She probably looked ridiculous, stumbling through Death City in a hospital gown.
But screw that. Screw Professor Stein.
Soul was in trouble and Maka was absolutely not going to waste her time lying in bed waiting for someone else to save him.
Not knowing if Soul was okay… it was driving her to hysteria.
Kid's episode had freaked her out a little bit. As he'd grown up Kid was usually so composed. It scared her to see him so frantic. Stein had to sedate him before he injured himself, and even then he was mumbling nightmares in his sleep.
They were going to go crazy without their partners.
Maka hurriedly limped up the stairs to her apartment. Her whole body screamed at her to stop. She gritted her teeth, shoving the pain to the back of her mind and replacing it with brute stubbornness and determination.
She cursed loudly when she tripped going up the stairs and caught herself with her bad arm. Pain radiated through her bones, stealing the air from her lungs and turning her muscles to jelly.
Maka crawled the rest of the way up the steps, barely able to stand to unlock the door with the spare key under the mat.
As she stepped through the doorway a cold chill swept over her. The apartment felt so lifeless. Too quiet. Soul's half open door made her chest ache.
Maka limped to their closet where they kept their travel backpacks, arm clutched against her side. Her head was throbbing now.
C'mon, focus.
Maka snatched a dark green backpack off its hook, chest tightening when the red one with the stupid 'Eater' patch caught her eye.
Choking back a small sob Maka forced herself to her feet.
She needed him to be okay. She needed him.
Maka frantically stumbled around the apartment, knocking over random stacks of books and dishes and fighting to keep herself upright on buckling knees as she packed.
She paused in the bathroom, hands shaking as she stared at the first-aid kit perched on Soul's side of the sink.
Maka was always too eager to remember the first-aid kit when they went on missions.
The world took a violent swing and Maka's head spun. Her legs gave out and she fell to her knees, legs splaying out to either side.
How long had it been since she'd seen her partner? A week maybe?
What if it was already too late?
Maka slammed her fist against the wall behind her. What a shitty meister. She couldn't even hold onto her weapon, let alone stand long enough pack.
Pathetic. Fucking weak.
Maka closed her eyes, willing her Soul Sense to stretch as far as it would go. She wasn't sure of the exact limits of her ability. She'd managed to search the whole world when she was trying to find Crona, but that was with Soul's help.
Maka winced, pushing past Death City, past Nevada. "Soul…" her weapon's name ghosted through her quivering lips. "Where are you…"
Her soul strained under the added pressure.
Where are you.
Stabbing pain shot through her chest.
Where are you.
Maka grabbed her head, face scrunched up in agony. She stomped her feet on the ground, dug her nails into her scalp.
Where are you?
Something snapped. Fireworks went off in Maka's body, setting her skin ablaze and ripping through her nerves.
She crumpled to the floor in a heap of gaunt limbs and battered skin, and the apartment was quiet again.
Strong arms lifted her off the bathroom floor. Maka thought it was Soul, thought she was dreaming.
"Soul, I'm... sorry," she whispered against smooth polyester. "I was trying… trying… find you..."
"Shh easy, Maka."
Reality hit her like a truck.
At first she had thought the unfamiliar fabric was from Soul's suit, that her dreams had taken her to the Black room.
But it wasn't him.
Maka gasped. Tears clouded her vision but she couldn't mistake the solemn golden eyes staring down at her.
"Kid," Maka whimpered. "I can't… I can't find him. I tried. I… I can't…"
The reaper nodded and gently put her down on her bed. "I know."
Kid and Black Star stood tall in front of her; newly clothed, arms crossed. Fire burned in their eyes.
Maka hung her head. She'd never felt so pathetic.
The bed creaked under Black Star's weight as he climbed up to sit next to her. "C'mon Maka, don't cry!" He reached forward and tipped her chin up. "We're going to find them! I promise. A god like me wouldn't let you down! Right, Kid?"
Kid nodded from her bedside. "I was able to find them with Black Star's help. This isn't over yet, Maka. Soul's still alive."
Maka's heart lurched.
"Here." Black Star tossed her a set of new clothes and her Spartoi coat. "Get dressed. We're going to Canada."