Spider-Man SI

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***

New York State University.

- What?' I clapped my eyes stupidly.

After I told Shark everything, he swore a long time with bad words. He calmed down a bit, and after that we agreed on our further actions together. He dropped me off at the university. Though the laboratory was sealed, but I planned to use the state equipment for personal purposes. If something strange happens to me, the answer must first be found in myself. But I was not allowed to carry out my cunning plan. My mobile phone rang. As it turned out, such a humble me wanted to see... where? That's right! At the university! A little surprised, I went to the dean's office. And here I am sitting in the office, modestly sitting on a chair. Opposite sits not young, but still beautiful dean with a funny surname Goldman. It's true, I seem to be having auditory hallucinations. How else can I explain--

- Peter, I understand your confusion. But under the circumstances, I'm forced to ask for your help.

- Why me? I've only just finished high school and I haven't even been to university a year yet. Is there no one else but me?

- No one else. - she answered calmly. - We are physically unable to attract other teachers. As a matter of fact, there is no one available, everyone is already working for two. Everyone is on holiday, on sick leave, or on maternity leave.

- And the lab technicians? There are plenty of them!? - I almost wailed in despair.

- Most of Professor Connors's lab technicians were antisocial, and it was dangerous to give such assignments to just anyone. If Mr Brock hadn't disappeared, I'd have gone to him, of course. He's still a bit of a man of sense. ahem. - the dean realised she'd said too much. - Well, you understand me, don't you?

She asked pitifully. I just nodded absent-mindedly. As if I didn't pay attention to her words, thereby putting an end to the slippery subject. Yes... in that other world and country, the dean could afford to use three-storey constructions against negligent students. And everyone understood perfectly well that he was a great man, and thus he was guiding us to the right path. But here, one wrong word today and you can expect an invitation to court tomorrow. Democracy in all its true light...

It took me three hours to leave the university building. Congratulate me! I'm Peter Parker, yesterday's schoolboy, now lecturing to students at one of the best universities in the country. How crazy is that? Я... I agree with you! But that's just the way it is. In Professor Connors' temporary absence, I'll be giving his lectures. It's a good thing Professor Connors doesn't have that many. Connors has purposely cut almost all of his lectures, and he'd probably give up the rest. But who's gonna let him? He takes a lot of liberties, which has always amazed me. But after seeing Madame Goldman, I think I understand why he gets away with it. Connors is prestige, the prestige of the university. Geneticists of his calibre can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Connors is scientific conferences, articles, publications, practical research. Dozens of scientific discoveries. That's why Prof. Connors can afford to buy fabulously expensive equipment, that's why he can hire schoolchildren as laboratory assistants, that's why he decides how many lectures he will give. After all, it is often almost impossible to find empty seats at these lectures. It's why people from all over the world come to New York to hear him speak, and that's no exaggeration. It is clear that there are no irreplaceable people, and the university can perfectly well do without Connors. But why? As they say, a woman must have a twist.

And so, unexpectedly, it's added to the haemorrhoids in my life. I can understand the management on one level. It's true that all the other lab technicians at Connors are very unreliable mates. Not in the sense that they're bad specialists, on the contrary, they'll make excellent geneticists in time, Prof. Connors did his best. The point is that these personalities are simply not adapted for large auditoriums and work with students. They don't have a pedagogical streak or something. To be honest, I'm not really sure if I have it myself. But I quite often helped the professor at his lectures: to adjust the spotlight, to click slides, and so on. And I looked the least like a botanist out of the merry band that hung around in the lab. Anyway, the administration decided to take a chance. I wanted to remind the dean that there is also Gwen, but my conscience did not allow me to slip such a trick to my favourite girl. Now I'll have to get round and find common ground with such an insidious bunch of students. B-r-r-r-r... Unfortunately, I couldn't refuse. For I was plainly reminded that Mr Parker had yet to attend this honourable university. As does Miss Stacey. But they didn't forget to show me the candy. It turned out that if you wanted to, you could skip the first year's unnecessary introductory course and go straight to the second. I sighed for the sake of order, and agreed. The only pity is that they are not going to pay me for my hard work. Stingy!

My mobile phone had long since run out of battery, and I sadly looked at the grey, lifeless screen and went home. My plans to visit the laboratory were ruined. I had wasted so much time in the dean's office. Knowing my passion, I would have stayed overnight in the lab. And at home, Gwen, Felicia and, most importantly, Petra! I need to get to know the girl better and think of ways to help her. Logically, I should have flown home like a meteor, I even went to the bus stop. But then I changed my mind, relaxed and slowly walked home. My blondes could handle it, and they'd take care of the girl better than I could. No need for them to get in the way, or to get in the way with their advice.

For some reason, a slight melancholy came over me, all anxious thoughts receded to the edge of consciousness. Peter Parker disappeared into the grey mass of passers-by. Until he realised - something was missing! He came upon some street musicians. A guy with a visor over his eyes and leaning his back against the wall was strumming. A little further away, the second one was doing the same thing on his own wavelength. The last in the group was a girl, red-haired and freckled. Miniature and fragile. The tip of her nose tipped with something black, cat-like tendrils on her cheeks, a hoop with black ears on the top of her head. She was perched on some kind of box and tapped it with her hand. It was quite interesting. At the same time she was singing something, I didn't listen to the words. I enjoyed the simple melody. The music added fullness, but there was still something missing. Then it hit me, and I took my camera out of my bag. Took a few pictures, a sense of fullness came. I walked around, took photos from different angles, clicked on the listeners as well. In a break between songs the soloist ran up to me and handed me a piece of paper. I looked at it - it was an e-mail. I nodded understandingly at the girl's pleading face. I managed to take a picture when she jumped up, seemingly childishly happy about a trifle.

