeded to pull his shirt on him aswell. "But why?" He said as he put his arms in the holes. I yanked the shirt down over his head, "because you need sleep! And you need a lot of it! Because your young!" I said, "now get under the covers" he climbed under his blanket and layed back with a look of defeat. "We'll play more tomorrow but for now you need to rest" I said, and tucked him in.
Later - Ian and I were all moved in to their apartment in New York. We sort of shared a room, except it was more like two different rooms connected by the same bathroom. I had to stay in my room in bed for a while before I could go to school like normal 14 year olds. It was already second marking period before I was able to limp to the bus stop. A beautiful and kind Mary Jane Watson or Mj showed me around. In homeroom I sat between her and Peter Parker, nice kid, but quiet. Only said "hi" to me once or twice. Mj later became my best friend for the rest of high school. We were sort of the same; weird broken family's, daddy issues - that kind of stuff. Her eyes were emerald and mine were more hazel-e yellow. Her hair was ginger/red mine at that point was very light brown with like sandy tips. We did everything together. She was the only one who knew about my scars. They were awful, red, and white, like one of my organs had popped and left a giant disgusting bruise on my side and leg. She saw them one day at a sleepover when we putting our PJs on in the same room. "Molly? What's that?" She asked. At first I had no idea what she was talking about, but then I saw her point. My ACDC shirt was halfway on, she was pointing at my waist, where the worst scar was, then noticed the ones on my leg. "Oh my god Molly!" She said, this time even louder. I pulled my shirt down covering my scars just barely, and rushed to hush her. My aunt and uncle had no idea they were still as bad as they were, and there was a reason for that. Because if they knew they'd make a big deal out of it, and take me back to the hospital, and I didn't want to go back.
She breathed and whispered, "what happened to you" she said, and sounded pretty worried, "it was from a huge fire back in November, at my old house. The doctors didn't think my scars would be this bad. But they're just from burns" I whispered, "but they shouldn't be that bad, right?" She said, I hushed her again, "my aunt and uncle don't know" I said, "why?" She said, "because if they did they'd make a big deal out of it, when I just don't scar as good as normal people" I said. She nodded, and agreed to never tell anyone.
After the first few weeks, I had pretty much made a solid impression of myself, the kind, but sarcastic new kid. On I think a Wednesday, I woke up, and felt really weird. I was swetty and nauseous. I layed in bed for a few minutes just to catch my breath. I looked around. I was soaking wet, I also stripped my shorts off in my sleep. My legs were.... I stopped and sat up a moment to get a better look, "what the" I said, quietly to myself, my scars were gone, "holy shit" I said. I ran to the bathroom and locked the doors. I looked in the mirror and lifted my shirt, scars gone, but one more detail caught my attention, my belly, like my stress eating belly, like the belly that would make someone look 3 months pregnant, was gone. I had the curves of a model. "Omigod" I said, well, more grunted. Then, "Molly!" My brother called, after pounding on the door between his room and the small bathroom. I pulled my shirt down then opened the door, "yeah" I said, "you gonna shower or can I go, cause I forgot to do it last night" he said. I thought about it. I was really swetty, but Logan was also a really fast showerer. "Yeah, go ahead" I said, then stepped back into my room.
After taking a cool shower I pulled on a long pair of black ripped skinny jeans and a huge Iron man shirt, from the Hospital Gift Shop lost and found. I couldn't let Aunt Maggie and Uncle Isaac know that something was different. They'd ask questions, ask me to show them, then they'd see my scars were completely gone, which never happens to normal people, and they'd ask even more questions, weird stuff that overly protective parents do. On my way out the door I grabbed a waffle and stuck it in the toaster. Uncle Isaac was at the breakfast table, with a cup of coffee, some bread and jelly, and his laptop, I'm assuming doing work related things. "Morning Molly" he said. I went into the fridge for my water bottle while I waited for breakfast, "Morning" I said, then took a long sip. Then he looked at me, "Molly, it's actually supposed to be warm out today, don't you think you're gonna be a little hot" he said, "I'll be fine" I said after swallowing, then grabbed my waffle when it was done and rushed out the door. "Have a nice day, honey" he said as I left, "yeah you too" I said, and shut the door behind me. Standing outside I officially understood what Uncle Isaac was talking about. More sweat dripped down my forehead as I squinted at the sun. Mj met me at the bus stop, Peter was late again, as usual. I gave him the benefit of the doubt and told the bus driver to wait a few minutes for him before it moved on, and he did. Peter ran up the steps and sat across from Mj and I, thanking me as he did. "No problem" I said, and smiled. Mj and I always tried to be nice to him, and help him out.
During the school day I tried not to think about how I was feeling, but despite that, my nausea just kept prauding. I was in the bathroom at least 5 times every period and in between, each time throwing up. Mj asked if I was alright, I just replied, "I guess I ate something weird" which I knew was a lie. I refused to go to the nurse, cause I knew she would have to send me home, then aunt Maggie would have to see my new abnormally model-esk body.
