Soft rains tapped against the glass.The storm roared as its prowler illuminated the world in light. The pencil tapped against the page, the questions glaring in demand of a response yet none came. He wheezed, dried eyes stinging as heavy eyelids sagged shut, it was impossible to think. Like walking through a mire of unconnected thought and memory.
Others had begun to notice.
Teachers finally gave honest grades, classmates teasing how absent minded he'd become. His mother perhaps was the worst, her fretting nature becoming nigh unbearable as his appearance and overall health worsened.
At least according to his mother it was.
The doctors entrusted with his care didn't agree and with a wave assured her he'd be fine.
He was quirkless anyway.
Another reminder of his lot in life.
He let out a wet cough, feeling his lungs sloshing inside his chest before returning his attention to the homework. Outside thunder rumbled, breaking up the sounds of pattering rain and his attention was stolen as he turned to look out the window. There wasn't anything of note there, just streaks of rain falling in their random inconsequential whims.
His eyes closed and his lungs quivered, and for a moment there was nothing save the drum beat of the storm.He focused on it, each drop of rain a note of a steadily building chorus.
The pencil twitched in his hand, the graphite scraping along the parchment becoming another instrument in the symphony soon followed by a quiet hum. It sounded so foreign he hadn't even realized it was coming from his own throat. His body relaxed, letting go of a world of tension.
His eyes opened, head resting on a propped fist as he stared at the page, a smile forming as impressions of branches took shape. Each glide of the pencil added to the image forming, there was no true intent in the act, just the sensation of the fog lifting as he focused on this creation.
Grey clashed against white as the pattering of rain and monotone humming filled the air, trees blossomed in their birth, a moon materialized over a glen, a world of his own formed as the rain pattered against unyielding glass.
With careful strokes towers of budding lilacs and rich violets formed, reaching towards the moonlit sky joining the grasping swaying branches of the trees above and for a moment he could imagine all of it.
He could imagine the sweet floral scents of the beautiful lilacs, could imagine soft east under him, the moon shining on his skin.
An honest smile formed as he looked at the work, the image looking back as he slowly refined it, the graphite lines thickening into shades of gray and white. Branches became reaching grasping fingers towards the sky, budding shrubs bloomed and in the distance a new form took shape standing tall.
It was an elegant image standing tall and regal, its slender fingers brushing against the budding flowers as long white hair flower over its majestic form. His hand was a flurry of motion now, a wide smile joining the approaching figure's majestic face as the trees bent towards the figure.
A chill went up his spine as the rain tapped against glass, the smile widening into inhumane proportions, a hideous abhorrent mockery of human emotion. The tapping grew louder, his heart beginning to race in ways it hadn't in weeks, his hand shook as he tried to stop but he found himself unable to, the lights darkened as the figure came closer and closer.
The scent of sickening lavender filled his hyperventilating lungs burning his insides as the tapping shook the room, faces moaned from the bark of the trees their broken bloodied fingers splayed out and twisted in unnatural directions their peeled skin swaying softly in a scream filled wind.
His eyes widened as the soft earth gave way, his feet sinking into metallic blood, the figure approached each step making Midoriya shiver in terror as his body burned. The world shook around him, his hands reaching for his bleeding ears as the tapping enveloped the air around him joining the moaning wails of the mutilated multitudes that laid mesmerized around him with melted eyes running as their master approached.
He wanted to run yet his body betrayed him, his legs failing him as he dropped to his knees. He couldn't breath, couldn't think, couldn't do anything except watch as the mockery approached. It's perfect smile bearing down upon him with their inhuman proportions; every step thundering as the masses moan, their hands broken and bleeding reaching towards the figure.
It hurt to look at the figure yet he craved to do so.
It was perfection in every awful abhorrent way, every curve of its body a masterpiece that mocked the very laws of human existence. Its beauty terrified him, tears falling as his eyes tried to take in every sensual artistic detail all under its amused sight.
Violet iridescent orbs looked at Midoriya's hunched trembling form, and to his horror a hand reached out.
The wails deafened him as hundreds of voices begged for their master's touch, begged for its attention, begged for the pain and pleasure it gave.
It reached for him.
Midoriya screamed.
His head shot up from the desk as numb skin burned, cold air filling panicked lungs as the thundering of his racing heart deafened him. His pencil clattered to the ground as he tumbled collapsing onto the floor, the pattering of rain against glass piercing his mind as his emerald eyes raced for reality landing upon the door as his mother flung it open.
"Honey!" She raced towards him, her eyes wide with panic and maternal worry. "Oh god honey what happened!" She reached towards him and he flung himself into her arms, instantly becoming enveloped in her loving embrace, a soft hand going to his green curls as she began to shush him. "Oh sweetie it's ok, it's ok."
It wasn't.
Not for a few minutes, not until his panic and fear finally mellowed. Not until the cold pit in his stomach gave way and his heart finally slowed, not until he could open his eyes and finally breathe normally. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
She never replied, simply waiting until the worst had passed. Eventually the patterning of rain disappeared and he finally calmed, his eyes finally recognizing the waking world as his mother smiled at him clutching at his cheek. "Hey everything is okay Izu, you just had a nightmare I think."
He swallowed, nodding, unable to recall anything beyond violet eyes. "I…I'm sorry if I worried you."
Inko chuckled softly. "It's my job, I'm just glad you're alright." She offered a warm smile as they disengaged and stood. "I'll make us some tea." He nodded his core hollowed but still stood prompting his mother to turn and leave, he made to follow but was unable to stop himself from a final glance towards his room.
The rain rapped against the glass.
A blank sheet laid on the desk.
It didn't take long for him to join his mother in the kitchen, nor much longer for the tea to be prepared and offered with a kind smile. "Here you go sweetie." He smiled in kind, his clammy hands reaching up to take it from her before flinching away a surprised gasp escaping him as the warmth of the tea shot through his fingertips. "Oh honey, I'm sorry I didn't realize it was so hot!" She pulled the cup away and he reached out.
"No! No it's ok I just…just jumpy." His fingers curled around the cup, it's warmth more like a miniature sun in his hands as he brought it closer to him. He breathed in deeply the floral scent of lavender and chamomile enveloping him as his mother smiled, turning away.
"If you say so, I'll be finishing up dinner just let me know if you want more tea ok?"
He nodded his eyes watching the steaming liquid, his scratched throat dry from a thirst he'd never known could exist. The cup pressed against chapped lips and from it came a stream of sweet molten flowers, the pain blinded him as he chugged needy and desperate, unflinching as the burning tea seared at his flesh all the while drinking with mad abandon.
His head leaned back, chest heaving as he took deep gasping breaths. His eyes fluttered close as he felt the warmth inside him, as the scent of rendering fat and cooking vegetables filled the air.
He was so hungry.
His mother hummed away while shutting off the stove, plate in hand as she started to serve dinner. "I wasn't sure what you'd want." She began while turning before smiling. "Liked the tea? It's a new blend I found at the store that should help with your cold." The plate clinked softly as she placed it in front of him. "Just let me know if you want more okay sweetie?"
He stared for a moment before lunging.
Savory umami melded with sweet sauce and the taste of subtle rice, an explosion of flavor that forced a moan as he devoured the meal with the single mindedness of a starved hound.
That had been six days ago.
Six days as warmth faded.
Six days as food turned to ash.
Six days as music faded.
Six days as art becoming meaningless.
Six days as the cold numbness returned.
Six nights since the tapping against the glass began.
Hello everyone!
Sorry for the delay, i hope you enjoy this latest chapter. My college courses and work load should be winding down this coming month which hopefully will give me more time to write.
Stsy safe everyone