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89.8% Spider-Man 0X / Chapter 228: Cindy meets Peter

Capítulo 228: Cindy meets Peter

Cindy shrugged and let her head fall back onto the cushions of the old sofa. Static in the television was a better reality than the forced laugh was. It was some kind of weird noise that echoed inside, in her crazy thoughts, and for one reason, she thought to just leave them there. At least then she would have something to listen to at the end.

She shuts her eyes. The sounds of the bunker grow louder, clearer, in her vacant mind. In this place, the bad air chokes up into her lungs, warning her not to linger too long. She hasn't seen sunlight in... how long? The days blur by with an emptiness not much different from nothing.

Cindy pulled herself off the couch feeling exhausted, as if the gravity within the bunker had magnified with time. She moved to that messy pile of paper and bent down, stretching her arm out for the ball she had thrown just before. She flattened it against her knee and looked at the half-written page in front of her.

"Am I brave? Or just a coward," she whispered, tracing her finger over the words. She crumpled it again, this time tighter, and held it in her fist.

She stood up and paced the small confines of the bunker, her bare feet slapping against the cold floor. Her gaze darted to the keypad on the wall again, the door it controlled looming like a giant, unspoken challenge.

"You can go," the voice in her head sneered. "You should go. What is the purpose of all this if you feel hollow inside?"

"No," she whispered softly, shaking her head at the same time, strongly. "I can't. If I go..." Her words trailed off. She did not need to say another word. She already knew the answer. But the doubts kept coming, without letting up. 'What if Morlun was dead? What if something - or someone else - had already taken care of him? What if the world outside had moved on, leaving her out there as just a recollection of a battle already won?'

The what-ifs seemed never-ending, like a sea of questions that could overwhelm her.

"Stop!" Cindy yelled, shouting across the bunker. She picked up the closest thing she could find, a small metal stool, and threw it into the corner of the room. It crashed into the wall and fell to the floor with a great thud.

She collapsed onto the floor, her chest heaving for breath. Her hands shook as she looked at the mess before her. The stool was lying on its side, one leg bent from where it had hit the floor.

"I just couldn't take it anymore," she whispered, her eyes streaming with tears.

It was one of her many firsts, crying. For years, she had not cried for what would never again be hers: the life she lost, the friends whom she would never meet again, and the future that her decision snatched away from her. She cried for the girl she once was... Full of dreams, full of hope, and full of fire inside her that no one could put out.

She sat back as the tears stopped, shuddering in her with fatigue. Blowing across her palm from the back of her hand, she looked again at the keypad.

It was still there, waiting for her.

"No," she said, this time definitively standing up to clean herself. "Not yet."

But something in her had been affected. Doubts were still there, but they had taken hold and had bred into a small seed of rebellion.

Cindy walked over to the journal and picked it up again. She flipped to a blank page and wrote:

[Day Unknown]

[I'm still here. I'm still alive. I'm still waiting. But maybe, it's time to stop waiting.]

She stared at the words for a moment or two, then she closed the journal and put it aside.

For the first time in years, Cindy allowed herself to dream a little about what life might be like beyond the confines of the bunker. In that instance, the faint spark of hope was enough to keep going forward.

However, the loud noise from the other side of the door, made her jump up in surprise. She ran over to the door and pressed her ear against it. It was unmistakable; someone was pounding on it.

She felt her heart racing in her chest, and her hands started getting sweaty as she realized that someone was trying to break into her home. By the noise, she thought that a first barrier - a strong steel door - was broken. The metallic sound of bending and ripping off the door from the hinges made her feel very fearful.

She hurried to the other side of the bunker and removed the fuse, making the room dark.

'Is it Morlun? Did he find me? Is this finally the end?' Her thoughts raced through her head as she backed into a corner, watching the door for any sign of movement. Then a loud bang came from the main door. She webbed up to the ceiling and stayed there without making a single noise.

In the next moment, the door to her bunker, flew open and slammed into the wall with a loud crash. Cindy tensed, her muscles coiled like a spring as her enhanced senses kicked in. Hanging upside down on the ceiling, she narrowed her eyes to look through the darkness. Her spider powers allowed her to see the intruder's silhouette. Tall, lean, and in a weird-looking suit, the figure stepped into the bunker.

