Not My Miguel
After a nauseating ride through their weird clunky portal, i arrived at Alchemax- or- their version of Alchemax. Apparently the guy who designed all of this is some scientific prodigy, probably some peter variation like Ben Riley. Oh did i mention Ben? Yeah i met him as soon as i landed, acting all dramatic and shit trying to help me up. Yeah so me and Jess had to sit though his whole sob backstory. After a while tho we finally got away.
“does that guy every shut up?”
“unfortunately, no, but he is one of our best.” Jess and i rush into an elevator just in time for it to close without Ben. Unfortunately though we left Peter and his gaze shot daggers at us through the glass door of the elevator as we ascended high into building.
Jess and i couldn’t help but share a few laughs.
“So uhhh this guy who started it all, he’s some Peter variation right?”
“eeeehhhh you could say that, kind of. Not really though, he’s not a peter.” Jess shrugged and the doors to the elevator opened into a dark room.
i step forward feeling the temperature drop. I know i’m at spider headquarters or whatever, but everything in my gut is telling me to run the other way. Something in this room is brooding and angry, Some greater force than i.
“You should probably just meet him yourself, nothing i’ve ever said to any other recruits could prepare them” Jess sighs and walks ahead of me, she carried her weight so confidently and shrugged off this energy like it was nothing.
i kept close behind her, following her path as exactly as i could. My eyes still haven’t adjusted from the blinding white, clean lobby. To be honest, the dark is more comforting to me, my eyes changed since i was bit and brighter lights made my head hurt.
We came to a large electric door. it opened smoothly, making little noise and a room full of electronics and computers stood before us.
Whatever lies in this room knows we’re here now.
Jess and i walk into the large room with tall ceilings.
“so ummmm is this guy like a bat or something?” i chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.
“he lives like one.” Jess stops at the center of the large room and looks up to a large platform that was slowly descending toward us.
after a moment the platform settles and a large form stands hunched at the computers. Something familiar rose and fell into the pits of my stomach. I thought i wanted to run before, but i sure as hell wanted to run now.
“did you bring what i asked?” his voice was low and raspy, tired sounding. Familiar sounding. I never thought i’d hear that voice again.
“yup, he’s right here, one of the strongest spider variations there is, in the flesh.” Jess patted me on the back and then noticed how tense i was, not even needing to look at my face under my mask she understood and knew she made a terrible mistake.
“ah well- maybe this isn’t a great time actually, i still need to show him aro-“
“leave him with me.”
“Migue-“
“Leave him.” he snapped slightly, angry. i’d never heard that tone from him before.
Jess sighed, frustrated and exhausted she left the way we came.
i could feel my fists shake with rage. Who the fuck does he think he is. How dare he fucking impersonate him.
He turns around to face me, his features seared into my memory. Deep, tired eyes, an angry, strained expression on his face.
“You’re hard to find, there is no information about you on record. None. Lyla, my AI barely works in your dimension.” Everything out of his mouth sounded like an accusation, as if it were my fault.
i stood there, silent, no longer scared. No longer angry, just unwilling to believe what i was seeing.
This isn’t my Miguel. Not my Best friend. Not my childhood crush. He’s not mine.
For a large man, he walked near silently. Something sinister this way comes, as he swiftly stops directly in front of me. Arms folded.
“I want you to join the spider society. Your regenative abilities and ability to mutate spider like features are.. unmatched to say the least. They’re much better than what i can replicate at alchemax.” He almost sounds like he’s complimenting me, almost.
then everything started coming back. everything was back at the surface. i stood in silence for an abnormally long period of time, apparently enough unsettle him.
He lets out an aggravated sigh, “Look, among the spider people we’ve recruited, you’re with the people with the most experience. You’re up here with me, Jess, and Peter. I respect you okay? i want you to be part of this, will you please just speak up?” He was almost raising his voice now, growing impatient.
“Yes.”