A Spider in Gotham Chapter 2

Peter packed everything back into the bag. He wrapped it tightly, so it fit in his pocket before he hopped off the side of the building.

"This place has seen better days." Peter whispered as he scanned the multiple empty storefronts as he walked.

He hadn't seen so much as a single patrol car. That, coupled with the clerk having a shotgun within reach, made him think this wasn't a place that was safe during the day, let alone after dark.

It was just now sunset, and the streets were already thinning out. A rougher looking crowd started to appear. Oddly enough, the factions were pretty easy to distinguish. Back in New York, the thugs were just thugs. They didn't have a theme. Sure, some of them dressed better or had better equipment, but they didn't dress up like clowns.

Each group had a theme to it, which became even more noticeable as the numbers grew. By the time he had made it to the Wayne Foundation, the streets were getting crowded. This area was much more active at night. The new faces weren't the friendly kind.

The Wayne Foundation Chapter was a nice-looking shelter. A lady stood behind a thick layer of protective glass off to the side of the entry. Opposite her booth was another, this one with a few intense looking security guards. The way deeper into the building was blocked off by a set of sturdy double doors.

"Name." The woman said.

"Peter Parker." He offered.

The woman didn't bother looking at him as she put in his name. A card popped up from a slit in the counter.

"Don't lose or trade this." The clerk explained. "The cards track and unlock services such as the showers, job search terminals, and personal storage lockers. Wayne Foundation Chapters are not responsible for lost or stolen items. You can stay for a total of forty-eight hours before you need to vacate this location for at least twelve hours. You can check in to another Wayne Foundation Chapter during that time. Weapons of any sort are not allowed on the grounds. No smoking outside of marked areas. Illegal substances are prohibited as is alcohol. If you are found in possession of weapons or drugs you forfeit your access to Wayne Foundation Chapters for no less than twelve hours, or until you have passed a drug screening. Addiction counseling is open as needed. A medical professional is on staff at all times."

"Thank you." Peter said as he picked up the card.

The woman buzzed them in. She shared a look at the security guards across the way. They shook their heads.

"Poor kid won't last a week." She muttered.

He was in luck. The last bit of dinner was being served. There were quite a few people still eating, but there were also a lot of empty spots. Peter took a seat at a table in the cafeteria. It looked like a school lunchroom.

Now that he had shelter, food, and water handled, he needed money. The shelter was a temporary solution, but they did have job search terminals. He finished eating quickly before seeking them out. They were easy to find. A row of computers bolted to the wall like old phone stalls.

None of the jobs listed required ID. Each one was day labor with the option of continued employment. Even though his lack of documentation wasn't an issue, his lack of experience was. Construction seemed like the best option. The instructions were simply to show up at the listed location. Pay would be in cash at the end of the day.

Peter knew that a shelter wasn't going to be decked out in top-of-the-line tech, but the computer was ancient. Oddly enough, it didn't look older than a couple of years. The monitors were the big, heavy ones rather than the LCD that even the school had. He took a quick look around the room. An elevated TV was bolted to the wall. It was one of the type that he had only seen in thrift shops.

Tech was constantly evolving back home. Sure, Stark Industries was at the forefront, but other companies could be dismissed. Mid-Town was a public school, and like pretty much every other school in the country, underfunded. Yet, students were supplied with individual laptops that made this computer look like a calculator with delusions of grandeur.

Thinking back, the cash register at the store hadn't been digital. The clerk had typed in the prices from the stickers on the stock. He wasn't certain, but it seemed like this place was at least ten years behind as far as technology was concerned. Of course, he was in a rundown neighborhood, so that needed to be factored in as well.

He printed off the address for the job before moving on to find somewhere to sleep.

Peter snagged an open top bunk. He quickly found out why it had been available. The lady on the bottom had a kid with her that liked to kick the underside of his mattress. He couldn't bring himself to get mad.

He settled down to rest. There wasn't going to be any sleep until the kid on the bunk below passed out. That gave him plenty of time to be alone with his thoughts.

Getting sent to a different dimension was unexpected. Peter wasn't sure if it was a bad thing yet. He had given up everything to save his world. Starting over in a new one, even accidentally, was a gift, kind of.  Ned and MJ were better off without him in their lives. They were amazing, and they deserved to have a good life. Ned loved being 'the guy in the chair' but he was so much more than that. He was incredibly smart, sweet, and had a heart of gold. MJ was a freaking genius, she was artistic, and held to her morals.

He felt a lump forming in his throat.

Peter tried to disconnect from the emotional side of the equation. Messing with the spell had created the multiverse mess. If he stuck to the plan, trying to get MJ and Ned to remember him, there was a chance that would mess up the magic that had saved everything. Erasing Peter Parker had saved the world. Would bringing their memory back destroy it?

He really hated magic. Math and science had defined rules. Getting distracted during an equation didn't suddenly turn calculous into interpretive dance.

Peter wasn't sure if he would go back even if it was an option. Every little bit about him had been erased. Regardless of where he was, he would be starting over from zero. At least here there wasn't the possibility that he'd destroy the universe by having someone remember him. Or have to see that empty look in his friends' eyes when they look at him.

This was going to be a long night.