Run

Run Alone

That façade shattered with one single solitary action taken the night before, one lapse of judgment that drove him to where he now sat, huddled in the rain in an alley in New York City with his knees drawn up to his chest and his arms wrapped around them. His head was buried in his arms as he let the rain wash away his tears. Sadly, the action that drove him here was one of the most versatile gestures in the world, the simple, solitary act of kissing his cousin in a moment of passion and utter weakness.

Fresh tears dripped from his eyes as he remembered the simplicity of watching a movie on the TV in the lounge of their Grandpa's RV, affectionately named the Rust Bucket, as they were unwinding after a long day on the road, the start to another fun-filled summer with the people he loved.

He remembered the peace that came over them as they laughed at the comedy film that they'd all picked out.

He remembered the feeling of Gwen as she laid back against his chest as their Grandpa made some coffee in the kitchen.

He remembered how Gwen had slowly taken to using him as a human pillow when they watched movies together across the various summers.

He remembered relishing in the feeling of her being so close but knowing he could never have more.

He remembered the feeling of her shoulder-length hair as it tickled his nose.

He remembered fighting the urge to run his fingers through the soft red strands and hear her hum in pleasure, he'd done it many times before, but with his thoughts and feelings as they were, it didn't feel like he deserved that gift anymore.

He remembered the lull in the comedy as the director inserted a few small moments of drama for effect.

He remembered the smile on her face as she watched the film play and the light from the TV dancing across her face in the darkness they'd created for the movie.

He remembered seeing her getting closer but didn't see her moving.

He remembered the warmth her body gave to him as they sat nestled together.

He remembered the moment his lips touched hers.

He remembered the shock that filled her eyes as a gasp broke from her throat.

He remembered the sound of Grandpa's cup shattering as it hit the floor, the sound of his shocked gasp mixing in time with Gwen's.

He remembered the look in their eyes as his brain finally caught up.

He remembered his body moving and his transformation into the alien XLR8.

He remembered moving faster than he ever had as he grabbed his backpack, a few supplies, and a blanket and vanished into the night leaving only a trail of tears behind him as he fled from his most fatal mistake.

He remembered the sound of his name as it broke from Gwen's lips as he raced off into the night.

He remembered the pain he felt at knowing he'd never hear her say it again.

He remembered running as fast as he could away from the life he had just destroyed and not stopping until the alien watch, the Omnitrix, finally timed out and Ben reappeared in a flash of red light even as he collapsed against the alley wall where he currently sat.

He remembered when life as he knew it ended.

He remembered the tears.

After that, he lost all track of time as he cried over the stupid mistake he'd made and the destruction of his life. He cried over the loss of the only person on the planet who knew him better than he knew himself.