Angels (book 2)

29

During Demons chapters 2 through 4

He couldn't run.
He couldn't even walk.
Kai Shindo was completely trapped and chained to the wall in a room that he had no clue how or when he entered.

There were other people there. Some old and some way too young. He could just barely see the top of a kids head, but from this angle he couldn't see more than some messy black hair.

He glared at the man that entered with unfathomable hatred. He had to get out of here. He had to face the challenge ahead like the hero he wanted to be.
But what would it cost?

Out running the giant lizard was easy, child's play. But not for the older folks. Kai had started training himself when he was a kid. He was planning on going to UA highschool so he could make a better life for his family. So he could make money for his mother and little siblings.

But unless he could break out of this placed he'd have to wait for pro's.

And they'll come, he was sure of it.

He was currently worried for his Mom. She had a job making barely over minimum wage and also had a bunch of little kids to watch after. The neighbor's would help babysit while Kai was gone he knew that.
And once he got out and became a pro he'd pay them back twice what the would have charged.

He'd buy Yo a bike like he wanted.

And get his sister Sue a bunch of dresses for her favorite doll.

And he'd get all of them everything they needed to make it big in life. To do whatever they wanted.

He just had to make it out of here.

He looked up when the door opened again.

Another person made it past.

He watched as they shuffled in staring at their outstretched hands that were soaked in blood.
It was the kid.
It was a little girl with big grey eyes that seemed hollow in the moment. She had two red horns sprouting from her head.

She sniffled once and rubbed her face, streaking blood on it as tears formed in her eyes.

"Hey."
He called out to get her attention. Which he did. She looked up in fear and he immediately pited her, his half built escape plan falling apart in his head and he promised he wouldn't just get himself out. He'd get this kid out too.
Because he was a hero, and that's what heroes do.

"How old are you?"
He asked and she hesitated before squeaking out an answer.

"Ten."

She was a year younger than Yo and looked like she could be one of his siblings. She had dark black hair a eyes only a few shades lighter than his mom's. Kai had his father's eyes and he veiwed them a curse. He had no good memories of the man.

He got up and approached her like he would a deer that he didn't want to scare off. He had to be slow, gentle and calm.
He'd learned about comforting victims when listening to Interviews of pro heroes and such.

He reached out and took her hand before leading her slowly to the bathroom. He couldn't help but wonder how she made it through that room, and even worse.
How would she make it out? She was just a kid, there's no way she knew enough about her quirk to use it in combat.

But as he began to wash her hands and face he realized that none of the blood was hers.

"What's going to happen?"
She asked looking up at Kai, without a trace of hope in her eyes.

Kai responded with the only honest answer he could think of.
"We're going to fight.

..............

It had been a year.
He'd killed so many people, and he could remember each of their faces clearly.
He was sitting on his bed with his head in his hands as he waited to be called out again.

Mai was curled up behind him getting the sleep that she desperately lacked.
He was worried for her.
She barely showed emotion anymore.

Her eyes were always hollow. She didn't cry anymore. Kai hated to think it but he knew she was breaking.

The door opened and Kai stood up.
'They're early.'
He observed walking over when commanded.
He started to turn down the hall in the direction towards the arena to the fight that would be his last but was stopped.

"This way."
The guard ordered shoving Kai in the right direction.
"Amaya Keiji wants to speak with you."
He stayed and Kai couldn't help but feel

absolutely terrified.