chasing waterfalls [Peter Parker]

~39~

We all gathered together as Cap summarized the situation. 

"All right. We have a plan. Six stones, three teams, one shot." Everyone except for me got in their suits. Once everyone was ready, it was time to head on over to the platform. The sun was rising and we were ready. 

"Five years ago, we lost. All of us. We lost friends, we lost family, we lost a part of ourselves. Today we have a chance to take it all back. You know your teams, you know your missions. Get the stones, get them back. One round trip each. No mistakes. No do-overs. Most of us are going somewhere we know. That doesn't mean we should know what to expect. Be careful. Look out for each other. This is the fight of our lives, and we're gonna win." He looked at Tony, and Nat squeezed my hand. "Whatever it takes." 

"He's pretty good at that." Rocket remarked, and Scott nodded. 

"Right?" As Banner set up the machine, Nat pulled me aside. 

"You know what to do, right?" I nodded.

"Yeah, press some buttons, don't mess up, and we get everyone back." Nat chuckled, then pulled me into a hug. 

"I love you, you know that right?" I hugged her back. 

"I know. And you're gonna be great. It's all gonna work out." Nat smiled, and pulled away. 

"I love you." 

"Love you too. Good luck." Nat walked onto the platform with everyone else. Banner looked over at me, and I pressed a button. 

"See you in a minute." Nat said, smiling. The overhead contraption started swirling, and everyone put on their helmets before shrinking. I sighed. I only had a few seconds before I brought them back, so I didn't have a lot of time. I pulled out my phone and looked at my lock screen, which was me, Peter, Lily, and Ned. 

I pressed the button. Hopefully, they all came back with the stones. Within a few seconds, they were back. I looked around the group as their helmets all came off. Cap, Tony, Scott, Banner, Rocket, Nebula, Thor, Rhodey, Clint, and... 

where was Nat?

"Did we get them all?" Tony asked.

"Are you telling me this actually worked?" Rhodey continued.

Clint fell to his knees. Tears in his eyes.

No. 

"Clint, where's Nat?" Banner asked. I looked around the room frantically. 

"Where's my sister?" Everyone turned to look at me, but my eyes were set on Clint. "WHERE IS SHE?" Clint said nothing, but he looked down. I took a step back, bringing my hand to my mouth. This was not happening. "No." Everything started closing around me, I found it hard to breathe. "No, she's just running a little late. She'll be here." Clint sighed. 

"Nix, I'm so sorry." I gasped. Tears were now streaming down my face. I couldn't be in this room. I couldn't deal with this. There was no way Nat was gone. I turned around and sprinted out of the room. 

I pushed open the doors and ran outside, sobbing loudly. I don't know how far I ran. I just couldn't be in there, with everyone staring at me. Eventually, I stopped and collapsed to the ground on all fours. My face was red and blotchy and I was shaking. 

It started to rain. I didn't care. My whole world was gone. First my boyfriend and my best friend, now my sister? My only family? The one who got me out of Russia when I was just a baby. My cries turned into wails. I didn't notice that the rain was only falling around me, and I didn't care. 

Nat was gone.

I was all alone.