It Gets Better

Chapter 3 Part 3

*Flashback*

“Hello again little girl.” The guy said. I kept my mouth shut and backed into the corner, holding onto one of the poles. “Still not talking? Well, since mommy and daddy aren’t here no more, I don’t have to worry about anything at all. I can have my way with you all I want, and it won’t matter. I was just waiting on your parents to die anyway.” He said with a wave of his hand.

All of a sudden, someone grabbed my hands from outside the cell and put handcuffs on them. “Now in case you are wondering.” He said unlocking the cell and stepping inside. “Those are quirk canceling hand cuffs, so as the name suggest, you can’t use your quirk. Your wings may not fall under the same principle since it’s not something like fire or electricity, but they won’t help you anyway.” He continued slowly getting closer.

I kept trying to scoot back but I was already in the corner. “What are you trying to do?! Please don’t come any closer!” I yelled trying to get him to stop. He just laughed and started taking off his belt. Knowing what that most likely meant, I felt tears start to prick my eyes.

I closed my eyes, repeating the word ‘please’ over and over hoping this is some horrifying nightmare before my legs were pulled, making me lay with my back on the ground. I let out a yelp and opened my eyes to see he was taking his pants off. “This is going to be fun. I can’t wait to hear you scream!” he said before reaching out to me.

*Time skip 7 years later*

I woke up to the sun shining in my eyes through a hole in the roof. When my parents died seven years ago, some things never got fixed. That hole being one of them. Since then, every person here has taken advantage of my body. When they decide to feed me they force it down my throat. They only do it, so I won’t die. It’s been non-stop the whole time.

Every hour or so, like clockwork, someone would make their rounds and check on us in the cells. For some reason, whenever they reached my cell, they would do the same thing the red and orange haired dude, Tiger, did. Every hour, for four years straight, I would get taken advantage of and left a crying, bleeding mess. I still fight it to this day hoping I can stop them, at least once. It’s hard to do so though when you have chains on your ankles preventing them from moving.

Let me put it this way, I have been r***d more than 15,000 times within the last seven years. It wasn’t once a day, but about 6 times every day for seven years. And after that, they thought it would be fun to hit me with a bat. I know I may be putting it lightly like I don’t care, but I don’t want to wallow in pity that I let this happen to me. If I had noticed something earlier then maybe my parents wouldn’t’ve been murdered but there is nothing I can do now.

In the past three years, there has been a new guy here. He has pink hair and eyes that remind me of my dad. When it’s his turn to ‘patrol’ he doesn’t do anything. Believe me, I was grateful for it, but I thought it was odd since everyone else does it. He seemed to be taking extra care to ask a lot of questions which I thought was odd as well. Over the first year he was here, I found out that he was an inside spy. He is working undercover for the Hero’s and is trying to figure out how to get everyone out of here.

Every three months for the last two years, one of the other kids locked up here would go missing in the middle of the night. Six months ago, he revealed that he was the reason why. He sneaked them out and he was lucky he never got caught. Speaking of, here he comes.

“Hey Kiiarda.” He said. “Hey Spade.” I whispered. I haven’t really talked much the past seven years so it’s a little uncomfortable for me. “I want to tell you something, okay?” he asked. Thinking this is where his friendly face stops, I prepared for the worst. I nodded my head signaling for him to speak. “Tonight, you are getting out of here.” He said.

Confused for a second before I realized what he was talking about, I asked, “How?” “Everything has been arranged. Hero’s from all over the world are coming to help make one big rescue mission. Everyone is getting out of here, tonight.” He whispered to me. I let a small smile grace my face at the thought of it finally being over. “Are you sure you Heroes can pull it off? What if you guys screw it up? Besides, you Heroes have taken a long ass time to do something.” I replied back to him.

He gave me a sad smile and said, “I know. I am sorry it took this long to figure out a plan but by this time tomorrow, you will be free from this place. I promise. I even had a friend of mine arrange a flight back to Japan for you. I will be going with you since my job will be done here.” I stared at him, looking for any sign that he was kidding or lying, but I didn’t find anything but honesty.