Having satisfied the photographer's thirst, I continued my way home. To my delight, the heavy thoughts still escaped me, and so whistling the melody I had heard, I did not notice how I found myself near my house. I noticed Captain Stacy's car parked nearby. But it didn't elicit any emotional response. Strangely, I felt no awe for my girlfriend's father. Respect as a professional and as a human being, but no awe. I went inside.

- I'm home! - I announced to the empty corridor.

I kicked off my shoes and walked into the living room. On the sofa sat Mr Stacey, not so tortured anymore. Next to him was a beautiful blonde woman, slightly younger than the captain, very stylishly and tastefully dressed. Her characteristic facial features made it easy to identify her as Felicia's mother.

- Hello, Peter! - A familiar voice sounded behind me, and a hand rested on my shoulder.

- Uncle! You're back!? - I tried to put a note of joy in my voice, carefully hiding the rising panic deep inside. - Why so soon? I had to stay here for a while!

- Maybe you're right, but Mei and I were getting homesick. - Uncle gave me a sly wink without anyone else seeing. I just looked at him with a confused look.

- Uncle Ben!

Into the room came Petra? She didn't look like herself just now. Tidily dressed, well bathed and groomed! You couldn't tell she looked like the last bum from this morning.

- Uncle Ben! We're all set, we can set the table!

- Good! - Uncle Ben gave Petra a pat on the head. - Go and wash your face, miracle, you've got flour all over your nose.

***

New York. Parker house. Evening.

Gwen brushed her teeth diligently. Though she didn't like to do it since she was a child, but her parents had embedded this ritual in her daughter's subconscious. So now it was hard for the girl to resist the reflex. However, such a desire had not arisen at all for several years, Gwen was already old enough, and most importantly responsible enough to understand the meaning of maintaining oral hygiene.

The dinner, despite all the fears, went well, in a friendly and family atmosphere. The guests had only recently departed. Only two had left, though. Lydia's personal driver came to pick up Lydia, Gwen's father also went with them, leaving the car outside the house. And at first he didn't want to drink the wine! Gwen smiled. Her father was able to relax a little, something he hadn't allowed himself in a long time. Well the rest of them stayed the night. Petra basically had nowhere else to go. Felicia had had too much cake and unceremoniously piled into bed before anyone else. Gwen on the other hand, despite the fact that the house was noticeably more crowded, just didn't want to leave Pete! Having finished all the chores in the bathroom, the girl went to the guest room. What could she do? I had to keep up appearances! Miss Hardy was seated on the small bed. Petra's bed was in Pete's room, and the lad, sighing sorrowfully, took his pillow and went to sleep in his workshop-laboratory. The old sofa was there. With a doubtful look at the cot Gwen began to think where to settle down. It was a pity that the sofa in the living room didn't recline, and in general, it was uncomfortable. The girl finally got a closer look at her friend, and blushing rapidly, turned away. Felicia was in her repertoire, ignoring the T-shirt allotted to her, she slept in just her knickers. The blanket was lying on the floor. Her heart raced faster, after hesitating for a few minutes, Gwen picked up the blanket, covered her friend with half of it, and climbed under the other half on the edge of the bed.

Someone's arm went round Gwen's waist.

- Felicia?

- Hum?

- Are you awake? I'm sorry I woke you up...

There was a rustling under the blanket, Gwen carefully rolled over onto her back and turned to face her friend. Felicia fought lazily with the blanket, the latter was winning so far, finally the girl gave up and calmed down.

- Felicia had had too much cake. - she spoke of herself in the third person. - Felicia has a tummy ache, and that's why she went to bed! But now the cake is partially digested and Felicia feels better! Felicia is happy!

A new round of fighting with the blanket and the latter as a result of a savoury knockout flies to the floor. Gwen, seeing her friend's Persian, blushed again and turned away.

- Maybe you still put on a T-shirt?

- What? It's hot? Felicia agrees! I'll take off my knickers!

- No!

- Hee-hee.

Felicia was on top of her friend in one swift movement. Her hands slid down Gwen's thighs and travelled upwards, ducked under the loose T-shirt and, rolling it up, slid further up to her waist. Gwen held her breath and somehow didn't resist. Finally, in the gloom of the room, her breasts were exposed.

- Yaahhhh! What pads I found! - hard, Felicia squeezed out of herself.

Without too much modesty naughty hands went to walk on the gorgeous bust of her friend. Gwen gave a muffled shriek as the skin touched skin. She watched mesmerised as the cat's two hemispheres slowly swayed right in front of her. The same one was gambling with its prey as if it had found two balls of thread. Felicia bent over and unable to hold back any longer, covered Stacey's left nipple with her mouth. Gwen was already panting heavily and had closed her legs behind her girlfriend's back. After a few minutes Felicia realised that her right hand was about to slip under her friend's panties. Realising this had an effect akin to a bucket of cold water! Gwen seemed to realise it too. The girls broke the tangle of bodies.

- I... I'll go... to Peter... I'll go... - Gwen whispered heavily.

- Go... - Felicia answered her just as heavily.

