" 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚗 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚘𝚘𝚗 " [𝙼𝚘𝚘𝚗 𝚔𝚗𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝]

【 ２１ － Ｔｉｒｅｄ 】

The walk back was dreadfully long. You'd left Esther's body laying in the same spot after some thought, aware that carrying her body back to the apartment complex or trying to bury it would raise many questions if you were caught.

You turned the microchip over in your hand, staring at it in silence. That damn microchip. You'd treated this like a game, as if you both had multiple lives. You brought her here. You were the one that signed off on her tagging along.

You had heard what she said. That it wasn't your fault.

That didn't mean you believed her.

You could already hear Marc scolding you in the back of your mind. It was probably past midnight by now, judging by how the sky had dimmed to jet black. The only sign of illumination in the sky was the moon, shaped as a crescent, faintly glowing and revealing the shape of dark clouds.

You stuffed the microchip in your pocket, deciding to walk faster. As if it'd get the vision of the bullet hole in Esther's chest to go away. This was your fault. She'd died because of you. You'd gotten caught up in your childish emotions, thinking that your stupid powers would be enough to protect her. Against a gang? What were you thinking?

 
Now her family would have to pay for your mistake. Their sweet, young girl, lost. Because of you.

Khonshu formed at your side, looking around before turning to you with a quiet voice.
"..Child," he began, wary due to the look on your face. "Where is your friend?"

You tried to respond, but the words caught in your throat like a fish on a hook. You closed your mouth, shaking your head and staring down at the ground. Your silence seemed to concern Khonshu, who soon after disappeared. Thunder rolled in the sky, and you let out a frustrated sigh. Rain was likely about to pour.

 
You speed walked the rest of the way back, using your power to get there more efficiently. Khonshu only reappeared once you'd entered the apartment complex, stepping into one of the elevators with you. You pulled your mask off, putting it in your pocket just as Khonshu began to speak.

"I told them," said Khonshu, making you finally look up at him. He was facing the elevator doors as they closed and the elevator began to move upwards. "About you being a vigilante. I didn't mention Esther. I thought that it may be better if you tell them or if they find out on their own."
You wanted to be angry at him, but you simply couldn't bring yourself to do so. He'd at least kept one secret for you to tell on your own. You kept quiet, looking away from him once more, though a frown etched on your lips.

 
The elevator doors opened again, and Khonshu was gone. You stepped out of the elevator, wondering if you should go straight to your room or if you should confront the three. Before you even had the time to make the decision, though, the door to the three's room opened and our came a very upset-looking Marc.

"(Y/n)," he said, stopping once he was in front of you and crossing his arms. "Are you serious? Going out as a vigilante isn't a joke. This isn't a TV show, you don't just get to beat people up without consequence. You could have died tonight, or any of the other times you've done this stupid shit. Do you realize-"

"I know." Your voice, soft and quiet, seemed to cut the air when you interrupted. "I'm sorry."
With that, you simply walked around Marc, ignoring the confused glance Steven and Jake were giving you through the elevator doors behind you. You unlocked your apartment door, stepped inside, and slammed it closed.

[Marc's POV]

"...I was expecting more of a fight than that," muttered Steven quietly, sighing. "Do you think they're alright?"

Marc stared at your closed door, his eyebrows slowly furrowing.

 
"I guess something came up?" Marc offered, though the others didn't respond. "Look, maybe they just failed their mission, or something. We should give them time before we lecture them, then we can ask about it."

He turned to the other two, who looked just as confused as he felt.

"Sounds like the safest choice," said Steven, frowning. "I don't want to get mad at them, either. Waiting it out it is, then."

Marc turned to Jake. "Any objections?"

 
Jake shrugged, disappearing from the reflection of the elevator doors. Marc rolled his eyes, walking into their room and closing it softly.

[(Y/n)'s POV]

You stared at the ceiling of your room for what could've been ten minutes. It may have been just one, you didn't know. You didn't care enough to check the time, regardless. You were laying down on your bed, blinking slowly. You wanted to cry, to burst out into tears and let out your frustrations, but you genuinely couldn't get a single tear to form. Your eyes just felt dry when you tried.

Sleep began to nag at you as you rolled onto your side and curled underneath your blanket, closing your eyes. You had school tomorrow. You needed rest. The events of tonight weren't going to change, no matter how long you stayed awake

Your eyes soon drifted shut, and you succumbed to the overwhelming exhaustion creeping over your body.

[End]

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Shorter than normal, I knowwww 

I'll write more for next chapter dw <3