Morals

Fourteen

a/n- unedited

A week has passed since the mission, and the UA students have been diligent in their training. Denai and Bakugou were called only twice, but it was not to analyze the case. Things seemed to return to normal, but that was far from the truth. The reality is much more sinister. In the week following the mission, strange events occurred. 

Denai and Bakugou trained rigorously to improve on their quirks. Denai worked on reading the flow of battle, and Bakugou worked on his stamina. One morning, Denai went out to train by herself. She appreciated Bakugou's help, but she knew that if she wanted to go further into her self-improvement journey, she'd need to work alone. 

As she arrived at the area where she and Bakugou liked to train,  a foul stench attacked her nose. The scent made her gag and wretch. Getting closer, she found a bird with its head detached from its body and its entrails strewn across the ground. The sight was horrifying. Next to the carcass was a letter. It was the letter 'A' written in the bird's blood. 

Denai calmed herself before returning to the apartment with fervor. As she entered her home, her roommates stood chatting. They watched as she moved quickly to her quarters. Everyone was worried, including Katsuki Bakugou. Over the months of knowing her, he observed her habits. He knew most of what ticked her off and what excited her. He even knew what frightened her, to an extent. 

Bakugou POV

Denai came into the dorm looking scared shitless. She didn't even acknowledge us, unlike her usual greeting when she comes in. I follow behind to check if she's alright. Things have been going fine after the mission with Mirko. 

"Hey, dumbass," I called out to her

"Katsuki." She breathed out

"What's got you so freaked out?" I asked

" It's nothing." She said curtly

"When are you going to stop playing this game?" 

"What are you-" I cut her off

"Something scared you when you went out. What was it?" I sighed

"There was..." She paused

"There was a bird in the field where we train...It was dead." She looked visibly shaken

"So?" I was confused as to why it mattered.

"The head was detached, and the intestines were spread through the training grounds. There was also an A traced in blood." Her breath was uneven, and the sweat was beading down her forehead. 

"What the fuck..." I muttered to myself. 

" Show me." 

She led me to the murdered bird. As she said, it was lying in the middle of the field with its body torn apart. The most sinister part of this is the A. This was somebody's signature. I take a picture of the scene to show to Aizawa. Denai called him to our apartment, where we let him see the photo. 

" And this happened today?" He asked us

"Yes, when I went out to train this morning, I saw it and returned home," Denai stated

"You did the right thing. I'll talk to the police, but for now, you two need to find a new training spot. Someone could be targeting you." 

After that, nothing significant happened. We found a new spot to train. It was going fine, or so we thought. After a few days at this new spot, another body showed up. This time it was a rabbit. We moved spots again, and it was a cat. Next was a dog, and then a deer. Every single one had a different letter on the body. They spelled out 'Amala'.

Aizawa advised us to stay inside. The police were investigating, and the last thing they needed was us going missing. That's already happened to me, though. So, I'm not that worried about it.

The pretty extra, however, has been spiraling since she figured out what the bastard has been spelling. She's clearly agitated and paranoid, but I don't think anyone notices.

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Denai knew exactly what the message was that was being sent to them. Amala was her sister's name, the same sister who tried to take her life when she was a child. This was her doing, and there wasn't a doubt about it. Denai didn't know what to do about it. The first thought was to keep it quiet, but she knew she had to tell her mother because it also affected her. 

Her anxiety was getting the best of her, and she was on the verge of panic. A hand grazed hers and snapped her from her trance. Denai glanced up slightly to see Bakugou standing in front of her with a look of concern. He had clasped her hand in his. They stood there hand-in-hand, staring into each other's eyes. This lasted only a few seconds before Denai pulled away.

"Um, is there something you need?" She shifted uncomfortably. 

"You've been freaking out ever since this shit started happening. I know you're not going to tell me anything, so I won't ask you. But you could at least say how you're feeling." He stuck his hands into his pockets. 

"I'll keep that in mind." Denai walked away from Bakugou and into a nearby bathroom. She turned on the sink, wet her face with cold water, and looked into the mirror. 

'Get it together, Denai! Now's not the time to fall apart!' Denai scolded herself. Her eyes stung as she fought back tears. Her heart ached, and it felt like her world was slowly turning on its head. She let out silent, fearful sobs.

'Denai,' A voice called for her

'Mother?'

' Denai, I know what's been happening. Your teacher came to speak with me today.' 

'Mother..' Denai sobbed.

'She knows where you are. It's only a matter of time before she arrives...You need to become stronger or you won't survive.' 

'I know that...I know.' Tears streamed down Denai's 

Outside of the bathroom door, Bakugou stood listening to her cries. He wished to know so badly what was plaguing her, but he knew she wouldn't tell him. Denai wasn't a prideful girl, but she was very secretive. Hearing her pain, the pain that she failed to hide, caused his heart to squeeze. 

'Why won't you tell me anything?' He thought as he listened.

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