It's hard to say goodbye

They spent the whole day playing video games. Charlene wished it could last forever, a blissful escape where time didn't matter.

"Marvel vs. Capcom is the greatest game of all time!!" Mike shouted, dancing around with glee.

"Winner!" the game announced.

"You've got to be kidding me, that's like the fourth time you’ve beaten me!" Charlene laughed, shaking her head.

And then, her eyes landed on it—Dance Dance Revolution. She couldn't believe it. The game she'd always loved but never dared try in public.

"Mike!" Charlene’s voice was filled with excitement. "Can you believe it? I've always loved this game, but I was too scared to play in front of people. I never thought I’d be brave enough!"

Without waiting for Mike, she took off running toward the machine, her excitement making her forget all caution.

Mike grinned, shaking his head but following her. "You’re too much!" he called after her, amused.

Charlene reached the machine, her hands trembling as she found the start button. She pressed it eagerly, and the music began. She stepped onto the platform, bouncing with joy, as the beats pulsed in time with her heart.

"It's just like I thought it would be!" Charlene squealed, overwhelmed by the pure joy of it.

Mike leaned in, teasing, "I don’t want to get your hopes up, but I’m kind of a savant at this too."

Charlene flashed him a grin. "It's on, like butter on popcorn! Let’s do this!"

Mike raised an eyebrow, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "Whoa there, trigger! Let's start easy and work our way up, okay?"

Charlene nodded eagerly, her eyes scanning the arrows on the screen. "I got it. Let’s start!"

Mike guided her. "Look at the arrows—they match the ones on the mat. When they line up on the screen, tap them with your feet, and go with the rhythm of the music."

Charlene leaned back against the bar behind them, her eyes wide with wonder as the colorful arrows blinked beneath her feet. She caught the rhythm quickly and started tapping her feet along with the beat.

"This is so awesome!" she exclaimed, her joy infectious.

Mike jumped up, joining her in the dance. "I think you’re getting the hang of it!"

The game chimed, “Perfect!”

"Great job! Excellent! Excellent!" the game continued, echoing Charlene's enthusiasm.

"You’re really getting the hang of it now," Mike said, grinning. "Ready to step it up?"

Charlene nodded with excitement. Time seemed to pass quickly. In this realm, there were no clocks, no sense of rushing. They played for hours, mastering level after level, the bond between them growing stronger.

"That is the most fun I’ve ever had," Charlene said, grinning from ear to ear. She hadn’t realized how much she needed a moment like this—so carefree, so full of life. "Thank you, Mike."

Before she could think twice, she hugged him, caught up in the pure joy of the moment. Mike, surprised but happy, returned the embrace.

But then, ReNew’s laughter broke through the moment.

"Ha ha ha!" ReNew's voice echoed, mischievous.

Charlene pulled back, flustered. "Stop it, ReNew!"

Mike looked at her, confusion crossing his face. "Is everything okay?"

Charlene waved her hands in front of her. "It’s nothing, Mike. I’m just talking to myself."

She took a deep breath and placed her hand on the mark. "ReNew, show yourself."

A light glowed, and suddenly, ReNew was there, standing before them.

"Hi, Michael—or should I say Mike? Can I call you Mike?" ReNew greeted, her voice playful.

Mike stood frozen, his mouth slightly agape. "Have you been with us the whole time?"

"Yes, I can hear and watch everything you’re doing," ReNew said sheepishly, then turned to Charlene. "You should tell him."

Charlene smiled nervously. "So, um… ReNew’s, uh, kind of my soul."

Mike’s eyes widened in disbelief. "You can talk to your soul?"

"Yes, kind of," Charlene replied with a smile. "Everyone can, but most people don’t actually hear them. It’s kind of funny, really."

Mike laughed, his amazement evident. "This is the coolest thing I’ve ever witnessed. Thank you for sharing this with me, Charlene."

Charlene, feeling suddenly exposed, flushed a deep red. "You're welcome, Mike."

ReNew, sensing Charlene’s embarrassment, quickly interjected, "Hey, I’ve got an idea! How about we go for a spin on the merry-go-round? There’s one in the food court, and I’ll race you!"