Overcoming the sweet exhilarating tenderness in her body Gwen stood up, adjusted her clothes and slipped out of the room. Stepping gently, so as not to inadvertently rouse the household, she walked into the bathroom. She unscrewed the cold water tap and washed her face for a long time. Unfortunately it didn't help. The unintentional memory alone stirred her body and soul. Sighing heavily, the girl turned on the water and went to Peter's room, praying to all the gods that he was asleep and hadn't noticed her arousal! Gently she pushed the door open and cat sneaked inside. The guy was lying with his back turned to her, the blanket slipped off, allowing her to get an almost perfect look at his toned, but still lean torso. The girl didn't notice how she was on the couch, running her hand over her boyfriend's thin, pale skin. Her fingers gently groped his back.

- You're hot...

- There you go! And I woke you up! - she replied after a minute, overcoming her panic. - Am I that clumsy?

- I wouldn't say that. - Peter turned to her and pulled her against him with one arm. - I don't know about Felicia, but you couldn't have woken me up.

- You couldn't sleep?

- Mm-hmm.

There was silence, during which Peter admired the girl, and she could not stand such a trusting look, blushed with shame and rubbed her head against his chest.

- Listen.

- Hmm? - The girl's heart skipped a beat.

- How did you arrange this dinner? Well, I mean, why didn't mine turn you and I in to your father? Even backed up our legend.

- It was easy! - she happily picked up the theme. - You have great relatives! We didn't even have to lie... almost. We told them about Professor Connors going missing. And that I was afraid to sleep at home by myself, and my father let me move in with you for a while. I really think your uncle's got it all figured out.

- Ha-ha... he does! - Pete agreed proudly.

- We'd just come back from shopping when we heard the message on the answerphone. Your aunt couldn't get you on your mobile so she dialled your home number. Just five minutes later, Dad called and asked to come round for dinner. Felicia offered to organise a family dinner, so she called Mum. So there you go.

- I have to say, I was very surprised.

- Was it scary? - Gwen asked wryly.

- You bet! - Pete admitted serenely.

Gwen listened to herself, the excitement was not going away. It was just that now it was spilling over into someone else.

- 'This isn't right... why do I want them both equally now? It's not like I've never...' - The thought didn't have time to develop. Their mouths joined and the pleasure washed away all extraneous thoughts, clearing the mind completely. All that was left was the play of their two bodies, the struggle of their tongues, the nails sinking into the skin of his back...

- Zing!

Peter swore, and without breaking the tight knot of his two bodies, he managed to reach for the phone.

- Yes!' he hissed angrily into the receiver, and after a moment he spat into the microphone with annoyance. - I'll be there! Wait! You stay out of it!

- What's wrong? - Gwen didn't recognise her own voice, there were so many strange notes and intonations in it.

Peter also shivered, kissed the girl one last time and got up from the couch.

- Yes. I think we've found our missing person. Pack up.

The girl sighed heavily and leaned back on the bed, spreading her arms wide. She didn't want to go anywhere, her body wanted to finish what she had already started twice.

***

New York. Connors' house. It was night.

It was a cold night. Cold and windy. There weren't many clouds in the sky, or you'd have thought it was going to rain. Personally, I was angry, I wanted to tear and torment everyone, especially the girl, who settled on my shoulders and gasped with delight. Of course she did. I've never met anyone who didn't like this method of transport. Although... I've only ridden my blondes this way, but you can't make statistics! One hundred per cent of my subjects were quietly enjoying flying on my shoulders. Shark was waiting for us two blocks from the Connors' house. It was funny to watch him. The man was standing near his 'horse' and smoking a cigarette, when suddenly Gwen in a dumb suit jumped out of the sky next to him. Our poor coach choked on his smoke. Seconds later, I jumped off the lamppost.

- Yo! How's it going?

- Ugh! - He spit on the asphalt with annoyance. - Couldn't you have approached him in a normal, human way?

The ex-military, meticulously examined our clothes, especially my outfit, hummed, but did not say anything about it. If he was surprised, he wasn't very surprised, perhaps he had assumed something along those lines.

- Well, you should be glad! - Gwen smelled a note of faint amusement. - We're exercising your nerves!

- You're ruining them for me! You bastards!

- All right, all right... - I said conciliatorily, saving my anger for later. - What do your guys say? What did they see?

- See for yourself.

Shark pulled out a fancy mobile phone with a big touch screen, wiggled his finger at it a little, and handed it to us. Hmm... The photo, the quality is so lousy that it makes me want to swear like an amateur photographer. Nevertheless, if you look closely in the dense foliage you can see a large silhouette, and the creature has a clearly visible tail.

- That sucks. - I summarised, having roughly estimated the real size of the lizard.

- Mm-hmm. Sitting in the backyard, in the bushes, it seems to be watching the house. What do we do?

- You do nothing. And tell your men to stay out of it. You'll only get in the way. I'll create a distraction, and Gwen will try and get our friend from a distance.

The girl confirmed it by stroking her rifle lovingly. So I'm jealous! Shark frowned.

- You're wrong to think we can't help. We have some... drugs that may well increase the speed, reaction, and even a little strength of a normal human. Temporarily, of course, and not without consequences, but still...

- Drugs, you say? - That's interesting. - We'll definitely talk about that later. Shark, don't be stubborn! I know you want to help, but we can't use weapons on this case. None of us want unaccounted-for holes in a pro's carcass! And to get into hand-to-hand combat... why don't you stay in reserve for now?

