Chapter Seven

School was finally over, it felt like years. Your meeting with Eve was short but sweet. Eve was pretty much your therapist, you told her everything.

At last you were walking home, it was a decent length. You preferred the route on foot, subways were too crowded.

Music played in one of your ears, you kept the other earbud out. You were paranoid. But not paranoid enough.

Rough hands grabbed you, pulling you into the alley. Brick collided with your back, Quinn DiNatino's green eyes stared back into yours.

"You're not doing a great job at staying under the radar. I've seen you and spandex boy all over the Internet. You make this too easy." His voice was hushed, more men appeared.

"Oh great, you brought your boy band." You groaned, ready for a fight.

Trying to catch him off guard your knee struck his groin, sending him backwards. But that was a rookie move. The tallest guy tackled a cuff onto one of your wrists, your free hand flew to get him off.

When you tried to push him your vision went white, the man fell to the ground. You gasped, a cold sensation spilling down your throat.

A surge of energy washed over your limbs, it felt like you were reborn. Turning to look at the others you noticed Quinn had fled. Coward.

Anger pulsed through your blood pairing with the adrenaline. Rushing forward your palm struck another one, the familiar sensation filling your senses. It felt amazing.

One after another the men collapsed, their bodies drained of color. They looked like zombies. You on the other hand, were brighter than normal. Your vision had brightened and senses were maximized.

"Impressive, are they dead?" A voice pulled you back to reality, but you hadn't come off your high.

"I don't know, this is the first time it happened. I think I stole their souls. It feels pretty sick though. Who are you?" You turned to look at the stranger, only to be met by Captain America.

"What are you doing in queens, Captain." You tried to sound confident, but you were internally fangirling.

"Stark's computers sensed some weird energy, I volunteered to check it out. What is your name, young lady." Cap walked forward, putting out his hand.

"I'm CJ. Cara Jean Hall." You shook his hand.

"I'm Steve Rogers. I don't think I've heard of you before, are you a new super hero? I'm assuming you're not a villain since you were defending yourself." He raised an eyebrow.

"No, not really. Too much work. Anyways, my dog is waiting for me. Plus my friend is probably worried. Nice meeting you, Mr. Rogers." You did a weird bow, walking around him into the street.

On the walk home you felt a sense of euphoria, colors seemed brighter and sounds clearer. Your mind was hazy and felt slowed down. You were so out of it that you barely noticed Peter landing beside you.

"CJ, you okay? You're usually home with Squish by now." Peter came into view.

"I met Mr. America today, isn't that wild. His name is Steve." You laughed to yourself, the red of his suit blinding.

"Dude, are you high?" Peter tried to look into your eyes.

"Nope, but I figured out my powers. I can absorb people's souls. Like I eat them. Then I can blast people with the energy. It also makes me feel high."

"You're like a death eater! That's crazy. How'd you figure it out?"

"An agent who's always been after me trying to jump me, I sucked out the life forces of his men. The coward ran. Then Cap showed up since I produced like weird energy." You were able to gain control of yourself, it seemed you could suppress the highness.

"That's so cool! But I'm still gonna walk you home, just to be safe. How was Eve?"

"She's fine, no new revelations. I'll have to tell her about my new abilities. I'm kinda nervous though, I can kill people by touching them. At least your powers are more tamed in the evil sense."

"Woah! Spider-Man! Is CJ your girlfriend?!" To your dismay Flash ran into view, fangirling over Peter.

"No, this young lady does not have any relations to me. I saved her when she was getting mugged today, that's all." Peter tried to sound like an adult, but it made you laugh.

"Yeah, I wouldn't be caught dead dating this clown. I'm just letting him walk me home. Anyways, be on your way, Flash." You lightly pushed him aside, continuing to walk.

"I am not a clown!" Peter protested, crossing his arms once Flash was out of view.

"Keep telling yourself that." You shook your head, finally arriving at the apartment complex.

"See ya tonight, Spider-Bitch." Smiling you walk inside, rushing to let Squish out.

Squish was wild, running towards you like a bull. After a few minutes of wrestling you finally got him on a leash and let him outside.

Enough hours had passed for it to be safe to fly. Throwing on your black clothes and black bandana, you crept out your window to the roof.

Though you had just eaten you felt a strange hunger, it was gnawing at your insides. It felt as if something was empty. The first thing that popped into your mind was souls. (FETCH ME THEIR SOULS OOOAAAA) This could be bad.

If in fact, you were hungry to literally consume people's life forces you could be dangerous. Trying to push the thoughts out of your mind you stared at the skyline.

"Whatcha thinking about?" Peter caught you off guard, making you jump.

"Do dogs think humans are immortals?" You turned to look at him.

