Arachnid: A New Turn

[1st POV]

Dreams. 

How much do they mean to us? 

They shape our behavior and set the tone for a new day. 

Of course, all of this is subjective. 

I've often heard of poor souls who claim they don't dream at all. 

To be honest, everything that follows felt like a dream but turned out to be the truest of realities.

...

I jolted awake, sitting upright in bed. 

These sudden awakenings aren't new to me, but to find myself not in my own room and with blurry vision is my first.

I've experienced this kind of thing before, but there's no sign of the familiar mild nausea with a hangover. 

Then, the memories began to seep in after my abrupt awakening and a quick survey of the room. 

What? 

Dreams? 

What kind of nonsense is this?

There was this old man speaking who looked eerily like the legendary comic book maestro, the inimitable Stan, freaking, Lee! 

This is the man who created Peter Parker, the Amazing Spider-Man.

Ah, how much that character meant to me as a kid.

I still remember the legendary '94 animated series. 

A true masterpiece. 

They don't make shows like that anymore. 

The cheap toys everywhere in my homeland still held a special place in my heart—especially when I was just a kid. 

Then, they started mass-producing everything as if working toward some grand quota. 

What was once a niche interest became a mainstream phenomenon, with all the pros and cons of such a transformation.

I admit I've always regarded those so-called "pseudo-fans" with a bit of disdain. 

The whole superhero thing? It's absurdly over-the-top, borderline hilarious. 

It's pure fun, nothing more.

Why overthink it?

Anyway, where was I?

Why the hell, waking up in some unfamiliar place, am I suddenly reflecting on my childhood, of all things?!

As I started to search around the nearest objects, I found a pair of glasses on the bedside table.

Putting on the glasses, I cast a clearer glance around the room. 

I see myself on the bed against the wall and a door. 

There was some sort of basket or box between the bed and the door with a computer next to the door. 

I also saw a wardrobe beside the computer with a few scientific posters and signs stuck to it and a window at the very end of the room.

Turning my head to the right, I saw another wardrobe-like structure, but this one was built into the wall, part of its very design. 

I had no clue what to call it. 

It also had a mirror. 

Perfect.

I jumped up but quickly steadied myself—after all, it was the middle of the night. 

The last thing I needed was to wake up whoever else lived in this house. 

I walked over to the mirror.

What I saw shocked me.

In the reflection, a brown-eyed brunette stared back at me—a rather skinny guy with messy hair and a surprised expression.

I still wore the same pair of glasses that I had on. 

I raised my right hand, and the reflection mirrored me. I stuck out my tongue—same result.

"Wait, WHAT? That's ME?!"

"Where was the familiar face I'd seen in the mirror for years?"

The blue-eyed blond I knew so well? Why did the features of the guy in front of me seem so strangely familiar?

Fine, it's just a dream.

I've had vivid dreams before.

This wasn't my first dream. 

I returned to my warm and cozy bed because tomorrow would bring a new day: school, work, the usual. 

Still, this was a fun little experience, I had to admit.

With those thoughts, I dropped back onto the bed, snuggled under the blanket, adjusted the pillow, and decided to fall asleep.

...

After a lot of stretching, my head felt like it was splitting apart. 

I was blue-eyed and blond-haired, celebrating my birthday at an amusement park. 

Then suddenly, I was Peter Parker, unwrapping a chemistry set gifted by Uncle Ben. 

I snapped my eyes open, staring at the ceiling with tears streaming down my face.

Himmel Ivanov and Peter Parker were both dead and now somehow both reborn in the body of the man lying here, stifling painful sobs.

'My life and my family! My mom, my grandma, my grandpa.'

"WHY?!"

'I was only twenty-one!'

I lay there, clenching my fists until my nails dug into my skin, grinding my teeth, biting the inside of my cheeks just to keep from screaming.

Then there was Peter. He's dead, and I've taken his place? 

That guy was ten times the person I could ever hope to be! 

He had his struggles, but he was a good man... because they're not me anymore, right? Or am I not them?

Oh, God, my head was killing me.

I sat up, clutching it with both hands, and a chuckle escaped from my lips.

"Well, isn't this every idiot's dream come true, huh? Became Spider-Man…"

No, not Spider-Man just yet. 

It's Peter Parker for now. 

However, there's no point crying over it because I'll get through this.

I slapped myself.

I've ended up in Peter's body... my body. I'm him now, so I'd better get used to it and start working through the inevitable identity crisis.

Judging by my terrible eyesight, I woke up pretty normal human. 

There were times in the comics when Parker lost his powers for various reasons, but this scenario doesn't fit those. 

For starters, Uncle Ben is still alive and kicking. 

That alone rules out most of the movie timelines. 

If that weren't enough, my appearance doesn't remotely match any of the Peter Parkers. 

Not to mention the memories I've got bouncing around in my head.

