On the Run

Attack Pt.3

Content Warning: Slight gore using acid.

Bakugo's head was bowed, shoulders hunched with his hands fisting his ash-blond hair, leg bouncing heavily. He sat at the dining table, away from the suffocating gazes of the others. His mind races, remembering the Nomu of the past. He remembered the first time he encountered one, how he could've died. He remembered the day an attempt of a save had occurred. He remembered the surprise attack from the Nomu, again.

He thought he could escape them all. They weren't supposed to exist anymore. The scientist who made them was in a maximum security prison. The research itself was destroyed, and the methods used to conjure these demons were banned by Japan. Anyone who could've had any connection to the scientist was either imprisoned or dead. It should've been impossible.

Or at least he thought.

He hadn't noticed his teeth grinding until he felt a small hand press his bouncing leg. His head whipped to the offending limb, recognizing a familiar brown hand.

"Big hair?" he croaked, voice rough from disuse.

Her satin bonnet flopped to one side on her head, and her big brown eyes were fretful and scared.

"Mr. B? You ok?" she asked, her voice quiet.

Bakugo inhaled deeply. "Not really, kid."

She raised her hands, and Bakugo pulled her onto his lap.

"What's wrong?" she asked, making herself comfortable.

He exhaled. "I'm worried about your crazy ma."

"Mama's not crazy," she defended with a pout.

He rolled his eyes. I beg to differ.

"You're right," he amends. "She isn't crazy."

She jumped out of her fucking mind and fell into insanity.

Kya feels the tense air, cuddling closer to Bakugo. Her little brown arms wrap around him in silent comfort. Bakugo stiffens, unused to the affection shown by the little girl. His arms come around her, squeezing.

"Why aren't you sleeping?" he murmurs into her bonnet.

"I'm scared," she whispers, hiding her face in his chest.

"You worried 'bout ya mom?"

A muffled sound of affirmation. His gaze shifted to the ceiling, wondering if the kids knew what you were doing.

Bakugo nods in understanding. "She's gonna be fine, Spitfire. She can handle it."

He isn't sure if that's for him or her. But he hopes it helps her. Kya doesn't answer, squeezing him tighter.

They stay like that under the dim light of the dinner table, and Kya falls asleep. Bakugo remains awake.

I hope.

...

You landed on the grounds of downtown Chicago, a dizzy spell washing over you. It disappears, though Ghostruner's doesn't seem to. You lead her into an abandoned coffee shop, providing her with food to rest. Her skin seemed paler than normal, and part of her hands seemed to have faded.

"Rest as much as you can. You've done so well."

With a nod and shared look of determination, you sprint through the streets of downtown, following the sounds of terror and fear. You run in the opposite direction of the mob. You see other heroes, leading traffic away from the commotion. Cars are abandoned on the busy downtown road, and when you glance through the windows, there isn't anyone there.