I nodded my head in understanding, and he stood up and walked out of my cell. They stopped locking it because it wasn’t like I could do anything with quirk canceling handcuffs on. I looked at the other corner to see my jacket that I had since I first came here. Tiger had it ripped off of me when it got too tight. I am just glad they didn’t throw it out. Like my pants, they are still here to, right next to my jacket. I let my eyes fall, waiting for these last few hours to pass by.

*Time skip 9 hours*

I felt my body being shaken. I slowly registered that someone was trying to wake me up. After I opened my eyes, I realized that it was Spade. “Hey, Kiiarda come on, it’s time.” He said, A little confused at first, I rubbed my eyes with my hand and……..wait my hand? I looked down to see that the handcuffs were off. I looked at Spade with wide eyes. “I told you tonight was the night. I know you said your jacket was important so grab it and put these pants on. Wait here until an explosion goes off in the far corner, once you hear it, I want you to run. Okay?” he said with a small smile.

“How long until my quirk comes back? And what about you? Are you coming with me?” I asked. “Don’t worry about me, I have to help set the other kids free as well. I will see you in a bit after things get settled here.” he told me. I looked at him and said, “Promise?” “Promise.” He replied back. Once he undid the chains on my ankles, he got up and started going to the other cells. I slowly stood up, being a little wobbly since I haven’t stood in seven years and what I went through.

I inched my way over to my jacket, slowly so I could get used to using my legs so I could run when the time came. I searched through my jacket, locating the secret pocket, taking out the other necklace and the bracelet. I put the both of them on and put the other necklace under my shirt so it could stay hidden like mine. I stood up and put the pants on, so my lower half wasn’t naked anymore. I am really happy to actually wear pants again.

It must have been at least five minutes later when I heard the explosion. I saw the smoke coming from the far-left side of the building and took that as my signal to run. I was a bit shaky at first, but I got better as I ran faster. I took a right turn, then a left, then another right, then two lefts before I finally found the exit. ‘Thank All Might.’ I thought as I ran even faster towards it. A soon as I made it out the door, I saw the fight going on outside.

Everywhere I look, a Hero is fighting one of the people that worked here. I see a few ambulances a mile to the right of me. Away from the fight so they don’t get caught in the crossfire but close enough to help when needed. I glanced to my left and saw Spade fighting one of the people, who was called Turtle for some reason.

I wanted to go over and help him, but I remembered what he told me, so I forced myself to look away and started running for the ambulances. I was almost through the gates when someone was thrown in front of me. Seeing who it was, I ran over to him to see what happened. “Spade! Are you okay?!” I called out.

“I am fine, you need to go before Tiger gets ov-“ “Too late Spade!” someone said from behind me. I shivered and looked to see that it was Tiger. Spade got up and stood in front of me. “When I give you the signal, I want you to run as fast as you can. Okay.” He whispered. “Okay.” I whispered back, keeping an eye on Tiger. “Well Spade, I didn’t think you would do this. I knew there was something going on when girls started disappearing, but I didn’t think it would be you.”

“What you are doing is wrong. I would never agree to that. And if you want her, you are gonna have to go through me.” Spade said and put me behind him. “With pleasure.” He spoke back. “Go now!” Spade told me. Against everything I wanted to do, I listened to him and ran. Faster than what I thought had been possible. Just as I was 10 feet from the medics and ambulances, I heard a gunshot.

I fell down and thought I had gotten shot but when I realized I hadn’t, I looked behind me to see that Spade was just standing there while Tiger had a smile on his face. Spade walked backwards towards the gate and closed it before falling down. Knowing that Spade was shot, I tried to run over to him when I was held back. I looked to see that one of the medics had come forward and is now trying to get me over to the ambulances.

I kept fighting, trying to get to Spade, the only person I was close to at this point in time, but to no avail. I kept screaming and screaming, saying that Spade broke his promise and asking the medic to let me get to him, but she never budged. She ended up having one of the other nurses give me a shot of something before I started getting sleepy and eventually collapsed.

