Scars

Chapter 5

It was as if someone hit the slow motion button on the world, and pause on me. All I could do was stare down the barrel of a gun with what seemed like no intent to move out of its view. Not even as the man slowly squeezed the trigger.

My ears rang sharply as the gun went off. Even then, my muscles refused to move. It wasn't until I was thrown to the ground that any part of me finally listened to my brain, sending my hands out to hopefully listen to my fall. When I turned my head up to where I had once been standing, Kijo now took my place. 

"No," I gasped under my breath, my eyes widening as I realized what just happened. Kijo stood on her feet, her hands in fists as I could see anger raging in her eyes. She made it seem as if she hadn't just taken a bullet for me, but the darkening of her hero costume on her hip showed otherwise. 

"Damnit, Seishin," she yelled at me, her voice tight. That was the only thing showing any sign of pain, her beady black eyes focused on the man crouched in front of her. The gun trembled in his hand as he stared up at her in fear. Not many people could take a bullet and still stand, ready to fight. "You can't just freeze up like that! You'll get yourself killed." I inhaled sharply, a shaky breath. 

"Wh-what the hell is your quirk?" the criminal asked, interrupting Kijo's lecture. She stepped toward the man. With each step, her height increased, her muscles growing, causing her hero suit to hug even more before beginning to stretch. Her horns grew as well. Her nails became like talons, her teeth becoming fangs. She looked like a devil straight out of a demonology book. Even being on her side, seeing this side of her struck fear into me.  Kijo crouched by the man, pressing her chest to the gun as she left her face inches to his, a huge grin showing off her canines. What the hell was she doing?

"I am quite literally... the devil," Kijo said lowly. The man let out a cry of fear as the gun dropped to the ground. He turned to try and scramble to his feet. Kijo reached out and grabbed the man's wrist. Someone hit fast forward with how quick Kijo moved. She brought his arm behind his back, forcing it farther than it was supposed to go. The man crumpled to the ground with a painful yell. Kijo dropped her knee into his spine, keeping him pinned as she pulled the handcuffs from her belt. As she fought to bring his wrists together, I looked up. We had an audience, a circle of citizens watching with worry. I pushed myself up from the ground. 

I felt so useless. Had they seen me get pushed to the side as my boss took my place on the business end of a bullet? And I just laid there while she still captured the criminal. I shook my head. I needed to help. I pointed at a woman in a business suit, her eyes widening in response. 

"You. Call 119. Tell them we have a man in possession of a gun and a hero was shot." The woman nodded and rushed to dig her phone from her purse. I glanced back at Kijo to check on her and saw she was struggling to cuff the man, who flopped around like a fish out of water. I knew this wasn't good. On a regular day, Kijo would easily overpower this criminal, but she was growing weak. The adrenaline was probably leaving her body at this point. 

I ran over to the fighting pair. I crouched down next to the man. "Get the hell off of me!" he shouted up at Kijo.

"Shh, just rest," I said softly, putting my palm against his forehead. 

"What the hell are you d-" As I felt a surge of energy run through my body, the man's head fell face first into the ground, unconscious. With the man no longer fighting, Kijo easily locked the handcuffs around his wrists. I glanced up at her as she tried to stand. 

"Kijo!" I exclaimed with concern laced in my voice. I quickly stood, holding out my hands in case she needed to lean on me. I could see the stain had only grew. "I'm so sorry," I pressed my hand firmly against the wound to apply pressure. She let out a hiss of pain, grabbing my wrist in protest. 

"No, don't- don't apologize," she shook her head. "I can't let a sidekick get shot on their first day, can I?" I felt the weight on my wrist grow before Kijo collapsed on me. I quickly put my arms under hers to catch her. I gently laid her onto the ground before performing any first aid as I could.

Relief ran over me as I could hear the sirens growing increasingly louder.