CATALYST ☆ b.katsuki

★·.·'¯'·.·★ prologue ★·.·'¯'·.·★

╚»★«╝ 𝒫𝒪ℐ𝒮𝒪𝒩 ℋℰ𝒜ℛ𝒯 ╚»★«╝

"there are wounds that never show on the body, but are deeper and more hurtful than anything that bleeds"

prologue

☆

It was dark and cold in cell number seventeen, its inmate's cheek pressed against the damp concrete floor as blood trickled out of her nose and down the side of her cheek. The cuffs biting into her wrist grew tighter as she pulled uselessly at the chains. Her limbs sprawled across the floor, bruised and battered.

Footsteps drew nearer, approaching the bars of the cell, and her body tensed in fear at the sight of familiar black dress shoes. A lock clicked, the door slowly creaking open.

The pair of shoes walked towards her, and before she could move, calloused hands grabbed her, unchaining her and dragging her through the door. Her weak and scrawny legs struggled to keep up with the man as he walked, and she continued stumbling over her bare feet. Eventually, the man dragging her had enough, and picked her up by her hair, throwing her against the wall. She cried out as her back made impact, but tried to keep as quiet as possible to avoid getting punished further.

"Stand up and walk, seventeen." The voice commanded.

Her eyes were trained on her uncovered feet as she slowly stood. She didn't see as he raised his arm and connected the back of his hand to her cheek.

"SPEAK WHEN YOU'RE SPOKEN TO!"

"Y-yes sir, I'm sorry." Her small voice squeaked out. It was hoarse, wavering in fear. Hands clamped on her wrist again, continuing the dragging. Eventually, they made it to a large metal door, and he knocked three times before a muffled voice said to come in. The door opened and she was thrown into the room, her palms slapping against the floor. The man in the suit shut the door and left, leaving her with the man she knew as Master.

"Hello, child." His rough voice cooed, sending chills down her spine. She pulled her dress tighter over her knees.

"H-hello Master." She mumbled, not meeting his gaze. Her body stiffened as he lifted her up by under the arms and set her down on a metal table.

"You've been here for over a year now, I think it's time that quirk of yours gets removed, don't you agree?" He asked, his voice mocking tenderness. She remembered he would always say that her power was rare, that he needed it. He told her it would help him make a better society someday. She did not want to give it up, she wanted to hold onto it for dear life, but knew what the consequences would be if she protested.

"Yes Master, i-if that's what you want."

"Very good. Now hold still, this may sting a bit." Her eyes squeezed shut, bracing herself. It felt like hands reached through her chest and clamped around her heart. She choked out a breath, gasping as the hands squeezed harder. It was as if any energy she had was slowly draining, like she could melt into a puddle right on the ground. She slumped down, barely able to hold herself up. Just as she felt the last of her energy being depleted, the hand let go, leaving her gasping for air.

Her eyes fluttered open, seeing the man staring at her. Square jaw, darkish grey hair, older but not quite middle-aged. She looked down, realizing there wasn't a hole in her chest like she had thought. It was purely mental, but it felt more real than anything she could remember.

"You are very strong, viper. Good job."

Her head grew fuzzy as she looked down at her hands. She was shocked to see a black snake wrapped around her wrist. She looked up at him, knotting her eyebrows together in silent question.