Finally in Physics, it happened. Peter, Mj, and I were working on a classroom assignment. I started feeling oddly cold, the sick feeling came back. I ran to the bathroom without saying anything, and locked the door. Mj caught up, and banged on the door behind me as it slammed in her face. "Molly, what's going on with you!" She called, "I'm fine" another lie. In the biggest stall far from the door, I threw my self at the toilet and started throwing up. It went on for what felt like hours, until I couldn't anymore. I looked at my, hand which was still on the side of the bowl. It was glowing this red color, steaming as it melted the rim of the toilet. I gasped and let go, grabbing the wall as I stepped back, "what's going on in there?" Mj called, I heard someone trying to kick the door down. "Nothing! Everything's fine" I said, my voice cracked. The banging stopped, the voices out in the hall were distant, as if she was calling for help. I stopped to breath a minute, and looked around. The room was suddenly cold, I could see my own breath. I turned around and found I left a big patch of ice on the wall where my hand was. I squealed again and backed up, pulling my hand closer to me. I stroked my hand as I examined it. "What the fuck?" I whispered to myself. Suddenly, more and more pain burned in my side, and stomach, there was a big thumping in my head, I wanted to throw up again. I doubled over, grabbing at my waist, wincing at the pain. A voice in my head whispered, "this is your destiny" I knew that voice, but it couldn't be, my dad was dead, I denied it, "No" I said, quietly, "embrace Karmen's gift" it urged. This time full of rage, I spun around blasting a full cold storm, covering the stall in cold, freezing ice. The pain continued, it felt like something was eating me alive from the inside out, and from that I collapsed. The voices were gone, I gasped for breath and starred at the ground, as I tried to force my self my feet again. As I grabbed at the porcelain sink and struggled to pull myself to my feet, I got a good look at myself in the mirror. My already pale brown hair had turned to a dirty white blonde, and my eyes glowed a white purple-e tone, that I hadn't recognized. I was terrified, I couldn't let anyone see my like this, I had to get to my locker. I stayed in that stall for the rest of the day until the school was empty. Before I left I unfroze the stall. When I exited the bathroom I was greeted by an angered, and terrified Mj. "What was that?" She scolded, "I just got really sick" I said. She didn't believe me, "and mauled by bears?" Her tone was sarcastic. I had no idea what she was talking about. We were silent as we walked through the halls. My aunt called me on my cell phone, "hello" I said shakily, "Molly? Where are you? May, our neighbor said you didn't get off the bus, their boy Peter said you were sick" she said, "are you alright?". I sighed, and opened my locker, "yeah, I'm fine, just sick as Peter said" I said, "well okay, as long as you're alright, you need a ride home?" She said, "no, I'm fine, I'll just grab a taxi" "are you sure" I snapped "Yes I'm sure" I felt myself go cold and my voice changed to a distant enraged echo, I'm glad Aunt Maggie didn't notice that, "alright, just be safe. Love you" I breathed, "love you too" I said, this time with a calmer tone, my echo gone. I turned around, bag in hand, and Mj stared at me in horror. I closed my eyes, and pulled my hand down my face in embarrassment. "Shit! You saw" I said, "not just that, what's up with your eyes?" I had to tell her, she's already seen and heard too much.
On our walk home from the dinner at the diner, I told her about what my dad really did, she asked me so many questions. We came to the conclusion that my dads experiments had to be the cause of this. I had no way of knowing though, what exactly his experiments were. Everything he's done, all of his work, had all been burned up by the fire, even my father himself.
I hopped in the shower as soon as I got home. Aunt Maggie and Uncle Isaac were both at work and I'm pretty sure Logan was supposed to be sleeping over at a friend's place.
When I got out I put on some comfy clothes and started experimenting with my powers.
I grabbed an old plastic cup of my brothers from down stairs, and filled it with water. Already I could see it freezing, but I wanted to see if I could do things other than just freezing. At my desk I had multiple rolls of paper towels. I breathed, and positioned myself. In my reflection of the family portrait on the wall behind my desk, I saw my eyes turn that same purple-e white. I moved my hand over the glass and... Nothing... Just a ripple. I groaned, then took in a deep breath, and meditated a bit. When I came to I was more relaxed. I stood up and moved my hand through the air, keeping my concentration on the cup. The water moved little bit, I straightened up and tried again, managing to get it out of the cup, and swirl it around a bit before it paralyzed and I lost control. It popped, and sprayed in my face. I growled with pure annoyance, and bended the water from my face, at least I could do that much. After giving up for an hour I opened my laptop and found some Tai Chi videos on YouTube. After watching one of them I stood and began mimicking the Asian ladies movements in the second video in the play list, breathing as she did, moving when she did. My eyes glowed in the reflection of the computer screen. The move I tried was called the single whip. When I did this the water came gently out of the plastic cup, and moved in a stream through the whip, and back to my left hand. The next posture she did was rising and sinking. "Should have started with this one" I mumbled to myself. As I moved my arms in a wave like motion, the water moved up and down. I smiled and tried something else. I dumped the water down the sink drain, and dried the cup and put it back in the kitchen. I thought if I could freeze the entire bathroom with out a water source, then I must be able to get water from somewhere at any time. I stood in my room and breathed, focusing on the moisture in the air. I moved my arms gently, and heard a stream swish around me, "how do I get it to freeze" I said to myself, then thought of something we learned in science, in order to get anything to freeze, the core temperature of the object must be at 35 degrees or below. I closed my eyes to breath, I felt my internal temperature go down below normal, and my heart go cold. When I opened them, any sane person would think I was a villain, for my eyes had turned this icy blue - white, and my hair went from dirty blond to blinding white. I let out this blast of cold breath turning the stream of cold water to ice. I looked at the frozen stream, as I ducked and stepped out. I examined the entire sculpture, both terrified and mesmerized by it. If these are my powers, better hope I stay one of the good guys I thought. Suddenly there was loud knocking at my front door, "Molly!" It was Mj, and she sounded panicked and terrified. The frozen stream collapsed when I rushed to let her in. "Mj?" I whispered, with fear and confusion, she rushed in and I shut the door behind her, and locked it. "What's going on?" I asked, then I noticed her cloths were torn, "what happened to you?". She backed up, her voice shaky as she told me her Dad went berserk and started attacking her with a knife. She had cuts all over, they didn't look deep, but they were bad. There was loud banging at the door, I urged her to use the house phone and call the police, she did. More loud banging, "Mary Jane