I slowly stood up from my chair for the first time in four days, feeling every muscle and bone in my body creak in irritation.

I haven't walked or stood up the entire time I've been here. Anytime I needed to be moved, Dabi or Twice would simply carry me around. Not my preferred method of transportation.

"Ow." I groaned out, arching my back for a big stretch.

Keigo's feather quickly tapped my cheek, before snuggling comfortably onto my shoulder.

Oh yeah.

Almost forgot about him.

What a dick he is, right?

But, I'll deal with him later. Right now, he set me free. And he either did it to set me up for something worse, because that's how villains are....or he's trying to help me.

I don't know which one it is, honestly. But, I'm gonna have to take the gamble. Otherwise, I'll die for sure.

"Alright, bird shit. You got me out of the chains, so gold star for you. But, how am I supposed to get out of this room? I'm sure it's locked, and Twice is probably standing right outside-ah-choo!!" I nagged, sneezing harshly at the end of my sentence.

I shivered as I felt chills running through my aching body. But, at the same time I felt hot. Damn it, I was definitely getting sick from this cold room.

Before I could ask anymore questions, Keigo's feather gently began pushing me towards the exit door, only make me more suspicious of his intentions.

The fact that I can't talk to him about this only makes it so much harder to trust him!!

I don't even know why I'm trusting him. This is so stupid. I should not be taking such a blind leap of faith with Keigo after everything he did.

Keigo's feather positioned my body right in front of the door, before it floated its way over to my hand.

"What are you playing at here, you stupid chicken?" I asked, constantly forgetting he couldn't answer me.

Keigo's feather softly traced the features of my palm, before it floated its way to my wrist. My hand was quickly floated to the lock of the door.

"Is it open?" I asked, before I watched Keigo's feather separating again.

I watched as it separated into the same sections as when it picked the locks of my chains.

Forcing myself to think and get my wits back together, I quickly translated his feather language.

"Ah, you want me to pick the lock." I said to him, holding out my hands to grab the hardened pieces of his feather, that were about as thin as toothpicks.

I must have been correct because Keigo's hardened feather barbs floated into my hands in the next instant.

He knows the extent of my training because he went through the same thing. He knows I'm more than capable of picking a lock myself, and it's probably easier on his focus if I do it, considering the fact that I can actually see it.

I quickly kneeled down in front of the lock, narrowing my swollen beaten eyes in focus as I inserted Keigo's feather pieces into the keyhole.

Starting to pick the lock, I rolled my eyes when I felt the soft pieces of his pesky little feather trace the side of my face, before tucking a dirty, ragged strand of hair behind my ear.

"Oh no you don't, son of a bitch. Seriously, bite me...you soggy chicken nugget. Don't think that just because I'm cooperating with you, it means I forgive you. You're still dead to me." I muttered to him absentmindedly, trying to focus on decoding this complicated lock.

Even though I couldn't see Keigo, I could tell by his feather language that my words weren't enough to steer him away.

He simply snuggled the soft part of his feather back against my shoulder, patiently waiting for me to pick the lock.

"Come on..." I grumbled with myself, having a little bit of a hard time since my hands have been restrained for four days. They were really shaky and weak, which made lock picking precision that much harder.

Click.

I gasped at the sound of the lock, realizing I finally unlocked the door.

I stayed frozen in place for a moment, feeling a jumbled mix of emotions.

Great, I picked the lock. I haven't been free in four or five days, so this is my first act towards freedom. But, if I fuck this up...any chances of freedom I could have had will fly out the window.

Am I skilled enough to do something like this? Break out of a facility full of villains?

Hm, I don't really know. But, knowing my alternative fate, I have to try. Plus, maybe Keigo's pesky little feather can help me out. He owes me, after all.

Sure, maybe I'm acting a little privileged in not being grateful for Keigo's help right now. But, I've had a hell of a week with him, and I still don't trust his intentions, so unfortunately for him...bitch Ari is here to stay.

I felt Keigo's, now intact, feather gently nudging me forward to open the door.

