Aunt May’s POV

I was engaged in some of my daily household chores when the phone rang.

As I answered the call, my nephew Peter’s voice rang. “ Aunt May, it’s me, Peter. How are you doing?”

“I am doing fine as always. It is you I am worried about, Peter.” My face lit up like a Christmas tree as soon as I heard Peter’s voice. After all, it had already been ten days since I had seen Peter’s face.

I had been truly terrified when Peter had suddenly disappeared. I had raised him since his childhood. As such, he was like a son to me.

I had been truly relieved when Peter’s call had first arrived following his disappearance. However, I was worried when I would get the chance to see him again.

“Aunt May, I have some really good news to share.” Peter said, joy easily perceivable in his voice.

“Ancient One has finally allowed me to meet with all of you.” Peter said the good news to me.

“Really, that is great news, Peter.” Upon hearing the news, my joy was palpable.

“So, when are you arriving, Peter? I would make all of your favourite dishes.” I asked as this was a great occasion.

“Um… Aunt May, I am not actually coming to the home.” Peter said hesitantly.

“Ancient One said that my powers are still unstable. As such, it is not possible for me to come home.” Peter sadly explained his circumstances.

“So, you and Uncle Ben would have to come to meet with me at a special location where my powers can’t harm you because of sufficient security.” Peter told me that we would have to meet him at a special location.

“It’s okay, Peter. I understand.” My joy was reduced quite a bit when I heard the whole matter but I knew that a mutant’s power could be quite unstable.

“I would tell you everything once we meet, Aunt May. So, don’t worry.” Peter promised to tell me everything he had been hiding till now.

I didn’t even know what were his mutant powers. Peter had not even told me the name of the secret society he was in or what were its motives.

As such, it was easy for both me and Ben to be suspicious about all these circumstances. The only relief was that Peter seemed to be happy whenever he talked with us. So, at least he was happy wherever he was.

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“Aunt May, could you also bring Gwen?” Peter requested.

“Don’t worry, Peter. I will bring her with us. She is quite lonely without you these days.” I told Peter regarding Gwen’s circumstances these days before he ended the call.

After all, since Peter had disappeared, it felt like she had lost all of her cheery attitude. At least, it was a little better after she learnt that Peter was okay but she was still quite gloomy.

Peter and Gwen were always quite close from ever since they had met. It is said that opposites attract. It was true in the case of Peter and Gwen. Peter was a shy and nerdy boy while Gwen was a vivacious and outspoken girl.

Gwen had quite a challenging childhood. Her mother had died when she was young and her father George Stacy, being a police captain often did not have enough time to take care of her.

This had allowed negative influences to creep into her life. She had got piercing on her right eyebrow and had even joined a band. Fortunately, Peter’s influence had prevented her from going down a dark path. So, it was not uncommon for Gwen to spend nights at our home when her father could not be around because of his work.

Both Ben and George often used to joke that Peter and Gwen would get together when they were not hearing.

However, her behaviour was quite erratic these days, from long before Peter had disappeared. She often came home late and dark circles around her eyes showed that she was not getting enough sleep.

Moreover, she often disappeared out of nowhere without giving any reason. Peter, being her best friend always tried to cover up for her but we as parents knew that something was afoot. We were about to confront them regarding this matter when this whole debacle happened.

When my husband Ben came home, I eagerly shared the good news.

“That’s great, May. But….” Ben was also happy but he seemed hesitant to say something.

“But, what? Ben.” I asked curiously. It was such a great occasion. What could be wrong?

“It is just that I can’t help but be a little suspicious. You know that Peter never tells us something about that secret society whenever he talks with us.” Ben laid out his suspicions. It was indeed suspicious but I believed that it was not a big matter. Besides, Peter had already said that he would disclose everything tomorrow.

“You should not be so cautious, Ben.” I admonished Ben.

“You know how most people treat mutants. Despite this, Peter told us that he had become a mutant without any hesitation. Moreover, you know how joyful Peter is whenever he talks with us there is no way something is afoot.” I told Ben that there was no need to worry.

“Still, I believe we should be a little cautious. I think we should take an extra measure.” Ben still decided to be a little cautious.

“What are you planning, Ben?” I said concerned about Ben’s plan. Just what could be thinking.

“Oh! It’s nothing much, dear. We will just take Captain Stacy along with us when we go to meet Peter. After all, we are already taking Gwen with us.”

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“ 177A, Bleecker Street. This must be the place.” Ben said.

I along with Ben, Captain Stacy and Gwen were standing in front of a relatively large building.

So far, nothing seemed odd.

I saw that Gwen was feeling quite nervous, probably because she was going to meet Peter soon. After all, she was the last one who saw Peter.

“Don’t worry, Gwen. It will be alright.” I comforted Gwen that everything will be okay.

And then, we approached the building, ready to meet Peter.