บท 25: Across The Spider-Verse Part-5
<Clone's POV>
The portal spit me out into a dimension that felt both foreign and eerily familiar. The vibrant cityscape before me matched the inherited memories from Alice perfectly - this was the world where she had encountered other Spider-Men. Every street corner, every building, even the very air itself carried a nostalgic sense of déjà vu that made my head spin.
Following routes etched into my mind like well-worn paths, I soon found myself standing before a modest house that I recognized instantly as Aunt May's. My heart raced with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. From Alice's memories, I knew how deeply she respected and yearned for the motherly love May Parker embodied.
Taking a deep breath to steel my nerves, I raised my hand and knocked on the door. The sound echoed through the quiet neighbourhood, seeming to reverberate through my very being. After what felt like an eternity, the door creaked open to reveal Aunt May herself.
Her face lit up with a warm smile that sent a wave of comfort washing over me. But almost as quickly as it appeared, that smile morphed into a look of confusion.
"Alice, you haven't left yet?" she asked, her tone hesitant. "Come inside, dear."
Before I could formulate a response, May's eyes narrowed as she studied me more closely. "No," she said slowly, "you're not Alice."
Shock coursed through me at her declaration. How could she tell? Acting on instinct, I reached up and removed my mask, revealing my face - a face I knew to be identical to Alice's. "Aunt May, it's me," I insisted, my voice trembling slightly.
May's gaze raked over my features, taking in every minute detail before she shook her head firmly. "Even if I am getting on in years, I can still see the differences. You may look like Alice, but you are not her."
"How?" I asked, curiosity overriding my initial panic. "How did you recognize that I'm not her?"
"I'm not entirely sure myself," May admitted. "But I just...felt it. And now that I'm looking closer, I can see that your temperament is entirely different from Alice's."
"Temperament?" I echoed, confused.
May nodded. "Yes. Alice is calm, collected, almost too smart for her own good sometimes. She tends to overthink things, which can lead her to hesitate. But you..." Her eyes bore into mine. "You're different. I can sense it. You're more...unruly. Foolhardy. You don't hesitate before acting on your impulses."
"I am not a fool," I protested weakly, feeling strangely exposed under her scrutiny.
"Be that as it may," May said gently but firmly, "who are you, really?"
I hesitated, Alice's warnings echoing in my mind. But something about May's presence, her warmth and understanding, broke down my defences. "I...I'm not supposed to tell anyone," I blurted out. "Alice told me not to reveal that I'm her clone."
As soon as the words left my mouth, I realized my mistake. May's eyebrows shot up, and a soft chuckle escaped her lips. "Well now, I've always wished I could see Alice act a bit more childish. I suppose I got my wish in the form of another Alice who actually is childish." Her expression grew more serious. "Now that you've let the cat out of the bag, you might as well tell me everything."
And so, reluctantly at first but with growing ease, I poured out the whole story. I told her about my nature as a clone, the purpose behind my creation, my unexpected awakening, and my journey through the multiverse in pursuit of Alice and answers.
May listened intently, her expression a mixture of concern and fascination. When I finished, she shook her head slowly. "I never thought Alice would be so irresponsible as to leave you adrift like that," she mused. "And why on earth did you feel the need to recklessly jump after Gwen to follow her here? You could have ended up lost in some unknown, potentially dangerous place!"
"I'm sorry, Aunt May," I mumbled, feeling chastised. "But it's still Alice's fault for not preparing me properly."
May's expression softened. "Well, what's done is done. Now, what should I call you? Surely Alice gave you a name?"
I shook my head, feeling a pang of sadness. "No, she didn't."
"Then I shall call you Candice," May declared. "It means 'clarity' or 'pure'. I think it suits you."
A warm feeling bloomed in my chest at her words. "Candice Lewis," I said, testing the name on my tongue. "I like it. It sounds cool."
"So, Candice," May continued, her eyes searching mine, "what will you do now?"
"Find Alice and go home," I replied without hesitation, my voice filled with determination.
"And after that?"
I faltered. "I...I'll ask Alice about that."