The man nodded reluctantly.

Having checked all the equipment once again, we set off. I crept carefully into the backyard, Gwen took a convenient position, Shark went into the house without hiding. The Connors' backyard was like a playground, a green park. Yeah, it wasn't like this! No vegetable gardens! Lazy people live in this country, so much land is wasted, it's terrible! Well, at least for the son of a pro, it's a paradise! Inflatable swimming pool, a huge trampoline, swings, an abandoned sandpit, a rather impressive tree house. And that's just what catches my eye.

The night didn't disturb me much, and I could see the impressive silhouette in the bushes near the tree on which the house was located. It was foolish to get into a fight without understanding the situation. Maybe I didn't want to give up hope, though... Jumping out into the middle of the yard, I pulled the mask off my head. The shadow in the bushes spotted me and gave a low ducking growl. My hope was covered in a mesh of small cracks, but still held together in a heap.

- Professor! It's me! Peter Parker is your lab assistant! Do you remember me?

A triangular head peeked out of the bushes, with a mouthful of teeth, even sharp. I'll be honest with you, it gave me a chill. The real monster didn't look like a cartoon! My spider sense was stretched like a fishing line on which a shark had been caught, ready to break at any second.

- Pa-arrrr-ke-rrrrr... - the monster squeezed out indistinctly, a spark of intelligence in its small eyes hidden in the depths of the skull, but it immediately died out, along with the last words. - Go away... beast-rrrrya... te-rrrr-too-rrrr-eee... oh-rrrr-raaaa....

The line snapped, it was as if a sledgehammer had been driven into my head, and my body went sideways, a few metres away. Where I was standing, crouching low to the ground, the Lizard was frozen on all four limbs. He stuck out his long tongue from his covered mouth, wagged it from side to side, and turned his head in my direction. Hope died completely, there was no way to negotiate.....

What happened next is hard to describe. My gut was howling like crazy, it was the first time, it had never reacted before.... LIKE THAT! And if anyone thinks that this helped me to 'bend' the enemy with one left hand.... No way! Sense was never a universal tool to anticipate the enemy's movements. It only signalled danger. And now that it's gone mad, it's more of a hindrance. I'd say it was in the way!

The fight itself was brutal. The lizard was my first worthy opponent, the first to force me not to hold back my punching power. Only Daredevil could even remotely equal the danger of the pro. Horned sometimes just disappeared, not literally, of course, but I could see him.... But my spider sense didn't react to him! And then I had no help, no strength, no speed, no agility. Murdock was just sweeping the floor with me.

The lizard was definitely stronger than me, not by much, but he was faster, but not by much. On top of that, it had excellent predatory instincts! And he had a tail, which I had forgotten about, and I paid for it immediately! It hit, and I was like a splinter flying through the sky, a second of blinding pain in my ribs, and I landed on the roof of the treehouse.

- 'This is awkward...' - I manage to think as I climb out from under the rubble.

The beast, having lost sight of me for a few minutes, seems to have stopped in place. I can't see it, but analysing the meagre words Gwen throws into the walkie-talkie, I can roughly imagine the picture. And I'm not happy about it, to say the least! After all, Gwen's shot did not bring a positive result. No, the girl hit the target exactly, just the dart could not penetrate the thick skin of the Lizard, on which by the way I managed to notice scales in some places. Shit! Before I realised how lousy the situation was, one of Shark's boys wanted to show his prowess. Apparently, the wretch thought that I could be seriously hurt by such a blow, and so he stood in the way of the angry monster heroically 'saving' my body. Dickhead! Just because I barely made it out of the rubble doesn't mean anything! A blow of that magnitude is not dangerous to me! I guess. Well, it's not critical, that's for sure.

Surprisingly, the guy didn't fall down after the first blow, he dodged it. Heh! What's that? Sharq's miracle elixir? Most likely. Unfortunately, the boy didn't dance with the monster for long.

Despite my warnings, Shark decided to step in and help his fighter. The second 'bodyguard' jumped up to me and tried to pull me into the house. Meanwhile, the first boy, like me, had recently failed to miss the insidious tail, and flew into the bushes. Shark, before he could swing his fists, was crushed by the Lizard's left hind leg. The monster's claws, which, fortunately, were located only on its forelimbs, were already at my teacher's throat.

That's when I finally woke up. The boy who was tugging my sleeve hard, flew back to the door of the house alone. What can I do? I was a little out of my depth. The Lizard was hit with webbing projectiles, its jaws successfully taped shut with a net. Switching to the new annoyance, I forgot about the old one, which allowed me to pull Shark's carcass closer to me and away from the dangerous neighbourhood.

- K-court?

A new actor appeared on the scene. A voice that came as a surprise to all of us, not excluding Lizard. In the doorway, illuminated by the faint light stood the prof's wife. With her hands clasped to her face, she looked at her transformed husband with big, crying anime eyes. And sobbed. How she recognised in this monster that Connors had become her soulmate was a mystery! If I didn't know better, I wouldn't have thought of it. Mysticism, in a word. Or love, which is essentially the same thing.

- Ma-a-ar-r-r-r-rta...' roared the Lizard, and drew back.

