Another Godforsaken World.

I don't want to leave you alone.

What? Who was this person? Who did she lose? Who did she get separated from? Too many questions. And I doubt I was equipped to handle this. I studied a number of different sciences. I had to push myself beyond the normal training or cycles of superheroism. I had no money, no real skill or talent, or anything when I got my powers or when I started fighting crime.

I had to learn and I studied crime and law and science to help me get here, and, during all of that, I had to study psychology, basic stuff from the books and from experience. Enough that I could carefully tip-toe my way around volatile situations or get under people's skin or know what to say and how to offer help. Like shutting up and listening as well as offering options. The top two things anyone should do. Because no matter what, I was not a professional and I was not equipped to deal with this. I could try.

Well, this girl was from another world, and this was definitely out of my hands. So I did the only rational thing I could do.

I hugged for a while longer, making sure that this girl knew I cared, that I was here, before letting go and pulling away.

"I'm going to make a quick call. I'll be right outside and back in a few."

I nodded before raising up to full height and walked out the door. I began searching on the internet for the number of the only person I knew who was a metahuman, dealt with metahumans on the regular, and was probably one of the, if not the, most regarded psychologists on the East Coast. Dr. Alvis Holt. The same man who helped me come to better terms with the pros and cons of keeping my secret with a brief conversation.

I think this was worth a shot. I dialed the number on a burner phone and pulled the mask over my face, adopting the altered

"Hi. I'm here to report a bit of an emergency. I, um, this is going to take a while to explain. My name is Spider-Bite."

The phone call took more than a few minutes. Hopefully, Dr. Holt could help or at least point me to someone who could.

She was crying again, huddled up, barely answering my question at first. I don't think another hug would do the trick. Besides, something needed to be done about all those tears.

I grabbed a nearby tissue box and offered it to the girl before setting it on the bed next to her, in case she needed more. Her wings and body seemed to be more colored. She was healing, and she probably needed nutrients to keep up her strength and keep her healing going smoothly. She shook her head at needing a doctor, so it seems she did not find anything wrong with herlself in the physical sense or at least not in an bad pain.

Although, I should probably tell a doctor that she's awake. Later, when she was feeling a little better. Not right now.

However, I found it odd she said she was not hungry. Well, she would be sooner or later.

In fact, I was about to turn away and point out the tray of food left on the table nearby, in case she did get hungry without me around. However, she spoke about there not being the food she wants around here. Although it seems she was willing to try out a burger at least. That was a bit of a change from how she acting earlier.

I was going to take it as a good thing. At least it might distract her from crying, if nothing else.

"I mean, we can try to find what you like, but I'm not sure if I can find something for you to have on short notice. Sorry."

I shrugged sheepishly, raising both hands up and down quickly before settling my arms across my lap and leaning over a little.

"Alright. I'll treat you to a burger. I, uh, shoot," I narrowed my eyes as my brow furrowed a little. How was I supposed to get some burgers sent to us under the guise of Spider-Bite? Short answer, I don't think I can, even if I tried paying in cash. Better to not leave a digital trace to me, even a fast food one.

It would mean I would have to swing over to someplace and swing back. I could be quick, but the food might take a little while to prepare. How long did I want to leave Aster alone? How long was I willing to leave her alone?

Snapping out of my little moment of concentration was the sound of Aster's voice. What did she ask? Oh, a drink! Water! Of course. She had just woken up after all. I looked over at the cup of water next to her bed and grabbed it before bringing it over to her to grab ahold.

"There. You got it?"

I would make sure she got ahold of it, and the cup was steady in her hands. After being so emotionally vulnerable, just being wracked with such terrible feelings, people can sometimes barely do anything for themselves. And that was alright. It was why I was here.

To make sure she got better enough to stand on her own, especially in what was a foreign world to her.

"Listen, I'll have to leave to grab those burgers. But, if you want me to stay longer, I can. There's that tray right there with food. Not the best, but it'll keep you full if you get hungry while I'm gone. The nurses or workers will usually bring it in."

I nodded.

"And don't be afraid to ask for anything, especially if you really need something. Okay?"

It had been a while. After all, Cassidy DeWitt had to grab the food as his more mild-mannered self before suiting up to swing on back to the hospital to deliver the piping hot burger and fries. There was also the added wait of the fast food place taking a while to actually get the order ready. He was not sure what condiment to get so he just got all of them. And there was, of course, the drink. A simple lemonade should work. After all, a lady from a fantasy world might not exactly like the taste of carbonated soda.

So, here he was taking a swing back and hoping everything would remain fine until he got there. His lenses widened to find this not the case. Aster was on the roof. How did she get up there? How? Why? His mind flashed to that moment when he saw her memories. When he saw her kill herself. Even if she might have been tough, surviving a fall and a trek across one universe or time to another, she had been in such a critical state before.

All it could take is one wrong move. One wrong choice. And it would all be over.

No. No. No, no, no. Nonononono. nonoNonononNoNoNonononNo"nonononnNO. NO!"

He tossed the bag of fast food and fired a web, leaving it attached to a nearby building, before firing two lines and yanking himself forward. His body struck the roof, rolling to distribute the force, before he got up and ran. He ran until he reached to drive his arms around Aster.

"Please tell me you're up here to just enjoy the view," he spoke, unsure of what else to say besides interjecting whatever sliver of humor he was capable of. Maybe he was wrong. Maybe she just came up here because she was tired of the hospital room. Or maybe it was worse. He hoped it was wrong. He always hated it when he was right about these sorts of things.

He let go, realizing what he had done, just throwing himself like that. He let go, carefully, slowly, and he kept his arms out, almost ready to grab her again. His eyes searched for any hesitance, anything that might tip him off if Aster planned to do anything reckless.

"Sorry. I, uh . . . "

Say something. Anything.

"Y'know, your food will get cold if you don't have it soon. So, may I help you back down to your room?"

He offered a hand, opening his palm up to her. An invitation.

To the first step to start anew.