Spider-Man, Awakening L.A. Presents:

Darnell continues to sit up in his hospital bed and holds his head. A nurse walks into the room and hurries to his side. Nurse-You should really lay down, Mr. Thomas. Darnell-How did I get here? Nurse-You do not remember? You were in hat awful Man Spider attack. Darnell tries to remember but his memories come up blank. Darnell-I….cant remember. Nurse-Well, you should try to rest for now, you will remember later. Darnell-Thanks, but I need to ask you two more questions. First, how did I get here? Second, when do you give me a sponge bath? The nurse giggles at Darnell’s comment. Nurse-First of all, a blond hair man brought you here. Oh and secondly, that comes later. She smiles at Darnell and leaves the room. He gives sly grin and relaxes on the bed. He grabs the bedside remote control and turns on the T.V. to the news. Reporter-Earlier today in Downtown New York, a mutant Man Spider ravaged the city attacking the public and going completely berserk. This footage you are about to view is extremely violent and viewer discretion is advised. The T.V. begins showing footage of the Man Spider’s assault and Josh trying to protect the citizens. Right there and then, Darnell begins groaning in pain. He grabs his sides and suppressed flashback memories of the events begin rapidly tearing through his mind. He falls out of his bed and curls up on the floor. The pain is surging through his body and his skin feels like it is on fire. He tries to contain himself and lies helplessly on the floor. He passes out on the floor and remains there lifelessly. Still sitting outside the window, the recon dragonfly relays the sequence of events to Dr. Croft. Eric-Well, seems there are some strange effects have taken over Darnell’s DNA. It would seem that Dr. William’s vaccine would prove to be, not so vital after all. Ah, how wonderful I am to know this new info. He gets up from his chair and grins. He walks out of his door into a laboratory. Eric-Adam…..Rick! Two big mobster-looking guys walk out towards him. Eric-Sorry I kept you young fellows waiting. Here you are, eight hundred dollars apiece. Just to go this hospital room and bring him back here. Rick-No problem…….. Both of the men leave the lab and Eric grins evilly. Idiots…. Meanwhile back at Rachel’s apartment, Rachel and Josh are in a room with a computer and some more high tech machines. Josh-All right, Darnell’s blood sample is ready for analysis. Good thing we thought about getting a sample before taking him to the hospital with that bogus story. Rachel-I just hope he is all right. Their equipment at the hospital will not pick up the radiation samples we can use some of our “job” technology. *snickers* By the way, did you wipe out all the camera footage from the labs? Josh-Yes I did. It wasn’t easy but I did. I can’t wait until I see Croft again. I am going to burn him beyond recognition. Rachel-Oh no Josh, look at this analysis from Darnell’s blood! Both of them become silent and stunned from their viewing of the info they just received. Meanwhile back at the hospital, Darnell quickly wakes up and tries to stand up from the floor. Darnell-Damn, I must have passed out again. He walks to the bathroom pulling the I.V. unit with him and runs water on his face. He looks in the mirror and notices his arm has become a bit more muscular. Darnell-Man what the hell? *flexes in the mirror* He gives a surprising grin and then suddenly stops flexing and returns to his bed. Darnell-*thinks* For some reason, I feel a lot better. Actually, I feel a hundred times better! He lies back on the bed but turns over to the backside of his hand and looks toward the top of his wrist and begins scratching. Darnell-Damn, that itches! *continues scratching* Suddenly, Darnell gets an incredible sensation that floods his mind. It is as if an alarm clock goes off in his head trying to make him aware of something that might be hazardous to him. Darnell-*thinks* What the hell is this feeling!? Darnell then arches his eyebrows and sharply turns to the dragonfly that is hovering outside of his window. With only reflex in intentions, he raises his arm and aims at the dragonfly. Eric-What, can…….can he see me!? Darnell balls up his fist and lowers exposing the top of his wrist and shoots a sharp edge shaped webbing shard from it. The shard releases with great speed breaking the glasses and kills the dragonfly. Darnell-What, what the hell is wrong with me!? The memories begin to come back to him from the events that followed when the spider bit him until his recent encounters at the hospital. He fearfully sits there on the bed in shock and does not move as he realizes what he has done as the Man Spider. Darnell-No, all of those people. The girl and her dad, no. What have I done? What am I? Quickly, the feeling that shook Darnell’s head as a warning became even more potent and Darnell leaps out of the bed. He removes the I.V. unit in her arm as he feels that something or someone draws near his room. The door opens and Rick and Adam enter his room. They give each other a puzzled look and walk around the room. Rick looks in the bathroom and sees that nobody is there. He pulls back the shower curtains to reveal nothing but a clean bathtub. Adam looks under the