Spider-Man: Duty and Loss Chapter 19: That Day Part 2

Peter's heart stopped as he then rushed into the shop. Looking around at the rubble scattered, luckily he spotted Aunt May right away and she was still in one piece. She was huddled on the floor dust covering her body; she stared up in surprise at the Hero that just rushed into the room. "Spider-Man?" Peter let out a sigh of relief seeing that she was fine and walked over to get her out. Nothing else in his mind was more important in this instance that getting her away safe and sound.

Just as he was a meter away from his scared Aunt, his spider sense suddenly kicked into overdrive. It screamed in his head like never before as he whipped his head towards the entrance. An alien stood their gun raised.

Time seemed to slow down as his mind reached a new height of awareness, pushing his body beyond its limits he raised his hand and pointed out. *Thwip* The web grabbed onto the weapon accurately, but it was too late. With only a small amount of time he could only slightly nudge it downwards.

*Shing* *Bang* The high powered weapon shot of one bolt of blue energy and the ground beneath Peter's feet exploded outwards. The force sent Peter flying back into one of the walls. *Urgh* Groaning from the impact he pushed the pain to the back of his mind as he saw the alien was still standing.

The web was still connected to the weapon but it had slipped from his hand. In a split second decision he raised his other hand and moved to finish this. *Pish* *Pish* Peters eyes widened as he pushed down the button on his hand twice.

His body broke out into a cold sweat as he realized that he was out of web fluid. Seeing that the gun was still aimed in their direction he reached for the web still connected to the weapon, diving for it at all costs. He had almost grabbed the strand when…*Shing* *Slick* Red blood flew everywhere as a body dropped to the ground.

Grabbing the strand and yanking it with too much force, the alien flew into his waiting fist and was sent outside the shop. Peter didn't care what happened to it as he turned to look down at his aunt on the floor. "Aunt May?" His voice broke in sadness, pain and shock as he sank to his knees next to the struggling woman.

There was a Hole in the side of her dress and red was beginning to spread outwards. She was struggling to pull herself up when she froze. Looking up at Spider-Man that was shakily reaching towards her, she spoke in a whisper. "Peter?"

Peter ever so slowly reached up and took his mask off, he didn't care about his secret identity right now. May's breath hitched as she looked at the red eyes of her nephew staring down at her. She thought back to all the times he came home late, or had an absence from school; it was all starting to make sense. She chuckled in her mind, 'a bit late now though.'

They continued to stare into each other's eyes a myriad of emotions running through them. Peter reached for her body and tried to stop the bleeding, but it was of no use, there was a gaping hole in the side of her hip he couldn't stop it.

May also realized this when she looked down at her wound. "No, no, no, no, no." Peter started to babble as he tried something, anything that could help her. He couldn't think straight at the moment, his mind was incoherent.

Strong hands reached up and cupped his face as he stared at the red blood. "Peter look at me." Peter continued to stare down his strength failing him. "PETER! Look at me." Mays voice finally reached Peter who had gone into some type of shock. Raising his head to look at her tender eyes, he couldn't help the tears that started to fall down his face.

She reached up slowly and wiped them away as she spoke gently, even as strength started to leave her body. "It's going to be alright baby; it's going to be alright. Shushhhh, shushhhh." All the sound around them started to disappear as if they were the only two people in the world. May's hand stained with a bit of blood hugged Peter close as he sobbed into her shoulder. *Sob* *Whimper* "May, no. Not you as well. Please. I'm sorry." Hearing his sobs May could only lift a small voice from his shoulder. "It's not your fault silly."

Finally May pulled back a bit and stared at Peters face as if engraving it into her memory for all time. Peter was doing the same, trying to engrave the smile she was wearing at this exact moment. Ever so gently she placed one last kiss on his cheek. "My Baby Boy. I Larb you." Peter broke down even more as he tried to respond. "I-I-I Larb you to, Aunt May."

Finally after an unknown amount of time, the grip she used to hold onto Peter started to wane and before long her eyes closed, an ever present smile adorned on her lips. Peter gripped her tighter, sobs racking his body. He stayed like that for a long time, even after the portal was closed, even after the sounds outside quieted down. Peter didn't move from that spot until rescue crew started searching through that level of the mall.

Laying her down gently, as gently as he could, he kissed her on the cheek one more time, savoring the warmth that was slowly leaving.

(Present)

Peter woke with a start and looked quietly into the night sky. He had that nightmare so many times, thought of ways it might have turned different, what he could have done better. How if he had saved one less person he would have had more web fluid, anything he could have done.

He couldn't go back to sleep now. Straightening himself on the bench, he reached down for the web shooters on his wrist. Checking the cartridge to assess how much was left he did this action in a methodical way, something that he had done so many times in the past, and so many times after that day.

It was something he would do without thinking, something ingrained into his mind after all this time and now, something that would always haunt him.

Chapter end