See Me

SIXTEEN: Shadow

"Second floor is clear." I spoke softly into the earpiece.

I walked back to the stairwell and went down to the first floor. Rock Lock was still checking rooms, and I caught up with him as he exited the mechanical room.

"First is clear."

I nodded at him and fell into step beside the Pro. The two of us left through the front and didn't speak until we were out on the sidewalk.

"He has to be on one of the upper floors. I'm going to walk around the right side, I'd like you to go around the left." The Hero gave me a wary look and I understood his concern. He was going to call for other Pros to come.

"There is some sort of lab set up in the last room on fourth, but it's empty. Let us know if you need assistance Echo." My mentor came out of the building shortly after, and Rock Lock informed him to cover the front, as we were going around the sides.

It was odd that we hadn't heard anything from y/n, but we all knew it would take her longer to go through rooms. No news was good news after all. We were all informed to stay as quiet as possible. But something still felt off. If she found him she was to inform us, but we hadn't heard an all clear either.

"Someone should go in." I said, but there was no response. Police sirens wailed in the distance and a few other Heros were coming towards the building. One of the officers came up to me.

"Is there someone still in there?" he asked.

"Yes. Dabi is supposedly somewhere on the third floor and Rock Lock's sidekick, Echo should be closing in. We have already scoured the other three floors. All doors were locked except for bathrooms and utility rooms and a makeshift lab on the fourth floor."

The officer nodded and relayed the message back on his radio. When he turned there was a crashing noise and a potted plant sailed through the end window. Shit.

"She needs backup!" I shouted into the earpiece. A scream ripped through the chaos and as I turned my head I saw the Villain falling through the air with my best friend. And in that moment horror flooded my body and I ran. His hands were engulfed in blue flames and they held onto her tightly. I didn't even fight the sob that wracked my body as I watched them hit the ground. And the snapping that accompanied the thud stopped everyone in their tracks.

The split second of stillness was heart wrenching, as everyone watched for movement from the bodies laid out on the sidewalk. I felt my stomach turn and doubled over. How could she be so reckless? I watched as Heros and paramedics swarmed them. Rock Lock's figure appeared in the hole in the window. His face paled and his body slacked. He caught my gaze and spoke.

"I'm sorry."

I took the earpiece out and threw it on the ground.

"Why didn't she ask for help?" I asked the Hero next to me.

"Her earpiece was destroyed." The Fly replied. "What the hell happened?"