Prologue ⎈ Memories
The Ashfordes were the picture-perfect family. Straight A's, good jobs, and successful careers. There was one thing however, the family lacked. Unity. The family loved each other but they were horrible at showing it. That's a problem that only got worse with time. Marcus and Christine Ashforde always worked, only getting home in time to say goodnight to their children and release their babysitter from her duties and by morning they'd be gone again. McKayla and Louis were used to that. Every morning the eldest, McKayla Ashforde, from the ripe age of 6 would wake her brother up, make sure he was ready for school and ate breakfast. This was their normal. Until it wasn't.
Marcus Ashforde worked alongside some of the best scientists at Oscorp, Curtis Connor and Richard Parker. They were all fascinated with the idea of cross-species genetics, desperate to find an answer to cure both Curtis Conners, with his missing arm, and Norman Osborn, with his deadly sickness. But Marcus had other priorities. While yes, he was interested in cross-species genetics he was more so curious in abilities. He wanted to know if it was possible to make someone into a superhero, if something like that could truly exist. It was his lifelong mission, one that he would soon grow to regret.
Christine Ashforde, although interested in the sciences, she was much more skilled in journalism. She climbed the ranks from a young age and landed one of the best jobs New York had to offer, but this meant she had long hours and could be called in urgently at any time on top of working almost 12 hours a day.
McKayla Ashforde was the eldest daughter. Her parents daunting success weighed heavily over the young girl as she felt constantly pressured to be just as successful, if she wasn't, then she had failed. Her parent's hectic schedules caused McKayla to have to look after her younger brother most of the time, from making sure he ate breakfast, to getting him ready for school. Luckily, she had her best friend, Gwen Stacey, who always made sure the girl was alright and lent a hand in any way she could.
And finally, Louis Ashforde, somehow the boy was so effortlessly flawless. He got perfect grades without needing to study, he had no trouble making friends and was good at everything he did. Despite constantly moving the boys attitude towards life never seemed to falter, the spark in his eyes always shining bright.
After Louis's birthday everything seemed to change. There was a noticeable shift in the childrens father, he began to work ever harder and longer, sometimes even at home. None of them knew why.
⎈
IT WAS A TYPICAL SATURDAY MORNING FOR THE ASHFORDES. The family of 4 were all finishing up breakfast when the doorbell rang "That must be George I'll get it." Marcus says standing from his place on a barstool, disappearing behind a wall separating the kitchen from the rest of the house.
A minute later he returns with a man that looks around the same age as him accompanying him is a girl who couldn't be older than 4 with matching blonde hair. The man greets Christine before turning towards the 2 other young children "Well haven't you two grown." the strange man says "Mckayla, Louis this is George Stacy and his daughter Gwen." their father explains gesturing to the 2 strangers. "Hi" the girl now known as Gwen says smiling brightly "Hello" Mckayla responds fiddling with her fingers, Louis babbels a barely audible hello. "Why don't you girls go play while we talk ok" Marcus suggests "Come on I have toys in my room!" the youngest girl says latching her hand onto Gwens and leading her to her room.
⎈
The girls made many memories, some of them including unicorns hanging from trees and hiding fake spiders around their houses. The most memorable thing however was when the girls were playing in the Ashforde's backyard laughing while running around pretending to be princesess, they were having so much fun that Mckayla wasn't watching where she was going and fell into a ditch "Ow!" she yelped as she landed face first in the dirt. Gwen rushed over giggling at the sight of Mckayla "You ok?" she asked, Mckayla turned her body around attempting to stand before staggering, "I think I hurt my ankle" she whined "Here let me help you" Gwen says grabbing ahold of Mckayla's hands holstering her back up and slinging her arm around her best friends shoulders "Thanks for being my knight in shining armor Gwen" "Anytime Jae Jae."
⎈
4 years pass, it was a breezy spring afternoon. Mckayla and Gwen were playing hide and seek at the Stacy's apartment, Mckayla was currently hiding in the laundry closet while Gwen was searching for her best friend. "Im gonna find you!" Gwen shouts giggling, slowly creeping closer to Mckayla. Gwen enters the laundry peeking behind the door before locking her eyes onto the closet, she slowly walks up to the door, "BOO!" Mckayla yells as the door opens "AHH" Gwen screams before bursting out in a fit of giggles Mckayla joining in.
"GIRLS! MCKAYLA'S MOTHER IS HERE"
"Huh" Gwen mumbles, "Weren't you sleeping over?"
"Yeah, I thought so" Mckayla replies as both of the girls trudge towards the front door, but briefly stop in the living room, where the TV is turned onto a news sight with the headline 'RICHARD PARKER AND COLLEAGUE'S ABRUPT DISAPPEARANCE, WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR' the girls look at each other.
"Doesn't your dad work with him?" Gwen questions
"Yeah.. Strange" Mckayla mumbles, shrugging and continuing to the front door to see her mother.
"Hey sweetie, I'm sorry something came up, you can't stay tonight." Christine informs the two young girls.
"Awwwww" both of the girls whined in unison "Say goodbye to Gwen, Mckayla"
"Bye bye Gwenie," Mckayla says tightly hugging her friend as if it was the last time she would see her, and unbeknownst to the two girls, it was.
"Bye Jae" Gwen replies not wanting to let go but reluctantly doing so.
Christine grabs ahold of her daughter's hand saying a quick goodbye, and hurrying out of the apartment to the car filled with bags. "Why is the car filled with bags?" Christine stops opening the backseat door and buckling Mckayla in next to her brother. "I'm sorry Kayla we have to move" Mckayla's gaze immediately locks eyes with her mother's "Move?!" "Yes, hun" Mckayla's face is overthrown by sadness "But I don't want to leave! What about Gwen? Where's Daddy?!" "Sorry Kayla" her mother replies shutting her door.
"I wish I could tell you"