I spent the whole night doing pretty much nothing other than thinking of the worst case scenario. Either we all end up dead or I just got dumped. There weren't a lot of favorable options, especially not to my anxious mind.

I skipped school the next day. I couldn't be around other people, it was just too much. Besides, I had a feeling I'd be getting a taunting text message and I just couldn't deal with that in the middle of school.

I was right, obviously. I got another text at eleven thirty, exactly when I would be heading to lunch if I was at school.

"So, you know my schedule, but not that I'm at home today. You have the weirdest expanse of knowledge," I muttered with a sigh as I dug my phone out.

Unknown-

Maybe you aren't a horrible person

Well other than the lying

And the sneaking around

And using another guy for comfort

You know, you're kind of a whore

You know that one silly expression, about a straw breaking a camel's back. Well that was the straw, and I was fucking over it. I hit the call button and brought the phone to my ear. He answered after a single ring.

"Hello, little snitch," his gravel filled voice filled the line, causing a shiver to run down my back.

I took a single, quick breath. "If you're going to kill me, just get it over with. I'm done with this stupid fucking game," I spat into the receiver, hoping that he could feel the venom in my voice.

He laughed harshly as I held my breath. I knew this was a dumb move, but I couldn't do it anymore. He could kill me for all I cared, I just couldn't keep playing this game. I couldn't keep hurting people I cared about for his amusement. I'd rather just be dead at that point.

"You don't get to call the shots here. This is my game." He seemed more deranged than the last time I'd actually spoken to him. I guess prison will do that to a person.

I couldn't help the instinctual reaction that came from being put in my place. I hummed as I pretended to think about his words. "I guess I'll just have to kill myself and forfeit your game then. You'll win by default and everyone will be happy."

I'm not sure what I was expecting for a response, but it was not the screech that followed my declaration. "Try it and everyone you've ever known will meet you in the after life," he threatened, his voice low and quick. Did he think I already had a gun to my head or something?

"Dude," I said in utter disbelief. "I'll be dead, I don't give a fuck." It was a bluff, but the version of me that Shigaraki had once known would have meant it. I hoped it was enough to fool him.

"Oh?" His voice gave away the fact that he hadn't bought it at all. There was a superior air as he spoke. All my hope was drained away. "So you won't mind if I use Todoroki and Shinsou as target practice? And that little brunette that used to follow you around. Tie them up and see how many bullet holes they can survive?"

My voice died in my throat at the thought.

Shigaraki didn't seem to mind my lack of speech as he continued on with his depravity. "How about those new losers you hang out with now? Especially those two, hm, what were their names again? Oh yeah, Eijirou Kirishima and Katsuki Bakugou. I could strap some C4 to them and see how many little pieces they explode into, that'd be fun-"

"Shut up," I seethed, my fist clenched so hard I feared for the life of my phone. "Shut the fuck up, or so help me god-"

"Ah," Shigaraki said, his voice all gloating. "So, I guess you won't be forfeiting my little game then?"

He had successfully called my bluff. Killing myself was kind of my only plan B, so I needed to think of something quick. What kind of weakness did this deranged bomber have? Who am I kidding, the only person who would possibly know that would have had to be close to him. I didn't even know anyone I could go to for help.

Or did I?

I was putting a lot of faith in others at that moment, but it was quite literally all I could do. If the police were getting nowhere, I had to protect the people I cared about. By any means necessary.

"You're running out of friends to exploit, Shigaraki," I daringly said, trying to push aside the mental images of my dead loved ones. My statement seemed to catch him off guard, because he shut up long enough for me to go on. "People have to be getting tired of your bullshit, of how careless you are, of your stupid agendas that only end up bad for them. You're going to run out of places to hide, and then I'll find you. You didn't keep me around because I was pretty, Shigaraki. You kept me around because you thought I was just crazy enough to keep up with you. Come after me or anyone I love again, and you'll see how crazy I can actually be."

I hung up before he could say anything else. I had shit to do.

*****************************

The first thing I did was shoot Himi a text that I was heading to the club. It was only noon so the place wasn't even open yet, but she was too excited to see me to question the visit.  Dabi was the one who ended up letting me in, but I didn't mind. He was the one I needed to talk to anyway.

