Sanctuary (Karma Akabane x OC)

Beyond the Limit

"Doesn't the sky look beautiful."

Silver moonlight spilled through the open blinds, illuminating the bedroom just enough to navigate through the toys scattered on the ground.

Katsuna rolled her head against the pillow, gazing in wonderment as she followed her mother's eye to the glistening sparks of light above.

"Each one is someone who has passed on from this world, forever looking out for their loved ones who are still here."

She caressed Katsuna's hand softly with a delicate finger, repetitively drawing a circle on her daughter's palm.

"I'll always be with you, my little songbird."

The warmth from her hand melted suddenly, replaced with a dread-fuelled sweat.

Mum...where are you?

Silence.

Please..

Nothing.

I-I'm..

Out of the pitch-black abyss, a pair of slender hands lunged towards her, dripping with thick red blood.

Found you.

~~~~~

Katsuna bolted upright in the bed, her heart hammering inside her chest as if she'd just run a marathon.

"Ugh~" she groaned, slamming a hand against her forehead as a throbbing pain surfaced.

Huh.. bandages?

"Hey, be careful!"

With her head hanging low, Katsuna side-eyed a certain redhead before breathing in deeply.

So, it was just a nightmare.

She settled her head back against the plump white pillow, taking a moment to scan her surroundings with a clear head.

This looks like the main campus infirmary..

I must have been in some serious trouble if the principal allowed a Class 3-E student in.

Wait..

Oh, I see..

He wants to keep a close eye on me just in case I slip up.

Of course.

"What are you thinking about?" Karma interrupted, staring intensively at the girl.

Katsuna focused her attention back on the boy, hesitating slightly before answering.

What if he heard me?

I need to play it off.

"I was trying to remember what happened," she replied gingerly, her own words triggering the memory of rushing water.

"Teresaka's plan didn't work out like he hoped," Karma briefed, explaining Shiro's involvement and the explosion of the dam.

"At some point in the panic, you were sucked under the water's current and most likely hit your head on ground, causing you to become unconscious."

"Sounds like just another average day," Katsuna joked, but the tension in the room only grew.

"Why did you get in the water if you knew you couldn't swim?" Karma chastised, narrowing his eyes, "Do you realise how incredibly stupid that was?"