Super Teens | Book 2: The Deity

Chapter 3: Breaking Point

Mary solemnly walked into her room and gently closed the door behind her. She leaned against it for a moment, feeling the cool wood pressing against her back. It seemed like the only thing capable of supporting her emotions at that moment. With a deep breath, she scanned her room through watery eyes and spotted a familiar photograph sitting on her dresser. Micah's face smiled up at her from the frame. Slowly, with her shoulders hunched and her heart heavy, she dragged herself toward it.

Tears were already welling up, threatening to spill over as she reached out for the photo. Her hand trembled as she lifted it from the dresser, holding it gingerly as though afraid it might break, though she knew it was her own heart that had shattered. She ran her fingers over Micah’s face, hoping in some way to feel his presence. But all she felt was cold glass. The photograph, though frozen in time, could offer no warmth, no comfort. Tears streamed down her cheeks and onto the floor as she stood there, hugging the frame to her chest with all the strength she could muster.

“I miss you,” she whispered, her voice barely audible through her sobs. She hugged the picture tighter, as if it could somehow bring him back to her. But no matter how hard she held on, Micah remained out of reach—just a memory, preserved in a small frame.

Eventually, her hands loosened, and she placed the photo back on the dresser, her fingers lingering for a moment before pulling away. She turned and looked around the room, her eyes landing on a full-length mirror across from her. What stared back at her was not the girl she once knew. The reflection in the glass showed a girl who was broken, her eyes hollow, her face pale. She hardly recognized herself anymore, wrapped in the overwhelming pain and trauma of the last month.

First, her aunt had died—someone she had been so close to, someone who had been like a second mother. The grief from that loss was still fresh, an open wound that hadn’t even begun to heal. Then came the Jealousy Episode—a moment of betrayal from someone she had trusted, someone she thought she loved, only to find that he wasn’t who she thought he was. And now, Micah was gone too.

Her best friend. Her childhood companion. The one person who had stood by her through everything, who had been her anchor in the storm. The one who called her first after hearing about her aunt’s death, offering comfort when she needed it most. She could still picture that day so clearly, as if it had just happened. She was on her knees, sobbing into Micah’s shoulder as he knelt beside her, holding her as tightly as he could. That memory played in her mind now, like a reel of photographs flashing one after another, pulling her deeper into her grief.

Micah, I really miss you. I, really do. I feel so empty without you. Like I shouldn’t even be here. I should be up there, in the skies, with you.

Her thoughts grew darker as she imagined what it might feel like to just let go, to stop fighting the pain and finally end her suffering. She pictured herself drifting away, free from the weight of her grief. It would be peaceful. She wouldn’t have to feel this hollow anymore. It seemed so simple, so tempting. Her father had a gun in the closet...

But then, she hesitated. Her mind drifted to her friends—Ellis, Anne, Scott, and Alexia. They had been with her since kindergarten, a close-knit group that felt more like family. Even Micah had been part of that circle. They had spent their whole lives together, growing up side by side. They were inseparable, always there for one another through thick and thin.

What would they do if they found out? How would they feel if they lost her too?

She pictured Ellis, his face hardened with grief, Anne crying inconsolably, Alexia breaking down. She imagined them standing over her lifeless body, shattered by the same pain she felt now. Would they fall into the same darkness she was in?

I can’t. I can’t do that to them. But... it would be so easy... so easy to let go.

Her thoughts warred within her, pulling her in two directions at once. Confusion swirled inside her, making it impossible to think clearly. With a frustrated groan, she collapsed face-first onto her bed. She was exhausted—physically, emotionally, mentally. She hadn’t slept properly in weeks. Every time she closed her eyes, all she saw was Micah. It was like he was haunting her, a constant presence in her dreams, always just out of reach.

She couldn’t take it anymore. Her body gave in to exhaustion, and for the first time in days, she fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Meanwhile, her friends were frantically messaging in their secret group chat, discussing what had happened.

Me: wdym it didn’t work? Alexia: it was going fine... until she saw Micah’s shoes. Anne: And then everything came crashing down again. Connor: Jesus. Ellis: What are we going to do now? Will: Do you think... maybe she’s a lost cause? Alexia: Hell no! Me: Absolutely not. Anne: WTF?! No way! Will: Sorry... Connor: Look, tomorrow’s Monday. We’ll talk about it during lunch, ok? All: Sounds good.

Later that night...

Mary slowly stirred from her sleep, her eyes fluttering open. She groaned as she pushed herself up from the bed, her stomach aching from lying on it too long. How long had she been asleep? She glanced at her phone—2:58 AM.

Fourteen hours? Jesus, I must’ve been exhausted.

She rubbed her eyes and glanced around her room, now bathed in darkness. Her lights had been turned off—probably by her mom, who must have come home from work and found her sleeping.

Then, she heard it—a low rumbling sound outside her window, followed by a faint light that illuminated her room. Curious, she moved toward the window, squinting into the night. Her eyes widened in shock.

A ship. A large, glowing ship was landing in her backyard.

What the hell...?

There was something strange about it, something that called to her. She couldn’t explain it, but she felt an irresistible urge to go outside and investigate. Against her better judgment, she found herself slipping out the back door and into the night.

The ship was massive, its lights casting long shadows across the yard. She approached cautiously, heart pounding in her chest. As she neared, the back door of the ship slowly began to lower.

Mary stepped back, fear mingling with her curiosity. Was she about to meet aliens? No. The door lowered completely, revealing nothing but an empty interior. There wasn’t even a driver’s seat.

Why is this ship here?

She took a hesitant step forward, drawn in by the mystery. But before she could explore further, the door began to close.

“No!” she cried, rushing toward the exit. But it was too late. The door sealed shut with a metallic thud, trapping her inside.

“Let me out!” she screamed, banging on the door in panic.

Suddenly, a robotic voice echoed through the ship.

“Automatic pilot set for Hoth. Commencing launch sequence in 5... 4...”

“Hoth?! No, I don’t want to go to space!”

But no amount of pleading stopped the countdown. With a roar, the ship’s thrusters ignited, lifting it off the ground. Mary stumbled, barely managing to grab hold of a railing as the ship shot into the sky. She watched helplessly as her house, her world, faded into the distance.

Her heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing.

I really hope they find me...

But only time would tell if that hope would come true.