Let It Be a Nightmare - Akira short story
Akira; Age 17
Amie; Age 17
Kumi; Age 16
Leo; Age 15
Everett; Age 16
—
Pressure built up around Akira's neck and they gagged, struggling to breathe as the rope continued to tighten, breaking skin and cutting off air flow. They were half aware of the screaming in the background, blending in with the ringing in their ears. Their breathing turned shallow and, a tear sliding down their cheek, Akira let go of the arm holding them down, ready to give up and slip into eternal sleep.
As they fell limp, their amber eyes traveled slowly around the room, blurry and stinging, only focusing when they latched onto a pair of heterochromatic eyes laced with tears. Their sister reached out her hand, mouth moving without making a sound.
Kira didn't need to hear. Her broken expression, little Leo hanging from her free arm before being gently pulled away by Kumi. Everett's normally stoic face distorted by tears, averting his eyes.
It was enough. They couldn't die. Not now, not here.
Their family needed them.
Driven by the need to survive, Akira clenched their jaw and looked up to meet the eyes of their enemy. There was no such thing as mercy here.
He had to die.
The rest was a blur. The enemy was alive, then he was dead.
Nothing else mattered. Akira was alive. That's all that mattered.
—
Akira gasped, sitting up quickly as the pressure finally lifted from their neck. It took them a moment to orient themselves. Once they did, they relaxed, a soft smile appearing on their lips as they examined the sleeping expressions of their found family. The four lay together, protecting each other from the cold and any nightmares that may occur. Leo, as always, was positioned in the middle, curled in a ball with Everett's arm flung limply on top of him.
Letting out a quiet breath, Akira stood and walked out of the room as quietly as possible, heading out to the porch and leaning against the railing. They breathed deeply, hand instinctively reaching up to brush over their scar.
A few minutes later, the quiet tapping of bare feet sounded behind them and they glanced over, smiling faintly as Amie approached.
"Hey, Aki!" She positioned herself next to her sibling and smiled softly at them, blue and brown eyes sparkling faintly in the moonlight. "Was it another nightmare?"
Akira hummed in affirmation and Amie sighed softly, reaching out to take Akira's hand in her own.
"I'm sorry, I know it's not easy." Akira examined her for a moment before looking back to the field of the home, struggling to see beyond the protective wall that locked them all in.
"Of course, we all do. I'm not the only one who suffers here." They smiled again, rather lazily this time. "It's not all bad though."
Amie nodded and rested her head on Akira's shoulder gently, dirty blonde hair rustling in the faint wind. "I heard the mistress talking earlier tonight. When I was preparing for bed."
"Hmm? What news did she bring?"
Amie seemed to hesitate, taking in a quiet breath. "Someone is looking at Leo. I think he might finally find a home. They sound good too, a younger couple, eager and happy. People he deserves."
Akira nodded tensely. "That's good… Does Everett know yet?"
"No." Amie breathed, eyes darkening. "Kumi knows, she was with me when I heard Mistress speaking, but Everett won't take it well. We both know."
Kira sighed. "Yeah."
"Maybe we could do something?" Amie suggested, standing up straight again. "You know, convince the couple to take Everett in too! The two are glued together, it can't be that hard!"
Akira watched Amie's desperate expression and looked away, unable to watch her. "We can try. Everett is not very… out there, though. He won't fight for himself, especially not if he thinks it will affect Leo."
"I know." Amie murmured. "But he's been fighting for Leo the whole time, if he's gone…"
"Yeah. I know."
The two stood in silence for a long time before Akira finally sucked in a breath and rolled their shoulders back, their usual lazy smile touching their lips once more. "Welp, it never hurts to try. Now c'mon, I think I'll die if I don't get more sleep."
Amie chucked and followed her siblings lead back to the shared room. "You always need more sleep, Aki, I don't know how you haven't died of oversleeping!"
"Meh, I'm just that cool! Besides, if I'm gonna die it'll definitely be from freezing to death."
"What the hell?! You're literally a human heater, how, for fucks sake, are you cold?"
Kira shrugged. "Dunno." They flashed Amie a smile and plopped back down onto their twin-sized mattress which was pressed against their other siblings in order for everyone to be closer together. "But it's a fact. G'night, little sister."
"Good night, Aki. I love you."
Their chest tightened slightly and they smiled weakly as they lay down, pressing their back again Kumi, who mumbled something in her sleep and turned towards the contact.
"I love you too, Amie. We'll figure this shit out, I promise."
"I know we will. We always do."
Spring Month: 1 
Night Weather: 
Clear Moon: 
