Guys I am so so so so so sorry I haven't updated! I understand if you guys yell at me. I would yell at me too ;-; Anyway, here's a chapter for you :3
Something wasn't right. Something was… Wrong. Death, it was wrong. He had a terrible feeling in his gut, one that had been turning more and more gruesome with each passing moment. It was beginning to burn…
What is this? Why can't I think straight? Why is it that the only person I can even think about is Marie…?
"Wait…!" Stein's eyes widened a bit and his head snapped up to look at the cell door from his bed, whereas originally he'd had his head in his hands. "What if something happened? What if... Oh, God… What if the black blood is no longer dormant in her body? Has insanity finally reached her?!"
The thought alone made him feel even sicker. Sharp pains shot through his abdomen and he clutched his stomach, grunting and doubled-over. His breathing quickened slightly as his mind raced for answers, explanations.
Why? How? And how would I even know that it's her? How would I know it's her and not me? My body and mind could just be fighting off madness even when I'm not thinking about it… It could be just as familiar and regular now as my heartbeat. But is that even possible?
Another shockwave of pain shot through him, making him grunt and cringe. Fucking nerves... Breathing a little heavier, he pushed himself up off of the bed and made his way to the cell door, where he banged on it multiple times.
"Hey!" he yelled, "Spirit! Sid! Azusa! Someone!"
He stopped, awaiting an answer. Silence.
"Hey! God damn it, I could be breaking out of here and none of you would know it! Answer me!" he ordered, banging on the door again.
Finally, after a few moments, he heard several sets of footsteps running down the halls. Someone opened a small rectangular hole on the door so he could see out, finding two meisters and one weapon halted in front of his door. Maka, Spirit and Soul.
"Why are you freaking out all of the sudden, Professor?" Soul asked. "You're not lost in madness now... Are you?"
"No, damn it! I don't know what the hell is going on, but I need to get out of here!"
"Stein, you need to calm down. You know we can't let you ou-"
"Don't give me that bullshit, Spirit!" he spat whilst banging on the door, "You don't understand! I need to find Marie! I need to make sure she's ok!"
Maka, who was pulled behind her father protectively, asked while peeking out from behind his back, "What's wrong with Miss Marie, professor?" Her voice was full of worry.
"I- I don't know for sure, but I have reason to believe that she has fallen into madness."
"What?! How?! And how do you even know it's her?!" Spirit demanded for answers.
Stein stared at the older weapon, his gaze powerfully intent. It took him a while to answer, his voice reluctant when he finally spoke, "Several weeks ago, when Marie was almost killed via blood loss, I needed a way to save her. I gave her a blood transfusion, which proved to be a terrible idea because I injected black blood into her body since it was in my blood. The only good that came from it was it saved her life... But she's slipping, if she hasn't already. I need to get to her, Spirit! Please!"
The Death Scythe stared at him in horror, not knowing what to say or do. He knew he couldn't let the crazed Professor out, by orders of Lord Death. But... He could be the only one who could save Marie... Or this could just be a trick to get me to let him out.
"Spirit!" Stein cried, banging on the door again, making Maka jump and clench her father's suit jacket from her place behind him.
"Papa," she looked up at him, "you need to let him out."
"You know I can't do that, Maka, not without permission from Lord Death."
"Damn Lord Death! You know he would let me out if it's for Marie, and you fucking know it!"
Maka jumped a little hearing him swear with the anger that had etched into his voice. Stein was usually calm and collected, and he never cursed like that around his students. But now was different...
Again, Spirit was silent while he stared at his former weapon partner, looking for some sign that the man was still sane. His eyes were no longer relaxed like they usually were... They were afraid and urgent, as well as angered from not being able to save someone he cared about. Someone he cares about...
"God fucking damn it, Spirit Albarn!" The professor roared, "Let me out! Now! Before I break through this fucking door and tear you limb from limb!"
Soul's widened crimson eyes darted between the meister and the weapon, not knowing if Stein was serious about his threat or what Spirit would do about it. The man was obviously afraid considering he had taken a step back, but he still held his arms out slightly so as to protect his daughter.
"Death Scythe..." Soul muttered, "I- I think you should let him out..."
Spirit swallowed, knowing the intense glare he was getting from the seething professor was as lethal as his threat.
"Spirit! Let me out now, or whatever Marie does will be just as much your fault as it is mine since you stopped me from saving her!" Stein challenged, knowing he would gain some leverage there. Yes, Spirit was a heartbreaker, but he did care about Marie's well-being.
Once again, he stared into the scientist's eyes, looking for any sign of madness. All he found was serious intent, guilt and growing anger... Not the glassy stare of madness.
Spirit swallowed and nodded once, then slowly reached out to the latch on the door. He grasped it, never breaking eye contact with the professor, who was breathing heavily. Finally, after what seemed like a lifetime, he unlocked the door and began pulling it open, only to be thrown to the side when Stein pushed the door open.
He grunted and almost fell but regained his balance with the help of Maka, who managed to keep herself balanced while pulling him back to a standing position. The three looked in the direction Stein ran, only to catch a glimpse of his lab coat as he turned a corner.
"Damn that man..." Spirit grumbled, gesturning the kids to follow him as he started running after the professor.
All Stein could think about was Marie. Normally, if he had something on his mind like that, it would be an experiment he would be conducting, something that he saw as a source for his insatiable appetite for knowledge. But... Marie wasn't an experiment in his eyes. It confused him to hell as to why he felt so strongly about saving her, but he felt he had to. He knew he needed to save her.
Every student he passed as he ran through the academy turned to look at him, most backing away. They all knew that getting in the madman's way was a horrible way to die...
He ignored them all, never looking directly at someone unless they were in his way, to which they quickly backed up to the wall of the hall so he could pass with ease. Once he was finally out of the academy, bright sunlight poured into his wide pupils, making him growl and shield his eyes, tears beginning to form. It was blinding, being in the broad daylight after so long in the dark. He wouldn't let that stop him though.
Stein dashed down the academy steps, occasionally faltering where he stepped and nearly slipping. He always regained his balance however, making sure he was able to keep running. Finally at the end of the stairs, he leaped to the street and kept running as fast as he could, the warm Nevada sun hot on his chilled skin despite his sprinting.
He didn't really know how he made it back to the laboratory so quickly, but he was grateful he did. Pushing the large gates of the laboratory open, he ran across the court and toward the heavy doors, the last thing that kept him from the woman he wanted to save so dearly. With his heavy boot colliding with the metal, the doors burst open, to which he shot through them, frantically looking around the dark living room.
"Marie!" he exclaimed, his eyes searching every inch of the room. She wasn't there. "Marie!" he ran down the hall toward her bedroom, once again, she wasn't there. God, woman, where are you... He didn't stop, he couldn't. No matter what, he would never stop searching till he found her. Stein kept looking, under her bed, in her closet, in the hall bathroom, everywhere, before the last place she could be hiding was his bedroom.
Please be here, Marie...
Stein had never been more disappointed in his life.
He checked under the bed and in the closet.
She wasn't there.
Sorry this is so short, but I wanted to get it out to you guys as quickly as possible. I hope you liked it :)