🔸Hailey's POV🔸
Clouds of dust envelope everything like a thick, deadly fog. Screams echo, making it seem like everything that's happening sound like its straight out of a horror film. A fireball hits the building next to us, sending up more dust and spraying us with rubble.
Steven wraps his arms around me as rubble rains down on us. The ground beneath us shakes and shudders with each impact. Up above, the helicarrier is speeding away from the falling city. I let out a muffled cry as a particularly large chunk of rock hits his shoulder, making him wince sharply. He tugs me down and crouches over me defensively, shielding me as best as he can with his body. Under any other circumstances, I would have been embarrassed out of my mind for him to be so close to me, but the only thought running through my head is the fact that we could die at any second.
The rubble lets up and we take that moment to rush towards the edge of the floating city. Explosions shake the ground beneath our feet. We reach the edge and look down at the fast approaching ground below. A sense of weightlessness takes over and we start to float above the falling city as it gains speed.
Steven holds me as close as he can, whispering apologies to me over the roaring wind. "This wasn't supposed to happen. I'm so sorry, Hails."
I try to respond but we slam into a building and I get the wind knocked out of me. The building shakes and explodes outwards, burying us under concrete and twisted metal. My ears ring from the explosion and my vision dims considerably. I feel a burning pain in my left leg and look down to see it pinned between heavy pipes.
"Hailey!" Steven shouts, rushing to my side. "Just hold on, I'll get you out."
"What's the point? We're going to die anyways."
"Don't say that!" Steven scolds, prying apart the pipes trapping my leg. "Wiggle out, slowly."
I sullenly oblige, pulling myself free from the wreckage.
Another explosion rocks the ground, sending us tumbling towards the edge. Steven grabs me before I tumble over, pulling me to him and embracing me tightly. "I'm so sorry, Hails. I should've quit trying to get you guys to come with me on this trip, but-"
"Shut up. Just shut up."
"I love you, Little Pirozh*. I thought you should know before we die." Steven chuckles bitterly, his grip tightening.
Before I can say how I feel, another explosion rocks the ground, this time bigger and more violent. Fire consumes me as I scream for Steven, and then my world goes dark.
"Hailey!" Someone shakes my shoulders roughly. "Hailey, wake up!"
My eyes snap open and focus on my mother, her eyes wide with worry. I feel something wet on my cheeks and rub them with my hands. Tears left trails on them and stained my pillows. My throat is raw from screaming.
"Shh, it was just a dream, Hailey." My mom pulls me into a sitting position and gently rubs my back. "Everything is okay."
A sob escapes my lips and I lean against her. "I saw Steven. We were in Sokovia when-"
"I know, honey. You were thrashing around and saying his name. Just take a few deep breaths and have some water. Your voice sounds scratchy." Mom hands me a cup of water and helps me take a sip. She turns when she hears a knock on the apartment door. "I'll be right back."
I nod and cradle the cup in my hands, staring down at my rippling reflection. I can hear Steven's cries echoing in my head as he was engulfed in flames.
YOU ARE READING
The Recluse •{Spider-Man}•
Fanfiction"Who are you?" Spider-Man crouched in front of me, his shoulders stiff. "To some, I am a destructive fire from hell that sets their lives ablaze and turns them into ash." "And to others?" "A comforting flame that flickers softly and brings light to...
