ONE YEAR LATER
The sound of my fists hitting the training dummy echoed through the cold room. My breathing was steady, focused, controlled.
Each punch landed with precision, each kick sharper than the last.
I've been at it for hours. I didn't care. The ache in my muscles felt better than the emptiness that hovered over this house.
They said time would make it easier. That the sharp pain in my chest would dull. That I'd wake up and forget the scream that left my throat when I held her body.
But I hadn't forgotten. I never planned to.
I finally stopped hitting the training dummy, holding my knees to prevent falling over.
Sweat dripped down my forehead as I closed my eyes trying to catch my breath.
The corner of the training room caught my eye. A small stool sat in the shadows, dust gathering on the wooden seat. Ami used to sit there and watch me train, pretending to be my coach, calling nonsense advice. "More jazz hands!"
I squeezed my eyes shut. A yell escaping me as I shaped my shadow to a blade and slashed the training dummy in half.
Its halves fell to the floor.
I fell onto my back and shut my eyes. Flashes of a bright yellow dress stained in blood haunted me.
"Aria." A firm voice called to me. I didn't need to open my eyes to know who it was.
"Dad."
I heard him move closer until I felt his presence loom over me. "I heard a yell..."
"Sorry." I sat up. "I didn't mean to wake anyone." It was currently midnight.
He looked over to the training dummy I cut in half. " You've been at it for hours."
"Well, I'll be back at the academy soon so I might as well get some training in before I leave. I'll be surrounded by protégées, and I can't be left behind, just like you said."
I heard him sigh heavily before he joined me on the floor.
"Listen, I know things have not been the same since...your sister...and Rei,"
He was right. Everyone in the house had changed. Naniso barely spoke now, always hiding away in her lab most hours of the day. Leon did the same. Every time we spoke, he sounded cold, more distant.
Six months after Ami died, Rei went on a rampage around the city. It was horrific but no one was hurt. Rei never had a stable mind due to his telekinesis, but it was still so strange seeing him like that.
And Mom...I think she took it the worst. She had cried for days that her eye colour seemed to be fading away.
"But do not let this affect you." Dad wrapped his arm around my shoulder, pulling me closer. I rested my head on his shoulder, relaxing for the first time in hours.
"If I could take away your memories of what happened that day, I would. I'm so sorry you had to see Ami like that." His voice was a lot gentler than when he would yell instructions at me during training. He rested his head on top of mine.
I already felt tears pouring down my face. I hadn't cried since I found Ami. All I did was replay it. What I could've done differently. If only I hadn't let the stupid headphones distract me.
"If I was just more focused, maybe I could have-" My voice cracked, and my sobs took over.
I hadn't cried in Dad's arms since I was 6. And right now, all the emotions eating me alive came out.
-TWO DAYS LATER-
The morning sun pierced through my bedroom window as I zipped up my duffel bag.
It was time to go back to the academy, and I was leaving today.
"That was the last bag." Naniso zipped up one of my suitcases. Her dark long hair almost covered her eyes. We hadn't spoken much since Ami's funeral and the air around us felt heavy.
"Thanks. At least now, I won't have someone splash me awake with water when I oversleep." I joked and I managed to get an amused look from Naniso.
"It will be someone else's responsibility now I guess." She joked back, earning a small laugh from me.
I gave Naniso a final embrace before we moved downstairs with all my bags. Outside was a black car with the Eminent Order's crest on each side. A man wearing the Order's uniform stood by the boot waiting for me.
My mom waited by the door, looking paler than she did before what happened. She still managed to carry a smile on her face as she came in for a hug. "Be careful."
"I will." I replied hugging her back. Leon stood behind her awkwardly with his hands in his pockets.
I broke away from mom's hug. "Stop being so emo," I said before hugging him goodbye as well. He thankfully hugged me back.
I packed all my stuff into the boot of the car. Dad said he'd meet me at the academy, so all was left was to leave.
I got into the car and waved my last goodbyes to everyone.
As the city blurred past outside the car window, I traced a finger along the cold glass window.
Leaving felt wrong. Like I was abandoning the others.
"I might not have an ability but I'll become the best hero, protecting and saving lives. Mom did it, why can't I?"
Ami's words echoed in my head.
Maybe I can't forget. But I can keep going. For her. For me