"No, some dogs live past their humans. Anyways, if you're stressed about your abilities don't be. You're clearly not evil."

"I just don't want my dad to use me as a weapon. And I'm having these cravings. I'm hungry, but I've already eaten. I think I'm hungry for souls."

"Maybe there's some way you could drain a little from people. Like take small bits of soul from people. That would be more ideal than killing people."

"Yeah hopefully. But I don't know who to test it on, definitely not you. Do you know anyone who's a bad person?"

Neither of you spoke, but you were both thinking of the same person.

"We can't try it on Flash, he's just a kid." You sighed, putting your head in your hands.

"Just try it on me." Peter's words shocked you.

"No way, that's too risky."

"If you just take a drop it won't affect me, plus it seems like taking a whole one overfills you. Maybe you don't need an entire life force to be satisfied."

"God Parker, what would I say to your aunt if you die? Hey your nephew just died cause I ate his soul, have a nice day!"

"Shut up and do it. I want to help you. Plus, we're late for our patrol."

Sucking in a breath you reached out, letting your fingers brush against his arm.

You watched as a small wisp of white pulled itself from Peter and found its way to your mouth. The cooling sensation filled your senses. Cold air slipped down your throat.

"Oh that's good," Your eyes rolled back, the sensation consuming you.

"Woah, that felt so ~weird~." Peter's eyes met yours when the sensation balanced out.

The rest of the night was smooth sailing, the two of you stopping petty thieves. Nothing big.

At last it was 2:00am, you were done. Almost on instinct you flew back to the apartment, Peter following.

"See ya tomorrow, bird brain." You could tell peter was smiling as he spoke.

"Bye Spider-Bitch." You climbed back into the living room, slipping off the bandana.

After some of Peter's convincing you agreed to hide your identity. Personally you thought you wouldn't need to since you weren't a hero.

Strolling to the bedroom you began to peel off your clothes, the leggings sticking to your skin. The black turtleneck cake off with ease along with your bra.

Sighing you removed everything else and stepped into the crusty shower, scrubbing until the smell of smoke was gone. Flying around in the polluted city air did a number on your body.

A brief battle with your hair and a face wash later you were on the mattress ready to sleep. Popping two melatonin tablets in your mouth, you cuddled up to P/N. They had barely noticed you leaving or coming back.

"Come on little dove, get rid of them. Take away their life. They're trying to stop me, stop you. They're trying to steal you from me." Your dad's voice called from behind, arms wrapping themselves around you.

As your eyes adjusted to the inky darkness you saw Peter in front of you. His eyes were wide, hands tied, mouth covered in tape. His head was shaking no.

"It feels so good, doesn't it. Why not treat yourself? His soul is so pure, I wonder how delicious it would be." Your dad's voice continued.

"I can't, he's my friend. I don't want to be seen as a monster." Turning around you were met by air, your father was gone.

"Oh, but that's how they already see you. That's why they sent Steve to you. They want to capture you, keep you from the world. Your little boyfriend is even scared of you."

"No, no they don't. How would they even know? You're just trying to make me mad. I know you're lying, you have to be lying." Though you hated it, the feeling of tears made your chest tighten.

Your lip quivered, breaths short and shaky. He had to be lying. Right? Peter even let you have some of his soul. But what if he only did it to protect the rest of the world? Steve came because they thought she was a threat. The only reason he hesitated was because of her power.

Dad had successfully gotten into your head.

Looking down at the terrified Peter you finally let yourself break, tears spilling down your cheeks.

You wanted to believe your father was wrong, but part of you was starting to listen to his lies. You were too vulnerable to notice.

Crumbling to the ground in front of him your finger brushed his leg. By the time you registered the contact it was too late. The intensity of your emotions amplified the strength of your draining. You watched as his once honey brown eyes became grey. The glow left his skin, the shine left his hair.

He was gone, and it was your fault. The tears intensified, you were struggling to breathe. You tried to scream, but only a strained squeal came out.

"Good work, little dove. You always do everything perfectly."

Shooting up in bed the sheets clung to your skin, sweat drenched from head to toe. Your cheeks were wet and nose runny. It was only a nightmare.

Checking the clock on your phone it was 5:50, school started at 7. Peter and you usually left by 6:30.

Groaning you peeled off the mattress, stumbling to the bathroom. Splashing cold water on your face you stared at the face before you. Eyes red and puffy, nose pink, eye bags the size of dimes. What a wreck.

Doing your morning routine was easy, letting P/N out always helped to wake up. A granola bar could power you until lunch.

As always you met with Peter in the hallway, deciding to take the subway today. You were both tired. Since the two of you were broke the subway was only occasional.

"Rough night?"