Tale of Trueheart

---

"Hey Jake, you ready for your big project?" Mark called out as he approached me, his voice brimming with excitement.

"Yeah, a little nervous, but I'll be alright," I replied, my hands slightly trembling as I slowly put on my coat. Today was the day we were heading to Everwing Laboratory to conduct the final testing on the first-ever super suit in the history of the world. If we succeeded, our names would go down in history.

Mark clapped me on the back, his enthusiasm infectious. "Okay, but you better dress well. You don't want Jenny to see you all jittery, and fix that hair; it's a mess," he teased, ruffling my already disheveled hair before heading to the car.

Jenny, or rather Jennifer Carter, was not just any colleague. She was the daughter of Max Carter, one of the biggest sponsors of our project, and our childhood friend. The three of us had grown up together, shared countless adventures, and even attended the same college, each earning our respective degrees. Jenny was more than a friend; she was my childhood crush. Before you call me a wuss for not asking her out, let me tell you, I never got the chance. But anyway, I digress.

The three of us—Mark, Jenny, and I—had poured our hearts and souls into creating Everwing Laboratory. It was the birthplace of our greatest projects yet, and my personal dream: a real-life, fully functional mech. This wasn't just any mech; it was designed to operate on a nuclear core, a feat of engineering that would revolutionize the field. Unlike other models that required millions of volts just to power on, our creation was built to run efficiently and sustainably.

As I walked out of my apartment, I took a moment to look at the clear blue sky, feeling the weight of the day's importance settle on my shoulders. This was it—the culmination of years of hard work, late nights, and endless revisions. Mark was already in the car, tapping away on his phone, likely going over the last-minute details for the presentation.

I slid into the passenger seat, and we drove in silence for a while, each of us lost in our own thoughts. The cityscape zoomed by, a blur of buildings and people, but all I could think about was the lab and the super suit waiting for us. Memories of the long journey we had taken to get here flooded my mind.

I remembered the early days of Everwing, when it was just an idea sketched out on napkins and whiteboards. We had faced countless setbacks and skeptics who told us our dream was impossible. But with Jenny's unwavering support and Mark's relentless determination, we had defied the odds. The three of us were a team, a family bound by shared dreams and unyielding resolve.

Arriving at the lab, the sleek, futuristic building seemed to hum with anticipation. The entrance doors slid open with a soft hiss, and we were greeted by the familiar sight of our bustling workspace. Technicians and engineers moved with purpose, their faces reflecting the same mix of excitement and anxiety that we felt.

As we walked through the corridors, Mark leaned in and whispered, "Remember, today isn't just about the suit. It's about proving to everyone—and to ourselves—that we can achieve the impossible."

I nodded, feeling a renewed sense of determination. We entered the main lab area where Jenny was already waiting for us, her eyes lighting up when she saw us. She gave me a reassuring smile, and I felt a surge of confidence.

"Jake, Mark, it's time," she said, her voice steady and calm. "Let's make history."

We donned our lab coats and took our positions. The super suit, gleaming under the bright lights, stood in the center of the room, a testament to our ingenuity and perseverance. I took a deep breath, my mind racing with thoughts of what this moment meant for us.

"Ready, Jake?" Mark asked, his hand poised over the control panel.

"Ready," I replied, my voice firm.

As we activated the suit, a hum of power filled the room, and I watched in awe as our creation came to life. The monitors displayed readings that confirmed everything was functioning perfectly. The suit moved fluidly, responding to commands with precision.

The realization hit me like a tidal wave. We had done it. We had created something that would change the world. I glanced at Jenny and Mark, and we shared a moment of triumph, knowing that this was only the beginning.

In that instant, I knew that no matter the challenges ahead, we would face them together. We were more than just scientists and engineers; we were pioneers, dreamers, and friends bound by a vision of a better future.

As the super suit stood proudly in the center of the lab, I felt a profound sense of fulfillment. We had turned our dreams into reality, and our names would indeed go down in history and my long childhood dream had been accomplished

----------------------------------------------------

**Tap. Tap. Tap. Boom. Boom.**

That's all I hear. The relentless drumming of the rain and the crashing thunder drown out my cries for help, blending with the cacophony of the storm. I lie here in a pool of my own blood, each drop mingling with the rain-soaked earth beneath me. The cold seeps into my bones, and I can't help but wonder where it all went wrong.

I replay the events in my mind, trying to make sense of the betrayal. I had checked every parameter, double-checked every theory. Everything was supposed to work perfectly. Every calculation, every plan was flawless. The only variable I didn't account for was the one that betrayed me: trusting that son of a bitch. His smirk, his false assurances, all seem so clear now, too late to change anything.

But as I lie here, pain radiating through my body, I realize the real fault might have been mine. Trusting him... allowing myself to be lulled into a false sense of security. What a fool I was. I should have seen the signs, the subtle hints of deception. But I was blinded by the need to believe in someone, to not be alone in this endeavor.

Regret is a bitter pill, and it gnaws at me as the darkness begins to creep in from the edges of my vision. My thoughts grow hazy, the pain a dull throb now, overshadowed by the cold embrace of shock. I can feel my strength waning, the will to fight slipping away with each passing second.

As I lie here, the world around me fading, the storm's fury seems almost poetic. The heavens rage, the earth trembles, and I am but a small, insignificant part of it all. My final thoughts are of regret and betrayal, and the realization that I, too, played a part in my downfall.

As I feel the life fading away from I thought back to a few hours ago.