Columns : Barnaby Brooks Jr x Reader

Judgement Day

Your call has been forwarded to an automatic voicemail.

Rhythmically tapping your fingers against your thigh, you let your body submerge further into the couch. The thought of calling again crossed your mind but was dismissed as you slid your phone from your hand and rested it on the couch arm. Instead of focusing on the device, you grabbed your remote and unpaused your cartoon reruns.

The pink and black beagle sighed and shook his head. With a pout, the uncourageous dog uttered toward the camera, "The things I do for love."

The wind brushed past your ears as you strolled down the crowded streets of Stern Bild. During your walk downtown, you brought a fresh hot dog from a nearby cart. You couldn't resist the temptation; it was on your way, and it smelt so good!

You were taking the way you knew to get to Barnaby's apartment; after lack of response on his end, you were worried. On top of that, you needed to know if you were following today's schedule; with everything happening, you didn't want Mr. Celius on your ass too. The thought of sitting in front of him lecturing you for two hours already left you exhausted. But to be honest, a part of you was looking forward to spending time with him.

Taking another bite of your hot dog, your attention diverted up at the Digital Billboards that were spread across the city. The usual ads of products and musicals were replaced with footage of people bustling throughout the streets. A boy tugged his father's hand as he pointed to the screen above.

"Look, daddy! Look! Papa's gonna see us on t.v.!"

Startled, you looked ahead of you; the boy on screen had been only a few steps away. Feeling on edge, you glared back at the screens. They continued to show the same thing; people walking throughout the city.

The screen blanked out, turning a pitch-black, before blinking back on. Scrunching your face, you held a gaze with your screen self.

"What's going on?"

"It's time for you to repent for your sins, (Y/n)." A flaming arrow pierced the hot dog you barely finished out of your hand. Your eyes landed on a masked vigilante above a building. Nowhere near your suit, you had no options to fight the person without revealing your identity.

"Repent you say? Why don't you repent on this!" Backing up, you did a fake-out before running forward. As you ran for your life, all you seemed to think about was your lame comeback. If Kotetsu heard he'd arrive at your funeral bawling in disappointment.

Weaving and dodging civilians through the thinning crowd, you realized the archer was toying with you. From the way they were trying to avoid killing you, it was easy to understand they were using you. The way they shot down the perpetrator yesterday and your poor hot dog, you knew he wasn't a terrible shot. While you ran, alluring shades of blue and green struck down streetlamps, empty tables, platters, trucks, and just about anything that wasn't you or a sinner. From the way your lungs burned as you were running to stay alive, you were sure your abilities had made you lazy. Your heart was begging you to do some cardio if you lived after this.

You ducked into a fast-food chain, stopping to take in shaky breaths. Surprisingly the inside was slow; you mentally decided to order take-out around this time at KFBurger. Pushing through the second door, you stumbled over to a seat. You snatched your phone from your pocket, powering it on, you clicked on your contacts app and dialed for Kotetsu.