If he recognises his wife, then all is not lost! Too bad it would hardly be of any practical use. After looking Martha in the eye for a moment, the beast suddenly broke away. In a flash, its impressive carcass leaves the backyard. Fast bastard! I don't want to go looking for him again, so I give chase. A mad dash through the city at night, I'd be the envy of all parkourists without exception. It's a shame no one's videoing my acrobatic stunts. Hmmm... perhaps I should get myself a video recorder? What? That's not a bad idea! Let's say I could moonlight as a stuntman, I think I'd make a good living! Eventually, my lovely green friend and I ended up on the George Washington Bridge. That was quite a ride, I must say.

It was on the bridge that the Lizard seemed to accept the fact that it was not in his humble power to throw a creature as sticky as Spider-Man off his tail. And so he apparently decided to get rid of me in another way. The lizard took the fight. After a bit of thinking, I still put on my electric knuckles, before I frankly did not want to go to extreme measures. But now it was becoming obvious - the opponent was too strong to consciously cut down his strength. I always thought that the main weapon of the Spider is agility, and a sharp tongue. But that's not true at all. I'm very strong! I don't know what causes it, but damn it! I can lift a car with one hand with difficulty! I can break concrete, I can bend rebar! In a fight with normal opponents, I have to restrain myself so I don't hurt or kill anyone. But now I was fighting at full strength! The brass knuckles had long since corroded from the power of the blows, my left thrower had been crushed by the Lizard, and there were several impressive scratches left by the claws of the beast all over my body. But my opponent was exhausted as well. At first he was saved by regeneration, I broke his ribs and they were restored in a few seconds. Once I even managed to cut off his tail (or rather he threw it off himself, but it doesn't matter), which after a couple of minutes grew back! Now my opponent is also losing his strength, and I can see how hard he is breathing.

The bridge is deserted, all the night drivers have safely left the war zone, some with my direct help. Only a dozen overturned cars, and chunks of mangled tarmac can be seen around. In the pre-dawn sky, two helicopters are circling, illuminating the upper level of the bridge, directly on which we are fighting, with searchlights.

One of the Lizard's arms successfully gets stuck in the asphalt, and without wasting time, I catch the other arm with the help of the surviving thrower. I twist like a yule, but still fix it to my torso with the help of the web. The monster can't tear my precious development, I realised that a long time ago. But he can cut it with his claws with some difficulty, but he can. In the cage, the beast rages with redoubled force, and therefore, finally, frees the limb stuck in the asphalt. I barely manage to catch it as well as the first one, wrap it in a kind of cocoon, forgetting about the tail once again, and fly to the opposite edge of the bridge. The lizard roars, but can't get his hands free. It glares at me fiercely, and with a little sprint it dives into the Hudson. I growl in rage myself, not knowing whether I'm more spider or human now. I jump up and run after the pro. I catch the strange object as I run, and turn my gaze back to where it came from. A black cloaked silhouette. Gwen. I look at my hands again, yep. She threw me the anti-mutagen darts. I had my own, but in the midst of the fight, the purse containing them came off. I nodded to Gwen, and jumped into the murky water, following the Lizard. Unfortunately, I wasn't a capable swimmer, and I hadn't really liked water in all my lives. But I don't think a partially immobilised Lizard could put up much resistance.

The dive was very unpleasant, I almost drowned! Then, after waking up, I was looking for a 'client' for a long time, I had to dive for oxygen several times. Thanks to the helicopters for illuminating me, otherwise it would have been sad! But finally, almost at the very bottom of the Hudson, I noticed the figure of a prof. He was furiously rubbing against the sharp edge of the rock, trying to cut the cobwebs, but to no avail. A few minutes later, I realised how wrong I'd been! A bloody tail! Despite the 'loss' of two forelimbs, the Lizard was just marvellous in the water element! In addition, the right web thrower, from contact with water, shorted out a bit and stopped working! And the damn alligator had a mouthful of teeth! I don't know how long we struggled like that, but I was tired as hell. At some point, something came into my hand, and I shoved it straight down the monster's throat. 'It' was an object code-named 'common log.' I was so happy to see the offended Lizard unable to bite the wood! No words! Finding the darts, I thrust them with all my might into the prof's wriggling tongue. Morally, I was prepared that nothing would happen, that it was all for nothing. I wouldn't be upset at the failure, I had no strength left for that. However, I could not rejoice fully when one of my drugs (or all of them together...) began to work. I had no strength....

Picking up the unconscious body of Curt Connors, I sadly watched his arm fall apart. Strangely, according to my calculations, this shouldn't have happened. If the arm was regenerating, then why was it disappearing? Unless the same mechanism as the lizards worked, he just 'threw it off'... But now, underwater is not the best time for scientific speculation. Prof is unconscious, I'm running out of oxygen, the spotlights are beating down. I'd like to say 'romance,' but I can't say 'romance.

All right, let's get out of here.

***

New York. Parker house. Three days later.

The alarm clock beeped obnoxiously. Someone next to me grumbled something unhappily, and covered himself with a blanket. Hmm... Gwen went home the day before yesterday. Was it just a dream? I should have gone to bed on time last night, I wouldn't have felt so lousy! I rolled out of bed and went to the bathroom. The contrast shower didn't help much, so I dressed like a zombie and went for a jog. I had neglected it lately, and for nothing! Half an hour later, I was as fresh as a cucumber! Not in the sense that fresh, but green and in a pimple! It's cold, though. Well, at least I'm awake, that's good.