"Don't shoot me," I said carefully as he led me further into the club. The bar came into sight, with one of my favorite blondes sitting there with a big smile. "But I'm the one who called the cops on you."

Just as expected, there was a gun drawn on me in seconds. "You better explain quick, shorty," Dabi said in a calm and even tone.

"I don't know how, but Shigaraki found me. He's been threatening me for weeks," I rushed to explain. Dabi could be a little trigger happy when people truly pissed him off. "He was going to kill someone if I didn't get your bar shut down. He's not your friend either."

Dabi's eyes narrowed as he looked me up and down, trying to decide if I was telling the truth. "Proof?"

I nodded my head behind me. "My phone's in my back pocket, I have all the texts."

Dabi groaned and dropped the gun, it was placed back into the waistband of his pants. "I fucking knew that bastard was up to something. Phone, give it," he demanded, holding out a hand.

I was quick to toss it to him after pulling up the text thread with Shigaraki. He led me over to the bar and I took a seat next to my best friend, who pulled me into a hug instantly. "What the hell was that about?" she asked in a whisper.

"Shigaraki," I answered with a shrug.

Himi faked a gag at the name. "I fucking hate that guy."

"Don't we all," Dabi said with a sarcastic smile, sliding my phone back to me. "What'd you want from me?" he asked with a skeptical look in his eye.

"Preferably, I'd like him dead," I said in complete honesty. "But I'll settle for your help finding him. I'm not stupid, I know it was you that told him where to find me." I folded my hands on the bar top, watching him carefully.

"Yeah, well, I had more shit to hide than you ever did," he explained, giving me a pointed look.

"And I still sold you out, so we're even," I said with a tone of finality. Shigaraki was the common thread, we had to focus all our energy on him. We could fight it out later if we felt the need. "But with your business, I think you have the best chance at finding him. From there we can either give the location to the cops or we can handle it ourselves."

Dabi rubbed at his chin as he thought over my words. "If he gets arrested again, there's no guarantee he doesn't squeal about every illegal thing we've done," he pointed out.

I shrugged. "I'm a minor and could easily get around it by saying he was threatening me."

"I don't think that'll work for me," Dabi said in a deadpan voice.

"So, no cops. We kill him ourselves." I was starting to get a little frustrated. If Dabi didn't agree to help me, I was fucked. I had no other options. "Do you have a problem with that?"

"No, I'd prefer it. That bastard has had it coming for years," Dabi said with an eye roll.

I nodded in agreement, grabbing one of Himiko's hands. She'd been quiet throughout our conversation, so I didn't know what she was thinking.

"I'm helping, however I can. You know that, right?" She turned to me suddenly, a hard set to her jaw. She was sure about this and there would be no changing her mind.

I smiled as I shook my head. "Couldn't do it without you anyway."

"I'll get my guys on it, but-" Dabi stopped as he looked between us. He was frowning, clearly not thrilled by this turn of events. "We're gonna need bait after we find him."

"I'm public enemy number one, I'll do it," I said without a second thought. I had already expected it, planned for it.  

Dabi shook his head. "He won't go for it. He doesn't want you dead, he wants you to break."

I narrowed my eyes at the older man in front of me. "You better not be suggesting what I think you're suggesting."

Dabi tilted his head as he studied me. "He'll go for your friends and family at the drop of a hat. It's the best bet."

"I can't use them as bait!" I exclaimed, looking at him like he grew an extra head.

"Can't?" Dabi asked. "Or won't? Maybe you should ask them before you rule it out, seeing as it's the only way this dumb plan will work."

"It's not a dumb plan," I defended, crossing my arms over my chest. "It's better than what you came up with, which was nothing."

"Don't get mouthy in my club," Dabi said like an older brother scolding a young sibling. It wasn't a new thing, being besties with his little brother basically made him the older, deranged brother I never wanted.

Himiko placed a hand on my shoulder, drawing my attention away from Dabi and over to her. "I think you should tell them, let them make the decision."

I hung my head with a huff, defeated. "Fine, I'll tell them."

HES GONNA TELL THEEEEEEM THISLL BE SO FUN!!