Feeling insecure, I quickly pulled back against it, not budging.

"Are you a moron? I-I don't know who's out there! I don't have any weapons, either. I'm weak, beaten, and sick. I don't even know my way around this facility. What the hell am I supposed to do!? What's the plan?!" I hissed at him, waiting for a reassuring, informative answer that would never come.

Keigo's feather swirled off my shoulder, before grabbing my hand and urging me towards the doorknob.

Once my hand was on the doorknob, the feather was back on me, gently tugging on my shirt, before settling firmly into place on my shoulder. Clearly, it wasn't going anywhere.

I sighed nervously, decoding Keigo's feather language. I knew what he was trying to say:

"You have to trust me."

Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes...mentally psyching myself up as I prepared to execute my own extraction, with nothing but the wordless help of traitor Keigo's feather.

Yeah right, like this will go well....

"Well, I don't trust you, bird. But, here goes nothing." I mumbled to him, before forcing myself to open the door as slowly as possible.

I bit my lip nervously, expecting to see Toga or Twice looking right at me. One of them was supposed to be on watch duty right now.

But, Keigo was adamant about me opening the door. So, I did it.

And hearing that logic now, it sounds like a stupid reason to open the door....

Wow, I'm a dumb bitch. There's no way I'll live to see tomorrow.

My eyes widened in shock as I fully opened the door, coming face to face with....

An empty room.

What....?

Where's Toga or Twice?-

Nudge. Nudge.

I grit my teeth nervously, as Keigo's feather nudged me forward. He was trying to get me to move.

Forcing my feet to walk, I hesitantly traveled out of my prison room, looking carefully at my surroundings to make sure the room was really empty...

No trace.

No trace of anyone in here. I'm not caught yet.

"Okay..." I breathed out nervously, seeing three different hallways leading down three different paths.

Hmm....

"Well...going right seems like the correct option-" I muttered to Keigo's feather before I was abruptly pulled to the left side.

Smart ass.

I rolled my eyes, in awe of the fact that he still managed to be so irritating even when he wasn't here.

I placed my hands on my hips like a sassy bitch, staying still for a moment so I could chew him out more. Why? Because I felt like it.

"Ya know, you could have steered me left in the first place instead of letting me wait it out like a sitting duck, you beaked bastard." I retorted at his feather, before begrudgingly heading left.

Keigo controlled his feather to obnoxiously swirl up in my face, clearly just trying to annoy me, before settling it back on my shoulder.

I felt myself becoming nervous again as I cautiously walked down the dark hallway. I was doing this completely blind. I had no idea where Keigo was leading me. I had no weapons. I didn't know where the villains were, and I didn't know how this facility was set up.

But, since he's a villain....

I'm guessing he knows this place better than I do. And I can only hope he's had a change of heart, and he's leading me to safety.

Hopefully, this isn't wishful thinking.

Another double corner. I'm gonna turn left-

Nudge Right.

Keigo's feather quickly nudged me in the opposite direction I was planning to go...again, causing me to hold back another smart ass comment.

I felt my mind starting to focus now, as my hero commission training began kicking in. It's time to put my problems with Keigo aside for now, and act like he's actually trying to help me. Even if he's not.

I quickly tapped Keigo's feather that was still resting on my shoulder, trying to get his attention. He responded by moving it closer to my face, the soft barbs of it tickling the side of my mouth.

"Look, Keigs. I need to get a weapon here. In the good chance that this whole thing goes poorly, I need to be able to defend myself. Point me in the direction of something I can use." I whispered to him, watching his feather ruffle a bit in response before landing back on my shoulder.

I let Keigo's feather guide me left down another hallway, forcing myself to put some temporary trust in him.

He nudged me forward slightly....

"Pick up the pace, chicky."

Listening to his feather language, I began walking faster, still keeping my footsteps stealthy and quiet.

I began trying to imagine where Keigo was leading me...

Nudge-

Thinking about what weapons I'd be able to use.

Nudge!-

Hopefully it's something good like a gun, or a bat.

NUDGE!-

Maybe even a sword. Now, that'd be awesome-

PULL!

