My Hero Academia: The Promises We Make

Chapter 1: Predator and Prey

I know without a doubt I've made a lot of mistakes in my life. I don't regret most ironically. I did what I needed to do at the time to survive. To let us both survive.

But if I could go back and do that day over again...I would.

We weaved through the dark back streets making our way to the convenience store. I gripped her hand tightly not wanting her to get left behind. I couldn't help but notice the distinct grime that coated her hands and soft face, not to mention the slight coating of grease on her white hair. Her bright and youthful blue eyes were the only thing that kept me going. I smiled slightly as we jumped from one dark alley to the next.

The common folk don't often look down the dark alleys. They are comfortable in their little lives, only paying attention to the things that matter to them. Their jobs. Their homes. Their families. Anything outside of that bubble is just noise.

So when it comes to the undesirables, the forgotten, the homeless...and orphaned...they look away not wanting to acknowledge the imperfection that corrupts their perfect world.

To be honest, I never resented them. If I was them, I wouldn't look down dark alleys either. Why acknowledge a tragic fate if you don't have to? After all, our fate wasn't their responsibility. You make your own luck. Well...that's what my dad used to say anyway.

As we ran through the city streets, our worn-out shoes rhythmically clacking against the pavement, and the slight rotten smell of trash mixed with sewage filled my nose, I couldn't help but remember that awful, terrible, horrific day.

My ears were ringing, and my skin burned from a thousand glass cuts and road burn.

In the distance there were explosions and people screaming.

A villain attack.

I crawled my way over to the crushed yellow sedan that lay on its left side. The entire front of the car was smashed inwards. The pain in my body almost completely drowned out the incessant beating of my chest.

There was a slight groaning as I reached the car, and a visible amount of tension left my shoulders as I looked over to see Clayra was moving.

My head moved to the left as there was a visceral coughing.

"Dad! Dad!"

He moved his head slightly, looking to me.

"Connor..." His words were weak, and I almost burst into tears right there as he spoke my name.

He started coughing again, and this time I saw the distinct sign of blood blush his lips.

"Connor...you need..." He gasped with pain as he tried to move his lower body. I looked over and saw that his feet and legs were gruesomely pinned down under the crushed hood.

"Stop! Don't talk! I'm gonna get help!" My words came out frantic and desperate. "WE NEED HELP! SOMEBODY! WE NEED A HERO!" my sight grew blurry and tunneled.

I felt a brush on my arm, and I looked down to see him weakly gripping me to get my attention. It was the same grip he had done so many times. He was never one to yell at us. He would just hold our hand or pat our heads. A slight reassuring reminder that he was there. To listen or help.

"Co..nnor..." His face twisted into a slight smile. It was pained, but no less bright than it had ever been. "I...need you... to protect her...protect...each other."

I looked back to Clayra. She was breathing, I could see that.

"...Dad..." My voice broke as I couldn't stop the tears from coming anymore.

Please. Somebody help us.

"...I'm sorry... son..." His smile widened as he attempted to hide that one silent tear. "I'm sorry...to leave you... with such a big responsibility..." He turned his head as his body wracked with coughs.