(Ace Katsuro)
I didn’t know how long I buried my face in my hands. There was so much to take in. There were too many things flooding my mind. Old memories of what already happened. I could feel my heart panging against my chest. After a brief pause, I felt hands on my shoulders.
I raised my head from my hands, turning to Laura who gave me a worried look.
“Ace, I know it’s a lot to take in, and I know you’re feeling really troubled right now, but we have to figure out what to do next. I can try to help ease you on the way, but we have to make a start, okay?” She offered a sad smile.
I nodded slowly.
“Actually, when you guys were unconscious, Lena and I measured your bodies so we could get new clothes for you guys,” Laura explained. “We knew you guys were busted, but you were obviously going to wake up eventually, so that’s what we did in the meantime. We tried finding any stores that were still intact. Then, we decided to meet her and Mira.”
Mira? I began to feel uneasy, so I decided to focus on something else.“New clothes?”
“Well, it’s not like you have a shirt anymore.”
I looked down at myself. She was right. I could still feel the bandages around my skin.
I thought back to when I was losing myself. It must’ve ripped. I shook my head. “I need to see what the city looks like. But…I’m not so sure about seeing Mira.”
“Let me take you to the bathroom.” She lent out her hand.
I hesitantly held it, letting her take me there.
She handed me the clothes before closing the door. It was a black shirt, with black jeans and a red sweater with two large black stripes at the back. I wore it slowly, making sure I didn't hurt myself too much. I washed my shoes in the sink and dried them off before wearing them again. I unravelled the bandage around my head before examining my head wound. It should be fine. MY hair is covering it anyway.I tossed the bandage in the trash before turning the doorknob to exit the bathroom. Laura was waiting for me.
“Oh my god!” She gushed. “You look so amazing and cool! Red and black are so your colours!” I gripped onto my shirt with a pained expression.
She frowned. “What’s wrong? Is it hurting? Should I get painkillers?”
“It’s not that,” I replied before she could say anything else. “It’s just, you took me here and you even thought about getting me clothes…but why? Why did you…save me?”
Laura raised her eyebrows. “Huh? Oh, I see!” She placed her hand on my head and I nearly flinched, considering she was huge. “Ace, I think you’re being way too hard on yourself. It doesn’t matter if others see you as dangerous or evil you know. After all, deep down, you’re just a kid-we needed to save you. Besides, Mira cares about you too. In fact, she trusts you. Whoever Mira trusts, we trust as well.”
That sounded so simple. So stupid. ‘Mira trusted you.’ She…still trusts me? After what I’ve done? That sounds kind of delusional.
“So did you say you wanted to see the city?” Laura asked, interrupting my thoughts.
I nodded. “Please.”
Laura stuck her arm out,revealing an exit to the haven. “Follow me.”
What I saw next was unbelievable. Buildings were smashed into another. Some were broken into pieces. Roads had cracks all over them, and cars have diverged into another as well. Houses were completely destroyed. It was a mess. I couldn’t help but gape at the scene, my chest felt tight. “What…have I done?”
“Not all of it was from you,” Laura started. “Those eruption invasions also caused this wreckage.”
Laura reached her hand to mine and held it.
I cringed, turning to her. “What?”
“Lena is probably waiting for us to meet them by the entrance of the city.”
I felt a punch in my gut, but I still managed to walk with her.
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