My eyes widened in shock as Keigo's feather abruptly yanked me away from the corner I was about to turn. Shit, I was so lost in thought, I didn't notice he was trying to communicate with me.

I was quietly pressed up against the wall, thankfully able to remain hidden with the quick wits of Keigo and his feather. I bit down on my lip to keep my sounds quiet, wondering why the hell Keigo was so adamant about me not turning this corner-

"But, I still don't understand! I thought you were a hawk, not a raptor!" I heard Twice whine just around the corner I was about to turn down.

Oh shit. I was a literal foot away from getting caught. I need to be more careful-

"Hah! C'mon Twice, we've been over this!" The other person said in response, causing me to almost choke on my breath as I recognized the voice.

"I told ya...a hawk is a raptor. The raptor part just means birds of prey. Y'know, it's like my bird family." Keigo continued in amusement, as the feather on my shoulder simultaneously moved over my mouth...

"Stay quiet." Keigo's trying to say.

He knows I'm here, just a few feet away from him. I can't believe he's right around the corner. I figured he'd be doing this little operation in the safety and secrecy of his room or something. What the hell is he doing out here in the thick of it all? It's risky for me, but it's even more risky for him.

"So, you come from a family of birds? You look pretty human to me, Hawks..." Twice said unsurely, causing Keigo to automatically laugh again.

That was a nervous laugh if I ever heard one, Keigo Takami.

"Hey you're onto somethin', but you're also completely wrong. I come from a family of humans, but my bird species is a raptor, ya see." He said patiently, simultaneously using his feather to start nudging me backwards.

"Get away from here." He's trying to say-

"Hm, what was that?" Twice asked at the sound of my footstep, causing me to start screaming internally.

Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. AHHHH.

Keigo's feather quickly pushed me back up against the wall...

"Don't move yet."

Suddenly, a light thumping sound was heard around the corner.

"Hm? What? You mean that? Just my wings hitting against the wall, see? You guys got some tiny hallways around here, man-hey, I know. Why don't we take this bird talk somewhere else. I'm feeling a little cramped in here." Keigo suggested casually, as the feather on my shoulder twitched slightly.

He's anxious.

"Aw, you know I'd love to, Hawks. But, I've been gone long enough. I gotta get back to watching Ari's cell. But, thanks for stopping by to say hi! Real nice of ya to convince me to take a walk to clear my head. I didn't realize how much I really needed it! You've never done such a thing this late at night before. It's refreshing. You should stop by more often." Twice exclaimed cheerfully, starting to walk in my direction.

Damn it! I'm so dead-

"A-Ah-okay! Fair enough, that you have to get back to Ari, but let's take the long way, at least!" Keigo quickly said, tones of panicked desperation barely slipping through his voice.

What the hell...

Now, I get it. Keigo's out and about right now trying to distract Twice, the person who's supposed to be watching me, so I can escape.

Damn, that's a very dangerous thing for him to be doing. He's basically sticking his neck out on the line for me right now.

After he's the one who put me in this situation...

Why?? What the hell are his motives? I don't understand.

Only makes him more confusing.

Before I had anymore time to dwell over the confusing hot mess that is Keigo Takami, I felt my feet hover off the floor.

Looking around, I realized Keigo was using his feather to float me backwards...away from him and Twice. Smart bird. He knows if he floats me away, Twice won't be able to hear my footsteps. But, I realize he can't carry me forever. Where am I supposed to go?

"Ah, take the long way? Why would I do that, when I can just take the short way, Hawks?" Twice asked Keigo innocently, clearly not understanding.

Keigo, you dumbass. Get it together.

Keigo didn't quite seem like he was on his A game right now, in terms of lying and making up excuses. Maybe it's just because I knew what we were currently doing right now, but it was pretty obvious to me that he's nervous and full of shit.

