To Let the World Burn

Burning

"Useless fucking nerd. Can't do anything." 

He set off another one of his famous explosions and the pain rippled through my entire being. I could feel and smell the skin on my chest burning as he ruined yet another one of my uniforms.

More words. More insults. All fell deaf on my ringing ears.

More explosions. More excruciating pain. All to be repeated the next day.

More scars. More memories. Never to be forgotten.

I relived the same moments over and over, day by day. The hours flew fast during the day and it seems as if my only break from the loop was this edured torture, because this is where time finally decides to move slowly. This is where every sense is heightened and every second was drawn out.

I was falling, screaming, crying, pleading and begging. It never stops. It will never stop. I will be stuck in this unfathomable and infinite cycle until the end of time.

Sweating and panting, I sat straight out of bed. The phantom pain from those cursed memories burned through my body. I wanted to scream, cry, do anything that might help the pain go away, but I've been through this enough times that I know it won't help anything. The only thing that would happen is that it would wake up my mother.

I tried to calm myself, breathing in for 5 counts, holding for 6, and exhaling for 7. I repeated this rhythm until my heartbeat slowed down and I could no longer feel the burning sensation on my skin.

I looked over at the digital clock on my bedside table. All Might themed, like everything else in my room was. I should get a new one. It was 4:30 am. Not when I particularly wanted to start my day but it's not like I've ever been able to go back to sleep after these dreams.

I decided to take a shower, feeling gross and covered in sweat.

I did my morning routine quietly before going on a walk, writing a note to my mother so she wouldn't worry about me. I put sweatpants and a hoodie on while grabbing my wallet, phone, earbuds, and apartment keys.

The night air was cool and refreshing. I put my earbuds in and started listening to music. It allowed me to clear my mind and think a little better.

I thought about many things. The dream I had. Kacchans explosions. The sludge monster. All Might on the rooftop. The stranger in the alley that I talked to. I thought about the words that were said to me yesterday by heroes. They told me off for doing their job properly. My mind was brought back to the kinder words of the villain.

I thought about other things too, like how I get to have the day off and how I don't have to see Kacchan today. I thought about how I should redecorate my room to not be an All Might shrine and get a new alarm clock. I thought about how I should go grocery shopping soon.

More importantly, I thought about the card. I thought about what the card was for. I thought about how I should report the card and suspicious activity to the police, but for some reason I didn't feel the need to.

The villain wanted me to join this "league" of his. Me. A villain. Working alongside other villains. I couldn't picture it. I wanted to shake the thought of me being a villain away but it wouldn't leave my head.

As I walked, I pictured myself being a hero instead, but I could tell the spark wasn't there anymore. I think I still might want to help people though, just not as a hero. Maybe I should become a police officer like All Might said, or a firefighter. Something of the sort.

My legs continued to walk as the gears continued to turn, but suddenly I shivered and had that feeling of being watched. I turned around, but saw no one was nearby. I got freaked out and started jogging back home.