Watson! Open this door! Or I will bust in here and hurt you worse then last time!" He shouted. My heart pounded, and Mj coward, and huddled behind me, "911 whats your emergency" I heard a man mumble over the phone as Mj's psychopath of a father bashed at my front door. "Yes this is Mary Jane Watson at 1420 Wall Street, my father just tried to physically attack me with a knife and now he's breaking in to my friend's house" she said, with panic in her tone, "What ever you do, stay calm the police are on their way" the guy said. Mj's father kicked the door down. He looked me dead in the eye, and I could already see the psycho inside him. "Aaah, I know you. Mj's new friend" the sound of his voice made me sick. "You better step aside, or I'm just gonna have to hurt you too" he said. "Not a chance asshole!" I said, "okay then it's settled" he said, and through the knife he had in his hand. It nearly nailed me in the face, I froze it and it fell to the floor. "Mj, get down!" I said, she dove under the couch. Her father was horrified by what I could do, "what are you?" He growled, "don't know exactly, just got these powers today" I said, with a snarky smirk. He stepped forward and I stepped back and sent a whip in his direction pulling the water out of thin air. "Stay back" I grumbled, he stumbled back and launched another knife in my direction. I tried to swipe it away, but I was too late when it nailed me in the waist. I stumbled backwards, and doubled over, winded. The water fell and my powers dissipated. I coughed and shook, blood spilled out and over my lips. "Molly!" Mj called and came to my aid. "Awe baby gonna cry" her father came up and shoved me into the table, I stumbled back and rolled onto the floor, then he grabbed Mj by her shirt, knife in hand, she grabbed at his hand and struggled loose. "You better think twice before you sass me you bratt!" He shouted, I forced myself on my arms and reached out, as I pleaded him to stop, "No! Mj!" I screamed. Just then the Police bursted through the door, and I collapsed in my place. "Drop your weapons put the girl down and your hands in the air!" The female shouted. Flashing red and blue lights filled the room. He dropped Mj and the knife and put his hands in the air. Mj crawed under the table to me. She rolled me over and studied my wound. There was blood all over the ground below me. I coughed, blood and the taste of Iron filled my mouth. "Mr. Watson you are here by arrested for child abuse and molesting of young girls" a male police officer approached Mr. Watson pulled his hands around his back and strapped on hand cuffs as he struggled to break lose. Another officer went to his aid. "You don't understand! That child is crazy!" "Yeah yeah, tell it to the judge" the other officer said as they dragged him off. The female officer came to our aid, and May, our neighbor ran in to see what was going on. "What happened?" She said, Peter came in behind her. May saw me, "are you alright?" She said. A medical expert came in with First Aide kit. Peter watched while the nurse dried my wound. I was so close to passing out. Mj cried into May's shoulder, and Peter rubbed her back. I layed on my back, arms sprawled out. I saw spots, and my heart pounded in my ear, the world was darker, and darker. I could hear the lady yelling in my ear to stay awake, I finally blacked out.
I woke up, sitting in the back of the Ambulance, leaning on Peter's shoulder. He was staring at the sun as it disappeared over the horizon. I looked down I was stripped to my underwear, my waist was wrapped in ace bandages, and held up with one over my shoulder. The sweater was one of Peter's. I sat up and groaned as I winced at the pain. "Look who's awake" said Peter, "yeah" I grunted, and pulled his sweater closed as a breeze blew through us. He looked at me then at his feet, "thank you" I said, and shivered as I pulled my legs and arms close. "It's no problem" then he noticed I was cold. He moved closer and held me, I huddled in, and felt much warmer. After the Police left the scene, Mj had left, probably to her mom's, there's no way she'd stay here. May came out with a fresh bowl of soup, "I don't know if you ate anything yet, but I'm sure you can use some soup, may make you feel better" she said. I gratefully took the bowl, "thank you, Mrs. Parker" I said, "I called your aunt Maggie and told her what happened, she's on her way home" she said. I nodded and sipped at May Parker's home made chicken noodle. It was exactly what I needed. Peter came by, and offered me a hand up. We went into my apartment, then to the dining room. I sipped at the soup. He sat beside me, and sipped at a water bottle. "So, what exactly happened" he asked. I thought about it, I didn't want to bring Peter into this. He was a sweet boy, never harmed anyone, always did what was right. I couldn't tell him about my powers. "Mj was being attacked by her dad, she came over to escape from him and he busted in and attacked both of us" I said. "Which one of you guys called the police" he asked, "Mj" I said. "I'm really glad you guys are okay" he said, "Me too". Peter and I sat in my room awhile and watched late night cartoons. I felt better after the soup, but I still felt like some one stabbed me, which someone did, a psychopath by the name of Mr. Watson. I looked over, Peter had fallen asleep. I smiled, glad he was here with me, it felt so comforting knowing someone was there with me. Scrolling through my phone messages, I noticed a video message from Mj. I opened it, she looked like she was in a room of some sort, a bedroom maybe. "Hey Molly, I figured you'd leave me at voicemail, actually hoping, so I could avoid this conversation" what conversation, I thought. She sighed and rubbed her head. "That was, crazy today, what happened with my dad. First of all thank you, for saving me. What you did, those powers, was amazing. I don't think I would be here if it wasn't for you. You don't have to worry about my dad, they'll all think he's crazy for saying anything about it anyway. I hope you're alright, my mom and I both send our best regards. Your secret's safe with me. Thanks again, love you, see you at school" she hung up, and I sat and stared at the cut screen. What hell's wrong with her dad anyway? After locking my phone I practically tossed it on my night stand, then rolled over, and closed my eyes. I thought about what happened, what if I never got these powers, I would... Could have... Died.
I woke up, my organs felt all sloshed and mushed around. I wanted to throw up, again. My pulse was rapped and my ice powers were all over the place. So far the only ones that manifested. I looked around, the TV was still on quiet and I was under my covers. I rolled over, Peter left. I rubbed my face, and checked my messages when my Aunt walked in. "You're awake" she said, and put my laundry into the basket. The one shirt that I was stabbed in was covered in blood and ripped in the corner by my night stand. I went to reach and hide it under my bed, but winced and grunted when I strained my wound. I positioned myself back in bed, and squeezed my eyes shut. It was 6:00, I wasn't even supposed to be awake yet. "May Parker called me and told me what happened" she said, I rubbed my face, "so I called the school, you're gonna be staying home for awhile" she said, and I didn't argue. I closed my eyes, then opened them and glanced at her when she approached my bed and bent over, and picked up my shirt. I heard her weep when I closed my eyes again. "This was the only shirt left from the fire" was the last I heard before I passed out again.
