I'M IN MARVEL

Drink More Coconut Water

Raw coconut water can replace plasma in emergencies.

The sharp sound of footsteps echoed. Moments later, the door swung open, revealing a woman in her early forties. Despite her well-maintained appearance, her reddened eyes and haggard face betrayed a sleepless night.

Mrs. Smith's expression brightened at the sight of Gwen Stacy, whom she hurriedly ushered into the house.

"Aileen locked herself in her room after returning last night. She hasn't spoken, eaten, or drunk anything in over ten hours," Mrs. Smith said, her voice trembling. Tears welled up as she added, "Miss Ghost Spider, can you please help her?"

Gwen hesitated and glanced at Russell, whose unusual masked appearance only deepened Mrs. Smith's hopeful gaze.

Russell sighed under the weight of their expectations. Didn't I already say I couldn't help? He adjusted his mask and said softly, "There's a way, ma'am. May I see Miss Smith?"

Mrs. Smith nodded, leading them to her daughter's bedroom. She knocked on the door, calling out, "Aileen, the doctor's here! Please, open the door!"

A suppressed, agonized voice replied, "Don't come in."

Mrs. Smith's tears spilled over as she whispered, "Please, help her."

Russell offered a reassuring smile beneath his mask. "Don't worry, Mrs. Smith. We'll find a solution." Turning to Gwen, he instructed, "Grab the coconuts from the trunk."

Gwen quickly retrieved them. Russell explained, "Coconut water contains potassium and particles that mimic plasma. It's not a cure, but it can stabilize her."

He turned to Mrs. Smith. "Do you mind if I break the door?"

Mrs. Smith nodded hesitantly.

With a calculated blow, Russell shattered the lock and pushed the door open, ensuring no sunlight entered the dim room.

Inside, a girl of about fifteen cowered in a corner. Her face was pale, lips parched, and arms marred by faint scratches. Her body trembled violently, and her clothes hung in tatters.

Mrs. Smith rushed to her daughter, enveloping her in a protective embrace. "It's okay, Aileen. Mommy's here," she soothed, though her tears betrayed her anguish.

Russell observed as Aileen's trembling intensified, and sharp fangs briefly flashed behind her lips before she forced them back with visible effort.

Squatting down, Russell extended a glass of coconut water. "Drink this—it'll help."

Startled by his strange mask, Aileen hesitated but accepted the drink. Her trembling subsided as she drank, and her complexion improved. When she drained the glass, Russell handed her another.

Gradually, the scratches on her arms faded, and the tension in her body ebbed. Exhausted, she fell asleep in her mother's arms.

Russell surveyed the room, noting the chaos—a shredded doll, torn clothes, and a ruined notebook. A single page lay at his feet, covered in hopeful words: *"Persevere, love, don't give up."*

He imagined Aileen's desperate struggle against her vampiric urges and felt a surge of admiration.

Turning to Mrs. Smith, he said gently, "When Aileen wakes up, give her more coconut water—pure and natural. It'll ease her symptoms."

Mrs. Smith nodded, her gratitude spilling out in rushed thanks. "But what if something happens? How can I contact you?"

Russell recited his number, which Mrs. Smith quickly wrote down.

---

Back in the car, Gwen sat in silence, guilt etched across her face. "When I brought her back, she seemed fine—just shaken. I didn't expect this."

"It's not your fault, Gwen," Russell said firmly. "You did everything you could."

Gwen nodded but didn't speak. She stared out the window, lost in thought.

To comfort her, Russell patted her arm lightly and focused on the road.

Eventually, Gwen noticed they weren't heading to the bookstore. "Russell, are we going to see your friend now?"

"Yeah."

"Shouldn't you call ahead? What if she's not there?"

"She'll be there," Russell replied cryptically, though he reached for his phone.

Gwen snatched it from him. "Keep your eyes on the road. Who are you texting?"

"Psychiatrist Yao. Ask if she's in her consultation room."

Gwen raised an eyebrow. "You need therapy?"

Russell rolled his eyes. "Everyone has mental health issues, Gwen. You should consider a session too."

Gwen's smile faded as memories of her late friend Peter Parker flooded back. His tragic death after experimenting with the Lizard serum haunted her, and the current situation with Aileen had only reopened old wounds.

Moments later, Yao—better known as the Ancient One—replied: "Come over now."

---

[Yao's Sanctum, Manhattan]

They knocked, and a voice called, "Come in."

The room was dimly lit, illuminated by the flickering screen of a TV playing Hellblazer. Bags of snacks and iced drinks littered the table.

"Sit wherever, help yourselves," came a lazy voice.

Russell's eyes widened. *This is the Sorcerer Supreme?*

Ignoring his shock, he poured drinks for himself and Gwen, opened a bag of chips, and settled into the sofa. Gwen hesitated but followed his lead.

For a while, they watched the movie in silence. The room felt warm and oddly comforting.

When the credits rolled, Yao finally spoke. "I know why you're here."

"Good," Russell said. "But there's a condition."

---