That's Just The Way The World Works

All I Can Do

I'm biting my nails as I sit on the fire escape, my butt on the stairs and my feet two steps under, my elbows rest on my knees and my head in my hands as I feel the cold gentle rain fall. Olivia was in the living room watching the news... I didn't want to know what was going on so I stayed outside, smelling the smoke in the air even from that far away. I'm in my own head but I think of nothing, long for nothing, feel nothing... I'm numb for a reason I can't explain. I could stay in this state forever... I didn't see this uncomfortable solitude ending anytime soon. My eyes were numb as they stared at nothing, the only senses I feel are the cold drops of rain, the smell of smoke and gush of wind every so often. Below me, leaves swireld in circles, dancing on the concrete. The wind isn't a burden to them. Nor is it to me...Not at this moment. Not in this state.

Olivia gasps.

My solitude is gone and I feel only uncomfortable as I look over at my room's doorway.

"MJ... Please get in here." Her voice was urgent and on the verge of breaking.

That's when I get up quickly and climb into my room, walking fast to the living room, I stand in the doorway, "What?"

"We need to get Peter."

My heart stops.

"He's unconscious and I think they're taking him to the hospital."

...

...

...

Is this real?

All I can feel is my heartbeat in my throat, unable to comprehend or verbally express what I was thinking.

"How does that work? We'll they see him?"

"I don't know!" Olivia exclaims, getting up and grabbing her jacket quickly, I don't bother as I just grab my sling bag and rush out the door with her. Once we're outside there is no one. No cars, no people, the city could be abandoned for all we knew. Olivia and I could only think to use the subway to get to the nearest hospital to where Peter was last fighting. This didn't feel real, I was moving but my mind was not with, I honestly didn't know where it was.

Olivia led the way but the streets were so empty, it felt eerie, the soft rain not being comforting anymore as it did before. Olivia and I got to the hospital and asked if Spider-Man was there, to which they responded it was confidential. Of course we couldn't say we knew him so Olivia and I were stuck. I feel panic now, no longer was I a walking zombie, I truly felt panic not knowing where Peter was or if he was still alive. What if he isn't?

I turn away from the front desk frustrated, that's when I see the one person in the waiting room: Yuri... She was here. That meant he was here right? It had to.

Olivia was heading towards the door when I placed a hand on her shoulder to stop her, "Wait... I think he's here."

Olivia looks back at me before following my eyes to the police officer sitting in the waiting area all alone.

"She's worked with Spider-Man." I whisper.

"Right." Olivia whispers back, "So we wait for her to see him or get news."

"Yes." I say, going over to the other side where more chairs to wait in sat. I clutch the sides of my jeans as I stared up at the News on the TV... This was all I could do.