Whooshing filled my ears, sounding distant. My ears rang from the explosion. Then I saw it, my old home, between Ny and Nj, out in the country. The entire thing engulfed in colorful flames. And myself, standing by a tree at the fence in a neighbors backyard. I wasn't scared, but for some reason, mesmerized. Something was drawing me closer, as if, something inside me wanted to be a part of it. I found myself, walking, not running, walking, like I was hypnotized by some other unknown entity. I couldn't stop myself. This familiar voice, I recognized as the voice that played inside my head during the frozen episode at school. However only words "destiny" and "embrace it" stuck out to me. Like something inside me was trying to turn to the darkness. The voice was familiar, it wasn't mine, but sounded exactly the same, but with a mocking tone, that echoed through my mind. I just about, willingly walked into the flame, receiving no burns, instead of feeling pain, I felt relief, welcome, then sorrow, and grief. With old memories of my mother, and my brother, and little, small but comforting memories of my dad, all being eaten by the blue, red, green, and purple chemically created flames. One thing caught my attention however, was the notes, from the four chemicals he began working on all those years ago. The words "project elemental" stuck out to me, before every other word was swallowed by the flames.
I woke up with a startled gasp, my heart was racing, it was sunrise the next day. It didn't even faze me that two hours later I found myself on the bus, on the way to school. I completely forgot about my injury, then Peter climbed on, and saw me. I swore his eyes had doubled in size, he sat next to me, "Molly" he said, "you're supposed to be resting". I brushed it off "I'll be fine" I said. Peter in turn said nothing, and faced forward in his seat.
The pain finally hit me like a ton of bricks when the bus driver let us off and we all headed for our lockers. I began shaking, as the flashbacks from my nightmare the night before flashed through my mind. Peter grabbed my shoulder finally and snapped me out of what must have seemed like a trance. "Molly" he said, I gasped. "What's wrong" he said. I shook my head, "nothing" I said, then winced at the pain. I saw in my reflection in the mirror in my locker that I had turned yellow. I closed my locker and rested my head against the door. A part of me wanted to vomit, but the other part of me was sick of it. "Molly" Mj was really concerned. "Does your aunt and uncle know you're here?" She asked, "I don't know" I was so close to passing out, I sounded drunk, "it feels like someone stabbed me" like I was in the mood for any good metaphors. "That''s because you were stabbed" Mj crossed her arms. I could still see the guilt in her eyes. "I'm so sorry" she began, "Mj stop it! This is in no way your fault" I said, then winced again. I wanted to show her that I was fine, but that felt impossible. I turned around and slid down the wall, miserable, feeling like I was gonna die. I moaned, "Molly! Go to the nurse damn it!" Blurted Peter. "No!" I half yelled. I didn't have the strength to fight with him. Before I knew it, I was on the cold floor, lying on my back. I cried, and hollered "Just put me out of me misery" I sounded unintentionally Irish. My heart pounded, I just wanted the pain to be over. Mj and Peter lifted me up by my arms and carried me to the nurses office. I had zero strength to fight it off. When we arrived at the nurses office, I nearly dropped into the first empty bed there was. The nurse called my aunt who then called an ambulance to come and get me. I laid there still, and looked at Peter with regret, then gratefulness. He stroked my arm, I tried to stay awake but Peter nodded reassuringly as an ok to pass out, so I did.
The same flashbacks played in my mind, as did the mocking voice that so much resembled my own. I myself set fire to everything I touched, for some reason, remaining completely calm. I tried to wake up, but as each scenario worsened, the harder it became. It was like being stuck inside my mind, or maybe the mind of a mass murdering maniac. "It's only PTSD" I tried to tell myself. But would post traumatic stress really happen months after the traumatic event? No, this makes no sense.
I startled awake. It took a minute to take in my environment. The bright white of the room blinded me. I heard a soothing voice. Male, it sounded like my uncles, but I couldn't tell. My vision was blurry. There was a man at my bed side, his face was covered below his eyes. As my vision cleared, the more recognizable his eyes were. "All in a matter of time" he said, "embrace it". "Wha-" Panic set in, my heart began to race, my vision blurred more and more, till again, I blacked out. I woke up again, this time in my bedroom. Evening cartoons played on my tv. My phone text tone buzzed one after another after another. I sat up and went to reach for it, and screamed, it hurt too much. Aunt Maggie rushed in and grabbed my phone off my nightstand and handed it to me. "Molly be careful" she said. I adjusted and winced at the pulsing sharp pains. She placed a cold ginger-ale on a small table beside me. "Don't know why you weren't sent to a hospital when it happened" she said. "All your friends are worried, you scared me half to death". I closed my eyes to breath, and sighed. "I'm sorry" I whispered. "The doctor wants us to replace your bandages and wash your wound" my eyes popped open, "why?" She looked down at me with concern, "I think you know why" she said, as she reached down to undo my band aids. Without thinking I threw myself to the other side of the bed. Maggie looked at me, with obvious confusion. "You know, I've been thinking band aids are so over rated" I said. "Are you on some new medication? Because you are acting really weird" She said. I stared at her for a minute, "yes" I said without thinking. She stared at me for a minute, now annoyed, "Molly, just get over here and let me change your bandages" she said. "What if I" I thought for a minute, "changed them myself" Maggie rolled her eyes, and pulled out her first aid kit.
I layed there still as she cut open the rap, and winced when she poked the stitching on my wound. "Sorry" she said. I held my breath and nodded with a pain filled smile. After ripping my band aids off, she started massaging the stitching, I closed my eyes, feeling drained all of the sudden, "hows it feel" she said, "so good" I moaned. I saw her come at it with a wet cloth, and I jumped and yelped when it touched my skin. "Sorry" she said, "its fine, just cold" I said. I studied the look in her eyes, on her face, when she leaned over. Full of stress, and anger. After putting the cloth back in the Tupperware filled with water she took the medicine proscribed by the doctor and rubbed it over the stitching. "Hey, you ok" I said, she glanced at me for a second, "yeah, I'm just, worried about you" she said, quietly. "I'm sorry" I said, "don't apologize" she said. As she medicated my wound I layed there hoping she wouldn't notice my new waist and my lack of scars. There was a long moment of silence, playful sounds of early morning cartoons that played on the television.
