Courage in Confessions

After a few hours…

The team was now settled in the confined vehicle compartment, they found themselves enveloped in darkness, with only the built-in lights providing a dim illumination. The space was compact, designed to conceal their location from prying eyes, leaving them isolated from the outside world.

As the vehicle started moving, the team members remained composed, each lost in their own thoughts and preparations. Wendell, however, couldn't hide his anxiety. He fidgeted on the spot, tapping his foot nervously, his anticipation visible to everyone.

Leo, wanting to ease the tension and get to know his teammates better, decided to strike up a casual conversation. He turned to Felicia, curious about her adoption of her current identity.

"So, Felicia," Leo began, his voice laced with genuine curiosity. "I'm curious to know why you chose to adopt this identity. What's the story behind it?"

Felicia hesitated for a moment, clearly uncomfortable sharing her personal history with a group of relative strangers. She shrugged and replied, "Oh, it's just a hobby of mine. I enjoy playing this role, you know?"

Leo sensed her reluctance and respected her boundaries. He nodded, understanding that not everyone wanted to delve into their past. "Fair enough," he said with a smile. "I suppose we all have our hobbies."

Curiosity getting the better of her, Felicia turned the question back to Leo. "And what about you? What's your story? What with the getup?"

Leo smirked, his eyes glinting with a hint of sarcasm. "Well same, it's just another one of my hobbies," he replied. "I wanted to see how long it would take for me to get bored of pretending to be the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man."

Both of them chuckled, the tension easing between them. Leo then shifted his attention to Csonka, the big fella with an air of arrogance and stoic demeanor.

"So, Csonka," Leo said, trying to engage him in conversation. "What's your deal? What brought you here?"

Csonka, with his no-nonsense attitude, responded with a few words. "I no like small talk," he grumbled. "I want action!"

Leo couldn't help but just stared at him. It became clear that extracting any personal information from him would be a challenge.

Leo, finally noticing Wendell's unusually quiet and agitated demeanor, decided to reach out to him. He wanted to provide some support and understanding, so he asked, "Hey, Wendell, what about you? What's your story?"

Wendell, visibly nervous and fidgeting with his hands, turned to Leo with a stammer. "W-Well," he began, his voice trembling slightly. "I-I guess I have a bit of a story."

Leo nodded, encouraging Wendell to continue. He knew that Wendell tended to be more open compared to the others, his innocent heart allowing him to share more freely.

Taking a deep breath, Wendell started to reveal his tale. "You see," he started, "ever since I was a kid, I've had this strange ability to talk to cockroaches already."

The rest of the team listened intently, curious to hear his story unfold.

Growing up, Wendell revealed his parents frequently fought, leaving him locked in his room, where he would seek solace by talking to the insects.

"When I turned eleven, my parents got divorced," Wendell continued. "I ended up living with my single mother."

Throughout his life, Wendell's quirkiness and his ability to communicate with insects had made it difficult for him to make friends. Nobody wanted to associate with the "cockroach whisperer." To make matters worse, he had become a target for bullies, enduring their torment day after day. However, Wendell harbored no resentment or grudges. He simply wanted to live his life without hatred, guided by his innate kindness.

His mother became his pillar of support, providing him with love and understanding. Wendell felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude and a deep desire to repay her sacrifices and create a better life for her.

"I wanted to make a difference," Wendell confessed, his voice filled with determination. "I wanted to earn quick cash and give my mother the life she deserves. And... there's also this girl... this beautiful girl who lives down the street from me."

With passion in his voice, Wendell described in vivid detail the girl's beauty, her captivating presence that enthralled him. As he spoke, the rest of the team listened attentively, captivated by his heartfelt words.

Wendell continued, explaining how he ended up being invited by Yurei, the enigmatic figure who had brought them all together. And to make a difference and create a better life for his mother pushed him to join the team.

After listening to Wendell's story, Leo placed his hand on Wendell's shoulder. "You're alright, Wendell," he said, his voice filled with empathy.

Leo then approached the topic with caution, concerned about Wendell's decision to pursue this dangerous line of work. He raised an important point about the risks they would face and the potential for unforeseen incidents that could lead to their demise.

"Do you really want to do this, Wendell?" Leo asked, his voice filled with genuine concern. "We're putting our lives on the line. Are you sure you're ready for this?"

Wendell looked down for a moment, contemplating Leo's words. Then, he looked up and met Leo's gaze, nodding with determination. "Yes," he replied firmly. "I want to do this. I've survived many unlikely odds in my life. I believe I can pull through and bring back the cash I promised to my mother."

Leo admired Wendell's unwavering optimism and encouraged him to maintain that attitude. "Then, keep that spirit, Wendell," he said, a hint of admiration in his voice. "Your positivity might just be the thing that gets us through this mission. We all need a little optimism."

Not long after their conversation, the vehicle came to a halt, and their communication links activated within their suits. A voice, unfamiliar to them, echoed through their earpieces, instructing them to hold their position at a specific set of coordinates—their rendezvous point.

Naturally curious, Leo couldn't help but question the identity of the voice. "Who is this?" he asked, his voice laced with intrigue.

There was only silence in response, leaving Leo perplexed. However, Felicia chimed in, recognizing the voice immediately. "That's Yurei," she explained.

Both Leo and Wendell were taken aback by this revelation. "Wait, what?" Leo exclaimed, his surprise evident. "Yurei can talk?!"

The unanswered questions swirled in their minds, leaving them with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. Yurei, the enigmatic figure who had brought them together, held many secrets, and it seemed that they were only scratching the surface of his mysterious nature.

As the team departed from their vehicle, waiting at the rendezvous point, their thoughts were filled with anticipation and uncertainty.