hospital bed but doesn’t see anything. Rick-You dumb ass, you really think he would be under the bed? Think dummy! Adam-How about I pimp slap you and wipe that smirk of your face! Rick-Whatever, he isn’t in here. The Doc must have given us the wrong room number. Adam-What a genius he is. Who cares, we got the money. Lets go. Rick-Yeah, really. They both look around to room not noticing they had a one-man audience they were looking for. Darnell anchored to the ceiling facing downwards with only his hands and feet mounted backwards watching them the entire time. They look around confused and exit the room. Darnell, still anchored to the ceiling, is in a complete state of excitement and shock at his newfound position. Darnell-*thinks* Whoa, that was freaky! I just…..by instinct leaped and stuck to the ceiling! Who the hell were they? They weren’t here for a friendly visit, that is for damn sure. Darnell falls from the ceiling into a crouching position. He stands up and gets that awkward feeling again. Darnell-Damn, now what? Oh………. The nurse approaches the door and opens it, revealing Darnell in the bed. Nurse-Did someone just come in here, Mr. Thomas? Darnell-Not that I know of. I was sleeping. The nurse comes over and checks the I.V. unit. Nurse-Well, okay. Sorry to wake you Mr. Thomas. Try to get some more rest. Darnell-Hey no problem. Though I was hoping for that sponge bath. The nurse smiles and leaves the room. Darnell begins contemplating all of the strange events that are happening to him and then falls silently asleep, hoping that the next day will bring answers to his questions. The next day, Darnell awakes in the morning and stretches to see Rachel on the side of his bed and Josh standing at the other side. Josh-How are you feeling? Darnell-Just dandy. Rachel-*smiles* Are you sure? Nothing strange has been happening has it? Darnell-You’re the mind reader, you tell me. Rachel-No, I choose not too. Josh-Darnell, Rachel and me analyzed a sample of your blood and came up with some very curious results. Darnell-I was actually that thing, wasn’t I? Rachel and Josh become silent and give a grieving and shameful face. Rachel-Darnell, I am sorry. Darnell-I hurt some people and almost ended up killing Josh. How the hell am I suppose to forgive myself of that? Josh-Hey, it wasn’t really you. That Man Spider creature was in total control. There was nothing you could do. Rachel-He is right. Darnell-Did I end up killing anyone? Josh-No. The father and daughter in that car are actually on the same floor here as you. The man is suffering form bruised ribs and the little girl has a bad fracture in her legs. Both of them will get a full recovery though. Darnell drops his head in shame. Rachel-Darnell, the analysis revealed that not all the characteristics from the spider bite are gone. It had time to combine and bond with your very own DNA. The effects are…..are irreversible. Darnell looks at Rachel in horror. Darnell-Wh-What!? Does this mean I am going to change into that hideous monster again and rampage through the city!? Josh-Try to calm down. We don’t know what it means right now because we don’t know. We are going to run more tests today. We just wanted to make sure you are all right. Darnell-Croft, he is responsible for this. I am going to find him and bleed him until there is nothing left! Rachel-Please Darnell, just calm down. Nobody has seen Croft in days. It is like he has disappeared. Revenge is not going to help and will only make matters worse if you do find him. Darnell-*sighs* Besides that Rachel, I am actually feeling okay. Hell, maybe even better. Josh-Good, because the doctor is going to let you leave tomorrow. Darnell-Really? Rachel-Yeah, with a little persuasion from me. Darnell snickers at Rachel’s comment. Rachel-Now that is the Darnell I like to see. Rachel kisses his cheek Darnell-Great, now I need a rabies shot. Seriously, I owe you guys big time. You did not have to do what you did and you saved my life. Josh-Hey, what are friends for? Don’t expect too many kisses from her like that though, okay? Darnell-Hey, no problem firefly. Rachel-Well, we will be back tomorrow, okay? See you later D. Darnell-All right and thanks for everything. Josh and Rachel leave as exiting the room and the nurse steps in. Nurse-Well good morning Mr. Thomas. Here is your breakfast and I have doctor’s orders to get rid of that I.V. unit of yours. Darnell-Wow, if you are my morning breakfast, stop talking and more grubbing! She snickers and begins take out the I.V. but it seems to be stuck totally in Darnell’s arm. Nurse-Darn, you are a good healer! It is really locked in there! Darnell-Let me help. Darnell pulls the unit out of his arm and hands it to the nurse. Nurse-My, aren’t you the strong one? *winks* Darnell-Yes, I am. *winks* Nurse-Well, enjoy your breakfast and beep if you need me. Darnell-Actually, I wanted to know what room the little girl that was hurt in that mutant attack was located. Nurse-Hmm, oh! She is three rooms down and on the right. You going to visit her? Darnell-Yes, I am. Nurse-Well let me tell you something, she is one of the smartest eleven year olds I have ever seen. She winks at Darnell again and exit’s the room. Darnell chuckles and then begins eating his breakfast. He realizes