Spider-Woman: Origin

Chapter 1

5 Years Later

2023

I fell to the tiled floor littered with dirt and debris. My legs felt wobbly beneath me but I managed to push myself to my feet. My gaze was fixated on the windows and doors in front of me before they shifted around the building I was in to find others with similar confused expressions matching my own.

The room resembled that of a restaurant, except some pieces of furniture were overturned making it look like a tornado struck its interior. The room gave off a dark and gloomy vibe despite some of the natural lighting being brought in by the sun. What used to be a restaurant was now vacant with mold and rust settling into it.

"What the hell happened?" A man inquired nearby.

No one answered him.

I walked deeper into the restaurant and searched my mind for memories of what took place before my arrival here. Or was I here the entire time? I worked my way down the line of tables and looked down to find the faint markings of happy birthday etched onto the floor in blue with a piece of small, round cardboard beside it. By the same table, were four plates rid of all possible food contents that may have graced them before.

My memories returned to me and I covered my mouth with my hand to hold in the soft gasps of shock that wanted to escape me. I felt the warmth my hand provided and I questioned if this was real, if my being here was real. I glanced at my hands to find them fully materialized and not ash as they were before.

"I'm alive," I murmured, earning curious glances from those around me. A spark of excitement lit within me before I felt a wave of relief. My thoughts turned to that of my family and my last memory being that of their terror-stricken reactions when I began turning into ash. Everything went black but somehow I returned and all in one piece. My eyes shifted to the doors and decided it was time to go home.

I bolted towards the exit, avoiding those within the building slowly moving in the same direction. I came to a stop outside the door to take in the feel of the sun on my skin and looked up at the endless blue sky. Birds were chirping but the overwhelming murmurs of people filled my ears. I looked ahead to find the street littered with people, their eyes shifting around in confusion. Did they return just as I have?

I continued walking ahead in the direction I knew was home and meandered my way through the small crowd of people. 

I cut the corner and quickened my pace with there being fewer people as I entered a neighborhood. Nearby I noticed a man standing outside a wooden door, knocking away desperately. The door opened mid-knock and the person on the other side gasped in surprise before taking the man into an embrace. My heart warmed at the sight and I now began to run, with the anticipation of being welcomed by my family in the same manner.

I left the neighborhood and found my way onto a sidewalk with a crowd of people beside skyscrapers that aligned on both sides of the main road. I made myself small and worked my way through. I found myself being shoved on all sides with voices raising every second that went by. The crowd became restless and hostile with shouts of anger from those around me filling my ears.

I pushed my way through and nearly sighed in relief when I caught sight of the end where fewer people lingered. I was almost free when an elbow found its way to the space in between my eye and eyebrow. I hissed in pain, bringing my hand up to massage the area and at the same time, I broke free of the crowd. I turned to gaze upon the people and brought my hand in front of me to see spots of blood on my fingers.