Clipped Wings

Chapter 4

I hear my alarm ring, getting out of bed with a grunt as I stretch, my wings flexing out. Wait, wings?! I turn my head and notice a plumage of red feathers, they were back. I had my wings again. I gave them a quick flap and another one feathers fell off, no, no this wasn't right. it wasn't molting season yet. I flapped again; more feathers fell off until I only hat nubs where my wings used to be. I watched the feathers float off the ground, rushing past me and swirling around another figure as he came closer and closer. He swiftly and tightly grabbed my neck. I felt so weak all of a sudden, a voice spoke out soon after, almost taunting me "Hawks, you did so much to be a hero, and on top of all that. You killed Twice. You might have wings, but you're no angel" he said as blue flames burst out from his hand.

"No!" I scream, bolting up from bed, I felt my heart race, I tried to take a breath, but it was so difficult. I rose my hand, shaking violently as I pulled the covers up. I looked at the time, reading 6:00am I try to put my phone down on my nightstand, only to have my phone fall between it and the bed, I curse under my breath. Getting up was a challenge, my legs felt like Jell-O, weak, wobbling, shaking, and yet I somehow managed. I grab my phone and place it properly on the stand, going to a shelf next to it and gingerly picking up an Endeavor plush my mother had gotten me, even it was to stop me begging.

I hug it a bit, using it like an anchor pint to keep myself grounded as I feel another rush of emotions wash over me. I took a few deep breaths, letting my body relax. After what seemed like a moment, I got dressed and headed outside. I wanted to visit that shelter I had seen on my walk. I plugged the address into my phone and walked outside after getting dressed.

I followed my phone to the shelter, stopping at the doors as I slowly opened and walked in. I looked around as different smells hit me all at once, couldn't really pinpoint any of them though. I shook my head, snapping myself back as I walked over to the kitchen, and seeing someone just a little younger than me, maybe 17, or 18 I wasn't sure. She wore a big smile while giving an old lady, who seemed like they lost an arm some soup, "I can help whoever is next" she said, and I walked up she gave me a glance, I wished she didn't know who I was, but the scar on my face was too noticeable she gave me a bowl of soup as well with her smile, I just gave it to someone else "I'm here to volunteer" I spoke sheepishly. Her eyes light up and nods "come to the back, Martha will take care of you oh, and I'm Aya, you're Hawks, right?" I just nod "I used to be" I reply as Aya tilts her head "what do you mean, used to be?" I look at her, almost roiling my eyes "I got no wings, I'm not a hero" I mutter as Aya gave a cup of coffee to another person. Aya just shrugged and lead me over to Martha, who was sitting at a desk with a computer, spreadsheet and a cup of freshly brewed coffee in hand. Martha looks like she had been doing this for years, her genuine warm smile, the slight wrinkles around her eyes. She stood up and walked over, extending her hand, which I took in response "I heard you wanted to be a volunteer" she said, in a motherly tone that I had forgotten about "Yea, if I can that is" Martha looked at Aya. who just nodded and threw me a apron "when you put it on, follow me to the kitchen" she said.

I took a deep breath, following her to the kitchen as she handed me cups of hot cocoa "give these out to the people first" she said. I nodded and handed out the cocoa, each person nodding in appreciation, a few recognized me and gave me a sympathetic glance. Great, just what I needed, more people know who I was, but then again, I was the number 2 hero for a while, I think my 'self-sacrifice' would've made my popularity soar if the commission was still around. I just focused on helping people, giving them blankets, or food, or anything else they might need. I was helping again, I wasn't a hero, but I was helping.  

Aya looked at me as the day slowed down and everyone went to bed "You know Hawks, sometimes the best kind of help is help when you don't have powers" I glanced at her blankly, trying to figure out what she was talking about. I shrug "I mean, I guess, having a quirk can also help people" she nods while cleaning the dishes "true, but what about after the fight?" she asked "what about those people who lost their home due to a villain attack?" I looked at her. I hadn't really thought about it, I mean I did. but i was too focused on being a hero. Aya spoke again "what about those people who lost their home because of the fight between All for One and All Might? how about the nomu attack that you and Endeavor stopped?" I looked at her and then the running water I wasn't sure. 

After doing the dishes, and getting everything cleaned, I walked home, thinking about what Aya had said, about how some people were homeless because of the attacks. I finally make it home, unlocking my door and heading inside. I fall on my bed. This was probably the longest time I had ever been on my feet, and it felt good, I was able to help people. I take a few deep breaths, let them out, letting sleep take over.