The Red Guest Room

1.     For a month and a half we used to stay at grandma and grandpa’s house.

2. We’d travel through three states, leaving the humid Texas heat for the Californian dry heat.

3. Every time we pulled into the mobile home we were greeted by liquid kisses and the sweet aroma of peaches. 

4. My younger brother and I would try and stay up with the adults for as long as we could in the too-large tv room, that could fit our whole Mexican family comfortably.

5. As the fiery sun set, and the adults pulled out wine glasses, the abundance of ticking clocks grew louder.

6. Using only their eyes and hand gestures, our parents would shoo us off to bed. 

7. The mobile home was spacious after the remodeling, and it felt like living in a duplex. 

8. Many times, you could see who was in the kitchen from the back rooms.

9. A narrow, long hallway snaked its way throughout the dusty house. 

10. At the very end of the hallway was “the red guest room”.

11. A Chester draw falling to pieces, aluminum foil covering the windows, a large double bed, and ruby red carpet filled the room. 

12. Mom once said it felt more like an empty storage room than a guest room. Dad on the other hand felt uneasy about the room –although he kept this a secret until after they sold the house.

13. Every night when the lights went out, we would beg for the door to be left open and the ancient hallway light be left on.

14. Every night our request was met with a long sigh and scolding's of, “going to bed!” and “you better not be awake when we come to check up on you both.”

15. In any other situation my brother and I would lie through our toothless grins, however, not in the “red guest room”. Once the shadows of our parents rounded the hallways many corners we would shuffle under the blankets and hold one another close.

16. This is when the odd occurrences would begin.

17. Knocking from the wall inches from my back left us wide-eyed and speechless, we knew no one was in the adjacent room. 

18. A child’s giggle could be heard from the widows opposite us.

19. Leaving me to wonder who was laughing just outside the boarded-up windows.

20. Padded footsteps could be heard approaching the large blowup mattress my brother and I cowered in.

21. The Chester drawer’s ornamental knobs would begin to sway slightly creaking as they swung back and forth like a swing set in the playground.

22. Neither one of us liked to be left alone in that room but if my younger brother ever nodded off, I would spring from the bed with my eyes shut tight.

23. Keeping my ankles high I navigated to the bedroom door which always seemed to seal shut.

24. Twisting and pulling on the 80’s doorknob I could feel my heart crawling out of my throat as if it too sensed the unnerving danger lurking around us.

25. Struggling with the easiest door, it flooded my mind with questions.

26. Why is this door suddenly so hard to open at night? When did this door shut? Why can’t I see the light from the hallway illuminating behind this door? 

27. A chill breeze on the nape of my neck sent chills down my spine that either left me paralyzed or jumping out of my skin and nearly twisting the doorknob off.

28. Once the door swung inward, I leapt over the divided carpeted threshold, letting air fill my lungs as my toes wiggled between the white carpeted fabric.

29. The hallway light bathed me as I sat down and leaned against the sliding hallway shutter doors, waiting for my parents to return. 

30. I never dared glance behind me till the warrior drumming beats ceased in my ears.

31. Glancing back into the “red guest room,” I was always met with an eerie pitch-black room.

32. Although once when I looked back, someone, or something, stared back.

33. At first I was too stunned to comprehend; I chalked it up to my own reflection off the foil.

34. Although after that night I never saw it again.

It all started with a flickering light bulb

 Spider Adrian: (This Piece is based on an incredible artist; check out his Insta: @art_the_f_up for the Spiderman AU Series following part 3) Thank you, Art, for the inspiration, enjoy!

Marinette stares off watching the blinking lights of Paris, atop her balcony. She can’t help the lingering smile dancing across her cheeks. Enjoying the view from her balcony, she lets out a heavy sigh, it wasn’t the Eiffel Tower’s view or the Champ de Mars she’s witnessed during her time being Ladybug. No, for the first time in forever, she felt like every other teenager. Her balcony was the one place she could be herself; she didn’t have to wear a mask to enjoy such a view. A static buzzing sound interrupts the daydreams of her crush, Paris’s famous model, Adrian Agreste. 

Turning around, she scans the empty balcony before her, with a slight flicker, she notices one of the bulbs on the string of lights above her head dying. Sighing, she makes her way to her skylight, falling down on top of her be,d before descending the stairs to her bed. Ruffling around her desk for a spare bulb, a red blur zips past her head. 