Before Charlene could respond, ReNew had already flown off toward the food court, leaving them both in the dust.

Mike grinned, shaking his head. "Well, this is nothing new. You're both cheaters!" He took off after her, running as fast as he could.

Charlene, still laughing, came in last. But her joy was contagious.

Suddenly, Mike collapsed to the floor, shaking. His face went pale, and he looked at Charlene in disbelief.

"What’s wrong, Mike?" Charlene rushed over to him, worry creeping into her voice.

Mike could barely speak, his voice trembling. "It… it happened here. At those tables." He pointed, his gaze distant.

Charlene tried to pull him up, but he was frozen. The scene before them began to shift—people filled the food court, and Mike was sitting at the table, his past unfolding in front of them.

ReNew placed a gentle hand on Charlene’s shoulder. "It’s okay, Charlene. This is what’s meant to happen."

Charlene’s mind raced. "You did this on purpose!" She was too caught up in the moment to think clearly.

"No, I didn’t," ReNew responded softly. "This is Mike’s time. He’s about to finish his journey."

Tears welled up in Charlene’s eyes. "Why can’t I just be happy?" Her voice cracked with emotion. "All I want is to spend more time with Mike! Why can’t I have this?"

ReNew’s expression softened. "This isn’t real, Charlene. Mike’s time here is short. You have a greater purpose—remember that."

Charlene shook her head, unable to comprehend. Her eyes were like pools of black, tears streaming down her face. "You’re trying to stop my happiness. I just want to be with him…"

She lunged at ReNew, fury in her heart.

ReNew hovered in the air, trying to avoid Charlene’s wrath. "You’ve got to be kidding me," she said with a laugh.

Charlene blinked, and suddenly, her fists flared into fiery torches. "I’ll kill you!"

ReNew gasped, dodging out of the way, flying away from Charlene’s burning fury.

The chase led them into a department store, where ReNew knocked over displays to escape. Charlene pursued relentlessly.

Ahead, ReNew saw a large fountain. She flew toward it, hoping to lose Charlene. But Charlene, blinded by rage, followed her.

With a sudden motion, ReNew grabbed Charlene and pulled her into the fountain, dousing her flames. Charlene struggled to breathe, choking on the water.

"Snap out of it, Charlene!" ReNew shouted, her voice stern. "This is about Mike, not us!"

ReNew slapped her across the face with a sharp, resounding "pop!" "Mike’s journey is ending, and you’re over here fighting with me!"

Charlene gasped, realizing the truth. She coughed up the water and wiped her tears away.

ReNew’s voice softened. "We are one, Charlene. Let’s get back to business."

Charlene nodded, feeling her energy return. ReNew led her back to the food court, where Mike was dangling over the edge, four stories up.

"I won’t let you go, Mike!" Charlene cried, reaching for his hand, but he was slipping.

A voice behind her spoke softly. "You can let go now."

Charlene turned, seeing Mike standing before her. When she looked back to the arm she held, he was gone.

"It’s okay, Charlene," Mike’s voice echoed. "I’m at peace now. I forgive them."

Suddenly, Argon’s hound, Armaros, appeared. He stood tall, between two doors: one labeled Heaven, the other Second Chance.

Mike stood with Charlene, not wanting to let go.

"Isn’t it time for me to go?" Mike said quietly, his voice filled with peace.

"I’m not ready for this," Charlene whispered, fighting the urge to hold him back.

"As much as I’d love to stay," Mike said with a smile, "I know my life was cut short. But now I get a second chance."

Charlene’s heart broke, but she knew she had to let him go. "I’ll miss you, Mike."

Mike kissed her forehead gently. "Don’t stop being you, Charlene. Tell ReNew I said goodbye."

Tears flooded her eyes, but Mike’s words gave her comfort. "We’ll meet again," he said with a wink, then turned and walked toward the door.

Charlene stood there, watching him leave, a tear slipping down her cheek. She whispered, "Goodbye, Mike."

ReNew placed her hand on Charlene’s shoulder. "You’ve got a job to do, remember?"

Charlene sighed deeply, turning toward the portal. "I know," she whispered. "I know."

With one last glance, she entered the portal, leaving the food court behind, her heart heavy with both grief and hope.