that the quality of the food isn’t great but quickly devours it nonetheless. Darnell-*burp* Teheheeheee! Darnell puts on some jogging pants and a shirt and walks out of his room. As he enters the hallway, he takes a few minutes to stretch and realizes his senses are somewhat heightened. He gives a slight grin and walks down the hall with his eyes close. He remembers the directions the nurse gave him to the little girl’s room and continues walking. People walking by notice his eyes are closed and give him an awkward stare as he continues his approach. He arrives at the door and enters the room. There, a blond haired 12-year-old girl lies on the bed watching T.V. Gaby-Hello. Darnell-Hey, what’s up? My name is Darnell. Gaby-My name is Gabriella, but you can call me Gaby for short. Darnell-Nice to meet you Gaby. Darnell has a seat next to her bed. Darnell-I was also a victim in the Man Spider attack. Gaby-Are you okay? Darnell-That is a hard question to answer, but for right now I am good. Gaby-I have a fractured bone in my leg and my dad has a few busted ribs. Darnell looks down in shame. Gaby-We are both going to make a full recovery though, according to the doctors. Darnell-I am so sorry. Gaby-Why? You did not do anything. Why are you sorry? Darnell-Well….ummm…… Gaby grins at Darnell. Gaby-All mutants are not bad. Darnell looks up in astonishment at her response. Gaby-My mom was a mutant. She was very pretty too. She points to a picture on the side of his chair and he looks at it. Darnell-Wow, she is very pretty. Gaby-She died last year in a car accident. I asked her that day before she left were mutants bad. She told me that mutants are like everybody else, only that they are special. Darnell-Why are you telling me this, Gaby? Gaby-I am a mutant but my daddy doesn’t know this. I can recognize mutants using my psychic powers. Darnell-So you know that it was me that was on that rampage? Gaby-Yes, but I also know it was not your fault. You should not hate yourself for what you have become. You were not in control when you were that thing. Darnell-I keep telling myself that, I just really don’t know what to do now though. Gaby-You have to choose what to do with yourself. You are responsible for your actions, and I have a strong feeling that you will do the right thing. She smiles at Darnell and he returns with another smile. Gaby-You have new powers and I think they will be with you for sometime. You should accept what you have become and move on. Darnell-You have got to be the smartest and wisest 12 year old I know. Gaby-I just tell it like I see it. I am getting a little sleepy now. Darnell-Aha, time for me to make my exit. Thanks a lot Gaby, I owe you one. Gaby-Nah, just make the right choices. Darnell gives a grin and a wave goodbye and leaves her room. Their conversation rattles through his mind as he walks down the hallway. He enters his room and lies on the bed. The word that mostly repeats in his mind is responsibility. He gives a slight grin and then falls asleep. Early the next morning, Darnell’s room phone rings. He slowly wakes up and answers it. Darnell-Sorry I am not hear right now but at the sound of the click you will know that I hung up. Rachel-*sighs* If you hang up this phone, I will hit you with a psych blast that will render you motionless for the next 5 years and have you drooling for many occasions. Darnell-*chokes* Oops, sorry Rachel. Thought you had the wrong number. Rachel-I bet you did. You only have to sign a few papers and then you can go. I will pick you up whenever you need me to. Darnell-You will not have to do that playa, I think I will walk home. Rachel-Stop being so cute with me, it is not working. You do not even know your way around here yet. Darnell-Trust me Rachel, I will tell you about it later. Okay? Rachel pauses and then answers. Rachel-Well, okay. If you get lost, you will pay up big time! Darnell-Sure, sure whatever. Later playa! Rachel-Bye, bye. Darnell grins and hangs up the phone. He hops out of bed and begins packing his belongings. He puts on a pair of jogging pants, some white basketball shoes, and a white T-shirt. He looks back at the room and exits. On his way down to the nurse’s station, he passes by the nurse that attended to him the majority of his stay. Nurse-You leaving already, handsome? Darnell-Damn right. This place is about to drive me crazy, plus I did not even get my sponge bath. Nurse-Oh, I forgot about that! Darnell-Sure you did. Well, I better get going, got a lot of things to do. Nurse-You take care, okay? Bye. The nurse leans forward and lightly kisses Darnell on the cheek and walks away. He grins and then again walks towards the nurse’s station. The attendant gives Darnell some papers and he eagerly signs them and heads toward the elevator. The door opens and he enters. He presses the floor level 1 button and the door closes. He again remembers the dream he had where the Man Spider faces him and gives him that weird message. Suddenly, the elevator stops and he exits out of it. He calmly walks outside of the hospital and stops. He listens to the constant active air of the New York City and his newly found senses drift wildly. He begins walking down the sidewalk and gives a slight grin. Darnell-Hmmm, and so my new life begins……..