*Time skip through all the medical stuff*

I woke up to a really bright light in my face. At first I thought I was still in the cell, but then my vision cleared, and I was surrounded by white walls. Then all the memories of what just happened replayed in my mind. ‘I made it out……but Spade……’ my thoughts drifted back and forth between Spade and how I managed to get out. I was broken out of my thoughts when a knock sounded from my door.

A nurse came in and saw that I was awake. “It’s good that your awake. Let me get the doctor. Afterwards, there is someone that wants to see you.” She said before walking back out. Thinking the person was Spade, I waited until the doctor came in so he could tell me whatever then I can see Spade.

At least ten minutes of waiting later, the doctor finally came in. “Hello, Ms., can I have your name? No one knew so we haven’t been able to put it on the records.” He asked. ‘Weird, why didn’t Spade tell them?’ I thought before answering. “Kiiarda Akiyama.” “Okay Akiyama, well, besides the obvious signs of r**e, you had multiple bruises, cuts, and scars all over your body. Everything has been treated and it’s been two days since you were rescued. I also want to tell you that despite what you went through, you are not pregnant. Which is a miracle but by this afternoon, you will be discharged. Now, There is a person that wants to talk to you now that you are up, so I will leave so they can come in. Goodbye for now.” The doctor said before leaving without hearing a word from me.

A couple seconds later, a knock sounded again. “Come in.” I said as I expected to see Spade. I was surprised when someone else came in the room. He was tall, had short black hair, and black eyes. “Hello Ma’am. My name is Naomasa Tsukauchi, I am a detective in the Police Force from Japan. Your name is Akiyama, correct?” He introduced himself. I just stared at him; not happy I was talking to a policeman instead of Spade. “I am sorry, do you speak English instead?” he said. I looked at him confused before he switched back over. “I am sorry Ms., but I need you to answer me.

“Yes.” I said. “Okay, can I ask you some questions regarding a member from Animals of Hell that we have locked up?” he asked. “If I do, will you answer my questions?” I questioned. He nodded his head in agreement, so I said, “Okay, I am assuming you brought files with you, so which one do you want to know about first?” I asked him. He went into his bag and brought out a pile of folders. He picked up the one on top and handed it to me.

On top of the folder was a picture. I glanced at it to see that it was Turtle. “What can you tell me about this person, without looking at the file itself?” he asked. I took a long look at the picture before thinking about what to say. “Like the name suggest, he was slow. Slow walking, eating, talking. Everything. The only thing he wasn’t slow at was fighting. Sometimes new members would start a fight with him because they thought his fighting was horrible. The only person that could keep up with him were T-Tiger and Spade. He was smart too. Smarter than most of the members.”

“What can you tell me about Tiger?” he asked. ‘Why not ask about Spade? He hasn’t talked about him once.’ I thought. “Tiger is the leader. Red and orange colored hair making it look like it was made of fire. He’s the strongest member there is, hence, he’s the leader. He is skilled with guns, no matter what type it is. Give him five minutes with a new gun and he will tell you everything there is about it. He is smart as well. But likes to keep those he trusts close to him. He likes to make people scream, said it ‘gets him going’ and that it brings him joy.”

“Okay, thank you. There are three more member we want to know about.” He said getting ready to hand me another folder. I put my hand up to stop him and said, “I want you to answer my questions now, you said you would.” “Okay, but can you tell me about these other three first?” he asked. I let out a sigh and nodded knowing that he would try to push it off again.

After an hour of explaining what I knew about the other members, Tsukauchi put all but one folder away. “Okay, now you can ask your questions. I appreciate you telling me the truth.” He said. I stared at him for a while before getting straight to the point. “I want to know where Spade is. Four years ago, he went in under cover as a new member. I grew close with him over the past four years, and he is a really good friend of mine. Where is he? How come he hasn’t come to see me yet?”

He looked at me for a solid ten seconds before letting out a sigh. “Ms. Akiyama, I am sorry to tell you this but, Spade…….Spade is no longer alive. Tiger shot him and shortly after, he passed from blood loss.” I just stared at him. “He….he’s gone? But he promised me we would go back to Japan together! He can’t be gone!” I screamed at him as tears left my eyes. Tsukauchi has a sad expression on his face. “So you’re the one he talked about.” He mumbled.