Back in the house, of course, everyone was still asleep. Who wants to get up this early? Maybe I don't want to go jogging. It is worth to think about this question fundamentally... in bed... I set the alarm clock again, having set the most extreme time, I ducked under the blanket. I found a small, but warm lump there, grabbed it close to me and passed out in a flash.

It seemed like a minute before the devil's servant began to scream again. Something rumbled under his side again, and the nasty sound disappeared. Praising the gods of Asgard, I wanted to fall back into a sweet sleep, but nothing was working. I was consciously aware that I wasn't the only one with such problems. The warm lump under my side moved lazily, and after a couple of minutes I realised that someone was staring at me. A wave of panic mixed with confusion finally drove the sleep away. Thank fuck for empathy.

I opened my eyes reluctantly.

- Petra...' I noted phlegmatically, the girl staring at me in puzzlement.

- I'm sorry! - she squeaks, and hides under the blanket.

I don't even need to ask anything. I have a rough picture in my mind. Gwen, having lost her reason for living with me, reluctantly moved home. Admittedly, I'm so used to having her around all the time that I now feel somewhat... lonely and uncomfortable. What was I saying? Oh, yes! Gwen's gone, but the house hasn't got any less crowded! Who do you think took the vacant seat? Felicia! What about it? She's a cat! She liked her aunt's home-cooked food, so she packed her bags and came to visit me. We put her in the guest room, the same place as Petra. Personally, I did not sleep in the same bed with a cat, but Gwen told me the beauty of it. According to my girlfriend, it's torture! Petra must have been just as tired of sleeping in bed with that... cat in a word. Or maybe she went to the loo at night and got the wrong door on the way back. Whatever.

As I got out of bed, I noticed my heels sticking out from under the duvet. Checking them for tickles, I was sure they were! Positive reaction. The panic had safely subsided, and I exhaled with relief. It was dangerous to load my poor brain with thoughts of why Petra was so afraid. I still do not understand women well.....

- Sleep, little one, it's good for you, you don't need to go to school, and even less to the institute....

With these words I went fishily into the doorway, driven by a wave of indignation, and shouted - 'I'm not small! You are!'. Kitchen, kitchen I'm coming to you! The aforementioned room greeted me with the cheerful looks of my uncle and aunt. Well, yes, the little one's howls of indignation could be heard, probably in the neighbouring houses as well. Felicia was sitting on a chair, blissfully covering her eyes and moving her jaw slowly. She held a monster-looking sandwich in one hand and a glass of tomato juice in the other. A large bowl with the rest of the sandwiches was slid close to the girl. After greeting my uncle, who was enjoying his morning tea, and kissing my aunt on the cheek, I sat down at the table. Carefully trying not to rustle my clothes, I reached for the plate of sandwiches. When my fingers closed on the deliciousness, I thought it was all right. But then one of Felicia's eyes snapped open and glared at the sacrilegious man. Me! I had to make a begging face. The girl squinted (with one eye!) and took a sip of tomato juice. I swallowed.

- Oh! Ha-ha-ha...' Aunt May finally said. - Peter, I'll make you some more now!

- Let him... take it... - the cat finally decided and covered her eye. - She'll work it off... later...

While chewing my sandwich, I looked at Felicia cautiously. And thinking. She could really make me work for it! It's funny to Auntie, it's funny to Uncle Ben, and I know her. The cat has a vivid imagination, if not a sick one, and she can think of something bad to do to me. What am I worried about? She's blissfully happy! I'm sure she's already forgotten about her promise! I hope so.

After finishing my tea, I got up. I don't want to be late for university today. I'd already slept a little longer, so now I had to hurry.

- Peter.

- Huh?' As I looked at Uncle Ben's serious face, I frowned involuntarily.

- We need to talk. - Auntie was serious too.

I sat back down. Aunt May glanced over at Uncle Ben, looking at the still blissful Felicia. She was fumbling around the table with her eyes closed, looking for the tomato juice packet. Her aunt sighed in her own way, smiled, opened the fridge and poured the juice into the empty glass. Felicia murmured something appreciatively and sucked on the glass. I don't know who exactly my relatives saw the cat as, but in a couple of days it managed to get a firm foothold in the house as a member of the family. I didn't mind, it was just unusual for me as the only child in the family, and I also missed Gwen.....

- This conversation is about Petra.

- I'm listening. - I assured my uncle.

I don't know what they want, for the life of me. I thought we had it all figured out. I told them the girl's story honestly, and I didn't hide the fact that she was a mutant. Hinting, by the way, that I'm no ordinary person either. They accepted the information calmly. That I was also a mutant, they, if I correctly deciphered their emotions, suspected long ago. My aunt and uncle were only glad that I finally stopped hiding it from them.

In Petra's case, they were more concerned about the fact that the girl had no relatives, and all that she had been through, than about any little things like unusual abilities. They agreed to let her stay with us for a few months. Until the situation clears up. Just like that, that's all they agreed to. Did I mention that they're great people?!

- Pete, we've had a lot of time to think and decide. We haven't said anything to anyone yet, and... you should probably be the first...' her aunt hesitated and stopped talking.

- Uncle what are you talking about? I somewhat don't understand...

- 'Ugum...' came a consonant from Felicia's side.

- 'You know we love you very much Pete. We don't have children of our own, and that's partly why we care about you so much. Maybe that's a bit wrong... But you're an adult now, and we hope you understand?

- Come on, of course I understand!

- Anyway, we want to adopt Petra. - Auntie blurted out, and she looked at me guiltily.

