Reuniting (1)

Erik hesitated at the threshold, his hand resting on the doorframe. Each step forward felt like wading through deep water, resistance pulling at his every movement.

While leaving his clones behind, he took a deep breath and forced himself to leave the room.

He had left his friends believing he was dead, a deception that now twisted in his heart like a knife.

He felt guilty the whole way, regretting what he did on his lonely walk.

As he moved, the faces of his friends flashed in his mind. He could almost hear their laughter, see their smiles, and feel the warmth of their love.

But now, he felt unworthy of that warmth, undeserving of their friendship. He had abandoned them, left them to face uncertainty and danger alone.

The thought of Amber added a sharper edge to his pain. He had left her to mourn, to grapple with loss.

How could he face her now, knowing the depth of the hurt he had caused? Being aware she knew about Mira?