“What are you looking for?” Tiki squeaks, plopping down on her left shoulder. 

“Oh, just a spare light bulb, I thought I had one up here when my dad strung them up, but I must have misplaced it. Oh well, I’ll just go down and look in the kitchen. You want me to grab you a cookie, Tiki?” Marinette says, walking over to the trap door leading downstairs to the living room/kitchen. 

“Yes, please!” Tiki squeals in delight before zipping back up to Marinette's bed. Marinette giggles softly before rushing down the stairs, only to return ten minutes late, balancing a tray full of different cookies and two spare bulbs. She set one of the bulbs down by her desk before racing up the stairs to her bed and setting down two macarons by the tiny red kwami. Tiki gleams up at her before Marinette disappears back up onto the balcony. Setting down the leftover goods on a nearby table, looking eyes on her next task at hand. Turning off the lights, she sits below the old bulb, taking the new one out of the box. Reaching up on her tippy toes, her fingers lightly graze the bottom of the hot bulb.

“Ouch!” Leaping back, she howls in pain, shaking her fingers in the air. Probably should have waited a little while longer after I turned off the lights. Setting up a chair below the light bulb before cautiously balancing atop the chair. Struggling to focus on her balance, she leans forward just a bit too far over the railing, the looming concrete below her sends her flinging her arms in a windmill maneuver backward. Focus Marinette! Your Ladybug, you can keep your balance and change one little light bulb. Tilting her head up, she feels the uncomfortable dizziness wash through her body. Her bluebell eyes stare up at the vast starry sky above her. Twisting the lightbulb on shaky tippy toes she pulls out the old one before switching hands and screwing the new one in. Twisting slowly, she feels her balance give out. She leans forward just a bit too much, trying to even it out, seemingly forgetting the distance of the ground below her. 

“Nahhh!” Her foot bangs against the iron railing, the ground rising up to meet her face before a strong force wraps around her belly, pulling her up. Her eyes flutter open, and she's astonished to see her partner’s face only inches away from hers. Landing on her balcony, he lets his grip relax, but his arm remains wrapped around her waist. 

“Adi-um-Spiderman?!” 

“You know if you ever want to see me, you just have to ask, you don’t have to risk your life.” Spiderman smugly says, ripping off his mask and leaning his other arm against the railing. Still recovering from her near-death experience, she rolls her eyes, pushing away from him. Walking over to the chair to finish screwing in the lightbulb, Spiderman is quick pouncing in front of her and finishing twisting the lightbulb. 

“Thank you, Spiderman, for saving me, but I could have done that,” Marinette says as she flips on the switch before walking over to him, trying in vain to not get hypnotized by his charming features. They were now standing in the center, and Adrian could feel his cheeks growing flushed. Jabbing her finger in the center of his fluttering chest, Marinette couldn’t help the question spilling from her rosy lips. “Besides, how did you save me so fast? I haven’t seen anything of an Akuma attack today. Were you spying on me?” 

“Spying? Me!?” He throws his hand over his forehead exuberantly, trying to hide the slight tint of a blush creeping upon his model-like features. “How could you ever imply that? I’m a superhero, and I look for danger. Besides, if it wasn’t me who would have saved you?!” He says, looming over her petite figure.

“You never know, Ladybug could have saved me,” Marinette says nonchalantly, but she hadn’t even thought to change into Ladybug. If it really wasn’t for her partner, she wouldn’t be here, and the worst part would be no more Ladybug to save Paris from its treacherous villains.

Spiderman huffed, “Aww, I thought I was your number one superhero. Besides, I haven’t seen Ladybug tonight.” Spider-Man says, scanning the rooftops surrounding them, for his red and black spotted partner. 

Marinette gazed up at his face, the light illuminating his golden locks was mesmerizing, her eyes traced his jawline and facial features. Wow, no wonder everyone in school wanted to date him or be him! Has he always been so handsome, even before puberty hit him like a semi-truck? Her eyes trailed down to his toned, muscular shoulders. I know being a superhero has its perks and all, but I wonder if under the super-suit he’s really that- Marinette shook the thoughts from her head as Adrian’s emerald eyes landed back on her. Feeling the heat rising up to her cheeks at being caught ogling her best friend/ “secret” partner, she turns away from him, her eyes landing on the platter of cookies.

