one way out. This couldn't be the end to the Notorious Five.
We've been able to get through everything together...wait. Together...all of us...
Staring at the tattoo, my mind immediately began to formulate a plan - the pieces coming together.
"I need the last chance," I whispered and looked up to the little boy as I worked on standing up. He seemed annoyed by my stubbornness as he crossed his arms.
"I didn't think my older self would be this stupid," he huffed. "You're not going to win!"
"You're right," I replied. "I'm not going to win on my own. If what you're saying is true, and I've been here, again and again, that only confirms that I haven't changed my mindset. I've been trying to go back to a time when I could make a domino change effect that would give me a different ending, and thus far, it's done nothing of the sort."
"So what is going to make this time different?" the boy huffed.
"I'm not going back to the night of death experience," I voiced. "Return me to the exact time when Jax was in the hall waiting for me and Brianne."
"Why?" He gave me a mocking look. "So you can tell him that he's about to die? Oh right, you're not going to remember."
"I will remember," I vowed as I clenched my fists to ground myself with this newly formulated plan in my head that continued to grow as the seconds ticked by.
"You have no magi-"
I lifted my arm up to show him the mark on my wrist, and he looked stumped by its appearance. "When did you get that?"
"Meaning I haven't had this tattoo previously," I whispered.
"You did not," the boy admitted and watched me carefully. "What are you planning?"
"To save all the victims of the catastrophe that's about to happen. Only this time around, I'm not doing it on my own, but with those who've gotten me this far."
I went on my knees then, which confused the boy even more. I reached out to offer my left hand to him.
"That includes you."
"M-Me?" The boy looked offended as he took a step back and glared at my hand. "You just want to use me for my power!"
"No." I shook my head as I looked him in the eyes. "I need your help as well."
"After forty-nine times, why would you suddenly be inclined to ask for my assistance?"
"I realized that my ultimate fear is letting down all those I love. That I'm unable to protect them from harm's way, and because of this fear, I always want to try and do everything myself. Protect those I love, aid in making them feel better and being the comforting individual they need in their lives. If I could be the carrier of their burdens, I'd do it in a heartbeat. That was until I soon began to realize that I wasn't allowing anyone to aid me when I struggled to keep my head up high. I didn't want the aid of others because I'd accepted a role I created for myself and wouldn't let such a role be taken by anyone else. That decision blinded me from realizing that it's okay to rely on my friends and those I care about. That I'm not a superhero or a god that has the ability to carry the world's burdens. I have to accept that my role isn't to protect everyone in the world. My role is to work on myself and the goals I wish to achieve, which will lead me to situations where I can aid others, and that includes needing assistance in those intense times."
With a small smile, I reached out to gently stroke the boy's head. His eyes widened at my gesture and my smile spread across my lips as my eyes watered.
"You had to become strong because I was simply too weak to acknowledge my fear of relying on others. You became the hidden strength because you wished nothing but my success with each trial. You sacrificed watching me replay these chains of events again and again, in hopes I'd open my eyes and see that you merely wanted me to see the strength and magical power I carry within." I paused as my hand moved to his cheek. A single tear ran down his cheek as it did the same down mine. "You're the God of Protection, aren't you?"
The boy stared at me long and hard before he finally nodded.
"Yes," he confirmed as he blinked back more tears. "This is