Parker Luck
There is something very important about Parker luck to know. Something so detrimental to obtain the knowledge of, possibly the most important fact of it to know. It doesn’t skip any Parker. No matter who it is. No matter what. Especially if things start to look up. Too much of a good thing, which is when his family isn’t below the poverty line for once or barely scraping by, and something awful must happen. Peter learned this the hard way. He thought that his Parker karma was at ease after the death of his uncle and almost getting evicted.
He was so, so wrong. So humiliatingly wrong, so depressingly wrong, so maddeningly wrong, so furiously frustratingly fatally wrong.
You see Peter has been a sort of quiet kid. The one who sat in the back of the room silently daydreaming and rewriting the plot of Star Wars in his head countless times. The one who doodled and wrote out his feelings because he never really had friends to tell them to. The kind of kid who barely had to study to ace any class he had, which was what landed him in the prestigious high school known as Midtown. Most students bought their way in while he was in on a scholarship. It was a real dream come true for him.
At this point in his life he felt so accomplished without having to worry about the consequences that the universe would throw at him. A good thing of this magnitude would lead to another that would lead to the end of all good days. A good thing known as the visit to Oscorp. Which lead to the bite. Of course, we all know this part, and if you don’t just look it up or watch one of the origin movies. Spoiler for the next part if you haven’t left and watched it once yet.
After the bite he was excited. He could physically do so much more than before, he didn’t need his glasses, got super strong, even more flexible and agile. But he had to think rationally. As much as he would have loved to be the next big superhero, the next Hawkeye, the next Captain America, or even if he managed to reach such a dream, he could be the next Iron Man. At fourteen though? With rumors of the government going to attempt to keep a leash on mutants and hero’s? Maybe he can hold off for a bit, then change the future? Don’t bring in suspicion either, he couldn’t do it then, why should he do it now?
Hope for him during this time was running high. He seemed to forget the ever presence of his Parker luck. Because he decided to hold off. Hold back. Keep his hood on and head down on the streets. Ignoring the passing criminals of every degree. His karma filled up and he ignored possibly the worst one. While out getting a drink and snack at a corner store after getting in a dispute with his aunt and uncle, he ignored the thief that went in with a gun. He ignored him, his uncle Ben, who was out looking for Peter that night wasn’t. Then he got shot.
All Peter remembered of the scene were muddled visuals of blood and his dying uncle as tears poured out of his eyes. He remembered pushing down to hold in the blood maybe with too much strength. He remembered desperately yelling at anyone passing by to call emergency services. He remembered the rushing thoughts of his aunt who was still probably at home. He remembered Ben’s knowing smile and soft quiet words telling him, his why, why he did what he did, “With great power, comes great responsibility Peter.”
At that point Peter refused to ignore it anymore. He threw together an array of clothing items of two colors. Red and blue. Red for Iron Man and his bravery, smarts, and wits, and blue for Captain America for his strength and kindness. Along with a hand drawn spider on the front of the hoodie for himself. Spider-man.
Once he became his alter ego it meant so much. Of course, he had to keep it hidden from his new friend Ned, who is just as much of a nerd of everything as he is. Along with literally everyone else. He stopped crooks who stole, destroyed, or manipulated the situation for themselves. He talked to people of every caliber who stood on rooftops to jump, or if they just needed someone there. He would even help with directions, or getting stubborn little kitties out of trees for young girls who would thank him, even if her parents would freak out about a boy in old gym clothes being anywhere near her. His uncle would have been proud. He always liked to think Ben would encourage the lifestyle, help hide it from May, and maybe the two would have bonded over it.
Things felt like they were looking up. Grades were good, May was finally able to take a break from work, his job as Spider-man was starting to feel ever so slightly boring at the lack of crime but that meant that there wasn’t as many crimes now which was amazing, and now at home they had more money for food, and going out, and having fun. It unfortunately meant that the Parker luck had to catch up, and in the worst way possible.
He was back out in the alley, working, fighting a group of criminals who was trying to get away from the store they just stole from. They ended up grabbing someone while attempting to retreat, using the woman as a shield, holding up a gun to her temple. And there was Peter, who in the moment went from a super powered vigilante to a scared little fourteen-year-old as he realized that the woman was Aunt May, who was taking time off from work to shop and get Peter a surprise gift for doing so well in school all the time and actually having the money to do so.
It had all happened so fast; he couldn’t remember exactly what happened. Some kind of skirmish between him and the group, they shot Aunt May, ran away and Peter was left as a true orphan. Cradling his dying aunt in his arms, mask off to look her in the eyes one last time to tell her how much he loved her. Her own eyes were dull in return as she mumbled the same thing, how much she loved him. Unable to move her hands to wipe away the free-flowing tears from her nephew's eyes she gave him a weak smile. Her final words mixed in with hoarse breathing, and struggling acceptance of the situation that she was in.
“Peter, I am so proud of you.”
Those were her final words her final words were about him but which side? Spider-Man for saving people or for Peter trying his damn hardest at everything. He was sure that he would never know. Peter, trapped in the suit came to a realization that hurt more than he would ever be willing to admit. How much of it was his fault. Uncle Ben died because he wasn’t Spider-man, but Aunt May died because he was. Peter just didn’t know which was worse.
After sitting in the same, cold spot for a few minutes, holding the last member of his family he managed to stand. He managed to find a way to get to the nearest hospital, the police station was too far away. Handing her over to see if any miracle would manage to happen. It wouldn’t of course. Peter ended patrol early that night. Going to a lonely apartment, in a crowded building. He slept in her bed, well, sleeping would be too much of a stretch. He laid there, awake. The bolder that was his situation hit him, resting on his laying form. He cried for most of the night, until his eyes couldn’t take it, going dry and sore, as he passed out.