To say that it was a surprise is not to say anything! It took me a long time to realise it. No, no conflicting emotions! The news was taken, come to think of it, very calmly, as a matter of course. It was just that she was... unexpected at most.

- If she would not mind, of course. - Uncle added hastily, and looked at the door.

Ah, there it is! And I wondered why I was so frightened, what fear I felt in the periphery of my mind. It's not an easy task for an empath... Standing up from the table, I opened the door to the corridor, but there was no one there.

- Ran away.

Something clicked in my head, so loudly that I thought everyone could hear it. The confusion in my head vanished, and clarity returned. And I went upstairs.

- Let him go, there's no need...' Felicia's voice came to me, but I didn't turn round.

The door of my room was closed, but not locked. I made sure of that by pushing it lightly. Petra was sitting on the bed, wearing funny pajamas with kitties on them. The girl was staring unblinkingly at one point on the wall. In her hands she held an open but empty rucksack.

- Did you hear everything? - I know it's a stupid question, but what can you do if nothing else came to mind.

- Why?

- Why what?

They looked at me like I was out of my mind. I just shrugged my shoulders phlegmatically, I really don't understand....

- It doesn't work like that. It can't be like that! Do you understand? You've already done so much for me, and now this... it can't be like that! - the girl repeated stubbornly.

- Do you think it's too good? - I finally realised, and collapsed on the bed next to Petra. - Forget it!

- What?! Forget it!? That's the best advice you can give me? Are you kidding me? Who's a child and who's an adult?

I was attacked with fists. It even hurt. Some of the injuries from the fight with the Lizard hadn't healed yet. After a few minutes, the girl realised the futility of this and tried to smother me with a pillow. I tried to hold back and not grunt loudly, laughing. At last, having mocked me enough, my personal executor calmed down. Breathing heavily, she too lay on her back and looked at the ceiling.

- Petra, I don't like this kind of reasoning - 'What would have happened if I had acted differently in that situation?'. It's already happened. Just deal with it. You came up to us in the park, that's it! Just think of it as a bright spot in your life.

- But people don't just adopt the first street kids they see! That's not how it works! - The girl was stubborn.

- Ben and Mae are very good people. I think you'll agree with me on that, don't you? Not saints, because there's no such thing. But they are very fond of children, and they are very anxious that they can't have any of their own. I was the straw that once saved them from despair. Now you're in the house. I guess they thought you were a sign of good fortune or something. Think about it. You need a family that loves you, and they... can give you one.

'They need you.' That's what I wanted to say to her, but I didn't dare. After all, I'm all grown up now, and they realise that. Petra is their chance, their second youth. It's possible that they need the girl even more than she needs them.

- What about you?

- М?

- You... you too... - again that angry and at the same time fear-filled look. As if I'm forcing her to say hard, difficult things by my lack of understanding. - You don't...

- I've always wanted a big, loud family. - and I have epiphanies.

- You do?

- Of course! - I lied easily. All my conscious life, I've been happy that fate gave my parents only one baby boy. Me. I always thought I was enough for them. Selfish or not, I won't say. Although, as it is not surprising my beliefs in this matter recently underwent a radical change. Just after fate brought me together with blondes. - Having a brother or sister, I've always wanted that....

I wanted to say a lot of other things in the same soothing manner. But the wave of joy that came from Petra was so pure and concentrated that I choked. Smiling moronically, like a junkie who had caught a particularly good high, I gazed blissfully at the ceiling.

- Yee-haw! Pete, we're late! - The buzz didn't last long, as usual, as an excited Felicia burst into the room. - Honey, are you coming with us?

- I'm coming! - Petra agreed, without even asking where.

- Well, so bullet dress! Eat in the car, Aunt May has already packed the brake. Hurry up, hurry up!

***

New York City. School number?

- So, miss davis, let's go over the story again.

- Oh, my gods! Well, how much longer?

- As long as it takes. - replied the young man in the steel-coloured suit calmly but firmly.

- Oh!' Miss Davis sighed heavily, and rubbed her temples with her hands. - All right, all right as you say! - she said irritably. - 'We had a new pupil transfer to us not long ago. Thomas Patisson. Almost immediately he had a conflict with Mr Flash Thompson. You know, the usual boyish mating games. They're just the right age, so they suffer, and we suffer around them. Flash is the star of our football team. He's a good boy, athletic. But he has some problems with his studies, and discipline, too, for that matter. Thomas, on the other hand, is clearly inferior to Thompson in terms of brute strength. But still, as far as I know, Thomas has won every fight he's ever been in. There's a rumour going around the school that Thomas is a mutant. It's rubbish, but a lot of people believe it. I've had several conversations with Mr Thompson, from which I've learned that he's the one spreading the rumour. Simple jealousy.

The fight you're so interested in, as I've told you many times, took place off the school grounds. I don't know the details. That's basically all I can tell you.

- All right, Miss Davis, I think that's enough. - said the red-haired woman, who had been silent until then, tiredly.

The man in the austere suit looked disapprovingly at his colleague, but remained silent. After a short goodbye, the couple left the deputy director's office. Without stopping anywhere else, they walked down the corridor and soon found themselves on the street. The red-haired woman breathed in the fresh air with relief, and burrowed into a small purse.

- Baby, you don't look so good! - smiling radiantly, her colleague remarked.

