Otto lowered his glasses. His eyes were open wide, as he tried to speak. His mouth was dry from the shock.
"R-Rosie?" Rosie smiled.
"Yes, Otto. It's me." She turned her eyes to the suitcase in his hand, and then up at the actuators, who were hovering in the air, studying her. "Otto, what's happened to you?" Otto glanced at the arms.
"Don't you remember? That day when I created the fusion--"
"I know how those happened, Otto." She stated, pointing to the arms. "I meant this." She gestured towards the suitcase. "Why, Otto? Why have you chosen this life? You've become a criminal!" Otto looked into her questioning eyes.
"I… don't know. But I can't go back, Rosie. This is the life I've chosen. I'm a wanted man, and being with me would only endanger you." Tears welled up in Rosie's eyes. Otto turned away and crossed the street.
"Otto wait!" Rosie ran after him, crossing the street. Otto turned around to watch her standing in the street, as a semi truck blared its horn, coming closer to her.
"Rosie! Look out!" Rosie turned around to face the truck. Time froze in Otto's eyes. He watched horrified as Rosie's flesh made contact with the cold metal of the truck's face. In a matter of seconds, she was under. "ROSIE!!!" Otto ran to the truck. The actuators grabbed hold of it and flung it across the road, as it landed upside-down on top of another vehicle. Otto knelt down before Rosie. She was breathing violently, her face was scratched by the truck, and there was a pool of red underneath her. "Rosie? Rosie, speak to me! Oh, Lord, I can't let you leave me again!" Rosie turned her head slightly and looked up at Otto. She smiled weakly, and lifted her blood stained hand to run her fingers through his hair.
"Otto…" She began. "Otto, I love you with all of my soul. Do you know that?" Otto nodded his head quickly but lovingly. "Good. Otto, when I go…"
"Don't say that, Rosie, you're going to be fine! You… you can't leave me here alone!"
"Otto…" She placed her hand on his tear-stained face. "You'll never be alone. I'll always be here for you. In here." She poked him lightly in the chest. "Promise me one thing…"
"Anything, Rosie, anything! Just don't leave me!" By this time he was sobbing so hard he could hardly speak.
"Never forget me, will you Otto?"
"Oh, Rosie, how could I ever forget you? I'll never forget you as long as I shall ever live!" He firmly held her hand. She smiled at him, then laid her head down on the ground.
"Never forget me, Otto…" She closed her eyes. Rosie was gone.
"Rosie? Rosie??" Otto sobbed even harder. "ROSIE!!! Oh, no, Rosie! Rosie! Rosie!"
--
"ROSIE!!!" Otto's eyes snapped open, and he sat up. He was in his own home, sitting in his bed. He put his face in his hands, and cried.
It was all just a dream. But it made him feel even lonelier. A week ago he had moved back into his home, so he could live in some civilization, instead of living in an old abandoned pier on the Hudson River, eating out of dustbins, when he ever ate at all.
He felt so alone, the least he could have was a partner; a partner in crime, maybe? He could start searching immediately. Of course, going around asking people "Would you like to join a super-villain in a city-wide crime spree?" was a little conspicuous. He would do an online search, look for people who seemed interested in that sort of thing. First thing tomorrow. Right now what he needed was sleep, to get away from his horrible dream and regain his right mind. He lay back in his bed and pulled up the covers. The actuators draped themselves over him, and he said good-night to them, as he eyes drooped to a peaceful slumber.