SWNOVELS Chapter 15.
15. And now Will’s eyes beheld the play,
Is anyone out there familiar with the ‘Howling’ movies that taut special effects transformation of their human characters into werewolves? On this spring morning of Harry Osborn’s fortieth year of life…out on his bike ride on trails around the Osborn Estate that took up most of Roosevelt Island, Harry hit a rock and was flung like a rag doll from his mountain bicycle. Harry lived alone except for the servants in the employ of his family. Harry enjoyed sex and at some point, began to coerce, Charlotte. Unlike the made before Charlotte was agreeable and, on many occasions, consented and had her breakfast served to her in Harry Osborn’s bed by another maid the next morning. She felt that if there weren’t mutual feelings, at the least, there was a mutual understanding that she would be cared for not only with monetary compensation but with the Osborn family influence especially since she was privy to the true nature of the Osborn curse.
And so, Charlotte became someone more like Galathea of the Pygmalion myth…someone to be shaped into the perfect lover or wife.
The second time Charlotte agreed to the romantic requests presented to her by her boss…she expressed interest not to get pregnant unless they were to marry. And within a week she inquired with her doctor about an intrauterine device as a form of birth control. Her doctor was also under the employ of OsCorp.
Charlotte was sitting on the terrace preparing Harry’s energy shake, RockStar brand Energy drink, and a protein bar for his post-workout snack. Charlotte watched from a distance Harry’s fall and transformation. She was conscious right up until she saw Harry begin to fly…
Charlotte wasn’t merely used to the Osborn skin condition or Harry’s small miracle that came from a diet consisting of mostly vegetarian foods some wiggle room. Milk protein and the occasional trip to fast food, a buffet, or steak house…as occasional as he would allow himself drunken vacations… Charlotte encouraged Harry’s healthier lifestyle…his health meant better sex and she felt that this sex might be the foundation of a committed relationship or marriage in the future. Harry’s green-skinned muscles were as likely to be seen as Harry outside of a video conference call…meetings in real life were reserved for very special occasions with the use of makeup to conceal Harry’s green skin.
And so, Charlotte leaving the estate had come to an end as their sexual encounters turned to romance…she moved her things into one of the rooms in the Osborn Estate. Servants’ quarters were only used for a short time when some of the staff were asked to stay overnight on a semiregular rotating schedule.
When Charlotte woke up…Harry was transforming from a five-foot nine-inch green flying fox back into Harry Osborn…she was already in love with him despite the Osborn curse, now she…
Harry had been telling her that his aunt suggested the diet and told him of the health benefits for almost a year now. But this Hyde-Esque transformation was something of a surprise to them all.
This thing…this monster…this green monstrosity…
“Green Goblin…” it muttered as it sat in the deck chair sipping on the can of RockStar that was prepared for Harry. The human portion of the hand remained the bone growths on the wrists and ankles formed the framework for Harry’s, this Green Goblin’s wings. Allowing him to grip the can and pour the contents into his throat with his muzzle open as his head and body slowly changed back to something that looked more human.
“I think Green Goblin is more fitting of a name than trying to describe my bat-like appearance or the difference between a flying fox and a bat…” Harry said as the skin that made up his wings shrank and he took Charlotte’s hand.
It seems that she fainted and lie on the lawn near the swimming pool until Harry or this Green Goblin disturbed her slumber, helped her to the chair next to his. Harry, then sat down and began to enjoy his post-workout snack.
“More sugar, and plant-based protein…” Harry said.
“Yeah, this new twist on your… love,” Charlotte had begun calling Harry this, “your family is anything but cursed…this is a gift, an immense faculty and you are morally obligated to care for others and yourself…you have an obligation to the welfare of others…” Charlotte couldn’t continue speaking as Harry had forcefully but lovingly begun to kiss her. Harry’s clothes tore off as he changed into the Goblin.
There was a book under the wrought iron white garden table where bits of white paint had chipped off showing the black iron with small areas of rust…colored the way you might expect rust to be colored. This book was titled
“Hero or Villain: On Concerning the Moral Obligations of Those Possessing Extra-Ordinary Abilities and Pragmatically Redefining of Morals for Most Situations: A Roman Catholic Nun’s opinion of Super-powered individuals…”
It was written by Sister Mary Thomas of Kolkata. This was the book Charlotte brought out to read waiting for Harry to finish his bike ride around the wooded area of the Osborn Estate. It had fallen off the table when Charlotte fainted knocking the book off the edge of the table… Charlotte bent down to pick up the book before sitting back on the chair. The breeze had carried her bookmark away.