The Stranger

The Fall- Hero's POV

No, I regret this. 

Pulling him forward? That was my best idea? 

My arms thrash in the air, as I wave away nothing. The wind whips my back, raw wounds sting from where he tore my skin apart; his blade slicing every bit of me. Skin tears from each movement I make. It's so stupid to think that one second I was fighting him, then next I am falling to my impending doom. I never really thought that this is how l'd end. To be honest, I never thought of any way I would end.

Trying to calm myself didn't really work, as all that adrenaline from the fight is still in me. My body now feels numb. The surroundings don't exist to me. I don't exist because I feel nothing. Not a scratch nor wound stings me anymore, because I simply feel nothing. I'm numb. I'm just solely a lump of cold-blooded flesh- a mutant if you will- who wasn't and isn't supposed to be alive. So I guess this death that's approaching me is for the better. The city won't miss me, anyway.There will be no need for me, since the villain and I are in the same boat. Both of us falling to our death. 

No, I don't want to think of this. Focus on something else! Try focus on the buildings, or the stars. Just something happier!

But I can't.

I can only think of how stupid I was to do this. How this must all be a mistake and someone is out there to help us; to help me. How everything isn't actually real and I'm just knocked out on the roof. Because this wasn't the plan I was following. I was meant to win this fight and go home. But I guess Heaven is my home now. Or, whatever else awaits me on the other side. The adrenaline fades away, bringing back to unbearable pain of my wounds. I guess if I die I won't have to deal with this pain. It's such a shame that I'll die not looking pretty. 

My body throbs. It aches, then stings, then feels like fire, then aches again. A non-stop cycle. I don't want to die like this. In fact, I don't want to die at all. I'm supposed to live. I'm supposed to be here for the city. What if I'm not? What if something bad happens and I'm not here to save them? I-i can't leave them alone! This is my duty to protect. Tears swell up in my eyes. 

Then, they fall just like me.

Struggling to breathe, I try to force my hand to my chest. It doesn't work. Here I am, tearing up and hardly breathing, and on the verge of death. I'm so pathetic. I'm... having a panic attack. Great! Just great, having a panic attack in the last moments of my life. This is exactly as I planned it to be. Shredding skin, bleeding wounds, pouring tears, immanent death and now a panic attack. What a perfect combo! I'm a leaf shaking in the wind, with puffy, red eyes, and a swollen lip. How'd the universe now that this is exactly what I wanted before I die?

 As the last moments of my life finally sink in, I feel a warm embrace around me. I don't look back, afraid to be staring at the floor that seduces me closer every minute. Somehow, the arm wrapping around me feels like home.

It's his. The villain's arm hugging my waist. I melt in his touch. How vulnerable I am. Yet, I don't pull back from him, instead I let myself sink into his chest. My body shakes as it's pressed against his. I don't know if it's from my panic attack, or the feel of him. I snuggle up in his hold. He's so comforting, so warming, so soft. I've never felt him before, except for the gruesome fights and punches and throws and kicks we'd gift each other. And I can't believe l've missed out on this. This glorious feeling. I could stay like this forever. Laying my head back on him, the villain's arms squeezing me tight; it feels like a dream. Oh, how I wish it is a dream. 

But it's not. It's a nightmare in which my story ends. This is my last chapter, and there is to be no more. At least I won't have to deal with the trauma. The trauma that the people call 'character building'. But character building is usually for the best, and I know for certain that what I've gone through is not for the best. It was not character building. The villain warms me up. My body slows its shaking, but my mind still paces with thoughts.

If only it weren't to end like this. What I'd give to see that smile he'd display before each of our fights. And you do not know what l'd sacrifice just to hear his little taunts every time l'd miss. Yes, it's stupid, and yes I hated it in the moment, but now I long for it. I reach out for those moments- what's supposed to be in my grasp- but every time I see it, see how close I am to feeling it one more time... I can't. The moments I'll never relive are the moments with the villain. And I can't help but start to tear up again. Emotions are so dumb. When I lay back in the villains grasp, I turn to look at the ground almost hitting us. And as I stop to think about everything I've done, I'm glad I'll die as the hero. But for the villain, well, he'll die with hate. 

Everyone sees him as the fire that's going to burn the world, but I see him as the fire that gives me light.

And as I die right here right now, I'm glad I'm dying with him.