CHAPTER 103: REMORSE
Underground Facility
James woke up disoriented and groggy in an unfamiliar environment. He felt a sharp prick against his skin and reacted instinctively. His hands shot up, grabbing the person by the throat, holding tightly.
"James, stop! Stop!" Henry shouted in panic. "It's Harry!"
"You're safe, bro," Victor said quickly.
James blinked, realization dawning, and released his grip. Harry fell back, coughing hard as he clutched his throat.
"I'm sorry, man," James said. "But what were you thinking, trying to stick needles in me while I was unconscious? You should know better."
"How was I supposed to know?" Harry rasped. "You never told us about this new ability. Antonio said you'd be out longer, that's why I did what I did."
James glanced around, noticing all his friends were gathered, including his brother, Jared, whose face was pale and drawn.
"Jared, are you alright?" James asked, his voice solemn.
When Jared didn't respond, James cursed. "You weren't supposed to see that. Damn it!" He stood up abruptly.
"And where do you think you're going?" Jerry questioned.
James looked at his friends, noting the hurt on their faces, but said nothing. He made to walk out when Harry's question stopped him.
"Was this why she left?" Harry asked. "We could never figure it out, and you never told us anything. Is that it?"
James paused, his voice bitter. "What? Are you guys going to leave too?"
"Nobody said that," Jared spoke up.
"Really? Because your silence says it all," James retorted.
"We felt bad bro. I and Jerry. You stopped this life a long time ago, for good reason. We should have stopped you from killing that woman, but we just... we couldn't."
"What?" James asked, confused.
"Yes, James," Jerry replied. "We're as much to blame for her death. Especially now, with things going well for you and Diana."
James sat heavily on the bed. "So... she really died?" His voice was hollow, as if he couldn't believe it.
His friends exchanged uneasy glances before Victor spoke. "Yes, James. She really did."
"That wasn't supposed to happen," James muttered, his voice breaking. "I only meant to scare her. She wasn't supposed to die." He rubbed his hands over his face, fighting back tears. "What do I do with Diana now? How do I face her?"
A wave of despair washed over James. He had been so focused on protecting Diana, that he had lost sight of the potential consequences. Now, the reality of his actions hit him like a physical blow.
"I failed her," he muttered, his voice barely audible. "I failed Diana."
Tears pricked at his eyes as he kept repeating, "This wasn't supposed to happen."
Henry knelt beside James and held his hand.
"I'm a monster. I really am," James muttered. "She's not even supposed to be with me in the first place."
"James, enough," Henry interrupted firmly.
Harry sat on the other side, gripping James' other hand. "We're going to get through this, alright? And neither of us is leaving, whether you like it or not. So stop thinking the people closest to you will just walk away."
"Well, my mom did," James replied sadly.
Jared wiped his eyes, sniffing. He thought about how their mom had indeed left.
"It's not a new power, Harry," James continued. "It's always been part of me. I only discovered it a few years ago, before I came back to London. Antonio was there when it happened. After the second time, that's what made her leave, or so i keep thinking."