A strange feeling washed over Danielle as she wiggled her fingers into the biker gloves. She was really going to try it. She took a moment to examine her hand. The black leather didn't exactly match the rest of her mishmash getup, but she was focused on protection over aesthetics.
It was quite the look. A hot-pink paisley bandana, a chunky pair of ski goggles, faded SIU hoodie, some sweats, and her scuffed sneakers. Everything about her ensemble just screamed hero.
Dani took a deep breath and shimmied her shoulders. Slowly, she stepped toward the window. She caught a quick glimpse of herself in Camilla's vanity. Yikes.
How the hell did she manage to make being a superhero embarrassing? Dani shook her head. God, she looked stupid. She looked back to the window. The sun set about a half hour ago. If there was ever a time to try, it was here. It was now. After yet another breath, Dani stepped over the window. She picked up her pothos, gently transferring it from the sill to an empty plot on her disheveled desk.
With unsteady hands, she quietly unlocked the window and slid it open. When she finally stepped onto the shotty fire escape, she was greeted by the frigid Brooklyn air. She pulled bandana over her nose. Then, Dani slid the window to a close. She just stood for a moment, the rickety, rusted fire escape rattling in the wind.
She clutched the rail like her life depended on it. When she looked to the streets below, her stomach dropped. The 9th floor. 9 whole floors. She lifted one of her feet. She was met with a great deal of resistance. She wondered how it worked, but she figured it'd be best not to think about it too hard. She drew a sigh of relief, then placed her hands on the building. Her fingers instantly locked onto the old brick. For once, she was grateful for her freakish spider-hands.
She squeezed her eyes shut and hiked one leg up onto the wall. Then the other, positioning herself above the relative safety(?) of the fire escape. And although her body was stiff with terror, she inched over to the right until she was parallel to the fire escape. Slowly but surely (and with only a handful of heart palpitations) Dani crawled up the side of the building. When she reached the top, she hoisted herself up the ledge and hit the rooftop with a thud. Her heart pounded in her ears; her lungs desperate for air. And for a while, she just sat, flooded with adrenaline.
And despite her terror, she let out a shallow laugh. She had actually done it.
YOU ARE READING
A Leap of Faith
FanfictionIt's been 4 years since Miles Morales' life was turned upside-down. With a few years under his belt, Miles is a more confident- and experienced- Spider-man, keeping New York City safe from harm on the daily. But keeping 8 million people from certain...
