Spider-Man: Camp Cretaceous

Losing yourself

"I understand that saving Pierce was the right thing to do," Yaz said, her voice cracking as tears streamed down her cheeks. "But stopping to help those dinosaurs cost us our chance to get home... once again!" She buried her face deeper into her hands, her sobs muffled as emotion overwhelmed her. "I'm just so tired! I miss my mom so much."

Peter glanced at her, his heart aching for her pain. He leaned closer and wrapped his arm around her, pulling her in so she could cry on his shoulder. "I feel you, Yaz," he said softly, feeling the weight of his own sorrow. "I miss my Aunt May every day. And my dad..." His voice faltered as the familiar ache of loss settled in. "She's the only family I have left now, and I can't shake the thought that she must think I'm gone for good." He attempted to steady his breathing, fighting back his own tears as he tried to comfort her. "But I promise, we're going to find our way home."

Yaz looked up at him, her tear-streaked face reflecting a flicker of doubt. "If you keep saying it enough times, then it must be true, right?" she replied, her voice tinged with a mix of hope and skepticism.

Peter nodded with determination. "I believe we will get back because if there's one thing I've learned from this incredible band of misfits... it's that we can make the impossible possible." His words were charged with conviction, and he could see the glimmer of reassurance beginning to light up Yaz's eyes.

Gradually, her frantic sobs subsided as she leaned into the warmth of Peter's embrace, finding solace in his unwavering support. Nearby, Brooklynn observed the scene with a gentle smile tugging at her lips. She could see the shift in Yaz's demeanor and knew instinctively that Peter's presence meant more to her than mere friendship; the connection between them was there. But right now, it wasn't important. She was what was important right now. She needed comfort. And Peter was right there to give it to her.

"Come on, let's go," Peter said, comforting Yaz as they headed back over towards the doorway.

"The plane left without you?" Carla was shocked to see.

"I'm so sorry. I don't understand what's going on here, but you have my word that I'll get you off this island somehow." Mae promised.

"No. We're not leaving," Darius proclaimed. "Obviously, this isn't what we wanted. Like, at all. but we can't quit now. Mantah Corp doesn't care if they're hurting their dinosaurs. And Mae, you and Carla can't protect them all on your own. We have to stay until we fix this, however long it takes."

Peter wasn't sure about that idea as they all looked around one another.

"Sure. Whatever you say." Yaz said with a sigh.

"Let's get to work, then." Mae shrugged. "We've gotta get Pierce back to the desert biome. And if the plane's gone, that means the new dinosaur food has already been unloaded."

"We'll go check the T-Rex area to make sure the BRADs haven't tainted their food," Brooklynn said.

Peter looked over to Yaz and sighed. "You guys go. Yaz is exhausted, but I think she can rest. I'll get her to the cave and meet with you guys after."

"And leave Yaz alone?" Brooklynn asks.

"I'll go," Sammy offered.

"Sure, that works," Peter nodded. "You guys cool?"

"Yeah, don't worry about it," Kenji said.

"After you're all done, we'll meet at the cave and figure out a game plan to protect those dinos," Yaz said with a fake smile as they left. She then turned back towards Petr and smiled. "Thanks for that."

"Don't mention it," Peter said when he saw Darius. "Hey, Darius, can we talk?"

"Oh, sure," Darius said as he rushed over to Peter to talk privately. "What's up?"