RAMSEY BIANCHI

Hazel eyes looked over the window to see that night had fallen, the sky was pitch black and starless, only the afterglow of city lights seemed to light up the sky. I glanced at the time and noticed that it was almost six. Rubbing my eyes with one hand and with the other one, I closed the heavy book, a loud thud resonated in my ears as I pushed my chair back with my legs and headed over to my walk-in closet.

Tonight Peter and I had a date in Central Park, we've both been busy and barely had time to catch up. Studying magic was very time-consuming, especially when I was on the clock, so there was this pressure of learning everything as quickly and as perfectly as possible. I've been visiting Hecate's shop quite regularly, and I spent most of my days there with Elias, who kept his promise about helping.

It's been two days since Hayek's encounter, I haven't heard nor felt her presence near me. It only made me uneasy, she was most likely getting stronger and preparing her grand evil plan to punish the earth for what they did to her four hundred years ago. Still, I hoped. Hoping for Hayek to not go through with her plan, to spare the lives of thousands, I still hoped to save her.

This feud between light and darkness needed to stop, I saw it differently, I believed in what Hayek told me about these forces coexisting. It is possible, it's just as clear and as simple as night and day, they coexist, and they preserve life. That's what I was aiming to learn, how to make it work for both of us, or die trying.

I quickly put on a pair of light skinny jeans, black ankle socks, a knit beige turtleneck sweater, and grabbed my Dorothy Perkins black coat, and threw it on my bed while I put on my black vans. I comb my hair before braiding it into boxer braids, I glanced over my reflection on the mirror, my eyes linger a bit longer before they involuntarily glanced at the ancient text on my desk study. Notes and other books were sprawled over the surface messily.

I gnawed at my lower lip, debating if I should even consider taking a break. I mean, I've been working nonstop on my training, my focus is a hundred percent on it.

Furthermore, I closed my eyes, sighing, and running a hand down my face as I walked away from the mirror and toward my bed. "One night off. Just this one."

The warmth of the coat quickly engulfed me, I grabbed my keys, phone, and wallet. "It's not the end of the world." I stuffed my things inside the wife's pockets that the coat provided before turning off the light in my room before closing the door and locking it.

"Don't need anybody finding my mess," I mumbled quietly before walking away.

I stood amidst the multitude in Central Park, I breathed in the chilly air, feeling the surrounding life and warmth filling my veins. People around me were happy, walking with their partner, friend, or family. They all seemed to be soaring through life without any difficulty, but of course, I'm looking at life through the eyes of someone that carries a burden.

One not meant for mortal people, just God's, and I ain't one.'

"Hey," A husky voice called out from behind me, I turned around and came face to face with my gorgeous boyfriend, Peter.

I smiled, the world and its problems faded behind me, it was just him and me. "Hey, skater boy."

His lips found mine, his hands pressed me tightly against his strong body, my arms snake around his neck as I deepened the kiss. I could feel the stress melting away and replacing it with bliss. One thing I always noticed was Peter's ability to make me feel safe and at ease. I was hardly an uneasy and fearful person, but ever since these powers began manifesting and coming to realize the ancient truth about the burden bestowed on me was enough to make me nervous.

We slowly pulled away, our lips still not getting enough. "You look beautiful." He brushed his nose against mine before pulling back a little, his chocolate eyes finding my hazel ones. "I'm sorry for the spontaneous outreach... it's just, I haven't seen you in a while and I miss you."

"You miss me?" I repeated, still not able to wipe the smile off my face as I looked at him in total adoration.

"I do." His arms slipped off my body, but his right hand found my left one, entwining them. "We've both been busy, I get it." We began our stroll. "Don't you miss it when our responsibilities used to be turning in assignments on time, and now it's just about... saving the world?"

"At what point did we exchange our freedom for the weight of human life?" I wondered, glancing around, seeing people walk past us. "For strangers? We must be fools."

Peter sighs next to me, I look at him. "One thing I've learned in my time of service as the other guy is that... with great power comes great responsibility." Not exactly the words I wanted to hear, but perhaps those were the words I needed to hear. "The things we can do... we have a moral obligation to do the right thing, we can't turn a blind eye to evil."

His words penetrated my mind, filling my chest with determination and hope. "If not us, then who?"

My eyes twinkle with admiration, I squeeze his hand before hugging his arm. "Everybody knows that you're the smart one of the two, no need to rub it in."

"I'm not." He chortled. "I swear I'm not doing that. I've just gotten better at delivering speeches."

I nodded. "And we have the other guy to thank for."

"The mask helps, to be honest." I rolled my eyes at him playfully. "If I screw up, it's just gonna be his name on the headline." He said, shrugging. "Not mine."

"Totally." I snorted, agreeing with him, my eyes spotted an ice cream cart. "Ooh, wanna get ice cream?"

I pointed excitedly at the cart, Peter gave me a look. "It's freezing cold, Ramsey."

"So?"

His eyes widened as he repeated my words. "So? What'd you mean: so? That it's too cold for ice cream. Why not get something warm instead?" I rolled my eyes at him. 