“W-what do you mean t-talked about?” I asked him, a bit confused now. “He said he had a friend arrange you two a flight home right?” I just nodded my head. “That friend is me. I didn’t know you were the one he was talking about. Here, he said that if something were to happen to him, then I was to give you this.” He said and gave me the last folder. I held it in my hands, looking at the folder covered in playing cards. The ace of spades right in the center.

“He said that it might explain some things, but only for you to be the first one to see it. Said you might know why he stuck to you out of everyone there.” He told me. I ran my hand over the folder, slowly opening it up. The first thing that caught my eye were the pictures inside. All including me and my parents from the time I was born to right before I got kidnaped.

‘What the hell? How did he get these?’ I wondered. Then I spotted a letter. Addressed to Kenji Akiyama with no return address. ‘Is that what my father’s first name is?’ I wondered. I grabbed the letter and took it out of the pocket. I opened the letter and took out the folded paper inside. Once I unfolded it, I started to read it.

Dear Kenji,

I know you don’t know who this may be, but it’s Akio, your brother. I know you haven’t seen me in a long time, several years in fact, but I wanted to tell you that I am sorry I wasn’t there for you when our parents died. I should have been, but I was too busy with my undercover mission, and I couldn’t make it. I am sorry I make it seem like it was just another day but now we are all each other has I wanted you to know that……..I got married. Just two years ago and I also wanted to tell you………..You’re going to be an Uncle!

My wife, Sukiyama, decided to name her Kiiarda. That’s right, you’re going to have a niece! By the time this letter reaches you, it will be two weeks after she is born. At the bottom of this letter, you will find an address. I would like you to meet your new family and see your niece. And maybe you could show her your card trick? The one where you somehow pull an ace of spades out every time? I think she might like that.

Love, your brother.

I was confused, ‘Who is this Kenji person? My uncle?’ I had a lot of thoughts circling my head. I looked back at the folders and spotted a picture of me. I was maybe a few months old at the time. I looked at the person holding me, and realized it was a younger version of Spade. I looked at the paper attached to it. ‘Another letter?’ I guessed. This time it was just the paper, no envelope.

Dear Kenji,

Today, Kiiarda said her first word. She didn’t say ‘dada’ or ‘mama,’ so Sukiyama and I are very confused because her first word, thanks to you, was ‘spade’ and as soon as she said it, we knew what she meant. I showed her a picture of you holding her and she smiled. A big smile then pointed at you saying ‘spade’ over and over. So congratulations, you are now Uncle Spade, and you were her first word. I am upset that I wasn’t her first word, but I am glad that she adores you. Make sure to come over again, I know she wants to see you. I as well.

Best of Luck, Akio

‘Spade……..was my uncle? That’s why his eyes remind me of my dad, they were brothers.’ In the folder, there were several more pictures of me and Spa…Uncle Spade. There were other letters, explaining that my father didn’t want him to come over anymore because someone was watching them. Those were dated when I was two. My father said he would keep sending pictures, and that I missed him. Then the letters themselves stopped. The only thing in this folder besides the few letters, were the pictures and a DVD case.

‘What is on this DVD? I will ask him if I can keep it.’ I wiped my eyes and turned towards the detective. “Can I k-keep this? Please?” “Sure, do you know what he wanted you to find?” he asked. I nodded my head and took out the picture of him holding me. I stared at it, holding it with two hands, and smiled before handing it to the detective. “He was my Uncle.” I informed him. “I am sorry you lost him. He was a good Hero. And a good friend of mine.” He said and handed the photo back to me with a smile.

“When can I get out of here?” I asked him once I put the picture back. “There are some papers that I need to sign then you will be discharged. Once you are, You will come with me to my hotel and stay there until I finish the paperwork of the mission. Once we get back to Japan, you can decide what you want to do with Spade.” He said. “What do you mean?”

“Well I know that some people cremate their relatives, and some bury them. Once we get back to Japan, you can decide what to do as the last living relative he has.” He explained. I just nodded my head and laid down as he stood up to leave. “I will take care of the papers now so we can go. While I sign them, a nurse will come in and get you ready to go. All the cloths you were wearing before ore in that bag next to the bed. Including the jewelry you had on. I will see you in a few minutes.” He told me as he walked out the door. ‘Great, now what do I do?’ I asked myself.