The man had changed dramatically when he left the deputy director's office. There he had been a strict policeman, but now he had become a macho man! An irresistible male trying to impress an unapproachable female. This has been going on since the first day they met. That's why the young woman, a girl still, in fact, not so keenly reacted to such passages, had time to get used to it just a little bit.

- That's a lovely compliment, Joe, I'm flattered. - The irritation and irony of that phrase could be spread on bread instead of butter.

At last the girl took a packet of thin cigarettes out of her purse. Pulled one out. Grumbled, reached for the lighter.

- You're gonna get some grumbling, baby! - the man lit his burner. - And anyway, don't you think it's a bit rude to smoke on school grounds?

- I don't care.

Sharon Carter, that was the girl's name, was angry and saw no reason to hide it from her colleague.

- Why are you so mad?

- How can I not be mad? How can you be so calm yourself? We went through such training, such brutal control, so much effort was spent... and what in the end? Doing errands, eating doughnuts? What?!

- Come on, Shar. It's not all at once, is it? We've only just been approved, and as agents, we have the lowest level of access. It's no wonder we've been assigned the most basic tasks so far. Just be patient, we've got a long way to go. I'm telling you, baby.

Joe finished optimistically, to which Agent Carter only snorted unhappily. It wasn't the first time this topic had come up between them, so she had memorised the man's arguments well. Which, however, did not prevent her from categorically rejecting those arguments.

- It's all words! - The girl muttered angrily, sending the cigarette butt into a short flight. - Travelling around schools, looking for hypothetical mutants, reacting to the word 'mutant' as if it were a red rag... That's not what I expected from serving in THAT structure!

During the short conversation, the agents managed to pass the schoolyard, go outside the school, and reach the official car. Jonathan couldn't resist lighting a cigarette himself. Sharon quietly muttered curses to her superiors and climbed into the car. She took out a tablet computer and with an angry look on her face began to look for something.

- Where to now? - The man asked, letting out the first smoke.

- You're asking me? - As it happened, Joe had conceded the leadership of the two to the lady, which pleased the lady at heart. - Just so I know... Patisson's kid's passed out, closed craniocerebral... Who knows when he'll wake up, there's no point in going to the hospital again. Doesn't make sense to me, either. He's not a mutant. I'm sure he is.

- Yeah, what's that martial arts thing he's learning called? Slipped my mind, but it sounds threatening!

- Who cares? - Shar snorted contemptuously. - It didn't do him any good against a piece of pipe!

- You're right, baby. - He smiled dazzlingly and irresistibly again, and without waiting for the usual reaction from the girl, he continued, raising his index finger to the sky. - You have to think with your head!

- Okay, - the redhead threw back the tablet, - I've sketched the report and sent it. Enough for today, take me home. I'm going to take a bath and go to bed... What the hell is calling? If it's just another bullshit assignment. Hmm.

- What is it? - Joe asked, getting behind the wheel.

- The number's hidden...' said Shar in astonishment. Only one person could call the office phone, from a hidden number. - Hello...

***

State University of New York. Auditorium number? Lunch.

The lecture theatre was gradually and steadily filling up. The students, whose lecture was to begin in ten minutes, had almost all gathered. There were, in fact, not many of them, and the future luminaries occupied hardly a miserable third of the seats. Almost all the students gathered near the centre row. Holding their breath, they carefully listened to the speech of the russet-haired guy sitting in the second row. He was broadcasting quite quietly, as if telling a joke to a neighbour and not worrying whether the rest of the audience would hear him or not.

Undoubtedly, this picture was almost on the verge of fantasy. A student is a noisy, uncultured, and foul-smelling creature. And cannot behave quietly a priori! Undoubtedly, a wise teacher can draw the attention of his listeners to the subject of his lecture, even with the same amusing cases from his own practice. But the russet-haired boy did not look like a wise man, as he was still too young. However, he did not think about such matters at all now. He was really explaining an interesting point to his neighbour, and he was so engrossed that he did not pay any attention to the crowd gathered around him.

In the meantime the auditorium was filling up with people. A great many people were coming in! Students from other streams, a few professors who were lucky enough to have windows in their schedules. Some of them had nothing to do with the institution at all. For example, the most conspicuous were a couple of people with large bags from which cameras, tripods, and microphones were taken.

The newcomers were shouted at by the students, who shrugged their shoulders in bewilderment and tried to behave more quietly. A minute before the lecture began, the auditorium was filled to capacity. The university guards were looking at the mess, scowling and wearing a stern expression on their faces. Recently, the guys had received a significant kick in the arse and lost their bonuses. That's why they were vigilant and on display. Some reporters, those who had managed to slip in here without a pass, were escorted out without ceremony.

The last minute passed and the relative silence of the filled room was broken by the bell ringing for the start of class... But nothing happened. The door didn't open. And a solid-looking teacher did not enter the classroom with a rapid step. He didn't throw his expensive leather bag on the table dismissively. He did not smile a wide smile filled with realisation of his own greatness. And did not start monotonously and tediously dictating a lecture which he had been unable to remember for ten years. After a dozen minutes one of the reporters couldn't stand it, pushing to the centre, he singled out a presentable-looking man, obviously a teacher, and quietly drew his attention.

- Excuse me, sir. Can you tell me when the teacher will come and start the lecture?

The man looked at the journalist with the look of a man who had been torn away from an interesting and addictive book.

- So... actually already... - the solid-looking man mumbled absent-mindedly and turned his head, losing interest in his interlocutor.