Eraserhead and Scribe III

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Consciousness eluded Scribe. She thought she could grasp it but the moment she tried, something pulled her back. She paused in her quest, looking behind her to see what it was that held her.

There's nothing there, pretty. Nothing but you.

She turned completely and she was back in her apartment wearing her white sundress. Shigaraki emerged from a shadowy corner. Her gaze met his. And you.

Am I here? I surely wasn't there. Shigaraki narrowed his eyes, looking her over, his hands stuck in the pockets of the long black coat. How many of me do you think there are, anyway?

She ignored the question. Who is he? Did you send him?

It was his turn to ignore her. I mean, there's me, of course, and then there was the me the doctor created, and now there's this guy. I mean, I'd be flattered if I wasn't sort of pissed off. Of course, Dabi was livid. He grinned as if that pleased him. He seemed more like himself here in her mind than he had in his own.

Why are you here, then? She sat carefully on the couch. He seemed to take that as an invitation and perched on the arm across from her.

Making sure you're gonna catch the guy. And to check... He trailed off, looking up at her through the mass of hair.

She relented. I'm fine, Tomura.

He flinched a little when she said his name, but he didn't look angry this time. His eyes rested on the bruise on her jaw. How did you know my quirk wouldn't hurt you?

She dropped her gaze. The same way you did, I guess. When you touched my face.

He took his hands from his pockets and studied them. I did know. Then. And later, in the hospital. You were the first person I touched without hurting them since...since before I killed my family. He shot her a sharp look. You've always known, haven't you?

She nodded. I think so. I can't explain it, but I think I even knew when you attacked us in the woods by the school. I remember thinking you wouldn't be able to hurt me.

His mouth had set grimly. It took me a little longer. Pretty sure I knew when I came here the first time, though. He paused, looking down. I'm sure you know my quirk has...changed. I can control it now. I don't have to hurt anyone.

But you've still chosen to. She steeled herself against the pity she still felt for him.

He looked up again. I have never been who you wanted me to be.

She sighed. No. I suppose not.

He shrugged and stood. I guess we're even, then. He bowed and turned, leaving her alone in her own mind.

Surprisingly, it was Mic's voice that finally pulled her out of the murk. She groaned. "Jeez, Mic, keep it down, would you?"

"Keep it down!" Mic roared. "You guys scared me half to death! You know I was listening to the whole thing from Eraser's pocket, don't you? I heard everything! I've already called All Might. We'll be on a plane—"

"Eraser's pocket?" Scribe opened her eyes to see she was lying on a bench and Aizawa knelt beside her holding his phone. "Oh my god, I thought you were here, you're so loud. No, Mic, don't get on a plane. We're fine. We need you there until we can get back." She started to sit up and felt a wave of nausea. Aizawa set the phone aside and supported her while the world spun around her.