Take Mary Jane Watson, for instance. She really is the niece of my neighbor, Anna Watson. MJ and I played a lot together as kids, but when she was six, her family moved away. 

Now I'm sixteen, and there hasn't been any news from her since. 

That doesn't line up with many details from other sources about Spider-Man's life.

The situation with Gwen Stacy is similar. 

There's nothing about her at all so far that might mean our first meeting will happen at university, like in the comics. Or maybe her family hasn't moved to New York yet due to her father's job transfer. Or... maybe she doesn't exist in this reality at all?

I'm not fooling myself into thinking I've landed in that Peter Parker's life. 

The odds of that happening are low. More likely, I've stumbled into one of the countless variations woven by the Great Web of Destiny.

Nevertheless, that doesn't matter right now. 

There are too many variables. I'll see how things unfold and draw conclusions from the events as they happen.

With those thoughts, I sank back onto the pillow and closed my eyes.

This time, there was nothing, just an unfeeling stream of thoughts 

refusing to leave in peace.

I woke up pretty normal. 

Despite everything that had happened, I woke up an hour before the alarm.

What can I say? 

Getting up, I went to the bathroom to freshen up. I grabbed a comb and tidied up my messy hair.

After finishing my morning routine, I took a deep breath and braced myself, knowing what awaited me downstairs. 

It had to be done sooner or later.

The kitchen was like any other kitchen, just like the typical Parker household. 

Uncle Ben Parker sat at the table reading the newspaper. 

Auny May Parker was moving around the stove like a seasoned housewife. 

This woman ran a book club with all the women in the Lower Queens neighborhood, worked in an office, and played bowling on Sundays.

I descended the stairs, and both heads turned toward me.

"Good morning, Peter. How'd you sleep?" 

Uncle Ben greeted me warmly.

"Sweetheart, I made your favorite pancakes, and I'm so glad you woke up early enough for them to still be warm!" 

Aunt May said cheerfully.

There I stood, unable to say a word. 

The memories were crashing into each other, overlapping.

This feels unreal, with everything there was made up.

"Good morning, it's so nice to see you." 

I said, walking over and giving both of them a warm, tight hug.

My family.

Now, they are all the family I have, and damn me if I don't cherish them.

"Whoa, champ, what's gotten into you?"

Uncle Ben asked with interest.

"Just... emotions are running high." 

I smiled, trying to avoid suspicion.

"Ah, well, that's normal at your age. Eat your breakfast, or you'll be late for school."

I nodded and began eating the portion May had set in front of me.

...

Everything seemed to go pretty smoothly.

I thought it over while getting ready for school. 

Honestly, I wasn't too worried because Uncle Ben mentioned a field trip to the Oscorp lab during breakfast. 

A field trip is happening today. 

So, after quickly finishing my meal, I dashed upstairs, threw on jeans and a blue hoodie, tossed the necessary stuff into my backpack, and was already heading toward the door.

"Pete, should I pick you up after the field trip?" 

Uncle Ben asked.

"No, thanks, Uncle. I think I'll walk home."

"Your call. Just don't stay out too late."

"I won't, thanks."

 I said, already grabbing the door handle.

"Don't forget your lunch, Peter." 

Aunt May said kindly, handing me a lunch bag.

"Thanks, Aunt, you're a miracle!" 

I said as I said my goodbyes to my family and rushed out the door.

When I got to the bus stop, I realized I'd left too early. 

The honk of a yellow school bus interrupted my thoughts. 

I stood up and got on the bus.

I carefully stepped on someone's foot, and the smug satisfaction as I squeezed through, brushing off the annoyed guy whose foot I stepped on, and made my way to the back. 

Once I got to Midtown High, I waited until everyone else got off the bus and tried to sneak into the building as discreetly as possible. 

After all, somewhere nearby...

"Aw, Parker!"

Shit, of course.

I turned around and, as expected, saw Eugene "Flash" Thompson surrounded by his football team cronies and cheerleader girls.

"What's this? Heading to class without your usual morning beatings?" 

Flash asked with a smirk, cracking his knuckles.

"Sorry, tough guy, but I had a hearty breakfast today, so you can save that for someone else. Bye-bye." 

I said, stepping up and making a quick exit.

The escape wasn't very heroic, but since I don't have spider-powers yet, I'll just have to run away from the bullies for now. 

We'll see, maybe I'll teach them a lesson later.

I made it to class relatively unscathed. 

At least until I get my superpowers, I can openly say that Parker was a pretty resilient young man but a skinny little guy. 

I took a seat by the window in the first row. 

"Before we start the lesson, I'd like to introduce the new student to the class." 

The professor said. After his words, a medium-height, attractive blonde entered the class. 

"Please introduce yourself."

"I'm Gwen Stacy, I hope we'll be friends." 

The girl said with a sweet smile.