STRINGS // KATSUKI BAKUGO [2]

Chapter 9 // Heart Over Head

It would be an entire hour and thirteen minutes before your phone screen lit up with your friend's name and old contact photo.

You scrambled to grab the device off your thigh and hurried to answer Todoroki's call before pressing your phone to your ear.

"Hello?" you questioned.

You felt Bakugo place a hand on your shoulder, which he then massaged slowly. You could see him lean forward in your peripheral vision, just as desirable for information as you.

"Hey," Todoroki said, and you could tell from the slow and quiet movement of his voice that he had no good news.

"How bad is it?" you asked.

"Your mom's gone," he answered.

You bit your lip so hard that blood almost trickled out of it. You squeezed your eyes shut as they began to burn.

"Gone in what sense?" you wondered aloud.

"Disappeared," he specified. "There was no sign of forced entry, meaning whoever kidnapped her knows how to cover their tracks, or they got in via some sort of teleporting ability or a portal, something like—"

"—Kurogiri," you interrupted, releasing a frustrated sigh. "What about my dad?"

"He's safe, unharmed," Todoroki replied, "but it seems he's in shock. He won't say a word nor has he responded physically. He must've seen something that traumatized him enough to go mute."

"So they did more than just kidnap my mom?" you questioned, anger and sadness blooming in the pit of your stomach.

"Most likely," he stated, "but, unless we find a body, she's still out there, and we'll find her. Mr. Aizawa is already planning a search with squads of officers. Some minor heroes are going to pick up more patrols too."

"Todoroki, this has to be them," you said. "Who else would want to kidnap my mom other than the League of Villains. They're my only enemy."

"I know," he responded. "We all know. That's why we're making this our top priority."

"I have to come home," you rushed out. "I have to help."

"I don't think that's a good idea," he commented.

"Why the hell not?" you snapped, nostrils flared. You felt Bakugo's hand tighten on your shoulder.

"Is that [L/N]?"

You heard a voice in the distance from the other end of the call speak your name, but it was too faint for you to decipher who it was.

"Yeah, do you want to talk to her?"

"Please."

You heard rustling as Todoroki handed over the phone to the mystery individual, who was immediately revealed to you as soon as they spoke.

"[L/N], you should stay in America," Mr. Aizawa stated sternly.

"Sensei, I cannot stay here knowing my mom is missing and my dad is traumatized," you replied desperately. "I need to come home and help."

"This is clearly a ploy to lure you back," Aizawa argued. "They want you, [L/N], and they're using your mom as bait."

"Let them!" you shouted. "Don't you think I can be of help? With how much time I spent with the League of Villains, I know them best. I know how Shigaraki thinks. I can help."

"You can help by staying in America," Aizawa said. "There's a possibility that, if he sees his plan isn't working, he'll release your mom, and move onto Plan B."