Then he was awoken to the sounds of banging on his front door, and shouting from the other side. Demands of opening the door. It was the police. They’ve been trying for a while now, but it seemed to have reached the point of taking too long. Their attempts of getting Peter were becoming frantic. He struggled to get his eyes open, let alone stand. Something was weighing him down. It was gripping him by his shoulders and pulling him down to stay put where he was standing. Peter felt as though he was drowning, but knew he had to get to the door. Dragging his feet along the floor he made it to the door then finally opening it.
What came next was normal. He was told that his Aunt was dead, well, she passed from a possible mugging the night previously. He has no other family. A social worker was here to speak to him. They were telling him things that he already knew. Reminding him of his failure. The tears returned so the police quickly pushed the social worker to the front as they grew uncomfortable in the presence of the broken-down teenager.
Drowning. He still felt as though he was drowning. The water surrounding him. He couldn’t breathe. He was choking. The words of the lady were gargling and distant and- an arm wrapped around him carefully. Soothing words that he could barely hear fell from her mouth, “Why don’t you pack up some of your belongings.” That’s right. He couldn’t stay in this apartment alone, not at his age.
As Peter walked around to get his bag and start collecting his clothing, some Lego sets, laptop, his suit, he walked around slowly. He didn’t want to leave. Peter couldn’t leave. His chest was hurting at the idea, his head in an ocean of uncertainty, suddenly while he drowned, he was floating, limbs starting to tingle and his breathing picked up in pace. No, he couldn’t let anyone see him like this. If they did, he was as good as not. He rested on his feet, staring at an abyss in front of him. Then moved once again.
He grabbed what he could, going back to the lady, Sabrina. Whatever she said to him he didn’t focus on. Everything melted together. Her, leaving, saying goodbye to a place he once knew, getting in a car, watching his world fly by, the street he stopped his first crime, Delmar’s shop, everything. It only seemed to slow down as the car drove by the alley Aunt May was killed in. As the world slowed down Peter felt every emotion. Sadness, despair, helplessness, but most of all anger. Anger at himself for not stopping them, anger at the criminals for shooting an innocent woman who did nothing wrong at all, anger at the universe for hating him and literally giving him the worst possible luck.
Eventually time moved forward and he made it to the place that they were going to. The orphanage. Wow, how amazing and unpredictable. Bitterness formed inside him but it only made him feel more guilty. May wouldn’t have wanted him to feel like this, neither would of Ben.
Sighing and feeling tired he got out of the car and moved to grab his things and go inside with Sabrina. Peter also felt something else, he couldn’t quite tell what it was, but he’s pretty sure it’s him feeling defeated, almost. That was his best guess anyway. Luckily, he wasn’t drowning as much. His nose and mouth were still underwater but he could hear what she was saying to him now.
“I know it’s hard to say that any orphanage is good but, this will be fine for the time being. You’re a smart kid and there’s a resurgence of adopting teenagers. I wouldn’t be surprised if you found your home within a month.” She obviously was pretty new at this, who would send an experienced social worker to someone like him? She was trying at least; he can give her that, “But I must apologize. I wish that your new peers would be as,” she paused, “Well, behaved as you. But it will definitely make you stand out to possible parents.” She gleamed at him, but he only felt, something. It wasn’t nothing. At this point nothingness was dead in the idea that everything was turned to nothing by something going on.
She continued to walk in and he proceeded to follow her quietly, “The other boys here are continuing their studies right now so you can meet them after you get settled in. Ms. Hyde will show you around in the meantime.” Sabrina turned to face him and smiled sadly, “I know, I wish I was better at this too, but I hope the best for you Peter.” Clearing her throat, she turned, “So sorry for rushing off but I really do have to go now. I will see you soon.” And just like that, someone else had left Peters life.
Turning around he jumped, well there’s Ms. Hyde, right behind him, “Oh sorry about that Peter, didn’t mean to startle you.” She was young and sweet, her smile soft as she stuck out her hand. He took it and shook, “Uh, it's no problem.” He mumbled out softly. She gave him a smile and hummed, letting his hand fall from hers, “Well no time like the present. As you know I’m Ms. Hyde. It’s so nice to meet you Peter. Please follow me.” She motioned him to follow, grabbing his, Uncle Ben’s, old suitcase. Something pricked him, irking him as he stared down at her hand on the handle.
Stop. She is just someone doing their best, someone who is helping him through a rough spot. Peters hands gripped each strap of his backpack as he followed, “We share rooms here. Our employer doesn’t think space is much of a needed characteristic of any building.” She let out a soft chuckle, as if trying to distract Peter from his situation, “You will be staying with Marcus. He’s uh, a real lovely kid.” Something in her voice makes him think otherwise.
Once inside the small room she laid down the suitcase on his bed and turned, another smile graced her features, “I’ll leave you to get settled in, and come over to get you for dinner. Is there anything else you need before I go?” Some good luck maybe? He asked himself but then just shook his head no. His voice seemingly has left him in this situation. Ms. Hyde nodded in return and said a soft goodbye as she walked off, closing the door behind her.
He stared at it and slowly turned his head down to the suitcase on the bed. His mind suddenly going into hyperdrive of everything that happened. Aunt May, Uncle Ben, being kicked out of his own home, going to an orphanage, what’s next? Some long probably heartbreaking and, an emotionally tolling story written and published that happens to just barely be starting? God, he hopes not. But it would be him.
All thanks to his Parker luck.