As she finished wrapping up my wound I asked for my guitar on the other side of the room.
I sat there strumming several different Beatles tunes until dinner. Maggie came into my room with a bowl of chicken noodle, "sounds great" she said, and put the bowl down on my night stand, I smiled and nodded. My arm was getting tired, I put the guitar down, "you're just like your mother at that age" she said. Her voice cracked, I knew it was difficult for her to talk about. She came over and sat beside me on the bed. "From the time she was 10 she spent multiple hours on the piano, violin, guitar, cello, bass" I nodded and slurped up a big spoonful of noodles and chicken broth. "You like her are such a talented musician" she said.
I found myself two months later playing my violin for tips. Many people stopped to watch, and applaud. One person smiled at me as he dropped a twenty in my case. I got lots of those as so many nice people stopped by. Even Peter, Mj, and May dropped ac-couple bucks in my case. After I would finish some violin Symphony by Vivaldi, or whatever, they would all smile and clap. Mj and Peter each gave me a hug and a "good job" before heading to their next destination. After the final piece, around midnight, everyone was home and most likely in bed already. I counted my money, then packed up and headed home. Someone ran past me, dressed in black, he pointed a gun at me, "give me your valuables, I don't want to do something I'd regret" he said, "come on dude you're really gonna rob a young teenage girl" I asked, he ignored me, "just shut up and give me your case" he said, "no" I was quick to respond. "What?" He said, the gun shook in his hand. He didn't want to do this, I could tell. "I said no" I said. He clenched his teeth, and instead of firing his gun, he lunged for my violin. I dodged him right away, he looked at me as he stood his ground, "look kid, I don't want to hurt you" "then go home" "not until I get that case" "well I guess this is gonna be a long night for both of us". We both glared at each other, he lunged again, this time much more quickly, I dodged, back flipping and leaving a trail of red flame behind me. The man's eyes widened and he froze in fear, more shocked then I was. I looked around, to check if anyone was watching. My violin was on the ground, both our eyes locked on it, and we both lunged for it. He grabbed it, then I did. We pulled it back and forth, "hey come on" I shouted. "What do you even want this for anyway". "I need the money" he said, "then get a job" I grunted the forced yanks. Finally I got an advantage over him. He loosened his grip, and I swept under my feet taking him to his ass. He let go. "Shit!" He hollered, "language" I said, with a snarky grin. I was halfway down the alleyway, he ran for the case, and a wall of flame rose in front of me, "what the hell are you" he said, quivering. He had the same expression as Mr. Watson. The wall of flame came down. Without a thought the case slipped out of my hand to the ground, I doubled over, feeling completely winded. "What's going on?" I whispered, then stood up and wiped my forehead. Before I could react the guys gun fired and nailed me in the shoulder, I stumbled backwards, "Son of a" I cried, and held my hand over my now bleeding shoulder. The guy came up and grabbed the case off the ground. "Sorry kid but maybe you shouldn't have stopped" he said. Out of no where a man dressed from head to toe in red and blue spandex landed behind him. "Spider-Man" the crook whispered. "Hey, another fan I see" said Spider-Man. He got a good scan of the situation. All of our eyes landed on my case in the guys hand, "Unless you play violin, I don't think that belongs to you" said Spidy, that was my new name for him. It fit his child like, energetic manor. The man in black looked at me then at Spidey, "uh, yeah" he said, voice cracking under pressure. "Really, then I suppose you know that the violin is made of jungle wood" said Spidy, sarcastically. I opened my mouth to correct him, then realized what he was doing and backed off. The robber nodded, then looked at me, "yeah" he said. Spidy laughed, "oh, cool" he said, "then I guess we good then right?" He said, as he laughed, and acted as if he was about to walk away. Out of no where he turned back and spewed a web ripping the violin from the robber's grasp, "sorry, I was mistaken, actually violins are made from spruce or maple wood" he said, then looked at me, I nodded and gave him a thumbs up. The guy tried to go after it, but Spidey web blasted him and pinned his arms to his sides, "what the" he said, and again attempted to run at Spidy, who kicked him, and webbed him to a wall, "stay" he scolded. Spidy approached me, and handed me my case. "Here you are" he said, "thank you" I said, after a moment of silence. "It was no problem, Ms. But maybe you shouldn't walk home alone from now on" he said, I was checking on my violin. A snapped string, and a sprained neck, "looks like a trip to the repair store for you" I said, "awe, I'm sorry" he said, "no, it wasn't you" then he noticed my shoulder. "Hey, you're bleeding" I just stared at him, "I gotta take you to a hospital" he said, and webbed my case close, then swooped me up and carried me to the hospital, calling 911 on his way. I panted through the blood that was oosimg out of my shoulder, "so, how does it feel to swing through the city, on nothing but a single web" I mumbled, "I don't know how to describe the feeling" he started, then he looked down at me, my shirt shoulder was drenched in blood, and I was ghost white. "Oh god, I need to speed this up, common Pete" he said, then looked at me, "nothing" he said after clearing his throat.
I woke up in a white room, everything was blurry. I rubbed my face with my palms and looked around, my arm was in a sling, shoulder wrapped in gause. Peter was sitting, slouched at my bedside, he looked sort of shocked, and annoyed. "You have got to stop doing that" he said, "the nurse told me that you were shot in the shoulder", "I'm sorry, is my constant reckless behavior bothering you?" I said, and rubbed his arm, "yes" he said.