Her pulse quickened, her mind racing with possibilities. 'It has to be Morlun. Who else could it be? No one else could have found her or broken through the bunker's defenses.'

Her hand instinctively shot out a web, snagging a nearby pipe. She used it to silently swing closer, staying shrouded in the shadows. She had to strike fast, strike first—before he had the chance to react.

The figure took another step forward. His head turned slightly, scanning the darkness. "Cindy,"

Cindy didn't wait. Her gut had told her to react, and she listened immediately. In one swift motion, she released the webline, falling from the ceiling like a snake, plunging straight towards the intruder. Her fists were clenched, her body was moving at breakneck speed as she leaped at him.

The man moved, fast—too fast for anyone human. He twisted to the side, narrowly avoiding her strike, and Cindy hit the ground in a crouch. She rolled forward and came up swinging, her fists like lightning, each blow aimed at vital points: his throat, his ribs, his temple. Whoever he was, she wouldn't let him take her without a fight.

He just didn't counterattack; he dodged her kicks, blocked her webs, and sidestepped her attacks effortlessly. The harder Cindy tried, the more frustrated she became-the viciousness of her strikes increased.

"Calm down, Cindy!" the man said. His voice was loud but not unkind. "I'm not your enemy!"

"Liar!" Cindy spat, her voice trembling with fury and fear. She spun, her leg sweeping low in an attempt to knock him off balance. He jumped over it easily, his reflexes maddeningly perfect.

"Listen to me!" the man said again, this time louder, as he caught her wrist mid-punch. His grip was firm but not cruel. "I'm not Morlun!"

His words stopped Cindy short. She froze, her eyes wide, her breath coming in ragged gasps. "What did you say?" she demanded. "How do you know about him?"

"I know a lot about you, Cindy Moon," the man said. "My name is Peter Parker."

"You're lying! That's not possible." She pulled her arm free and stepped back, staring at him warily.

"Morlun is dead. He isn't coming back to hurt you or anyone," He said, looking at her intently. "You can come out of hiding now."

"What are you talking about? How do you know all this?" Her voice wavered, uncertain. "How can I trust you? Sims said Morlun is immortal, he can't be killed."

"Sims lied. Morlun isn't an immortal but a vampire-like being, or you can call him a vampire, surviving on life essence. Once you drain that life essence out of him, he dies like any other creature," Peter said, his voice calm, reassuring. "I am Peter Parker, the one who fought with Morlun and defeated him."

"What about Sims?" She asked. "Why isn't he here?"

"He's dead. That's all you need to know. Now, c'mon, let's get out of here," Peter extended his hand towards Cindy, offering it to her.

Cindy hesitated, her eyes darting between his face and his hand. Finally, after a long pause, she reached out and took it.

His grip was strong, but not crushing, as he helped her to stand up. She was trembling, both from exhaustion and relief. "So, what now?" She asked, looking up at him.

"Now, we go home."

"Home?" Cindy repeated, uncertainly. "I don't have a home. My family is dead, and my friends—I don't even remember their faces..."

Peter smiled kindly at her. "Don't worry, you'll have a new home and new friends. You're not alone anymore, Cindy." He put his arm around her shoulder, giving it a comforting squeeze.

For the first time in years, Cindy felt a faint flicker of hope rising within her.

Tears filled her eyes as she leaned into Peter's embrace, letting out a sob of relief and gratitude. Peter held her close, gently rubbing her back, and for the first time in years, she felt safe, secure.

"It's alright," Peter whispered softly. "Everything is going to be alright now."

Cindy burst out in tears as she clung onto Peter for dear life, letting all the fear and anger and sadness wash over her.

Peter let her cry, not saying anything more, just holding her while she wept. He knew there was nothing he could say to take away her pain; all he could do was offer her comfort and support.

As Cindy sobbed, Peter's words echoed in her mind: 'You're not alone anymore, Cindy.'

