Beware of the Stranger - Miles Morales ᵉᵃʳᵗʰ.⁴²

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏

🝮

Waking up suddenly I gasped for air, my mind racing as the memories of last night washed over me. Remembering how I witnessed my love fall to his death. How I held his limp body in my arms, his blood staining my hands. Panic arose in me when I realized that it was indeed not a dream. My breath was hard and I was desperate to find air to calm myself down. My hand clenched the hoodie Miles had worn last night. Desperate to try to stabilize myself to be able to calm down. Yet I stopped the tears that brimmed my eyes. Clutching the fabric close to my heart I whispered his name in hopes that perhaps it was truly a bad dream. Perhaps he would walk into my dorm with his usual smile adorning his face. Unfortunately, the hard reality hit me when I glanced at my hands. A red tint covered my hands, his blood coated my hands...

I cried. Wailed. Begged God to give me another chance with the man. To allow me another moment with him. Of course, I wasn't given that wish, forced to find comfort in his hoodie. Hours of crying, curling myself around the hoodie. I was trapped in my room to try and at least find some sort of comfort in the harsh reality that I lived in. I knew I couldn't trap myself and drown myself in sorrow. To succumb to sadness when Miles wouldn't wish that upon me. I sat up on my bed, despite wanting to move. I wanted to try to have one last relic of the man I once loved. Putting on his hoodie, I fully stood up from the bed.

Opening the door of my bedroom, I stepped out. Immediately I was hit with the sight of destruction. Broken plates and glass cups were smashed on the ground, and pieces littered around the apartment. The cushions and pillows of the couch were torn and ripped with the stuffing and feathers covering parts of the broken sofa. A mirror that was bound to the front of my bedroom door was broken. The glass cracked with pieces missing creating a broken reflection. The sight was pitiful. I was blinded with rage and sadness that I had to get it out of my system. And my apartment lounge area is the victim of those feelings.

I didn't even attempt to clean the mess up, instead stepping over the pieces of glass that were shattered on the ground. Walking to the bathroom I faced myself in the mirror. God, I looked horrible. Eyes that had dark eyebags with some puffiness from crying. Dried tears made streamlines that stained my cheeks. My lips were chapped and cracked, clear that I lacked dehydration. I could only stare at myself in my reflection before turning the sink faucet on. Lathering my hands in soap, I began to wash my hands. The water and bubbles were slightly red from the dried blood that previously coated my hands. With slow movements, I washed my hands completely of Miles' blood. Cupping some water into my hands, I splashed my face with it.

Thoughts bubbled in my mind as I stared at myself in the mirror. 'Why did it have to be Miles of all people?' 'Why wasn't I able to save him? I should've been quicker.' 'Am I just that weak? A good-for-nothing superhero?' 'It should've been someone else who was bitten by that damn spider.' I berated myself. Degrading my existence my purpose, how was I supposed to be a superhero when I couldn't even save my damn lover?! As I continued to wallow in sorrow once more, my thoughts were stopped when I heard the familiar chime of my phone's ringtone.

Taking a deep inhale, I dried my face off before walking out of the bathroom. On the kitchen table, my phone sat. Vibrating with a tune, desperate to try and catch my attention. And that it did, walking over I picked my phone up. Answering it I was met with a soft, "Hello?". It was my mother on the line. "Hello? Mom?" When I spoke, my voice was hoarse. Most likely from crying I had done. I internally cringed at the sound of my voice, I sounded terrible.

"Yeah, it's me, Sweetie...I was just calling to check up on you since you know.." I could feel the hesitation in her voice. Worried if she should speak about the situation in front of me. Only exactly what she was implying, I made a hum of acknowledgment of her words. "Yeah..Um...I'm holding up good.." When I spoke I glanced around at my apartment looking at the disheveledness of the room. I wasn't fine, but I didn't want her to be more worried than she was already. "Really? That's good Y/N! You've always been too strong when it comes to these types of things." She said, trying her best to cheer me up. But, her words were drowned out. Not wanting to talk to anyone today, I rushed her off the phone. "Uh...Yeah, yeah. Hey Mom, I have to go...I need to clean up the apartment." I quickly said, saying a quick goodbye before hanging up. Not bothering to hear her say goodbye. Hanging up the phone, I stared out into the quiet apartment.