"Because I want ice cream." Peter sighs, looking away in defeat. "If you don't feel like it, then don't buy it, entendido? I'm not forcing you to do anything."

"Okay, fine." He gently led me by the hand toward the cart. "Let's get ice cream."

We continued to walk down the pathway, both eating our ice cream peacefully as we talked about various topics. Laughter would occasionally erupt from one of us, we doubled over in laughter about something silly one of us said. Hayek and her global threat were soon forgotten, an hour turned into three. The fact that I was supposed to be studying and memorizing basic spells was long forgotten, so I allowed myself to breathe and just enjoy my night. Who knew what the future had in store for us, better make today a memorable time.

"Hey, listen, uh..." Peter struggled to find the words, I looked at him with curious eyes as I watched him fumble for something in his coat pockets. "I... I got you something- hang on, let me just... there it is."

He successfully fetched a black velvet jewelry bag, I stared at it with wide eyes as I caught a glimpse of the word Tiffany engraved on the bag. "I watched your graduation present. It was a beautiful video, I teared up while watching it. I didn't know you were so gifted with video editing."

I shook my head. "I'm not, that was all Ethan. He has a bright future ahead." Peter opened the bag and a simple yet gorgeous ring fell on his palm. "Peter... you didn't- you didn't have to get me anything, it's okay."

"Shh," he shushed me with a goofy smile, my heart was beating loudly as I stared at the gorgeous Tiffany ring. "I wanted to, plus you deserve the world. This is my attempt at giving it to you." He grabbed my hand, "I know what a promise ring usually stands for," the ring slipped down my engagement finger, "I'm not asking you to marry me, it's too early, and we're both starting to figure out life. So... "

"Peter..." I gasped as I admired the delicate piece of silver jewelry with stacking ring diamonds. "It's so beautiful."

"I want to make you a promise to never sacrifice you, our time together, and our love. Being Spider-Man comes with a cost, sacrificing everything we love, but I promise never to do that with you." I stared at him in complete and utter love, I placed my hand on his cheek as I heard him speak. He reached out for his neck and pulled out a silver band, which also held a matching silver ring band. "You are my light, my rock, and strength, Ramsey Bianchi. I need you in my life, whatever it costs us."

He ended his heartfelt speech with a kiss, sealing his promise. I melted into the kiss, wanting to feel him even closer, but our bodies wouldn't allow it.

I pulled back first, breathing in deeply before my eyes fell on his necklace, my left hand touched his ring. "And I promise you..." I looked up at him, my eyes showing sincerity, "to be patient and understanding. I love Peter Parker and I love Spider-Man. I promise to always be there for you and to keep you safe." Peter wore a small smile, but his eyes were like stars, filled with love and magic. "I'm also not willing to sacrifice you."

We were about to kiss again when Peter pulled back, his attention seemed elsewhere as he stared over at Times Square. "What? What is it?"

"Trouble, what else?" He looked at me apologetically, I smiled. "I was really hoping this night would end differently."

I gave him a chaste kiss. "I know, now go be a hero."

Shortly after Peter left me, I hailed a taxi and asked him to drop me off at Times Square. Only halfway on our journey toward the place did I realize I could've flown myself over there instead of wasting money I didn't even have. There was already traffic and the police were already at the crime scene, the streets were blocked by police cars who were telling people to turn around and get as far as possible from Times Square.

"This is as far as I can get, lady." The driver told me, I took out the money and gave it to him.

"Thank you." I exit the cab quickly and ran towards the crime scene, I noticed the multitude and the police cars.

Policemen had their guns drawn out and aimed them at someone, I frowned, I had no clue what was going on. Why were people so alarmed and anxious? I pushed past some bystanders and made it to the front, but I soon came to a halt once I noticed the railings they use on the concerts to keep people from climbing up the stage. My jaw dropped when my eyes first noticed the glowing blue person standing in the middle of Times Square, he was surrounded by policemen and Peter was standing a few meters away from him.

"Ramsey?" I half turned and noticed Elias and Gwen looking at me with the same expression, confusion. "What the hell is going on?"

I jerked my chin at the scene. "See for yourselves."

Gwen and Elias followed my stare and noticed the glowing person, the more I watched, the more I realized that he was made of pure electricity.

"Oh my God." Gwen gasped, she brought her hand up to cover her mouth.

I glanced at them and noticed they were standing close to one another. I wanted to question them if they arrived at the same purely by chance or were they already together. But right now wasn't the right time, my focus went back to the scene and I noticed Peter shouting something at the police.

"This is my friend Max. I've told you about him." I frown, Gwen gasped again. "Nobody shoots at him. Nobody. He's my friend!"

"My God... Max."

Elias and I glanced at Gwen with confused stares. "You know him?" Elias asked her, she nodded.

"Mm-hmm, yeah." Gwen's eyes were wide, filled with sympathy. "He works at Oscorp- or used to, I guess. I met him at an elevator two days ago, it was his birthday."

I looked at the man. "What the hell happened to him?"