*Three weeks later*

I had only one idea where to go. Two weeks ago, we had a funeral for my parents. Really we just took some of their belongings since the Animals of Hell already took care of them. I decided to have my Uncle cremated, and part of him is in a necklace that I wear all the time. Last week, Tsukauchi said that he was sorry he doesn’t have room for me, but I had to go to an orphanage. That was short lived through because now, I am hiding in alley’s, avoiding the cops looking for me since I ‘disappeared’ from the orphanage.

I found a person who would let me stay in an apartment as long as I would pay rent. I know what you’re thinking, ‘how would she allow a child to do that?’ simple, I told her my parents were sending me to look at the house. I am gust glad that she believed it, or at least didn’t say anything. I got a job three days ago as a waiter in a restaurant. I am getting paid under the table, but they needed the help, so I got hired.

“Hey, did you hear about the teacher of 1-A?” a customer said. “Yeah, it’s the underground Hero Eraserhead. He expelled his whole class just because he thought they had ‘no potential’ how crazy is that?” his lady friend said. “Well, he is the one who can tell if someone will make it or not. He is trustworthy when it comes to choosing Hero’s. But did you hear about the slime…………” I stopped listening once they moved onto another subject.

‘UA is where Firework and Izu want to go….I’ll go there to, but a late transfer because I don’t have the funds to go there now. And Eraserhead works as a teacher there. I hope I become one of his students.’ I thought with a smile on my face.” Just wait for me guys. Just a little longer.” I said to myself before carrying on with my day.

*Flashback Ends*

“…………so yeah, that’s what I went through the past nine years until now.” I said to them. I then slowly, carefully let my wings out. Shinso looked shocked beyond belief, so did Firework and Izu. I then took my shirt off, and turned around so they could see the scars on my back. I know you may think I am crazy, but I trust them. “What the hell did they do to you.” Firework said quietly. I turned towards them and saw that they looked at my back in shock and horror.

“I know that it looks ugly, but they healed up a while ago, so it doesn’t hurt. They used a whip most of the time. Others it was a bat or just their fist it they felt like being nice.” There are three long scars that go from my right shoulder, all the way down to my lower back. Those are dark and you can see that they hurt when I got them. I went to my closet and grabbed a hoodie to put on. When I put it on and turned around, Izuku jumped on me.

I fell back and landed on the cloths I had on the bottom of my closet. He started crying and soon enough Firework jumped on top of me. He pulled Shinso along so now I had a s**t ton of weight on me. I had tears in my eyes ready to fall down my face, but I kept them in. I hugged them all tight and said, “As much as I love this group hug guys, I think we should get to bed. You may not realize it, but it’s 2:53 in the morning. We have class in a few hours.” As I encouraged them to get up and get off of me.

“Is there anything we should avoid doing that sends you in a panic attack? From experience, there are some things that set it off. Even a smell.” Shinso asked me. “I just can’t handle being grabbed by my wings so suddenly. Do you know what my first name means?” I asked him. Again, he shook his head.

“It means ‘dark princess’ which is actually the name of my quirk. I have three ‘powers’ within this quirk but I use them as three separate quirks. When Dark Princess activates, there will be a small crown on my head made from the shield part and it will glow because of my fire quirk. My wings come from Dark Princess because it’s supposed to be something about a demon princess and demons have wings or something. That’s what the doctor said anyway.” I explained.

He nodded his head and then gave me one last hug before saying good night. Izuku and Firework did the same before Izu left, while Firework stayed behind. “If you have a nightmare like the last time you did telling us what happened, your ass better wake me up. Especially if you burn your bed again. Got it?” he said once the door closed. I nodded my head and gave him one last hug before I watched him walk out the door. I went to my bed and sighed in relief as I got comfy. ‘I am so glad that I finally told them. I feel a lot better now. Let’s see what my future entails.’ Being my last thought before falling into the land of sleep.