Friday

New York City, New York

Peter Parker was walking down the street towards his aunt's house (he hadn't been taking the bus lately for reasons the author will not disclose now) when he heard something-- a shout, cut off as quickly as it started. Glancing around, he hesitated only a moment before ducking down the alley he thought it came from.

The light was already mostly gone but he still felt uncomfortable in the unnatural glow left behind by... whatever had happened.

At the end of the alley, there was a boy. He appeared maybe a few years older than Peter himself, and he lay unconscious on the ground. There was something that looked like... a tear, hovering behind him, closing on a man's relieved face, which immediately turned to panic as he say Peter. The man opened his mouth-- and the tear closed.

Making a split-second decision, he slung off his backpack. Taking one more glance at the still-not-awake boy, he called Aunt May.

Peter stood up as his aunt came into the room.

She shook her head. "Nothing. No matches for facial recognition or fingerprints. There's no record of his existence whatsoever."

"Is he still asleep?"

"Just woke up. They're asking him questions. Name, birthday. There's no record of his family either, it seems."

"So..."

"I offered to adopt him."

Peter's jaw dropped. "You did what?"

"I offered to adopt him. I'll fill out the forms as soon as they print them. We have enough room, and your school has agreed to take him."

"Well... what's his name?"

"Jack Kline. He isn't sure of his age, so he'll just be placed in your grade."

"He looks older than me."

"I know, but this way you guys will get to know each other better. Besides, he hasn't been to school before, so he won't be as far behind as he would be in a higher grade." Her expression softened. "It'll be fine."

"Alright..." he muttered.

This author doesn't know anything about the adoption process, so Jack moved in three days later.