Stumbling forward, she picks up the plate and extends it out to him, “Ugh, would you like to help me finish off the leftover pastries from today?” Adrian flashes his heart-melting smirk at her. This only prompts her to hide her face with the plate of treats before her. Without saying anything, he snatches up a few macaroons and chocolate-filled croissants. Stuffing them into his mouth before she grabs a strawberry-filled croissant herself. Setting the plate down on the floor, she sits criss-cross applesauce, staring past Spiderman’s well-toned legs. Spider-Man walks over sitting down and stealing a glance at Marinette. “Um, can-can I ask you a question?” Marinette turns her head, looking at an uncomfortable Spider-Man. “Yeah, sure.” 

Smiling softly, he stares out at the blinking lights of their city. “What do you think will happen after Ladybug and I defeat all the villains?” Spiderman’s question surprised her, it’s not that she hadn’t thought the same question, but she never seemed to have the answer. 

“I-I don’t know. Why are you asking me instead of Ladybug?” Marinette asks, fidgeting her fingers through her low pigtails. Spider-Man turns back towards her, noticing her sudden discomfort. “Sorry, ahh well it’s getting late, thanks for the snacks, I’ll see you tomorrow!” Before Mari could get a word out, Spider-Man was just a speck slinging away.

{The next night}

She hears a slight thump behind her, spinning on her heels, she’s met face to face-or well, “face to chest” with the red and blue superhero. “Looks like I’m not the only one who stays up late,” Spiderman whispers, looking down at Marinette with a wide, chastising grin. His eyes gleam mischievously bright green behind his mask, but something was different. 

“Ahh, Spider-Man, do you ever announce yourself! You almost gave me a heart attack!” Marinette scolds him, shoving her finger against his suited chest. 

Spiderman chuckles, holding his stomach before smirking down at her flustered red face. “What were you daydreaming about- or should I say, who were you just daydreaming about just a few minutes ago? I thought I saw you dancing at one point. Didn’t know you had such moves, princess! Soooo, who is it that has captured your attention? ” 

“W-w-what e-ever do y-y-you mean?” Marinette debated letting the newest “Agreste” magazine, clutched in her fingers, drop to the street below. Hesitating for a second too long, Spider-Man takes the perfect opportunity to snake his arms around her back and rip the magazine out of her grasp. Letting out a gasp, she jumps up in the air, trying to grab the magazine back from Spiderman’s slick fingers. Holding it high above his head, knowing there was no way she could reach it now, he couldn’t help but laugh at her attempts to jump up. He lets his eyes flicker up to scan the object in his fingers.

“HEY! GIVE it BACK! When did you get so TALL!” Marinette tries kicking his shins, but his spidey senses are no match for her. She scans for something to stand on, but the chairs and table are over by the skylight. Leaning her back against the railing, an idea pops into her mind. Flashing the cunning superhero a mischievous smile, Marinette spins around, facing the blinking lights of their city before them. She takes in a deep breath before raising up on her tippy-toes and climbing over the railing. Holding on tight, she balances herself on the other side, barely stepping on the overlapping concrete balcony. Glancing over her shoulder at a stunned Spiderman, mouth agape, still holding the Agreste magazine in the air, she knew this was the……….

“Ohh no, I’m slipping! If only there were a superhero who could save me, a helpless citizen!” Marinette slowly plucks her fingers off the railing, leaving only her pinkies left but extending her body out and over the street. Shaking his head, Spider-Man crosses his arms, not buying her bluff. The dog-eared page of a shirtless Adrian was staring back at her under his forearm. Taking in a deeper breath, she slides her pinkies off, barely grazing the railing, when a web snatches onto her right shoulder. 

“Mari! What the hell are you thinking!?” Snatching the magazine from his grasp, he pulls her up over the railing. Ripping off his own mask. Once her feet touch down safely, she backs up, throwing the magazine towards the open skylight. 

“Oh, what’s wrong? I knew you were going to catch me. Besides, that's what you get for scaring me earlier, now we're even!” Marinette says, rising up on her tippy-toes and planting a playful kiss on his cheek. Just as she begins to pull away, his arms pull her closer to him, squeezing her tightly. “Please don’t ever scare me like that again.” Adrian’s warm breath brushes against Marinette’s ear, sending her heart racing. Mouth agape, a scarlet red painted across her features. Adrian’s words swirling around in her stomach, like a kaleidoscope of butterflies.

