Ah, finally... another chapter! Things are settling down with school, from the looks of it, so I should be able to write more now. Yey! At any rate, please review - it keeps me going.
Chapter Three - No Survivors
- 1:10 pm - ???'s point of view -
I read the headline, and see the wreckage of a plane sticking out of the Atlantic Ocean. Memories come flooding back, bits and peices, but making sense now, and it actually hurts. Like being stabbed in the head and heart with a dull knife. I close my eyes tightly and clench my jaw. No way. That couldn't have happened. He can't be dead... But it's true, it's true! I remember the fire.
"Read it," I tell them, trying to keep my voice steady. "Please read it out loud."
Mary Jane begins: "A private jet belonging to Dr. Matthew Rawling crashed early this morning..."
Morning flight, started at 4 am. Headed for Washington D.C.
"...due to debris entering the left engine. The plane left it's southbound course and went into a tailspin, crashing into the ocean in a ball of fire. Neither the Pilot or the plane's sole passenger, Dr. Rawling, age 67, survived..."
That's not true. I was on that plane too.
"...the pilot will have to be identified by his dental records. Story continued on page 2," Mary Jane finished.
I sniffed a bit, still with my eyes squeezed shut, and willed myslef not to cry, scream, or hurl myself out the window without spreading my wings. I went over the event in my head.
That morning we were headed to Washington, me, Matt - like an adoptive father to me, a pilot he hired and payed a bit extra to keep his mouth shut. Matt had a meeting with the president, or the General of... something. Maybe both. Matthew didn't really want to talk about it. So off we went. I got bored, so Matthew started a game of Go Fish with me inside the high-class jet. It was an important game, the winner got to choose the in flight movie we'd watch, and I was dead set on seeing French Kiss (which was funny since we were on a plane), whereas Matthew would have chosen a John Wayne western. But suddenly, fffwack-ack-ack-boom! An engine sucked something in, chopped it up, choked, and exploded. The fire quickly made it's way from the left wing to the body of the plane, where it ate up leather seats.
"I'll fly you both out!" I told Matthew, as I started to yank the door open (we were low enough to not get sucked out of the plane involuntarily, as made evident by an exploding window). And then the cockpit burst into flame, and I knew there wouldn't be any hope for Don, the pilot. "Come on!" I yelled, jerking the door open and reaching for Matthew.
I almost had him. The thought was like a blow.
He started towards me, only inches away from taking my hand, when the plane lurched to the right, and my suitcase, a huge, black thing filled with a week's worth of clothing and belongings, came hurtling towards me. It pushed me out the door. I held it instead of Matt, shocked and appalled. What was left of the jet's right wing came by and hit me hard in the shoulder. So down I fell, useless. And eventually unconscious.
I sniffed once more, and a tear escaped to run down my cheek. "I remember my name."
- 1:10 pm - Peter Parker's point of view -
Uncomfortable situations. I've had so many of those in my life. Talking to Harry, listening to Aunt May blame herself, having to sit through an hour-long meeting with Mr. Jameson while wearing a Spider-Man suit under a business suit - I thought that was uncomfortable. But this? Finding a teenager who doesn't remember anything other than Peanut Butter commercials, who I don't really know anything about, and watching her break down in my own apartment when she sees an article in the paper that obviously has allowed her memory to come back. Now that's uncomfortable.
I'm used to seeing people break down, but I'm a Super-Hero then, I go and save their kid, or their parent, or even their dog, and then everything's fine again. And I don't have to show a look of sympathy, concern, whatever - I have a mask on; if I'm scared, I look scared. And right now, with this slight twitch under my eye and clueless expression on my face, I'd love to have that stupid mask on.
MJ get's done reading, and I look to her pleadingly. She's a girl, surely she must have some idea as to what to do. A guesture to wait a moment, and I feel much more releived. And soon enough, sniffling little Birdie looks as if she can tell us her REAL name.
- 1:10 pm - Mary Jane's point of view -
Read, just keep reading. The words on the page are hard to focus on with this girl here, on the verge of crying, and this boyfriend here, who looks likes he could start crying too. But read, keep reading.
- 1:15 pm - ???'s point of view -
Don't cry... gain composure. I wipe the tear from my face, and open my eyes to see two concerned faces. One has the feminine 'I'm going to wait and see what's wrong because I'm a good friend' look - Mary Jane's. Peter has a 'I'm concerned but really don't know what to do since I'm a guy' look. I swallow, take a deap breath, arrange my sentances, form a plan, and act accordingly.
"In fact, I remember things from when I was two years old as well. In short, no more amnesia," I say in a flat voice, the only one I can manage right now. "I have a lot to sort through, am going to fly things off, and will probably see you later." - I walk out to Peter's fire escape - "Sorry about all this. And my name's Serafina."
With that I swing over the edge, plumeting down before catching a strong updraft, and then rocket into to sky where I can lose myself in the clouds.
- 1:20 - Peter Parker's point of view -
She tells us her name, and with that hops over the rusty rail enclosing the fire escape. Mary Jane gasps.
"Oh God!" she exclaims, not quite used to the fact that Serafina won't become a pancake in a couple seconds. Sure enough the bird-girl goes zooming towards the sky, in a nearly vertical path. MJ breathes a sigh of releif, sets the paper on my twin bed, and contemplates the sandwich she's been holding.
"Well..." I begin.
MJ shakes her head, at a loss for words as well. "I think she lost someone very close in that accident," she finally says.
"I suppose," I say, but can't help thinking, Unless she caused it.
What a way to start a day. What about Harry? What about taking her picture? And when, if at all, will she come back? Slowly I begin to put away the sandwich makings.
"You look worried, Pete."
"I am," I say with a sigh, "I guess I feel responsible."
"Well, I think she'll be okay. After all, it looks like she can defend herself, and she's pretty happy-go-lucky. I know the sort. They'll be sad and depressed, but don't let it get them down."
I hope she's right.
"But what about Harry?" I ask, rather off-topic.
"What about him?" she asks, confused.
"Well, ya know..."
"Oh! Right," she bites her lip, realizing the situation isn't very promising. "You need to talk to him."
"I was planning to, but now with all this happening... What if Serafina comes back and I'm not here?"
"Leave a note. Simple as that."
"What about you?"
"What about me?! Why are you worried about me?!" MJ says with inflection implying she's getting fed up with my hesitation.
I frown a little, "I wanted to spend time with you, that's all."
She calms right down, and I'm glad I said the right thing. "Then why don't I come with you to see Harry?"
She's brilliant, absolutely brilliant. I wonder what her IQ is. I agree to that, and find a piece of paper and begin to write a note.
How would you spell her name? It's kind of weird. SAR-UH-FEE-NUH, I sound it out in my head. 'Sera' comes out on the paper. I take a gamble and add an 'f', hoping it's not ph. Then, after some consideration, I decide 'ina' looks a whole lot better than any of my other options.
-----
Serafina,
Out taking care of business, hope to be back by 6. Be careful.
Hope you're feeling better.
Signed,
Peter Parker
-----
"Okay then, let's go."
I take my camera and Mary Jane takes her purse, and together we head out the door.