Sophomore year in high school was when he and Mj started dating. I had entered the choir room before the end of the day, and put my bags down. Mj and Peter had approached the door. When I went to go say hi and next thing I know they were kissing each other. I froze, not knowing what to think, then grabbed a bathroom pass and rushed past them for the bath room, bumping shoulders with Mj on my way. Unknowingly I caught her attention. "Oh, Molly I was just looking for you" she started, I said nothing. I could hear her running up behind me. I arrived in the girls room and hid in a stall. What am I supposed to do? I wandered, Am I really crushing on Peter? Why am I feeling this way? I turned at sat on the toilet seat, burying my face in my hands. I heard Mj rush after me, "Molly? Where are you?" She said "are you in here" why am I acting like this? she's your friend, you should be supportive. I stood up and brushed off then left the stall. Part of me wanted to cry, but I wasn't sure. Looking in the mirror I could see my eyes flickering from glowing white back to yellow - brown. Mj came out of a stall, then saw me, I turned around to face her, "Molly there you are, Peter and I wanted to talk to you" she said, and sounded so happy. Guilt washed over me like a punch in the stomach. "You okay?" she asked, after noticing something was up. My eyes flickered again, I blinked, "yeah, just not feeling good. I accidentally skipped lunch" I said. "You want something? I have a granola bar in my bag. Might hold you over until you get home" aaah!!! Guilt why! I nodded quickly after holding my stomach. She reached into her bag and pulled out a chewy granola chocolate and a water, and handed them both to me. I smiled and took them gratefully. We both sat beside each other in the choir room, and I ate while we waited for Mr. Kroniche to arrive and take attendance. Mj told about how she and Peter started dating. I smiled and nodded saying things like "no way" and "that's sweet" whilst deep down, something was eating at me, these feelings. Something inside me wanted Peter. Why am I so jealous? Peter is already my neighbor and my best friend. I should be happy for them, this is ridiculous! I went home that night feeling like someone just beat me up. My feelings were mixed, one part of me was happy, and the other was sad, like someone just reached in grabbed my heart and pulled it out of my chest. I was jealous, angry, I wanted Peter, I love Peter, but if I loved him I should just let him go, be happy with his life. I went out to the back yard, with no shoes on. My purple painted toes felt the grass and squeezed. I closed my eyes and took it in. That was when the remaining parts of my powers showed themselves to me. I felt tired, and suddenly at peace, I felt one with the earth, feeling to protect it, as if I could see everything around me. The brick wall and white wooden of Aunt Maggie and Uncle Isaac's apartment apartment, the street, all of the stores, everyone moving through the world. I opened my eyes, feeling much better than I have felt in a long time. I took a deep breath and knelt down by Maggie's flower garden and picked up a couple stones. They seemed to fold and levitate in my hand, then when I closed my fist and watched them all crumble into sand and fall to the ground. I heard glass break on the tile floor of the kitchen behind me. My heart stopped and rose to my throat when I finally noticed Aunt Maggie standing at the door over a broken plate of cookies, watching me in shock and horror. I opened my mouth as if to speak but choked on my words, then she finally spoke "What in Sam Hell was that?" She said, I stood up and gently tried to shush her, "I can explain" I whispered, "well then go ahead" she said, and placed her hands on her hips.
I told her everything that's happened over the past year and a half as I helped her clean up the broken plate. "So, it normally just starts to manifest with, nausea, or weird dreams, or anger, or fatigue" I said, then she cut her hand on a piece of plate, "god dammit" she hollered, we both rushed to the sink, no matter how much we tried, the bleeding wouldn't stop, "oh come on" she said, then I looked down at my own, "yes I know you didn't get cut" I shook my head, "no I think I can help" I said, her eyebrows lowered with curiosity, "what?" She said. I closed my eyes and breathed, when I opened them, they were glowing but this time, blue. I pulled water out of the air, and it formed around my hands. Maggie's eyes widened with awe and amazement. I took her wounded hand in mine then closed my eyes again to breath and meditate, thinking healing, soothing thoughts. When I opened them, Maggie's cut was gone, we both looked at it in amazement. "I knew I would eventually be able heal, but not this quickly" I said, quietly. We both looked at each other, "you have a gift" she said.
It was 2 years after graduation, Spider Man was pretty much the icon of our neighborhood. I was leaving class to head for work, I played violin in the pit orchestra for the Gemma Hotel Inne. Mj had caught up to me walking to my car, a small red Ford Explorer. "Molly" she called, "hey" I said. "How was class?" She asked, "fine" I nodded, I was taking a class on Music Productions, "how about your's" I asked, "good" she nodded. We obviously had a lot to talk about. "I want to just thank you again for taking care of Peter while I was in Paris" she said. I nodded and pushed my hair out of face, "no problem, he was out for a long time, what happened to him" I asked, she froze, "work accident" "but he works at the Bugle" "he got into something he shouldn't have" I stared at her, and could tell she was lying, but why would she, I mean its Peter's job it's not like he flies around in red spandex kicking the asses of the criminals who plague the city, right? "So where are you off to?" She asked, when we arrived at the car, "work" I said, "you are too, right?" She nodded. "Well, I was wandering, after your shift, would you like to come get dinner with us?" She asked. "Sounds good. Where do you want to meet?" "Does Delilahs sound good?" I nodded, "cool then see you there".
I got to work and unpacked my violin. My boss Henry Finachino approached me, "ah, Molly just the girl I wanted to see" he said, "Mr. Finachino" I said, as I took out the violin and started tuning. By the look of his body language, and facial expression, the news couldn't be good, but I couldn't tell if he was teasing or serious. "So I take it you heard about Laura's resignation last Wednesday" Laura was our first violinist before I started working at the Inne. "Yeah, I played both parts for the rest of last week" I said, and proceeded to attempt to tune my E string. He smiled and fiddled with his fingers, and rose from his heals to his toes. "Well, I had hired a new second violinist, and" he looked around, "why are u so nervous, I'm fine with playing the first violin part" he nodded, "yeah I know" I raised an eyebrow, "do you" I said, "yeah" he said, "well whats the problem" I said, "Molly" a familiar voice called from behind, then a hand on my shoulder, "Harry" I said, with confused, nervous, ecstatic, enthusiasm. Harry was Peter's best friend, and my ex-boyfriend, "what are you doing here" he was wearing a uniform, similar to mine, a white button up shirt black dress pants, and a black vest, except he wore black loafers, and I was wearing short black heals. "So I take it you know each other" said Mr. Finachino. Harry and I nodded awkwardly, "yeah, we were" I started, "fu-" "a couple" I interrupted, "cause couple is better, and more professional then fudge buddies" I grumbled. "What is he doing here" I whined to my boss, "he's our new second violinist" he replied, and before I could whine any more he ushered us to tune with everybody else and learn our new parts.