Priceless By: Viviana Wolniewitz

Tattered worn-out soles thump against cracked ground.

Chains rattle off in the distance children’s feet continue to pound.

Blood-soaked hands stretch out, a whip soars through air.

Brown, Black, and redbacks become unrecognizable, flesh-tearing.

Babies crying while men with lead pipes, puffing without a care.

Like a lone drum thump, thump, thump, their loved one’s fate declared.

Scattering off like rodents, rather than human beings, they make their way as far North as possible.

Train tracks littered with broken frail bodies, only make the lone survivors unstoppable.

Up in the North, freedom rings like wedding bells on a summer day.

Down in the South prices rise on capturing any “rodent” alive.

A human’s life becomes a price

not just any human life but those of a different skin color become less than mice.

A long-awaited brewing war begins to sink its claws into every neighboring citizen.

The war on color is vicious and rotten.

An unspoken line divides the country, erupting violence anew to more than a few.

Like a children’s game of tag, once you cross the line, you’re safe, no one can “tag” you.

This childlike game takes on more than a few lives.

Pitting those in the “safe zones” to choose their allies.

Love between the other color, or forbidden color, for these,

become real-life Romeo and Juliet stories.

Heroes begin to rise amongst the flames of the South.

Women of color risk their lives to create underground passageways.

Years of suffering follow

Although their ancestors and those that saw a human soul were never truly hollow.

They might have bitten their tongue then

But now we make sure nothing like that will ever happen again.

Now we fight to continue the change that a human is more than its skin.

            A life is a life no matter their kin.

Hades and Persephone (Part 2)

Gripping Hades’ cloak, the monstrous being stomps forward picking up speed, emerging from the shadows looming its large body over the both of us. My legs go numb, folding into my silky summer dress, falling onto the rough ground. My ocean blue eyes lock onto six feral bloodshot eyes. Eyes swirling with hatred and hunger, a hunger, I never knew could be so frightening. The monstrous beast grows, drool spills out of its three mouths lined with razor-sharp teeth. I open my mouth to let the scream rip out from the chasm of my lungs- but nothing escapes. 

“Cerberus SIT!” Hades bellows, not a moment after the words leave Hades’ mouth does the creature’s ass slams against the ground. The beast’s eyes and demeanor change instantly, bowing all three heads towards Hades’ approaching hand. Hades runs his hand through the fine black coat of hair.

“Aww did someone miss me, Cerberus?” 

Cerberus, Cerberus... where have I heard that name before. W-wait, three heads, six bloodshot eyes, black coat that blends into the shadows. Bones littering the ground causing a trail to anyone unfortunate to come face to face with Hades’... three-headed dog. A ferocious beast guarding the only exit out of this hell hole. Oh, I’m not getting out of here easily.

“What the hell are you doing on the ground?” Hades walks towards me, his cape fluttering behind him, making him look like Hercules. This causes Cerberus to glare directly into my soul. Note to self: don’t be alone with Cerberus. Stretching out his hand to help me stand back up. His green eyes seem to be glowing, his smile stretching across his face turning the feared boogie-man- into a handsome Greek god. 

“Were you scared?” I don’t realize my hand rising and settling onto his warm, soft palm. Pulling me close to his chest he whispers into my ear, even though the only person around is Cerberus. “Don’t worry Persephone, I promise you as long as you stand by my side, I won’t let any harm come to you.” 

His words don’t help my numb legs recover, and something tells me he knows. Sliding his arm to wrap around my waist, he lets his body support mine. Damn. This smug, charming god.

Shrugging away against his chest. Cerberus shifts in my peripheral vision, stumbling back, I regain what little composure I have left. Hades glances over his shoulder at the sound of his guards rushing over in perfect sync, something seems off with the way they stop just a few feet from us. Hades’ charming stature vanishes with every step he takes away from me. A frozen emptiness swells in the pit of my head, watching the back of his blonde curls bouncing. As if an invisible rope was tied around my waist pulling me to his side, I shift forward to follow beside him. Cerberus' six menacing eyes shoot invisible daggers rooting every nerve in my body in place. 

