Eraserhead and Scribe V

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Aizawa managed to watch most of the interview quietly, but when she loosened the handcuff, his muscles tensed. He wanted to ask her if she knew what she was doing, but he also didn't want to distract her. No matter. If he had to, he'd go through the observation window. Even made from two-way safety glass, it would shatter if a chair was thrown at it hard enough.

He watched her play the undercover villain almost too convincingly and wondered if this was what the underworld thought Scribe was. A villain in love with Tomura Shigaraki who used her status as a hero—and Eraserhead's wife—to gather information for Shigaraki.

It made him feel a little sick.

Doesn't matter what a two-bit criminal like him thinks, my love. He looked up and caught her looking directly at the window, still holding the villain's arm down on the table. Her eyes met his as if she could see him. She blew him a kiss and smiled. "I'm done here."

The villain looked startled. "You mean you—"

"Not a double agent." Scribe looked at him. "What you think of as my 'cover story' is the only story that counts." She gave him a thoughtful look as Aizawa and Tsukauchi entered. "Though if I do get in touch with Spinner, I'll be sure to let him know how helpful you've been." She stepped aside as Tsukauchi led the sputtering prisoner away, then turned to Aizawa. "Well, this may be helpful."

He studied the piece of paper. "Are you certain you're up for this?"

"I think it might be the only way I'll ever sleep a full night again." She sighed. "Somehow my nightmares are tied to that girl. Whether it's just worry about what Shigaraki did with her or what she did to me, I don't know. But I know I won't rest until I know she's safe...and not hurting anyone else."

Aizawa blinked, a little surprised. It honestly hadn't occurred to him to wonder if the child was hurting anyone else. The attack on Scribe had seemed so instinctive. The action of an angry, lonely, confused child. But truthfully, if she was under Shigaraki's control now, she could be used as a very effective weapon. The thought disturbed him. "Maybe that's what we should be looking for? People with injuries similar to yours?"

"Would it even be similar to mine?" She shook her head doubtfully. "My own quirk and what the doctor had already done to me may have been what kept me from being comatose from the beginning. Or they might have worsened the effects of what Hina did. My point is that we need to find her. And make sure she's getting the guidance she needs before it's too late."

He nodded. "Agreed. But let's do it the right way." He took the paper from her as Tsukauchi entered and handed it to him. "You'll check it out?"

Tsukauchi nodded. "We can even arrange for a meeting with Spinner with an undercover agent first. Then bring Scribe in."

Aizawa nodded. "I think that would be best."

"Shota, I—"

He shook his head. "No. There's no need in taking any chances. Let the police handle their end of this first, make sure it's even something we can arrange."

"It might truly be for the best, Scribe." Tsukauchi looked thoughtful. "Any intel we manage to gather from this needs to be solid. If we send in an undercover agent first, it might be invaluable to you when you go in." He paused. "Could be the difference between life and death."

Scribe groaned, but she knew it was useless to argue. She nodded reluctantly. She and Aizawa left, promising to return when the operation was in place.

***

On the train ride back, she leaned her head on Aizawa's arm, the motion of the train somehow soothing to her. Fortunately, there weren't many people on their car, and they found a spot near the back.

Are you all right?

She looked up at him and smiled a little at the concern in his eyes. Fine. I think the adrenaline is wearing off, though. Just so tired.

Relax. Take a nap. I'm here.

She laid her head on his shoulder. You have no idea how much that means.

She must have drifted off because when she opened her eyes, she was in her apartment above the bookstore. She looked around cautiously. She was wearing her white sundress. Did that mean Tomura Shigaraki was there? She couldn't see him. "T-Tomura?" She whispered the name, not even sure if she wanted to know if he was there. Her voice echoed in the space of her mind. She winced.

Why am I here if he isn't?

I'm here, pretty. Just not sure I want you to see me right now.

She turned in the direction of his voice, but he wasn't more than a shadow. She took a hesitant step toward him. Why? What's wrong? She took another step.

He held up a hand to stop her and she gasped. It was covered in blood. Tomura, what's happened to you?

Nothing I didn't ask for, pretty. He laughed but it had a painfully manic edge to it. Nothing I don't want. But what is it you want?

Me?

I'm sorry about the nightmares. I've tried to stop. Eraser's not going to be happy to know our connection's still there, is he? He took a step out of the shadows and she could see his face. He looked around. I've always been able to keep it together better here than in my own head.

Tomura, do you need help? Is that what the nightmares are about? She took another step toward him and stopped when he doubled over as if in pain, his face contorting in a silent scream. She gasped and covered her mouth at the agony she saw on his face. Somehow this was worse than the nightmares. Because it's real. Whatever is happening to him is really happening.

Suddenly he stood directly in front of her, and he was covered in blood, but he was upright. He wasn't wearing a shirt and she could see streaks of blood across his chest. I'll try to stop the nightmares. Is that what you wanted from me?

Oh God. She couldn't think, couldn't even begin to figure out what she could possibly want from him in this condition. All she really wanted to do was find a way to help him. Tomura, please...

He smiled through the blood on his face. A droplet of blood on his top lip dripped to his bottom lip as she watched. Always the hero, aren't you? He lifted a bloodied hand to touch her then stopped, holding it up in front of his own face, transfixed. I shouldn't have come. I just can't seem to say no to you. He turned to go, but as he did, he doubled over again, then fell to his knees. As she watched in horror, he flung his head back but the scream that came out wasn't silent this time. And it wasn't pure pain or fear, either. What truly horrified her was that he almost sounded triumphant.

And then he faded, leaving her alone. For a moment, she stared at the spot where he'd been. Then she went to the bed and climbed in, covering herself with the blankets completely.