"Sounds like a good mystery," Elias mumbled.

Spider-Man and Max exchanged a few more words, we only caught bits of their conversation. From one moment to another something happened, Max stepped on the grate, an electric shock caused his body to jerk violently. But what set off the cataclysm was a single bullet, it came from somewhere. Max stumbled back, the bullet seemed to have pierced his shoulder, the man turned around, presumably where the bullet came from and released an electric blast. My eyes widened as I watched the LED board get completely destroyed by his potent blast.

"Holy shit..." Elias mumbled, running a hand down his long hair.

I gasped and held my chest as I felt a stabbing pain, almost as if someone had just tugged at my heartstrings violently. My right hand gripped the railing, hazel eyes glanced up and my breathing stopped.

There she was, in the body of Finn Connors. She stared at me through those lifeless blue eyes, but there was no malice, no rage, just burden, and pain. "That pain, think of it next time you try and get me to go against my nature. Because that same pain is the pain of souls dying, that's the pain I carry with me all the time."

I blinked and she was gone, have I imagined it?

"Ramsey? Ramsey!" Someone shook me violently, I snapped out of my trance and turned to see Elias' dark eyes and Gwen's light ones. "What happened? Where did you go?"

I didn't know what to say, except for the truth. "I saw her."

"Saw who?" Gwen frowned, touching my arm gently.

I stared at them wide-eyed. "Hayek. She revealed herself to me, right now."

Elias furrowed his eyebrows, a thoughtful look rested on his face. Gwen glanced around, trying to spot Finn Connors body, but they were in a crowded space, she was never gonna see him.

"Where did you see her?" I pointed in front of me, not in a specific direction. "In that crowd?"

I shook my head. "No. She was standing in front of me, like right in front of me."

"That can't be, Elias and I would've seen him," Gwen argued.

"No," Elias spoke, realizing something. "We couldn't have because she wasn't physically here. She was astral projecting, you told me yourself that was one of your abilities. She's your counterpart, whatever abilities you possess she does as well."

Before anyone could ask me what she had said to me, the crowd started screaming and running away as Max began to destroy Time Square by attacking Spider-Man. Elias grabbed Gwen and me by the arm in an iron grip trying to pull us away from the danger, but I was making his job a tad harder. I felt drawn to the chaos, not because it was beautiful, but because innocent souls were being hurt by Max's rage. Every death, I felt it and it pained me.

"Ramsey, what are you doing? Let's go!" Elias tried pulling me away but I pushed back. "What are you doing? You're not ready!"

But I didn't care, I couldn't just turn a blind eye to evil. I broke free from Elias' iron grip and ran towards Max, but before reaching him I noticed a LED board toppling over. I gasped as I noticed a mother running with her daughter, if someone didn't push them out of the way the LED board would crush them.

Peter was busy handling Max, he was completely unaware of what was about to happen. "Ramsey, don't!"

I ran faster than I've ever run before. I pictured myself on a track race, my feet slapping against the asphalt as I pushed myself closer and closer toward the mother and daughter. I had no plan, I didn't know what I was going to do, I just felt a strong impulse to preserve life, to save them.

A loud groan caught the mother and she glanced up to notice the board about to crush her and her daughter. She gasped and hugged her daughter, attempting to use her body as a human shield to protect her daughter from the lethal blow. I made it just in time, positioning myself in front of them, my arms hugged them tight and I closed my eyes.

I heard a loud bang, the sound of a collision but I didn't feel any pain, in fact, I didn't feel anything at all. I slowly peel my eyes open and glanced around me, there was a glowing light acting as a telekinetic field around us, it was shaped like a dome.

"Mom?" The girl cried out for her mother, I glanced down to see the mother kneeling before her daughter and hugging her tightly.

"It's okay honey, we're okay." She kissed her temple, I stood there like a dumb idiot, the telekinetic field faded leaving us exposed. "Thank you, you saved my daughter and me."

I didn't know what to say, there was so much emotion swirling inside my chest, all I could do was give them a curt nod. "Don't tell anyone about this, can you do that?"

She nodded, giving me an understanding look. "Don't worry, honey. Your secret is safe with us."

🅷🅾🅻🅰

☃️☃️☃️☃️☃️☃️

This chapter literally went
from "d'aww" to "AHHH"
real quick! The initial course
this scene was supposed to take
was that Ramsey fought Max, but
that's not something Ramsey would
do. Like, the only way she can throw
herself to a fight is if it implicates saving
someone. She's more of a 'she protec'
instead of attacking.

The reason why she's more serene
and sentimental has to do with her
Life powers. Since life is all about
kindness and good, it changed her.
Changed her perspective which is
why she took the leap of faith and
saved that family from dying, her
Life powers planted the seed of
humanity in her.

So, for what's to come on the next
couple of chapters, all I'm saying is
that Ramsey isn't the hero of this
story.

Also... NWH WAS AMAZING!!!
My throat is sore from all the
screaming, even my head ached. It
was just... beautiful.

Stay safe mis amores ❄🤍