I thought he would be better at this. Ya know, after he practiced these skills on me for seven months-

"I-I dunno, Twice. It just seems like the right thing to do. I mean, don't ya think it's the right thing to do, too? Y'know...take the long way through the garden foyer, talk some talk, laugh some laughs. C'mon we're buds, so let's act like it! Stop and smell the roses! You don't want life to pass ya by, right?" Keigo stated loud and clear, subtly trying to enunciate certain words. I immediately picked up on his tone, gathering he was trying to code me a message.

"Right."

Hm, right...

I quickly looked around the hallway I was floating in, seeing it split down two different directions.

Right and left.

Right.

Keigo wants me to go right.

He had successfully hovered me far enough away from him and Twice to where my foot steps wouldn't be heard. I used the opportunity to quickly and quietly make my way down the right direction of the hallway, disappearing into the dark shadows.

I was about to release a sigh of relief, before I quickly held it in upon hearing two pairs of footsteps now trekking down the area I was just standing in a moment ago.

Pressing my lips together, I felt Keigo's feather quickly press me back up against the wall as him and Twice came into view.

I could see them, but they couldn't see me. The area I was standing in was too dark.

But, if I moved or made a sound...all they had to do was look in my direction and make out my shadow.

Keigo's feather quickly swirled back over my mouth, trying to make sure I stayed quiet.

As if I don't already know that, you dumb piece of shi-

"That is so weird! I really thought I heard something over here." Twice said in confusion, looking around the hallway curiously.

Keigo's eyes barely glanced in my direction for more than a second, before he immediately shot his gaze back to Twice.

This is the first time I've gotten a look at him tonight, and I've gotta say....he was clearly very stressed. Well...not clearly. I mean, the average acquaintance, like Twice wouldn't be able to tell. But, I know Keigo's body language.

His normally messy hair was even more of a wreck than usual, due to him running his hands through it stressfully. I could see a light sheen of sweat coating his paled face. It was probably around two in the morning right now, and he still hasn't gone to sleep in four days. Exhaustion was visibly starting to show on him, no matter how much the commission trains its students for situations such as these.

I almost felt bad for him. Almost.

He ran a gloved hand through his dirty, disheveled hair, his feather twitching anxiously on my shoulder again.

I cursed myself for involuntarily reaching my hand up and giving his feather a soft stroke to calm him down.

It doesn't mean anything. I'm just trying to make sure he doesn't blow this for me.

I watched from afar as his wings shivered on cue, meaning he could clearly feel my touch. His shoulders visibly relaxed a second later.

He quickly gained back his usual Hawks demeanor, flashing Twice his familiar cocky grin.

"Heh, well looks like there's nothin' to see here, right? And besides, I'm sure everything's peachy keen with Ari. That little chick's probably busy crying herself to sleep, about becoming a nomu. She ain't going anywhere. C'mon, Twice. Take a walk with me. I wanna know more about my good friend." Keigo suggested warmly, nodding for Twice to follow him.

The hallway was quiet for a moment in pure tense silence, as Keigo and I waited for Twice's verdict. If he goes back to my cell now....I'm toast...and so is Keigo since he's involved in this, too.

We'll both be dead.

After a few more agonizing seconds of Twice stroking his masked face in thought...

"Ah, alrighty! I guess a few extra minutes won't hurt. But wow, ya really think Ari's crying right now?" Twice asked curiously, as he naively trailed behind Keigo towards the far entrance of the building.

Thank god.

"Ari? Crying? Oh, sure she is! I bet she's in there right now, just ballin' her eyes out. She's probably got tears and snot coming down her face like a little baby. Oh yeah. Definitely not a pretty sight to-OW!" Keigo exclaimed, as I plucked a piece of fluff out of his feather that was resting on my shoulder.

"He gets it. Now, shut up." I hissed into his feather, causing it to obnoxiously swirl up in my face again.

A moment later, his feather nudged me strongly to get me back into my escape plan.

Not wasting another second, I quickly took off down the hallway, waiting to see where Keigo's feather would lead me next.

I don't know how he's gonna convince Twice to stay away from my empty cell...

And I definitely don't know how he's going to be able to focus on that task and focus on guiding me out of this building on four days without sleep.

But, I guess only time will tell, right?