When Athena Descends (a specops fanfic)

encounter

the sun beat down on my pink bucket hat, tugged down to shield my eyes from the light.

a quick glance around me verified that there was very much a reason to worry, momentary glimpses through the crowds revealed an increasing number of police were gathering.

the previously confident atmosphere that had been radiating throughout the protest shifted into something more unsure, leaving me to nervously tug at my backpack straps.

I looked over and made eye contact with my friend that I had attended the march with, attempting to convey my growing concern to him without causing any more unrest.

police officers quickly moved around the perimiter of the crowd, blocking off most exits with their riot shields and drawing large weapons.

as if a switch had been flipped, Kuren grabbed my hand and pulled me to the left, aiming for the small clearing on the side of an apartment building.

other protesters also picked up on the urgency and moved to flee, or brace for impact, crys of shock and outrage echoing throughout the street.

tightening my grip on Kuren's hand, I felt my body battered by the panicked movements of the people around us, an occasional elbow to the shoulder or chest stealing the air from my lungs.

eventually we split away from the crowd and I felt myself being pulled behind a large electrical box before deafening shots rang through the area.

Kuren threw himself over me, pressing my cheek into the cold metal that had become the only protection we had.

I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for the agonizing minutes to crawl by, hoping the police would cease to brutally attack the protesters.

shouts and shrieks of agony seemed to come from every angle, unarmed people feeling the pain of rubber bullets largely for the first time.

when I opened my eyes after the shots became less frequent, my jaw dropped instinctively.

a single person was holding their ground against the masses of police, other protesters having fled or collapsed onto the ground.

before I could process what had happened, the person lit what looked like the tip of a bottle on fire and sent it sailing over the barricade.

seconds later, an explosion within police ranks caused them panic and momentarily cease fire.

the person, decked out in protective armor, utilized the time they had bought to help up fallen protesters and shuffle them to safety.

I gaped at the figure, almost envious of their relentless strength and mental resilience.

Kuren shook me out of my daze, shouting at me to run while we had the chance.

We sprinted away, my neck still craned to catch any glimpse of the mystery vigilante.

'did you see that?? ren, did you see that person who threw the explosive??' I rambled excitedly, once we had rounded the intersection.

he nodded slowly, 'they have balls, that's for damn sure.'

I grinned, pushing my hands to my cheeks in a vague attempt to quell the persistent flush.

people around us were murmuring in small groups, praising the figure, who was apparently part of a special unit that operated among the protesters, identified by their heavy gear and anonymous logos.

I jumped in awe before wincing slightly. Kuren still noticed and shot me an apprehensive look.

I smiled sheepishly and looked away, brushing it off.

'Leila, let me see your ankle.' he spoke with a hint of a reprimand, having previously told me to inform him of any physical injuries.

I sighed and plopped down on the pavement, thankful for the shade cast on us by the towering buildings.

tugging off my shoe and then sock, I squinted in disbelief at the purple mess that was my ankle.

I had assumed that I had sprained it at some point during the confusion of the crowd, but now that the adrenaline was wearing off, the pain continued to worsen.

there seemed to be a point of impact directly below the angle bone of my right foot, perhaps caused by the ricochet of a rubber bullet.

I cringed slightly, reluctant to cast my gaze back up at Kuren, knowing he had most likely donned a terrifying expression.

he just scowled at my foot, grabbing my sock and shoe before stuffing them into his bag and hoisting me off the ground.

I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, startled by the sudden movement.

'can we-' I started, Kuren cutting me off with a sharp 'no'.

I pouted sullenly, doing my best to scour our surroundings for a hint of the armoured protester while he hauled me off to the nearest medical centre.