--[Powerstones]---

Support Link: www.pat reon.com/XcaliburXc [Remove the space]

⭐Read 18 advance Chapters⭐ [No double billing.] 

----


Capítulo 229: Cindy Moon and Morgan Stark

[One Month Later]

Cindy sat on the side of her bed, staring at the clock that buzzed on her nightstand. She'd silenced it fifteen minutes ago but for some reason, she just sat there looking at it. Her room in the Parker household was cozy and bright, with the posters she picked and plants May insisted upon adding, to make her feel at home. It was a far cry from the dark, cold bunker she had lived in for so long. Well, she still feels the cold shivers of the bunker's cold floor every now and then.

A knock on the door brought her back into reality.

"Cindy?" It was Michelle's voice. "We're leaving soon. You coming?"

"Yeah," Cindy yelled back, shaking herself awake. "I'll be right down."

She yanked on a pair of jeans and a hoodie, grabbed her backpack, and ran downstairs. The smell of pancakes greeted her as she entered the kitchen, where May was busy flipping a fresh batch.

"Morning, sweetie," May said, smiling warmly. "You have time for breakfast or should I pack it up?"

Cindy looking at the clock. "Uh… maybe just one pancake."

Peter was already sitting at the table, casually dressed. Today, he decided to take things slow and take a break from his regular hero duty. MJ and Michelle were sitting on his left and right and were giggling as they teased him over something. Maddie was busy in the living room with a new schedule and an inventory list. It was a scene so normal, so full of life, that made Cindy forget her lonely past.

She slid into a chair, accepting the plate May handed her. "Thanks, May."

"So, big day, huh?" MJ asked.

Cindy nodded, trying to sound more confident than she felt. "First full week of classes and… uh, I'm thinking about finding a part-time job."

With Cindy's intellect, it wasn't that hard for her to get into college, well, Peter might have pulled some strings. She wanted to live the life of a normal teenager and he helped her. At first, Peter wanted to add her to his team but later decided not to and let her have a peaceful life, away from danger. But he sent her to one of his time chambers at Kamar-Taj to help her learn about the new worlds and to catch up with her studies since she was entering in the middle of the semester.

'Well, money can buy anything...' That's what Peter thought when he donated a hefty sum at the college.

Peter raised an eyebrow. "You don't need to, Cindy. We have already talked about this."

"I know," she said with a sigh. "But… I want to. You know. You did so much for me and I just... Want to feel like I'm contributing something."

May reached out and put a gentle hand on Cindy's shoulder. "That's sweet, honey, but don't push yourself too hard."

Cindy smiled faintly. "I'll be okay. Promise."

...

[Later that day]

The campus was a beehive of activity as Cindy walked toward her first class. Students milled about in groups, chatting, laughing, and rushing between buildings. A frisbee hurtled through the air, just missing her shoulder, and she ducked instinctively, letting her sharp reflexes take over. She reminded herself not to overreact, that this was a normal life and not a battle.

Cindy stood under the arc of the main quad for a minute, looking up at the brilliant blue sky. It was surreal to find herself here, with so much life and noise around her. A month ago, she had been unable to tell day from night, counting her days in the darkness of that bunker. And now, here she was, a student, just like everyone else. She didn't know if she belonged, but she was going to try.

Her first lecture was in a gigantic hall filled with students, whose murmur was barely audible as they settled in. Cindy slid into a spot near the back, hoping to fade into the crowd. The professor arrived, and soon the class began in was a flurry of introductions, highlights from the syllabus, and reminders about assignments.

Cindy tried to focus. Her mind drifted, though. She glanced around at the rest of the students in the room. Most of them were furiously typing up their notes or speaking softly to their classmates. A few sat with arms crossed, disinterested. Cindy sighed and tucked her hair behind her ear.

"Hey, new around here?"

The voice startled her. Cindy turned to see a girl with auburn hair tied in a messy ponytail and a friendly smile. She looked about Cindy's age but carried herself with an air of confidence that immediately set her apart.

"Uh, yeah," Cindy said hesitantly.

"Thought so," the girl said, sliding into the seat next to her. "You've got that where-am-I-what's-going-on look. I'm Morgan, by the way. Morgan Stark."

