I woke up, my heart hammering in my chest and perspiration sticking to my body.My injured body ached like never before — a clear sign that I had somehow overused my quirk.
Ah, I haven't talked about my quirk yet, right?Metamorph. A name given to it by the family doctor.I can basically transform into a monster — partial transformations or full ones, albeit my transformations are… weird? Like fantasy-style creatures.
My first transformation was a Dodogama (named after one of our ancestors), an unassuming, clumsy beast.It gives me high resilience and the ability to spit fire.
Then came the Lagombi (from "lagomorph," which defines a rabbit or a hare), a fluffy but fierce beast.This one gave me better mobility, resilience, and the beginnings of ice-based power.
A good quirk, if I say so myself. A strong one.
At my bedside my mom lay asleep on a guest chair.Even while resting, the frown on her face accentuated her dimples. I must have made some noise, because she soon awoke with a groan.
"Atlas-kun, how are you feeling? Any pain? Discomfort? Anything? Are you hungry? Are you cold? I can bring you some water. Or some juice? The nurse said you were found wandering the street, muttering about a masked man. The police were the ones that brought you here after…"
Her questions dragged me back from what felt like a dream. I had only one question.
"It really happened, right?"
"…"She hesitated — a long, heavy silence.
"The police… they're still investigating. They said it was one person. Just one."Her voice cracked a bit."A trained killer, raised like a weapon."She wiped her eyes."They searched what's left of the castle, they brought heroes who track scents and heat trails and everything… but I think whoever did it was gone long before anyone arrived."Her voice broke into a tired ramble."We can only hope they find a clue, any clue, to catch this… this monster."
"What will happen, Mom? Is it over, or will he come for us next?"
"He? You saw him? You actually saw him? Atlas-kun, what did he look like?Did he say something? His quirk — did you see his quirk?Wait, wait, I should call the police, they said to call them if you remembered anything —Can you describe him? Anything at all?"
I stopped her.
"I saw him.He was wearing a mask.His voice was modified… metallic.Some sort of blade was growing from his arm.I— I can't remember anything else… sorry."
"This is fine… it's fine. All that matters is that I haven't lost you."Her voice shook."I'm glad you're safe. That's all that matters right now."
She took a shaky breath."You should rest, Atlas-kun. I'll… I'll make some calls. We'll have a lot to do in the next few days. I know you're exhausted, but we can't stay here long. Not after this."Her hands trembled as she grabbed her phone."We'll have to disappear for a while. We don't know anything about the one who did this, so hiding is… it's the only option. For now."
Another pause — fear slipping through."I have contacts overseas. They can help. We'll be safe there.…At least I hope so."
She left the room, whispering apologies under her breath, phone already in hand.
The door closed softly.
Suddenly everything felt heavy.My eyelids drooped, my body sinking into the mattress.Thoughts blurred, collapsing into a numb haze.
I could think later.For now, all I could do was let the darkness take over.