Chapter 1
I didn't want to hurt him, but I did. I really feel bad about it. I find it hard to accept that everything went wrong. I waited so long that I wondered if I would ever see him. And when I finally got this chance, everything unexpectedly went down, and it was all my fault. I am extremely disappointed in myself and regret that I wasted this opportunity that I had waited so long for. I was certain I would handle it well, but now I feel like I let myself down. The only thing I can do now is try to fix it.
I also realized I couldn't accomplish it on my own. I never found the right band to join. So I started my own...with a few old friends by my side, namely Peter B with Mayday, Peni, Peter Porker, and Noir. I brought along Margo, Hobie, and Pavitr. We had no idea what would happen or how our mission would play out. The future held uncertainties, but there was one thing that connected us all: We had to save Miles. He was our top priority, and we knew it.
If we're all on the same page regarding our location, let's focus on the present situation. As of now, my team and I find ourselves perched on the rooftop of a building in Earth-42.
"Gwen, are you still alive?" Peter asked, his concern obvious in his voice as he held Mayday in his hands. His concern was palpable. Startled by his question, I lifted my head, which had been resting in my hands. My thoughts had, for a while, consumed me, forcing me to get lost in thinking. Apologizing for my short lapse in attention, I offered Peter a small smile, trying to show that I was truly present.
"Yeah, of course," I said. “I'm sorry; I was just lost in thought for a moment. There's so much going on that it's difficult not to get caught up in it all." As I met Peter's concerned gaze, I could sense the shared burden we carried. We both failed Miles in different ways.
I have ongoing thoughts that spin around in my head, affecting me. "It's the first time for everything, right?" is repeating in my mind. Another painful thought that comes back, "You were right, Gwen. You shouldn't have come to see me." These words are a painful reminder of the consequences of my actions. I'm troubled by the fact that I let someone I care about down.
Taking a deep breath, I shifted my focus back.
"Remember that whatever happens, we have to save him," he stated as he looked at me, eyes filled with determination. I could see the weight of responsibility sitting on his shoulders at that time, echoing the burden I held within myself. As I turned to look at Mayday, I found her munching on the robe shoelaces in her mouth. I nodded in agreement with a deep sigh. "I know, but Peter... he doesn't want to see us anymore," I said, my voice tinged with regret and anxiety. The possibility of facing him after his withdrawal was unsettling, and I couldn't help but wonder how he would react if he saw us again. The fear of rejection again weighed heavily on me.
"We don't even know where the hell he might be in this universe," I admitted, my voice filled with irritation and desperation. The weight of our uncertainty pressed over me, adding to the anxiety that was already building. A sense of desperation floated across me as my words hung in the air.
The realization that we found ourselves in a huge and unfamiliar universe with no concrete leads on Miles' location added to the overwhelming nature of our situation. The thought of losing him forever crushed me. Adding to my concerns, the constant search by the HQ team further increased my anxiety. Their presence, like a haunting shadow in the distance, served as an ongoing warning that time was running out. The pressure to stay one step ahead and avoid capture while searching for our friend weighed heavily on my shoulders. I couldn't deny that I was having a momentary breakdown.
I saw Peter part his lips, and in his eyes I could see his intention to give me an answer, but before any words could fall, our conversation was abruptly interrupted. The sudden interruption surprised both of us and we turned our attention to the source.
"WE HAVE FOUND SOMETHING!" Pavitr exclaimed, excitement obvious in his voice. As we sit on the rooftop, we exchange glances. I quickly rose to my feet. Hobie breaks the silence. "So... While you were all sitting here, lost in thought and silence, Pav and I decided to head out and explore the area. And also, guess what? We stumbled upon something strange near the park."
The entire team quickly reached the location that Hobie and Pav had brought up for the announcement. As we came near, we were met with a chaotic scene. Thick smoke consumed the area, making it difficult to pick out the details, yet amid the haze, two individuals were engaged in an intense battle. We stood on the rooftop together, caught by the scene happening below. Whispers of concern and speculation echoed between us.
After a while, Pavitr's voice broke the silence, drawing everyone's attention to himself. "I think that's where Miles is," he declared, his voice tinged with concern.
Margo directed her gaze at her bandmates. "If that's where he is, who would he be fighting?" she questioned. Peni took a step forward and spoke with confidence. "We won't know if we don't move into action," she stated, her words leading to intervention. Determined, each member began preparing to set off in the direction in which the battle was taking place.
However, I found myself frozen in place. My thoughts weighed heavily on me, rendering me stuck on the rooftop. Emotions tied together like a tangled web, making it difficult to find a way out. My heart raced with mixed feelings as I watched my friends go down from the rooftop. Fear, doubt, and a sense of helplessness swirled in my thoughts. Taking a deep breath, I resolved to gather my strength, to join others in the chaos that awaited below.
This is my one and only chance to set things right. So let's do it again, but this time right. I stood at the edge of the rooftop, feeling the weight of my choices dragging down on me. I reached for my mask, feeling its pleasant touch in my hands. This was our moment, a chance to make things better. And we'd do it right this time.