RED (Dianakko)

18

When morning came around the next day, Akko quickly got ready and headed to Josie's room, knocking loud enough to be heard, looking around suspiciously down the hall, as she waited for someone to come at the door.

"Oh hey Akko, did you need anything?" Sharley asked in clear confusion.

"Is Josie here, this is really urgent," Akko said quickly, hoping that Josie was still in her room.

"Yea, she's currently in the bathroom right now, come on in," Sharley responded, opening the door for Akko to squeeze in, taking the bottle of water that Sharely offered her.

"Sit, no need to be nervous," she laughed, grinning at the nervous girl that was moving side to side, clearly not sure what to do with herself.

"Ah Akko what can I do for you?" Josie said, appearing from the bathroom fully clothed, hair slightly damp.

"Daryl came to me last night, and well she told me that she notified Luna Nova, um the school I use to go too before all this happened, and I'm just worried about people the I care about in danger if they attempt to find," Akko explained, feeling all her nervousness disappear after telling her commander her current predicament.

Josie signed out loud in frustration, sitting down on the bed, rubbing her temple; "That's not good Akko, your right to be worried about this, specially with this kind of job, we're still not sure who's going after Ms. Cavendish at this moment, if they do come, try to persuade them back, if this gets to Ixtec, who knows what he'll do," she said.

"But for now go on with your business,"Josie finalized, getting up once more, shooing Akko out the door.

Even after that Akko felt her nerves getting the better of her, constantly looking around for her friends, straining her ears in case any familiar voices could be heard, but after a while of just wandering around, she decided to busy herself by doing some new exercises Josie had taught her to build more strength.

But despite all the efforts she made her mind was still thinking about all the possibilities of seeing them again, her heart fluttering at the mere thought of hugging anyone of them, that maybe there was hope for her to get out her current situation, but deep down Akko knew better, because what gave her the right to beg her friends to even risk their lives just for her, and what if they care anymore and that she was worried about this for nothing, and that they simply moved on from her, no longer caring whether she's dead or alive at this point.

And after hours of hoping and doubting, she finally exhausted herself completely, both mentally and physically, not even able to greet others as she passed by, trying to make it to her shared room, immediately crashing onto the bed and blacking out.

Couple of days have passed by, and Akko eventually stopped worrying about anyone tracking her down, despite being disappointed that no one went after her, she was glad that no one that she still cares about is being put in danger because of her.

"Earth to Akko, your shift is up, also Josie wants to talk to you," Jamie said, popping out of nowhere.

"Ah ok, see you later then," Akko yelped, finally coming to her senses, waving goodbye to Jamie, jogging to the only place that Josie likes to reside in since they got here.

But before Akko could stop herself, she ran straight into someone, both of them landing on the ground, the person groaning underneath her; Akko quickly got up, apologizing profusely both in english and japanese.

"Akko?" Lotte said, her voice cracking, as she shakily walked up to Akko, before throwing her arms around the frozen girl.

Before Akko knew it, she was surrounded by many bodies, but instead of the relief that she expected, she felt suffocated and scared, realizing this just got more complicated.

Akko slowly removed herself from the group, surprised to see Headmistress Holbrooke, Professor Finnelan, and Croix among the group; Akko backed away from them, wanting to say so many things, but the words where stuck in her throat, unable to come out, so she closed her mouth and looked down, trying to find the best way to tell them they have to leave without her, to move on, because she was beyond saving.

Diana walked up to Akko, tears slowly rolling steadily down her face; "Your ok, by the nine you're actually here," she said, hugging the other girl again, this time tightly, afraid that this might be another nightmare where she disappears in smoke again.

"You guys can't be here, you need to leave now," Akko stated bluntly, not wanting to prolong their stay.

Diana backed away, disbelief clear on her face, "Please Akko, we're helping stop whatever is happening," she said with complete sincerity.

"I understand that, but you guys have no idea what's even happening, you're coming here blind to a real threat," Akko responded, looking away from the familiar faces.

"Akko is right, you don't know anything about these people," Josie said, popping out of the shadows, surprising everyone in the room with entrance.

"You all need to leave before causing any unnecessary problems, I'll give you two days to leave," she continued, placing a hand on Akko's shoulder, beckoning her to go ahead and leave the room.

Akko quickly left before anyone could get a word in, knowing that Josie is the best person to deal with this situation, but she couldn't help but feel like a coward that has given up already, but knowing what Iztec is planning for the world; for her, all could think about is getting on his good side so he can let her friends, her family live through the chaos that's soon to come.

She made her way back to her room, realizing she was gasping and crying, hardly breathing. She hasn't felt like this in a very long time; she made her way towards the bathroom, turning on the shower, making sure it's on its coldest setting, curling up as the water drenched her.

After overcoming her panic attack, she was able to sleep, but all that greeted her was nightmare after nightmare, becoming more disturbing each time, but this time it felt different, real.

Coming face to face with herself is the weirdest feeling, especially when said clone was moving on her own, not like a mirror.

But this Akko was feral, eyes so deeply red that you can hardly see the iris, talons for nails, and horns sprouting painfully out of her forehead, blood pouring down her face.

And without any warning, the clone lunged after her, grabbing her arm tightly, breaking her arm, but Akko couldn't scream, no sound would come out, her throat tight, making it hard to breathe.

The clone then made another lunge, her talons ripping through her flesh, blood spraying all over the clone.

The pain was overwhelming her, feeling herself losing consciousness, still trying to gasp for air, hearing a distorted laugh, as things continued to go dark.

"AKKO!"

"Stay with us kid, we're getting help!"

"Please, please, Akko..."