Why Would It Be Different

Being a Hero

When I get home I sneak into my room but apparently I wasn't quiet enough because I hear him yell for me. I walk downstairs to face him. "Why are you home late?" I already have my muzzle back on so I sign that I was training. He comes up and grabs my jaw, turning my face to the side. "Your concealer is coming off, did anybody see you." I shake my head.

"I'll let you off the hook but it better not happen again, come on Eri." He grabs her by the arm and starts to drag her to his office. "Daddy I don't want to not again." She looks at me with pleading eyes. I yell but it's muffled. Chisaki hears me and turns "What?" I sign that Eri should have a break and his grip on her arm loosens just enough that she pulls away and runs behind me.

"She doesn't need a break, now come on Eri." I put my arm in front of her and sign do me instead. He quirks an eyebrow but grabs me harshly and growls in my ear "I'll make you regret your decision." He yanks me into his office and straps me to the chair.

He starts to slice up and down my arm cutting deeply. I keep my sounds quiet because I don't want him to know how much it hurts. "So you're trying to play the hero huh?" I don't respond and he backs away and comes back with a whip. He unstraps me and takes my shirt off. Then he grabs chains dangling from the ceiling and straps my wrists into the cuffs on the end.

He takes out his whip and starts to mark my body with harsh red stripes. By the time he finishes I have more skin that's red then normal. He unstraps me and leaves the room. Eri comes running in "No Shinsou..." She tries to pick me up and I slowly stand leaning on her as little as I can.

We slowly make our way back up to my room and when I get there I sit on my bed and she runs out. She comes back a second later with some bandages and paper towels. She pours some water on the paper towel and cleans the blood off of me.

Eventually the blood stops and she starts to wrap my torso. She starts to struggle to get it around me and I take it from her. "I got it." As I'm wrapping I can't help but think about how a little girl her age shouldn't be so used to this. It makes me angry and I decide that from then on I will do everything I can to protect her no matter how many consequences I have to deal with.

After I finish wrapping she grabs one of my shirts and hands it to me. I carefully put it on and she comes over and gives me a careful hug "Please never do that again, I don't want you to get hurt." I nod in agreement but know that I can't keep my promise.

She eventually leaves and I watch her leave sadly. I need to get her out of here. I lay down and ignore the pain. How am I going to train tomorrow, they might notice something is wrong. I try to figure out how tomorrow will work out but a wave of exhaustion hits me and I feel my eyes close and the darkness take me.

~time skip~

The next day I'm fighting off sleep throughout Math because of my lack of sleep last night. I couldn't sleep because of all the pain from my jaw and torso. I sigh knowing I'll probably have to go through it again tonight but then I remind myself it's all for Eri.

I try to pay attention to the class but I keep dozing off. "Shinsou what is the answer for number 4." I look up and focus my eyes on the board and try to work it out in my head. I start to panic and feel the stares when I hear somebody "23" I turn and see Denki and nod a silent thank you.

After class is finally done I head to the roof because that's where I eat. Once I'm on the roof I start to eat quickly because I'm starving when I hear the door open. I turn and see Denki standing there "I-I noticed you were coming up here and I didn't want you to be alone." I smile not used to such kindness and he sits next to me.

"Why were you so tired in class?" I just shrug "I didn't sleep." His eyes widened "Wait you didn't get any sleep?!? That's not healthy!" I roll my eyes and continue to inhale my food. "You must be hungry, do you want some of mine." I shake my head because even though I'm really hungry I don't want to take his food.

After I'm finished I'm still hungry but I just lean against the edge of the roof and close my eyes. I think he knew I was tired because he didn't talk to me and I felt myself drift off into a relaxed sleep.

I feel somebody shake me away and wince from the pain that shoots through my body. I open my eyes and see Denki "Come on, lunch is over we have to get to class." I sigh and rub my eyes, adjusting to the light.

We head to class and I remember myself that its the last class today and then I can go home. Although that's not much better. I remember the harsh whip and then remember what my next class is...training.

(963 words)