One More Step (Would It Make Me Free?)

The Great Escape

Hitoshi had taken to keeping an eye out for the little girl whenever he was taken from his cell. He saw her every now and then - since she was the only other prisoner he ever saw, he figured she must be taken to Overhaul quite frequently. He'd have had to have seen other prisoners before if back-to-back "meetings" were normal. There must be something particularly unique about the girl that Overhaul wanted.

The thought made Hitoshi feel sick. He hoped she wasn't being hurt too badly. But there was nothing he could do about it right now.

In watching her, Hitoshi had learned where exactly her cell was, which would of course be important if he was going to get her out. He practically burned the location in his mind. Across the hall, four cells to the right when facing out from his own cell. She was so damn close to him. He wanted more than anything to get her out. He knew he had to wait, though. Patience was key.

This wasn't something he could afford to screw up.

Hitoshi had been taken from his cell yet again for training. He wasn't entirely upset about it. It meant he had to be given clean clothes - Overhaul wouldn't have it any other way - and he could finally change out of his vomit-stained ones.

He hadn't been hurt at all during the session, something he attributed to Overhaul's strangely good mood. It made him nervous. If Overhaul was happy about something, it was no doubt something bad. Hitoshi just hoped it had nothing to do with the little girl. It probably did, though.

He'd seen her again on his way there. She had the most haunted look he'd ever seen in her eyes. It made him want to puke. What the hell was Overhaul doing to her?

He couldn't think about that right now. It wouldn't be too much longer till he'd never be able to hurt her again. He could worry about the details once she's safe. Something that would hopefully happen soon.

Today was the day Hitoshi was planning their escape, after all. And it was just about time to make his move.

He watched as Overhaul left the room, barking an order to clean it up. There was once again blood all over the room - a common result of Hitoshi's training sessions. Overhaul always seemed fond of having him brainwash people who'd slighted him one way or another as a method of revenge while simultaneously improving Hitoshi's abilities. The sight of blood splattered everywhere didn't even faze him anymore.

Well, at least he wasn't asked to kill anyone this time. If he'd had to do that again, he didn't think he'd be in the right mindset to escape.

He was escorted out of the room by one of Overhaul's lackeys - only one this time. That was good. The less people in his way, the better.

He took a deep breath. It was now or never.

"Hey, what's with the little girl I keep seeing around here? The same one we passed by on our way to Overhaul?"

"Keep quiet. It's none of your concern." He took the bait! Hitoshi thought gleefully, taking hold of the man's mind.

In truth, it wasn't too shocking the man didn't hesitate to answer him. After the little incident where he used his quirk on Overhaul a few years ago, Hitoshi had refused to use it unless directly ordered to. No one working for Overhaul probably thought he had the guts to use his quirk without being told to, so there was no reason for them to fear answering his questions. Under normal circumstances, they'd be right.

But these weren't normal circumstances. No, now there was someone's life on the line other than Hitoshi's. Not in the sense that he was afraid of either one of them being killed - there would be no point in their kidnappings if they were dead - but that they'd both be spending the rest of their miserable lives with Overhaul, being tortured with no hope of escape.