She hit the floor below, dropped to her knee, ignoring the pain in her fist from punching through the roof. Debris fell like heavy rain, bounced off the floor, skipped across the ground, swallowed the area, leaving nothing but a dark shadow in a choking fog.
Mikoto Misaka brushed the dirt from her shoulders, slowly rose to her feet. With a swipe of her hand, the dust exploded outward and thinned. Her red eyes shined in the near darkness of the empty school hallway. she stood straight and tall at the epicenter of the destruction. The air circled violently around her, lifting her skirt, shorts peeking out, hair drifting side to side. She clinched her hands tight. Her determination, etched in the lines of her face, crimson colored eyes and the tips of her fangs.
Crap! She screamed, as white hot pain tore through her body, and fell to her knees. She dropped forward, catching herself before her face hit the dirty floor. The dust spread wildly as her heavy breath burst from her lungs. What the…?! She drew back, wrapped her arms around her belly. the pain like punches of lead pounded her tiny frame, bones breaking, limbs ripped away invaded her body and soul.
Son of a …. she bit her tongue, growled, looked up to the ceiling, released a raw emotional scream that burned her throat, shook the reality around her. Stop it…stop it! I said stop it…. she slumped, nearly exhausted, curled slightly forward, looking as if she had a belly ache. She dropped her head, her hair fell forward hiding her face, tears fell leaving wet splotches across her rumbled skirt and dirty thighs. She looked at each drop as it fell on her dust covered thighs, wondered.
Where are you….? she whispered, why aren't you hearing me? I'm soorryyy…if I did something…Little Misaka…. she quickly covered her mouth, her body lurched, stomach twisted…bllleeeeeccchhh!
She dried heaved over and over. Each time her ribs constricted like a powerful snake, squeezing her as if she was being crushed. With a ragged breath, she wiped her mouth with her arm, Fine…if you aren't listening then…I'll…" She inhaled a long pained breath, held it, closed her eyes, enough…. i can do this…. i can….she smacked her face with both hands. The pain ebbed, getting up to her feet, she ran as fast as her legs could carry her, with aching heart, lungs bursting she ran. Tears slipped from her crimson colored eyes. "No, no, no…"
She denied it over and over. This she knew, this is what Anastasia felt during battles. The vampires she led were linked by blood and venom. The wolves by loyalty and memories. Worried thoughts buried her like an avalanche coming down the mountain. My fault, clenching her fists so tight, her knuckles turned white. The pain fading but getting closer and stronger. She no longer needed the map in her mind. They, their pain crying out to her, leading her to them.
The school's hallways were empty, even with her hurried footsteps, ragged worried breath, the atmosphere was still and calm. "Quicker… Quicker… The words ravaged her brain, filling her with a sense of finality.
The empty rooms flashed by like windows on a speeding train. The ceiling tiles partially removed for remodeling. The intricate workings exposed like parts of the body, electrical wiring, fire suppression, ductwork all of it plain to the eyes. arteries, vein, muscle fiber and bone.
Its' growing darkness made visible like the evening dusk. The point between light and dark. The life she led was like that. Vampire and Esper. Vampire and student. And it had been this way since the day that she had been bitten. She worked her way to this point, for a moment, she wished it didn't happen. She'd wished that day, she waited instead of rushing out. But who was she kidding… She, Mikoto Misaka wasn't like that. Headstrong and determined… Justice should prevail. Evil should be defeated.
She looked up a head, low flickering greenish lights bathed the corridor, growing softer, calling to her. A bad feeling grew inside. Pain faded, nausea took its place. the lonely feeling of… Rolled over her, wanting. Wanting that last sight, that last time, that last look. she knew…she knew the feeling. Mikoto Misaka rounded the corner, "I'm here…" She yelled, choked on the words, wet crimson eyes opened wider, "I'm…." her throat stilled, she slowed. It's beautiful…whispered in her mind.
Fireflies rising from moonlit waters, dancing together, landing on tall grasses. "I'm here…" She whispered, almost afraid to interrupt such a serene moment of raw beauty, she wiped the tears, slowly walked towards them. The death of a vampire is both grotesque and beautiful… Anastasia would always tell her that. The way she said it…proudly and sadly, from experience. That remained with her. The decaying of flesh, revealing of muscle eventually bone and then dust. Only to rise once more to say farewell.
She stopped as tears slipped down her redden cheeks, held her last step. If she held that last step maybe just maybe she would have a little more time. Their images thoughtful played out before her in a last dance. She could feel one, a single thought or memory perhaps. The balls of glowing fluff, bright as soft stars in the night sky hovered in front of her. A will of their own. The fireflies rolled on imaginary breezes towards their mistress and gathered around her. She glowed in the surrounding soft green light. radiating the love for their mistress. Her face scrunched, as the tears fell, "I'm sorry… I did…"
Stammered, surrendering to the emotions welling up inside her, apologetic but each one drew closer to their mistress, floating around her, some resting on her. She felt the warmth of the fading lights as they said their final goodbyes and disappeared.
A few remained, shining balls of fluff, she reached out, gathered them into her palm. Each one the same, but unique. She looked at them with tearing vision, "why? … She sniffled, "why do I…" Gently letting her hand close, bowed her head, brought them to her chest and let the tears flow. She heard their voices, their laughter, felt their pain and sorrow. She felt them…. fade away.
But the sadness of mourning was fleeting like haze in the morning sun. The silence broken as a loud bang, flesh hitting the wall. A Familiar growl echoed down the empty hallway. A reminder of what had happened.
She gritted her teeth, her fangs dropped, clenched her fists, her claws extended. Her heart pumped, blood surged through her veins, her strength grew. Full vampire mode.
Another explosion, fist on flesh, the sounds closer. Mikoto inhaled and knew the smells. Emelia, Stephanie, Angela and others. Her strongest alphas were in battle. "Why didn't they tell me… No longer crying, her rage burned inside her chest, "they'll pay…" She said, "I'll ground them for sure…" She blushed.