Crap this beastly dog needs a new distraction. Somehow I need to sneak past Hades, his guards, devilish soul-eating beings, and this mutt. Oh and not to mention, I need to find the exit, so far every little “landmark” looks alike. I need to try and find a map, or a way to get in contact with the surface world. It's a wishful thought but anything at this point would be a step in getting out of this dark abyss. I need to find a way to explore-

“-they couldn’t have gotten THAT FAR!” demanded Hades. “How would they KNOW she’s down here! That's-well that puts a damper on things, never mind, just send more guards patrolling the grounds.” Hades' words cut through my scurrying thoughts. Combining his fingers through his untamed curls he lets out a deep-throated growl. Hades turns around abruptly, clapping his hands in front of his face as he speaks walking over to me. “Okay! Looks like this little tour will have to be cut short. Such a pity I know, but I promise to show you more later.” Hades says cupping my hands before lifting my right hand, brushing a light kiss against my knuckles. His green eyes lock onto mine and for a second everything around us disappears. I forget where we are, I forget someone wants me dead, most importantly I forget the man behind these hypnotizing emerald green eyes. 

“My guards will be showing you to your chambers, and once I settle this little… matter we can eat and continue the tour.”

That chastise grin settles once again on his features causing my stomach to buzz alive, moving my hands back to my sides he winks. Spinning on his heels he walks away from me again. 

No.

Before I know it my body feels hot, too hot, shaking awake I leap forward reaching my fingers out to grip onto his fluttering black clock. It seems to beckon me to safety. Wrapping my fingers tightly around the fabric a low growl emits somewhere on my left, ignoring it, ignoring everything. I focus on the blackness enveloping me. Wrapping me in comfort like a child, I wrap my arms tightly around the source. Like a mother bird leaving behind its baby, I couldn’t pull myself to part with Hades. Wicked thoughts clouded my mind causing my arms to squeeze tighter. Even if the threat is him, which something in my heart tells me it's not, I feel safer if I knew where he was at all times.  

“I promise I will be back in a blink of an eye, this won’t take long, I just need to create a stronger defense. Don’t worry, I told you I won’t let any harm come to you and I meant it. Persephone, I-I care for you. You believe me, don’t you? I know of the rumors, I’ve probably started a few out of boredom but I swear to you I’m not such a beastly god.” 

W-what just came over me? I shouldn’t be hugging him, my captor! I should be quietly rejoicing in the fact I can search for a way out! Jez, just a few sly moves from this greek god and I’m acting like Aphrodites.

His warm large palms encase my petite hands, for a moment I feel I understand more about the god in front of me with a single touch than all the stories/rumors combined. I pull my arms back to my chest quickly, too quickly, my elbows come into contact with the god’s rib cage. 

“Umph, if you wanted a hug all you had to do was ask. I know I’m overly handsome with just a sprinkle of malice. Oh yes, I’m quite popular with the nymphs.” Hades brags while walking backward toward the path the guards had left. “I’m happy to see you’re warming up to me, my goddess. I won’t be long, for now, I leave you in the care of Cerburas and my loyal subject Actaeon.” Blowing a kiss on that smug grinning face he twirls around almost skipping off into the distance like a child. Popular with the nymphs. Ha please, there’s no one the nymphs like but themselves and Zeus. 

“Persephone, this way to your chambers.” I jump out of my skin, at the rough voice of Actaeon, standing just two feet behind me. Walking along the dark corridors with only a lit torch to guide us. I can’t help but notice the pieces of flesh dangling from his cheekbones. Wh-where did he come from? Eerie yellow, red, and white eyes peek out from the shadows.

I follow close behind him almost tripping on his heels while Cerburas’ thundering paws pound the ground close behind me, it’s three heads loom over me making any plans of escape futile.

Outcasts

~With her family dead, the sheriff's men after her, and a hefty bounty on her head -hope seems like a fantasy.~

The forest leaves crunch under my feet, I keep hearing his voice echoing in my ear, “just keep running, don’t stop till your safe, whatever you do, don’t ever stop running!” The last words my father ever said to me before they took him and my family away.