"Are you certain that's the best course of action?" May pressed gently.
I felt a surge of frustration and confusion. "I'm Alice's clone," I explained, trying to make her understand. "Everything I am comes from her - my memories, my DNA, everything. But...I can still feel that I can't quite measure up to her. I don't know why, but I want to become more and more like Alice. She's my motivation, my inspiration in life."
May sighed deeply, her eyes filled with a mixture of sympathy and concern. "What if Alice wasn't by your side?" she asked softly.
"No," I said firmly, shaking my head. "Alice will never leave me alone."
"That's not what I meant, dear," May clarified. "I'm asking what you would do if Alice found herself in trouble that she couldn't overcome on her own."
I hesitated, the thought sending a chill down my spine. "I...I don't know," I admitted. "But I would try everything in my power to help her."
May nodded thoughtfully. "You know, just like you, Alice didn't always know her purpose in life. And now she seems to have found it. I think I understand now why she's happy."
"Why?" I asked, curious despite myself.
"She has you," May said simply. "You're her blood relative, in a way. I can imagine Alice building a good life with you by her side."
Her words stirred something within me, a mixture of warmth and an odd sense of melancholy. "But how can I find my own purpose?" I asked, unable to keep the insecurity from my voice.
May's eyes twinkled with a wisdom born of years of experience. "Well, I can't tell you that, dear. But I can share one piece of advice: It's a leap of faith."
"A leap of faith," I repeated, the phrase resonating deep within me and stirring a sense of déjà vu.
"Thank you, Aunt May," I said sincerely. "I'll keep that in mind."
As I put my mask back on, ready to resume my search for Alice, May's hand on my arm stopped me. "Where are you going now?" she asked, concern evident in her voice.
"To search for Alice," I replied, my determination renewed.
May shook her head firmly. "It's already night, dear. You should stay here and rest for a bit."
Reluctantly, I agreed to spend the night at Aunt May's house. As I lay in the guest bedroom, staring up at the unfamiliar ceiling, my mind raced with thoughts about what I would do next. May's words had made me acutely aware of my lack of clear purpose, and that realization left me feeling strangely hollow.
My musings were interrupted when a small box fell from a hidden pocket in my spider suit. Curious, I picked it up and recognized it as the one Spider-Punk had given me earlier. Something told me that now was the right time to open it.
Just as I was about to lift the lid, the door creaked open, and Aunt May entered carrying a glass of warm milk. Startled, I quickly hid the box behind my back.
"I thought you might like something to help you sleep," she said kindly, setting the glass on the bedside table.
"Thank you, Aunt May," I murmured, grateful for her thoughtfulness but eager for her to leave so I could examine the box's contents.
After she bid me goodnight and left, I turned my attention back to the mysterious container. To my dismay, I found it empty. A wave of anxiety washed over me as I wondered if I had lost something important.
As I lay back down, trying to calm my racing thoughts, a sharp pain suddenly lanced through my hand. Glancing down, I saw a black and blue spider scuttling away. My heart began to race as I recognized it - this was the same type of spider that had bitten Alice, granting her powers.
A familiar agony spread from the bite site as the venom coursed through my veins. Electric shocks seemed to pulse through my body, causing my muscles to tense and my vision to blur. Panic threatened to overwhelm me, but then I remembered - this was part of the process. This was how Alice had gained her abilities.
When I awoke the next morning, my head spinning and my body aching. I didn't find the spider anywhere, so I stumbled to the bathroom to splash some water on my face. As I leaned over the sink, my contact lenses slipped, revealing my true eye colour in the mirror - a startling scarlet.
"So, you have different eyes from Alice," May's voice came from behind me, making me jump.
I turned to face her, suddenly feeling vulnerable. "But I like Alice's eyes," I admitted softly. "They give me a sense of security."
May's expression was a mixture of exasperation and fondness. "You're still so fixated on Alice," she sighed. "Young girls should work out their problems among themselves."
"Don't worry, Aunt May," I assured her, feeling a newfound determination coursing through me. "I'll figure things out."
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