DOLL. douma ✔

Chapter 22

A whole week passed.

Douma didn't return.

I would lay in my futon, spending sleepless nights.

Is he okay?
Is he....dead?

Natsu couldn't bring any news either.

It was as if he disappeared without a trace.

Anxiety filled me up.

I hadn't been in such stress since last when I came to kill Douma.

Oh, how the tables have turned.

"Please eat something," Natsu pleaded me for the umpteenth time in the day.

"I am not hungry."

Natsu kept quiet, and went away.

I remembered what my mother used to tell me as a kid.

Whatever happens, will happen for the best.

"I'm back, Y/N."

"Douma, are you okay?"

"Y/N chan, can you hear me?"

"Yes I can Douma, I can!"

"Y/N chan!"
"Y/N."

"Y/N!"

"Y/N!"

"Natsu!!" I woke up with a start. My exhaustion must have led me to sleep.

Then I felt it.

Dark fumes of smoke in my room.

I coughed violently.

"Y/N!" Natsu yelled. "We need to get out of here! The demon slayers have set fire to the District!"

⋇⋆✦⋆⋇　

"This can't be true." I said, as Natsu guided me out of the room.

There is no way the demon slayers set fire to the District.

"Where is Ayame?"

"She is no more."

I stared at Natsu in shock.

"She has been beheaded."

I stared at her in disbelief.

Is the war finally coming to an end?

As we tried to get out, we stood in horror.

The wooden planks were breaking down, the smoke and the fire had reduced our visibility.

"HOW WILL WE GET OUT OF HERE?" I panicked.

Natsu stared in horror.

"I don't know," she said slowly.

"I am not leaving you alone here."

I took her hand and sprinted, just how I did as a Hashira.

Natsu followed my lead.

But, it was becoming impossible to breathe.

A burnt body fell down in front of us, and Natsu screamed.

I could still figure out the face.
It was one of the workers here.

Natsu started to weep.

"Do not waver, Y/N."

"Let's go, Natsu. We have to escape."

The hallways seemed too long for the first time. As we sprinted from corridor to corridor, my hopes were fading.

Maybe I will die.

We are getting closer.
Isn't that the entrance?
Yes yes!

"Y/N!" Natsu held me back.

"What happened? Let's leave this place," I shouted at her, but not for long.

A burning wooden plank fell right in front of me.

Not one, some more started to fall.

The mansion was coming down.

I have to save Natsu.

"Natsu, quick run. There isn't much space for us both to escape."

"But..."

"No buts, Natsu!!"

As I got shoved away by Natsu, I stared in horror as a burning plank fell in between us.

"NATSU!!"

"Run away, Y/N! For the sake of Douma san, run away!"

I could not see her anymore.

She disappeared beyond the flames.

I looked towards the entrance, as I ran.

I couldn't protect Natsu.

Even in this situation, I could feel tears wet my cheeks.

As I fell down from exhaustion, I could only see the smoke rising up along with the flames.

I will not be able to escape.
I will die.

The door broke open.

In the blink of an eye, I saw through the last of my consciousness, a familiar face.

"Kanao?"