Fall of the Mighty ★ [4] ✔

Fallout

⏳ 2016    

"When things get too hard to handle, run."

"But one should never run from their problems."

"Sometimes you have to, Andromeda. If you want to live another day, sometimes running is the only way to do that."

"Your lessons are contradictory, Eilian. They do not make sense."

Eilian had chuckled, chucking another hot chip into his mouth. "It's a good way to learn, trust me."

It was not too long after I became a Time Walker, still learning the ropes with the arse that became my teacher. He'd always been right, though. No matter how conflicting his lessons where, he was always right.

"When things get too hot, Andromeda," he'd said, "when things become too much, there's nothing wrong with taking a step back, even at the cost of others."

I'd frowned. "But is it not our mission to save lives, no matter how... 'hot' it becomes?"

He'd turned to me seriously. "You cannot save everyone. Remember that. Sometimes you must betray those you love to save the innocent. The needs of the many come first. They always come first."

That had always been a rule that I'd disregarded with terrible consequences. The amount of regret that I'd experienced ignoring that rule was heavy.

I needed him. I needed Eilian now more than anything. I felt lost. So lost. I needed guidance, more than anyone here and now could offer me. I'd lost Steve. I'd lost hope. I'd lost everything that kept me grounded.

I sat alone in the stairwell, my watch heavy in my hands as the back-up generator for the power flickered back to the life, the lights regaining themselves. People roamed around me, back to work and trying to resolve whatever issues needed to be and to hunt down those who'd escaped.

"I need you, Eilian," I whispered to the golden device. "I wish you were here to help me." I brought the watch closer to my face, examining it. "Help me," I growled as if speaking to it would actually get me an answer.

I looked up to see Nat standing before me, an expression of pity and apology on her pretty face. "You okay?"

I stared at her for a minute, really not wanting to talk to her or to anyone at that moment. "Guess."

"I'm going to say 'no', then."

"Congratulations. You know me so very well."

"Come on, Andi." She slid in on the step next to me. "We're friends. Talk to me."

I glared at her and scoffed. Was she serious? Really? "You're kidding, right?" She didn't make any indication of being so. "People are dead. Steve, Sam and Bucky are gone. An absolute shitstorm is raging around us and you're asking me about my feelings?"

"No," Nat replied, shaking her head and frowning at such a notion. "Andi, I'm worried about you. Seriously, I am. I want to know what's going on with you."

"Then do me a favour: leave me alone."

I stormed away. I was tired. I was done being torn. I just wanted Eilian. I just wanted him to help me through this and tell me everything was okay. An idea began to form in my head. And I was going to do exactly that.

❈Author's Note: Hey, there! Just a little filler for your troubles ;) If you liked this chapter, please consider giving it a quick vote! Thanks for reading!