Chapter 57

The alleyway felt like a cage, its shadows wrapping around me as I fought to keep my rising anger in check. The gritty pavement beneath my shoes grounded me, but the heat of frustration coursed through my veins like wildfire. I had my reasons—the weight of my brothers' challenges, the ghosts of our past, and the burden of my own expectations, all pressing down on me like an avalanche. It felt as though the walls were closing in.

"Anos, calm down," came a familiar voice. I barely noticed Peter's presence, my best friend from a life long gone. He had been my anchor, but in that moment, my world had spiraled out of control, and nothing mattered except finding the answers I so desperately sought.

"Why don't you just leave me alone?" I shot back, my voice laced with bitterness. I hated feeling powerless, and right now, I felt like a mere shadow of the hero I aspired to be.

Dabi strolls into view beside Hawks, seemingly unfazed by my outburst. I felt a surge of anger at the sight of him. He leaned casually against the alley wall, his demeanor relaxed, casually flicking his lighter. "I don't know why you're pissed, but whatever it is, it's fixable," he offered, his tone annoyingly nonchalant.

"Fixable?" I spat, my eyes burning with resentment. "You don't understand anything!" In his calmness, he bore a teasing expression, one that mocked the storm brewing inside of me.

His gaze sharpened as he taunted, "So you finally see the truth." That struck a nerve; my glare must have pierced through him. He chuckled softly, as if enjoying my turmoil. "Did you know...about the portals...?" I pressed, my voice low and trembling with fury.

He raised an eyebrow, confusion flashing across his face. "What portals? What the fuck are you talking about?"

I paused, grappling with the crushing realization dawning upon me. "You didn't know?" It felt like a betrayal, the very notion. Dabi had always been the one to keep his ear to the ground, but this? This was big.

He lit a cigarette, taking a long drag before his response came. "No, the only thing planned was the Nomu." My heart sank. The League wasn't involved, then who…?

As I processed the implications, Dabi sighed, smoke escaping his lips like the last remnants of my composure. "Want me to look into it for you?"

Surprise washed over me, the angry tide receding. "Why?" I asked, skepticism bubbling to the surface.

"Because the dumb bastards have my Nomus, and, well, we are friends, right?" His relaxed demeanor began to feel like a lifeline thrown into turbulent waters. I blinked back tears. "Yeah, we are," I managed, a tentative smile breaking through the despair.

Dabi's smirk was almost affectionate. "Look, I may not be a hero or anything, but you're still my day one. If it means tracking down some assholes for you, then why not?"

A soft chuckle escaped me, releasing a bit of the tension that had coiled around my heart. This was the TouyaI knew, the one who had looked out for me when the world felt unforgiving.

Hawks leaned closer to Dabi, and a hint of worry tugged at my consciousness. "Is he okay?" I asked, eyeing Dabi and his weary friend.

Dabi inhaled slowly, his brow furrowing as he spoke. "Yeah, just stressed. I'm gonna crash with him tonight to help him out." Their bond was evident, and I felt a sense of warmth pierce through my earlier coldness.

Dabi's eyes scrutinized me like a hawk, sharp and perceptive. "You're tense…what's wrong?" That statement sent a jolt through me—he had seen through my facade. I felt cornered; having Peter and Dabi both scrutinizing me was more than I could bear.

"Anos, are you at your limit?" Peter's voice was soft yet heavy with concern.

With a resigned sigh, I nodded. Dabi groaned, irritation evident on his face. "Really, Ans?! How many times did I tell you not to overdo it? You can last long—that's fine—but when you stress, you get worked up and burn out easily!" His voice was raised, punctuating the honesty with frustration.

"Yeah, yeah, you're one to talk," I mumbled, knowing full well he was only echoing the advice he needed for himself too.

And so we stood there, three souls in the shadows of an alleyway, battling the burdens of the past while seeking the light in the future. In the volatile dance of friendships and loyalties, it seemed we were all figuring out how to emerge from our own shadows, together.