Cindy blinked. "Stark? Like Stark. Stark?"

Morgan grinned. "The one and only. Anyway, don't let that bother you, and don't run away from me, like everyone, please. I'm just a college kid trying to survive Psych 101 like the rest of us."

Cindy relaxed slightly, her curiosity piqued. "Cindy. Cindy Moon."

"Nice to meet you, Cindy Moon," Morgan said, extending her hand. Cindy shook it, finding Morgan's energy infectious.

As the instructor droned on about course expectations, Morgan inched closer. She whispered in a low voice, "So, what's your story? You don't look like a freshman straight out of high school."

Cindy hesitated, unsure how much to share. "I, uh… took some time off before starting college. Personal reasons."

Morgan nodded, her face understanding. "Got it. Everyone's got their thing. Anyway, if you need help with studies or going around this place, or maybe if you want to grab lunch or hang out, let me know."

Cindy chuckled softly. "Thanks. I might take you up on that."

"Was that too forward?" Morgan asked.

Cindy shook her head. "No. It's nice, actually. To have someone be nice to me without having to think twice about it."

Morgan tilted her head, studying Cindy for a second. "You're interesting. I like you."

Cindy smiled, grateful for the friendliness and not quite knowing what to say. Morgan didn't seem to mind.

"You might be thinking why the heck is this girl babbling on and on? Well, no need to ask. You see, with my dad being the Iron Man and an Avenger, everyone around me always tries to get close to me for personal gain or stay away from me. And I don't have any friends. Sigh!" She sighed. "But you, you don't look like the type. And you are pretty cool, so that's a plus."

Cindy blinked in surprise. "Oh, well... thank you, I guess."

"Don't sweat it. We should exchange numbers or something. That is, if you don't mind?"

"I'd love to," Cindy said with a smile.

Morgan handed over her phone. "Here, just put your number in."

Cindy took the phone and typed in her contact info. She noticed that Morgan had already set her name as 'Cool Moon Girl' in her contacts. She snorted with laughter. "Moon Girl?"

Morgan smirked. "It's a thing. You'll get used to it. And hey, you do have superpowers, right?"

Cindy shrugged. "Uh… how did you know?"

"Well, I saw you dodge that frisbee earlier," Morgan said with a grin. "You weren't even looking at it and still managed to dodge it with an inhumane reaction time. And your jacket's sleeves...Tiny strings of web... So, if I were to guess, you got similar power to Spiderman, right? Don't worry, it's cool. I'm not gonna tell anyone."

"You're… surprisingly okay with this," Cindy was surprised to see that Morgan found out about her ability just from that.

"Like I said, I'm a Stark, my family has connections to superpowered beings since forever. My dad knows Spiderman. We are cool with it," She shrugged.

Cindy's eyes widened. "Your dad knows Spiderman? Like personally?"

"Yeah. He saved my dad and they sometimes work together. So, you know, if you want to meet him, I can arrange it."

Cindy chuckled. "Wow. I'm really glad I met you today."

Morgan grinned. "The feeling is mutual, Moon Girl."

...

After the lecture ended, Cindy stood up and stretched her arms. Morgan hopped up next to her, looking energized despite sitting through three hours of lecture. It was lunchtime.

"So, wanna grab some food? There's a nice burger place right outside the campus," Morgan asked. "The rules say to stick to the canteen and not to wander around off campus, we have to sneak out." She took out a wristband from her bag. "Invisible wristband, courtesy of my dad."

Cindy was about to decline but then changed her mind. It would be fun. "Sure. Let's go."

....

[Meanwhile] [Kamar-Taj]

Today's the day. May, Gwen, MJ, Michelle, and Maddie came to Kamar-Taj to train in magic. With the constant danger popping up on Earth, Peter thought it would be better for them to know how to defend themselves in case something goes wrong. And they agreed. So, he took them to one of his time chambers to train.

--[POWERSTONES.]---

Support Link: www.pat reon.com/XcaliburXc [Remove the space]

⭐Read 17 advance Chapters⭐ [No double billing.] 

----


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