As I fiddled through the first few measures of the first symphony, I heard Harry softly join on second violin. I felt him stare at me, those steely eyes, and seductive smile, but I was over him. He slipped up around measure 10, and groaned. "How do you play so well" he mumbled, "many years of practice" I said. He eyed the measure with intense confusion. It was a roller coaster of 16th notes, 8th notes, quarter notes. I played through it softly then gestured him to join me, slowly. He fumbled again, we both giggled, then tried again, we both fumbled, he leaned forward, "maybe I should have brought my glasses" he said, I smiled, "is that a b or a c" and pointed his bow at the second note of the measure. I looked closely at what he was pointing at, "c" I said then played a c natural on my A string, he fallowed. We played his part together then started playing when people started arriving. On the second song, I noticed him get confused, so I mixed in the second violin part where I could. He smiled at me and I smiled back. Our shift ended, and we both walked to my car, violin in hand. "I mean how the hell do you do that, the only people I know who can do that are the first chairs of the Philadelphia orchestra, and they're between 40 and 70 years old" he said, I laughed, "I don't know, I guess I had a lot of time on my hands" I said. "You are amazing" he said. We had just arrived at my car, I took out my keys. "I didn't know you were working at the Inne. Weren't you working at Ozcorpe with your dad" I asked, as I put my violin on the back seat, and closed my back door. "Actually my dad was making me nuts, so I quit" he said, "oh" I nodded. Then I thought about it, "hey you need a ride?" I asked. He smiled at me, "no I'm good, I took my dad's Porsche" he said, one hand in his pocket, "sneaky" I said, with a teasingly wide smile, he smiled back and playfully shoved me, "shut up. He willingly let me take it" he said, I nodded, "well, I gotta go" he said, "thanks for helping me out", "not a problem" I said, then hopped behind the wheel, and started the engine, "like a kitten" I smiled, and turned on the radio, then headed headed home to change.
My 4 month old Husky, Luna greeted me happily at the door. "Hey baby girl" I said, happily petting her. Then went in the kitchen and filled her bowl, before rushing to my room to put on something normal, and letting her out before I leave.
I arrived at the diner, Peter met me at the entrance. "Molly" he said, cheerfully, as we joined in a warm hug. "Glad you could make it" he said. "How've you been" I asked. It was really great to see him again. "Doing great, you?" He asked, "great, very busy lately." I said. "Hey thanks for taking care of me" he said, patting me on the shoulder.
We all sat at a booth, and placed our orders. Peter and Mj sat across from me. I ordered an Oriental chicken salad with extra nuts and a side of steak fries. "So I ordered a whole truck load of steaks so I could make her food from scratch" I said, and took a bite of chicken, "she must love you for that" said Peter, "yeah".
After dinner, Mj had to go to work. She kissed Peter and headed out. Peter and I walked to the car. "You need a ride" I asked, "Nah, I'm good" he said. "So Harry actually took your place as second violin and you were promoted" he said, "if that's how you want to put it, yeah" I said, through a small chuckle. Looking at him something inside me wanted to kiss him, but I couldn't. He smiled at me, that brilliant, kind, smile. I missed him, I wanted him. But I couldn't have him. "Didn't you two go out" asked Peter, "for a bit, but it didn't last long" I said. Peter looked at me curiously, "why" he asked, "you two were adorable" he said. I knew he meant no harm, but those words broke my heart. "It just, stopped being fun after awhile" I said, "and I was sort of in love with someone else, but I knew that someone else was never gonna fall for me". "What are you talking about? Molly, you are perfect. You're beautiful, kind, strong, talented, he would totally fall for you" he said, no idea it was him I was talking about. "So what was it you wanted to tell me?" I asked, after a second. We stopped at an intersection, "oh yeah" he turned to me, and took out a ring. It had a silver gold band and diamond in crested jewels. My eyes grew with confusion, "I want to propose to Mj" he said. I smiled as if I was shocked and happy for him, but deep down I felt my heart sink to my stomach, and my head go cold. "That's wonderful" I said, trying to hide my broken heart. We continued walking, and I just nodded and muttered sounds of agreement. "I'm thinking about meeting her at the park, then taking a walk to the big cherry tree" he paused and looked at me, and could sense there was something on my mind. "Are you alright" he asked, it took me a minute to come back to Earth, "yeah" I said, stepping back and frantically shoving my hands in my coat pockets, "you seem upset" he said. "Oh no I'm perfectly fine, I'm... fine" my words spilled out of my mouth quicker than Quick Silver racing a cheetah. "You sure" he said, and went to take my hand. For some reason I dodged him, "Molly, whats wrong?" He said. "Nothing, I just remembered, Aunt Maggie wanted me to watch Lilly (my new little cousin)" I said, and scratched my head, "okay" he said, there was concern in his tone, as I stumbled across the busy street. One guy in a taxi honked at me, "hey watch it lady!" he shouted, "sorry" I said, shakily, and waved to Pete as I backed to the side walk. "Molly watch out" he shouted, before I stumbled backwards and smacked my head on the concrete. With in minutes I was on my feet, rubbing the back of my skull, Peter was about to rush over and help me up, when I gave him a thumbs up and he gave a nervous smile.