I don’t dare look behind my shoulder, I know they're right behind me. I can hear the dogs pounding paws against the forest floor and feel their drool at the nape of my neck. “Stop! Stop, in the name of King Richard surrender!” Tripping over crocked roots, slamming face-first into the base of an oak tree. Pushing up against the bark coughing, I struggle to catch my breath -a howl from the hounds propels my legs to move again. Reluctantly, my blistered feet protest as I push to move faster, a numbness begins to spread like fire through my body. Tears thread on my bottom lashes threatening to leave a path behind. Adrenaline courses through my body driving me forward.

Already regretting it, I glance back seeing the head of a big black beast of a dog. I swing my head just in the nick of time before running right into another tree. Stumbling over small rocks and roots scanning the forest ahead searching for a miracle -I just need a moment to breathe. A few branches above me snap, before I can see what large bird or arrows are souring toward me, the ground rushes to greet my beat red face. I stubble rolling a few feet down the steep incline. With the wind knocked out I lay motionless, the forest spins round and round, the fall amber leaves bleed together as I shut my eyes. Hunger claws at my stomach while my aching muscles scream out in pain to rest atop the moist loose, dirt.

I stumble to push myself up, my knees finally buckle. I’m forced to face the music; I can’t run anymore. I hear a soft thump echo from the ground, inches beside me, my mind races to figure out what animal could be barring its hungry curious eyes at my tiny fragile, figure. A brush of leaves alerts me to the pair of hands lifting me up onto what feels like a slate of flesh. Sweaty rough palms tug my arms against my body and the warm nap of a neck tickles against my cheek while strands of hair, brush against my radiating, beat red forehead. I grasp at any fleeting strength, to try prying my eyelids open, just long enough to focus on if I’m being saved. But it’s no use, my muscles start tingling as my limbs go numb.

A fire crackles and hisses, roasting meat penetrates my nostrils, a wool blanket itches against my bare arms. My senses slowly begin to creep upon me, cracking one eye open I can clearly make out, the insides of a cave. Holding my head in the palms of my hands, I’m alerted to a slight shuffle just a few feet to my right. I’m not alone.

“What’s your name?” A boy says running a sharp pocketknife across the end of a stick, I can see the point getting sharper with each cut. A dry gulp crawls towards my grumbling stomach. Quickly my eyes scan around for anything that could be used as a weapon. What did father always say, “if you don't have a weapon look around for any object that can take your opponent down. Don’t underestimate anyone, hunger can be enough to kill.” I slowly pat down the ground around me, my fingers trailing through the dirt like snakes as I stare daggers at the boy. He gazes back at me, and for a few painfully awkward moments were locked in a stare-down. To create a more uncomfortable moment of silence he begins to study my petite figure up and down. My fingers stop dead in their tracks.

“I won’t hurt you I promise, just tell me what your name is.” 

“Why.” 

I snap back not believing him for a second. Why should I, everyone has motives, and the last person I trust, let me down. Another moment of silence as his eyes continue to trail up and down before he lets out a chuckle. “Well, I want to know who I just rescued. I risked my life to carry you in here if the sheriff and his men were to find out I could be sharing the same fate. What if you’re a thief or worse, a murder!” Letting out a loud sigh I try to keep an authoritative stance, but with every passing second, I can feel my energy dwindling again. “I’m not a thief or a murder, my father and I were falsely accused by some neighbors.” Tears well up along my bottom lashes, fighting to hold the tears back I glance away.

“Huh, interesting. Well, last time I checked the sheriff doesn’t send that many men for a false accusation. Well, whatever keeps your little dirty secret, the less I know the better. Oh, and your welcome for saving your life.” I squint my eyes at him, I suddenly have no desire to be in his company anymore. The noose looks better than being stuck in this cave-dwelling, with his pompous ass. I peel my eyes away from his plastered chastise, grin. Looking around me I mumble a “thank you” under my breath. I can hear his light chuckle as my eyes drift back over to him.

He sits with his right shoulder pointing in my direction. He looks to be the same age as me, about 10 or 11? “My name's Charlie, now your turn.” He says smiling, I can’t help but scrunch my face in disgust.

His smile only grows, “I like you, you're different from other girls.” He blurts out. I perk up hugging my knees closer to my chest and forcing a fake smile in return, before rolling my eyes again. He just laughs it off, it seems every rude gesture I throw at him he eats it up. This only fuels me to poke at him more.

To be continued...

