Chapter Text
The man shook Anya back and forth violently as he ran out of the bus, trying to escape.
In another universe, one so similar to this one, maybe Martha would get to Anya first. Maybe her parents would be closer. Maybe the police would hesitate.
Not in this universe.
Instead, Anya watched the gun in the officer’s hand fire.
Almost as if watching in slow motion, Anya followed the bullet up until it was replaced by an explosion of blood.
Pain resonated from her shoulder, and Anya couldn’t help but let out a scream like she hadn’t done since meeting Papa.
Anya fell, unaware that chaos was now unfolding around her tenfold.
Martha, instead of using her taser like originally planned, tackled the attacker down and started bashing him into the cement face-first over and over. Anya was already on the ground, still crying as the wound where the bullet had torn through her shoulder then sank into the man who’d been holding her after.
Suddenly, Anya’s cries were replaced by wet, painful choking.
Blood poured from Anya’s throat in waves, coating her tongue in the metallic taste she felt was far too familiar.
“Anya!” Two voices screamed from the bus entrance, young and filled with panic.
Anya’s eyes clouded over. Her vision swam, just like it did when the men in white coats got too excited in the facility.
Footsteps sounded around her as hands pushed and pressed against her wound.
Anya’s fingers twitched against the cement beneath her. The cement was cold when she first hit it, but Anya couldn’t help but notice the warmth spreading across it as her blood stained the ground.
Oh, she realized. Voices and thoughts. Lots of thoughts. Loud and all-consuming were ringing out in her head from everyone around her.
Someone hoisted Anya up, causing her to choke again as her eyes rolled back.
She wanted Mama. She wanted Papa.
One final thought rang loud and clear in Anya’s head before she drifted off to the world of sleep.
‘Is that Anya?’