I opened my car door and threw myself behind the wheel, rested my head on the head rest as I put on my seat belt. I felt my phone vibrate, it was Peter, asking me to call him back when I was home. I threw my phone on the passenger seat and started the engine, my phone rang and picked up on my car Bluetooth. It was Miles Davis, I answered as I pulled out of the empty lot and drove to Aunt Maggie and Uncle Isaac's apartment. "Molly" said Miles, he sounded concerned. "Hey what's up?" I tried to calm my tone as I came to a traffic light and put my turn signal on. "Peter told me you were acting weird, and wanted me to check on you" he said. I sighed and rubbed my forehead, "are you alright" he asked, "yeah, I'm..." The light turned green and I made my turn, as I thought about telling him the truth, "no actually, but come by my house, I'm driving. I'll tell you later".
I pulled in my driveway, Lily was in her car seat in the back. She was adorable and looked just like my mom. I parked and turned to look at her, she was gazing out the window. Two years old, almost three. "Alright little one" I said, she looked at me, eyes sparkled, as if she understood what I was saying. "We're here" I said. She smiled, I smiled back, at least one person I love hasn't fallen in love with someone else, damn that sounded selfish.
I unlocked the front door, Lily in my arms. She giggled as Luna ran over and hopped up my leg to sniff her, and yipped happily, such a people lover. "Luna down" she sat. "Good girl" her tale swished back and fourth. I put Lily down and she waddled over to the toy box by the TV, and started digging for her stuffed husky. I smiled and Luna raced me to the door to the backyard, which was in the kitchen. My cellphone rang in my pocket, it was Peter, his picture was practice picture that he begged me to take senior year when he needed help with senior photos. He wore his tux and everything, and was making such a ridiculous face, like his take on "how u doin'" smoldering like a dork. I answered calmly. "Hey" I said, "hey" he said, "I was just calling to see if you were alright" he sounded out of breath, "yeah, just" I thought about it, "I don't know" I said. "Is this about me wanting to propose to Mj" he said, "no" I lied, and I knew he could tell. "Molly" he grunted, "I want you to be ok with this", "I am" another lie, "are you sure" he asked, "Peter, as long as your happy, I'm fine" I said, "alright, I gotta go. Give Lily and Luna a hug and a kiss for me, ok" he said, I smiled, "yeah" "love you" I said, "love you too" he said. I hung up and stare at his picture again.
Miles arrived, I let him in. "Hey" I said, and moved to the couch and plopped down. Luna hopped up next to me. I itched her behind the ears, as she rolled over on my lap. Miles plopped over on the other side, Lily approached him happily, and handed him a plastic donut, "is this for me, thank you sweety" he said and pretended to eat it, "mmmm, very good pumpkin" Lily smiled, came over and stood between my legs. I pulled her up on my lap and she pet Luna, as she was kissed all over. I smiled as I watched them. "So what did you want to talk about?" he asked, reaching over to fluff Luna's ears. "Well, I don't know if you know this, but, Peter was going to propose to Mj" I began, "yeah" he said, "and, I sort of used to have a crush on him" I said, "and" he said. "It kind of manifested into, love" "and, now your confused" he said, I nodded, "I mean, I know I'm supposed to be happy for him, and I am, but I kind of, was hoping it would be me" I said, "now I don't know what to think". "I would love to help, but I don't know how you want me to do that" he said. A tear streamed down my cheek, before that I didn't even realize I was crying. Miles grabbed the tissue box with his webs, and handed them to me. "I can see your training with Spider-Man is going well" I said, as I pulled a tissue out of the box. Miles nodded, "yeah" he said, "how about your powers" he said, "how's the Avatar" he asked, "hasn't been out much". He nodded, "Maybe you could come out with me and Spider-Man" he said, "I'd love to but, I'm so swamped with work, plus I gotta watch Lily, and Aunt Maggie doesn't want me skating around with the baby. I don't think I want that either" I said, "Is that why you drive" he asked, "yeah" I said. "Well, maybe Mj can watch Lily and Luna for awhile, come on. It'll get your mind off of it" he said. I sighed "yeah, alright" and pulled out my phone, "Molly, what's up" she said, "Mj, I need a favor" I said, and grabbed my closet remote. Avatar's suit stood tall and proud. A red, blue, green, and purple spandex jumpsuit, with an A emblem on the chest. The white gloves started a few inches above the wrists and cut off when the fingers started. The boots were white and came up an inch above my knee. I breathed my hair turned white and eyes began to glow.
Mj showed up, I was in the middle of suiting up. "You're seriously going out again" she said, "yes, it's been awhile" I said, "I need you to watch Lily and Luna", "of course" she said, I smiled gratefully and headed out the door.
As I skated down the intersection and up the next building, Spider-Man swung by, "look who's back" he said, "Great to see you again Avatar" he said, "you too, Spidy". "Robbery in progress, at Doyle and Doyle, West 13th Street" went the scanner on my phone. "On it" said Miles, "wait Miles, I'm right behind you" I said, and headed in that direction, "I'll meet you guys there" said Spidy. Miles and I approached the Jewelry store. One guy who looked to be a young teenager was stuffing as many diamonds in his pants as he could, and another guy was breaking into the ATM. "Sup guys" I said and sent a cold blast of freezing cold air in the Jewelry thief's direction, his hand froze to the wall, and he yelped with confusion "nice" said Miles, a bunch of diamonds fell from the kid's pants. I rose dirt from beneath the floor, underneath the kids feet so the diamonds landed safely. The kid breaking in to the ATM, obviously nervous attempted to quickly grab as much money as he could manage carrying. "Young man, what you think you're doing?" I asked and sent a blast of air in his direction, the money flew out of his arms, and he frantically tried to catch them each, "good luck with that" I said and blew him against the wall, where Spidy dropped in and webbed him so much that he couldn't move. He looked at me, "where's Miles" he asked, I shrugged. "You do know what you're doing is illegal" we heard his voice from the other room, and ran to help him, before we could Miles came out with another dude wrapped in so much web he looked like a mummy, the guy was squirming, it gave me the chills, squirmy things made my skin crawl, of everything I've been through. Why I get grossed out by maggots and baby caterpillars. "Nice going kid" said Spidey, Miles gave him a thumbs up.