No Place to Hide

 Spider Adrian: (This Piece is based on an incredible artist; check out his Insta: @art_the_f_up for the Spiderman AU Series that gave birth to this story) Thank you Art for the inspiration, enjoy!

    Adrian swung from building to building, the Elifle tower glittering in the background like a Christmas tree. Adrian stumbles, landing on his knees on a hotel roof. Couples, children, and loners mingling through the Bois de Boulogne park, just a few feet below him. Ripping off his mask he succumbed to the tears streaming down his face. A strangled cry ripped through his throat, throwing his head back he closed his eyes letting fear tremble through his body. Sweat glistened his messy golden locks. Opening his eyes slowly he moves to stand, his body numb to the world outside his suit. The breeze blew right through him, almost convincing his fuzzy brain that he was just as hallowed out as he felt.

    Slowly Adrian pulls out the hidden backpack, ripping off his suit and changing into a loose pair of school clothes he scales the drainage pipe on the side of the building. A few feet above the ground he drops down behind a rusty dumpster in the alley. Shuffling the backpack on his shoulders he makes his way through the park pulling up his hoodie and avoiding the smiling laughing faces passing by him. 

    A certain light catches his attention, causing his breath to catch in his throat. Marinette’s figure crosses past the open bakery window. Ducking behind the nearest tree he watches her step outside helping a customer carry a full package of pastries to their car. Her smile seems to permanently reside on her face. The ends of his lips draw upwards when she stumbles over the sidewalk waving a sweat, “see you soon” as the car drives away leaving her standing in a red halo. Adrian watched Marinette make her way back to the front door of her family’s bakery. 

    Just as her fingers brush the door handle, Adrain’s hand flinches upward catching a speeding, wet tennis ball. Thanking his spidey senses under his breath he stands up and examines the shadows for the culprit who unknowingly nearly sent him into a world of pain and quite possibly a few days out of modeling. The bush beside him rustles, before a giant brown lab pounces on top of Adrian’s chest sending him flat on his back while attacking his face with hot drooling, kisses. 

    “Hahahaaa, ahh stop STOP hahaha stop it, that tickles!” 

    “Dolly! Dolly! Where did you go? Come back!” A woman’s sweet but frantic voice floats across the busy park. Adrian struggles to push the dog off scrambling to stand and wave down the owner. A petit elderly woman hobbles quickly peering around the park’s trees, rocks, and structures before locking eyes on Adrains glistening red face. 

    “Oh I’m so sorry deary, I hope Dolly didn’t hurt you!” The elderly reaches out dabbing a fresh pink and white cloth across his cheeks. 

    “Ha oh, no ma’am just took me by surprise, thank you,” Adrian said pulling back his hoodie and running his fingers through his hair picking out the few twigs and leaf’s stuck between his golden locks. 

    The elderly woman smiles kindly at Adrain before furrowing her brow, her eyes moving over every inch of his face. 

    “Have we met before? You seem quite familiar.” She muttered tapping a boney finger against her chin. 

    Chuckling awkwardly Adrain cursed his popular features, quickly he pulled back his hoodie before anxiously drawing the black corded drawstrings against his chest. He needed to escape quickly before more people recognized and posted something alerting the Gorilla to his location. 

    “Ha, well I really should be going, hope you have a wonderful night-” 

    “YOUR that teen model! Oh, my niece loves your commercials!” Spinning on his heels he shields his eyes noticing a few pedestrians peering over at the sudden commotion. Not good. He needed to flee the scene before flashing lights blinded him. 

    “Sorry, you have the wrong person,” Adrian said over his shoulder, but the woman remained persistent. 

    “Adam Agrest, no that doesn’t sound right… Alan, no that’s not it either.” Her voice was rising with each word, her fingers reached out to grasp at the folds of his hoodie. A shriek erupted from a few feet away from the duo. 

    “ADRIAN AGREST!” A girl with braided pigtails and around the same height as Rose jumped high into the air. Her feet took off in Adrian’s direction before he could process the sudden silence that fell over the park, like a thick blanket. 

