"Are you okay, Peter?"
Harry, sitting next to Peter, noticed something was off and asked with concern.
"I'm fine," Peter replied, trying to act nonchalant as he endured the strange sensations in his body.
His heart was racing, there was a swelling sensation in his chest, and nausea was rising in his throat. It seemed the alien embryo inside him was becoming restless.
Uncle Ben, seated on Peter's other side, also noticed something was wrong. He glanced at his nephew's pale face and asked, "Are you feeling unwell, Peter?"
"I'm just a little short of breath. It's okay, I'll step outside for some air," Peter forced a smile, doing his best to appear calm.
After stepping out of the church, Peter clutched his chest and took deep breaths. Once he had calmed down for a few minutes, the discomfort gradually subsided. Staring at the flowerbed outside the church, he focused on steadying his breathing.
Taking out his phone, he dialed Dr. Lane and informed him that he was coming in for a checkup. After sending a text to Uncle Ben, Peter hurried to Presbyterian Hospital.
**Presbyterian Hospital – Dr. Lane's Office**
By the time Peter arrived, Dr. Lane had already completed his physical examination.
"So, what's the situation with the 'tumors' in my body?" Peter asked with a frown, suspecting that his earlier discomfort was caused by the alien embryo.
"It's grown," Dr. Lane said, studying the CT scans laid out on the table. "I initially thought this entity had entered a long hibernation, but clearly, it hasn't. The translucent shell around it has expanded, and it's become more closely integrated with your organs."
Dr. Lane continued, "I'm now 100% certain that it's not a tumor."
"If you want a more detailed understanding of what's happening, I recommend a blood test to examine any cellular and genetic changes," Dr. Lane suggested, yet again, to which Peter shook his head.
"I've already said, there's no need to discuss that," Peter responded firmly.
After a brief silence, Peter asked, "If it were to break out of my body, how long do you think it would take at the earliest?"
Dr. Lane thought for a moment before answering, "I can't say for sure. Parasites generally don't follow a strict timeline for nutrient absorption. Factors like the host's overall health, nutrient intake, and even their age or gender can influence the speed."
He hesitated before adding, "But I don't think what's inside you can be classified as a typical parasite."
Peter slowly nodded in response.
Dr. Lane went on, "The symptoms you experienced earlier—rapid heartbeat and nausea—may indicate that the 'thing' inside you has entered a new stage."
"A new stage of evolution?" Peter asked.
"Yes."
Dr. Lane handed the CT scans to Peter and continued, "I'll prescribe some targeted inhibitors. They may help slow down its nutrient absorption. I'll also give you something for the palpitations, nausea, and the chest swelling you mentioned."
Though Peter doubted the medication would have much effect, Dr. Lane still prepared them. After all, he had been paid, and it would feel wrong not to offer something in return.
Half an hour later, Peter left Dr. Lane's office, walking slowly down the hospital corridor, deep in thought. The shadow of death hanging over him was constant, like Mrs. Weber's ominous nickname for him: "The Hand of Death."
He was growing more convinced that it was time to speed up his plans to become Spider-Man. In his past life, Peter Parker had been bitten by a spider at a scientific exhibit. Peter only hoped the ripple effects of his presence hadn't disrupted this crucial event.
He arrived at the elevator and pressed the button. As the doors opened, an unexpected face appeared before him.
"Peter?!"
Gwen stared at him in shock.
After handling endless questions from the police, she had been wandering around the hospital when she stumbled upon Peter.
"Good morning, Gwen," Peter greeted calmly. "I was actually just on my way to see you."
"Good morning, Peter," Gwen replied, stepping out of the elevator and walking quickly over to him. "What are you doing on this floor?"
She pointed to the sign with a look that said, "Don't lie to me."
"This is the oncology department!" she exclaimed.
Suddenly, Gwen remembered seeing Peter at this very hospital before, back when they were at the café. She hadn't asked about it then, but now, after seeing him here again, she couldn't ignore it.
Could it be...?
A terrible feeling surged through her.
No! It couldn't be! God wouldn't be that cruel!
Gwen took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. Just as she was about to ask Peter more questions, her eyes caught sight of the medicine in his hand.
Her expression shifted to one of alarm as she grabbed the medicine from him. "What is this?!"
Her voice trembled as she asked.
Peter tried to stay calm. "It's some medicine for treating your injuries."
Though he knew Gwen was also recovering at Presbyterian Hospital, he hadn't expected her to appear on this floor.
"No! It's not!" Gwen said, struggling to control her emotions. "I know exactly what this is. It's for treating tumors. My mother took this kind of medication before she passed away."
Gwen's mother had died when she was young, and she knew all too well what this medication signified.
"Why didn't you tell me, Peter?!" she cried, tears welling up in her eyes.
Something clicked in Gwen's mind, bringing back what Peter had once told her: *Everything from the past to the future, everything we can and cannot imagine, every species, alive or dead—eventually, all things will die.*
"I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I should have noticed earlier. I should have guessed."
Unable to contain her emotions any longer, Gwen flung her arms around Peter, holding him tightly.
"I don't want to lose you, Peter!" she sobbed, her voice trembling with fear and sadness.
Peter hesitated for a moment before slowly wrapping his arm around Gwen's shoulders, unsure of what to do next.
This misunderstanding had gotten way too big.
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