    Sprinting through the treelines, Adrian’s feet took over taking him to the nearest, darkest alleyway. Adrian switched to autopilot, jumping over any obstacles that stood in between his path. Zigzagging behind the many shops around the park he stole a glance over his shoulder certain he had lost the crazed crowd that seemed to be on top of his heels until he took a few quick turns leading him to circle back. He huffed a sigh of relief turning into another alleyway. Just before his feet could slow down a metal door swung out. Gritting his teeth knowing his spidey reflexes couldn’t help him out of this situation, his shoulder collides into the door. Vibrations shake from his head to his toes while he jumps back on his heels trying not to fall flat on his tailbone. A silent yet sharp yelp resounds from the other side of the door. The shadow moves forward away from the warm, bathing light of the shop’s interior. Adrian holds his shoulder wondering if he might have dislocated his left arm. The shadow reaches out and delicate fingers curl at the door’s frame. Ducking his head down and averting his eyes he steps over to continue his escape home.

    “I’m so sorry I should have been watching where I was going, I’m terribly sorry.” Adrian stammers stepping into the warm light, giving a courtesy bow before sprinting off again. 

    “Adrian?” A voice sweet like honey stops him dead in his tracks, his heart pounds against his rib cage as his cheeks heat up to a very rosy red. Grinning he turns and faces his crush, Marinette, standing in the doorway with flour smudges against her forehead and dragging a large black plastic trash bag. 

    “Hey Mari, fancy running into you,” Adrian says instantly knowing he would regret the choice of words later at 3 am. 

    “What are you doing running behind our shop so late at night?” Marinette said tilting her head to the side her brows knitting together scrunching up her nose in a heart-melting moment. Oh shit. Adrian’s heart raced away from him while he tried to spit out a coherent sentence, his tongue deciding to quit functioning halfway through. Luckily, hurried footsteps and shouting commands drew the pair’s attention to one of the cross alleyways. 

    “Down here! This way, he can’t be far!” 

    His brain switching back to autopilot, Adrian darted toward Marinette pulling her close letting the door swing shut just as footsteps rounded the corner. Leaning his ear against the door he listened to the stamped pass by.  Once the last footsteps faded, his muscles relaxed, his shoulders slumped and he closed his eyes momentarily processing everything. A curt cough cut his calming demeanor in half. Slowly, oh so painfully slowly, Adrian looked down, locking onto deep blue eyes staring doe-eyed up at him. 

    “Ah sorry Mari, I didn’t mean to, there was this whole crowd chasing me and well you know my dad, and if he ever found out I snuck out.” Marinette giggled her cheeks matching the same rosy shade as his. 

    “No need to explain, you can bunker down here till your crazed fans get tired and give up,” Marinette said, rolling her eyes waving her hand playfully in the air.

    Adrian chuckled, “you know if we weren’t such good friends, you would definitely be in the front of that crowd hunting me down.” 

    Marinette laughed tilting her head upward toward him, “Ha and you wouldn’t get a chance to escape me, in fact, I would outrun you.” Marinette playfully jabbed her pointer finger in his chest. Adrian couldn’t help the chastise grin from stretching across his features, at her playful open attitude with him. 

    “Now now Mari, that was one unfortunate incident my shoelaces were undone. I totally would have won if it wasn’t for my laces.” 

    “Sure, sure blame your shoelaces, you do know Alya gave me a copy of the race, and I could have sworn your new ladybug shoelaces were perfectly intact.” 

    Adrian opened his mouth to fire back when her father Mr. Dupain-Chain rounded the corner whistling a catchy tune. Eyes widening at the pair’s presence in front of the back door. His tune died down while he slowly whisked tomorrow’s batch of pastries. 

    “Well hello, my boy, I didn’t know you were coming over so late. But I suppose y’all have some homework to finish up. Marinette you can leave the trash by the door, I’ll take it out. You two run along, oh have you eaten dinner yet Adrian? We have some leftover Ossobuco Alla Milanese, that Marinette made for dinner.” 

    Adrian didn’t have a chance to respond back a timer rings and Mr. Dupain-chain rushes away into the kitchen. Marinette ushers Adrian to go upstairs saying she would be right behind him, opening the door she heaves the trash up. Adrian offers to help, insisting he’s to blame for crashing into the door. Marinette waves him off, pushing him away from the door. 

    “We don’t want those crazed fans storming the bakery when we just closed,” Marinette says giggling letting the door swing shut in his face. Adrian chuckles tossing his head up before reluctantly making his way up the stairs to their little apartment.